Complex social needs and maternal postnatal care: What can primary care do?

Poor maternal health and wellbeing is further exacerbated by the societal context of rising living costs, social isolation, and loss of support networks. Social determinants negatively influence maternity outcomes, and reports from Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquires across the UK (MBRRACE-UK) highlight the devastating role of factors such as poverty, housing instability, racism, migration status, and domestic abuse on maternal mortality. In MBRRACE-UK’s 2025 report, 583 (91%) of the 643 women who died during pregnancy or ≤1 year after birth experienced multiple challenges; 194 (30%) lived in deprived areas, 179 (28%) were known to social services, 144 (22%) experienced domestic abuse, and 136 (21%) were known to use substances. Solutions must be found that effectively identify and address women’s social needs postnatally if maternal mortality and morbidity are to be reduced.