Birth Untethered

Birth Untethered
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Monthly

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. 6d ago

    S2E23 - Synthetic Oxytocin (and some rants) Part 3

    Shellie and Kemi further discuss the impacts of synthetic oxytocin on mothers and babies. They reveal how widespread use, overuse, and misuse of this drug are fueling rising cesarean rates, severe postpartum hemorrhage, and lifelong trauma in hospitals worldwide.You'll discover the shattering truths behind the cascade of interventions triggered by synthetic oxytocin, how it increases the risk of fetal hypoxia, brain injury, and lifelong disabilities. The duo breaks down startling statistics: how augmentation doubles, triples, or even quadruples the chances of complications like uterine rupture, obstetric anal sphincter injuries, and abnormal fetal heart patterns. They also expose the corrupting influence of profit-driven medicine, highlighting how institutional complacency and hierarchy turn terrifying emergencies into routine trauma.This episode digs deep into the system’s lies, how women are manipulated into unnecessary interventions, pushed into dangerous “care” that prioritizes protocols over physiology. You'll hear about real cases where delays, gaslighting, and neglect lead to preventable deaths, and why trusting the system is often a silent endorsement of harm. It’s essential listening for any parent, midwife, or birth advocate determined to reclaim birth as a natural process, not a medical catastrophe.If you’re ready to challenge the status quo, understand how to protect yourself and your baby, and learn the hard truths about what’s really happening behind the hospital doors, this episode is your wake-up call. With clear, research-backed insights and no-holds-barred honesty, Shellie and Kemi empower you to make informed choices, question authority, and explore safe alternatives to harmful interventions. Website:⁠https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntethered⁠ Patreon:⁠https: 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/@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/merch⁠Buy us a coffee:⁠ https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/dujubeBook Time with us for one to one support: https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/bookachatwithshellie https://Kemibirthjoyjohnson.com/work-with-me

  2. Jul 5

    S2E22 - Oxytocin and Synthetic Oxytocin Part 2

    Most women aren’t told that synthetic oxytocin; marketed as Pitocin or Synto, is fundamentally different from the natural hormone produced in your body. In fact, this common medical intervention may be quietly altering your birth experience, your bonding, and even your mental health long after your baby arrives. If you’re pregnant, a birth worker, or simply curious about what’s really happening behind hospital walls, this episode is your eye-opener. Shellie and Kemi take an unflinching look at the history, science, and shocking truths about synthetic oxytocin. You’ll discover how this drug, introduced just 70 years ago, has become the most widely used method to accelerate labour, often without women’s full knowledge or informed consent. We break down how synthetic oxytocin differs from the body's own pulsatile hormone, and why this difference can disrupt the delicate hormonal orchestra necessary for a physiologically normal birth. You’ll learn about the hidden cascade of interventions that begin when labor is artificially stimulated, leading to more pain, increased epidural rates, and a cascade of medical procedures that may compromise your baby’s oxygen, bonding, and long-term well-being. Hear why the physiology of natural labour, centered around pulsatile release and feedback loops, is crucial for the health of both mother and child and how interventions can quietly erode that foundation.This episode reveals the shocking association between synthetic oxytocin and higher rates of cesarean, hemorrhage, and breastfeeding challenges, with real stories from women who’ve experienced both worlds. You’ll discover the importance of informed choice, and why trusting your body’s natural rhythms might be one of the most powerful decisions you can make for your birth and beyond.Perfect for expectant parents, birth professionals, and anyone questioning routine hospital practices, this episode is a call to reclaim birth as a natural, hormonal process; respected, supported, and free from unnecessary pharmaceutical interference. Because when we understand what’s really happening, we can make choices that honor the biology, protect the long-term health of mothers and babies, and even transform the future of childbirth. More information about our upcoming gathering and courses: https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthjoyserenitygathering 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/@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/merch⁠ Buy us a coffee:⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie⁠ ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/dujube⁠

  3. Jun 28

    S2E21 - Oxytocin and Synthetic Oxytocin Part 1

    Most women aren’t told just how profoundly synthetic oxytocin, commonly known as Pitocin or Synto, disrupts the natural birth process. Shellie and Kemi reveal how this widely used drug impacts everything from labour physiology to postpartum mental health and breastfeeding success, often without women realising the long-term consequences. The reality is glaring: while synthetic oxytocin mimics contractions, it does not and cannot facilitate the body’s innate hormonal orchestra, leading to more intense, relentless contractions, reduced responsiveness, and a cascade of interventions that can ultimately harm both mother and baby. You'll discover: how this potent drug alters the neuroendocrine dance critical for a safe and effective birth, the history of its development, from crude animal extracts to the synthetic marvel that earned a Nobel Prize and why routine use has become the norm at the expense of physiology. We also break down the shocking associations between synthetic oxytocin and increased epidural rates, cesarean sections, and NICU admissions, illustrating how medical protocols often prioritise speed over safety. Evidence shows a dose-dependent decline in breastfeeding success and a rise in postpartum mental health issues linked to hormone disruption, crucial insights for anyone navigating birth choices. Why does this matter? Because the same interventions that speed up labour often undermine the very systems designed for natural, safe birth. Ignoring this knowledge can lead to unnecessary suffering, trauma, and long-term health impacts. But there’s hope: understanding these dynamics empowers you to make informed decisions, advocate for your body, and seek a birth experience rooted in respect for physiology.Perfect for expectant parents, birth workers, and anyone questioning routine hospital practices; this episode challenges you to see beyond the medicalised narrative. If you care about safe, empowering birth and want to understand the real implications of synthetic oxytocin, hit play now and join the conversation transforming how we think about childbirth. Because when you know better, you can choose better and protect your own sacred experience and that of your little one. More information about our next gathering and upcoming courses: 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/@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/merch Buy us a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie https://buymeacoffee.com/dujube

