Risk to women of severe bleeding after giving birth at five-year high in England

"The risk of women in England suffering severe bleeding after giving birth has risen to its highest level for five years, prompting fresh concern about NHS maternity care. The rate at which mothers in England experience postpartum haemorrhage has increased from 27 per 1,000 births in 2020 to 32 per 1,000 this year, a rise of 19%. Last year had the largest number of incidents of postpartum haemorrhage in the five years since records began 16,780"

"Haemorrhage is a known cause of birth-related trauma in women. Many women bleed after delivering their baby, usually without causing concern. But the possibility of a mother losing an unusually large amount of blood is a known risk of childbirth. It is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide and causes one in 14 or 7% of maternal deaths in the UK."

Postpartum haemorrhage rates in England increased from 27 to 32 per 1,000 births between 2020 and this year, a 19% rise. The total number of severe haemorrhage incidents peaked at 16,780 last year despite fewer births overall. Severe postpartum haemorrhage is defined as loss of at least 1.5 litres of blood after childbirth and is a leading cause of birth-related trauma. Haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide and accounts for about one in 14 (7%) maternal deaths in the UK. Rising rates have prompted concerns about the quality and safety of maternity care.

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