In 1989, Honor Cooper, a first-time mother, was rejected by every local National Childbirth Trust (NCT) antenatal class she applied to because she would not be accompanied at the birth. Writing in a letter to the Guardian, Cooper explained that she and her husband had personal reasons for his absence, which satisfied them, but the classes insisted on conformity.
Inflexibility in antenatal education
Cooper's experience, triggered by a recent letter from an NHS doctor about the NCT, reveals that behind medical orthodoxies lie social orthodoxies. She noted, "There is no flexibility to include the individual. All must conform." The rejection occurred despite her enthusiasm in her first pregnancy.
The letter, published on 9 August, was part of a series of reader responses. Other letters included a humorous note from Norman Paterson, who wondered if in 2,000 years a headline might report the discovery of an Evri van with 500 parcels, one possibly addressed to him, mirroring the discovery of a 2,100-year-old Roman shipwreck off Sicily carrying about 500 amphorae.
Broader letters on rivers and Thames Water
Another letter from Elaine Fullard addressed the fact that three in four riverbanks in England are off limits to the public. She argued for a right to roam as a basic right for otters, kingfishers, fish, and other wildlife struggling to drink water, citing water extraction, toxic flea treatments from dogs, and dropping river levels.
Allen Challender, a Quick Crossword fan, offered a future clue: "Thames Water (9)" with the solution "Shameless," referencing the £1m payout to Thames Water's finance chief, which a government department called 'unacceptable' on 10 August.
Impact and reader engagement
These letters highlight ongoing public concerns about childbirth practices, environmental access, and corporate accountability. The Guardian invites readers to submit letters for publication, continuing the dialogue on these issues.
