Increasing numbers of women in the UK are dying during pregnancy or in the weeks after giving birth, according to new figures.
The upward trend means the government has failed to meet its target to halve maternal death rates by 2025.
Official data found there were 252 maternal deaths from 2022 to 2024, which is 20% higher than the rates from 2009 to 2011.
This is the equivalent of 12.8 deaths for every 100,000 women giving birth.
The figures are from MBRRACE-UK, the official body auditing deaths among mothers and babies.
The investigation also finds inequalities, with mortality rates for women from black ethnic backgrounds in 2022 to 2024 three times higher than that of white women. That’s despite the rates previously starting to fall.
Women from the most deprived areas of the UK continue to have mortality rates almost twice that of women living in the least deprived areas.
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Blood clots are the leading cause of maternal death either during pregnancy or in the six weeks after giving birth, while suicide is the leading cause of maternal deaths happening from six weeks to a year after birth.
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The national target was set by the previous government in 2015, when then-health secretary Jeremy Hunt announced his ambition to reduce maternal deaths by 50%.
The original target date was set for 2030, but it was later brought forward to 2025.
Professor Marian Knight, director of the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit and MBRRACE-UK programme lead, said: “These latest data highlight the need for a renewed focus on maternal mortality and the critical actions required to ensure safe and equitable maternity care for all women in the UK.”
Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for England, said: “Every death in pregnancy and childbirth is a tragedy and these figures show how much more work is needed to prevent more deaths and address the unacceptable inequalities that persist for families across the country.
“That is why this week we have set out new best-practice standards across maternity services, including to ensure earlier and more consistent assessment for blood clots, and improved identification and care for perinatal mental health concerns.
“Alongside this, the NHS is continuing to strengthen maternity care through specialist treatment centres ensuring women with pre-existing medical conditions or high-risk pregnancies can quickly access expert care, dedicated mental health support for expectant and new mums, and closer oversight of maternity units.”
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A Department of Health and Social Care (DHSE) spokesperson said that from this week, the government is rolling out guidance across the NHS to tackle the leading causes of maternal death including thrombosis, mental health, epilepsy and haemorrhage.
The government is also investing over £130m to make maternity and neonatal units safer, rolling out a programme to reduce avoidable brain injuries, and backing Martha’s Rule so families are always heard when they raise concerns, the spokesperson said.
The DHSE spokesperson added: “It is unacceptable that some women face far greater risks than others simply because of their ethnicity or where they live, and addressing these inequalities is a priority.
“The Secretary of State has ordered a rapid national investigation to make recommendations to urgently improve care, including identifying the drivers of inequalities, and will chair a taskforce to address these deep-rooted issues.”
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