Risk to women of severe bleeding after birth up almost 20% since 2020

The risk of women in England suffering severe post-birth bleeding has risen to its highest level in five years, prompting fresh concerns about NHS maternity care.

The rate of postpartum haemorrhage, where a mother loses a dangerous amount of blood after delivery, has increased from 27 per 1,000 births in 2020 to 32 per 1,000 this year, a rise of 19 per cent.

NHS England figures analysed by the Liberal Democrats show last year had the largest number of incidents in the five years since records began, with 16,780 cases despite falling birth rates.

This compares with 15,780 in 2023 and 15,230 in 2022.

Helen Morgan is the Liberal Democrats’ health spokesperson.

She said: “The growing risk to mothers of suffering serious and potentially fatal bleeding following childbirth is terrifying.

“We know that severe blood loss contributes to nearly one in 10 maternal deaths [in the UK].

“Every birth involves risk, but rising rates of these incidents will be a source of real fear for women and families across the country.

“It’s completely heartbreaking to see just how many families experience unacceptable injuries and trauma at a time that should be full of excitement and joy.”

The data cover incidents where a woman has lost at least 1.5 litres of blood after giving birth.

While many women bleed after delivery without concern, severe blood loss is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide and accounts for one in 14 maternal deaths in the UK.

The findings add to evidence that NHS maternity care quality and safety are declining.

Last week, Valerie Amos, chair of a government-commissioned investigation into maternity care, said some mothers were receiving unacceptable care that had led to “tragic consequences”.

Obstetricians and gynaecologists say births are becoming more complex, with higher obesity rates and more older mothers raising the risk of complications.

“The reported increase in postpartum haemorrhage is concerning,” said professor Asma Khalil, a consultant obstetrician and maternal-foetal specialist (a specialist in high-risk pregnancy) and spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

“But it must be understood in the context of births becoming more clinically complex.

“More women are entering pregnancy and birth with factors that can raise the risk of heavy bleeding, for example high blood pressure and a higher body weight, though most will not experience a haemorrhage.”

The Liberal Democrats are urging health secretary Wes Streeting to draw up a “maternity rescue plan” to bring all units up to the Care Quality Commission’s good standard.

In a letter signed by 60 of the party’s MPs, they describe the failure to implement recommendations from previous maternity inquiries as an insult to families harmed by poor care.

Lady Amos said last week it was “staggering” that many of the 750 recommendations made over the last decade had not been put into practice.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson declined to comment directly on the Liberal Democrats’ findings.

They said: “As Baroness Amos set out this week, too many families have been let down by maternity and neonatal services, with devastating consequences.

“That’s why the secretary of state has ordered a rapid review of maternity services and will chair a new national maternity and neonatal taskforce to address deep-rooted issues.”