CPCS has developed discussion of the issues raised here and here about drinking and pregnancy, and here about early intervention, through public events that have taken the ‘policing’ of pregnancy as their theme.

Organised as a collaboration with British Pregnancy Advisory Service (bpas) and Birthrights, these events have brought together academics researching the issues, and those involved with midwifery, reproductive health care, abortion provision and reproductive choice advocacy.

Resources from these events can be accessed by following the links below.

Policing Pregnancy: A one-day conference on maternal autonomy, risk and responsibility
April 2016, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Via the above link, you can access resources from the day including PPT and AV recordings, and media coverage.

Policing Pregnancy: Who should be a mother?
May 2017, Canterbury Christ Church University, in collaboration with CCCU’s Engaging Sociology programme

Via the above link, you can access details of the event, including programme and biographies.

Watch films of the talks given at the event:

• Session 1: ‘Ideal pregnancies’ and the new family planning.
• Session 2: Bad bodies, bad choices? Behavioural advice and the pregnant woman.
• Session 3: Pregnancy surveillance and the medical profession.
• Session 4: Breastfeeding, guilt, and ideals of good motherhood.

Also see a report about ‘Policing Pregnancy: Who should be a mother?’ written by one of the event’s student organisers Tanya Portch, which focusses on the extensive media response.

And see a report and comment written by one of the event’s participants, Rose Mortimer.

Some additional media coverage:

• Jennie Bristow, ‘Policing Pregnancy, The new attack on women’s autonomy’
• Rebecca Schiller, ‘Pregnancy fat-shaming terrifies – and stigmatises – women’
• Newstalk (New Zealand) with Ellie Lee