Trans and Non-Binary Experiences of Maternity Services

LGBT Foundation, , Pearce, R. , Topper, Y. and Martin, P. (2022) Trans and Non-Binary Experiences of Maternity Services. Project Report. LGBT Foundation, Manchester.

Abstract

The Improving Trans Experiences of Maternity Services (ITEMS) project is a collaborative research project commissioned by the Health & Wellbeing Alliance, which is jointly managed by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), Public Health England (PHE) and NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I). The project is supported by the National LGBT Partnership, the Trans Learning Partnership (TLP), and the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Health and Wellbeing Alliance (VCSE HWA). The experiences of trans and non-binary birthing people are often sensationalised, with reporting focusing solely on the supposed novelty of ‘the pregnant man’ as opposed to the specific health and care needs of this community. The UK has announced not one, but two ‘first’ pregnant men, in both 2012 and 2017, and such announcements fail to do justice to the lives of the many trans men and non-binary people who have given birth both before and after this. This report aims to shine a light on the many and varied experiences, insights and needs of trans men and non-binary people who have accessed perinatal services. It should be especially useful for perinatal practitioners, service managers, commissioners and policymakers. However, anyone with an interest in trans healthcare or improving services for marginalised communities will find the contents of this report helpful. We found numerous examples of poor experiences, poorer outcomes, and patients and their babies being put at risk. These inequalities were especially stark for multiply marginalised trans men and non-binary people, most notably those trans men and non-binary respondents who were Black and people of colour. We also found many examples of trans men and non-binary pregnant and birthing people coming together as a community to support one another. We found examples of innovation and best practice, where trans and non-binary people felt listened to, respected, and supported by the perinatal services they accessed. These were cases where their midwives and the services as a whole took a proactive approach to gender inclusion, from language use to providing care options that clearly centred the needs of individual patients.

• Item Type: Research Reports or Papers (Project Report)
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Pearce, Dr Ruth
• Authors: LGBT Foundation, , Pearce, R., Topper, Y., and Martin, P.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education > People, Place & Social Change
• Publisher: LGBT Foundation

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