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Leah Hazard

@leahhazard.bsky.social

6.8K followers 1.2K following 160 posts

NHS midwife, activist, author of Womb (NYT Editors’ Choice), Hard Pushed (UK Sunday Times bestseller) and Birth Wars (coming 2027 from Allen Lane/Penguin Press). Trustee, Amma Birth Companions. www.leahhazard.co.uk. All views my own.

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Leah Hazard @leahhazard.bsky.social · Nov 14

Hi BlueSky gang! A little introduction. I’ve been an NHS midwife for 11 years, I write about repro health/rights and my next book, BIRTH WARS, is due in 2027 from Allen Lane. Also often seen mouthing off on TV/radio about the maternity crisis - here’s a recent one from BBC R4 Woman’s Hour.

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Spread the Word @spread-the-word.bsky.social · Aug 13

📔 Do you have an idea for a non-fiction book but don’t know where to start?

Join us for a FREE, online workshop - Writing Non-Fiction: How to Ask the Right Questions with Leah Hazard @leahhazard.bsky.social

Wed 17 Sep @7pm, Online. Tickets tinyurl.com/2dwc96zu

The image is blue poster with white curves and lines in the top right and bottom left corner. The top of the poster has three logos: ‘Spread the Word,’ ‘wellcome collection,’ and ‘Wellcome Collection Non-Ficition Awards.’ ‘Leah Hazard’ is printed in black front. Underneath, in white font, reads ‘Bestselling author of Hard Pushed and Womb,’ ‘Writing Non – Fiction,’ ‘How to Ask the Right Questions,’ ‘17 Sep, 7pm, online’ and ‘Book your free place https://tinyurl.com/2dwc96zu’ On the right is a picture of Leah Hazard – a white woman with brown hair and a ‘free’ banner. On the footer reads ‘This free event is part of the public programme for the Wellcome Collection Non-Fiction Awards.’ On the left is ‘spreadtheword.org.uk’ and ‘@spreadthewordwriters.’

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The BMJ @bmj.com · Jul 1

Despite the NHS being founded on the principle of equitable treatment, discrimination remains rife.

The NHS must tackle #racism and #sexism for patients, staff, and society
www.bmj.com/content/390/...

@katewomersley.com ‪@ritaissa.bsky.social @leahhazard.bsky.social @yvc58.bsky.social

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Leah Hazard @leahhazard.bsky.social · Jul 1

Very proud to have co-authored this sweeping review of racism and sexism in the NHS. It’s essential for maternity to get a seat at this table, as the perinatal journey affects lifelong individual and public health. Thank you to @bmj.com and my esteemed co-authors.

rich-hurley.bsky.social @rich-hurley.bsky.social · Jul 1

NHS must tackle #racism & #sexism for patients, staff & society. Evidence & policy options are clear; we need commitment & action. By JS Bamrah @katewomersley.com Chaand Nagpaul ‪@yvc58.bsky.social‬ @ritaissa.bsky.social @leahhazard.bsky.social www.bmj.com/content/390/... #BMJCommission @bmj.com

Leah Hazard @leahhazard.bsky.social · Jun 23

I welcome this long overdue news and hope (with some cynicism) that the changes suggested by this investigation will result in meaningful, well resourced action.

Maternal health = public health. Literally everyone is born. We all deserve better than this system in its current state of crisis.

The Guardian @theguardian.com · Jun 23

Wes Streeting announces investigation into NHS maternity services

Health secretary announces national inquiry into failings in NHS care of mothers and babies * UK politics live – latest updates The health secretary, Wes Streeting, has announced the launch of a national investigation into NHS maternity services. More details soon … Continue reading...

www.theguardian.com

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Leah Hazard @leahhazard.bsky.social · Jun 12

A pleasure to contribute to ‘Ideas for Keir’ in @newstatesman.com - let’s hope he reads and heeds.

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Leah Hazard @leahhazard.bsky.social · Jun 3

During my BlueSky break, this happened: Audible released my fiction debut, a bittersweet, dysfunctional love story about two doctors trying to connect despite the pressures of a broken system…

…narrated by the phenomenal Jessie Buckley. I’m told it’s quite good!

www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Anato...

Audible

Try Audible free for 30 days! Start listening to best-selling audiobooks, exclusive Originals, and free podcasts with the Audible app.

www.audible.co.uk

Leah Hazard @leahhazard.bsky.social · Jun 3

Thank you so much! Just seeing this now as I took a long break from BlueSky.

Reposted by Leah Hazard

Karina Vazirova @karinavazirova.bsky.social · May 7

Midwifery is one of the oldest professions and the only profession designed solely to support women.

New episode with @leahhazard.bsky.social, a practising midwife, activist, and award-winning author of "Womb: The Inside Story of Where We All Began."

open.substack.com/pub/themothe...

Leah Hazard - Midwifery and The Future of Birth

Everyone is born.

open.substack.com

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Dr Kate Womersley @katewomersley.com · May 21

Abortion law reform urgently needed in the UK, but practice heading in the opposite direction with phone searching and police warrants. @leahhazard.bsky.social shares her worries for women leahhazard.substack.com/p/why-theres...

Why there's only one reason to search a woman's phone

And what midwives have to do with it

leahhazard.substack.com

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Leah Hazard @leahhazard.bsky.social · Mar 10

My latest newsletter about *that* time of the year…

open.substack.com/pub/leahhaza...

