Childbearing within the prison system.

The immediate pre and postnatal periods are a time of high anxiety for most women, but for those living in prisons, the stressors can be multiplied. Deprived social backgrounds, inconsistent family contact, isolation, poor physical and mental health, and the probability that the baby will be put into care are some of the problems such women face. This article describes the provision of health care generally for women in prison, then examines the particular problems faced by those who are pregnant.