Karen Lawrence | Updates

'Safe is not enough' : Sovereignty, medicalisation, and the role of the midwife, by Karen Lawrence

Karen Lawrence — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 12:22:22 -0400

“Safe is not enough. What is the point in safe if you die inside yourself? How can you ever be safe, unless first you are free?” – The Last Midwife

The woman didn’t speak English, and her husband was at home with their other two children. She was alone and vulnerable, admitted to the labour ward because her membranes had ruptured more than twenty-four hours ago. I was assigned as her midwife. I was newly-qualified, anxious to please my seniors, and scared of the labour ward coordinator.

The obstetric unit had numerous protocols, designed to minimise ‘risk’ and ensure ‘safety’. Every woman admitted in labour had to be labelled, bled, cannulated, and dressed in a hospital gown and anti-embolism stockings, just in case she should need an emergency c-section. Continuous CTG monitoring was required in all cases. I began by asking the woman to undress, miming my request in the absence of any shared language. She shook her head.

The woman was beautifully attired in multi-layered, traditional Afghan dress, her head veiled. She had no desire to change into a backless hospital gown, but I insisted. I got an interpreter on the phone and did my best to explain the ‘rationale’: infection control, the possibility of surgical intervention, and so on. The woman was clearly unhappy, but I stood my ground, and she complied. I was grateful; one less thing for Sister to scold me about.

Our interactions continued in the same uncomfortable vein. With fumbled translations, and expressions of frank disgust on the woman’s face, I persuaded her to put on the stockings, lie down on the bed, and submit to continuous monitoring. She obeyed, but refused to meet my gaze.

I stayed with the woman, filled in my records, and ticked all the boxes. A few hours later, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Physically, it was a straightforward delivery, but, spiritually and psychologically, it was a disaster. This was not the birth this woman would have chosen, and I had not been the midwife I aspired to be. Following the rules and submitting to the institution, I had allowed my fears to take precedence over the woman’s freedom.

A few months later, I left my job at the hospital, confused and disillusioned. I had learned how to keep women ‘safe’ in childbirth, but I knew this was not enough. There had to be more to birth than minimising medical risk. ...

This article was published in the AIMS Journal in June 2026. ISSN 2516-5852 (Online)

AIMS Journal, 2026, Vol 38, No 2. Please follow the link below to read the full article.

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The Last Midwife latest news: record sales, film rights, and an interview with the author (me!)

Karen Lawrence — Wed, 3 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I'm thrilled to be able to share that The Last Midwife continues to sell brilliantly, and is consistently high in the Amazon bestseller lists. I've been getting great feedback on the audiobook (available on all audiobook platforms), as well as lots of reviews that make me blush!

Everyone keeps telling me the book would make an amazing movie or TV series, so I'm currently in the process of looking for a film and TV agent. If you know someone who might be interested, please let me know.

The sequel is coming on nicely, in between all the busyness of life as a mum, granny, and carer. I recently recorded an interview about The Last Midwife with audiobook producer, Elliott at Monkeynut Audiobooks. I hope you enjoy it!

Lots of love,

Karen xx Embedded Youtube video removed, see original post to watch.

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I'm busy writing the sequel to The Last Midwife

Karen Lawrence — Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Hi! Just a quick update to say I'm hard at work writing the sequel to The Last Midwife which so many people are asking about. The initial plotting is done, and I'm trying to get down between 500 and 1000 words per day. The current title is The Book of Hopeless Cases - do let me know what you think of that! Would you want to read a book with that title?

Last week, I went on a delightful writing retreat in Wales with my amazing mentor, Sophie Hannah. I got loads of inspiration, as well as getting the chance to visit one of the key settings for my next book: St Winefride's Well. I took a dip in the holy waters at the Well, and was thrilled to meet a lovely lady with Down Syndrome while I was there. This felt very special, as the central character in The Book of Hopeless Cases is a woman with DS.

I'm still busy doing events and podcasts to tell people about The Last Midwife. It's still selling brilliantly, with over 700 reviews on Amazon so far. I hope some of you have had the chance to listen to the audiobook, which is wonderfully narrated by Charlie Sanderson. You can get the audiobook from Spotify, Audible, libraries, or wherever you get your audiobooks.

In other news, I'm off to Northumberland next week to celebrate our daughter's wedding. We are all looking forward to a very special family occasion.

With love and blessings,

Karen x

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Limited Time Offer! Read The Last Midwife for just 99p/99c!

Karen Lawrence — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I'm thrilled with all the positive responses to my bestselling dystopian thriller, The Last Midwife. The book has sold thousands of copies and gained over 500 great reviews on Amazon alone. It's now available as a brilliant audiobook too, so if you prefer to listen to your books, you are in for a treat.

I don't want anyone to miss out on this page-turning story, so for one week only, starting this Friday 27 March, the ebook will be available for just 99p in the UK, and 99c in the USA, Canada, and Australia. If you love a bargain book, grab your copy now from Amazon.

