Alarming new figures from NHS England have sparked concern about the rising rate of serious birth injuries among women giving birth in England. The statistics reveal a disturbing upward trend in severe perineal tears and postpartum haemorrhage, prompting health professionals and politicians to urge action.
The latest data shows that every year since 2020, more women have been experiencing the most severe types of tears during childbirth – known as third- and fourth-degree perineal tears. The rate has increased significantly, from 25 in every 1,000 births when recording began in June 2020 to 31.1 in every 1,000 births in the first quarter of 2026.
Similarly, the incidence of postpartum haemorrhage – a blood loss of at least 1.5 litres – has reached an annual high of 31.65 in every 1,000 births in 2025, up from 25.6 in every 1,000 at the start of data collection.
Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, describes this trend as a 'national crisis', highlighting the profound impact on women who experience these injuries. Many require surgery and face months or even years of recovery, suffering unimaginable trauma along the way.
The Department of Health and Social Care has acknowledged the concerning findings, stating that 'too many women are being failed by poor-quality maternity care'. This comes after a recent critical report into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. In response, the government has announced plans to expand Martha's Rule, granting women and parents the right to seek a second opinion on the care of a mother or baby.
While experts suggest that improved diagnosis may be partly responsible for the increase in reported severe tears, Dr Kim Thomas, chief executive of the Birth Trauma Association, points out other contributing factors. These include the growing number of older mothers and the higher prevalence of tears among Asian women, as well as the relatively frequent use of forceps during deliveries.
The government is expected to publish an action plan to transform maternity services by the end of the year, but there are calls for this to be brought forward. Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about the accuracy of birth data recording, with a Guardian investigation finding that details were missing from over 85,000 births in 2024-25 – representing nearly 15% of all recorded births that year.
This incomplete data could hinder our understanding of maternity care and the factors contributing to serious birth injuries. As calls for action grow louder, health professionals and politicians must work together to address this critical issue and ensure the safety of women giving birth in England.