Should pregnant women be free to drink and smoke whatever they like, run as far as their legs will take them and relax in the sauna and spa to their hearts’ content? Or should there be strict guidelines from government and professional advocates to persuade women to ensure an optimal foetal environment? What does autonomy mean when ante-natal clinics, ‘breast is best’ campaigners and the media share a common impulse to lecture pregnant women on their responsibilities as an incubator? Filmed at the Battle of Ideas Festival this debate asks up front, if today’s pregnant women are willingly surrendering everything to be a good hostess, will this cultivate a generation of morally spineless parents or nurture healthier, smarter kids?