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Letting The Light In - new, updated edition out this week!

Karen Lawrence — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

It’s release week! The new and updated second edition of my memoir, Letting the Light In: How a Child with Down Syndrome Changed My Life, is out on Amazon this week as a paperback and Kindle ebook—and it will also be available on Kindle Unlimited.

This story is personal, honest, and full of the lessons I never expected to learn. When my daughter was born with Down Syndrome, I thought my life was over. I had no idea of the wonderful journey I was about to make, or of the gifts waiting for me along the way.

If you read the first edition, this one brings Karen and Martha’s story fully up to date—and includes new pictures in a colour interior.

If you’ve ever faced an unexpected turn in life, I hope this book feels like encouragement and company.

Karen xx

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The Last Midwife is now an audiobook! Available on Spotify, Audible, and all audiobook platforms.

Karen Lawrence — Thu, 5 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I've been waiting months for this. Brilliant voice artist, Charlie Sanderson, has done an amazing job recording The Last Midwife. Even though I know the story, I'm absolutely gripped.

The book is a runaway bestseller. I've been blown away by how well it's been selling, with 4000 copies now sold in the first three months, and hundreds of amazing five star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. Thank you soooo much to everyone who has bought the book, told their friends, and supported me on this journey. Your reviews, feedback and encouragement mean more than you know.Here are just a few of the reviews that have come in recently:

"Absolutely loved this book. Gripping with a few twists along the way. Moments of tears also. My fav character was Liz - could related to her with my midwifery background. The description of women birthing outwith the hospital setting was absolutely beautiful." - Diane

"So clever on many levels. Really got me thinking about so many real world issues.But that's not to say it's a boring or dull book, far from it. I read it in 2 days.If you're even in the slightest bit interested in this book then I recommend you buy it, just make sure you've got enough time to binge read it! " - Mikkiduk

"The author has a clear flowing writing style. This is an easy. Enjoyable Read.The characterisation is detailed and the characters including some of the minor ones seemed really realI’ve read a lot of dystopian novels and this is amongst the best if you like The Handmaid’s Tale you’ll love this novel or the the books of Christina Dalcher Viox and Q then I’m sure you’re going to really enjoy this book." - Sarah

You can download the audiobook from Spotify, Audible, libraries, or wherever you listen to audiobooks. Enjoy your listen!

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The Last Midwife is on a Kindle Countdown Deal this week!

Karen Lawrence — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Last Midwife is doing brilliantly - better than I ever dreamed! Since publication on 25th November, my dystopian thriller has sold thousands of copies and garnered hundreds of five star reviews from enthusiastic readers. The other day, someone even called it the best book he had ever read!!!

I want everyone to have the chance to read my book, so it's on a Kindle Countdown Deal on Amazon.co.uk this week. That means you can get the Kindle version for just 99p! But you need to be quick - the deal ends at 8am next Saturday 21st February.

If you've already read The Last Midwife, thank you. If you enjoyed it, please share a review on Amazon or Goodreads - it makes more difference than you realise! And if you haven't read it yet, here's your chance to grab it at a great price.

Please share this offer with your friends, so they don't miss out.

PS - for those of you waiting for the audiobook, this will be out in the next few weeks. I absolutely cannot wait to hear it.

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From the Delivery Room to the Writing Desk: My Story

Karen Lawrence — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

There is a rhythm to the labour ward. The air pulses with fear, hope, and the sudden, piercing cry of new life. Once, that rhythm was the soundtrack to my days. I spent long hours training and working as a midwife in the NHS, sharing the sacred space where families are born. But life has a way of offering new paths when we least expect them.

My journey from healthcare professional to the world of fiction and poetry has been a fascinating progression. I have moved from catching babies to catching stories. Both vocations require patience, a steady hand, and a deep respect for the human experience.

The Call to Serve and the Call to Write

In 2013, I made the big decision to return to university at the age of forty-eight. Training to become a midwife after raising seven children was more than a career change: it was a calling. I felt a profound sense of vocation to support women during one of the most intense periods of their lives. That time spent as a midwife, and later as a health visitor and pregnancy yoga teacher, gave me the invaluable privilege of witnessing the raw strength of women.

I was present for moments of incredible joy and heart-wrenching sorrow. I saw mothers birthing in their own power, and participated in the struggles of an overstretched and sometimes failing hospital system. These experiences stayed with me after I left the NHS, waiting for the right moment to resurface.

During the isolation of the Covid pandemic, I began to write. Like many others, I found myself searching for a way to process the changing world. What started as a hobby to pass the time quickly evolved into a passion: I loved writing, and I began shaping stories to share with the world.

Fiction Rooted in Reality

My debut novel, The Last Midwife, is a feminist dystopian thriller, but its roots are firmly planted in the reality of my experiences as a healthcare professional. The story is set in a chilling vision of England where childbirth has become a state-controlled procedure, and midwives have been outlawed. This might sound extreme, but the themes of the book are entirely real: the importance of women’s choices, the sanctity of birth, and the fight for freedom.

