Birth Advocacy in
Gloucestershire & Beyond

•Holding Systems Accountable •
• Amplifying Women’s Voices • Inspiring Change•

Welcome to my Birth Advocacy Collection
— a dedicated space for birth workers, midwives, doulas,
activists, and community allies who care about the future of maternity care in Gloucestershire and beyond.

Here, I share my ongoing work in policy analysis, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests,
template letters, and local advocacy,
shining a light on what’s really happening behind the scenes in our maternity services.

My goal is to make this information transparent and usable
— to support those striving for continuity, compassion, and genuine co-production in birth care.

Whether you’re a professional looking to improve practice,
or a parent determined to protect your rights, you’ll find tools, evidence, and reflections here to help fuel meaningful change.

Advocacy & Maternity Reform, Doulas & Continuity of Care, Pregnancy & Birth Emma Gleave Advocacy & Maternity Reform, Doulas & Continuity of Care, Pregnancy & Birth Emma Gleave

Birth Services in the Forest of Dean: What’s Really Happening?

For decades, families in the Forest of Dean could give birth locally at Dilke Memorial Hospital. With its closure in 2024, there are now no maternity services in the Forest — and women are being sent to Gloucester Royal, a unit rated inadequate for safety. A recent review found nine neonatal deaths with “missed opportunities” in care, while many families say planned home births are cancelled at short notice.

So what does this mean for choice, safety, and community care? And how much say do we really have in the so-called “co-design” of local maternity services?

Read More
Pregnancy & Birth Emma Gleave Pregnancy & Birth Emma Gleave

Birth Services in the Forest of Dean: What’s Really Happening? (Copy)

For decades, families in the Forest of Dean could give birth locally at Dilke Memorial Hospital. With its closure in 2024, there are now no maternity services in the Forest — and women are being sent to Gloucester Royal, a unit rated inadequate for safety. A recent review found nine neonatal deaths with “missed opportunities” in care, while many families say planned home births are cancelled at short notice.

So what does this mean for choice, safety, and community care? And how much say do we really have in the so-called “co-design” of local maternity services?

Read More