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A recent analysis of NHS data has shown a significant rise in emergency caesarean operations over the last five years. Experts believe that the increase is due to a combination of factors, including older mothers, obesity,and high-profile maternity scandals. The rate of emergency caesarean operations has increased by eight percentage points, while the rate of elective caesareans has also increased.

The unplanned surgeries have increased by eight percentage points, while the rate of elective caesareans has also increased. Experts have ranked the level of planned and unplanned caesarean's from 42 comparative countries; in 2020, England was 14th but by 2025, it was up to 9th.

NHS England says decisions are made by considering individual circumstances and clinical advice to ensure the safest and most appropriate approach for each birth.

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Experts are now investigating why there has been a significant rise in C-sections in the UK. One in four babies are now delivered in emergency operations, with experts suggesting the rise in older mothers,obesity and high profile maternity scandals being to blame.

Analysis of NHS data shows that the rate of emergency caesarean operations have risen significantly over the last five years. The unplanned surgeries have increased by eight percentage points, while the rate of elective caesareans has also increased.

Experts have ranked the level of planned and unplannned caesarean's from 42 comparative countries; in 2020, England was 14th but by 2025, it was up to 9th.

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Prof Marian Knight, director of the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit,believes that recent maternity scandals may have contributed in part. Older women are more likely to suffer complications and have a prolonged labour as their uterine muscles may not work as effectively, leading to weaker contractions.

Recent maternity safety scandals in Morecambe Bay, East Kent and Shrewsbury and Telford all heard similar,devastating stories of mothers and babies dying and a reluctance to do caesareans. Ongoing inquiries in Nottingham and Leeds are likely to have similar concerns.

We also need to recognise the potential impact of rising fear among women, families and staff, which may lead more to choose or to recommend caesarean birth, says Professor Knight.

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Over the last five years, there has also been an 11 per cent increase in the number of legal claims against the NHS for maternity problems. Legal cases typically question why caesareans are not undertaken or not undertaken sooner, Prof Knight says.

Doctors and midwives are rarely criticised for performing an early caesarean. Prof Knight is investigating whether factors like age, obesity and pre-existing medical conditions are contributing to the increase.

Experts say that the rise in C-sections means that hospitals need to be better equipped to deal with the rise.. The cost of a planned C-scetion is about £4,000 - around £800 more than a natural birth - while an emergency C-section is the most expensive at up to £6,000 per birth, according to NHS tariffs that set out how much hospitals are paid.

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Dr Alison Wright, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: The caesarean birth rate in England and globally, has steadily increased over the past decade. There are varied and complex factors contributing to this, including improvements in our ability to detect when a baby's wellbeing is deteriorating during labour, and therefore respond appropriately.

The observed increase in caesarean rates means we must ensure that services are appropriately prepared, with the right staffing levels, training and facilities to manage increasingly complex births and increasing interventions.

Adequate staffing and appropriate theatre resources will be vital to ensuring that all babies and women receive safe, high quality, personalised and compassionate care.