Birth Companions: Supporting mothers in prison and in the community
“When I first came to prison, I was about eight weeks pregnant with my third baby and absolutely petrified. Throughout my pregnancy, Birth Companions were fantastic. They were there throughout my labour and were like angels in disguise.”
It’s shocking to hear that as recently as the late 1990s, pregnant women in custody were still being shackled during labour as they gave birth. It seems barbaric, unthinkable. Yet pregnant women and new mothers are still at risk in a prison system that is seemingly unable to keep them safe. That’s why it’s vital that charities like Birth Companions exist to support women and push for change.
In 1996, a birth campaigner raised awareness by secretly filming a woman from Holloway Prison who had been handcuffed during labour. When this evidence came to light, a group of doulas, midwives and antenatal teachers decided to take action. Later that year, they founded Birth Companions, a women’s charity dedicated to supporting women facing inequality and disadvantage during pregnancy, birth and early motherhood, including women in prisons.
“Denise Marshall, who is now our Head of Services, was working in Holloway Prison as an antenatal teacher at the time. She became one of the original birth companions,” says Katherine Miller Brunton, Policy, Communications and Engagement Officer at Birth Companions.
“Women going to hospital from the prison often didn’t have any family or friends who could be with them when they gave birth. One of our first initiatives was to set up a 24-hour phone line, so that women could ask a prison officer or midwife to call us and request a volunteer to be with them for the birth at the local Whittington Hospital. Volunteers continued to support women in hospital afterwards. Women told us that the volunteers were like the family they were missing.”
Having started by supporting pregnant women and new mothers in Holloway Prison, Birth Companions has become expert in meeting the needs of women living in the most challenging situations - in prison and in the community. This includes women who are in contact with the criminal justice system, children’s social care and the immigration system, and those who face homelessness, poverty, mental ill-health, domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Birth Companions is now the UK’s leading organisation working in this area. They believe that no woman should go through pregnancy, birth and early motherhood on her own, and work to ensure that all women get the care they need and deserve.
Naomi Delap, Director of Birth Companions, says: “We know that pregnancy and early motherhood is a critical period for mothers and babies in which the foundations are laid for the future, but health and social inequalities make it really hard for some mothers to give their babies the best start in life. That’s where our work supporting mothers and driving system change is so important.”
During 2023, the charity provided support to 112 women and birthing people in HMP Bronzefield, HMP Foston Hall and HMP Peterborough through peer support, one-to-one and group-based services. Support for women in these prisons includes antenatal wellbeing groups, support to develop birth choices, and empowering them to have the birth they want.
Birth Companions also worked with 131 women in the community across London the South East. The charity’s services in the community include a 24/7 birth phone line, support from birth companions, and practical help such as taxis to or from hospital, phone credit, nursing bras, wellbeing packs and baby boxes that contain everything a woman needs for her baby in the first two weeks after birth.
In feedback collected by the charity in 2022-23, 100% of women supported said its services had helped improve their mental health and wellbeing, 94% said the charity had helped reduce their isolation, and 90% felt Birth Companions had supported them to give their babies a better start in life.
One woman explains why the support she received from Birth Companions was so important. “When I first came to prison, I was about eight weeks pregnant with my third baby and absolutely petrified. Throughout my pregnancy, Birth Companions were fantastic. They were there throughout my labour and were like angels in disguise.”
The Goldsmiths’ Company Charity gave a grant to Birth Companions worth £90,000 over three years, running from March 2021 to February 2024.
“Birth Companions is one of an increasing portfolio of charities The Goldsmiths’ Company Charity is working with who are supporting criminal justice experienced women and girls,” says Michelle O’Brien, Head of Charitable Partnership at the Goldsmiths’ Company Charity.
“Birth Companions is unique in our work in prisoner resettlement in that they directly help to improve outcomes not only for the prisoner, but for the most vulnerable individuals in contact with the criminal justice system – those born in prison.”
Birth Companions has put the grant towards the cost of its frontline services which support pregnant women, mothers of infants and babies who have contact with the criminal justice system.
Naomi Delap of Birth Companions comments: “Funding across three years is so valuable because it gives us security and allows us to plan more strategically. The Goldsmiths’ team understands the challenges experienced by small charities. More than that, they’re really passionate about justice, and the power of the voluntary sector to help deliver it!”
Over the past few years, Birth Companions has grown steadily and now has 15 staff members and over 20 active volunteers. The charity also has a Lived Experience Team of over 50 women, three of whom sit on the Board of Trustees.
One of these Trustees says: “My journey with Birth Companions began as a service user, when I was pregnant in prison. After receiving so much incredible support, I felt compelled to give back. I’ve been honoured to participate in projects that will positively impact women's perinatal experiences for decades to come.”
Looking to the future, the charity is working on a Birth Charter for women with involvement with children’s social services. This follows on from their 2016 Birth Charter for women in prison in England and Wales that set out comprehensive principles of care for pregnant women and mothers of infants in prison. They hope that the second Birth Charter will lead to better care and fairer treatment for women at risk of being separated from their babies.
It’s an exciting time for a small charity that’s having a big impact.
Written by Fiona Thompson for The Goldsmiths’ Company