Women left with life-altering injuries after giving birth reaches record high

The number of women suffering serious injuries during childbirth has hit a record high, with new figures sparking warnings of a 'national safety scandal'.

Analysis commissioned by the Liberal Democrats, cited by The Times, has found that nearly 8,000 women experienced severe postpartum haemorrhages, severe bleeding after birth, in the first six months of this year alone, which is more than double the number recorded during the same period five years ago.

Between April and June of this year, 33 women per 1,000 lost more than 1.5 litres of blood.

The figures, which are based on NHS data analysed by the House of Commons Library, also show that three in every 100 women who had a vaginal birth suffered third or fourth-degree tears.

The number of women who have been left with life-altering injuries after giving birth has reached a record high (Getty Stock Images)

These injuries, which can affect muscles around the anus and often require surgery, have increased by 29 per cent since 2021.

The Liberal Democrats described the findings as a 'devastating indictment of our NHS maternity services', linking rising injuries to staffing shortages and gaps in training.

Figures from the Care Quality Commission show that one in 10 women were left alone during the later stages of labour or childbirth.

Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, highlighted that thousands upon thousands of women were being left alone during labour, 'terrified and exposed to life-altering trauma because severe staffing shortages and missing consultants have pushed wards to breaking point'.

"The government cannot turn a blind eye to this national safety scandal. Every mother deserves safe, compassionate care when bringing a child into the world," he added.

Davey also urged Health Secretary Yvette Cooper to 'act now with the staffing, training and resources maternity wards need. This crisis must end by the close of this parliament'.

The analysis found that nearly 8,000 women experienced severe postpartum haemorrhages in the first six months of this year alone (Getty Stock Images)

Responding to the figures, the Department of Health and Social Care said: "Every woman deserves safe maternity care, and the new health secretary has made this issue a personal priority.

"Through the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce that she is chairing, this government will deliver the reforms needed to ensure the very highest standards of safety and care for every mother and baby."

NHS England also issued a sttement: "Too many women and families are not receiving the high-quality maternity care they deserve and we are committed to changing this."

The NHS also assured that 'immediate steps' were being taken to improve maternity services, including efforts to reduce tearing during birth and expand access to dedicated pelvic health centres.