Explore every episode of the podcast The birth-ed podcast
Dive into the complete episode list for The birth-ed podcast. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Title
Pub. Date
Duration
Optimal Cord Clamping, with Amanda Burleigh
05 Jul 2024
00:57:37
When to clamp the cord that leads from placenta to baby has become a contested issue in recent years. Today’s guest, Amanda Burleigh, has fought long and hard to introduce evidence-based practice and advocates delayed cord clamping for better baby health.
Amanda talks openly about her personal journey to discover the benefits of delay and how it works in practice. We also bust some myths that women have encountered during delivery, including the facts behind cord blood donation and storage. And finally we give you the tools you need to advocate for delayed cord clamping.
Some women choose to labour in hospital, others feel they arrive there through the course of their care. If you find yourself in a delivery suite or labour ward for your birth, this episode aims to help you feel the most comfortable and prepared to be there.
I’m speaking to Lily Brockenhurst, a midwife who specialises in holistic care in a hospital setting, about what your expectations should be on a ward, what is in your control, and how you can make your birthing experience a positive one.
After years of supporting 10,000s of families preparing for their births using hypnobirthing, it’s time for birth-ed to wave that chapter goodbye, and introduce- The Birth-ed Method.
The 4 pillars of the Birth-ed Method, Mind, Body, Choices & Communication provide you with a deep & holistic preparation for birth and early parenthood.
There’s no point in knowing your choices, if you don’t feel confident enough to communicate what you want. Understanding how your body works in labour is useless, if you don’t have the mindset techniques to manage what you’re feeling.. These 4 pillars of birth & parenting preparation are essential to achieving a positive and satisfying birth & early postnatal experience, skip one, as many antenatal courses do, and the whole preparation falls apart.
Bringing together a decade’s worth of working in maternity care supporting 1000s of families across the Globe, The Birth-ed Method is EVERYTHING you need to prepare for an empowered, satisfying and supported birth & postpartum on YOUR terms.
In this episode we explore what the birth-ed method is, why I’ve made the change and how it can help you.
Please subscribe, rate and review, so we can get this vital info to as many parents-to-be as we can!
An exclusive 20% discount code to join The Bump Plan Pregnancy
PREGNANCY PLAN: Offers personalised prenatal workouts, uniquely filmed during Hollie Grant's own pregnancy. This distinctive approach allows clients to progress through their pregnancy alongside Hollie, enhancing trust and relatability. It includes trimester-specific workouts, an educational hub, live classes, and a supportive community. Prices: £35/month, £180 for 6 months, £240 annually, with a 7-day free trial.
Preparing for the 4th Trimester with Host, Megan Rossiter
24 Apr 2024
00:20:36
Modern Maternity Care has a tendency to separate conception, pregnancy, birth, feeding & parenting. But there is a thread that runs from one through to another. The choices you make and experiences you have during and prior to birth have a direct impact on your postnatal experience.
In this episode, we join the dots. What can we do or consider now, ahead of birth, to prepare for the 'fourth trimester' and beyond?
An important aspect of the new Birth-ed Method, start here to get yourself thinking about how you can parent your baby, your way.
Decision making is a guaranteed part of your pregnancy, birth and postnatal experience. But it can feel like a massive responsibility when you're not really sure where to start. It's often much easier to just 'do as you're told.. often, you don't even realise you've GOT a choice in the first place.
This episode is one you can come back to, time and time again, any time you're feeling stuck, any time you're facing a big decision.. And use it to guide you to make confident choices that feel right for you, your baby and your circumstances.
I was once told that we should only be sharing with women 'positive birth stories'.. But as the years have gone by, I've supported 10,000s of families in their birth prep, I realised that perhaps it's not quite that simple.
Dive with me into the nuances of this conversation, discover how to use birth stories as a way of deepening your understanding of birth, building your confidence and helping you to make choices for your own experience. Consider the clarity, processing and freedom sharing your birth story can bring you.
And find out a little more about how Birth Stories form part of The Birth-ed Method.
Expecting a NEW SEASON of The Birth-ed Podcast (and hey, did you spot the new look?)
A season that once again dives deep into the things you'd expect to learn in your antenatal appointments.. but don't! C-section recovery, fetal monitoring, mixed feeding, hospital birth.. there's so much incoming and it's going to be GOOD.
