Building Birth Confidence

Katie Smith
  • 0.0 (0)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Building Birth Confidence is the podcast for anyone who is pregnant after a difficult birth, pregnancy loss, or traumatic experience, and who is scared, exhausted, and trying to find a way through.# I’m Katie, an NHS Mental Health Midwife and Perinatal Trauma Specialist. Every week I bring you honest, clinically informed conversations about the things that rarely get said out loud: the fear, the guilt, the disconnect, the grief that comes with pregnancy after trauma. And the tools, the understanding, and the realistic hope that can make a real difference. This is not a positive thinking podcast. This is a podcast for people who need more than reassurance. You deserve support that actually meets where you are. New episodes every week. Start wherever feels right.

  1. 4D AGO

    What Is Tokophobia - And Could You Have It?

    Maybe you've heard the word tokophobia before and felt a flicker of recognition. Or maybe you've never heard it - and you've just been carrying this particular dread without a name for it. In this episode, Katie explains what tokophobia actually is, why having a name for it matters, and what it means for the support you can ask for. IN THIS EPISODE: The difference between general birth anxiety and tokophobia — and why it mattersPrimary and secondary tokophobia explained in plain languageThe specific signs that might mean this is more than nervesWhy having a clinical name for what you're experiencing changes what you can ask forWhat to say at a GP or midwife appointment to access the right support PRACTICAL TOOL THIS WEEK: The three-phrase practice - a simple tool for when the dread arrives: "I know what this is. This response makes sense. I am safe right now." RESOURCES MENTIONED: Free Trauma-Informed Birth Plan Workbook | Birthcare with Katie 30-Day Calm & Confident Birth Challenge (free) https://birthcare.co.uk/30-day-mindset-challenge Better Birth Anxiety Workbook — The Birthcare Collection https://birthcare.co.uk/products-list Birth Without Fear: Essentials for a Better Birth https://birthcare.co.uk/birth-without-fear CONNECT WITH KATIE: Instagram: @birthcarewithkatie Website: https://birthcare.co.uk/ With compassion, Katie - NHS Mental Health Midwife | Perinatal Trauma Specialist

    16 min

  2. MAR 29

    What Is Actually Happening In Your Body When You’re Terrified

    Have you ever wondered why 'just calm down' makes absolutely no difference when you're scared about birth? In this episode, Katie explains the actual neuroscience of fear,  in plain language, so you finally understand why your body responds the way it does. And why that response is biology, not failure. IN THIS EPISODE: What the amygdala is and why it fires before your thinking brain catches upThe four threat responses - fight, flight, freeze, and fawn - and which one feels most like youWhy 'positive thinking' can't reach trauma-based fear - and what the science actually saysThe window of tolerance - what it is, how trauma narrows it, and why that mattersA body scan practice to help you check in with where you actually are PRACTICAL TOOL THIS WEEK: The body scan, a 60-second check-in that helps you identify whether you're activated, shut down, or inside your window of tolerance, so you can choose the right response. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Free Trauma-Informed Birth Plan Workbook | Birthcare with Katie 30-Day Calm & Confident Birth Challenge (free) https://birthcare.co.uk/30-day-mindset-challenge Better Birth Anxiety Workbook — The Birthcare Collection https://birthcare.co.uk/products-list Birth Without Fear: Essentials for a Better Birth https://birthcare.co.uk/birth-without-fear CONNECT WITH KATIE: Instagram: @birthcarewithkatie Website: https://birthcare.co.uk/ With compassion, Katie - NHS Mental Health Midwife | Perinatal Trauma Specialist

    15 min

  3. MAR 22

    I'm Scared to Give Birth Again - And Nobody Gets It

    If you're pregnant again after a difficult birth or pregnancy experience, and you're scared, and exhausted, and wondering why you can't just feel excited like everyone else seems to, this episode is for you. In this first episode of Series 2, Katie names what fear after perinatal trauma actually looks like from the inside, and why none of it is weakness. IN THIS EPISODE: Why fear after birth trauma shows up differently to ordinary pregnancy anxietyThe four ways it tends to look in real life: avoidance, catastrophising, isolation, and guiltWhy the people around you might not understand, and why that's not your faultWhy 'thinking positive' doesn't reach this kind of fear, and what doesA simple grounding tool you can use today when the fear feels like too much PRACTICAL TOOL THIS WEEK: The 3-2-1 grounding technique - a body-based tool that brings your nervous system into the present moment when fear takes over. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Free Trauma-Informed Birth Plan Workbook | Birthcare with Katie 30-Day Calm & Confident Birth Challenge (free) https://birthcare.co.uk/30-day-mindset-challenge Better Birth Anxiety Workbook — The Birthcare Collection https://birthcare.co.uk/products-list Birth Without Fear: Essentials for a Better Birth https://birthcare.co.uk/birth-without-fear CONNECT WITH KATIE: Instagram: @birthcarewithkatie Website: https://birthcare.co.uk/ With compassion, Katie - NHS Mental Health Midwife | Perinatal Trauma Specialist

