Beverley Ann Lawrence Beech (12 November 1944 – 25 February 2023) was a Welsh author, chair of the Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services (AIMS) from 1977 to 2017[1][2] and an active campaigner against the medicalisation of pregnancy and birth.[3][4] She raised awareness of the harm that can be done to women in obstetrics during labour[5][6] and the importance of women being aware of their rights[7][8] so they can make their own decisions about the place and manner of the birth of their children.[9][10] She also counselled for a more positive attitude towards home births.[9][11][12]