Fria and Hadies: The Ice & Fire Fria stands in the threshold to the kitchens, a bowl of fresh melon slices in her hand, scowling. She hates how these entitled girls order her around and she is very much enjoying telling the kitchen staff how annoying this one is, sending her off on wild Continue Reading
Birth in The Year 2073: Malina Has Her Baby
Derisa pulls her scarf up over her head as she hurries down her garden path and out onto the quiet, dark street. It is frosty; in the gardens icy fronds flash white in the light of a full moon, which is partly obscured by clouds pregnant with the possibility of snow. Once again Derisa reflects on Continue Reading
Weaponising the Ockenden Report
This Guest Post is an edited version of an article which appeared on www.thearticle.com on 28 March, with the title The Ockenden Report: are we making natural birth a scapegoat? reproduced by permission of the editor. The author Sarah Johnson is a doula and birth educator and has Continue Reading
Pat & Archy of The Patriarchy
Oh Pat&Archy, you have the lion's share. You're playing footsie with the FTSE, Stuffed shirts on all the boards you Chair. Oh Pat, why are you so greedy and so fat? Oh Archy, why must you always play the autocrat? Dear Pat&Archy, why do you hate us so? You rape and take, or turn away Continue Reading
My Doula Year: banging the drum for justice
It's been quite a year. Not just for me, but for the wider birth world. This year heralded the beginnings of the implementation of the Better Births report. Continuity of Carer is really on the horizon - for those not in the know, that means the prospect of all women being able to get to know a Continue Reading
I have all the Colours
I Have All the Colours I have all the colours. Red Ochre, slate grey, golden brown And greens of all the hues. Colours to paint the land that Births me anew, cleans and renews. The place where water tumbles and dances In the shimmering light. ~~~~ I have all the colours. Buttercup yellow, Continue Reading
‘It’s not RAPE rape’, By Amity Reed
A flurry of reports on birth rape have prompted a backlash against women who use the term to describe their assault experiences. Amity Reed responds Amity Reed, 30 September 2010 Birth rape is not rape because: the intent was not likely malicious; you solicited the services of the midwife or doctor Continue Reading
Not a happy birthday
Threatened, intimidated, bullied, violated: this is hospital birth as many mothers experience it. Amity Reed reports on the little-recognised crime of birth rape Amity Reed, March 2008 When Lynsey* went into hospital to have her baby, she expected to leave a mother. After many hours of difficult Continue Reading