The first Birthrights Day is Saturday 26 September. Guildford film-maker Amie Hill gave her time to the charity's short film on rights in maternity care.
A Guildford film-maker has made the short film for the first Birthrights Day, which the maternity rights charity Birthrights is holding on Saturday 26 September. Amie Hill donated her time to put the film together after coming across the charity, Birthrights says, “following issues around the births of her own two children”. She also reads one of the lines in it.
The day’s slogan is “Your body. Your birth. Your rights.” The charity says it wants to use the day to highlight that “systemic racism, lack of safe staffing and toxic work cultures are leading to rushed care, denied choices, and systemic human rights violations” in maternity services.
Why 26 September
Birthrights chose the date because it is the most common day to be born in England and Wales. The charity cites Office for National Statistics analysis showing an average of around 2,000 births on 26 September, against around 1,800 a day if births were spread evenly across the year (Birthrights Day campaign page).
“Whether someone is giving birth on 26 September or any other day of the year, the message remains the same,” the charity says.
The film
The film runs for just over a minute. It was pieced together from clips the charity’s staff and supporters filmed “selfie-style” on their phones, and it is introduced by Hannah Cockcroft CBE, the nine-time Paralympic champion. The Birthrights advice team, pictured above, appear at the end.
Amie, who lives in Surrey, said:
“I knew as soon as I found out about Birthrights that I wanted to help support their cause. My pregnancy journey wasn’t easy, and often I felt as if I didn’t have a voice or wasn’t listened to. If there is any way I can use my skills to spread awareness to prevent this happening with others, I am proud to be part of that mission.”
Joanna Barr, the charity’s communications manager, said Birthrights was “extremely grateful to Amie for donating her time to bring together the little clips which we filmed selfie-style on our phones”. She added:
“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 rights in birth and help educate current and future generations of women and birthing people.”
Hannah Cockcroft said:
“I was happy to take part in the film, as I now have a beautiful 4-month-old girl called Rosie.
“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.”
The six rights
Birthrights, which works to protect human rights in pregnancy and childbirth, gives advice and information, produces resources, carries out research and campaigns for change in maternity care. For the day it has set out six rights that, it says, everyone has in maternity care:
- The right to be listened to.
- The right to clear information.
- The right to make informed decisions about your body and your care.
- The right to give, accept or say no to any care or treatment you are offered.
- The right to be treated with dignity and respect.
- The right to receive care without discrimination.
The charity’s 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.”
She added: “The most recent national maternity enquiries highlight the consequences of deepening inequalities, systemic racism, persistent violations of our human rights and the ongoing crisis in maternity services. The protection of human rights provides a clear framework to ensure everyone’s dignity, bodily autonomy and choice are protected, free from discrimination.”
What it means for you
- Join in on Saturday: Birthrights is asking supporters to post a selfie, photo or video, on social media on Saturday 26 September with the hashtags #YourBodyYourBirthYourRights and #BirthrightsDay, and to tag the charity (@birthrightsorg).
- Watch the film and read up: the film and further information about your rights are on the Birthrights Day page.
- Need advice: Birthrights runs an advice service on rights in pregnancy and childbirth; details are on birthrights.org.uk.
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