The Mother's Day Industrial Complex

Are you buying it?

open.substack.com

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Dr Kate Womersley @katewomersley.com · Mar 10

You can still register for today's @nihr.bsky.social Sex & Gender in Medical Research launch event. It's a landmark that NIHR is adopting MESSAGE recommendations, and on IWD! I will be speaking about the project, alongside @ccriadoperez.bsky.social & Dame Lesley Regan. web.cvent.com/event/c9ea86...

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Leah Hazard @leahhazard.bsky.social · Mar 9

Last year I went to Berlin to film a documentary about the diagnostic potential of period blood - one of the many topics in my book, Womb.

The link is now up on Arte TV. Please enjoy this très chic clip from the French-dubbed version.

www.arte.tv/fr/videos/11...

Reposted by Leah Hazard

Surgeons' Hall Museums @surgeonshall.bsky.social · Mar 8

We’re breaking from our usual release schedule to bring you a special episode for International Women’s Day!

In this episode, we welcome midwife, award-winning author, and women's health advocate @leahhazard.bsky.social.

Beyond the Knife is available wherever you get your podcasts!

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Petra Boynton @petraboynton.bsky.social · Feb 28

When things are violently laid bare it feels destabilising. Terrifying. Impossible to believe what you're witnessing.

Shock is understandable - and likely the point. Use your favoured techniques to calm, connect, process, then collectively resist. All are achievable actions and vital to resistance.

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Leah Hazard @leahhazard.bsky.social · Feb 28

As someone with both Czech and Ukrainian grandparents, I am, as the kids say, in my feelings rn.

Dan Snow @thehistoryguy.bsky.social · Feb 28

On 15 March 1939 Hitler and his deputy summoned the Czech President to Hitler’s residence in Berlin and then bullied him to submitting to a German invasion of his country.
They drove him to the point of physical collapse, threatening him until he eventually signed his country’s death warrant.

Leah Hazard @leahhazard.bsky.social · Feb 28

You can only educate people who are willing and able to take in new information. 🙃

Leah Hazard @leahhazard.bsky.social · Feb 28

This toxic patriarchy is only interested in a woman’s body if there’s a p*nis going in or a baby coming out.

They’re proving it every day.

Moira Donegan @moiradonegan.bsky.social · Feb 28

I also think the Trump regime’s embrace of pro-rape figures like Tate should be considered a continuation of their anti-abortion politics—different in style, but not in substance. Both seek to commandeer women’s bodies by force in order to compel them into a gendered role, be it mommy or sex object.

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Ricky Davila @therickydavila.bsky.social · Feb 28

Idiot reporter to President Zelenskyy: "Why don't you wear a suit?"

President Zelenskyy’s response to idiot reporter: "I will wear costume after this war will finish."

Boom. 🔥

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Jake Grumbach @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social · Feb 27

Approaching majority opposition to basic 20th century second wave feminism among Republican men

More Republicans now believe that women should return to their traditional roles in society
As of November 2024, almost half of Republican men agree, up from 28 percent in 2022.
50% agree
48%
Republican men
37%
Republican women
25%
Democratic men
17%
Democratic women
11%
2016
2018
2020
2022
Source: Views of the Electorate Research Survey
2024
ALT

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Puck Arks @puckarks.bsky.social · Feb 25

The Brooklyn Public Library has announced that any teenager in America is now eligible for a Brooklyn Public Library card. Teens can sign out ebooks + audiobooks  The move is designed to combat censorship, with some titles listed as "always available."

www.bklynlibrary.org/media/press/...

Brooklyn Public Library Offers Free eCards to Teens Nationwide Facing Book Bans in Local Communities | Brooklyn Public Library

Librarians and Teen Volunteers Spearhead Books Unbanned Initiative to Combat Censorship

www.bklynlibrary.org

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Dr Kate Womersley @katewomersley.com · Feb 26

"This is not a physically or emotionally sustainable career anymore... And that’s pretty sad. Because people will keep on having babies. But who will be there to catch them?" @leah @leahhazard.bsky.social's substack for anyone worrying about women's health leahhazard.substack.com/p/still-got-...

Still got it

My (new) adventures in midwifery

leahhazard.substack.com

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ProPublica @propublica.org · Feb 20

NEW: Pregnancy became far more dangerous in Texas after the state banned abortion, according to ProPublica’s first-of-its-kind analysis, which found the sepsis rate for women hospitalized as they miscarried in the 2nd trimester shot up by more than 50%.

https://propub.li/43487Tj

Texas Banned Abortion. Then Sepsis Rates Soared.

ProPublica’s first-of-its-kind analysis is the most detailed look yet into a rise in life-threatening complications for women experiencing pregnancy loss under Texas’ abortion ban.

propub.li

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Thomas [redacted] DO @tom.medsky.social · Feb 20

When I was in residency I had to watch a teenager and her parents brought to tears when she learned that she had Turner Syndrome (XO).

But Nancy Mace doesn't mind being horribly cruel.

A tweet from Nancy Mace:

You either have XX or XY chromosomes.

Those are the options.

Hold the line.

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Leah Hazard @leahhazard.bsky.social · Feb 19

I became a midwife in 2013 and published this book in 2019. We’re both still pushing on…

Leah Hazard @leahhazard.bsky.social · Feb 19

Thank you Sarah! And congrats on the birth of your daughter.