The Definition of Normal Birth Rate

For 2003 onwards, the normal birth rates shown on this website for maternity units in England come from the Maternity Statistics Bulletin, published by the Information Centre for Health and Social Care (by the Department of Health for the years 2002-03 and 2003-04).

The definition included in their Bulletin²¹ is stated as being:

"a normal delivery is one without induction, without the
use of instruments, not by caesarean section and without general, spinal or
epidural anaesthetic before or during delivery. Excluded are any other procedures
not relating to an unassisted delivery except repair of laceration."

We have asked the Information Centre for clarification of this definition and they have confirmed that a normal delivery is defined by them as being one where a woman

• Starts labour without induction.
• Did not have any anaesthesia (general, spinal or epidural),
• Did not have a caesarean (planned or emergency)
• Did not have an instrumental delivery (forceps or ventouse/vacuum),
• Did not have an episiotomy.

For information about the history and reasoning behind this definition please click here