Our Birth Stories Podcast‪.‬ Informed Pregnancy Birth and Beyond

In episode twelve, we meet Olga and hear all about her first pregnancy, birth and beyond journey. Olga planned to birth in a birth centre and then late in her pregnancy changed her mind and had a home birth. She then transferred to hospital to have some retained placenta removed and a small tear stitched in theatre. Olga also talks about her experiences of establishing breastfeeding and learning to be content while parenting a new baby. 



Topics covered in this episode include: early pregnancy tiredness, low level morning sickness, pregnancy travel, doula support through pregnancy, planning water birth, changing from birth centre plan to homebirth plan late in pregnancy, being labelled high risk due to smoking before being pregnant, preparing mentally and looking after yourself physically  in pregnancy for birth, slow start to contractions, meet-up and massage in early labour, labour gradually increasing through the day and evening, calling out doula and midwives and then sending them home, calling everyone back and getting in the pool immediately ready to push, pool birth, physiological third stage, post partum hemorage and retained placenta, transfer to hospital, retained placenta removed and second degree tear stitched in theatre, three day stay in hospital, self advocacy with routine medical interventions, declining routine anticoagulant injections, resisting pressure to formula feed in hospital, mixed support levels in hospital, placenta encapsulation, postnatal recovery, breastfeeding with inverted nipple, sleep and small babies, sleep and small babies, protecting your peace when planning your birth, keeping going with a plan for if you have slow downs during labour. 



If you’re wondering whether a doula might be right for you or even what one actually is or does this might be a good place to start reading.

https://hampshiredoulas.uk/what-is-a-doula/

https://hampshiredoulas.uk/frequently-asked-questions/



If you are looking for a community of new families to be part of please do come and join ours in person if you’re in South East Hampshire or Online if you’re further away. Join our Facebook group here.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/pregnancybirthandbeyondcommunitygroup

Find the details for our meet-ups here

https://www.informedpregnancybirthandbeyond.org/meet-ups



For information about the possibility of some or all of your placenta not coming out as expected and what can be offered to help this is a good place to start reading

https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/pregnancy-complications/retained-placenta



If you’re wondering if your baby is sleeping a normal amount you might find this a helpful website

https://www.basisonline.org.uk/hcp-how-babies-sleep/

Or this book

https://lyndseyhookway.com/product/lets-talk-about-your-new-familys-sleep/

In episode eleven of series three, we’re back with Kimberley to hear the story of her second baby’s birth. After the events surrounding her experience in the hospital after her first birth, Kimberley opted for a planned cesarean for her second baby. She had a very positive second birth experience 



Second pregnancy worse PGP, pregnancy in covid affecting medical appointments, making a choice for planned cesarean due to previous trauma, TBR Three-Step-Rewind trauma recovery, planning a family centred cesarean, student midwives - impact of respectful care, skin to skin and cesarean birth, sensory processing issues and the business of theatre, fast birth, skin to skin in theatre, declining weighing offers, establishing breastfeeding with a second baby, placenta smoothies, postnatal recovery, postnatal planning, postnatal self care, thoughts on the experience of cesarean birth after a previous home birth. 



If you’re having any pain around your pelvic joints and would like support or information the Pelvic Partnership is the place to go.

https://pelvicpartnership.org.uk/

You may also find the Let’s Talk about Pelvic Girdle Pain Podcast helpful.

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/lets-talk-about-pelvic-girdle-pain/id1582059096



If you’re planning to have a cesarean birth for any reason this would be a good place to start thinking about how to make that a comfortable and safe experience for you and your baby.

https://www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n14342.pdf&ver=37125



If sensory processing challenges are something that you think might affect you during your pregnancy, birth or beyond or you’re interested in how that or other things that could affect people differently during this time you might want to check out this podcast

https://www.ndbirth.com/podcast



If you’re interested in how your placenta could benefit you post birth then check out Kimberley’s own website https://www.southcoastplacenta.co.uk/benefits



If you would like to know more about the TBR Three-Step-Rewind process check it out here

https://traumaticbirthrecovery.com/what-is-the-3-step-treatment/

If you are interested in Sarah’s support for yourself find her here

https://joyfulfamilies.uk/emotional-support-birth-trauma/

In episode ten of the third series, we meet Kimberley and hear about the birth of her first baby.



Kimberly had a turnaround in pregnancy and went from having thought she would choose a cesarean to choosing a home birth. Kimberley also talks about her experience of transferring to hospital for stitches after birthing at home. 



Topics covered in this episode include support from an NCT teacher, the birthplace study, planning a homebirth after being afraid of birth before pregnancy, PGP - chiropractic and NHS physio support, stretch and sweep, watching comedy, immediate start to strong regular contractions, following your body’s lead for position, labour in birth pool, gas and air, privacy on the toilet - feeling of progress, mooing, birthing on sofa, birthing lying on side, having a cat doula, coached pushing, fourth-degree tear, shower at home then transfer to hospital, mention of tramatic experience in hospital, fourth-degree tear stitched in theatre, overly fully bladder given catheter to rest bladder for a week, home with a catheter, supportive partner, establishing breastfeeding, frequent feeding, long term perspective of feeding and sleep. 