Launching with a MINI series on Monday 22nd April and Season 4 launching proper on Friday 26th.. make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss a thing.
SIGN UP FOR MY WORKSHOP 'How to have a baby, the birth-ed way on 25th April 2024 Here
Postnatal Depression & Aniexety with Psychotherapist, Anna Mathur
08 Dec 2023
00:56:00
In today's episode, Psychotherapist, Author and Mother of 3 Anna Mathur & I discuss all things postnatal mental health. Whether you are currently pregnant and getting prepared for what to expect postnatally, or you're in the depths of the early days of motherhood, there's heartwarming chat, practical tools and tons of helpful info to takeaway from this conversation. In this episode we explore:
The normal ups and downs of emotions in the first year
Recognising when what are feeling isn't 'normal'
The Baby Blues & postnatal hormones
Practical tools and techniques to protect our emotional health postnatally
Things to consider during pregnancy
Perfectionism, Control, Identity & 'Type A' personalities
The art of surrender
Where to seek more support/therapy
Please subscribe, rate and review! So we can get this vital info to as many parents to be as we can!
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Anna Mathur, physchotherapist, author, podcast host & mum who is widely celebrated for her accessible mental health advice and the light-bulb moments she offers across her platforms, including her Instagram page, incredibly popular podcast ‘The Therapy Edit’ and five-star rated online courses on Reframing Anxiety, People Pleasing and Self-Worth.
Osteopathy for Pregnancy & Infants with Osteopath Laura Tilson
01 Dec 2023
00:41:02
In today's episode, Osteopath Laura Tilson & I share a little insight into the practice of Osteopathy. Something you may have heard recommended for pregnancy or for your baby. In this episode we explore:
What actually IS Osteopathy?
What happens in an appt
Difference between Osteo, physiotherapy & chiropractic
Pregnancy Pelvic Pain (What causes it, how to treat it)
Cranial Osteopathy for the newborn
Reflux & causes in infants
The benefits of finding a problem's root cause vs covering up the symptoms.
Please subscribe, rate and review! So we can get this vital info to as many parents to be as we can!
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Laura Tilson and her team work from clinics in South West London and Surrey. You can book or learn more by visiting www.LTosteo.co.uk and signing up for her Mum and Baby Newsletter.
To learn more about Osteopathy in general or find an Osteopath closer to you please visit the General Osteopathic Council’s website and search the register: https://www.osteopathy.org.uk/register-search/ .
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SPONSORS
This episode is sponsored by Little List and The Night Owl, Music and Lullabies for Babies and Children
Listen to The Night Owl Sings Nursery Rhymes on Spotify or Apple Music Music Playing: 'Teddy Bear's Picnic (Instrumental)' from The Night Owl Sings Lullabies
Pregnancy Sickness is often a welcome and exciting sign of early pregnancy. But knowing what is 'normal' and what's NOT can be hard to navigate.
In today's episode I am joined by Dr Caitlin Dean, Nurse Specialist Researcher into HG & Chairperson of the charity Pregnancy Sickness Support. Caitlin & I have worked together on many contexts over the years and this topic is one very close to my heart, having suffered with HG twice myself.
In this episode we explore:
What's the difference between 'morning sickness' and 'hyperemesis'
What treatments & medication are available & their safety
What are some of the common side effects of HG or the medications used to treat it.
The common barriers to care
How to advocate for yourself/your partner
Where to turn to for support
How HG impact mental health
How to prepare for a second HG pregnancy
Do share with anyone that you need to understand what your pregnancy sickness experience was like!
Listen to The Night Owl Sings Nursery Rhymes on Spotify or Apple Music Music Playing: 'Teddy Bear's Picnic (Instrumental)' from The Night Owl Sings Lullabies
Why is so much importance placed on how much you weigh in pregnancy? Is a mother with over 30 BMI really at a high risk of complications in birth?
This week, I’m speaking to Alice Keely, the Heavyweight Midwife, about the stigma attached to plus size parents, what to expect in pregnancy and labour if you’ve been labelled high risk, and how to approach interactions with healthcare professionals so that you feel more cared for and in control.
Having a baby is one of the most transformative moments in anyone's lives, and this can go on to have a huge impact on our relationships, especially romantic relationships!
In today's episode I am joined by Dr Jenna Brough, perinatal clinical psychologist, specialising in supporting people through the perinatal period.
