The rate of women dying during or soon after pregnancy in the UK has increased by 20% over the last 14 years, according to data from MBRRACE-UK, a research project led by the University of Oxford. This rise comes despite a Conservative pledge in 2015 to halve maternal deaths by 2030, later brought forward to 2025.
The report shows that between 2009-11 and 2022-24, the maternal mortality rate rose by 20%. Direct pregnancy-related deaths, from causes such as bleeding, blood clots, and pre-eclampsia, increased by 52%. Indirect deaths, from pre-existing conditions worsened by pregnancy, were largely unchanged, up 3%.
Experts described the increase as “an absolute tragedy”. Dr Kim Thomas, chief executive of the Birth Trauma Association, said: “The new data showing a steep rise in maternal deaths since 2009 is shocking, particularly given the previous government’s commitment to halve the rate of maternal death by 2025.” She added that many deaths are from treatable conditions, but “something has gone badly wrong in maternity care”.
The audit also revealed stark inequalities. Black women were nearly three times more likely to die than white women, and Asian women also faced higher risks. Women in the most deprived areas had a death rate nearly double that of those in the least deprived areas. Women aged 35 or older were nearly twice as likely to die as those aged 25 to 29.
Clare Livingstone, head of professional policy at the Royal College of Midwives, said: “Maternity services are stretched to capacity. Midwives are working under relentless pressure and that has a real and demonstrable impact on safety.” She called for proper resourcing and addressing workforce shortages to prevent further “preventable harm”.
