Have you had a previous caesarean? And do you want to have a vaginal birth this time? VBACs are often a struggle to achieve, not because of the risks involved but because of the hurdles you may come across getting your midwife or consultant to "agree" to supporting one. I chat to Hazel Keedle, who is a midwife, researcher, senior lecturer at Western Sydney university, and author of Birth After Caesarean: Your Journey to a Better Birth, and The journey of homebirth after caesarean (HBAC) - Fighting the system or birthing in peace.  We discuss why Hazel started researching VBAC experiences ..read more

What is confinement and why do Asian cultures insist on it in the postpartum period? I chat to Lucy, who adhered to a traditional Hong Kong Chinese confinement routine after the birth of her second child. We talk about what confinement it and involves, as well as the reasons behind the rules. We discuss foods, recipes and recovery, and what western culture is missing out on! If you'd like to read up on confinement period recipes you can find lots, week by week, on Lucy's blog: https://www.lucylovestoeat.com ..read more

In this episode I chat to midwife Abigail Latif. Abigail is a midwife with 14 years experience within the NHS, working in community, supporting birth in MLC units & home. She recently resigned in 2022, to pursue working independently, whilst speaking up about the Uk maternity crisis, and has been actively involved in the march with midwives campaign. She also founded her own business 2021. We chat about what drove her to decide to leave the NHS after such a long career in maternity, why she's so passionate about birth and midwifery care, and what the future holds for birth in the UK ..read more

In this episode I chat to the Mamma Coach Sophie Burch about her journey navigating 3 births, birth trauma and depression, all of which led her to create her courses and books. We discuss the importance of setting time aside for your own mental wellbeing, and how modelling good coping methods and communication also affects our children's abilities to regulate their own emotions. Sophie is a Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist with Mindfulness and Coaching specialising in Perinatal & Parental Mental Health with additional training in PTSD & Trauma.  She has worked as a Trainer in ..read more

What are the differences of UK and Australian midwifery? I chat to midwife and small business owner Olivia Hill about her move to Melbourne, and why working as a midwife in Australia has it's own unique benefits and challenges. Olivia runs a business supporting midwives who wish to take a break from the NHS and live and work in Australia, called AUlive. You can find her at www.auliveltd.co.uk or on instagram at @aulive.ig ..read more

What role does intuition have to play in the practice of obstetrics and midwifery? I chat to holistic OBGYN Nathan Riley about why he changed his approach to obstetrics, and why we have lost our way in maternity care. We discuss the intuition needed by any birth worker, whether that's a midwife, a doula, an obstetrician or the birthing person, and why our obstetric led approach is resulting in a climb in the numbers of women and birthing people feeling dissatisfied at best, traumatised at worst, by their experiences giving birth. You can find Nathan on Instagram @nathanrileyobgyn or go visit h ..read more

In this episode I listen to the wonderful Fran, who shares the birth story of her third baby. After two births on midwifery led units, Fran decided to birth at home for her third. She recounts how her birth started, and points out some key examples of the importance of surrendering to birth, listening to your body, and using all the instincts you have available to you to help your body birth your baby. I am so excited to share this story with you all. Congratulations Fran and thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful and positive story with people who really need to hear such beautiful ex ..read more

In this episode I chat to midwife and researcher Dr Claire Feeley about her new book  "Supporting Physiological Birth Choices in Midwifery Practice". We discuss the research that the book focuses on, and the challenges that midwives face in supporting autonomy and birthing out of guidelines. Claire talks about her initial research in to freebirth, and how led on to further research looking at supporting physiology. She identifies how organisational culture and policy, as well as our own individual biases and fears, have all played a part in creating an environment where supporting choice ..read more

This week's episode is all about high BMI pregnancies and water birth with the very fantastic Laura from high BMI pregnancy. It's a really common challenge for people classed as high risk due to their BMI, to be denied access to a birth center or midwifery led unit, and refused access to a birthing pool. We discuss the reasons you may be given and dispel the myths and fatphobia, and talk about how to get the water birth you deserve! If you'd like to find out more about Laura and her courses go to @plussizepregnancy. The Better Birth podcast is hosted by hypnobirthing and antenatal teacher Eri ..read more

In this episode I chat to the talented and passionate Emma Armstrong, also known as The Naked Doula! Emma talks about how she started her birth business which turned in to an overnight success, her sweary eye catching brand and how her approach to birth education is different from most birth workers. We also chat about her first pregnancy and the loss of her mother, and her hopes and plans for the birth of her second child.  If you'd like to follow Emma you can find her online @thenakeddoula, and you can download the Naked Doula app on the Apple App Store and on Android ..read more