We explore:
Preparing for the impact that new parenthood might have on your relationship
How the landscape in which we are parenting impacts our relationships
Traditional gender roles
How parenthood impacts intimacy
Communication and how to improve it
Love Languages
Birth trauma and it's impact on relationships
NB: Some (not all) of this conversation focuses on a hetrosexual (Male & Female/ Dad & Mum) partnership, in order to explore some of the traditional gender roles and sexism that impact romantic heterosexual relationships. Of course not all families will be 2 parent or heterosexual, hopefully still lots here that anyone in a relationship with their child's other parent can take away!
Listen to The Night Owl Sings Nursery Rhymes on Spotify or Apple Music Music Playing: 'Teddy Bear's Picnic (Instrumental)' from The Night Owl Sings Lullabies
Vaginal Examinations, par for the course of giving birth.. or something you have a choice over?
In today’s episode I am joined by Emma Ashworth. Emma is Birth Rights consultant, a retired doula & breastfeeding counsellor, former Trustee of AIMS (The Association of Improvement for the Maternity Services), Maternity Rights Activist, Author of ‘The AIMS Guide to your rights in pregnancy and birth, 'The AIMS guide to giving birth to your placenta'; and co author of 'The AIMS Guide to Safety in Childbirth'.
In todays episode we explore:
What are vaginal examinations?
What helpful information do they give us?
What risks do they have?
What are your rights when it comes to declining them?
How do you decline them?
Essential listening for anyone planning a vaginal birth.
Listen to The Night Owl Sings Nursery Rhymes on Spotify or Apple Music Music Playing: 'Teddy Bear's Picnic (Instrumental)' from The Night Owl Sings Lullabies
Breastfeeding Preparation with Midwife, Shaheda Khan
03 Nov 2023
01:08:05
If you are hoping to breastfeed your baby, it's really important to prepare yourself for what to expect.
In this episode I am joined by Breastfeeding Specialist Midwife, Shaheda Khan. Shaheda provides one to one support in person and online and offers tons of free support via her website and social media ‘Mother Shaheda’.
In this episode, Shaheda and I explore:
What can you do to prepare for breastfeeding?
How can you get breastfeeding off to a good start?
The politics, culture and systems that undermine breastfeeding in a modern world.
Normal infant feeding behaviour
How birth impacts the feeding journey.
Whilst there are many ways you may choose to or need to feed your baby, for the sake of being able to provide focusses info, this episode makes the assumption you are exploring the idea of or hoping to breastfeed your baby.
Worth listening to ahead of or during pregnancy or to find answers to your feeding difficulties further along the line.
Listen to The Night Owl Sings Nursery Rhymes on Spotify or Apple Music Music Playing: 'Teddy Bear's Picnic (Instrumental)' from The Night Owl Sings Lullabies
Matresence is the period of growth and transition in the early years in becoming a mother. Whilst turmoil and identity shifts are expected in 'adolescence', it's only recently that such shifts have been recognised and validated in our becoming of a mother too.
In this episode I am joined by Zoe Blaskey, transformational coach, founder of Motherkind and host of The Motherkind Podcast.
In this episode, Zoe and I explore:
What is matresence, what causes it and how long does it last?
What can we do to support ourselves through these enormous shifts in identity.
Is there anything that we can do in preparation, before becoming a mother?
Worth listening to whether you're pregnant and this period of your life is fast approaching, or you're right in the throes of it, with young children at home.
Listen to The Night Owl Sings Nursery Rhymes on Spotify or Apple Music Music Playing: 'Teddy Bear's Picnic (Instrumental)' from The Night Owl Sings Lullabies
Navigating Pregnancy Choices with Midwife Laura Green
13 Oct 2023
01:00:30
We talk a lot about decision making for birth- Where might you choose to birth your baby? Do you want an epidural? Should you have an induction? etc etc.. but the decision making (and the impact of those decisions) actually starts MUCH earlier on in pregnancy.
This week I am exploring all of this with friend and community midwife Laura Green, whose approach to informed choice, birth education and advocacy makes my heart sing! She brings a brilliant insight and balance to this conversation through her experiences both working inside the maternity system and supporting families privately outside of the NHS- always centring women and families at the heart of her care. It is a conversation steeped in warmth, evidence, nuance and honesty- everything I love a 'bit of' here at birth-ed!
