A hospital trust has become the first in the UK to adopt gender inclusive language for its perinatal services, including referring to “breast/chestfeeding” and “human milk”.
Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust said its move was designed to be “inclusive of trans & non-binary birthing people without excluding the language of women or motherhood”.
Other changes include using the pronouns they/them where applicable, as well as referring to the “co-parent” or “second biological parent”.
It stressed that the changes “do not apply when discussing or caring for individuals in a one-on-one capacity where language and documentation should reflect the gender identity of the individual”.
“At BSUH we acknowledge the additional challenges that gender identity can have on pregnancy, birth and infant feeding and recognise the importance of providing inclusive, respectful care to pregnant people and their families,” the trust said on its website.
“We are on a journey towards gender inclusive care for everybody during pregnancy, birth and afterwards.
