A State of the Nation report published today by MBRRACE-UK paints an alarming picture of baby loss throughout the UK.

As well as confirming an overall increase in the rates of babies dying before or shortly after birth in 2021, the report shows marked increases in inequality by ethnicity and deprivation.

This means that the Government is currently not on track to meet its ambitions to reduce rates of stillbirth by 2025 in England, but if everyone had the same outcomes as those living in the least deprived areas these targets would already have been met.

The recent Saving Babies’ Lives progress report, published by the Sands & Tommy's Joint Policy Unit, made clear the range of systemic issues that needed to be addressed to improve outcomes.

“The MBRRACE-UK report  published today makes clear that inaction is costing babies’ lives. It paints an alarming picture of baby loss throughout the UK and the situation described in this report is simply unacceptable. This requires a comprehensive response from all levels of government that matches the urgency and scale of the issue.

“As well as confirming an overall increase in the rates of babies dying before or shortly after birth in 2021, the report shows marked increases in inequality by ethnicity and deprivation. Our recent Saving Babies’ Lives progress report made clear that urgent action is needed to address the multiple drivers of inequality, to ensure that everyone is receiving care in line with nationally-agreed standards, and a greater focus on learning lessons when babies die.

“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.”

- Robert Wilson, Head of the Sands & Tommy's Joint Policy Unit

MBRRACE-UK report highlights inequalities in baby deaths 

The most common causes of stillbirth were placental, congenital anomalies, cord problems, and infection. There remains a high proportion of stillbirths with an unknown cause of death (33.3%). 

The most common causes of neonatal death were congenital anomalies, extreme prematurity, neurological, cardiorespiratory and infection.

The report also shows that in 2021 babies of black ethnicity were over twice as likely to be stillborn compared to babies of white ethnicity, and there was a substantial increase in the rates of stillbirth among babies born to mothers from the most deprived areas of the UK.

“The figures released today highlight that wide inequalities in mortality by ethnicity continue, with a particularly significant increase in mortality rates for babies of Black ethnicity. Sands is committed to ensuring the voices of Black bereaved parents, as well as those from other ethnic minority groups, are listened to and their experiences used to inform policy changes to improve maternity safety and save babies’ lives. 

"We know that the release of reports like this can be distressing and urge any parent who may need support to contact us. We are here for every parent and have dedicated bereavement support services for Black and Black British, as well as Asian parents.”

- Dr Clea Harmer, Sands' Chief Executive

The report also makes clear there is wide variation in rates of babies dying between different Trusts and Health Boards across the UK.  

Government and the NHS  have committed to act on the findings of recent investigations of maternity services. There are a range of initiatives aimed at improving safety, but these have not yet led to the fundamental change needed to make more substantial progress on reducing rates of pregnancy loss and baby death. 

Support for you  

We understand that announcements like this can be incredibly difficult, and we are always here to support anyone affected. If you, or someone you know, needs emotional support after loss, find out  all the different ways we offer support. 

The Sands bereavement support book is available in multiple languages.