What is caesarean birth
What are the other options for the birth of my baby?
Vaginal birth and induction of labour
Before labour, other options for the birth of your baby may include spontaneous or induced birth. You may find our information about Vaginal Birth or Induction of Labour helpful.
Spontaneous labour and vaginal birth is where labour starts on its own and the baby is born vaginally without the use of any instruments.
Induction of labour: You might be offered induction of labour in the following circumstances: If you are overdue; If your waters break before labour; If you have certain health conditions (high blood pressure); Diabetes in pregnancy; If there are concerns about your baby’s health (your baby is smaller than expected; recurrent episodes of reduced fetal movements); If you are pregnant with twins and the first twin is head down in your pelvis (cephalic presentation); If you are 40 years or older; If you request induction of labour without medical indication; and other rare scenarios (such as maternal chronic health conditions such as heart disease or kidney disease)
If you are in labour, continuing with labour or an instrumental birth with forceps or ventouse may be an option too. Further information can also be found here on the NICE guidelines website and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website.
You do not have to agree to a caesarean birth even if it is recommended. Further information can be found on the NICE guidelines website.
What if things change?
Pregnancy and birth are unpredictable. It is useful to think about your birth preferences but you can change your decision at any time.
You may want to keep an open mind, or go-with-the-flow.
If a caesarean is planned but labour begins on its own, you should contact your maternity unit.
Some people make their decision about caesarean birth during their early antenatal care. You should discuss your birth preferences and the implications, benefits and risks of different options with your midwife or doctor before 28 weeks of pregnancy. After 28 weeks you should receive information about recognising labour.
The decision to plan a caesarean birth should be discussed and documented at the 36-week antenatal clinic or midwife home visit.
You may plan a caesarean birth and have a vaginal birth. You may plan either a spontaneous or induced vaginal birth and have a caesarean birth.
References for "what are the other options?":
Intrapartum care. London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE); 2023 Sep 29. PMID: 37871143. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng235
Assisted Vaginal Birth - Murphy - 2020 - BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology - Wiley Online Library. Accessed: 10/03/2025. Available from: https://www.rcog.org.uk/guidance/browse-all-guidance/greentop-guidelines/assisted-vaginal-birth-green-top-guideline-no-26/
Antenatal care. London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE); 2021 Aug 19. PMID: 34524750. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng201/chapter/Recommendations
References for "what if things change?":
Antenatal care. London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE); 2021 Aug 19. PMID: 34524750. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng201/chapter/Recommendations
Kingdon C, Neilson J, Singleton V, Gyte G, Hart A, Gabbay M, et al. Choice and birth method: mixed-method study of caesarean delivery for maternal request. Bjog. 2009;116(7):886-95.
Divall B, Spiby H, Nolan M, Slade P. Plans, preferences or going with the flow: An online exploration of women's views and experiences of birth plans. Midwifery. 2017 Nov;54:29-34. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2017.07.020.
