Most mums-to-be would opt for a natural delivery.

For many expectant mothers though, medical complications can arise, resulting in them having to have a caesarean section.

Criticisms of being ‘too posh to push’ generally levelled at those electing to have a C-section make it appear to be an easy option when, in fact, it is a major surgical operation and one that isn’t taken lightly.

Yet, according to the latest maternity figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre, 25 per cent of mothers in England had a caesarean – a slight increase from the previous year.

Older mothers were more inclined to have an elective C-section, with 18 per cent over 35 opting not to give birth naturally.

One in ten mothers aged 25 to 34 had the elective surgery and five per cent of those under 25 gave birth by Caesarean, according to hospital data from 2011 to 2012.

The figures have given the Royal College of Midwives cause for concern. Louise Silverton, the RCM’s director for midwifery, says: “There has been a rise in the number of elective Caesareans while the number of emergency caesareans has remained stable. Questions must be asked as to what the driver is behind this increase in elective surgery.

“An increase in caesarean rates and instrumental deliveries often reflects a decrease in involvement with midwives, and this concerns me.”

However, Bradford appears to be bucking the trend. According to Dr Janet Wright, clinical lead for obstetrics and gynaecology at Bradford Royal Infirmary, the hospital’s caesarean section rate has dropped from 21 per cent in 2011 – the highest it has ever been – to 19.75 per cent up to November this year.

“I would like to think it is because we promote normal births, but we have always been like that here,” explains Dr Wright.

The hospital’s new £1.2m Birth Centre, where women with low-risk pregnancies can seek a natural birth, is bound to endorse that promotion.

Dr Wright says the city’s demographics also play a part in the reduction, with with a lower proportion of women being first-time mums.

Dr Wright says the slight increase nationally could be due to more older women having babies, and obesity could also be a contributory factor as complications could lead to women having a caesarean section.

Mum-of-five, Ruth Weston, from Shipley runs a business supplying birthing pools and gave birth to her youngest child on television when she appeared on BBC 3’s Desperate Midwives.

Ruth believes caesarean sections aren’t to be taken lightly. “It is a major operation and I think we need to be aware that it is major abdominal surgery. It is not an easy option.”

Ruth also believes there is a “bigger issue” around the fear of childbirth and the care women receive in the birth of their first babies.

“I think in one sense it is worrying because there are unnecessary caesarean sections being done for a number of reasons. It is a culture of medical intervention,” says Ruth.

“In Bradford I would say we are doing well. The number of caesarean sections has gone down to below the national average and there is a strong policy within Bradford to maintain and to build on a culture of normal births.”

She says women shouldn’t be afraid to choose a normal birth. “If you have good care and lots of options in terms of support during labour, that makes a big difference to your experience and what you want.”

Leigh East, of Ilkley, had planned caesareans with both her daughters, now aged eight and six.

“I had a back injury as a teenager, which the consultant thought may cause problems,” explains Leigh.

To prevent serious complications, Leigh opted for a Caesarean, but the lack of information she found while preparing for the procedure prompted her to write ‘Caesarean Births – a positive approach to preparation and recovery’, which she is selling online.

“A caesarean birth is not the terrible thing it is made out to be,” she says. “For me, they were very positive experiences.”