    16 min

  4. 07/26/2025

    Understanding Your Amazing Uterus

    Your uterus is one of the most powerful — and misunderstood — organs in your body. But if you’ve experienced a difficult or traumatic birth before, it can be hard to trust it. In this gentle, informative episode, Katie explains: How the uterus works during labour (with insights from hypnobirthing and Mindful Birthing by Nancy Bardacke)Why fear can create tension in the uterine muscles — and how relaxation supports effective labourWhat your uterus needs to work well (movement, breath, and calm)How to rebuild body trust after traumaA short guided visualisation to reconnect with your body with kindness and compassion✨ This isn’t about birthing a certain way — it’s about giving your body the support it needs to do what it’s designed to do. Download Katie’s free Birth Plan Guide + Template here Connect With Katie: Instagram: @birthcarewithkatieFacebook: Birthcare with KatieWebsite: Birthcare.co.ukListen & Subscribe: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone who might benefit from these insights. Your support helps others discover the podcast and find the tools they need to approach their birth journey with confidence.

    13 min

  5. 07/19/2025

    How to Speak So They Hear You

    If you freeze in appointments, forget your questions, or leave feeling like you weren’t heard — this short episode is for you. Katie gently explores why trauma makes it hard to speak up, and shares CBT tools, midwifery insights, and a short breath and anchor practice to help you feel more prepared for your next maternity appointment. ✨ What you’ll hear: Why the “freeze” response is common in pregnancy after trauma How to prepare and rehearse what you want to say A calming breathing practice to support you before and during appointments You deserve to feel confident and heard in every conversation about your care. Connect With Katie: Instagram: @birthcarewithkatieFacebook: Birthcare with KatieWebsite: Birthcare.co.ukListen & Subscribe: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone who might benefit from these insights. Your support helps others discover the podcast and find the tools they need to approach their birth journey with confidence.

    9 min

  6. 07/12/2025

    It’s Okay to Choose a Caesarean

    Choosing a planned caesarean after a traumatic vaginal birth can bring up a lot of emotions — fear, doubt, shame, even guilt. But your choice is valid. And you are still having a beautiful, empowered birth. In this short, compassionate episode, Katie gently reframes the decision to have a C-section and offers practical ways to personalise the experience. The episode closes with a simple soothing touch practice to support your nervous system and honour your strength. ✨ What you’ll hear: Why a C-section can be a deeply compassionate choice Small ways to personalise your birth and feel more connected A short practice to feel calm, confident, and proud of your decisionYour birth doesn’t have to look a certain way to feel powerful and right for you. Connect With Katie: Instagram: @birthcarewithkatieFacebook: Birthcare with KatieWebsite: Birthcare.co.ukListen & Subscribe: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone who might benefit from these insights. Your support helps others discover the podcast and find the tools they need to approach their birth journey with confidence.

    8 min

  7. 07/05/2025

    You’re Allowed to Ask Questions

    If you've ever walked out of an appointment thinking, “I didn’t say what I really wanted to say,” or “I wish I’d asked more questions,” this episode is for you. Katie gently explores how birth trauma can make it harder to speak up during pregnancy and shares simple, practical tools to help you feel more confident and heard in maternity appointments. The episode ends with a short visualisation practice to help you feel calm and grounded before your next conversation about your care. ✨ What you’ll hear: Why it’s hard to speak up after trauma — and how to reframe that The BRAIN acronym for making clear, confident decisions A calming practice to prepare emotionally for appointmentsYou don’t need to have all the answers. You just need the right to ask — and to be treated with respect when you do. Connect With Katie: Instagram: @birthcarewithkatieFacebook: Birthcare with KatieWebsite: Birthcare.co.ukListen & Subscribe: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone who might benefit from these insights. Your support helps others discover the podcast and find the tools they need to approach their birth journey with confidence.

    10 min

  8. 06/28/2025

    Let’s Talk About Control

    After a traumatic birth, many people feel a deep need to regain control. But birth is unpredictable — so how do we navigate that uncertainty without feeling powerless? In this short, empowering episode, Katie explores the difference between control and influence — and guides you through a calming hand-on-heart practice to help you reconnect to your inner strength and clarity. ✨ What you’ll hear: Why control feels vital after trauma How to identify what’s really within your power A grounding affirmation to help you feel more capable and supported You don’t need to control everything to feel empowered — you just need to own what is yours to shape. Connect With Katie: Instagram: @birthcarewithkatieFacebook: Birthcare with KatieWebsite: Birthcare.co.ukListen & Subscribe: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone who might benefit from these insights. Your support helps others discover the podcast and find the tools they need to approach their birth journey with confidence.

    9 min
See All (17)

About

Building Birth Confidence is the podcast for anyone who is pregnant after a difficult birth, pregnancy loss, or traumatic experience, and who is scared, exhausted, and trying to find a way through.# I’m Katie, an NHS Mental Health Midwife and Perinatal Trauma Specialist. Every week I bring you honest, clinically informed conversations about the things that rarely get said out loud: the fear, the guilt, the disconnect, the grief that comes with pregnancy after trauma. And the tools, the understanding, and the realistic hope that can make a real difference. This is not a positive thinking podcast. This is a podcast for people who need more than reassurance. You deserve support that actually meets where you are. New episodes every week. Start wherever feels right.

Information

  • Creator
    Katie Smith
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Building Birth Confidence
  • Show Website
    Building Birth Confidence