Caesarean section rates in Wales have reached their highest level on record, with 42% of babies delivered via C-section in 2025, according to the latest Welsh government figures. Just over half of these operations were performed as emergency procedures. The rising rates have prompted concerns from mothers, healthcare professionals, and advocacy groups about the adequacy of postnatal care and support systems designed to address the specific needs of women recovering from major abdominal surgery.
Several women have shared accounts of feeling unprepared and unsupported during their recovery periods. One mother described being left with unanswered questions about proper wound healing and normal recovery symptoms, with nearly three weeks passing before she felt physically able to leave her house. Another reported being separated from her newborn for seven hours while recovering on a hospital ward, unable to see her infant who had been admitted to neonatal intensive care. A third mother indicated that the care she received varied significantly across multiple caesarean deliveries, with inconsistent guidance about what constituted normal recovery.
Healthcare and midwifery experts have identified significant gaps in the current system. The Royal College of Midwives in Wales noted that postnatal care for caesarean patients should include comprehensive support with pain management, wound care, and surgical recovery alongside assistance with infant feeding and care. A trained midwife and pregnancy specialist observed that women frequently report feeling abandoned after hospital discharge, with limited resources available outside of private services. She emphasized that postnatal support appears primarily oriented toward vaginal birth recovery rather than the demands of major surgery.
The Welsh government has acknowledged the issue, with a February report highlighting that the rapid increase in caesarean sections and inductions had not been adequately evaluated for consequences affecting women, families, and the NHS. Concerns were raised about insufficient staffing and support across maternity services. The government has committed to a three-year improvement programme, though the Royal College of Midwives indicated that service development has not kept pace with the changing landscape of maternity care. For comparison, England reports approximately 45% of babies delivered by caesarean section.
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