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Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott

University Alliance @unialliance.bsky.social · Sep 1

Dr Laura Abbott (University of Hertfordshire) has been nominated for Research & Innovation Impact at the #AllianceAwards2025!

Her research on maternal justice has led to policy change, including pregnancy being recognised as a mitigating factor in sentencing.

🔗 buff.ly/Z5ooUgF

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Professor Laura Abbott @midwifeteacher.bsky.social · Aug 4

Thanks so much Louca-Mai! 🎉❤️

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Professor Laura Abbott @midwifeteacher.bsky.social · Aug 4

Thrilled to share that I’ve been promoted to Professor of Maternal Health and Criminal Justice at Uni of Hertfordshire - It’s a milestone that reflects not just my work, but the power of collaboration, listening to women, and pushing for change where it’s most needed 💜 @birthcompanions.bsky.social

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Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott

NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South London @arc-southlondon.bsky.social · Jul 31

@midwifeteacher.bsky.social

@lancasteruni.bsky.social

@lancasteruni.bsky.social @cleanbrk.bsky.social

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Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott

NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South London @arc-southlondon.bsky.social · Jul 15

We are watching 'Scenes from Lost Mothers', a new play from @cleanbrk.bsky.social‬. This performance shines a light on the real experiences of women navigating pregnancy and separation from their babies while in prison.
@midwifeteacher.bsky.social @uhertfordshireucu.bsky.social

lostmothers.org

Performers take a bow, researcher Dr Laura Abbott stands clapping

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Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott

Professor Laura Abbott @midwifeteacher.bsky.social · Jun 17

On 16th July @cleanbrk.bsky.social Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti’s brilliant ‘Scenes from Lost Mothers’ will be performed in Heslington. Generously funded by Y&S Hospitals Charity - tickets are free but going fast! See details here and please do share! @herts.ac.uk @rcm.org.uk
@birthcompanions.bsky.social

Scenes from Lost Mothers

Scenes from Lost Mothers shines a light on the real experiences of pregnant women and mothers in prison.

www.eventbrite.com

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Professor Laura Abbott @midwifeteacher.bsky.social · Jun 17

On 16th July @cleanbrk.bsky.social Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti’s brilliant ‘Scenes from Lost Mothers’ will be performed in Heslington. Generously funded by Y&S Hospitals Charity - tickets are free but going fast! See details here and please do share! @herts.ac.uk @rcm.org.uk
@birthcompanions.bsky.social

Scenes from Lost Mothers

Scenes from Lost Mothers shines a light on the real experiences of pregnant women and mothers in prison.

www.eventbrite.com

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Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott

NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs) @nihrarcs.bsky.social · Jun 11

2025's second #ARCseminar - chaired by @arc-gm.bsky.social - is at 1pm TODAY!

Exploring lived experience with creative arts
www.eventbrite.com/cc/nihr-arcs...

@ucl.ac.uk @midwifeteacher.bsky.social @arceastofengland.bsky.social @cleanbrk.bsky.social @birthcompanions.bsky.social @arc-em.bsky.social

NIHR National Institute for Health and Care Research #ARCseminar
Image: Close-up picture of a paintbrush painting bright watercolours

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Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott

Birth Companions @birthcompanions.bsky.social · May 22

We are delighted to see explicit recognition of the harms of prison for pregnant women and new mothers in today's Sentencing Review, with clear alternatives inc. suspended and deferred sentencing and increased community support set out.
Our full response: www.birthcompanions.org.uk/articles/res...

Pregnant women and new mothers offered more flexible sentencing options in today’s Sentencing Review

www.birthcompanions.org.uk

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Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott

Clean Break Theatre Company @cleanbrk.bsky.social · May 14

Last week the final report from the Lost Mothers project was published, a ground-breaking piece of research from @herts.ac.uk and @birthcompanions.bsky.social.

Read @midwifeteacher.bsky.social's summary of the project's heart-breaking, yet galvanising findings: bit.ly/CBDrLauraAbb...

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Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott

Maternity and Midwifery Forum @midwiferyforum.bsky.social · May 8

What happens when motherhood begins behind bars?

Join Dr Laura Abbott on Maternity & Midwifery Hour as we explore pregnancy in criminal justice settings.

14 May | 7PM UK
Register for free: shorturl.at/hJNz2

#MidwiferyHour #Matflix #PregnancyBehindBars #CPD

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Professor Laura Abbott @midwifeteacher.bsky.social · May 10

Thanks Elizabeth and so pleased you could join us ☺️

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Professor Laura Abbott @midwifeteacher.bsky.social · May 10

On Thursday we launched the Lost Mothers Project findings @birthcompanions.bsky.social @britishlibrary.bsky.social Powerful performances from @cleanbrk.bsky.social, art by Beci Ward. Experiences shared reveal a depth of unimaginable pain - ‘…my whole body craved him’ Time 4 change is now.

