British Birthing Stories

Georgia McGivern

A weekly podcast sharing real stories of childbirth in the UK, from labour and delivery to postpartum recovery. Mothers across the UK talk openly about their personal birth experiences, created to educate, inform, and empower women preparing for birth and the early weeks of motherhood. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Amanda: Two births, Hospital Induction, Forceps Birth, Home Water Birth, Physiological Birth & Becoming a Doula

    In today’s episode, I speak with Amanda about her journey from a traumatic birth experience to a positive home birth, and how it led her to become a birth doula. Amanda shares how her first pregnancy involved concerns about a small baby, which led to pressure to accept an NHS hospital induction. This resulted in a cascade of interventions, including a forceps birth and episiotomy, leaving her feeling shocked, disconnected and physically traumatised. She opens up about her difficult postpartum recovery, including post-birth infection, tailbone pain after birth, breastfeeding difficulties, reflux in newborns, and the impact on her postnatal mental health. Amanda reflects on feeling unsupported during labour and the challenges of advocating for yourself in birth. When Amanda became pregnant again, she chose a completely different path. With the support of a birth doula, she was able to process her birth trauma, rebuild confidence and make informed decisions throughout pregnancy. Amanda planned a home birth within the NHS, choosing to avoid unnecessary interventions and trust her body. She describes her physiological home water birth as calm, empowering and deeply healing. This episode covers induction of labour, forceps delivery, episiotomy recovery, birth trauma, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding challenges, home birth, hypnobirthing, doula support, birth advocacy and maternal mental health, offering an honest and informative insight into how birth experiences can shape early motherhood. This episode is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider. British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery. These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTube Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min

  2. 5 DAYS AGO

    Jeanette: Two Births, Breech Baby, Attempted Vaginal Breech and Unplanned C-Section, VBAC and Emergency C-Section Under General Anaesthetic, Miscarriage, Tongue Tie, Breastfeeding Challenges,

    This week I'm joined by Jeanette, who shares two very different births that both ended in unplanned C-sections.   Her first baby turned breech right at the end of pregnancy. After three failed ECV attempts and a lot of research, she planned a C-section but went into labour first. When her baby showed signs of distress, the decision was made and she had an unplanned C-section.   For her second birth, Jeanette had a miscarriage between pregnancies before conceiving her rainbow baby. She was planning a VBAC when her waters broke at 40 weeks. Back at hospital her contractions became constant with no break between them and her baby's heart rate dropped. It was a category one emergency. Jeanette was taken for surgery under general anaesthetic alone, without her husband. Her baby was born not breathing and needed resuscitation.   Jeanette wanted to share her story so other mothers know that even when birth doesn't go to plan and the situation becomes frightening, you can still come out the other side feeling grateful and at peace with how it happened.   The stories shared on British Birthing Stories are real, personal experiences from real women. I am not a medical professional and this podcast is not a substitute for medical advice. Every pregnancy and birth is different, and I always encourage you to speak to your midwife or doctor about your own individual care. British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery. These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTube Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 19min

  3. 9 APR

    Ellie: Infertility, Positive NHS Hospital Induction, 3B Tear, Retained Placenta & Fibroids

    In this episode, Ellie shares the story of conceiving her son after two and a half years of trying, following years on the contraceptive pill and eventually discovering during pregnancy that she had a large uterine fibroid. With concerns about her baby’s growth and blood flow between the placenta and uterus, she was placed under consultant-led care and scheduled for an induction on her due date. Ellie describes arriving at hospital for the induction, receiving a pessary, and unexpectedly progressing into labour quickly overnight. What followed was a fast and intense labour, where she laboured using gas and air, pethidine, and the bath before rapidly reaching full dilation just as she was being moved to the delivery ward for the epidural she had planned. Her son was born vaginally after a short pushing stage, but the birth was complicated by him being born with his arm up, resulting in a severe 3B tear. She also speaks honestly about the immediate postpartum complications that followed, including a retained placenta requiring surgery, missing the “golden hour” with her baby, significant blood loss, and the emotional impact of recovering from a serious birth injury. Ellie reflects on the challenges of early feeding, the slow physical recovery from a third-degree tear, pelvic floor rehabilitation, and learning to reconnect with her body after birth trauma. This episode offers a detailed, honest, and reassuring insight into induction birth, retained placenta, severe tearing, and the realities of postpartum recovery after a traumatic birth. This podcast shares personal birth experiences and is not intended as medical advice. British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery. These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTube Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 16min

