Theo Clarke, MP for Stafford, was courageous talking about her experience of birth trauma in Parliament today. This is the first time that birth trauma has been debated in Parliament in the UK. Thousands of mums experience birth trauma in the UK every year.

Theo became visibly upset when speaking about her experience. She sustained a 3^rd degree tear when her baby was born.

When the area between the vagina and the anus (known as the perineum) is injured during childbirth, it is called a “tear”. Tears are relatively common and are described based on the severity of the injury, with a 1^st degree tear being the least severe. A 3^rd degree tear extends into the muscle that controls the anus (the anal sphincter). This is also known as an obstetric anal sphincter injury.

For more information about perineal tears, click here.

Theo spent a week in hospital and was shocked by the lack of aftercare for mums who have been injured. She has since been campaigning for awareness and better care surrounding birth trauma, and has asked for the following:

It has been confirmed that the NHS will implement the Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury (OASI) care bundle. This is new guidance which is hoped will reduce the risk of OASI and manage them if they do happen.

Several MPs in Parliament shared stories from people in their constituencies and some shared their own heartbreaking experiences of birth trauma and baby loss, the latter which was also debated in Parliament today. Almost all of the people who spoke made it clear that mums and families are not listened to and that this must change in order for there to be a better outcome for mums and babies.

Theo called for assurance that perinatal mental health services will be made available to all mothers in the UK, and to end the postcode lottery for people who need support with mental health after delivery.

Health inequalities were also debated, and some very concerning statistics were discussed:

• Stillbirths are almost double in people from the most deprived areas compared with the least deprived areas.
• For black women, they are 4 times more likely to die during childbirth than white women.
• Asian, black, and working class families are more likely to have a poorer outcome, and poorer mental health following delivery.
• People in deprived areas are 5 times less likely to receive aftercare following delivery.
• 43% higher rate of miscarriage in black ethnicity than white.

Theo gave an example of a mum who reported that a nurse did not spot a haemorrhage (bleed) because of the colour of her skin. She called for diversity training in maternity care.

We hope that this is the first of many debates about birth trauma in Parliament and that this important issue is discussed widely to ensure that the changes MPs like Theo are campaigning for are realised.

The message coming out of both debates, about birth trauma and baby loss, was simple – listen to women.

Moosa-Duke Solicitors specialise in birth trauma and baby loss claims.  If you have concerns about the maternity care that you or a loved one has received, please contact us for a no obligation consultation.

Link to BBC Politics – video of Theo Clarke MP in Parliament today.