The number of women suffering serious injuries after giving birth has reached a record level in the UK, prompting fresh concerns about the safety of NHS maternity services. An analysis commissioned by the Liberal Democrats and based on NHS figures examined by the House of Commons Library found that almost 8,000 women experienced severe postpartum haemorrhages during the first six months of this year. The figure is more than twice the number recorded during the same period five years earlier. Between April and June alone, 33 women for every 1,000 who gave birth lost more than 1.5 litres of blood. The analysis also found that around three in every 100 women who delivered vaginally suffered third- or fourth-degree tears, injuries that can affect muscles around the anus and may require surgery. These severe tears have risen by 29 percent since 2021, adding to concerns about the quality and safety of maternity care.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey described the figures as a serious national safety concern, blaming staffing shortages and gaps in training for leaving women vulnerable during labour. Care Quality Commission figures indicate that one in 10 women were left alone during the later stages of labour or childbirth. Davey urged Health Secretary Yvette Cooper to provide maternity units with the staff, training and resources they need. The Department of Health and Social Care said safe maternity care remains a priority and pointed to reforms being developed through the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce. NHS England also acknowledged that too many families are not receiving the standard of care they deserve. Immediate measures include efforts to reduce severe tearing during childbirth and improve access to specialist pelvic health services.