MBRRACE-UK’s headline statistics from their latest review of maternal deaths in the UK show that 254 mothers died from causes related to pregnancy or childbirth in the three-year triennium from January 2021 to December 2023. The figures were released in an advance data brief and will be followed later this year by a full ‘Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care’ report with its in-depth analysis of MBRRACE-UK’s maternal mortality review. The figures are saddening, highlighting the ongoing lack of progress in reducing the numbers of women who die from causes directly or indirectly related to pregnancy. MBRRACE-UK’s analysis of the women’s care and its impact on their outcomes will likely form part of its in-depth review, but the early figures reveal that the most prevalent direct cause of maternal death was thrombosis and venous thromboembolism (VTE), a preventable and treatable condition. Ethnicity, social deprivation and maternal age continue to disproportionately increase the mother’s risks from pregnancy. The death of each and every woman in these statistics is a tragedy, with intense, immediate and far-reaching consequences for her family. MBRRACE-UK’s annual and triennial analysis of maternal mortality rates, trends and causes is immensely valuable and essential to provide the understanding that should lead to learning and improvement, but we must remember that these shocking maternal death statistics are neither normal nor acceptable. Who are MBRRACE-UK? MBRRACE-UK is a collaboration of researchers, healthcare professionals, administrative staff and representatives from professional organisations who collect, review and analyse data about deaths in the UK and Ireland, and work to ensure that lessons are learned to improve care for women and their families. How many women died from pregnancy and childbirth in 2021 to 2023? MBRRACE-UK’s January 2025 data brief shows that in the 3 years (or triennium) between January 2021 and December 2023 there was a decrease in the overall maternal death rate from the previous 2020-2022 triennium. However, the decrease was not statistically significant, and when deaths due to COVID-19 were excluded from the figures, the maternal death rates were similar for the 2020/22 and 2021/23 periods. The maternal death rate for 2021/23 was higher than for 2018-2020. The rate of late maternal deaths, occurring between six weeks and one year after the end of pregnancy increased in 2021/23 and was significantly higher than 2018/20, and 34% of these were mental-health related. Overall, 281 women died in the UK in 2021/23 during pregnancy or within 6 weeks of the end of the pregnancy, but the deaths of 27 of these women were coincidental. The remaining 254 women died from causes directly or indirectly relating to pregnancy or childbirth. This represented a maternal mortality rate of 12.67 per 100,000 maternities, compared with 13.56 in 2020/22 and 10.90 in 2018/20. If the 29 women who died from complications of COVID-19 are excluded from these figures, the maternal mortality rate for 2021/23 is similar to the rate for 2020/22. What were the most common causes of maternal deaths in 2021 to 2023? The leading cause of maternal death in 2021/23 was thrombosis and thromboembolism (VTE). This was also the leading cause in 2020/22, but the figures for 2021/23 show that maternal death from VTE occurred at more than twice the rate of any other direct cause. The second most common cause of maternal death in 2021/23 and its most common indirect cause was cardiac disease. The next most common direct cause of maternal death was sepsis due to pregnancy-related infections. Further common causes were suicide, obstetric haemorrhage (bleeding) and neurological conditions. How do age, ethnicity and social factors affect the risk of death related to pregnancy? MBRRACE-UK’s maternal mortality figures for the three-year 2021/23 triennium show that maternal age, ethnicity and social deprivation continued to affect women’s risk of death during and after pregnancy and childbirth. The maternal death rate for women aged 35 or older was three times that of women aged 20-24. For women over the age of 40 it was even greater. The maternal mortality rate for women from Black ethnic backgrounds decreased from its appalling previous four-fold rate, but Black women were still at twice the risk of maternal death when compared to White women in 2021/23. The mortality rate for Asian women was also slightly increased. As in previous years, social deprivation significantly increased the risk to women of death during or after pregnancy or childbirth. Women living in the most deprived areas (worst 20%) in England continued to have the highest maternal mortality rates in 2021-23, nearly twice the maternal mortality rate of women living the top 20% of areas for least deprivation. Compensation for families after maternal death Nothing can replace the loss of a mother’s love or care for her children, and families often feel daunted or embarrassed about seeking compensation at this difficult time. However, where the mother’s death was caused by negligent failings in her maternity, post-natal or ongoing GP care, her partner and her children will often be entitled to substantial compensation to help address the practical and financial impact of her loss upon the family. If you or a family member have suffered severe injury as a result of medical negligence or have been contacted by HSSIB/MNSI or NHS Resolution , you can talk to a solicitor, free and confidentially, for advice about how to respond or make a claim by contacting us.