THE rate of women dying during pregnancy or shortly after is a fifth higher than it was more than a decade ago. 

Figures from MBRRACE-UK revealed today that Britain’s maternal death rate in 2022–24 was 20 per cent higher than in 2009–11, despite a Conservative ambition to halve the rate.

Blood clots remain the leading cause of death during pregnancy or up to six weeks afterwards, while suicide is the leading cause between six weeks and one year after pregnancy. 

Overall, direct maternal deaths rose by 52 per cent.

The data showed stark inequalities persist, with women aged 35 or over being almost twice as likely to die as those aged 25 to 29. 

Black women faced nearly three times the maternal mortality rate of white women, with Asian women also at higher risk. 

Women living in the most deprived areas had double the death rate of those in the least deprived.

The Royal College of Midwives said maternity services are under “extreme pressure,” warning that long-known inequalities remain unaddressed due to underinvestment and staffing shortages.