Choice as the cornerstone of woman-centred care

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service ([BPAS], 2019a) sees over 80 000 women per year across Britain for reproductive healthcare services including abortion care, pregnancy counselling, miscarriage management, and contraception. Trusting women to make their own decisions is at the heart of everything we do, and we support their choices through both our advocacy work and the provision of non-judgemental, woman-centred services.

Midwives play an inestimable role in this work. As clinicians, our midwives guide clients through the abortion care process, from decision-making to follow up, with skill and compassion. As powerful advocates, they are at the forefront of campaigns for political and legislative reform, ensuring that reproductive choice is safeguarded for generations.

We were proud last year to accept a British Journal of Midwifery Award in recognition of our midwives' passion and commitment, and our contribution to the profession. Now, at a time of momentous change in reproductive rights in the UK, we want to celebrate the care our midwives provide each day to uphold women's choices, and consider how their role may develop as we look to the future.