Powys woman helps launch national maternity rights campaign

Birthrights Day is being marked for the first time on September 26, with campaigners using the slogan: "Your body. Your birth. Your rights."

The date was chosen by charity Birthrights because it is the most common birthday in England and Wales, with analysis showing around 2,000 babies are typically born on that day.

The charity says the campaign is intended to raise awareness of people's rights in maternity care and draw attention to concerns around inequalities, staffing pressures and discrimination within maternity services.

Llanfechain resident Joanna Barr communications manager at Birthrights, has helped launch the charity's first Birthrights Day campaign highlighting human rights in maternity care. (Image: Birthrights)

Joanna Barr, communications manager at Birthrights, who lives in Llanfechain near Llanfyllin, appears in a new awareness film launched as part of the campaign.

She said: "Birthrights is extremely grateful to Amie for donating her time to bring together the little clips which we filmed selfie-style on our phones, and which are introduced by nine-time Paralympic champion Hannah Cockcroft CBE.

"We know this film won't be like Amie's usual work as we filmed it and gave her very little time to bring the clips together but we hope it will help to get across some clear messages around human rights in birth and help educate current and future generations of women and birthing people."

'Your body. Your birth. Your rights'

According to Birthrights, key maternity care rights include being listened to, receiving clear information, making informed decisions about treatment and care, and being treated with dignity, respect and without discrimination.

Birthrights chief executive Hazel Williams said: "Birthrights Day is an opportunity to remind everyone that maternity rights are not optional extras, they belong to every woman and birthing person.

"Our message is simple: Your body. Your birth. Your rights. Everyone deserves to be listened to, respected and supported to make informed decisions about their care and what happens to their body in pregnancy and childbirth, free from discrimination."

The campaign film was created by filmmaker Amie Hill, who volunteered her time after discovering the charity following her own experiences during pregnancy and childbirth.

Nine-time Paralympic gold medallist Hannah Cockroft CBE and husband Nathan Maguire at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2024. Cockroft, who features in Birthrights' new awareness film for the first Birthrights Day, said it is vital that women and birthing people understand their rights in maternity care. (Image: Martin Rickett.)

Paralympic champion Hannah Cockcroft, who recently became a mother, also took part.

She said: "Thankfully, I had a great birth experience, although my experience during pregnancy varied, largely because of my disability and the lack of knowledge, research or understanding the maternity professionals have, so I think it is vital all women and birthing people know their rights."

Positive experience

Ms Barr said she personally benefited from supportive maternity care but recognised that not everyone has the same experience.

She said: "I had a really positive experience throughout my pregnancy and birth thanks to a wonderful community midwife who made sure I was supported, listened to and had bodily autonomy, but I know so many people are not as lucky and that is why human rights in maternity care and this film are so important."

To mark Birthrights Day, supporters are being encouraged to share selfies on social media using the campaign message "Your body. Your birth. Your rights" and to visit the charity's website for information about maternity care rights.