The UK's caesarean section rates are well above that recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) new figures show.
Data presented at the annual congress of the European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA) reveal that between 25 and 30 per cent of deliveries in the UK are by caesarean section.
The split for the four nations is 25 per cent in England, 26 per cent in Scotland and Wales and 30 per cent in Northern Ireland.
Overall, the UK's caesarean section rate is made up of 15 per cent emergency procedures and ten per cent elective operations.
World Health Organisation (WHO) guidance suggests that just 15 per cent of births should be by caesarean section.
Dr Matt Wilson, a clinician scientist at the National Institute for Health Research and senior lecturer on anaesthesia at the University of Birmingham, suggested that the trend may be due to a number of factors, including advanced maternal age and improved obstetric monitoring enabling better early decision making.
'Crucially, since women who have previously delivered by caesarean section are more likely to do so for further pregnancies, the trend becomes self-sustaining,' he revealed, adding: 'There is good evidence to suggest that vaginal birth after caesarean section is declining.'
Louise Silverton, a spokeswoman for the Royal College of Midwives, commented that the increase in caesarean rates was concerning, given the fact it is a 'major surgical procedure'.
Visit the ESA Congress website - http://www.euroanaesthesia.org/sitecore/Content/Congresses/Euroanaesthesia%202013.aspx