The Birth Activists

In this, the last episode of season 3, we are joined by Guen and Lucy who both chose to freebirth. We discuss how they came to their decisions, how they prepared themselves and (TW) we also touch on miscarriage and babyloss. Lucy and Guen both invested in Sam's paid 'course in a group' Freebirth and Emergency Childbirth Support Group UK and found great support in the Homebirth Support Group UK. Guen is a veterinary surgeon who now works in innovation consultancy, where she helps big multinational companies plan for the future, and she teaches veterinary students at the University of Cambridge. She has three children, all born at home. The last was a planned free birth because home birth services were often suspended and the local hospital frequently on divert. She's very familiar with physiological freebirths having quietly observed many mammals birthing! Links on premature rupture of membranes (PROM) mentioned in the episode: https://midwifethinking.com/2017/01/11/pre-labour-rupture-of-membranes-impatience-and-risk/ https://www.lamaze.org/Connecting-the-Dots/Post/exclusive-qa-with-rebecca-dekker-on-evidence-for-inducing-labor-if-the-water-breaks-prom Lucy is a PR Director helping to build the reputation of tech companies and their CEOs in the global media, for brands including Amazon, Revolut, Monzo, Seedrs, Dot Residential and Atlantic Money. She has two children, both born at home. The last (in May 2022) was a planned freebirth following multiple miscarriages. As a 39 year old ‘geriatric' mum, Lucy wanted to take control of her last pregnancy and make some memories to cherish without any medical intervention. Her experience left her in awe of the female body and it's ability to birth instinctively when left unobserved. A huge thank you to both Guen and Lucy for their time and for sharing their experiences so freely xxx

A little bonus episode for you all! Sam & I couldn't let the utter fuckwittery happening in the US slide by without talking about it... which morphed into a rant about the Schools Bill and the erosion of human rights in general that seems to be happening around every corner at the moment. Not a light and fluffy episode, but essential listening nonetheless. Resources (otherwise known as complete fuckwittery happening in the UK at the moment): The Schools Bill Stop The Schools Bill Facebook Group Human Rights Act reform Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act Debs Neiger lovingly designed and made my tee - you can check her out on facebook here

We absolutely LOVED this interview with Jenna from Tribe Psychology - the conversation was rich and diverse! Delve into this episode with a brew and listen to a psychologist's view on birth, parenting and coercion. Dr Jenna Brough is a Perinatal Clinical Psychologist supporting people on their journeys surrounding growing their families. Jenna has 14 years experience working therapeutically in the NHS, private sector, and private practice, and has personal experience of infertility, pregnancy loss, over-medicalised birth, and physiological birth. Check Jenna and her work out on Facebook here and on Instagram here - go give her a follow!

Heather joins us on the podcast for this episode to talk about her experience having her first baby, Ted. Heather wrote an 'Open Letter to my Midwives' which was featured in a recent AIMS article here> https://www.aims.org.uk/journal/index/33/3 in which she describes being kept hostage by the hospital. Heather is a self-proclaimed fledgling birth activist - drawn to the cause by her beautiful and empowering homebirth, followed by traumatic encounters with the medical services. Heather is a diplomat recently returned from Afghanistan and currently lives in South Wales, where she enjoys spending lots of time outside with her son, partner and two labradors. Heather and her partner will soon be welcoming their second baby.

In this episode we chat to Amy (AKA Doula Alqabalia) about her work as a muslim doula: "Amy has been doula-ing for a few years; supporting women during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. On the back of the pandemic, following the birth of her third baby, she decided to train officially as a doula and enrolled on the ‘Side By Side' course with Leila Baker. Since then, she has been actively involved with all things birth and birthwork and even has her own Podcast channel; ‘Muslim Birthworld' in which she explores Islamic perspectives of birth, lifestyle, shares interviews and reviews weekly clubhouse themes. She hosts the clubhouse group every Thursday at 1pm; ‘Diversity Birth World', for birthworkers, pregnant mamas and mamas to be. The group is closed to members only (to maintain confidentiality) and promotes cultural awareness and competency. It is a safe space for everyone to bring and/or share their questions, concerns and experiences. Alongside home-educating her children and running another small business (Sunnah Shifa), Amy also volunteers for Doulas Without Borders on the social media and campaigns team, for AIMS as a social media co-ordinator and for her local MNVP. " Check out Amy's work here: Website: https://doulaalqabalia.com Sunnah Shifa Store: https://sunnahshifa.com Clubhouse: https://www.clubhouse.com/club/diversity-doulas Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/muslim-birthwork-with-doula-alqabalia/id1610910364

