UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Severe bleeding after childbirth in England has reached a five-year high, rising by 19% since 2020 and raising fresh concerns over maternity care safety.
As reported by The Guardian, the number of women giving birth in England experiencing severe bleeding has reached a five-year peak, raising fresh scrutiny of standards and safety within NHS maternity care.
The incidence of postpartum haemorrhage among mothers in England has increased from 27 cases per 1,000 births in 2020 to 32 per 1,000 this year, marking a 19% rise.
What did the NHS figures show about the rise in severe bleeding after childbirth?
NHS England data analysed by the Liberal Democrats showed that last year recorded the highest number of postpartum haemorrhage cases in five years, 16,780, despite a recent decline in birth numbers.
For comparison, there were 15,780 cases recorded in 2023 and 15,230 in 2022, when almost all trusts providing maternity services began submitting postpartum haemorrhage data to NHS England.
The figures include cases where women experienced a blood loss of at least 1.5 litres (2.6 pints) after giving birth. Postpartum haemorrhage is a recognised cause of maternal birth trauma.
Women bleed after childbirth, which is common and usually not dangerous. However, losing an unusually large amount of blood remains a recognised risk. Postpartum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide and accounts for one in 14, or 7%, of maternal deaths in the UK.
The Liberal Democrats’ health spokesperson Helen Morgan said,
“The growing risk to mothers of suffering serious and potentially fatal bleeding following childbirth is terrifying.”
She stated,
“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.”
Ms Morgan said,
“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.”
She added,
“We already have a situation where the Care Quality Commission says that two-thirds of maternity units are not safe enough. Maternity deaths are up. The risk of women suffering a serious tear has risen. And now we have this shocking news that there is a growing risk of postpartum haemorrhage.”
The Liberal Democrats are calling on Health Secretary Wes Streeting to implement a “maternity rescue plan” to ensure every unit meets the CQC’s standard for good care.
The recent findings represent the latest sign that NHS maternity care is facing increasing challenges in both quality and safety.
What did Lady Amos say about mothers receiving unacceptable care?
Last week, Valerie Amos, head of the government-commissioned investigation into maternity care, warned that some mothers had received unacceptable care, leading to “tragic consequences.”
Lady Amos described it as “staggering” that numerous recommendations, 750 in total over the past ten years, had not been acted upon.
In a letter endorsed by 60 MPs, the party argued that ignoring recommendations from past maternity inquiries is an insult to families harmed by poor care.
What did obstetricians and gynaecologists say about maternal bleeding risks?
According to obstetricians and gynaecologists, childbirth has become more medically complex in recent years, with factors such as obesity and more women giving birth at an older age contributing to complications and the need for medical intervention during delivery.
Prof Asma Khalil, a consultant obstetrician and maternal-foetal specialist and spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said,
“The reported increase in postpartum haemorrhage is concerning.”
She added,
“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.”
What did the Department of Health say about the Lib Dems’ maternity findings?
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care declined to respond directly to the Lib Dems’ findings.
They added,
“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.”
What other health risks do women face after childbirth?
After giving birth, women may face mental health challenges, including postpartum depression, anxiety, and an increased risk of postpartum psychosis.
Following delivery, women may face physical complications, including lingering perineal or cesarean wound infections, urinary incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse.
The postpartum period can raise long-term cardiovascular risks for women, such as higher chances of developing hypertension, blood clots, and heart disease after specific pregnancy complications.