Birth Untethered

Birth Untethered
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Welcome to Birth Untethered. A sanctuary for truth-tellers, change-makers & advocates of physiological birth. We’re Shellie Poulter & Kemi Johnson: educators & rebels with decades of combined experience in pregnancy, birth & beyond. With backgrounds in osteopathy, naturopathy, biomechanics, midwifery, & advocacy. We expose the realities of modern maternity systems, challenge coercive practices & bring both scientific & lived wisdom to the forefront. We exist to empower birth workers, families & seekers of truth with informed choice, not fear. This is the birth revolution & you're invited.

  1. 22/12/2025

    S1E11 - Strength Isn’t Silence: Simon Reflects on His Birthing Journeys as a Father

    In this raw and compassionate conversation, Shellie, Kemi and Simon explore birth through the eyes of Simon. A father who's thoughts and reactions were shaped by two frightening, medicalised births, and how that trauma followed him into a third, deeply different experience. We talk about fear, responsibility, and the pressure partners feel to “hold it together,” even when their nervous system is bracing for disaster. Together, we reflect on how trauma affects decision-making in birth, how couples can process difficult moments without blame, and what helps rebuild trust after fear has taken over. We also explore the contrast between emergency-led care and respectful midwifery presence, the role doulas can play in supporting partners, and what years of learning has taught Simon about physiological birth, women’s bodies, and trust.An honest, powerful episode for fathers, partners, and couples navigating birth and birth after trauma and anyone who wants a deeper understanding of how birth shapes us.Join the Mailing List:https://birthuntethered.kit.comWebsite:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntetheredPatreon:https://www.patreon.com/14193903/joinSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1kKvf6pjLGDJ5nDBMKPCjBApple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@birthuntetheredInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/Support us by buying our merch:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merchBuy us a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie

    1h 18m

  2. 08/12/2025

    S1E10 - Embodying Birth - A Conversation with Maha Al Musa

    In this episode Shellie and Kemi welcome Maha Al Musa. We delve into a deep discussion about the healing potential of embodying birth, the challenges of being an authentic heart led birthworker and Maha shares her birth stories, life journey and wisdom with us.Maha Al Musa is a mother of three beautiful children (now 29, 26 and 17) and is of Palestinian/Lebanese origin raised in Australia. She is a doula, birth mentor, international educator and the founder of EmbodyBirth and Bellydance For Birth® since 1997. She has released two award-winning resources—a world first book on Bellydance for birth, entitled Dance of the Womb, endorsed by Sheila Kitzinger, Dr. Michel Odent, Dr. Sarah Buckley and NACE (Aust.) and a follow on video series voted by about.com readers choice award for Best Pregnancy Fitness Product. She was presented with the One World Birth Hero National Award in 2011. She also has on offer her online 4 modules/ 21 chapters, wise conscious birth preparation program and her highly acclaimed EmbodyBirth mentored certification educator training as well as other powerful resources. Maha has been a keynote speaker at many birth conferences worldwide including the Shandong Midwifery Conference China, Human Rights In Childbirth Conference India and Birth Keepers Summit USA. She has also travelled extensively to many countries globally teaching her program including Japan, China, Taiwan, India, USA, NZ, Europe, and Maha has trained many teachers online post covid including in Vietnam and other countries.All of Maha's teachings are supported by the Universal truth that birth is a sacred portal that has the potential to raise human consciousness and that every woman and baby has the freedom to choose and the right to be supported and born into the hands and arms of Love. www.mahaalmusa.comInsta @embodybirthinternationalEmbodyBirth 2026 online mentored certified eductor training container with MahaMarch - October 2026https://www.mahaalmusa.com/embodybirth-educator-online-training-certificationEmbodyBirth Pregnancy And Birth Prep Program4 modules/ 21 chapterhttps://www.mahaalmusa.com/embodybirth-pregnancy-birth-preparation-online-courseBellydanceBirth Bundle includes the award winning BellydanceBirth dance videos, Maha's homebirth at 46 and bonuseshttps://embodybirth-academy.thinkific.com/Award winning world first book on Bellydance For Birth - Dance Of The Wombhttps://www.mahaalmusa.com/dance-of-the-womb-bookJoin the Mailing list:https://birthuntethered.kit.comWebsite:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntetheredPatreon:https://www.patreon.com/14193903/joinSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1kKvf6pjLGDJ5nDBMKPCjBApple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@birthuntetheredInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/Support us by buying our merch:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merchBuy us a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie

