Natural births down to 50% as mums get older – and heavier

ONLY half of babies were delivered naturally last year due to rising numbers of older and obese mothers.

The 50 per cent figure in 2018-19 plunged from 69 per cent ten years earlier, NHS figures show.

A total of 17 per cent of women had caesarean sections – up from 11 per cent a decade ago – while 33 per cent of births were induced – up from one in five.

Doctors said the trend was due to the rise in older and obese mothers who tend to have more complex labours and may be induced earlier.

Many are advised to have surgical deliveries to avoid life-threatening complications during the birth.

The figures show a 7 per cent increase in the number of babies born to women in their 30s over the past ten years, while the proportion of mothers under 20 has more than halved.

They also reflect the fact that more women than ever are choosing to have caesareans because they are afraid of natural childbirth.

Dr Patrick O’Brien, of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: ‘ Women having babies nowadays are increasingly older and more likely to be overweight. Being older means that when you are having a baby you are more likely to have pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

Every one of those things increases the chances of needing to have labour induced.’

He told The Sunday Times: ‘ In my mother’s time, if you were having your first baby over the age of 25, you were ancient, whereas

‘Lots of huffing and puffing’

now the average age is 30. The population has shifted in terms of age and weight, and that has carried with it a shifting upwards of pre-existing conditions.’

Dr O’Brien, a consultant obstetrician at University College Hospital in London, added that there has been a ‘growing reassurance’ over the past few years ‘ that inducing labour is safe for mother, safe for baby and does not increase the chance of caesarean section’.

Women are offered the option of being induced if they do not go into labour naturally by 42 weeks, as there is higher risk of stillbirth if they are overdue. They may also be offered induction if they have problems including high blood pressure or diabetes.

Soaring obesity levels mean half of mothers-to-be are now too fat. Earlier this year, top doctors warned obese pregnant women are injuring midwives while giving birth.

Professor Janice Rymer, of the Royal College Of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said treating obese pregnant women is ‘physically very demanding’ and involves lots of ‘huffing and puffing’.

She added: ‘ You do get musculoskeletal injuries.’