The regular use of Caesarean sections is having an impact on human evolution, say scientists.

More mothers now need surgery to deliver a baby due to their narrow pelvis size, according to researchers in Austria.

Their study suggests the genes for narrow pelvises are passed on to future generations, leading to further Caesarean deliveries.

They estimate cases where the baby cannot fit down the birth canal have increased from 30 in 1,000 in the 1960s to 36 in 1,000 births today.

Image source, Getty Images

But there are many other factors involved in whether or not a woman will have a C-section.

A planned Caesarean might be necessary if...

• you are expecting twins
• your baby is in the breech (bottom-down) position
• your baby is premature
• you have a low-lying placenta
• you have HIV, hepatitis or herpes

And sometimes an unplanned Caesarean delivery might be required when...

• there is concern about your health or your baby's health
• your labour is not progressing
• you have vaginal bleeding during pregnancy or labour
• you go into labour before the date of your planned Caesarean section

Richard Haugh
BBC News

I've just had a quick tour of the maternity wards, which are spread over three floors of the hospital tower block - a local landmark in Ipswich.

The wards take their name from local rivers - Deben, Brook, and Orwell - and are currently home to 28 women who are either due to give birth, or recently have done.

The midwives I spoke to are reluctant to use 'the q word', as they fear this could prompt a sudden influx of patients.. but it's fair to say they've been busier.

Laurence Cawley
BBC News

Image source, Getty Images

We've just published a story which says increasing obesity levels and a rising age of mothers is partly to blame for a 10% spike in planned Caesarean births.

About 650,000 babies were born in England in 2015-16 of which 73,551 were through elected Caesarean operations. That compares with 66,805 elected Caesarean births in 2011-12 out of a total of 668,936 births.

Why?

Well Dr Pat O'Brien, of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, external, says: "The reason for this small increase is likely due to the increasing number of complex births which require a planned Caesarean.

"In recent years, there has been a higher number of complex births due to older maternal age and obesity and these are both associated with a number of complications, including a greater risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and a more complicated labour.

"It is important to know that the term 'elective' Caesarean section refers to any Caesarean that is planned and should not to be confused with Caesarean sections for maternal choice."

Mark Bulstrode
BBC News

We're here at Ipswich Hospital for two main reasons.

First, Ipswich is a fairly typical English hospital in terms both of its physical size, capacity and catchment area.

Second, they invited us in after we broadcast a similar 24-hour live page from here focusing on its emergency department.

Image source, Ipswich Hospital

• 385,000 people live in the hospital's catchment area
• 45-acre site on the eastern side of Ipswich
• 3,000 people are looked after each day by the hospital
• 4,075 employees
• £230m annual budget

So, you have the numbers. But what do they mean in real life for the staff, visitors and patients at Ipswich? That's exactly what we hope to find out.

Laurence Cawley
BBC News

Hello, and welcome to the start of our 24 hours of coverage live from Ipswich Hospital's maternity ward.

Over the course of our time here, we'll be speaking to nervous (soon to become delighted) parents as well as the midwives, nurses and doctors who will help them give birth.

Each year Ipswich Hospital sees about 3,500 babies enter the world.

We'll be covering every element of the maternity ward - from types of birth, to the feelings and stories of those who come here, to the incredible work done here by staff.

Why not join the conversation on Twitter? Our hashtag is #BBCmaternity24.