  4. Jun 21

    S2E20 - Medicalised Birth with ARM to Freebirth - Caz's birth story part 2

    What You Need to Know Before Agreeing to ARM or Amniotomy When your healthcare provider suggests breaking your waters or using artificial rupture of membranes (ARM), do you truly understand the risks involved? This episode reveals the shocking realities behind one of the most common yet controversial obstetric interventions. If you're pregnant, planning a home birth, or simply want to advocate confidently for your body, listen now because this knowledge could change your entire birth story. The myth that ARM speeds up labor is dissected and debunked. Despite widespread belief, research shows that it offers no significant reduction in labor duration and often triggers intense, uncontrollable contractions. Caz shares her personal experience: what was marketed as a quick fix became a catalyst for pain, distress, and long-lasting impacts on her confidence and recovery. You'll discover how this intervention, often performed without full informed consent, can escalate pain, cause infection, and increase the likelihood of emergency cesareans, outcomes that many women are never told about. Cas’s vivid recounting of how an unrequested rupture led to a cascade of emergency interventions underscores the critical importance of informed choice and respecting your body's signals and compares her first birth experience with her second where she made very different choices. This episode invites you to question the routine practices that may be doing more harm than good. The more you understand, the more empowered you'll be to say no and to seek birth support that honors your body’s natural rhythms. Perfect for expectant parents, birth educators, doulas, and anyone ready to reclaim agency over their birth experience. If you're tired of being a passive participant in your care, this episode is your wake-up call. Together, let's challenge the status quo and elevate birth to a standard of respect, safety, and informed choice. Because you deserve a birth that leaves you feeling powerful, not traumatized. Join Cas and the hosts as we uncover the untold truths behind invasive procedures like ARM and arm yourself with the knowledge to make confident choices. Your body, your birth, know the facts, own your power. 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

  5. Jun 14

    S2E19 - Artificial Rupture of Membranes - With Caz's Birth Stories - Part 1

    Unlock the truth about common obstetric interventions with Caz's powerful birth stories. See how choices around procedures like artificial rupture of membranes (ARM) and amniotomy truly impact your labor, your confidence, and your lifelong bond with your baby.In this episode, Caz recounts her first birth, where interventions like ARM were routine but led to overwhelming pain, loss of control, and feelings of being a 'caged animal.' She reveals how these experiences deeply affected her confidence and her relationship with her newborn. You'll discover specific details about how and why interventions such as ARM are often used without full informed consent, and the long-term consequences; including increased risks of trauma, delayed bonding, and unnecessary surgical procedures.We break down the research behind these procedures, shown to do more harm than good and discuss how physiological birth can be supported through simple, evidence-based strategies that honor your body's natural rhythm.This episode is essential listening if you’re pregnant, planning a home birth, or simply questioning routine hospital practices. Misconceptions about interventions like ARM and fetal monitoring are widespread, but understanding their true risks opens the door to more respectful, informed choices. Cas's story illustrates the profound difference that mindful, respectful care can make, transforming birth from a medical ordeal into a celebration of your strength and sovereignty - Make sure to listen to our next episode to hear her second birth story.Guest Cas, a mother and birth advocate, bravely shares her raw, real experience of how interventions can unintentionally cause trauma, and how trusting your body and your choices leads to more positive outcomes. Her insights are a rallying cry for women to reclaim birth as a natural, powerful experience, one they can and should own.If you're committed to birth that feels right for you, free from unnecessary procedures and large-scale intervention, this episode will inspire, inform, and empower you to ask the right questions, make confident decisions, and experience the joy of truly autonomous birth.Perfect for expectant mothers, birth workers, and advocates for respectful maternity care, this episode challenges the norms and encourages a shift towards more compassionate, evidence-based practice. Tune in to hear Cas’s transformational journey because every woman deserves a birth story she can be proud of.Website: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

