Home / Health / Mothers Fight 'Dangerous Gap' in Maternity Care
Mothers Fight 'Dangerous Gap' in Maternity Care
13 Jun
Summary
- Placenta Accreta Spectrum affects mothers due to deep placental attachment.
- Numbers of PAS cases are rising, potentially linked to C-sections.
- Campaigners demand better training, national data, and mandatory reporting.
Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS), a condition where the placenta attaches too deeply into the uterine wall, is seeing a rise in cases, with some experts linking it to an increase in Cesarean sections. This has led to significant health risks for mothers, including severe hemorrhages and trauma.
Erin Cooper, a former intensive care nurse, experienced a life-threatening hemorrhage during pregnancy, requiring multiple blood transfusions and a hysterectomy due to PAS. Her experience highlights the emotional and physical toll of the condition, leaving her with PTSD and a loss of womanhood.
Cooper is among over 100 mothers advocating for greater awareness and improved maternity care for PAS. They call for specialist training, a national database, and mandatory reporting of cases, emphasizing that women and babies are losing their lives. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists is reviewing guidelines.
NHS England acknowledges the rising prevalence and is reviewing specialized commissioning services to enhance national data collection and access. The Health Services Safety Investigations Body is assessing whether a national investigation into the care of PAS is warranted.
