Our speaking up about series is all about bringing you the best articles from School of Visibility students, and our founder Samantha Nolan-Smith, on topics you’ve told us you want to learn more about. We’ll be growing these throughout 2019 so be sure to check back over the coming months.

NB: we curate the collection of articles for each of the subject areas and the first people we go to for articles are the students of our classes and programs. If you’d like to submit an article for inclusion in one of our subject areas, please email us at hello(at)theschoolofvisibility(dot)com.

I didn’t know I could say no!

“I didn’t know I could say no,” she exclaimed, turning her surprised face towards me. I can see the cogs literally whirring as she applies this new knowledge to her situation, as the possibility for a different way forward opens up.

I smile encouragingly, my own cogs working overtime as my mind is flooded with all that I desperately want her to know to ensure her birth goes as she dreams of… Where to even start?

I want her to know that her right to say no is enshrined in human rights law.

I want her to know that these human rights apply equally to her in pregnancy and birth just as they do at any other time.

Read the rest here.