MATERNITY services should use terms like “chestfeeding” to avoid offending trans people, according to a government-funded report. A survey of 121 pregnant trans Britons found the term would be more “inclusive” – and that phrases like “frontal” or “lower birth” should be used to avoid mentioning women’s genitals. The report by the LGBT Foundation said: […]
MATERNITY services should use terms like “chestfeeding” to avoid offending trans people, according to a government-funded report.
A survey of 121 pregnant trans Britons found the term would be more “inclusive” – and that phrases like “frontal” or “lower birth” should be used to avoid mentioning women’s genitals.
The report by the LGBT Foundation said: “It is not possible to guess the language someone might use to describe themselves based on how they look or sound, or who they are in a relationship with.”
According to the charity, some trans and non-binary people would also benefit from having their own space in hospitals to give birth – so they don’t become uncomfortable by seeing women.
The new report was commissioned by the Health & Wellbeing Alliance, a partnership between charities and the NHS, which is managed jointly by the Department of Health and Social Care and Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.
It lays out a series of recommendations in its ‘Trans + Non Binary Experiences of Maternity Services’ report.
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The charity said a third pregnant trans and non-binary parents surveyed reported not engaging with perinatal care during their pregnancy.
This compares to just 2.1 per cent of the general population.
Of the survey respondents, 59 per cent said healthcare professionals did not speak to them in a way which reflected their gender.
It detailed the experience of one trans person, who said: ‘I didn’t have to go to a ward full of women after giving birth, I was actually provided with a private room for me and baby which was very helpful and accommodating for me and my gender identity.’
Another trans person said a midwife attributed their postnatal depression to them knowing ‘deep down’ that they should stop the transition.
Nearly three in 10 trans and non-binary birthing parents said they were not treated with dignity and respect during labour and birth, compared to just 2% of respondents to the Care Quality Commission Maternity Services Survey.
Other examples of improving trans pregnancy healthcare included having NHS staff with identity badges showing their pronouns, gender-inclusive training for midwives, and NHS data tracking outcomes for trans and non-binary pregnancies.
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Paul Martin, CEO of the LGBT Foundation, said: “What the project firmly demonstrates is that the solution to healthcare inequalities lies in healthcare services and provisions actively listening to their users and committing the necessary will and resources to making change happen at every level of design and delivery.
“The end result of these combined efforts can be healthcare that is truly inclusive of the range of lived experiences of trans and non-binary people, and is able to support and celebrate every individual’s unique journey through pregnancy.”
