One metaphor which is prominent within The First Breath and the field of writing about women’s experiences is that of the ‘mother as a...

Like the ‘chimeras’ of the genetic technology she describes, Olivia Gordon’s The First Breath skilfully integrates multiple genres to...

Denise Bundred, Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist. I spread cold gel on a newborn chest rest the probe on creamy skin, angle between...

Wendy French, Family Therapist – NHS psychiatric hospital and Head Teacher – Psychiatric hospital NHS school. Blu-tacked against the...

Chris Woods, GP. The doctor shines a light into eyes and skull. Has she found me in there? “Show me your teeth, please” I manage half a...

Amanda Walsh, Nurse A soft knuckled tap, tap, tap on the office door. The sound jolts my body awake, my sleep arrested, worse somehow for...

Beda Higgins, Nurse One wayward cell suggests a mutiny, before you know it, they are telling you what will happen, and that it won’t go...

'In the dayroom mouths open and close'

Giles Dawnay, GP trainee That’s just not my mum, he whispers, soft dark eyes looking ahead and behind into another time and space....