§ Baroness Cumberlegeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the current rate of caesarean births as a percentage of all births; what was the current rate in 1994 and 1989; and what is the current rate of other operative births including forceps and ventouse. [HL3635]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Hayman)The available information is as follows:
England
The available information relates to deliveries. The proportion of deliveries by caesarean section in 1989–90 was 11.3 per cent. and in 1994–95 was 15.5 per cent. Preliminary estimates for 1997–98 suggest that about 17 per cent. of deliveries were by caesarean section and about 11 per cent. were instrumental (i.e. by forceps or ventouse), with the remainder being spontaneous deliveries.
Scotland
The available information relates to live births. The proportion of deliveries by caesarean section in 1989–90 was 15.2 per cent. and in 1994–95 was 16.5 per cent. In 1997–98 18.5 per cent. of live births were by caesarean section and 11.5 per cent. 90WA were instrumental (i.e. by forceps or ventouse), with the remainder being spontaneous deliveries. From 1 July 1999 this is a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
Wales
The available information relates to live births in Wales to residents of Wales. Reliable data are not available on rates of forceps and ventouse deliveries and for years prior to 1993. The proportion of live births by caesarean section was 15.8 per cent. in 1994 and 18.1 per cent. in 1997 (latest figures available). From 1 July 1999 this is a matter for the National Assembly.
Northern Ireland
The available information relates to live births. Reliable data are not available for years prior to 1992. The proportion of live births by caesarean section was 15 per cent. in 1994 and 19 per cent. in 1997 (latest figures available), and 11 per cent. were instrumental (i.e. by forceps or ventouse) in 1997, with the remainder being spontaneous deliveries.
§ Baroness Cumberlegeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the additional costs of a caesarean delivery compared with a vaginal birth, including all expenses such as capital costs, costs of drugs, resulting morbidity, increased length of stay and professional time. [HL3636]
§ Baroness HaymanIn the absence of reliable up-to-date figures we have commissioned a detailed study of the costs directly and indirectly associated with delivery of caesarean section from the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU). This includes comparative analysis of costs associated with other modes of delivery. The NPEU report is due in the autumn and will be submitted for publication in a peer reviewed journal.