Instinctive Birth

Evony Lynch
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Parenting

Instinctive Birth is the podcast for pregnant women and birthing people seeking a physiological/natural birth, and for the doulas and birth workers supporting them. Each episode is an evidence-informed conversation about optimising physiological birth, navigating the maternity system, while recognising the complexity in making birth choices, and the value of medical support when needed. Hosted by Evony Lynch, a former NHS midwife of 20 years, doula, birth educator and creator of The Instinctive Birth Method.

  1. Mar 29

    Support Isn’t What You Think It Is in Birth

    I'm not a doula who gives endless back rubs. I'm the one who sits outside your door while you birth your baby. 20 years as a midwife taught me how to be the quiet presence that someone actually needs. Listen in to my honest thoughts around 'natural birth' and how we can really support it. I'm opening up 5 spaces on my next Instinctive Birth Container, made for those who want to claim their physiological birth https://evonylynch.uk/online-birth-preparation 00:00 The Role of a Doula: A Unique Perspective 06:42 Understanding Physiological Birth 09:51 Navigating the Birth Experience: Planning and Instincts

    11 min

  2. Mar 14

    Why Is Having a Natural Birth So Difficult?

    In this first episode, I draw on 25 years as an NHS midwife and doula to ask why, despite most women quietly hoping for a 'natural' birth, it often ends up being quite different. This episode unpacks how we are being quietly shaped long before we walk into a labour ward. I explore why we find it so hard to have a natural birth in 2026, and how getting even close to that starts with listening to your own voice. If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Come and find me on Instagram at @evonylynchbirth - send me a DM or share what resonated for you. And if you know someone who's pregnant and needs to hear this, share the episode with them. That's how this work reaches those who need it the most. evonylynch.uk

    14 min

  3. 04/06/2025

    How I Learned to Trust Undisturbed Birth

    In this episode, I share my transformative journey into witnessing undisturbed birth as I tell the story of my experience attending my first homebirth in Spain. I discuss the challenge of the medical system there, how Michel Odent won my heart and why being in another room is a great place for midwives AND doulas to be! Interested in becoming a birthkeeper or doula? Check out my low cost ⁠Sacred Foundations Online Introductory Course⁠ Get my⁠ free guide to becoming a birthkeeper: ⁠ Find me at ⁠Sacred Womancraft⁠

    13 min

  4. 05/12/2024

    Fighting for Birth Rights with Doula Sam Gadsen

    In this compelling episode of Birth Truths, we dive deep into the world of birth advocacy with the remarkable Sam Gadsen, an experienced doula and passionate birth activist based in the UK. Sam's advocacy work is nothing short of inspiring – from leading a thriving UK homebirth Facebook group with over 15k members to launching the Birth Activist Podcast, she's dedicated to fighting for the rights of families to birth at home without coercion or interference. But Sam's activism goes beyond the online sphere. She's on the frontline, supporting families facing unjust social services surveillance and supporting those experiencing domestic violence. Her rapid response to the pandemic's challenges led her to create a freebirth course in just three days to meet the overwhelming demand from her community. Through her website 'They Said to Me,' Sam sheds light on the coercion and abuse prevalent in the UK maternity services, amplifying the voices of those who have experienced mistreatment and advocating for systemic change. Join us as we explore Sam's journey, her unwavering commitment to birth justice, and the vital work she's doing to empower families and transform the birthing landscape. Listen now and be inspired to join the movement, in whatever way that looks for you, for birth rights and autonomy. Sam Gadsen Doula https://www.facebook.com/groups/homebirthsupportuk They Said to Me. Parenting+ Facebook Group - The Village Train with me

    51 min

  5. 06/02/2023

    Stop Obsessing over Dilatation and Stages of Labour!

    The Cervix isn't Everything in Labour! Isn't it time we debunked the 'stages of labour'? The belief that we can define where someone is in labour and how long it is, how safe it is, depending on the state of the cervix?! The medical model relies heavily on the cervix as a way to monitor and manage labour, yet it is only one TINY piece of the puzzle! In this episode I talk about... those 'stages' of labour and why the medical model loves them one of the reasons behind vaginal exams the baby's journey We're diving into labour inside the birthkeeper programme right now. It opens again in September, so if you are feeling called and want to learn more come along to my taster session - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/birthkeeper-course-free-taster-session-tickets-639489870417 And don't forget to sign up to my newsletter for birthy tips and events! https://www.subscribepage.com/birthkeeperguide Love Evony x

    25 min

  6. 05/25/2023

    Unpredictable Birth - Postpartum haemorrhage and hospital transfer after freebirth

