Main content

Bette Davis; Forceps v Caesarean

Bette Davis - classic interview from Woman's Hour Archive. The pros and cons of forceps and caesarean births. Sajda Mughal. Is the fashion for Brazilians and Hollywoods waning?

Bette Davis: screen icon, campaigner for equality, queen of the one liner. We have a classic archive interview from the Woman's Hour Collection recorded when the actress was 71. And film critic Karen Krizanovich tells us why she's such a fan.

The pros and cons of forceps and caesarean births. Are women given the best information at the right time about birth interventions?

Sajda Mughal, Director of JAN Trust and a survivor of the 7/7 London bombings, on why she's working with isolated mothers from the Muslim community to educate them about the dangers of being radicalised online.

Is the fashion for Brazilians and Hollywoods over? We discuss waxing with Rosamund Irwin and Katie MacKay.

Presenter: Jane Garvey
Producer: Rebecca Myatt
Output Editor: Jane Thurlow.

Available now

58 minutes

Chapters

  • Lib Dems

    How the Lib Dems handled the Lord Rennard sexual harassment claims.

    Duration: 03:48

  • Forceps Versus Caesarean Births

    Both methods have their downsides, but how does a woman decide what she should opt for?

    Duration: 08:41

  • The Woman's Hour Archive Collection – Bette Davis

    Sue McGregor's interview with the Hollywood legend from 1979, when the actress was 71.

    Duration: 14:49

  • Sajda Mughal

    Sajda Mughal is the only known muslim survivor of the 7/7 bombings.

    Duration: 06:28

  • Body Hair

    Is the era of the Brazillian wax over? Why women are returning to the au natural look.

    Duration: 07:05

Lib Dems

The Lib Dems have said they will not be taking disciplinary action against Lord Rennard over sexual harassment claims. A number of female party activists had made allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour against the party Chief Executive, but an internal independent inquiry which looked into those allegations concluded that although the evidence against the peer was "broadly credible" there was less than a 50 per cent chance that the charges could be proved. Lord Rennard has been asked to apologise to the women and has said he wanted to "resume his roles" in the party. So has this damaged the party’s image with women activists and voters? Isobel Hardman, Telegraph columnist and Assistant Editor of The Spectator joins Jane to discuss.

Forceps Versus Caesarean Births

Instruments such as forceps or the ventouse are used in approximately one in ten births in the UK, and about one in four births is by Caesarean section.Β Each of these methods has potential downsides, but how does a woman weigh up her choices and decide what is best for her? Is every mother-to-be given the right information at the right time to enable her to make the best decision for her and her baby? Jane talks to Pauline Hull, co-author of Choosing Caesarean: A Natural Birth Plan, andΒ caesarean choice campaigner and Daghni Rajasingham spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

The Woman's Hour Archive Collection – Bette Davis

"Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night." She was the queen of Hollywood and the acerbic quote, she took on the sexism of the system in the golden age of Hollywood, and had, β€œshe did it the hard way,” engraved on her tomb.Β Today we have a classic archive interview from the - , recorded with Woman's Hour presenter Sue McGregor when the actress was 71. And the film critic Karen Krizanovitch alsoΒ talks to Jane Garvey about Bette’s life and legacy.Β As Bette once said,Β "if you want a thing well done, get a couple of old broads to do it".

Sajda Mughal

Sajda Mughal was a recruitment worker in the city in London in July 2005 when she boarded the same southbound train from Kings Cross as one of the 7/7 bombers. 27 people on her train were killed, including the attacker himself. As the only known muslim survivor of the bombings, Sajda was deeply affected when she discovered the attacks were carried out by Islamic extremists, and questioned what must have motivated those men to carry out such atrocities. Now as the Director of , which aims to empower disadvantaged women, Sajda is working with isolated mothers from the muslim community to educate them about the dangers of being radicalised online.

Body Hair

When Carrie Bradshaw got it all waxed off in a Sex and the City episode in 2000, the Brazilian wax went global. But there are now indications that waxing is on the wane. From Caitlin Moran to Cameron Diaz, women are making the case for going au natural. So why the turnaround? Will razors and wax strips ever be consigned to the dustbins of history? And does it matter if they’re not? Jane Garvey talks to journalist Rosamund Urwin, and to beauty salon owner Georgiana Amador.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Jane Garvey
Interviewed Guest Karen Krizanovich
Interviewed Guest Pauline Hull
Interviewed Guest Sajda Mughal
Interviewed Guest Rosamund Irwin
Interviewed Guest Katie MacKay
Producer Rebecca Myatt

Broadcast

  • Thu 16 Jan 2014 10:00

Follow us on Instagram

Get all the pictures, videos, behind the scenes and more from Woman’s Hour

Podcast