Women feel coerced during maternity care in England, charity says

Women feel put under pressure to have medical procedures such as caesareans during their maternity care, according to a report.

The charity Birthrights collated the experiences of 300 people in England who said they had felt or witnessed coercion within a maternity setting.

It said caregivers used authoritative language that undermined the idea of women being able to make informed decisions regarding their maternity care.

Experiences shared in the report include healthcare professionals telling women they must accept a vaginal examination or they will not be able to be admitted to the birth centre, and women feel put under pressure to accept an induction without it being explained why it was necessary.

Experiences shared in the report include healthcare professionals telling women they must accept a vaginal examination or they will not be able to be admitted to the birth centre, and women feel put under pressure to accept an induction without it being explained why it was necessary.

One woman recounted feeling forced into have a caesarean without having the reasons why it was necessary explained. “I remember a doctor saying to me: You can choose to have a C-section now or you can wait a few hours and I’ll press that buzzer behind your head and you’ll have one anyway,’” the woman said.

Hazel Williams, the chief executive of Birthrights, said: “This crucial report documents the rise in coercive practices as a systemic problem across the maternity system, with Black and Brown women and birthing people facing the worst attacks on their human rights, choice and bodily autonomy.

“Women and birthing people are repeatedly being told you are ‘not allowed’ or threatened with children’s services referrals, not given full facts and denied genuine informed choice. Coercion has no place in safe maternity care and must stop now.”

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Source: The Guardian, 17 March 2026