Birth Tales

Serena Louth
  • 5.0 (26)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED TWICE WEEKLY

Welcome to Birth Tales. Conception, pregnancy, birth and those first hazy postpartum days are a physical and emotional whirlwind. My hope is that by sharing these unique experiences we can support, educate and inspire others on their journeys to becoming parents.

  1. 079 - Monika | 2nd baby, homebirth, doula, gestational diabetes, physiological birth, birth pool

    2 DAYS AGO

    079 - Monika | 2nd baby, homebirth, doula, gestational diabetes, physiological birth, birth pool

    In today's episode I'm welcoming Monika back to the podcast to share the story of her youngest son's birth. After a traumatic induction first time around, she didn't engage with preparing for the birth until about 20 weeks, at which point Monika hired a doula and made the decision to birth her second baby at home. We talk in depth about how she juggled pregnancy sickness with caring for her toddler full time, managing a borderline gestational diabetes diagnosis and moving both house and hospital in the third trimester. It was so lovely to hear how the fear she had experienced during her first labour was replaced this time with a sense of calm, resulting in a birth which was (in her own words) "the most beautiful moment of my life". Monika is always such a joy to chat to, so I know you're going to gain so much from this episode. If you haven't listened to her first birth yet and would like the back story before getting stuck into this one, that was episode 3 and I'll link it in the show notes below. Cushy Puff - use code SERENAL20 for 20% off: http://cushypuff.com/   Monika's doula: https://www.jessicaslender.co.uk/  Monika's first birth: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/003-monika-morning-sickness-hospital-birth-induction/id1703057905?i=1000627819214  Monika's IG: https://www.instagram.com/monika_chatterton/ My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/

    1h 11m
  2. 078 - Eleanor | post dates induction, epidural, c-section, meconium aspiration, NICU, maternal sepsis

    12 FEB

    078 - Eleanor | post dates induction, epidural, c-section, meconium aspiration, NICU, maternal sepsis

    In this episode we're hearing from Eleanor about her first pregnancy and birth during lockdown. Having learned lots about birth from her midwife sister and planning for a homebirth, her estimated due date came and went with no sign of labour starting. At nearly 42 weeks she accepted an induction and was able to return home to wait for things to begin. When her contractions became regular, Eleanor and her husband went to the midwife-led unit where she laboured in the pool until concerns were raised about meconium in her waters. After an epidural, a period of rest and infection concerns for both mum and baby, a caesarean was recommended. Eleanor shares the challenges their family faced in the weeks that followed, including being separated from her baby after the birth, navigating visiting hours, pumping and breastfeeding in the NICU and Enid's recovery at home on oxygen. This is a fascinating and really valuable episode about navigating the unexpected and staying strong and positive through it all.   Eleanor's IG: https://www.instagram.com/elebusing/  My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/

    46 min
  3. 077 - Ella | fertility awareness method, mizan therapy, doula, biomechanics, homebirth transfer

    29 JAN

    077 - Ella | fertility awareness method, mizan therapy, doula, biomechanics, homebirth transfer

    In today's episode we're hearing from Ella about her son's birth. She explains how using the fertility awareness method helped her to conceive, how much she loved being pregnant and why she chose to plan a homebirth with the support of a doula. Ella talks honestly about finding it mentally challenging to go beyond 40 weeks and describes her long labour at home, including the coping techniques she leant on. After hours of pushing the decision was made to transfer, which was a scary experience for both Ella and her partner. Thankfully all was well with the baby and after the doctor assisted with a manual rotation, he was born soon after arriving at the hospital. Ella shares what it was like being taken into theatre postpartum to repair a severe tear and how she's feeling as she prepares for her upcoming birth, making this a really interesting episode.   Ella's IG: https://www.instagram.com/ellamooneywellness/ Mama Mooney: https://www.instagram.com/mama_mooney_/   My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/

    52 min
  4. 076 - Loren | ICSI, talipes, homebirth, BBA, physiological birth

    15 JAN

    076 - Loren | ICSI, talipes, homebirth, BBA, physiological birth

    In today's episode we're hearing from Loren, who reflects on her homebirth at just 9 weeks postpartum. She generously shares the challenges she faced conceiving, how she processed her son's talipes diagnosis and how she and her partner are navigating his ongoing treatment. Loren talks us through her labour, which was surprisingly quick, with the midwives arriving just after her baby was born. Despite the unexpected twists along the way, she reflects on the birth as a positive experience and talks about how incredibly well supported she felt throughout. I'm so grateful to Loren for sharing so openly and I know you're going to learn so much from this episode.   Upcoming Hypnobirthing Course Dates: https://serenalouth.com/hypnobirthing  Loren's IG: https://www.instagram.com/_coach.loz_/ My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/