For information on the birthplace study check out

https://www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/birthplace/



More information on the research about homebirth can be found here

https://www.sarawickham.com/research-updates/is_home_birth_safe/



Some information about what to expect if you have a third or fourth degree tear

https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/care-of-a-third-or-fourth-degree-tear-that-occurred-during-childbirth-also-known-as-obstetric-anal-sphincter-injury-oasi/

In Episode Nine of the third series, we meet Katie who tells us all about her pregnancy, birth and postnatal experiences with her first baby. Katie had a fast labour and a longer pushing stage of her birth due to her baby having a hand by her face. Katie also talks about her experience of caring for a baby with cow’s milk protein allergy. 

Topics covered in this episode include: pregnancy after miscarriage, growth scans, hypnobirthing course, mention of Remifentanil, unhelpful/unsupportive comments during pregnancy about ability to cope without pain relief, water’s breaking at start of labour/before contractions, immediate strong contractions, use of TENS machine, active labour, labour on toilet, arriving at the hospital fully dilated, long pushing stage, hand by face presentation, second degree tear, stitches, “ring of fire” crowning sensations, not staying in hospital but returning for newborn checks the next day, cows milk protein allergy, tongue tie. 



If the idea of being as relaxed as Katie appeals to you you can find out more about hypnobirthing here https://hampshiredoulas.uk/2017/10/09/an-introduction-to-hypnobirth-with-wendy-from-wondrous-birth/



If you’re looking for a hypnobirthing course we can recommend contacting our team members Sally and Sophy,  Megan from Southsea Birthing or Hannah Rose Hypnotherapy. 



If you would like information and support with cows milk protein allergy you might find these websites useful

https://www.allergyuk.org/about-allergy/allergy-in-childhood/cows-milk-allergy/

https://dilanandme.com/dairyfree/

In episode eight of the third series, we chat to Sinead a longstanding member of the Informed Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond team about her labour birth and postnatal experiences with her eldest child in Australia.



This episode includes Sinead’s experience of her baby being very ill and needing resuscitation at 9 days old. If you would find this distressing or triggering please skip this episode. 



Topics covered in this episode include: labour starting with waters going at 36 weeks, Natropath/herbalist support to conceive, planning birth in a midwife unit/birth centre, show at 35 weeks, placenta previa, eating in labour - being sick, nipple stimulation to increase contractions, using the shower in labour, counter pressure on lower back, baby born on birth stool in shower (water off), managed third stage, staying in hospital second night, establishing breastfeeding with a tiny baby, baby infection at 9 days, needing resusitation in hospital, baby in intensive care, baby in hospital, return to health. 



If you would like to know more about placenta praevia / low-lying placenta) this is a helpful place to start reading

https://www.nct.org.uk/pregnancy/worries-and-discomforts/common-discomforts/placenta-praevia-low-lying-placenta



If your baby is hospitalised as a newborn you may find the charity Bliss are a good source of information and support

https://www.bliss.org.uk



If you’re wondering about using a birth stool like Sinead or other options for giving birth in an upright position and why anyone might want to avoid birthing in the bed/on their back then you might find this a helpful read/listen

https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-birthing-positions/

In episode seven of the third series, we meet Lilia who had her first baby in a stand-alone midwife-led birth centre. Lilia had a quick birth and a very positive experience being well supported by her partner, mum and the team at the birth centre. 



Topics covered in this episode include: taking time to fall pregnant, healthy pregnancy, expectations vs reality of maternity care, planning to birth in a stand-alone midwifery unit/birth centre, braxton hicks, gentle early labour, 7 cm dilated on arrival, having two birth partners (covid regulations stress), labour in water, birth on land, supportive partner and care team, small tear, stitches, skin to skin, being admitted to the postnatal ward for breastfeeding support, reflections on parenting.



Many people assume at least for their first birth that they will have to birth in the hospital but the evidence shows that you may be more likely to have a safe and positive experience of birth if you choose a birth centre. The main “risk” found in this research study was that when birthing for the first time you have a high chance of needing to transfer to the hospital but with that chance being up to 45% it’s still more likely that you will birth in the birth centre without any issues. It’s also important to remember that most of those transfers are not emergency situations but more likely to be like in this birth story where you chose to go to the hospital for something specific that’s available there for example an epidural, stitches or overnight postnatal support. 

https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/birthplace-in-england-follow-up-analysis-reveals-some-variation-between-units-delivering-maternity-care/

https://www.rcm.org.uk/media/2353/freestanding-midwifery-units-busting-the-myths.pdf



One of the biggest impacts that Lillia talks about was the effect of having a team of people caring for her who were there for her as an individual with respect and encouragement. There’s a lot of evidence that having a midwife who knows you with you through your birth can keep you safer and improve your experience. If you have the option of a continuity of care midwifery team you may want to consider taking that option. 

https://www.england.nhs.uk/blog/the-importance-of-continuity-of-carer-in-maternity-services/