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Black women three times more likely to die in pregnancy, maternity inquiry finds

Black women three times more likely to die in pregnancy, maternity inquiry finds

National investigation finds “no place for racism” in NHS as data shows Black mothers and babies face starkly worse outcomes.

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Ruairidh Pritchard

Published: February 26, 2026 at 12:58 AM

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Black women in England are still almost three times more likely to die during pregnancy or within six weeks of birth than white women, according to the interim findings of the Independent Investigation into Maternity and Neonatal Services.

The national review, led by Baroness Valerie Amos, concludes that racism and discrimination remain embedded within parts of the maternity system, contributing to worse outcomes for Black and Asian women and their babies.

Baroness Amos said she was “of great concern” about the levels of racism described by families and staff and warned there is “no place for racism and discrimination in an NHS which – in the opening words of the NHS Constitution – ‘belongs to the people’.”

The findings intensify scrutiny of maternity services already under investigation across multiple trusts.

Black women face significantly higher risk

According to national data cited in the interim report:

Black women are almost three times as likely to die during pregnancy or within six weeks of birth compared with white women
Asian women are 1.3 times more likely to die
Women living in the most deprived areas face double the maternal mortality rate of those in the least deprived areas
Babies of Black ethnicity are more than twice as likely to be stillborn
Neonatal mortality rates are higher for Black and Asian babies

These disparities have been repeatedly documented over the past decade. Yet campaigners say lived experience on maternity wards has changed little.

The 2025 Black Maternity Experiences Report by campaign group Five X More, based on responses from over 1,100 Black and Black mixed-heritage women, found that nearly half, 49%, of those who raised concerns during labour said their concerns were not properly addressed. Almost a quarter, 23%, did not receive the pain relief they requested, and 40% of those were given no explanation.

“I felt invisible”

Women who gave evidence to the national investigation described being stereotyped, dismissed and disbelieved.

One mother speaking to the investigation said racial assumptions shaped how staff responded when she was in distress.

I was begging for help… I was made to feel like I was that aggressive, angry Black woman. But that isn’t me.

One mother speaking to the investigation

The interim report notes that Black women reported being perceived as having “tough skin” or being better able to tolerate pain. Asian women described being labelled “princesses”, implying they were overly demanding.

These stereotypes echo findings from Five X More’s 2025 report, where women described being denied pain relief, receiving procedures without proper consent and being ignored when warning that something was wrong.

One respondent to that report said: “Black mothers’ pain isn’t taken seriously at all.”

Another described screaming during an emergency caesarean section while being told she was “just feeling pressure”.

Dismissal with consequences

While maternal mortality figures show slight fluctuations year to year, the overall inequality gap has remained stubborn.

Five X More’s data shows that only one in five Black women were told how to make a complaint about their maternity care, and just 8% pursued a formal complaint. Campaigners argue that when women do not feel able to speak up, unsafe care goes unchallenged.

The national investigation heard that racism can be both interpersonal and structural. Some women said explanations for medical decisions were reduced to statements like “it’s because you are Black”, leaving them feeling stigmatised rather than informed.

The report warns that culturally inappropriate care and discriminatory attitudes erode trust in services and may delay women from seeking help, increasing risk.

Systemic failure under scrutiny

Baroness Amos’ wider conclusion is that the maternity system is failing.

The system is not working for women, babies and families, or for staff.

Baroness Valerie Amos, Chair of the Independent National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation

She notes that despite years of inquiries and recommendations following scandals in East Kent, Shrewsbury and Telford, and Morecambe Bay, the same themes continue to emerge.

Families also raised concerns about transparency when harm occurs, including resistance from trusts when requesting medical records and instances of notes being amended or redacted.

Campaigners say the persistence of racial disparities, despite repeated political pledges and taskforces, suggests deeper structural issues remain unresolved.

“Fix it for Black women, fix it for all women”

Five X More co-founders Atinuke Awe and Clotilde Abe have argued that reforming maternity care for Black women would improve safety for everyone.

Their 2025 report calls for:

Mandatory explanations when pain relief is denied
Better training on conditions affecting Black women, including fibroids and sickle cell trait
Clearer complaints pathways
Visible information about maternity rights
Expansion of continuity of carer models

They say these are not race-specific demands, but universal standards of safe, respectful care.

The interim national report stops short of recommendations, with final findings due later this year. But the data is clear: despite years of scrutiny, Black women and their babies remain at significantly higher risk.

Whether this investigation leads to measurable change will now be closely watched by families, campaigners and Parliament alike.

Authors

Ruairidh PritchardDigital Growth Lead

Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.