The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has today launched a consultation on its draft Good Practice Paper on the Provision of Planned Caesarean Birth Services in the UK.
There are major shifts happening in how women and pregnant people are giving birth – with more caesarean births, both planned and emergency. One factor in this is the increasing proportion of pregnancies that are complex.
The caesarean birth rate in England has steadily increased, yet there is no unified national guidance on how planned caesarean services should be organised. The RCOG is developing a new Good Practice Paper to establish best practice and improve the quality of their services, ensuring safer and more equitable care for women across the UK.
Gathering input from patients, healthcare professionals and the public is a vital part of developing this Good Practice Guidance. As maternity services continue to evolve, we want to ensure that local services are adequately resourced, and can support increasing demand for caesarean births where appropriate.
The RCOG does not promote one mode of birth over another. Most women in the UK recover well and have healthy babies whether they give birth vaginally or by caesarean. Both options carry benefits and risks, and individual circumstances will vary - so it is essential that women receive personalised information to make informed choices about how and where they give birth. The safety and wellbeing of both the woman and baby must always be the focus.
To support informed decision-making, the College has produced a range of resources for women and healthcare professionals, including:
- Considering a caesarean birth – this Patient Information Leaflet explains the benefits and potential risks of having a planned caesarean birth or a vaginal birth.
- Understanding the risks and benefits of a caesarean - This animation is designed to support the informed consent process for planned caesarean births by outlining the risks and benefits pregnant women and individuals should be informed of beforehand.
- Planned Caesarean Birth (Consent Advice No. 14) - guidance for healthcare professionals on the consent process for women who are considering a planned caesarean birth. This guidance seeks to help healthcare professionals provide balanced information about the potential benefits and risks of planned caesarean births and vaginal births.
We welcome your feedback to help shape this important Good Practice Paper.
- Access the consultation here. This consultation will close at midnight on Thursday 21 August 2025.