Maternity Statistics

We are pleased to share with you our new maternity statistics page. This is where you will find our quarterly statistics including mode of birth, induction and breastfeeding. We have included some useful explanations around our statistics to give you some background understanding into what may influence certain outcomes. 

While on this page we refer to women, we recognise that not all people who give birth will identify as being female and therefore aim to use gender inclusive language wherever possible.

An assisted birth, also known as an instrumental birth, refers to a birth where a doctor has helped birth the baby using either ventouse (vacuum cup) or forceps. Assisted vaginal births are only performed when necessary and when the cervix is fully dilated, and the baby is low in the pelvis. The instruments help the doctor to work alongside the mothers/birthing person’s own pushing.

There can be many reasons why our team may recommend an assisted vaginal birth. Reasons for an assisted birth include:

• Concerns about a baby’s wellbeing, for example a drop in their heartrate or signs of infection.
• Maternal exhaustion.
• Position of the baby, sometimes an assisted birth helps to change the position of the baby to a more optimal position for birth.
• Concerns about maternal wellbeing, for example infection. 

This is not an exhaustive list and a doctor would discuss the rationale with the women at the time of birth.

Planned Caesarean Births

A planned caesarean birth can happen for many reasons, this can be through choice of the women or made following an informed recommendation by the obstetric team due to a factor within the pregnancy.

Some women have additional risk factors within their pregnancy such as placenta previa (placenta covering the cervix), previous caesarean birth and breech presentation. Patients with additional risk factors will see an obstetrician regularly throughout their pregnancy. During these appointments the mode of birth will be discussed and information will be given included risks and benefits to help women make an informed decision regarding a caesarean birth. 

A caesarean birth that is chosen by the woman in the absence of any medical reason is known as a ‘maternal request caesarean birth’. This means there is no medial indication for a caesarean birth but following discussions and counselling with obstetricians the woman has made the informed choice to birth their baby via caesarean.

Unplanned Caesarean Births

An unplanned caesarean birth happens during labour when it is medically the safest mode of delivery for the woman and baby and the risks of vaginal birth outweigh the surgical risks of a caesarean birth.

There are a number of reasons why an unplanned caesarean birth may be recommended. These include maternal infection, concerns about the baby’s wellbeing, cord prolapse (where the umbilical cord slips down through the cervix in front of the baby) or delay in progress during labour. The risks and benefits for mode of delivery will depend on each individual situation and will be discussed with the woman to enable them to make an informed decision following the recommendations and advice given by the obstetric doctor.

Induction of Labour

Induction of labour will be offered if either the mother’s health, or that of the baby (or both) may be compromised if the pregnancy continues. Reasons for induction of labour include reduced fetal movements, diabetes, multiple pregnancy, concerns with growth of baby or the pregnancy continuing past 41 weeks.

Inductions of labour will be offered to all women at 41 weeks, after 42 weeks there is evidence that the placenta may not work as well as before and this could put the baby at increased risk of stillbirth and can increase the chance of needing a caesarean section.

If women are offered induction by a midwife or doctor the reasons will be fully explained, including a discussion about the risks and benefits and any possible alternatives. Women will be provided with other sources of information to help them make an informed decision.

We have extensive tools for women to use to support choice and preparing for the induction process including a digital toolkit. With useful information videos, further reading and relaxation audios.  This can also be found on our Parent Portal within the labour and birth section of the education hub.

Post Birth

Skin to skin has many benefits for both mother and baby, however in some circumstances skin to skin immediately after birth is not possible. This may be due to baby’s condition resulting in them being transferred to special care or can be due to the women’s condition such as feeling nauseous or in a lot of pain. In cases where skin to skin is not possible immediately after birth staff will support parents to have this time with their baby later when both mother and baby are ready.

Breastfeeding initiated refers to the number of babies that have been offered the breast for their first feed but may not have latched and actively fed.  Breastmilk for first feed is the number of babies who have actively fed at the breast, had expressed breastmilk, had harvested colostrum or have mix fed.   

Here at the Royal Surrey we have a dedicated infant feeding team to support women with their choice of feeding method. Throughout the antenatal period women are given resources to inform them of feeding choices to enable parents to make an informed decision on how they want to feed their baby. Due to some circumstances it may not always be possible for a baby to be breastfed for their first feed. In some cases a baby may be unwell, the mother may be too unwell to breastfeed or express and in some situations there is a delay in colostrum coming in to give to the baby. In all situations a midwife, doctor or feeding support worker will have a conversation with the parents to inform them of their choices.