Risk for women England Cases of heavy bleeding after childbirth have reached their highest level in five years, raising new concerns about the care of pregnant women on the NHS.
The rate of postpartum haemorrhage among mothers in England increased from 27 per 1,000 births in 2020 to 32 per 1,000 this year, an increase of 19%.
Last year saw the highest number of post-partum haemorrhage cases recorded in the five years since records began – 16,780 – despite a decline in the number of births in recent years. National Health Service This is evidenced by data for England, analyzed by the Liberal Democrats.
This compares with 15,780 cases occurring in 2023 and 15,230 in 2022, when almost all maternity trusts began reporting data on postpartum haemorrhage to NHS England.
The data covers cases where a woman has lost at least 1.5 liters (2.6 pints) of blood after giving birth. Bleeding is a known cause of birth injuries in women.
Many women experience bleeding after childbirth, which is usually not a cause for concern. But the possibility that the mother will lose an unusually large amount of blood is a known risk of childbirth. This leading cause maternal mortality worldwide and accounts for one in 14 or 7% of maternal deaths in the UK.
“The increasing risk for mothers of serious and potentially fatal bleeding after childbirth is terrifying,” said Helen Morgan, the Liberal Democrats' health spokeswoman.
“We know that severe blood loss is responsible for almost one in 10 maternal deaths. [in the UK]. Every birth comes with risks, but an increase in the number of such cases will be a source of real fear for women and families across the country.
“It is absolutely heartbreaking to see so many families experiencing unacceptable trauma and trauma during a time that should be full of excitement and joy.”
The findings are the latest evidence that the quality and safety of NHS care for pregnant women is declining.
IN initial report Valerie Amos, head of the Government's maternity care inquiry, said last week some mothers received inappropriate care with “tragic consequences”.
Morgan said: “We already have a situation where the Care Quality Commission is saying that two thirds of maternity hospitals not secure enough. Motherhood mortality has increased. Risk that women will be harmed serious tear got up.
“And now we have the shocking news that there is an increasing risk of postpartum haemorrhage.”
Obstetricians and gynecologists say that this increase is due to the increasing complexity of childbirth in recent years. Experts blame this on obesity and older women having children, both of which greatly increase the likelihood of complications and the need for medical intervention.
“Reports of an increase in postpartum haemorrhage are concerning,” said Professor Asma Khalil, consultant obstetrician and maternal-fetal medicine specialist and spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
“But this needs to be understood in the context that birth is becoming increasingly clinically complex. More women are entering pregnancy and giving birth with factors that may increase the risk of heavy bleeding, such as high blood pressure and higher body weight, although most do not bleed.”
The Liberal Democrats are calling on Health Secretary Wes Streeting to develop a “pregnancy rescue plan” to bring all wards up to what the CQC considers a good standard.
Failure to implement recommendations made by a number of previous maternity inquiries is an insult to families affected by poor care, a letter signed by 60 party MPs said.
Lady Amos said last week it was “astonishing” that many of the 750 recommendations made over the past decade had not been put into practice.
Department Health and a social care spokesman declined to comment directly on the Lib Dem findings.
They only said this: “As Baroness Amos said 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 lead a new national maternity and newborn task force to tackle deep-rooted problems.”
