Recent data reveals that a quarter of all babies born in England are delivered via emergency caesarean section, marking a notable increase over the past five years. This surge is believed to be influenced by rising fears among pregnant women, particularly in light of recent maternity scandals that have raised concerns about safety during childbirth. A BBC investigation indicates that the percentage of vaginal deliveries without medical instruments has fallen from 53% to 43%. Planned caesareans now represent 20% of births, while emergency C-sections have increased significantly from 18% to 26%. In comparison, the rates in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are lower, at 22%, 20%, and 16%, respectively. Professor Marian Knight from the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit noted that this shift in birthing practices in England is not mirrored in other European nations. Despite the rise in C-sections, rates of stillbirths and neonatal deaths have not improved, raising questions about the implications of these changes for maternal and infant health.