Maternal deaths rising in UK despite fewer births, official figures show

Increase in number of women dying during pregnancy or soon after giving birth is appalling', say Lib Dems

Growing numbers of women in the UK are dying during pregnancy or soon after giving birth, even though fewer babies are being born, official figures show.

While 209 maternal deaths occurred in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland during 2015-17, that rose to 254 during 2021-23, data compiled by the House of Commons library shows.