How we work
Birth Companions performs a vital role for women in Holloway prison, providing support for those who would otherwise face giving birth alone. Although women in prison can be accompanied during childbirth by a companion of their choice, some women, particularly foreign nationals, have no one who can provide this support.
Birth Companions visit Holloway prison regularly to meet women who are interested in our support. When a woman registers with us:
- We draw up a birth plan with her so that we know how she would like us to look after her during her labour
- We provide her with our phone number so that she can contact us when she needs us.
"Having a birth companion made a difference to how I felt approaching labour because I knew I had someone going to be there"
When we are contacted by a woman in labour (or someone ringing on her behalf), a trained volunteer birth companion goes to meet her in hospital and stays with her providing support and encouragement throughout her labour.
"The fact that somebody was with me throughout meant the most to me"
After the birth, volunteers visit the woman while she is still in hospital, taking her items such as food, flowers or clothing for the baby.
"A birth companion visited me after the birth. She gave lots of advice about breastfeeding"
Our Community Resettlement project provides support for pregnant women and new mothers after their release from Holloway prison. The aim of the project is to prevent isolation and destitution amongst this group of vulnerable women and to enable them to access appropriate support services. The project is run by our Community Link Worker.
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