In this week's episode we chat about:
- What's going on in maternity services and how is this impacting rates of intervention? - What are the common things in pregnancy that might affect our birth experience? (Screening for Gestational Diabetes, Low PAPP A, Routine Scans, Growth Scans etc) - How to navigate these decisions in pregnancy and understand the longer possible impact of these decisions. - How to advocate for yourself once your decision has been made.
This episode is worth listening AS EARLY ON in pregnancy as you can. Though even if you're due soon or have had your baby, it will hopefully give you some perspective on your experiences so far.
So, set aside an hour, grab a pen and paper if you can, and enjoy!
In this episode, Dr Sara Wickham shares her insight and wisdom into all things 'Induction of Labour'.
Sara is a World Leading Midwifery expert in the area of induction and has dedicated her life's work to disseminating, unpicking and making accessible the evidence around induction of labour.
Sara and I explore the landscape of the maternity system, the rising rates of induction and give you some really practical tips and advice on how to navigate decisions around induction of labour (a decision which the majority of us will inevitably face!).
Series 3 of the birth-ed podcast is DUE to arrive on Friday 6th October.
Bringing together the world leading experts in pregnancy, birth, parenting & women's health.. with some CORKER episodes this series- from Induction to VBAC, Hypnobirthing to Breastfeeding.
Double check that you're subscribed and we will see you every Friday right here in your usual podcast app.
Postnatal exercise and bouncing back, with Hollie Grant
13 Jun 2024
00:50:58
Our culture surrounds us with pressure to look a certain way and be a certain way, and no more so than after pregnancy. The focus on whether you ‘bounce back’ after birth can be overwhelming.
My guest this week challenges us instead to focus on postnatal rehab, functional movement and enjoyment. Hollie Grant is a Pilates PT and founder of The Bump Plan. Together we talk about when you can start moving your body after birth, where to start if it’s been a while, and what to look out for in your body to ensure that you don’t go too far too quickly.
Find out more at www.thebumpplan.com Follow The Bump Plan on Instagram @thebumpplan and Hollie @thepilatespt
Please subscribe, rate and review, so we can get this vital info to as many parents-to-be as we can!
Advocacy, Trauma & Decision Making with Midwife, Illiyin Morrison
21 Sep 2022
00:54:24
Advocating for yourself (or other people) or knowing how to make decisions can be really difficult when it comes to maternity care.
In this episode I'm joined by birth trauma specialist midwife, Illiyin Morrison to discuss how we can ensure we are advocated for throughout the perinatal period.
Speaking from a trauma informed perspective, listen to this episode for practical decision making tips, a deeper understanding of navigating maternity services and a holistic conversation about birth advocacy.
Please note, no specific traumatic events are discussed in this episode. We discuss trauma with a focus on what may cause it, how to navigate birth after it and what steps could sometimes be taken to minimise the occurrence of it.
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Illiyin Morrison Illy is a Birth Trauma Specialist Midwife, Perinatal Trauma Debrief facilitator, Author and Mum to two. Follow Illy on Instagram here Visit Illy's website here
NICU, Neonatal Intensive Care with Dr Frankie Harrison
14 Sep 2022
01:08:09
Did you know 1 in 7 babies will access care in NICU when they are born and 60% of those are born at full term.
So why don't we ever talk about what it's like to have a baby in the NICU?
This week I am joined by Clinical Psychologist (And NICU Mum) Dr Frankie Harrison, who specialises in supporting families during and after time spent in NICU through her work as a psychologist and organisation Miracle Moon.
We discuss the practicalities of caring for a baby on NICU from feeding to dressing them, bonding to going home; but with a strong focus on the emotional experience of being a NICU parent, both in the short and longer term.
This September is NICU awareness month, given just how common it is to experience time on NICU, this episode is a must listen for all parents to be- just in case you ever need it!
Holistic Birth Preparation with Guest, Aimee Strongman
02 Aug 2022
01:00:02
The Mind, The Body, The Heart: 3 pillars of holistic birth preparation.
A way of approaching birth that you might not yet have considered. Taking a look how you can prepare yourself emotionally, spiritually and physically for birth; and how the three things are more closely interconnected than you first realise.
In this episode I am join by Pre and Postnatal yoga specialist and antenatal educator Aimee Strongman, who shares her insight into matresence, building self trust, physiological birth and power in the birth room.
Join us for an inspiring, gentle and reassuring conversation full of wisdom, learning and ideas to take forward into your birth!
