Research released today from the ESRI, Trinity College and UCD reports an increase in moms having caesarean section (c-section) births in Ireland.

The study found that the number of births by C-section in Ireland has increased from 7% in 1984 to 13% in 1993 and 30% by 2014 and included data from the 19 maternity hospitals in Ireland.
This rise is very common among developed countries and has most likely led to the decrease in deaths among mothers and children in childbirth which thankfully are now a fraction of what they were in the past!

[READ ALSO: Breastfeeding after a C-section: do you know what to expect?]

But there are a few other factors which might be driving up the rate of c-sections needing to take place:

• The average age of moms has increased from 30 in 1999 to 32 in 2014.
• There has been a 65% increase in the number of births to moms who are aged 35+ since 1999.
• There are higher obesity levels among pregnant women which can cause complications
• A surge in multiple births

Although c-sections have led to safer delivery of births for at-risk moms & babies, Professor Michael Turner, UCD Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Coombe Hospital explains that funding and staffing levels in maternity hospitals need to keep pace with the number of births and increase in c-section rates. But that currently:

“Irish maternity units continue to deliver results

which are among the best in the world.”

At eumom, we are so proud of the amazing work that the expert staff at Ireland’s 19 Maternity Hospitals provide for all moms. Today’s conference at the The Economic and Social Research Institute will bring together leading researchers and practitioners in the field of maternal health to discuss the increasing use of caesarean section in Ireland and the associated risks for mothers and infants.

[READ ALSO: 5 Pilates tips for Caesarian Section recovery]

Did you have a c-section? We’d love you to share your experience and help other moms who might be worried about what’s to come.