I have created a page-turning thriller which I hope readers will enjoy, while also pausing to consider the importance of human life, women's freedom, and the crucial role of the midwife in securing both.

While fiction allows us to explore "what if," I also felt the need to document "what was." This is why I compiled I Used To Be A Midwife: Birth Stories and Poems. This collection of short stories and poems draws on my time in the profession and pays tribute to some of the families I served. It captures both the wonder and joy of midwifery, and some of the darker sides of hospital life which eventually led to me leaving. This little book is available free for all readers joining my community at Karen Lawrence Author.

Finding Beauty, Truth, and Goodness

My writing is not just shaped by medical charts and delivery rooms. It is deeply informed by my academic background and spiritual life. With three degrees in English Literature, including a PhD on Religious Faith in the Victorian Novel, I have always been fascinated by how stories carry truth. I am constantly on a quest to uncover beauty, truth, and goodness in a world that often seems chaotic.

This search frequently takes me outdoors. I am a keen walker
and sea swimmer, and you can often find me dipping in the chilly waves of the British coast or pacing ancient paths. My memoir, Walking to Walsingham: My Pilgrimage to England's Nazareth, documents a physical and spiritual journey to the very heart of everything I believe in. Walsingham is a place of deep spiritual resonance for me; a reminder of the enduring power of faith.

When I am not writing, hiking, or caring for my family, you might find me at our family caravan in Suffolk. There is something about the open sky and the rhythm of the tides that feeds the creative process. It is in these quiet moments that the characters for my next stories begin to speak.

A Pledge for Representation

My family is crucial to my writing journey. As a mother and grandmother, I am intimately concerned with the daily lives of families. Each of my seven children and two grandchildren is a precious gift and constant inspiration. Our youngest daughter has Down syndrome, and her presence in our lives has taught us more about love and humanity than any textbook ever could.

I have noticed a lack of authentic representation for people with disabilities in the fiction I love to read. Because of this, I have pledged that every novel I write will include at least one character with Down syndrome. This is not about ticking a box. It is about reflecting the world as I know it: a world where people with disabilities are integral, valuable, and present members of the community. I am currently planning a sequel to The Last Midwife where the central character will be a woman with Down Syndrome.

Bringing It All Together

Transitioning from the ward to the page has been an adventure I never fully anticipated, yet it fits perfectly with my values. Whether it is through a dystopian thriller that challenges the status quo or a poem that captures the silence of a night shift, my goal remains the same. I want to uphold women, celebrate life, and tell stories that matter.

If you are intrigued by the intersection of healthcare, faith, and fiction, or if you simply love a good story grounded in lived experience, I invite you to join me. I have so much more to share. You can begin by reading the stories in my free collection, I Used To Be A Midwife. It is my gift to thank you for joining me on the journey.
Visit Karen Lawrence Author to claim your copy and stay updated on my latest releases. I look forward to welcoming you into my world of words, waves, and wonder.

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It's a bestseller!

Karen Lawrence — Thu, 8 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I'm so excited! The Last Midwife is a bestseller on Amazon! The five star reviews keep rolling in, and I've sold 1400 copies and counting. It's amazing to be reaching so many readers, but even better to know that people are enjoying my writing. I'm so thankful to everyone who has supported me in my journey so far.

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My dystopian thriller is OUT NOW!

Karen Lawrence — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

I am thrilled to announce the publication of my new novel, 'The Last Midwife.' Advance readers have already greeted it with rave reviews: "A gripping and chilling read," "strikingly impressive," "impossible to put down," and "as gripping as a Robert Harris novel!"

The Last Midwife has been a four-year project, and it is so exciting to have brought it to culmination. Sales are already doing well, and I look forward to it becoming a real hit with readers.

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The Last Midwife - publication date!

Karen Lawrence — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

My dystopian thriller, The Last Midwife, is all set for publication on 25th November 2025.

The Handmaid's Tale meets Call the Midwife in a future England with a one-child policy.

Childbirth in London is a state-controlled procedure. When young nurse Chiara arrives from Sicily, her hopes and dreams are soon to be shattered by the horrifying truth behind the pristine walls of the Genesis Centre. Meanwhile, Rava, the privileged wife of a government official, finds her perfect life unravelling when her pregnancy defies the regime’s rules. Their worlds collide in a desperate fight for life, choice and humanity against a system determined to control the future, one baby at a time.

Midwives are warriors. What would you risk to save a single child?

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Walking to Walsingham ranking #1 in Hot New Releases on Amazon

Karen Lawrence — Sun, 3 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

I'm so excited that my new book, Walking to Walsingham, is ranking number one in Catholicism and Inspirational Catholicism categories on Amazon today! Thank you so much to everyone who has purchased it already. I will be very grateful for your reviews. Thank you!

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