Half of women have traumatic births put off having more children, study suggests

More than half of women who suffered trauma while giving birth have been put off having more children.

A snapshot poll of 1,000 members of the Mumsnet website found 79 per cent of those surveyed had experienced birth trauma.

Women can develop birth trauma after experiences such as an unplanned Caesarean section, emergency treatment, or a difficult labour with a long and painful delivery.

Almost two-thirds of mothers who experienced birth trauma said they felt a ‘lack of compassion’ from healthcare professionals during labour, while 44 per cent said language had been used which implied they were ‘a failure or to blame’ for their experience.

Some 53 per cent said the experience had put them off having more babies.

Women can develop birth trauma after experiences such as an unplanned Caesarean section, emergency treatment, or a difficult labour with a long and painful delivery (Stock Image)

Almost two-thirds of those polled by Mumsnet did not believe healthcare workers did everything they could to prevent birth trauma.

Why ovulation tests DO help

Ovulation tests used to work out the best time to have sex may indeed increase the chances of getting pregnant.

Researchers reviewed seven studies involving 2,500 women. They concluded that the tests, which detect hormone levels in urine, ‘probably’ do improve the odds of pregnancy in women under 40 who have been trying to conceive for at least a year – from a 16 per cent chance to up to 28 per cent.

But the team at Oxford University said the results should be treated with caution.

Theo Clarke, MP for Stafford, who has spoken out about her own traumatic birth, in which she thought she was ‘going to die’ after suffering a third-degree tear and needing emergency surgery, has called for action.

The Conservative MP said: ‘These survey results are deeply upsetting.

‘They speak to my own experience of birth trauma and quite clearly to many, many other women’s horrendous experiences too.

‘The survey is clear that more compassion, education and better after-care for mothers who suffer birth trauma are desperately needed if we are to see an improvement in mums’ physical wellbeing and mental health.’

Mumsnet chief executive Justine Roberts said: ‘We hear daily on Mumsnet from women who have had deeply upsetting experiences of maternity care, and this latest research underlines that the majority of mothers experience birth trauma – whether physical or psychological.

‘This trauma has long-lasting effects and it’s clear that women are being failed at every stage of the maternity care process – with too little information provided beforehand, a lack of compassion from staff during birth, and substandard postnatal care for mothers’ physical and mental health.’

Kim Thomas, chief executive of the Birth Trauma Association, added: ‘A maternity system that puts women at the heart of care is not some kind of unfeasibly high goal – it is the bare minimum that women have the right to expect.’

It comes as a ‘heartbreaking’ report shows the rate of baby deaths in the UK has risen for the first time in seven years.

The rate of deaths had previously fallen year on year from 2013 to 2020.

What is a stillbirth?

A stillbirth occurs when a baby is born after 24 weeks of pregnancy. If a baby dies before 24 weeks of pregnancy, it is known as a pregnancy loss.

Not all stillbirths can be prevented, however, not smoking or drinking, as well as not sleeping on your back and attending all antenatal appointments can reduce the risk.

What are the signs?

Signs may include the baby not moving as much as normal.

Pregnant women should contact their doctor immediately if they notice a difference to their baby’s movement.

What are the causes?

Stillbirths do not always have an obvious cause but may occur due to complications with the placenta or a birth defect.

They are also more likely to occur if women suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes or an infection that affects the baby, such as flu.

Stillbirths are more likely to occur if women are having twins or multiple pregnancies, are overweight, smoke, are over 35 or have a pre-existing condition, such as epilepsy.

What happens after a stillbirth?

If a baby has died, women may wait for their labour to start naturally or they may be induced if their health is at risk.

Bereavement support groups are available to parents who have suffered stillbirths.

Some find it helpful to name their baby or take pictures with them.

Source: NHS Choices

But there were 2,473 stillbirths in 2021, compared to 2,292 the previous year, and 1,151 deaths of newborn babies in the first 28 days of life, up from 1,051.

Researchers who published the report, from the universities of Leicester and Oxford, said the rise occurred principally in babies dying in the womb before women went into labour.

That suggests the pandemic may have left women more reluctant to contact medical professionals, or unsure who to contact, if there was a reduction in their babies’ movements.

But researchers are unsure of the cause (SUBS – pls keep), and will be monitoring the figures for 2022 closely to see if this is a wider trend rather than a consequence of healthcare disruptions during Covid.

The Government is currently not on track to meet its ambitions to reduce rates of stillbirth and neonatal deaths by 2025, according to baby charity Tommy’s.

It comes amid ongoing issues with care in some hospital trusts, creating a postcode lottery for pregnant women.

Recurring problems seen in investigations have included failures to regularly monitor or chart the growth of babies in the womb, and inadequate responses when women report a change in the movements of their babies.

The new ‘State of the Nation’ report, from the MMBRACE-UK Collaboration of researchers, also highlights a higher risk of baby deaths for mothers from black and Asian backgrounds and those from economically deprived areas.

The cause of death remains unknown for one third of stillborn babies with a further third being due to problems with the placenta.

For babies who die soon after birth, the most common cause is inherited birth defects.

Elizabeth Draper, lead perinatal expert at MBRRACE-UK, said: ‘In 2021 the perinatal mortality rate increased in the UK for the first time in seven years.

‘It is important that the UK government, Royal Colleges, and Health Commissioners support rigorous reviews of all stillbirths and neonatal deaths to identify common themes that can improve clinical care and service provision, delivery, and organisation, reducing the need for future independent enquiries.’

Robert Wilson, head of the joint policy unit at Tommy’s and the charity Sands, said: ‘We keep hearing these heartbreaking statistics, but saving babies’ lives and tackling inequalities in pregnancy and baby loss are still not the political priorities they deserve to be.’

A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: ‘We are committed to making the NHS the safest place in the world to give birth for all women, regardless of ethnicity or economic status.

‘To reduce disparities for women and babies from ethnic minorities and those living in the most deprived areas, NHS England has published guidance for local maternity systems, supported by £6.8 million.’