Recent data from NHS England indicates a troubling trend in maternal health, revealing that women are facing an unprecedented risk of severe injuries during childbirth. The figures, which have been described as a ‘national crisis’ by health officials, highlight a significant increase in both serious perineal tears and postpartum haemorrhages—issues that demand urgent attention and reform in the country’s maternity services.
Rising Rates of Severe Birth Injuries
Statistics indicate that the incidence of third and fourth-degree perineal tears has surged to 31.1 per 1,000 births, a stark rise from the 25 per 1,000 reported when monitoring began in June 2020. Concurrently, postpartum haemorrhage rates have also escalated, reaching 31.2 per 1,000 births in 2025, marking the highest levels recorded over the past five years. These figures, released by NHS England, starkly underline the pressing need for systemic changes within maternity care.
Helen Morgan, the health spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, emphasised the human cost behind these statistics, stating, “Behind these statistics are women going through unimaginable trauma, requiring surgery and in many cases months or even years of recovery. Some will never fully recover.” Morgan called for immediate prioritisation of safety in maternity services, arguing that the rising rates of severe injuries reflect a broader failure within the system.
Investigative Reports and Calls for Reform
As the NHS prepares to release Lady Amos’s government-commissioned report on maternity care, the urgency for reform is palpable. This report is expected to address the inadequacies currently plaguing childbirth services and is likely to fuel calls for comprehensive overhauls aimed at ensuring the safety and wellbeing of mothers and newborns alike.
Speculation is rife that Donna Ockenden, a prominent midwife and expert in childbirth safety, may be appointed as the first maternity commissioner. Ockenden has recently been in the spotlight due to her investigation into a major maternity scandal at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, which has brought to light significant failings in care. She is also looking into emerging issues in Leeds and Sussex, further illustrating the widespread nature of these concerns.
Data Gaps Complicate Understanding of Maternity Care
Compounding the issue is the alarming revelation that a staggering 14.8% of births in England over the past two years lack recorded outcomes. This equates to over 85,000 births in 2024-25 and more than 100,000 in 2023-24 with missing data on critical variables such as delivery method, birth weight, and gestational age. Such incomplete records hinder efforts to identify and address the specific areas where improvements are necessary.
Clare Livingstone, head of professional policy and practice at the Royal College of Midwives, articulated the consequences of these data gaps, stating, “Without a full picture of what is happening before, during and after birth, it is much harder to identify where action is needed.” The implications of incomplete maternity data extend far beyond statistics; they pose a significant barrier to enhancing the quality and safety of care that mothers receive.
Government’s Response and Future Directions
In response to the concerning trends in maternal health, the government has announced plans to implement Martha’s Rule across all maternity and neonatal units in England. This initiative aims to empower women and parents to seek a second opinion regarding maternal or neonatal care, a crucial step in prioritising patient safety and addressing the inadequacies in the current system.
Dr Kim Thomas, chief executive of the Birth Trauma Association, suggested that the rise in recorded injuries might reflect improved diagnostic practices rather than a decline in care quality. However, she acknowledged that older mothers and the higher incidence of forceps use in deliveries could also contribute to the increasing injury rates.
Why it Matters
The current state of maternity care in England poses significant implications for public health, with rising injury rates serving as a stark indicator of systemic failures. As the government prepares to unveil its action plan for maternity services, the need for timely and effective reform has never been more critical. Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of mothers and their newborns is not merely a matter of healthcare policy; it is a fundamental societal obligation that demands immediate attention and action.
