This week, to mark the end of season 4, I am giving you a bonus free relaxation track. You can play this track whenever you feel like you want to take time out and calm your nervous system down. This track is NOT pregnancy-related, and can be used by everyone - including your partner and children. The music is my own and copyrighted to me.  Please feel free to share the link to the podcast episode - so that others can benefit from this excellent resource. The track itself starts at...

In this week's episode, I am chatting to Rose, a young mum who knew what she wanted for her dream birth, and did everything in her power to achieve it.  She always knew she wanted to give birth at home, which was backed up by her role in supporting families who have experienced medical negligence. Rose felt that the safest place for her baby to be born was away from unnecessary intervention but had to convince her loved ones to feel the same.  In the end, her hard work and determination...

In this weeks episode, I answer many of the questions that were sent to me. These are:-  What do you think is the most important thing to bring with you on your pregnancy journey? What is your top care provider red flag. My doula was not what I hoped they would be and I am pregnant again. Should I hire a different doula to support me this time or not? What do I do if the midwives don’t come to my homebirth - my husbands fears keep rising up and I don't know how to reassure him.  My...

In this episode, I am chatting to Yas who shares her views and experience about her life as a student midwife. This is a fascinating conversation where Yas goes into detail about her role, how she works alongside midwives and how her additional training as a doula has supported her knowledge about the 'softer skills' required to be a great midwife.  I loved chatting to Yas who has such fabulous insights that I believe will support you on your journey to giving birth.  Follow Yas on...

In this episode, my client Esther bravely shares her experience of planning and preparing for a homebirth against medical advice.   Despite ticking many 'risk factor' boxes, which included having a previous c-section and fibroids, Esther was keen to give birth at home.  She had done alot of research and preparation, and was confident that her decision was safer for her and her baby than a repeat C-section.  Even after discovering at 38 weeks that the baby was now in a breech position,...

After an incredible birth with her first baby, Georgie knew she wanted to help others discover more about themselves in order to have a similar experience. She decided that Positive Psychology was the exact coaching method that would support her, to make a difference to women who want to achieve the birth of their dreams. This exceptional tool focuses on the positive traits you already have, and is an incredibly encouraging way to highlight what areas you can work on, in order to reframe...

In this episode, I am chatting to Laila,  a first-time mum who struggled to accept her unplanned pregnancy. She candidly shares with us how difficult it was to come to terms with a positive pregnancy test, and how she handled sharing the news with her close family and friends. Despite suffering from antenatal depression, Laila went on to make it the best experience of her life so far. After the birth of her daughter she was able to truly see the gift she had been given, and her mission now...

In the second of my replay episodes I have chosen this incredibly informative conversation I had from Season 2 with Dr Rachel Reed.  We talk about everything birth and cover topics that relate to pregnancy, birth partners, midwives, student midwives, and doulas.  I find it really helps to re-listen to the information that is shared with experienced birth professionals to help consolidate your knowledge and develop your own philosophies of birth.  Enjoy  Sx If you would like to buy a copy...

In this weeks episode I am sharing an old episode I made in season 1 with Amanda Burleigh, who has  helped to change maternity services by campaigning for not just delayed cord clamping, but optimal.  This is where ALL the baby's blood transfers into their body, and they receive their full blood compliment.  I have to say that this is a particular favourite of mine, because Amanda's story is so important to the future health of our children, and her inspirational journey has been life...

In this episode, I am chatting to Tara - who is the inventor of the Christian Hypnobirthing App.  When looking for tools to prepare herself for birth, Tara was introduced to Hypnobirthing. She soon realised there was nothing that supported her faith, and so decided that she wanted to fill that gap.  The Christian hypnobirthing app has now reached over 100,000 people worldwide and has expanded to include antenatal faith-filled education.  This conversation is so interesting as we listen to...

In this weeks episode, I am delighted to welcome Helen's husband Mike, who talks candidly about his experience of being a birth partner.  He explains in detail the stark difference between their first birth and their second one. In addition, he shares what he did to improve his knowledge when preparing for their home birth, to ensure he was a confident birth partner who had the ability to support Helen during her physiological birth.  This episode is packed with wisdom and knowledge that...

In this week's episode, I am chatting again with Helen Totton who shares her experience of giving birth to her second child at home after a traumatic first birth. Helen describes the journey she went on to heal herself and prepare for birth in an optimal way. This is such an inspirational story of how Helen worked so hard to ensure her second birth was completely different to her first, despite moments of doubt and uncertainty. You can follow Helen on Instagram @tottemhealing Check out...

