A major Sky News investigation has uncovered a distressing picture of maternity care in the UK, with hundreds of families coming forward to share stories of trauma, neglect, and lasting harm.
‘The trust very nearly killed me’: A system failing families
The Sky News Data and Forensics team analysed more than 180 personal accounts submitted by readers after coverage of three women's traumatic maternity experiences. The collective testimony paints a harrowing portrait of a system under severe strain.
Louise Prashad, one of the respondents, summarised a common sentiment: "I did everything I was supposed to do. I attended my appointments. I raised concerns. I listened to professionals. I trusted the system. And that trust very nearly killed me."
The analysis revealed a staggering consensus: more than 90% of those who wrote in said they felt ignored or not listened to by healthcare staff during one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
Detrimental staff behaviour and long-term scars
Beyond being ignored, active misconduct was frequently reported. More than four in five accounts listed staff behaviour that was actively detrimental. This included instances of staff shouting at women for making noise during labour, physical assault, and in one shocking case, a new mother being told not to ring the help bell for hours because a major football match was on.
The consequences of these experiences are profound and enduring. More than two-thirds of respondents reported suffering long-term mental trauma as a direct result of their childbirth experience. Almost half stated their babies were harmed due to the events that unfolded.
The ripple effects extend far beyond the mother and child. Many testimonies came from partners, parents, and siblings, detailing how they too were left traumatised. These events have led to broken relationships and, for some, the painful decision not to have more children.
A widening gap in outcomes and a call for fundamental change
While these accounts are not representative of all births, they align alarmingly with broader data. A recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) survey found one in five women felt their concerns during labour were not taken seriously, and one in four felt postnatal mental health support was insufficient.
The risks are not evenly distributed. As of 2023, a baby born in one of the UK's most deprived areas was 2.4 times more likely to die in childbirth than one born in the least deprived area—a gap that has widened over the last five years. Older mothers, and Black and Asian women, also face higher risks.
On a global scale, the UK's standing has deteriorated sharply. UN data shows that of 186 countries, the UK is one of only 14 where maternal mortality rates were higher in 2020 than in 1985. The UK has fallen from having the world's ninth-lowest maternal mortality rate to 42nd.
Royal correspondent Laura Bundock notes that after years of warnings, 2026 could be a pivotal moment with the publication of the system-wide Amos Review. However, she reports deep scepticism from families who feel lessons from past investigations have not been learned.
Glimmers of hope: The power of compassionate care
Amid the distressing stories, beacons of exemplary care shone through. Many praised individual staff members who made unbearable situations manageable. One woman recounted how a gynaecology student from University College London held her hand and stroked her forehead during a haemorrhage, becoming the "single person who made me feel I was still alive."
These moments of kindness underscore the potential within the system, even as the call for fundamental, system-wide change grows ever more urgent.
