The overall number of births has fluctuated around 500 during that time – with 2023’s birthrate giving a five year low of 459, compared to the five year high of 529 in 2021.
In 2021, 217 babies were born by c-section (41%), but in 2019, 2020, and 2022 the number was 175 or lower (between 30 and 34%).
In 2023, there were 208 babies born by c-section (45%). This was split between 122 emergency cesareans and 86 elective.
By comparison, 251 babies were born vaginally in 2023, including 33 using forceps and 21 using ventouse.
Pictured: Data provided through an FOI locally.
Recent data from the UK shows that a quarter of all babies are born by cesareans – suggesting that it is more common for Guernsey’s mums to give birth surgically, by comparison.
The NHS data confirmed that of the 398,675 deliveries in England last year, at least 101,264 were C-sections. At 25% that is up from 23% in 2022, and 13% a decade ago.
However, more English women are choosing to give birth by cesarean – whereas the majority in Guernsey are for emergency reasons.
The English dats suggests 66% of c-sections last year were ‘elective’, whereas in Guernsey just 41% were.
Express has asked HSC for more data surrounding the number of women giving birth vaginally or by c-section in Guernsey, including the data for prior to 2019.
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