HC Deb 09 June 2004 vol 422 c394W
Mrs. Iris Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide(a) mortality and (b) morbidity statistics for (i) normal vaginal deliveries, (ii) Caesarean sections and (iii) other deliveries in the last five years. [173734]

Dr. Ladyman

The Department does not collect the information in the format requested. However, the table, taken from the latest report on the confidential inquiries into maternal deaths (CEMD) in the United Kingdom, shows the direct and indirect maternal deaths and mortality rates per 100,000 maternities reported to registrars and the CEMD; United Kingdom for each triennium since 1988.

Triennium
1988–90 1991–93 1994–96 1997–99
Maternal deaths known to registrars general
Number 172 150 175 142
Rate 7.3 16.5 28.0 36.7
Direct deaths known to inquiry
Number 145 128 134 106
Rate 6.2 5.5 6.1 5.0
Indirect deaths known to inquiry
Number 93 100 134 136
Rate 4.0 4.3 6.1 6.4
Total known to inquiry
Number 238 228 268 242
Rate 10.1 9.8 12.2 11.4
Total maternities
Number 2,347,529 2,317,328 2,197,640 2,123,614
1 Final Office for National Statistics revised figures for 1991–93: the rate available at the time for the publication of the 1991–93 report was 6.0.
2England and Wales figures for 1994 now include underlying cause and mentions (ICD9 630–676)
3The rate for 1994–96 in the previous report was 7.4.

Information about morbidity in mothers may be found in table 27, and selected complications by delivery onset method and delivery method can be found in table 28 of "National Health Service Maternity Statistics, England: 2002–03", which can be found at www.publications.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0410.htm. A copy of the bulletin is available in the Library.

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