  4. 7 APR

    Emma: Second Birth, NHS Home Birth After Caesarean (HBAC), VBAC, Water Birth, Physiological Birth

    In this episode I’m joined by Emma, who shares the story of her second birth, an NHS home birth after caesarean (HBAC) and VBAC birth story. Emma reflects on choosing an elective C-section for her first baby during Covid, navigating postpartum recovery, and her difficult early breastfeeding journey. For her second pregnancy, Emma prepared for a VBAC home birth with the support of a doula and hypnobirthing, while advocating for her birth choices despite pushback from healthcare professionals. She takes us through spontaneous labour at 37 weeks, labouring through the night in water, and welcoming her baby in a powerful physiological birth at home. We also talk about planning a home birth after caesarean, birth rights, doula support, physiological birth, and Emma’s successful breastfeeding journey second time around. This episode is shared for storytelling and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek personalised guidance from your healthcare provider.   British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery. These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTube Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min

  5. 2 APR

    Harriet: Infertility Struggles, IVF, Post-Dates, NHS Home Water Birth & Physiological Third Stage, Breathwork and Meditation

    In today’s episode, I speak with Harriet, a midwife, yoga teacher, and first-time mum, about her experience of conceiving through IVF and going on to have a planned NHS home water birth with her daughter, Juno. Harriet shares her journey to conception after two and a half years of trying, eventually discovering that both she and her husband were facing fertility challenges. They went on to have IVF with ICSI and were left with just one embryo, which became their daughter. Harriet reflects on navigating pregnancy as a midwife herself, including experiencing severe sickness throughout much of her pregnancy. She talks through planning a home birth within the NHS, reaching 40+12 weeks pregnant, and navigating the pressure around induction as she waited for labour to begin. Harriet shares how labour started quietly at home and progressed throughout the day, using movement, breathwork and instinctive positions to support her body through back-to-back surges. Harriet’s daughter Juno was born in the birth pool at home just after midnight, caught by her husband and brought straight to her chest. She also shares her experience of a physiological third stage, the early postpartum hormone shifts, and their breastfeeding journey, including navigating tongue tie in the early weeks. This episode offers an honest account of IVF, post-dates pregnancy and planning a home birth within the NHS, alongside reflections on trusting the body, birth preparation and the realities of the early postpartum period. This episode is shared for storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice.         British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery. These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTube Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 6min

  6. 31 MAR

    Georgia: VBAC, Short Cervix, Episiotomy, Forceps Delivery, NICU stay, PostPartum Haemorrhage

    In today’s episode, I interview myself and share the birth story of my second son Kit. After having a previous C-section with my eldest son, Finn, I knew that I desperately wanted a VBAC birth with Kit. I did everything I could to prepare for Kit's birth, such as listening to lots of birth stories, downloading a hypnobirthing course, which was Pop That Mama's Birth Box, and making sure that I just did as much research as I could into how I could make this possible. I spoke with a consultant midwife and was able to start my labour on the midwife-led unit, but then eventually had to transfer to the main labour ward as my labour just progressed really slowly. Towards the end of labour, I had to have an episiotomy and forceps delivery, and Kit struggled to breathe once he was born, so he was sent away to NICU, and I had a postpartum haemorrhage and blood transfusion, which was really difficult at the time, but I am so grateful for everything that I'd done ahead of the birth, which meant that I was able to really cope and manage what was going on during my labour and birth. I share what it's like experiencing not having the birth you'd hoped for and being separated from your baby after birth. I also talk really openly about what it was like not experiencing love and struggling to bond with your baby and what it's like having a baby in NICU even for a short stay. I hope this helps other women out there. And ultimately, it was this birth that made me really want to start this podcast to help other women learn how to advocate for themselves because even though the birth that I experienced was quite traumatic to me, it wasn't actually that bad. And I guess that's because I felt so prepared. And as you'll hear if you listen to this birth story, I really advocated for myself the entire way through and I knew exactly what I was signing up for throughout that entire labor in terms of my interventions. So I hope that this is helpful and I can't wait to hear what you think. Please note that this episode shares my personal experience and is not intended as medical advice. Every pregnancy and birth journey is unique, so if you have any concerns about your own health or pregnancy, please speak with a qualified medical professional. British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery. These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTube Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min