Cultivating Self Trust with Guest, Midwife, Dr Rachel Reed
28 Jun 2022
00:55:54
When journeying through pregnancy we tend to just hand ourselves over to our care providers, on whom we rely to tell us if we are healthy and well and what we should do to bring our babies into the world safely.
But is this really the best way to be navigating pregnancy, birth and parenthood?
Self trust is a vitally important quality in birth.
How much do we trust ourselves to know what is going on for us.. and if not much, what can we do to cultivate a sense of self trust?
Dr Rachel Reed (Midwife, Author, Researcher, Educator and Podcast Host) joins me to answer these questions and more. ______________________________________________________________________________________
Caesarean Birth with Consultant Obstetrician, Florence Wilcock
21 Jun 2022
01:18:53
Around 1/3 births in the UK happen by caesarean, so it's certainly something you might like to learn about during pregnancy.
The prospect of major abdominal surgery whilst awake can be quite daunting for many of us, so in this episode we talk through exactly what you can expect from a caesarean birth.
Not just that, but thinking about- what are your options and what considerations might you make to support yourself and your baby and mark this as a positive, transformative, special way of giving birth.
I am joined by Consultant Obstetrician Florence Wilcock to shine a light on caesarean birth and hopefully leave you feeling more prepared, more confident and more empowered if you birth your baby by caesarean. ______________________________________________________________________________________
Consciously Preparing for Parenthood with Guest Dr Maryhan
07 Jun 2022
00:44:12
What kind of parents do you want to be?
So much of pregnancy is taken up researching prams and cots and car seats and preparing the nursery.. Or considering birth plans and pregnancy complications and baby names.. It's not often that anyone actually consciously considers parenting until they are in it.
Is parenting something you can prepare for?
We think YES!
This week I am joined by Dr Maryhan, experienced psychologist & parenting expert, to discuss what consciously preparing for parenthood might look like for you.
A must listen if you are currently pregnant or parenting a small baby.. but actually tons of takeaways for parents of older kids, like me, too!
If you want to shut out *the noise* that starts the minute you fall pregnant and find a way to do things YOUR way, this episode will help you get there. ______________________________________________________________________________________
"What if the blanket covers baby's face and I don't notice"
"Imagine if I threw my baby down the stairs"
"I could shake you right now"
Intrusive thoughts affect around half of new mums. These thoughts of harm can feel quite terrifying, but are they anything to worry about? What can you do to manage them or where can you seek support?
In this episode I am joined by clinical psychologist Dr Caroline Boyd where she shares her research into Intrusive Thoughts and tells us about her new book 'Mindful New Mum: A Mind-Body Approach to the Highs and Lows of Motherhood'
Your Baby, Your Pelvis and Labour Dystocia with Midwife, Molly O'Brien
24 May 2022
00:45:27
Ever heard of a back to back baby, but not sure what it means?
When is a long labour TOO long and what might be causing it?
Do we have influence over the unfolding of our births, even in pregnancy?
The answers to these questions and more as I'm joined by the wonderful Molly O'Brien to discuss all things 'Biomechanics for Birth'. Put simply, it's the process of your baby fitting through the bones of your pelvis. How do they do that? And how can you help them?
A MUST listen for anyone who is currently pregnant, there are some game changing takeaway tools which might just tip the balance from complicated to straightforward birth. ______________________________________________________________________________________
How do you prepare after both a wonderful or a difficult birth first time?
Natalie Meddings is an experienced doula of 20 years, Author of my FAVOURITE birth book 'How to Have a Baby' and 'Why Homebirth Matters' and you may remember her from Series One, where talked about Doulas and Understanding Labour.
When our second baby was born last year, WE did our birth preparation in Natalies safe and knowledgable hands; so there was no one else I wanted to have this conversation with.
Buy Natalie's Book 'Why Home Birth Matters'(aff link) _____________________________________________________________________________________
Podcast Sponsor: Her.9 Designed to be taken from preconception to breastfeeding. • Includes Folate, Vitamin D & omega 3 • All the essential ingredients in just one pill • Easy, flexible subscription
Can a baby actually have a tongue that that DOESN'T affect feeding?
Is there a link between Folic Acid and Tongue Tie?
I challenge anyone that's encountered more than a handful of babies to have encountered Tongue Tie at some point in conversation. But there is so much misinformation about it.
