Maternal death rates in the UK have increased to levels not seen for almost 20 years – experts explain why
Maternal death rates are widely considered to reflect a country’s overall wellbeing and the quality of the healthcare system.
- Maternal death rates are widely considered to reflect a country’s overall wellbeing and the quality of the healthcare system.
- Recent data from the UK show that death rates during pregnancy and the period shortly after are reaching levels not seen in the country for almost 20 years.
COVID-19 not the only factor
- When the women who died directly from COVID-19 are not included in statistics, the UK maternal mortality rates are still higher than they were before the pandemic.
- This means that pregnant women are at higher risk from some infections than those who are not pregnant.
- Studies clearly show that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe in pregnancy – but many pregnant women are still hesitant to get vaccinated.
Pregnancy and inequality
- It also means that the people caring for pregnant women do not feel prepared to offer advice or treatment.
- Enquires into the care of pregnant women with COVID-19 showed that many were denied treatments known to be effective just because they were pregnant.
- Most women who die in high-income countries are not dying from pregnancy complications such as bleeding.
- Pregnancy complications can be managed if women have timely access to quality care and skilled health professionals.
Overstretched health system
- Many women also have other medical or mental health conditions that require additional care in pregnancy.
- From 2019 to 2021 12% of the women who died in the UK had severe and multiple disadvantages including a mental health diagnoses, substance use or domestic abuse.
- Access to maternal mental health services is improving but more capacity is still needed.
- As a barometer of a nation’s health, this is a statistic we cannot ignore.
Marian Knight receives funding from the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership and the National Institute for Health and Care Research. Allison Felker does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.