The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has warned that women and babies are being failed by a maternity system under extreme pressure, after new data showed maternal deaths in the UK are 20% higher than they were over a decade ago despite repeated promises to reduce avoidable harm. 

The latest findings from MBRRACE-UK reveal that between 2022 and 2024, 252 women died during pregnancy or within six weeks of the end of their pregnancy. The national maternal mortality rate is now significantly higher than in 2009–11, with direct maternal deaths increasing by more than 50%. 

The report highlights blood clots and cardiac disease as leading causes of death, while around a third of women died by suicide. Longstanding inequalities also persist, with Black women three times more likely to die than white women, and higher risks for women living in deprived areas. 

Responding to the data, the RCM said the findings are deeply distressing but sadly not unexpected, reflecting years of underinvestment in maternity services and a workforce stretched beyond safe capacity. 

The RCM warned that chronic staffing shortages are directly affecting the ability of maternity teams to provide safe, personalised care for women and babies every time. 

Clare Livingstone, Head of Professional Policy and Practice at the RCM, said: “This is an absolute tragedy for women, babies and the midwives and maternity support workers who care for them. Many are avoidable and the lack of progress over more than a decade is unacceptable. 

“Maternity services are stretched to capacity. Midwives are working under relentless pressure and that has a real and demonstrable impact on safety, continuity of care and outcomes for women. 

“Unacceptable inequalities continue to blight maternity care, with Black and Asian women and those living in the most deprived communities facing significantly higher risks. These disparities have been known about for years yet meaningful action has been far too slow. 

“There has been a failure to invest sufficiently in maternity services over many years. It is deeply concerning that £93 million of ringfenced funding intended for maternity improvement has been reprioritised away and could be spent elsewhere in the health system.” 

The RCM has reiterated its call for the Government to urgently prioritise maternity services, protect ringfenced funding, and work in partnership with staff to ensure every woman receives safe, equitable care. 

Clare added: “Midwives want to provide the safest possible care, but they cannot do so without the time, staffing and support women, babies and families deserve. Until maternity services are properly resourced and workforce shortages are addressed, we will continue to see preventable harm.” 

ENDS  

To contact the RCM Media Office call 020 7312 3456, or email media@rcm.org.uk  

Notes to Editors  

•  The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team.  We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance, and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences, and online resources. For more information visit the RCM | A professional organisation and trade union dedicated to serving the whole midwifery team