    51 min
  5. 075 - Molly | positive induction, continuity of care, dilapan rods, ARM, failed epidural

    18/12/2025

    075 - Molly | positive induction, continuity of care, dilapan rods, ARM, failed epidural

    In today's episode we're hearing from Molly about her daughter's birth. Having loved being pregnant, the biggest challenge she faced was deciding whether or not to accept an induction. Molly talks us through her decision-making process and shares her experience of the different stages of her labour in the hospital. She reflects on the importance of feeling well supported, the brilliant care she received throughout and how that helped her come away from the experience feeling really positive, even with a failed epidural along the way. It's so lovely to be able to share a genuinely positive induction story and I know this will be a reassuring listen for anyone facing similar choices. We recorded this episode on Nora's first birthday which makes it feel extra special, so I really hope you enjoy listening.   Molly's IG: https://www.instagram.com/moll.nicholson/  My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/

    57 min
  6. 074 - Lara | precipitous birth, PCOS, membrane sweep, physiological birth, foetal ejection reflex, 2nd degree tear

    11/12/2025

    074 - Lara | precipitous birth, PCOS, membrane sweep, physiological birth, foetal ejection reflex, 2nd degree tear

    In today's episode we're hearing from Lara about her precipitous birth. When she found out she was pregnant she threw herself into reading, researching and preparing for labour. She hoped to give birth in the midwife lead unit, but when her contractions started it became clear her baby was coming very quickly. Lara and her partner called the paramedics who managed to get her to the hospital and her baby was born after just 95 minutes of labour. Lara talks about the mental challenge of convincing herself the baby was coming early, the intensity of such a short labour and her plans for her imminent second birth. My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/

    53 min
  7. 073 - Sarah | 2nd baby, doula, PGP, heart condition, polyhydramnios, unstable lie, planned c-section

    04/12/2025

    073 - Sarah | 2nd baby, doula, PGP, heart condition, polyhydramnios, unstable lie, planned c-section

    In today's episode Sarah is back on the podcast to share her second birth story. Having had a difficult experience first time around, she knew what mattered most to her this time; to feel strong, to advocate for her wishes and to feel like she had more agency. She hired a doula, planned a VBAC, changed hospitals and got lots of independent support to help her prepare for the birth. Unfortunately she faced endless obstacles along the way, which resulted in her birthing her daughter via planned caesarean.  Sarah talks us through the grieving process of letting go of the VBAC she had hoped for and how despite numerous challenges she still had a beautiful, calm birth. This is a super special episode because Sarah was the first ever guest on Birth Tales! So it is a joy to have her back on again and it is so lovely that we were joined by little Sadie who you can hear chatting away throughout.   FREE hypnobirthing taster session: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-introduction-to-hypnobirthing-online-event-tickets-1970359050962?aff=oddtdtcreator  My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/   Sarah's IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmalcs/  Sarah's website: https://sarahmalcolm.co.uk

    56 min
  8. 072 - Anna | freebirth, doula, waterbirth, physiological birth

    27/11/2025

    072 - Anna | freebirth, doula, waterbirth, physiological birth

    In today's episode we're hearing from Anna who freebirthed her son with the support of her partner and doula. Having always felt trusting of the birthing process, Anna knew she wanted to have her baby at home. She shares how amazing it was to have the reassuring presence of a doula through her pregnancy and labour, about the pressure she felt to comply with maternity care that didn't feel right for her and why she ultimately chose to give birth without any midwives present.   9th December FREE hypnobirthing session: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-introduction-to-hypnobirthing-online-event-tickets-1970359050962?aff=oddtdtcreator Anna's IG: https://www.instagram.com/annawilliamson09/ My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/

    53 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

Welcome to Birth Tales. Conception, pregnancy, birth and those first hazy postpartum days are a physical and emotional whirlwind. My hope is that by sharing these unique experiences we can support, educate and inspire others on their journeys to becoming parents.

Information

  • Creator
    Serena Louth
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    80
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    Birth Tales

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