In this week's episode, I am chatting with Helen Totton who shares her experience of giving birth to her first child 8 years ago. Helen had an induction which left her struggling with postnatal depression. This is an inspirational story of how Helen worked hard to prepare for her second birth to ensure she was not going to have the same experience again. You can follow Helen on Instagram @tottemhealing Check out her website https://tottemhealing.com/ If you would like to buy a copy of...

In this week's episode of the podcast, I am chatting with fellow doula Cara who is a true inspiration to so many in the birth world. Her knowledge and passion shines through in the support she offers.   Her story is so interesting as she candidly shares with us her journey as a young single mum and how she found the strength to recover from an eating disorder.  Cara also shares so beautifully her own experience of how she let go of old wounds and history that was holding her back.  In this...

To start the year, I have recorded another episode on Breathing and Relaxation Skills as these episodes are the most sought after.  I know that you need to hear as much information as possible on this topic, so I have thought about some additional tips to share with you.  I hope you enjoy them .  If you would like to buy a copy of either of the books that accompany this podcast please go to your online bookseller or visit Amazon:- Labour of Love - The Ultimate Guide to Being a Birth...

In this weeks episode I share some exciting news! In addition, I am finally answering some of your questions about a wide variety of topics which include:- What happens if your placenta doesn't come out and the midwives have to remove it. What can I do to have a successful birth in a Midwife Led Unit Can I have my breech baby at home How can I cope with a newborn at Christmas when visiting friends and family How can I help my 2 month old to sleep more I hope you enjoy listening to the...

In this weeks episode of the podcast, I am chatting with Emily Carson from @emilyandruby who is a somatic practitioner, acupuncturist and craniosacral therapist. She talks us through her knowledge about the body and helps us to think about preparing for birth and postpartum.  In particular, Emily shares the importance of regulating your nervous system and supporting the tissues in your pelvis. She believes that pelvic floor recovery requires a much more nuanced approach than just kegels, and...

In this weeks episode, Daniella shares her story of  an incredibly traumatic c-section with her first child, the two miscarriages that followed and then her reasons behind deciding to have a home VBAC when she became pregnant again.   This heartwarming story is one that so many of you may relate to. Daniella tells of how the work she did to learn as much as she could in preparation for this recent birth, is what made the difference and helped her to succeed.  The trust she built in her...

In this week's episode, I am chatting to Hannah Whittaker who is a Pregnancy and Paediatric Dietician from Bump2Baby Nutrition about being pregnant when you are vegan or eat a plant-based diet.  We also had an opportuinty to talk about  what happens and what to do if you suspect or discover that your child has a milk allergy.  Whilst these two topics are completly unrelated, I wanted to pick Hannah's brains about her two specialities as it is so rare to hear about these issues that many...

In this episode of the podcast, I am talking with Quantum Birth Coach and Doula Carmen Rocha.  We get into a discussion about how important it is to not only tap into the subconscious, but also the body in preparation for birth. Carmen shares that when you tune in ask yourself what you are really feeling, you can identify what is going on within you and make the relevant changes that need to happen in order to release these emotions and ensure they don't sabotage your birth.  You can find...

In this weeks episode of the podcast I welcome back Daisy Dinwoodie for a powerful chat about Sovereignty. We get to the bottom of what it means to have a sovereign birth and share our own experiences of supporting clients on their journey through pregnancy - to help them come to this realisation.  I also share throughout this wonderful conversation why I love the word sovereign and how it felt to discover I had a sovereign birth experience without realising, which is why I am now doing the...

In this very special 100th episode, I am delighted to be chatting with fellow doula, author and antenatal educator Natalie Meddings.  I was thrilled that she agreed to join me for a deep dive into the role of being a doula and educator, and we got into a discussion about how the maternity system has changed over the past two decades. We voiced our concerns about how the medical model is so incredibly fear-based, but give solutions for how women and their partners can help themselves to...

In this week's episode, I am chatting with Rhea Dempsey who is an Australian doula, author, and birth educator.  We had a great chat about our thoughts and beliefs on giving birth in the modern-day maternity system, and how 'thank goodness births' can usually be unravelled to reveal the cause - which Rhea shares is typically because of  'the fu*#!ing epidural'.  This is such a wonderful conversation with Rhea, who is a real veteran in the birth world, and we can learn so much from the wise...

In this episode I am chatting to Magdalena for part two of our conversation, and this time we are discussing her experience of giving birth in a foreign country - despite it being her home for many years. She  shares with us what that felt like for her, what she needed to do in order to feel well supported by her partner, and also offers tips and suggestions to others who are in the same situation.  This is a valuable episode which I encourage you to share with anyone who is living abroad...