  6. Jun 7

    S2E18 - Chemical Induction - Prostaglandins, process and Outcomes

    Most women are told that induction is a lifesaver, but what if everything you’ve been led to believe is misleading? Shellie and Kemi untether the complex truths behind common induction practices, revealing how often interventions are unnecessary and the true risks you face. This eye-opening conversation exposes the real impact of medical procedures that are presented as safety measures but often lead to cascades of intervention like more c-sections, NICU admissions, long-term health issues, and compromised birth experiences.You’ll discover:The astonishing disconnect between perceived and real risks of stillbirth at various gestations, and how the tiny 0.05% difference in "safety" is offered by induction at 41 weeks.Why the widely promoted benefits of induction, like reducing NICU stays or NICU admissions, are often overstated or misunderstood.The insidious role of medical industry incentives and societal myths that skew the narrative around “necessary” interventions.How advancements in understanding birth physiology point to safer, more empowering alternatives to forced labor.The emotional and physical toll of excessive intervention, and how to reclaim control over your birth choices.This episode isn’t just for pregnant women; it’s essential listening for any parent, birth supporter, or health advocate frustrated by the system’s bias towards unnecessary interventions. With detailed analysis of medication risks, intervention cascade, and the true narrative on long-term outcomes, Shellie and Kemi empower you to ask the right questions and make informed decisions.Join them to challenge the status quo, understand the real science, and discover how informed choice can transform birth from a process of fear to one of empowerment. Whether you’re facing a decision right now or simply want to rethink what you’ve been told, this episode offers clarity, courage, and a new perspective on birth rights and safety.Trust your instinct. Know your options. Own your 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

  7. May 31

    S2E17 - Chemical Induction - Prostaglandins, Side Effects and Information

    Shellie Poulter and Kemi Johnson reveal the shocking realities behind common induction methods, their risks, and the patriarchal forces shaping our maternity care system.Did you know that many induction medications can cause severe side effects like uterine rupture, fetal distress, and even catastrophic conditions like DIC? Or that the actual risk of stillbirth at full term isn't nearly as high as hospitals make it seem? Shellie breaks down the confusing, often misleading language in medical leaflets, exposing the lies and fear tactics used to coerce women into unnecessary procedures. Yet again, the evidence suggests these interventions often do more harm than good.You'll discover:The true risks and benefits of chemical induction agents, prostaglandins and why they can trigger a cascade of interventions leading to unnecessary cesareans.How hospital protocols and false safety claims undermine women’s bodily autonomy and support for natural birth.Evidence-based insights on the minuscule increase in stillbirth risk with induction versus the tremendous side effects and trauma caused by these procedures.Why informed consent is often sidelined in maternity care, and how to advocate for yourself in a system prone to coercion.Practical strategies for supporting spontaneous labor and avoiding harmful interventions, whether at home or in the hospital.This episode is perfect for anyone facing a medicalized birth, questioning routine practices, or passionate about reclaiming control over pregnancy and childbirth. Don’t let ignorance or industry propaganda hijack your birth experience, educate yourself now and prepare to challenge the status quo.Remember: Your body, your birth, your choice. If you want to understand what’s really happening behind the scenes of hospital inductions and how to avoid unnecessary risks, this episode is essential listening for every pregnant person and birth supporter aiming for a safer, more conscious 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

  8. May 24

    S2E16 - Mechanical Induction - Balloon Catheters, Dilation Rods - Part 2

    Most women are told induction is the safest way to start labour, but what if it's often the very thing that increases risks instead?In this eye-opening episode, Shellie and Kemi cut through the medical jargon to reveal the true risks behind mechanical induction methods like balloons and rods, and question whether waiting naturally might be the safer, smarter choice. You’ll discover: Why balloon catheters and dilapan rods often lead to longer, more complicated labors rather than a quick, straightforward birth.The astonishing statistics on cesarean rates, forceful interventions, and the cascade of medical procedures that commonly follow mechanical induction.How data reveals that induction, especially with balloons or rods, frequently doubles or triples your risk of uterine rupture compared to spontaneous labor, yet this reality is often concealed or misrepresented.Why the supposed safety benefits of mechanical methods are largely myths designed to cover up the cascade of interventions they trigger.The importance of informed consent and understanding true risks versus what the system wants you to believe because your body and baby are perfectly capable of doing this on their own, with less trauma and fewer interventions.This episode is essential listening for expectant parents questioning routine induction or birth workers committed to truly empowering birthing women. If you're tired of being led down the cascade of interventions that often cause more harm than good, this episode offers crucial facts you need to make empowered choices. Whether you’re facing an induction decision or simply want to understand the real risks behind medical interventions, this episode gives you the tools to see through the hype and choose what’s best for you and your baby.Get ready for raw truths, proven data, and a call to question the status quo. The power to birth on your own terms starts with understanding the facts and this episode delivers them unfiltered.Ready to challenge the conventional narrative? Come and Join the Untethered Rebels! Get the BirthRights Class and PDF: https://birthuntethered.kit.com/products/birthrights-masterclass-and-pdf 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

See All (38)

Trailer

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Birth Untethered
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Birth Untethered
  • Show Website
    Birth Untethered

You Might Also Like