    1h 17m

  3. 24/11/2025

    S1E9 Birth Untethered - Becca and Alex's Wild Pregnancy and Freebirth Story

    Shellie and Kemi chat to Alex and Becca about their wild pregnancy and freebirth. Becca and Alex share their thought processes through the pregnancy and birth, ideas of things that were helpful for them both throughout. An honest deep dive into what stepping outside of the status quo felt like for both of them. This is an excellent episode for birth partners to listen to.Website:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntethered Join the mailing list: https://birthuntethered.kit.com Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/14193903/joinSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1kKvf6pjLGDJ5nDBMKPCjBApple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@birthuntetheredInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/Support us by buying our merch:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merchBuy us a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie

    1h 16m

  4. 03/11/2025

    S1E8 Birth Untethered - Anna's Freebirth Story - First Baby

    In this episode, Kemi and Shellie speak with Anna and Max about her decision to freebirth her first baby at home with her partner Ben and her doula Shellie. Anna discusses the things that happened throughout her pregnancy that brought her to the realisation that she felt that birthing at home with her chosen support felt like the safest and most sensible option for her. Anna describes a number of things that happened during her pregnancy that made her reevaluate the value she had initially thought interactions with the NHS brought to her pregnancy. We discuss blood pressure, aspirin, fundal height measurment, growth restriction and small for gestational age, dopler studies, rythm and ritual in labour and the amazing power of physiological birth. We delve into what birthing untethered in an informed way really looks like and the safety and peace that it brought for Anna, Ben and Max. If you are thinking about birthing untethered and want more information and support, you can contact Shellie or Kemi for more information. We both offer power hours to help discuss any questions that are coming up for you. Shellie also offers remote and in person support for birth.If you want to freebirth in the UK this is a legal and reasonable option. You have a legal obligation to notify your birth. For more information you can go here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/guidance-on-birth-notification-process-for-unassisted-births/ Website:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntethered Sign up to the mailing list: https://birthuntethered.kit.com Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/14193903/join Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1kKvf6pjLGDJ5nDBMKPCjB Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735 Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@birthuntethered Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/ https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/ https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/ Support us by buying our merch:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merch Buy us a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie

    1h 23m

  5. 27/10/2025

    S1E7 - From Earth to Ancestry - Amelia’s stories of birth and blood mysteries

    In this Episode Shellie and Kemi are joined by Amelia. They explore art, blood, life, death, the times it is helpful to reach out to people to hold space for you and when that may not be useful. Finding your power of no. Taking what you need from the system whilst holding boundaries for what you don't want or need. We explore spirit, ceremony and ritual in integrating loss, life, death, birth and growth. We also touch on some of the unethical practices of the formula industry as well as the sacred nature of breastfeeding. To connect with Amelia, you can find her on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daughter.of.danu/ or https://www.instagram.com/womb.chalice/ To find the ultimate birth partner podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/37JHZZkI4Qdx5ulebNiuQ6?si=59174e035fe4401b To find Betty's podcast, Freebirth Folke: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ywUSQyhkYwszmzggIteDs?si=72bd27afbab24005 To find the Birth a new story podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7cgG0IGv5Dz9VE0jLoe5NI?si=4d87f39c4cb14cf9 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/14193903/join Website: https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntethered Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kKvf6pjLGDJ5nDBMKPCjB Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@birthuntethered Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/ https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/ https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/ Support us by buying our merch: https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merch Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie

