More babies delivered by Caesarean section

The number of infants delivered by elective Caesarean section before labour in the first six months dropped by eight per cent compared with the same period last year, statistics released by the Department of Health Information show.

However, the overall number of babies born by Caesarean section - whether elective or emergency - increased by four per cent.

Figures on the methods of birth and national deliveries were issued by the department yesterday in the second quarterly report of the National Obstetric Information System.

The report shows that between April and June there were 933 deliveries registered in the Maltese islands, resulting in a total of 946 births.

This meant a decrease of 33 deliveries and 25 births over the same period last year.

In the same quarter, 21 per cent of women were aged between 30 and 34 when they gave birth.

Many mothers left it even later, with nine per cent opting to have a baby between 35 and 39, and children being born to 21 women aged between 40 and 44. One woman had a child at 47.

Fifteen per cent of all the deliveries occurred to mothers who were never married, an increase of three per cent over the same quarter last year.