Midwife, IBCLC, Founder of The Tongue Tie Centre for Infant Feeding and Tongue Tie Specialist Educator Carmelle Gentle joins me to finally shine a light on Tongue Tie once and for all. The answers to all your questions, ideas on how to support your family and where you can turn for help moving forwards. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Carmelle Gentle Links
Designed to be taken from preconception to breastfeeding. • Includes Folate, Vitamin D & omega 3 • All the essential ingredients in just one pill • Easy, flexible subscription
Breathwork in pregnancy and beyond, with Carolyn Cowan
06 Jun 2024
00:45:46
If you’re a regular listener to the show, or you’ve done a Birth-ed course, you’ll know that I really value breathwork in labour, but I hadn’t realised the calm that breathwork can bring to pregnancy until I read today’s guest’s book.
This week I’m talking to Carolyn Cowan, embodied psychotherapist, yoga teacher and author of Breathing for Pregnancy. Carolyn explains why and how conscious breathing works, gives a short breathwork demonstration and shows how to integrate the practice into your life.
What Does your Midwife Do? With Guests Midwife May Bourne and Midwife Sophie Hiscock
27 Apr 2020
00:48:14
From booking to after your birth, your midwife is there to support you throughout pregnancy, birth and beyond. But what can you expect from midwifery led care?
This week I am joined by Midwives May Bourne (Founder of Positive Birth Jersey) and Sophie Hiscock (Founder of Village Midwife) where we discuss exactly what your midwife is there for and how to make the most of your care. We chat through the benefits of antenatal education and everything you REALLY need to know to have a good birth experience.
And in a single moment, your entire life changes. Your baby who has spent the last 9 months curled up inside, is earthside. WHAT NOW?
In this episode I'm join by Midwife Marie Louise and we discuss what to expect in those first 24 hours after birth. Both physically and emotionally, for both mum and baby.
In this episode, Independent Midwife Kemi Johnson and I discuss all thing Home Birth. The benefits, what if’s, practicalities, everything you may want to know about having your baby at home.
Something important to consider, is that regardless of where you choose to give birth, if you go into spontaneous labour, at least part of your labour will be in your home environment. So understanding how birthing in this space is going to feel and going to work is important for most of us!
Exercise for Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond with Guests, PT Charlie Launder and Midwife & PT Emily Pullan
17 Mar 2020
00:55:21
Does the way you exercise need to change because you fall pregnant? What about if you've never exercised before? Is now a good time to start?
This week we're bring you an up beat episode chatting through all things exercise when it comes to having a baby! From the physical and mental benefits, the impact on birth itself, things to be aware of and building it into your recovery for birth.
Joining me are Personal Trainer Charlie Launder- founder of Bumps and Burpees; and B&B Personal Trainer and NHS Midwife Emily Pullan.
Some great tips for pregnancy, birth and beyond whether you're used to attending Cross Fit 5 mornings a week or if jogging for the bus has been your weekly work out up 'til now!
You can follow our guests on Instagram @charlielaunder, @bumpsandburpees and @midwifepullan_pt
Birthing Outside of Guidelines with Guest, Midwife Rebecca Savage
10 Mar 2020
00:54:07
Have you been told you 'have' to give birth in a certain way? That you're 'not allowed' to do something, like have an elective caesarean, give birth at home or in water?
This week I am joined by Rebecca Savage, experienced midwife of 15 years and trainee Consultant Midwife. We discuss the role of a consultant midwife in accessing birth choices that do not sit within the 'normal' guidelines or care pathways.
This episode is an absolute must listen if you want to feel informed and supported about making choices for birth that feel right for you and your baby.
Have you ever thought about capturing your birth on camera? If you're shaking your head and recoiling at the thought, bear with me.. if I've caught your attention, this episode answers all your questions!
In this episode I'm joined by Birth Photographer and Doula Jo Robertson and we talk about the beauty of birth photography, covering everything from the practicalities of having a birth photographer, to the power of birth imagery in learning about birth.
Trigger Warning: In this episode we discuss birth trauma. The focus of the episode is on healing from trauma and preventing it and you may well still find it useful to listen to during pregnancy. No specific traumatic birth stories are referenced. However if you would prefer not to listen to it, or you find it triggering to listen to, please consider your own emotional health first and switch off if needbe!
