HORRIFIED Evesham charity chiefs have launched an urgent call for action after a shocking report revealed four times as many women in the UK are dying from pre-eclampsia than a decade ago.
Action On Pre-Eclampsia has called for action after the findings of the MBRRACE report which were revealed yesterday (Thursday).
The report shows four times as many women in the UK are dying from pre-eclampsia than in 2012-14 and 10.9 women, per 100,000 giving birth died – an increase of 24 per cent in the period from 2017 to 2019.
‘Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care analysis examines in detail the care of all women who died during, or up to one year after, pregnancy between 2018 and 2020 in the UK.
This is the first report to include data that demonstrates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal deaths.
229 women died during or up to six weeks after the end of their pregnancies in 2018 – 2020 from pregnancy-specific causes or conditions made worse by pregnancy, an increase of 24 per cent compared to 2017-2019.
Taking into account their surviving babies and previous children, 366 motherless children remain.
Prof Andrew Shennan, chair of the trustees said “Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy condition affecting one in 20 women, characterised by high blood pressure and can be life threatening to mother and baby.”
“Pre-eclampsia needs careful observation, and the UK death rate is much lower than other countries but this fourfold rise in deaths, from two mothers dying to eight in a decade is exceptionally worrying and should not be happening.”
“This is a disturbing trend, particularly as the vast majority of these deaths are avoidable. We must learn from this and act now.”
Marcus Green, chief executive of Action on Pre-Eclampsia said “This is horrifying, the government has committed to reducing maternal deaths but laid bare these statistics show that not only are deaths rising but that the quality of care isn’t improving.”
“We know that on the ground midwives are overstretched and maternity services are struggling meaning systemic changes are needed. Clearly the government’s ambition to reduce maternal mortality just isn’t working, isn’t going to be achieved and isn’t fit for purpose.”
“We are calling on the government to urgently review their strategy on maternal deaths.
“This report shows the need for focus on better care which will lead to better outcomes.
“The mums who died left 366 children who will never know their mother’s love.
“This can’t go on.”
