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midwifeteacher.bsky.social
Professor Laura Abbott
@midwifeteacher.bsky.social
1.4K followers 1K following 100 posts
Professor of Maternal Health and
Criminal Justice. Midwife. Nurse. Mother. Researcher. Pregnancy & Motherhood in prison. ESRC Lead researcher on The Lost Mother’s Project www.lostmothers.org
orcid ID:
0000-0002-5778-7559
University of Hertfordshire.
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midwifeteacher.bsky.social
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
Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott
unialliance.bsky.social
✍️ In our latest blog, Professor Laura Abbott writes about her impactful research into maternal care in prison, that helped inform landmark sentencing reform earlier this year.

🔗 bit.ly/435MAcb

@midwifeteacher.bsky.social
@herts.ac.uk
University of Hertfordshire's and a quote from her reading: “At a policy level, the project’s evidence has fed directly into reform. In April 2025, the Sentencing Council for England and Wales introduced landmark guidance explicitly recognising pregnancy and the postnatal period as mitigating factors in sentencing decisions. This change, supported by data from our research...and sustained engagement with the Sentencing Council, represents a significant policy milestone.”
October 30, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott
arceastofengland.bsky.social
We're excited to share the @arceastofengland.bsky.social Impact Summary 2025!

This year, we have:
💡£16.5M in external funding
🫂Established a new carer #research network
🧩Worked with 200+ organisations

Read how we’re driving change here🔗 arc-eoe.nihr.ac.uk/news-blogs/n...

#CelebratingARCEoEImpact
October 27, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott
arc-southlondon.bsky.social
@kingslsm.bsky.social @oxpop.bsky.social @birthcompanions.bsky.social @midwifeteacher.bsky.social @nihrarcs.bsky.social
October 27, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott
nihrarcs.bsky.social
Watch @arceastofengland.bsky.social @midwifeteacher.bsky.social Dr Laura Abbott's talk in the recording of this year's national #ARCseminar webinar:

'Exploring lived experience with creative arts'

👁️🔊▶️
arc-gm.nihr.ac.uk/news/news/NE...

💙
chaired by @arc-gm.bsky.social
October 23, 2025 at 8:06 AM
midwifeteacher.bsky.social
Delighted that our @herts.ac.uk #ESRC @arceastofengland.bsky.social @birthcompanions.bsky.social @lostmothers.bsky.social Lost Mothers Project has been shortlisted for the 2025 Criminal Justice Alliance Award 4 Research Excellence ❤️🎉 recognising our work on separation of mothers & babies in prison
cjalliance.bsky.social Criminal Justice Alliance @cjalliance.bsky.social · 28d
Big news! 🎉 The CJA Awards 2025 shortlists are here. Our judges were all so impressed by the amazing work happening across the sector. Visit our website to find out which outstanding people and organisations have been shortlisted this year 👇 www.criminaljusticealliance.org/cja-awards/c...
The CJA Awards 2025 | Criminal Justice Alliance
The CJA Awards 2025
www.criminaljusticealliance.org
October 18, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott
unialliance.bsky.social
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
September 1, 2025 at 3:30 PM
midwifeteacher.bsky.social
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
August 4, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott
arc-southlondon.bsky.social
@midwifeteacher.bsky.social

@lancasteruni.bsky.social

@lancasteruni.bsky.social @cleanbrk.bsky.social
July 31, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott
arc-southlondon.bsky.social
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
Mothers chatting with their babies Mothers cradling their babies Performers take a bow, researcher Dr Laura Abbott stands clapping
July 15, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott
midwifeteacher.bsky.social
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
June 17, 2025 at 1:06 PM
midwifeteacher.bsky.social
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
June 17, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott
nihrarcs.bsky.social
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
June 11, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott
birthcompanions.bsky.social
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
May 22, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott
cleanbrk.bsky.social
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...
May 14, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott
midwiferyforum.bsky.social
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
May 8, 2025 at 8:24 AM
midwifeteacher.bsky.social
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
May 10, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott
drjennyhall-5.bsky.social
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
midwifeteacher.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
May 9, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott
drjennyhall-5.bsky.social
Looking forward to being at this today
midwifeteacher.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
May 8, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott
elizabethduff2.bsky.social
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
midwifeteacher.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
May 8, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott
russellwebster.com
‘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
May 7, 2025 at 5:52 AM
midwifeteacher.bsky.social
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
May 8, 2025 at 6:12 AM
Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott
louca-mai.bsky.social
Brilliant to see my @herts.ac.uk colleague @midwifeteacher.bsky.social's co-produced #LostMothers research featured in the Grauniad 👏👏
May 7, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott
shonaminson.bsky.social
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
May 7, 2025 at 6:12 AM
Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott
birthtrauma.bsky.social
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
May 6, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Reposted by Professor Laura Abbott
katiesnow.bsky.social
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
May 6, 2025 at 1:37 PM