‘Pregnant people’ phrase to be more inclusive

‘Pregnant people’ phrase to be more inclusive

LONDON — The British Medical Association (BMA) has asked its doctors to refrain from calling pregnant women “mothers” in order to be sensitive to transgender people, according to The Christian Post.

BMA, a 160,000-member trade union and professional association, wrote the directive in a 14-page booklet on using inclusive language, instructing its members in hospitals and general practice to call mothers-to-be “pregnant people” from now on.

“A large majority of people that have been pregnant or have given birth identify as women,” the booklet states. “However, there are some intersex men and trans men who may get pregnant. We can include intersex men and trans men who may get pregnant by saying ‘pregnant people’ instead of ‘expectant mothers.’”

The change was compared to substituting the word “police officer” for “policeman” and “flight attendant” for “stewardess,” according to the booklet. References to gender, it stated, should be avoided unless relevant to a medical discussion.

Dr. Anthea Mowat, BMA senior executive, wrote on the union’s website that the changes are about “treating each other with dignity and as equal members of an integrated community.” (TAB)