There is an average of between 500-600 stillbirths and infant deaths in Wales each year¹. Wales has the highest stillbirth rate of the UK nations (4.4 stillbirths per 1,000 births), though infant (neonatal) mortality rates are at, or slightly below, the UK average.

Inquests/post-mortems for stillbirths and infant deaths are rare and often face long delays. There is also no “official” register of a stillbirth, such as a death certificate.

Bereaved parents may also find it difficult to get support, often relying on charities such as SANDS.

On June 26th 2026, the Senedd debated a backbench motion, calling for the Welsh Government to:

• Implement the recommendations set out in the 2026 All-Wales Maternity and Neonatal Assurance Assessment Report.
• Ensure all bereaved families can access high-quality bereavement care.
• Rollout specialist psychological support for people following pregnancy and baby loss, ensuring all bereaved parents can access support regardless of where they life, the type of pregnancy or baby loss they experienced, or how long ago it was.
• Consider adopting clear, measurable targets to reduce stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates in Wales in line with the best-performing countries in Europe.

There’s no single cause. Some of the most common (medical) reasons may include serious deformities and the mother’s underlying health conditions.

Higher rates of stillbirths and infant deaths have been linked to higher levels of poverty, while stillbirth and infant death rates have also historically been higher amongst minority ethnic groups².

There have been examples of improper care too. Recent examples include a damning report into maternity services in the Swansea Bay health board in 2023³, and 25 “serious incidents” at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital between 2016 and 2019⁴.

During a Senedd debate on 24th June 2026, several MSs quoted figures suggesting that if Wales had adopted birthing practices that matched the best in Europe, 1,000 babies would have survived birth between 2019 and 2023.