Positive Birth Company

[YorkshireGirl35]

Hi

Before I start I just want to say that I never really start threads on mumsnet and I am nowhere near as clued up on feminist issues as many of you are.

I just wondered if anyone else followed the Positive Birth Company and has seen that they are now getting behind the whole “Chest feeding” thing. I’m already angry about this subject and many of the things that have been happening, such as my favourite author being ripped to pieces, but this feels like a joke. The whole reason I’ve paid for their course and materials is because they seemed like they were all about female empowerment and making informed birth choices. Clearly not!

What also annoys me is that you can’t even say you disagree with things like this on a Facebook post incase someone decides to tell your employers that you are a TERF! I’ve already seen posts on there saying that women are not entitled to have a view on the subject unless they are trans.

I don’t know what the point of my post is really, just find it depressing that this is the way things are going. Especially when I’m expecting a daughter soon.

The details about their postpartum pack shows they clearly know it’s mother’s who breastfeed. They are paying lip service to trans inclusivity.

They, like all of us, are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Either they show they are ‘inclusive’ or they face getting abuse. I’m not sure what the answer is.

Currently using their hynobirthing pack but don't follow their FB page so just had a look.

I especially enjoyed a comment telling people that cancer and sexual abuse survivors want these inclusive terms as much as the trans community so any push back is damaging ALL women. Strange as the female cancer experiences me and my family have had made me pretty aware of my biology and the wonder of it. Urgh.

I think the comments show that most women don’t want it even thought they are deleted. The Instagram had a lot of women who posted very reasonable comments being told to educate themselves. They will and then they will find out the full extent of it.

No one would object to using the language in conversation with someone who was trans but changing it for everyone)which they have done) is not popular.

There was another awful phrase on that Instagram account ‘the birth industry’. Birth absolute should not be an industry women should be able to access women cantered support on the NHS. The only reason they are buying birth packs and hiring doulas is because they are not getting that and often get lectured on what to do instead. These doulas and hypnobirthing people are going to lose so much business when they start lecturing women.

I struggle with the fact that this is one area of inclusivity that has been bought into whole sale when outcomes for black mothers are so poor and there is virtually nothing out there for disabled mums.

They should be called the Negative Birth Company!

So, someone with a pair of functioning breasts gives birth to a baby, which they intend to breastfeed with said breasts, so that the baby can enjoy the benefits of breast milk - but only if nobody mentions the word "breast"!

I would hope instead that such a person would receive the psychological care that they need, to help them take the opportunity to come to terms with themselves.

I’m feeling quite cheered that I gave my money this time around to the PBM by Milli Hill! I used the PBC last time I was pregnant and fancied a change.

Thanks for clarifying which it is.

Thanks for starting the thread OP.

Positive Birth Company is a terrible name. You can't sell or buy a positive experience of birth. You can sell affirmations, but what will they do for you when you can't have your planned home birth and have to go to hospital where the midwives speak to you like a badly behaved simpleton and all you have left of your plans is a lavender pillow? (Can you tell I had two Negative Births despite all my best efforts?)

Milli Hill tweeted her support for Hibo Wardere earlier. She’s definitely a good egg!

@ChateauMargaux

Paraphrasing Abigail Shrier.. what is so hateful about being female that so many young girls want to opt out of it. This will not help... we need to be able to talk about female bodies and female biology in a way that we can be proud of our bodies and proud of our ability to bear children and give life to infant humans. Our daughters need to see pride in being naturally female without it being linked with performance and enhancement.

I think this is really key. This is why it all really grates with me. Midwives & bf supporters should and will use language that works for the person they are attending, but in general we need to be positive about being female and not hide it.

OP I hope you get somewhere with your refund, and supply all the screenshots of how badly their social media team treated you.

I'm all for inclusive language, but it's incredibly one-sided.
We are supposed to accept that women can have penises but can't say that men can have breasts? They do!
How do they refer to the fathers? "Ejaculators" or similar, I suppose?

Oh I know it isn’t funny but you’ve properly made me laugh with ejaculators @DeaconBoo
And you’re right the language is all very one sided