The Better Birth podcast with Erin Fung Erin

Emma's back! I chat to the Naked Doula about the birth of her second child. Whilst the birth didn't take the path she had hoped and dreamed of, Emma's story is one of tenacity, faith, instinct, intuition and power, and demonstrates the importance of knowing yourself, your body, and your options. This story is raw, emotional and inspirational. Thank you so much Emma for your vulnerability and authenticity sharing such a powerful birth story!

We also talk about Emma's new book, the Fearless Birth Book, which is available to buy at https://geni.us/FearlessBirthBook



Disclaimer: The information and provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. We reserve the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time. The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness. All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the content of the podcast are hereby expressly disclaimed. Your use of content contained in or linked to this podcast is entirely at your own risk. The Better Birth podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

Joanne and Gareth did my complete hypnobirthing course in preparation for their first baby. I was so happy when Joanne got in touch as we worked together back in my old life when I worked in Canary Wharf in Corporate marketing, and I was super excited to support her throughout her pregnancy! Joanne and Gareth planned a home birth, but their baby had other thoughts and decided to throw a spanner in the works and surprise Joanne on her due date! Listen to how strong, in control, and empowered Joanne was throughout her birth despite it being fast and not quite according to plan!

"just hop on the bed"
"I'll be back in 10 mins to monitor baby"
"I can't hear baby well so we'll just pop on this CTG"...

They're common occurrences in a hospital birth, but even the most well prepared birther can have their birth re-railed by seemingly innocuous circumstances. I chat to doula Georgie about the common things that can derail your plans for a vaginal birth if you're planning to birth in hospital.

Georgie is doula in Oxfordshire, who home educates he rtwo older children and has a new baby. She fell into being a doula because she loves information sharing, and discussing both evidence and intuition about pregnancy, birth, post partum and parenting with families.

Disclaimer: The information and provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. We reserve the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time. The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness. All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the content of the podcast are hereby expressly disclaimed. Your use of content contained in or linked to this podcast is entirely at your own risk. The Better Birth podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

I chat to Maddie McMahon, doula, doula trainer and breast-feeding counsellor, about the history of the doula role and what the skills and training doulas receive. We chat about the differences and overlap between midwives and doulas, the value a doula can bring to the perinatal period for a pregnant person and their family, and how their roles have evolved over the years to the current modern day.

Maddie is a mother and step mother to 3 children, doula and breastfeeding counsellor of 20 years, and founder of Developing Doulas, a doula training company. She's the author of the Pinter and Martin books "Why doulas matter" and " Why mothering matters" and is also a founder and trustee of two breastfeeding support charities. You can find Maddie at https://developingdoulas.co.uk/



Disclaimer: The information and provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. We reserve the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time. The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness. All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the content of the podcast are hereby expressly disclaimed. Your use of content contained in or linked to this podcast is entirely at your own risk. The Better Birth podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

Catch up on my Instagram live with @hazelkeedle and @drfeeleyrm talking about the U.K. birth trauma enquiry.

On 9 January 2024, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on birth trauma in the UK Parliament will set up an inquiry to investigate the reasons for traumatic birth and to develop policy recommendations to reduce the rate of birth trauma. Research shows that about 4-5% of women develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after giving birth – equivalent to approximately 25,000-30,000 women every year in the UK. Studies have also found that a much larger number of women – as many as one in three – find some aspects of their birth experience traumatic. Birth Trauma affects 30,000 women across the country every year. 53% of women who experienced birth trauma are less likely to have children in the future and 84% of women who experienced tears during birth, did not receive enough information about birth injuries ahead of time.  

The cross-party inquiry is led by Theo Clarke MP and Rosie Duffield MP and aims to find out more about the experiences of women who have been affected by traumatic birth. The inquiry is currently gathering written and oral evidence to inform the policy report which will include practical policy recommendations for the UK Government and will be published in Spring 2024.  Seven sessions to hear evidence will run on consecutive Mondays in Parliament between 5 February and 18 March 2024. 

The inquiry is inviting written submissions both from parents and from professionals who work in maternity. It is open to everyone in the UK, and we particularly welcome submissions from people from marginalised communities such as those who are racially minoritised, LGBT, economically disadvantaged, homeless, asylum seeking or displaced, care experienced, neurodivergent or facing any other circumstances which means their voice is less likely to be heard.   

The inquiry will report in April 2024. If you feel distressed as a result of sharing your story, either in writing or in person, please contact one of the organisations listed below: 💜@birth_trauma_association_uk peer support: support@birthtraumaassociation.org.uk The Birth Trauma Association supports parents who have been affected by traumatic birth. Its email is staffed by peer supporters who have all themselves experienced birth trauma. 💜 @birthbetter Make Birth Better: hello@makebirthbetter.org Make Birth Better also supports parents affected by birth trauma as well as professionals affected by vicarious trauma. Their email is staffed by mental health professionals (psychologists and a psychiatrist). 💜 @pandas_uk helpline: 0808 1961 776 PANDAS supports parents with prenatal or postnatal depression, as well as other perinatal mental health challenges. Its helpline is open Monday to Friday between 10am and 5pm. 💜 @blisscharity : hello@bliss.org.uk This offers support for parents and families of premature and sick babies. You can request a video call if you prefer. 💜 @masicfoundation info@masic.org.uk or 0808 1640 8333 MASIC supports people who have experienced injuries as a result of birth. 💜National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 The helpline is run by the charity Refuge. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and offers free and confidential advice. A translation service is available if English is not your first language. 💜Samaritans: 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org The Samaritans helpline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is available to anyone experiencing emotional distress. 💜 @sandscharity : 0808 164 3332 or helpline@sands.org.uk. You can call the helpline if you need support after the death of a baby, whether it was recent or long ago. It is open from 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday and 6pm to 9pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

We often focus so much on the birthing person's experience of birth, but we forget that birth involves two people... and what about the baby? I chat to ex-midwife, birth keeper and wise woman Joy Horner about how baby's experience birth, and the impact this can have on an emotional, neurological and cellular level.
Joy was a midwife for 21 years, and worked 16 years as an Independent homebirth midwife. She now works as a Sacred Birthkeeper, Perinatal Consultant, and Wise Woman. You can find Joy at https://birthjoy.co.uk/. You can find the books Joy mentions here: https://www.breathandinspiration.com/store/c6/Being_Born.html and the course she took here https://conscious-embodiment.co.uk/aboutus/overview/

Disclaimer: The information and provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. We reserve the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time. The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness. All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the content of the podcast are hereby expressly disclaimed. Your use of content contained in or linked to this podcast is entirely at your own risk. The Better Birth podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.