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A step in the right direction for pregnant women and mothers Illustration: Ulla The director of Birth Companions, Naomi Delap, talks to Women in Prison about the new HMPPS policy framework on pregnancy, mother and baby units (MBUs) and maternal separation in women’s prisons.
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outcomes for pregnant women and irth Companions were among the mothers in prison. first to welcome ’s new t means there are now clear standards policy framework, titled Pregnancy, for how women e periencing pregnancy Mother and Baby Units (MBUs), and including ectopic pregnancy, abortion, Maternal Separation from Children up to miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal death , the Age of Two in Women’s Prisons when birth, the postnatal period and separation it was published last eptember. ts from a child under the age of two are publication marked years since irth supported in prison. he policy addresses ompanions first started working with pregnant women and mothers in the emotional, physical and practical needs olloway prison, and although of these women to ensure the it came later than it should appropriate support is What is a policy have, it is nonetheless provided. As part of this, framework? something to celebrate. Pregnancy, Mother and Baby A policy framework As the first set of mandatory Liaison Officers (PMBLOs) is an of cial re uirements relating to the are to now be appointed in document that care of pregnant women and every prison, which means a provides guidance single point of contact for mothers in the prison system, on policies, women in these circumthe policy framework, along procedures, and stances – something that with the accompanying long-term goals has often been missing. operational guidance, is a in order to give aving taken these ma or step forwards in overall direction to the running improving the e periences and important steps, prisons now and development of an organisation.
