King's College London: Migrant mums face higher risks in childbirth

May 2, 2026

Pregnant women who have moved to the UK are facing a significantly higher risk of serious complications during childbirth, according to groundbreaking research from King's College London. The study highlights how confusing immigration policies and NHS charging rules are creating dangerous delays in care, impacting both mothers and their babies.

Alarming Statistics Revealed

The research, which analysed data from over 44,000 pregnant women, found that migrant women face up to a 74% higher risk of emergency caesarean sections. They also have a 49% greater chance of experiencing severe, life-threatening complications requiring intensive care or blood transfusions. Worryingly, babies born to these mothers are 53% more likely to be in poor health.

Navigating a Maze of Bureaucracy

Researchers from King's College London discovered that visa policies are so difficult to navigate that women often don't receive maternity care on time. Many are asked about their immigration status before accessing essential care, despite maternity services being treated as "immediately necessary" by the NHS. This process can cause significant delays and anxiety.

Lived Experiences of Delay

Sonia, who was part of a lived experience group consulted for the study, shared her harrowing experience. "When I was seven months pregnant and seriously anaemic, I was referred to the hospital by a GP," she said. "I didn’t have ID and didn’t know what asylum meant." She was asked for ID and told she might have to pay for a scan, only receiving one after applying for asylum and providing paperwork.

The Impact of NHS Charging Rules

Another member of the lived experience group, Queenie, spoke about unexpected maternity charges. "I had my baby last year and never received any information about being charged for maternity care," she explained. A year later, she was contacted by the Home Office stating she owed £11,850 for a vaginal delivery, leading to significant shock and distress.

Urgent Calls for Reform

Dr Rayment-Jones, the lead author of the study and an NIHR Advanced Research Fellow at King's College London, stated, "We identified another alarming layer of structural barriers that prevent women from accessing timely maternity care, and we now have evidence showing how these barriers are linked to poorer outcomes for mothers and babies." She added that immigration policy and NHS charging rules are complex and difficult for both women and healthcare professionals to understand.

Recommendations for Improvement

The study's findings urge policymakers to consider how immigration and charging policies affect timely access to maternity care. Recommendations include clearer, more accessible guidance for migrant women on their rights, expanded interpreting services, and improved training for healthcare professionals on charging regulations.