    1h 17m

  6. 19/10/2025

    S1E6 Birth Untethered - Placentas and Cords

    In this episode Shellie and Kemi dive into the anatomy of the umbilical cord, speak about the blood flow through placentas and how the levels in babies blood change due to the transition to live outside of the uterus and what this can mean. We debunk some cord myths, highlight the increased safety for mothers and babies in leaving the cord the F alone to do what it needs to do. Let's stop the ritual blood letting and focus on the whole health of parents and babies. We speak about some things that you may or may not want to do with your baby's placenta and cord after birth. Website: https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntethered Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/14193903/join Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kKvf6pjLGDJ5nDBMKPCjB Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@birthuntethered Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/ https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/ https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/ Support us by buying our merch: https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merch Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie

    1h 10m

  7. 12/10/2025

    S1E5 Birth Untethered - Umbilical Cords - Keeping Them Intact Saves Lives - Christina Shares Her Amazing Story

    In this Episode, Shellie and Kemi discuss avocado gate - the transfusion of blood from the placenta to the baby, waiting for a baby to have all of their blood, that they need for transitioning and for their whole health for life. We muse about maintaining an intact cord for helping transition and hear Christina's amazing story of her heroic efforts to help her daughter's transition Earth side to be as safe and smooth as possible. Please be aware that this episode contains discussion about the birth of Christina's daughter, who was struggling to transition and needed assistance, so viewer discretion is advised. We are so in awe of Christina and what she did and how what she did changed practice for the better for many other families. To see Christina's Birth Video, you can go here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOkzfZtivPj/?igsh=MXZtbWJweXZqaHl4aw== To engage with us further and to support Shellie and Kemi to make the podcast and keep sharing the unfiltered truths and collective wisdom you can use the following links: Website: https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntethered Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/14193903/join Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kKvf6pjLGDJ5nDBMKPCjB Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@birthuntethered Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/ https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/ https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/ Support us by buying our merch: https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merch Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie

    1h 22m

  8. 05/10/2025

    S1E4 Birth Untethered - Physiology After Birth; Skin to Skin, Breastfeeding Placentas, Cords and Blood

    In this episode, Shellie and Kemi discuss the physiology of the immediate time after birth, the benefits of skin to skin and breastfeeding, protecting the birthing dyad in these precious and vitally important moments. We talk about placentas, umbilical cords and blood in both mothers and babies. What causes haemorrhage, what can we do naturally to help prevent it, manage if it does happen. We explore medical lack of logic in determining what a haemorrhage is in and out of the birth space, how keeping cords intact saves babies lives and promotes their long term health.If you would like to explore the further resources that we have available for deeper learning, join us over on patreon.https://www.patreon.com/c/birthuntethered/membershiphttps://www.patreon.com/c/birthuntethered/membership Alongside this episode, you get the following benefits with patreon membership:Simple Truths - PDF of resources and links, research used in the episodeCollective Wisdom - PDF of resources and links, research used in the episode, physiology of immediate postpartum information booklet for parentsUntethered Rebels - - PDF of resources and links, research used in the episode, physiology of immediate postpartum information booklet for parents, untethered rebel version of the immediate postpartum information booklet, video tutorials on how to make butterfly and heart shaped cord ties. An invitation to the monthly zoom session with Shellie and Kemi for discussion, community forming, learning and questions. We hope to see you there!Find out more about the podcast and link to where else to find us https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntethered You can also find us on Instagram: @theserenitydoula @kemibirthjoyjohnson @birth.unthethered

    1h 14m
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About

Welcome to Birth Untethered. A sanctuary for truth-tellers, change-makers & advocates of physiological birth. We’re Shellie Poulter & Kemi Johnson: educators & rebels with decades of combined experience in pregnancy, birth & beyond. With backgrounds in osteopathy, naturopathy, biomechanics, midwifery, & advocacy. We expose the realities of modern maternity systems, challenge coercive practices & bring both scientific & lived wisdom to the forefront. We exist to empower birth workers, families & seekers of truth with informed choice, not fear. This is the birth revolution & you're invited.

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  • Creator
    Birth Untethered
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Birth Untethered
  • Show Website
    Birth Untethered

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