Birth statistics in Australia are collected every two years and new statistics are to be expected sometime soon. The latest statistics tell us that In 2013, 67% of women had a vaginal birth. Most vaginal births were non-instrumental (82%). When instrumental delivery was required, vacuum extraction was more commonly used than forceps (11% and 7% respectively).

The overall rate of primary caesarean section (that is, those perfomed on women with no previous history of caesarean sections) was 23%; this rate was higher for the first-time mother (34%) and lower for mothers who had previously given birth (10%).

The vast majority of women (85%) who had a previous caesarean section had a repeat caesarean section, while the remainder had a vaginal birth: 12% had a non-instrumental vaginal birth and almost 4% had an instrumental vaginal birth. Hence, having had a previous caesarean section was the most common main reason for having a caesarean.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2015. Australia’s mothers and babies 2013—in brief. Perinatal statistics series no. 31. Cat no. PER 72. Canberra: AIHW.