Instinctive Birth

Evony Lynch
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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. 10/12/2025

    Supporting 40+ Weeks Pregnancy

    As I currently wait for a baby let's just explore a little around this and what clients might need past 40 weeks of pregnancy - and I'm not talking books and podcasts. Thinking of becoming a holistic doula? Download my free guide Becoming the Wise Woman Doula Four juicy lessons on what actually matters when stepping into birth work.

    6 min

  4. 04/07/2025

    Freebirth: Truth, Honesty and Integrity

    Summary In this conversation, Evony discusses the concept of free birth, emphasising the importance of personal choice and the narratives surrounding birth experiences. She critiques the medical model of birth, highlighting the need for support and integrity in the birthing process. Evony advocates for creating safe spaces for discussions about birth, encouraging individuals to trust their intuition and make informed choices about their birthing experiences. Key Takeaways Free birth is defined by personal choice and autonomy.Many people choose free birth to avoid trauma from previous experiences.The medical model often fails to respect physiological birth.Support from midwives and birth keepers is crucial.There is a need for more education on physiological birth.Integrity and transparency are essential in birth support.Respect for diverse birth experiences is necessary.Creating safe spaces for birth discussions fosters growth.Pregnancy and birth should be viewed as beautiful experiences.Access to medical support varies, but is a privilege in the UK. Keywords free birth, birth choices, medical model, birth support, physiological birth, birth narratives, home birth, birth trauma, birth integrity, birth community

    14 min

  5. 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

  6. 05/18/2024

    Stop serving the system -with Kemi Johnson Birth Activist.

    Kemi Johnson - outspoken birth activist, former independent midwife turned birthkeeper, speaker and educator - dives into the truth about birth in our society today. With swearing included we explore... Whether the birth trauma report inadvertently produces more fear and like a snake eating its own tail; more medicalisation? Why serving the system is not the answer Why women are choosing to have a wise woman at their birth - not a midwife Plus, listen to us two elder - but hot (Kemi's words!) - experienced birthkeepers tell you how f$cking awesome birth is across the spectrum of 'risk'. Follow her and her work here - from pregnancy Power Hours ("the antidote to the grooming of the medical system") to birthkeeper mentoring: Instagram: @kemibirthjoyjohnson https://www.kemibirthjoyjohnson.com/ Feeling the call to birthwork? Join me on my next intake of the Birthkeeper Programme! https://wayofthebirthkeeper.org/birthkeeper-course/

    42 min

  7. 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

  8. 05/05/2024

    Birth Truths.

    I'm back with a new name, a new look, and fired up to tell the truth about birth. Join me as I explain the reason behind 'Birth Truths', my mission and why we all have been corrupted to believe that physiological birth is just game of chance that we all need saving from... The breech research that closed the door on vaginal breech birth... (although some places, 20 years later, are slowly reclaiming the skills) The Term Breech Trial, 2000. Follow me on Instagram: @evony.lynch About me: https://wayofthebirthkeeper.org/ Sign up for my newsletter - get my Birth Truths guide.

    27 min
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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
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Evony Lynch
  • Show Website
    Instinctive Birth