Recent data reveals a troubling trend in maternity care across England, with the risk of severe birth injuries reaching alarming levels. The latest figures from the NHS indicate that women are facing the highest risk of serious injuries during childbirth since monitoring began in 2020, prompting urgent calls for a comprehensive overhaul of maternity services.
Rising Incidence of Serious Birth Injuries
According to NHS statistics, the rate of women experiencing severe perineal tears during childbirth has surged to 31.1 per 1,000 births in the first quarter of 2026. This represents a significant increase from the 25 per 1,000 recorded when data tracking began in June 2020. Additionally, postpartum haemorrhages, which can result in the loss of substantial blood, have also seen a rise, with rates climbing to 31.2 per 1,000 births in 2025—the highest annual figure documented over the last five years.
Helen Morgan, the Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, highlighted the human cost behind these statistics. “Behind these statistics are women going through unimaginable trauma, requiring surgery and in many cases months or even years of recovery,” she noted. “Some will never fully recover. This news underscores the need to treat maternity services as a national crisis.”
Upcoming Report and Potential Leadership Changes
As anticipation builds for the forthcoming report from Lady Amos, commissioned by the government to assess childbirth care quality, the urgency for reform is palpable. The report is expected to address the systemic issues plaguing maternity services and may pave the way for transformative changes.
There is speculation that Donna Ockenden, a prominent midwife and childbirth safety expert who recently published a critical report on the NHS’s largest maternity scandal at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, could be appointed as the first maternity commissioner. Her potential role would involve overseeing significant improvements in the safety and quality of maternal care. Ockenden is currently investigating additional emerging childbirth issues in Leeds and Sussex.
Incomplete Data Poses Challenges
Compounding these concerns is the revelation that the NHS is not accurately recording all birth outcomes. Recent findings indicate that more than 85,000 births—approximately 14.8% of the total—during the 2024-2025 period lack complete data, including critical information such as delivery methods and gestational ages. This gap in data collection undermines efforts to enhance maternity care, as professionals struggle to identify areas needing urgent attention.
Clare Livingstone, head of professional policy and practice at the Royal College of Midwives, emphasised the significance of comprehensive data in improving maternity services. “Incomplete data is a fundamental barrier to improving maternity care,” she stated. “Without a full picture of what is happening before, during, and after birth, it is much harder to identify where action is needed.”
Government Response and Future Plans
In light of these troubling trends, the Department of Health and Social Care has expressed serious concern regarding the rising rates of birth injuries. A spokesperson remarked, “These are concerning findings, and as last week’s shocking report into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust underlined, too many women are being failed by poor quality maternity care.”
To address these challenges, the government has announced plans to implement Martha’s Rule, which will grant women and parents the right to seek a second opinion regarding the care of mothers and newborns in all maternity and neonatal units across England. Furthermore, an action plan aimed at transforming maternity services is expected to be unveiled by the end of the year, although there is increasing pressure for immediate clarification on these initiatives.
Why it Matters
The rising rates of serious birth injuries in England signal a critical failure in the maternity care system, impacting the health and well-being of countless women and their families. As the government prepares to unveil its plans for reform, the urgency for immediate, effective action cannot be overstated. Ensuring safe and high-quality maternity care is paramount not only for the physical health of mothers and newborns but also for the overall integrity of the healthcare system. Addressing these issues is essential to restore trust and guarantee that every woman receives the care she deserves during one of the most vulnerable times in her life.