The Lost Mothers Project

Focusing on the needs and experiences of women who are separated from their infants due to imprisonment

www.birthcompanions.org.uk

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Professor Laura Abbott @midwifeteacher.bsky.social · May 10

Thanks so much for coming Jenny ☺️

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Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott

Dr Jenny Hall @drjennyhall-5.bsky.social · May 9

It was a privilege to have been here & see ‘Scenes from lost mothers’ from @cleanbrk.bsky.social I left emotional & angry that in our society we are so inhumane how we treat women & children.1/2

Professor Laura Abbott @midwifeteacher.bsky.social · May 8

Our team are looking forward to launching the findings of our Lost Mothers project today at The British Library @birthcompanions.bsky.social Featuring the excellent Scenes from Lost Mothers by @cleanbrk.bsky.social
@herts.ac.uk #ESRC @nihrarcs.bsky.social

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Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott

Dr Jenny Hall @drjennyhall-5.bsky.social · May 8

Looking forward to being at this today

Professor Laura Abbott @midwifeteacher.bsky.social · May 8

Our team are looking forward to launching the findings of our Lost Mothers project today at The British Library @birthcompanions.bsky.social Featuring the excellent Scenes from Lost Mothers by @cleanbrk.bsky.social
@herts.ac.uk #ESRC @nihrarcs.bsky.social

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Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott

elizabethduff2.bsky.social @elizabethduff2.bsky.social · May 8

It’s an extraordinary & moving event, mixing research evidence, lived experience in drama form & panel discussion among expert & informed people. Clear & doable policy asks are in the report: just do it @yvettecooper-mp.bsky.social

Professor Laura Abbott @midwifeteacher.bsky.social · May 8

Our team are looking forward to launching the findings of our Lost Mothers project today at The British Library @birthcompanions.bsky.social Featuring the excellent Scenes from Lost Mothers by @cleanbrk.bsky.social
@herts.ac.uk #ESRC @nihrarcs.bsky.social

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Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott

Russell Webster @russellwebster.com · May 7

‘The pain was worse than giving birth’: why are so many women separated from their babies in prison? www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

‘The pain was worse than giving birth’: why are so many women separated from their babies in prison?

First they had to give birth in custody, then their babies were taken away. Sometimes they never got them back. Here’s what 29 women told the Lost Mothers Project

www.theguardian.com

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Professor Laura Abbott @midwifeteacher.bsky.social · May 8

Our team are looking forward to launching the findings of our Lost Mothers project today at The British Library @birthcompanions.bsky.social Featuring the excellent Scenes from Lost Mothers by @cleanbrk.bsky.social
@herts.ac.uk #ESRC @nihrarcs.bsky.social

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Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott

Louca-Mai Brady @louca-mai.bsky.social · May 7

Brilliant to see my @herts.ac.uk colleague @midwifeteacher.bsky.social's co-produced #LostMothers research featured in the Grauniad 👏👏

The Guardian @theguardian.com · May 7

‘The pain was worse than giving birth’: why are so many women separated from their babies in prison?

First they had to give birth in custody, then their babies were taken away. Sometimes they never got them back. Here’s what 29 women told the Lost Mothers Project

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott

Shona Minson @shonaminson.bsky.social · May 7

Powerful piece on the separation of babies from their mothers in prison based on the ‘Lost Mothers’ research led by @midwifeteacher.bsky.social

If more evidence was needed to persuade anyone that pregnant women should not be imprisoned, this is it.

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

‘The pain was worse than giving birth’: why are so many women separated from their babies in prison?

First they had to give birth in custody, then their babies were taken away. Sometimes they never got them back. Here’s what 29 women told the Lost Mothers Project

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott

Birth Trauma Association @birthtrauma.bsky.social · May 6

Really good to see @midwifeteacher.bsky.social's important work featured in the national media. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

‘The pain was worse than giving birth’: why are so many women separated from their babies in prison?

First they had to give birth in custody, then their babies were taken away. Sometimes they never got them back. Here’s what 29 women told the Lost Mothers Project

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott

Katie Snow @katiesnow.bsky.social · May 6

Fascinating (& horrifying) to read about @midwifeteacher.bsky.social's Lost Mothers Project today. I've been thinking a lot recently about how we represent & experience breastfeeding & milk production (or suppression) within prisons & other systems of oppression.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

‘The pain was worse than giving birth’: why are so many women separated from their babies in prison?

First they had to give birth in custody, then their babies were taken away. Sometimes they never got them back. Here’s what 29 women told the Lost Mothers Project

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott

Mental Health in Development @mhid.org.uk · May 6

Interesting article about the Lost Mothers Project from @midwifeteacher.bsky.social who recently met with @academichv.bsky.social for one of our Supporting Early Minds webinars

www.msn.com/en-gb/news/u...

MSN

www.msn.com

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Professor Laura Abbott @midwifeteacher.bsky.social · May 1

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