Protecting human rights in childbirth
Registered Charity Number 1151152
Longer reads, analysis and your stories
2025 has been a year of change, growth and challenge for Birthrights.
But our mission remains clear.
Our maternity system is still in crisis, and it is more urgent than ever to do the work that will enable all women and birthing people to make informed, autonomous decisions about their care, free from coercion, discrimination or punishment.
Tara’s story: An RAF lawyer fighting to make military maternity services fairer. Here Tara shares her story, how she came into contact with Birthrights and why she is fighting to change military policy around elective caesareans…
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.
Birthrights is joined in conversation by Dr Kate Whitehouse to talk about maternity care and her experiences as a doctor within both the US and the UK maternity systems
“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
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Hazel Williams as new CEO of Birthrights.
Hazel is a passionate values-led leader who has led award-winning human rights and social justice charities. Currently she is the Director of Justice Together, leading a national programme to improve anti-racist practice in the migration sector and access to justice for people in the immigration system.
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
Maia’s story: a second-time mum who had to fight for a home birth, Birthrights ‘Access Denied: Restrictions on Home Birth in the UK’ Report Case Study
Scarlett’s story: a second-time mum expecting twins who wanted a second home birth, Birthrights ‘Access Denied: Restrictions on Home Birth in the UK’ Report Case Study
After spearheading Birthright’s Home Birth campaign, our policy and campaigns manager Elif Ege reflects on how ‘safety concerns’ are too often used as an excuse to restrict or suspend maternity services…