The number of women dying during pregnancy or soon after childbirth has reached its highest level in almost 20 years, according to data from a major UK study, conducted by MBRRACE-UK. Experts said the figures raise "further concern" about maternity services and called for matters such as pre-pregnancy health and personalised care to be "prioritised as a matter of urgency". Photograph: Yui Mok/PA
A health minister has apologised to women affected by birth trauma after a parliamentary inquiry that heard “harrowing” testimonies from more than 1,300 women about giving birth found a “postcode lottery” for maternity care.