  7. 27 MAR

    She Stopped Feeling Her Baby Kick at 24 Weeks - This Is Why Movements Matter | Anonymous Stillbirth Story

    CONTENT WARNING: this episode discusses still birth. Please take care while listening. This anonymous birth story has been shared by a mother who gave birth to her baby boy sleeping at 24 weeks pregnant, after noticing reduced movements and that her baby had stopped kicking, despite having no other symptoms. She wants to raise awareness of stillbirth and highlight why it is so important to be aware of your baby’s movements and notice any changes in your baby’s kicks during pregnancy. By sharing her experience of reduced fetal movements and stillbirth, she hopes other parents will feel empowered to trust their instincts and advocate for themselves. If you notice any changes in your baby’s movements, please seek medical assistance and get immediate help if something doesn’t feel right. She also shares this for anyone who has experienced pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or miscarriage so you know you are not alone and your story matters. The stories shared on British Birthing Stories are real, personal experiences from real women. I am not a medical professional and this podcast is not a substitute for medical advice. Every pregnancy and birth is different, and I always encourage you to speak to your midwife or doctor about your own individual care.   British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery. These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTube Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    4 min

  8. 26 MAR

    Georgia: Gender Disappointment, Short Cervix, Cerclage, Breech, Planned C-section

    In today’s episode, I interview myself and share the birth story of my first son, Finn. When I was a young woman living in Australia, I was diagnosed with pre-cancerous cells on my cervix and had to undergo two LLETZ procedures. Later, when I became pregnant with Finn, I learned that these procedures had affected my cervix, leaving me with a short cervix and placing me at higher risk of preterm birth. Because of this, I was monitored under consultant-led care through the preterm birth clinic. At 18 weeks pregnant, my cervix began to open and funnel, and I had to have a cervical cerclage fitted which is a stitch placed in the cervix to help keep the baby safely inside. I share honestly about what it was like navigating that experience, the uncertainty and worry of hoping I would make it to full term, and how that period of pregnancy felt emotionally. Thankfully, I did go on to reach full term. However, Finn was in the breech position and never turned. I tried everything I could, including techniques like Spinning Babies and two ECV attempts to try to turn him, but ultimately he stayed breech. In this episode, I also open up about something that can be difficult to talk about: gender disappointment. I share the shame I felt around those emotions and why I believe it’s important to talk about them more openly, in the hope that other women who may be experiencing similar feelings feel less alone. In the end, I chose to have a planned C-section with Finn, which was the right decision for me. I share what it was like going into that experience and having a caesarean birth. Please note that this episode shares my personal experience and is not intended as medical advice. Every pregnancy and birth journey is unique, so if you have any concerns about your own health or pregnancy, please speak with a qualified medical professional. British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery. These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTube Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51 min
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About

A weekly podcast sharing real stories of childbirth in the UK, from labour and delivery to postpartum recovery. Mothers across the UK talk openly about their personal birth experiences, created to educate, inform, and empower women preparing for birth and the early weeks of motherhood. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Georgia McGivern
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © British Birthing Stories
  • Show Website
    British Birthing Stories

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