Over 40% of women had caesarean sections in 2024, HSE confirms

The national rate of caesarean sections is at a record level

The HSE confirmed the figure has increased from 29.6% of all women in 2014 to 40.6% in 2024.

The Irish Maternity Indicator System report analyses data from Ireland's 19 maternity hospitals in a bid to improve care for pregnant people and their babies.

C-sections are becoming more popular in Ireland for a variety of reasons, according to a study by the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Trinity College.

The team behind the study shared, "Factors that influence a clinician’s decision to perform a CS on a first-time mother are complex and multifactorial. Researchers found that decisions are driven by a clinician’s fear of adverse outcomes and subsequent litigation, personal preference, and their threshold to intervene, and the culture of practice within the system, and finally by organisational guidelines and policies."

The HSE maternity report also noted that rates of eclampsia have continued to fall since 2014.

There has also been a decrease in severe perineal tears.

There has sadly been an increase in ectopic pregnancies in Ireland. You can read more about ectopic pregnancies here.

The study also noted a drop of over 20% in births in the last 11 years in Ireland.

What happens during a C-Section?

There are two different types of C-sections: a planned (elective) operation or an emergency operation.

A caesarean birth is when your baby is born through an incision (cut) in your tummy and womb.

The cut is usually made across your tummy, just below your belly button. A C-section operation takes about 45 minutes.

An epidural or spinal anesthetic are used in most C-sections, and the patient will be awake during the operation. However, some patients will be given a general anesthetic during an emergency C-section, meaning they will be asleep for the operation.

Why do people need emergency C-sections?

Some patients will need to have an emergency caesarean if there are complications before or during labour.

Your medical team may believe a vaginal birth is too dangerous and may put you or your baby at risk.

Patients usually have an emergency caesarean if:

• labour is not progressing
• the baby needs to be born quickly

You can find out more information here.

You can view the report in full here.