Postpartum haemorrhages have nearly doubled in the past five years, a recent analysis of NHS data reveals, highlighting significant physical and mental health challenges faced by thousands of new mothers. The report, commissioned by the Liberal Democrats and published this month, estimates that 8,000 women experienced severe bleeding after childbirth in the first half of 2026 alone.

The data shows that approximately three in 100 women who gave birth vaginally suffered third- or fourth-degree tears, which often require surgical repair. Additionally, between April and June, 33 out of every 1,000 women lost at least 1.5 litres of blood during delivery, indicating a rise in major obstetric haemorrhages.

Individual experiences underscore the broader concerns raised by the statistics. Rebecca Cope, who gave birth to her daughter Luna in 2022, detailed a traumatic emergency caesarean section complicated by blood loss estimated at just over one litre—a level categorised as a moderate major obstetric haemorrhage. Despite receiving two blood transfusions during a nearly week-long hospital stay, a lab error prevented her third transfusion, and she was discharged with iron supplements and advice on postpartum anaemia. The cause of her bleeding was never fully explained, as her medical notes were unclear, and follow-up discussions yielded little additional information.

Cope described how the physical toll of bleeding was compounded by severe postnatal depression, characterised by exhaustion, weight loss, feelings of failure, and suicidal thoughts. Though offered inpatient care, she declined due to fears of separation from her newborn, instead receiving outpatient support including antidepressants, counselling, and regular visits from a perinatal nurse. She reflected on the link between her blood loss and mental health struggles, noting that slower physical recovery and increased fatigue made coping with new motherhood more difficult.

The report highlighted that Cope’s experience is not isolated. Campaigner Louise Thompson suffered a catastrophic obstetric haemorrhage during and after the birth of her son in 2021, ultimately losing 12.5 litres of blood over the course of a year. Thompson’s severe blood loss contributed to lasting health issues, including ulcerative colitis requiring surgery, lupus, and Asherman’s syndrome, along with profound mental health effects.

Both women expressed a desire for more thorough antenatal discussions about potential risks. Cope specifically wished that a planned caesarean had been considered when she presented with high blood pressure at 41 weeks, rather than a prolonged induction process that culminated in an emergency operation.

Medical professionals acknowledge that postpartum haemorrhage remains a significant cause of maternal morbidity, with consequences ranging from immediate life-threatening complications to long-term physical and psychological sequelae. The rising incidence calls for renewed focus on prevention, early recognition, and comprehensive postnatal support to address both physical recovery and mental health outcomes for new mothers.