This week I’m joined by Dr Rebecca Moore, Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist and co-founder of Make Birth Better. Up to 1 in 3 women would describe their birth or the perinatal period as ‘traumatic’, which can impact their mental health, parenting and future family plans.
We discuss what can be done to prevent birth trauma- both from a parent and healthcare provider perspective. And, for women and families who have experienced trauma, what can be done to help manage and heal from this. We discuss the work of ‘Make Birth Better’ who help prevent trauma within the healthcare system itself, and also work directly with women and parents following birth.
In this episode I'm joined by guest Sophie Burch and we talk candidly about life as a new parent of a baby. The feelings and emotions you might encounter at this time, tools and techniques to make this time positive for yourselves. Sophie works extensively with women throughout the perinatal period and her wise words are a must listen for any pregnant or new mothers.
C-section recovery is one of those subjects that is rarely mentioned before you experience it. So this week, I’ve got together with Clare Bourne, a pelvic health physiotherapist, to talk you through what you need to know to recover well. We cover everything from how to get out of bed in those first few hours, to exercise, to long term recovery and scar massage.
For more information on Caesarean Sections, see Season 2 Episode 6 - Caesarean Birth with Consultant Obstetrician, Florence Wilcock
Free Online Postnatal Returning to Exercise Masterclass
An exclusive 20% discount code to join The Bump Plan Postnatal
POSTNATAL PLAN: A physio-approved program designed by Hollie Grant while she was postnatal, creating a unique and trustworthy experience for new mothers. This plan includes real-time responsive workouts for holistic recovery and fitness, with 24/7 access to resources and community support. Prices: £35/month, £180 for 6 months, £240 for an annual membership, including a 7-day free trial.
We all know that having a baby means your sleep is going to be disrupted. If anything, we probably underestimate exactly just HOW much. Understanding the biology and normal patterns of infant sleep can make the demands that life with a baby brings, just a little bit easier.
This week I am joined by renowned infant sleep and gentle parenting expert, Sarah Ockwell-Smith. Whether you are currently pregnant and wanting to get prepared, or it's 3am and you're right in the depths of new parenthood, Sarah's fascinating insight, top tips and gentle reassurance will have you feeling better in one short episode!
Yoga is something often recommended by midwives as a helpful form of exercise for women during pregnancy. But yoga has many more benefits than simply exercise. In this episode I am joined by Dr Leah Deutsch (AKA 'The Yoga Doc') who, as well as being a practicing obstetrician is also a pregnancy yoga teacher. We take a look at what the practice of yoga involves and the benefits of this for labour, birth and beyond.
Yoga has influenced Leah’s work as an obstetrician, and we discuss the importance of holistic care for all women when it comes to pregnancy, labour and birth and exactly how this fits into the Maternity System as we know it. A really fun, inspiring and insightful chat!
TRIGGER WARNING: Pregnancy Loss, Miscarriage and Still Birth
1 in 4 women experience miscarriage or pregnancy loss, so for a lot of us falling pregnant again can come with a lot of conflicting emotions. In this episode I’m joined by midwife Kate Marsh from the team at Tommy’s. Tommy’s are the UK Baby Loss Charity, supporting women through baby loss and researching miscarriage, preterm birth and still birth. We talk candidly about experiencing miscarriage, and approaching pregnancy after losing a baby.
Please access this episode with care, if you are currently pregnant, you may prefer to wait until after your baby is born until you listen.
If you need immediate mental health support or are concerned about your pregnancy in any way please contact your Midwife, GP, 111 NHS service or in an emergency phone 999.
You can contact the Tommy’s Pregnancy Support Line on 0800 0147 800 Mon-Fri 9-5pm.
Last year in the UK only 52% of women went into spontaneous labour. An even smaller number ended up having the physiological birth the vast majority of women want and expect when it comes to meeting their babies. In a highly technological era, what does physiological birth look like for the modern woman? And how does this fit in to the current maternity system?
This week I am joined by the incredibly inspiring Sheena Byrom OBE; Independent Midwifery Consultant, Midwife of over 35 years, Author & Speaker; to unpick all of this! Sheena works tirelessly across the world, transforming maternity systems with a focus on supporting physiological birth.
Regardless of what kind of birth you are planning, expecting or hoping for, this episode delves into how normal physiological processes in pregnancy, birth and postnatally can be supported in all environments, for all women and babies.