Protecting human rights in childbirth
Registered Charity Number 1151152
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Birthrights welcomes the NMC’s expression of commitment to human-rights centred maternity care in its new Principles. However, to achieve this goal, principles which breach human rights law requirements must be amended, the role of doulas must be respected, and more attention must be paid to the support needed by midwives from their employers.
The debate on Baby Loss was held yesterday (October 13) at the House of Commons, on Baby Loss Awareness Week. In our response as Birthrights, we want to be clear that a human rights-centred approach is still missing from the debate and discussions about the maternity care crisis.
“My name is Thando Zwane and I’m a birthkeeper and doula and founder of the birth group Birthing in Colour. I work all over London in my capacity as birthkeeper.” Birthrights ‘Access Denied: Restrictions on Home Birth in the UK’ Report Case Study
Birthrights is seeing the rise of a concerning trend of punitive, criminalising and legalistic approaches targeting doulas. This undermines trust and endangers safety, creating an environment where no one can feel safe.
The latest MBRRACE Report (link) has been published, and once again it shows no improvement in maternal death rates or in the stark inequalities that persist in the maternity sector.
These referrals are putting safety in maternity care at risk. No one can feel safe under these conditions.
A spate of inappropriate referrals has recently come to our attention, involving both women and birthing people and healthcare professionals.
These referrals are putting safety in maternity care at risk. No one can feel safe under these conditions.
While we welcome the DHSC’s recent announcement that thousands of new jobs will be unlocked for newly qualified nurses and midwives, we are concerned about how this will be implemented effectively and how support will be guaranteed in practice — support for existing staff is equally critical.
Ella’s story: a second-time mum with hospital anxiety and a home birth agreed, found out the service was suspended at 32 weeks pregnant – Birthrights ‘Access Denied: Restrictions on Home Birth in the UK’ Report Case Study
Five X More launched their powerful new report this week: the ‘Black Maternity Experiences Report 2025’.
An analysis based on NHS figures shows that the potential cost of maternity negligence claims in England since 2019 has reached £27.4 billion, more than the entire maternity care budget in the same period.