Birth Statistics

[Nov2023]

Hi all. I am a consultant led FTM. Meeting the consultant soon and am concerned that I don't feel informed about my birth options. Does anyone know how or where to find the statistics related to birthing outcomes/ odds of an emergency C section? I am petrified of being induced and feel that I will end up with a C section due to risk factors of age 37 FTM , BMI just over 30 at booking and medicated hypertension. Like most people I would like to see the future and know that a vaginal labour would work out ok, but I am also afraid of trying for vaginal and it ending in an emergency C section. I am also not sure about choosing an elective C section if it is just anxiety and fear of the unknown so some statistics might help.

I think you'd benefit from reading Milli Hills 'positive birth book' this will alleviate some of your fears, explain your different birth options and help you make evidence based informed decisions about your care. It also points you towards resources that have the statistics on different topics - it's been updated since I last read it as well so will have up to date resources listed.

Also try googling 'The Birth Place Study' which may have some helpful information

Also the odds of an 'emergency' c section really depends on the trust you're with. You can find the stats with a bit of googling around.

E.g. think the national average is around 20% but in my trust it's around 40% which indicates that my trust is a bit 'c-section happy' (or intervention happy which tends to lead to C-section) this is one of the many reasons I'm planning a home birth for this pregnancy. (But you need to do what feels right for you of course)

Thank you for this. I'll order the book and check out the statistics. I didn't know where to start! Good luck with your home birth. Not an option for me but it sounds like a calmer option

I was 37, a FTM, and had a high risk pregnancy due to gestational diabetes. So scared to be induced at 37 weeks, but it was actually fine. No interventions, no tearing, painful but manageable. There was a thread on here somewhere about positive inductions that I read about. In real life some family members and friends had positive ones also. It is possible. A couple of friends chose planned c sections and had a lovely experience also of those.

Good luck