Kelsey Parker Details 'Harrowing' Stillbirth Aftercare Experience
Kelsey Parker, the widow of late The Wanted singer Tom Parker, has publicly described the "harrowing" care she received after her son was stillborn. Speaking on Sky News' The UK Tonight With Sarah-Jane Mee, the 35-year-old mother-of-two shared her devastating story, highlighting broader concerns about maternity services in the UK.
Personal Tragedy and Systemic Failures
Ms Parker announced the loss of her baby Phoenix, whom she was expecting with new partner Will, in June last year. She went into labour and gave birth at home at 39 weeks, after which she was taken to a maternity ward alongside other new mothers and their babies. "I did not feel kindness and I think the people that had to look after me, their jaws were on the floor," she recounted. "They didn't know what to do, their hands were tied."
Reflecting on the trauma, Ms Parker emphasised the emotional toll, stating she needed time off work to process the experience. "It was absolutely horrendous, harrowing, awful," she said, adding that she would not wish such an ordeal on anyone.
Wider Context of Maternity Care Crisis
This personal account comes amid extensive reporting by Sky News on the state of UK maternity care, which has been described as being in crisis. More than 180 people have written to the broadcaster to share their birth stories, with many detailing traumatic experiences. The issue has gained urgency as maternal mortality rates in the UK have shown concerning trends.
According to UN data, the UK is one of only 14 countries out of 186 where maternal mortality rates were higher in 2020 than in 1985. Over this period, the UK has fallen from having the ninth-lowest maternal mortality rate globally to ranking 42nd, placing it alongside the US and Canada in this troubling group.
Calls for Fundamental Change
Multiple national investigations over the past decade have highlighted serious failings in maternity services, with recommendations often struggling to translate into systemic improvement. The upcoming Amos review, led by Baroness Amos, aims to address these persistent issues by examining system-wide problems and proposing necessary changes.
However, there is scepticism about the review's potential impact, as many families express deep mistrust, feeling that lessons from past reports have not been learned. "Fundamental change is long overdue," noted Sky News Royal correspondent Laura Bundock, emphasising that progress must be judged by positive outcomes rather than promises.
The collective stories shared with Sky News underscore a critical need for reform in maternity care, as the UK grapples with ensuring safer and more compassionate services for all mothers and babies.
