A growing number of mothers in the UK are calling for urgent improvements in maternity care, after experiencing life-threatening complications due to Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS). The condition, which causes the placenta to attach too deeply into the womb, can lead to catastrophic blood loss during childbirth, often necessitating emergency hysterectomies and extensive transfusions.
Erin Cooper, a 35-year-old intensive care nurse from Bedfordshire, suffered a severe haemorrhage and required 13 blood transfusions after giving birth to her son. Despite multiple bleeds during her pregnancy, the cause was not investigated until after an emergency C-section and subsequent hysterectomy. She is now unable to return to her nursing career due to the long-term impact of her experience. Erin is one of over 100 mothers who have united to raise awareness, highlighting what they describe as a 'dangerous gap' in current maternity care, including insufficient specialist training and a lack of a national database for PAS cases.
While there is no single national dataset specifically tracking PAS, NHS estimates suggest its occurrence ranges from one in 300 to one in 2,000 pregnancies. Campaign group Action for Accreta, founded by Amisha Adhia, reports that 61% of mothers with PAS were undiagnosed before delivery, with 64% requiring major emergency surgery and 30% undergoing emergency hysterectomies. This lack of pre-delivery diagnosis can lead to unprepared medical teams facing critical situations, as experienced by Charlotte Dron, 42, who lost three litres of blood during her second child's birth and was left traumatised.
The physical consequences for mothers can be severe, including permanent damage to the bladder and bowels, while some babies have also been affected, with one campaigner reporting her daughter suffered a neonatal stroke due to the condition. The psychological toll is also significant, with many mothers requiring counselling to process the trauma of their childbirth experiences. Amisha Adhia, who suspected she had PAS and sought multiple opinions before receiving a diagnosis, initiated the campaign after realising the widespread nature of the issue.
In response to the campaign, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has committed to reviewing and updating its guidelines concerning Placenta Accreta Spectrum. However, campaigners believe more comprehensive action is needed, advocating for mandatory reporting of cases and increased specialist training across all maternity units to ensure early diagnosis and appropriate management. They argue that improved awareness and standardised protocols are crucial to prevent further life-altering and potentially fatal outcomes for mothers and babies.
Women who have previously given birth by C-section or undergone IVF treatment are understood to be at a greater risk of developing PAS. Early screening and referral to specialist centres are considered vital for managing the condition safely.
Source: Action for Accreta, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists