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Journal Vol. 33, No. 2 — A Plurality of Births: Languages, Places, Communities

ISSN 2516-5852 (Online)

To read or download this Journal as a PDF. Please click here.

Editorial, by Luisa Izzi
Luisa Izzi introduces this issue’s theme and articles.

The Experience of Pregnancy in the British Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities, by Sophie Davies
Sophie Davies writes about the wide-ranging inequalities and disparities in health care experienced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people in the UK.

Birth and family traditions in Fiji, by Siteri Tui Kurewaka
Siteri Tui Kurewaka tells us about traditions and ceremonies surrounding pregnancy and birth in Fijian culture, interspersed with her personal experiences of giving birth in England, Germany and Scotland.

Where is the village? by Beth Whitehead
Beth Whitehead shares her harrowing experience of giving birth in a UK hospital, comparing this with the traditional values of care she would have expected in the country of her birth.

Martine Monksfield: a Deaf Mum’s maternity experience
Martine Monksfield explains what it is like for women from the Deaf community to give birth in a hospital, and why the help of a British Sign Language interpreter is so important.

Being in-between: An interview with an interpreter, by Katharine Handel and Zori Jeffries
Zori Jeffries gives an inspiring account of her work supporting women from the Bulgarian community during pregnancy and birth.

Listening to the pregnant body, by Emily Carson
Emily Carson looks at how difficult it has become to listen to the body within the culture of the medicalised model of birth, but how transformative it can be when we learn its language.

Understanding Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP): The power of women coming together, by Jenny Chambers
Jenny Chambers introduces us to the work of the charity she founded thirty years ago.

An Interview with Kuldip Bharj
An interview with Dr Kuldip Bharj, OBE, who has spent over 40 years of her career in midwifery, including roles in education, research and practice.

Comment on MBRRACE-UK 2019 Perinatal Confidential Enquiry: Stillbirths and neonatal deaths in twin pregnancies, by Shane Ridley
Shane Ridley highlights the shocking lack of specialist services available for people who are expecting twins.

Where next for Better Births in England? Baroness Julia Cumberlege looks to the future
A report of the Better Births Five Years On event, including a speech given by Baroness Julia Cumberlege

Campaign update: Coronavirus and the maternity services
An update on how Coronavirus is currently affecting maternity services.

Review of the Spanish documentary Birth in the 21st Century
Rachel Boldero reviews this film, an informative documentary for anyone interested in birth which includes some interactive elements.

Pieces of a woman
A Review by Megan Disley

What has the AIMS Campaigns team been up to?
The AIMS Campaigns team give us an update on what they’ve been working on since March

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