    I talk to Megan, from the US who following the amazing physiological birth of her first baby at home with a birthkeeper, she began haemorrhaging and was transferred to hospital where they discovered an adherent placenta and then received a blood transfusion. She has an incredibly positive approach to an experience which she knew was life threatening. She said she will still be birthing her next baby at home. Sadly since then she has felt alienated and not able to talk about her experience. In this podcast we talk about what happened, about postpartum haemorrhage and why I feel it is important to be truthful around birth - it is beautiful but powerful. And sometimes unpredictable. Do you feel the call to work with pregnancy and birth? Follow me on Instagram @wayofthebirthkeeper for birthy goodness. Download my free mini e-book 'Reclaiming Birth' - a Handbook for Birthkeepers Join me on my next free birthkeeper course taster session!

    1h 15m

  7. 04/02/2023

    Exploring Our Stories

    This week has seen such beautiful sharing and support occurring within our birthkeeper course Whatsapp group. We have been working on 'Exploring our Stories' module, looking at the ways we have been indoctrinated around pregnancy and birth, the shame we have felt, and then the ways our own experiences of conception, pregnancy, birth and loss have shaped us. Own Your Stories! Everything has a way of teaching us something, but sometimes we need to have that group space to make the connection, to see the patterns...join the dots. This group has become a beautiful intimate space to really get to know each other- a women's circle. This is only the beginning of our journey into birthkeeping. I can't wait to see what will unfold as we walk together! DOWNLOAD MY FREE GUIDE - Reclaiming Birth: A Birthkeeper's Handbook AND follow my birth insights on Instagram @wayofthebirthkeeper Want to be a birthkeeper? Check out my slow, soulful 10 month Holistic Birth Practitioner Programme

    11 min
  8. Sheena Byrom - Why Birth Matters

    03/17/2023

    Sheena Byrom - Why Birth Matters

    Sheena Byrom walks her talk when it comes to birth. She is not afraid to stand up for normal physiological birth in an age where the right to birth this way is being eroded. vilified and denigrated. She has been an important role model to me through some tough times in my career, taking time to respond to students and midwives and still fights tirelessly for midwifery and birth at age 67. Most people are birthing within our maternity system but  what if no one is teaching and supporting the midwives around physiological birth? And what is at the root of the increasing medicalisation? I am so happy to share with you this important conversation around birth.  Sheena Byrom is a practising midwife of 40 years, having worked in the NHS for most of that time. Sheena was one of the UK’s first consultant midwives, and as head of midwifery successfully helped to lead the development of three birth centres in East Lancashire. As well as being an international speaker, Sheena provides workshops and consultancy services on respectful maternity care. With her midwife daughter Anna is the proud joint owner of The Practising Midwife journal, and an exciting learning online platform All4Maternity.com Sheena’s midwifery memoirs, Catching Babies, is a Sunday Times bestseller, and her seminal book, The Roar Behind the Silence: why kindness, compassion and respect matter in maternity care jointly edited with Soo Downe, is being used as a resource to improve maternity care throughout the world.  In 2019 Sheena and Soo edited their second book, ‘Squaring the Circle: researching normal childbirth in a technological world’. Sheena was awarded an OBE in 2011 for services to midwifery and was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Midwives in 2015. In 2016 and 2018, Sheena received Honorary Doctorates from Bournemouth University and the University of Central Lancashire, and in 2017 she was made a Visiting Fellow at Bournemouth University. Sheena is committed to the humanisation of childbirth, to maximising normal physiological birth processes, and for all women to experience a positive birth. Check out the links we spoke about: Low Risk Birth Workshop - online 18th March 2023 All4Maternity One Thought Supporting Physiological Birth Choices in Midwifery Practice by Claire Feeley Enjoyed this podcast? DOWNLOAD MY FREE GUIDE - Reclaiming Birth: A Birthkeeper's Handbook AND follow my birth insights on Instagram @wayofthebirthkeeper

    57 min
See All (15)

About

Instinctive Birth is the podcast for pregnant women and birthing people seeking a physiological/natural birth, and for the doulas and birth workers supporting them. Each episode is an evidence-informed conversation about optimising physiological birth, navigating the maternity system, while recognising the complexity in making birth choices, and the value of medical support when needed. Hosted by Evony Lynch, a former NHS midwife of 20 years, doula, birth educator and creator of The Instinctive Birth Method.

Information

  • Creator
    Evony Lynch
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Evony Lynch
  • Show Website
    Instinctive Birth