So this season Sam and I are going to be featuring more real-life birth stories on the podcast and this is the first: it's Brighde's story of her birth experience of her daughter, Rebel, when a planned home birth turned into an empowering hospital birth! Brighde is mum to two beautiful children, Niko and Rebel and step-mum to Emmie and Teddy. She lives in Doncaster with her best friend and soul-mate, Matt. When Brighde isn't being a 'full time badass bitch' (her words, not mine!) she is an Activities Coordinator working with adults with learning difficulties. Brighde found a lot of information and support from Sam's group really made a difference to her birth experience. You can join them too, here: Home Birth Support Group UK - A group for anyone curious about or planning a home birth The Village - A gentle parenting group for support from baby to toddler to teen Freebirth And Emergency Childbirth Support Group UK - A course in a group for anyone looking for information and support to prepare for birthing without a midwife. This is a paid course for parents and birthworkers. Big thank you to Brighde for sharing her story, it was an absolute blast!

This one was such a delight to record with the amazing Michelle Quashie! We chew the cud for over an hour and a half discussing Maternity Voice Partnerships: how they came to be, what are they for and how they work (or not as the case is in many areas). You'll need a huge mug of something hot and satisfying to get through this one (and maybe a cake) but I promise you, it'll be worth it! And a word of warning for those of you with delicate constitutions... this one's a bit sweary!

In the first episode of series 3, Sam and I return for a catchup and to discuss toxicity in the birthworld (amongst MANY other things!). Grab a cuppa and get comfy...

In this podcast, the second of the March With Midwives episodes, I am joined by Milly Morris, Maryla Crosski and Elsie Gayle - all midwives - who joined the Steering Group of the MWM campaign to have their voices heard and to raise the voices of midwives suffering in Maternity Services across the UK right now. Nationwide vigils are being organised for Sunday 21st of November at 2pm. Join our national Facebook group here and find your local vigil: www.facebook.com/groups/marchwithmidwivesuk Read the MWM manifesto and access loads of resources here: www.linktr.ee/marchwithmidwivesuk Follow #MarchWithMidwives on social media to see what people are saying! Follow MWM on social media here: Facebook: www.facebook.com/marchwithmidwives Instagram: www.instagram.com/marchwithmidwives Twitter: www.twitter.com/midwivesmarch

In this special episode, I talk to fellow Doulas Maddie McMahon, Verina Henchy and Paula Cleary about the grassroots movement that is making waves in the birth world, March with Midwives UK. Nationwide vigils are being organised for Sunday 21st of November at 2pm. Join our national Facebook group here and find your local vigil: www.facebook.com/groups/marchwithmidwivesuk Read the MWM manifesto and access loads of resources here: www.linktr.ee/marchwithmidwivesuk Follow #MarchWithMidwives on social media to see what people are saying! Follow MWM on social media here: Facebook: www.facebook.com/marchwithmidwives Instagram: www.instagram.com/marchwithmidwives Twitter: www.twitter.com/midwivesmarch

The last episode in this series covers the controversial topic of vaginal birth after caesarean. Louise tells her birth story of having a home waterbirth after two previous caesareans and Rosalie talks about how she opted for a freebirth after a previous caesarean. If you are considering your options after a caesarean birth then this episode is sure to inspire you! Check out Louise's birth story blog here: https://www.mothers-spirit.co.uk/post/homebirth-after-2-cesareans-hba2c-louise-s-story For support and information when considering a home birth, check out Sam's Facebook Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/216384699270443

In this episode we chat with Lucy Baena, a doula and disabled parent, about ableism in maternity services. Lucy is so insightful and eloquently summarises the disparities and discrimination within the maternity & health services when it comes to being disabled and pregnant and a disabled parent. If you would like to share your story as a disabled parent with Lucy, please contact her by email: lucybaenadoula@gmail.com Go check out Lucy on social media here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/557718875072578/ http://www.instagram.com/lucybaenadoula

Sam and I were very lucky to be joined by trans-parent, Jacob, and his 'pocket midwife', Maeve in this episode. Jacob talks candidly about his experiences as a pregnant trans person and about the birth of his first child. Maeve and Jacob are two members of The Queer Parenting Partnership who support LGBTQ+ people from conception through to pregnancy, birth and parenting. A bit more info about TQPP: We run regular antenatal and postnatal classes, details and booking information is available on our website at parentingqueer.co.uk. We also have a free monthly zoom meet up for families. We are now launching our training for professionals: "Providing perinatal care for people of all genders". We are taking bookings from the autumn and will also release some dates for individuals to book on to. We are on facebook, twitter and instagram as @parentingqueer

Kati Edwards aka ‘The Poetry Doula” joins us in this episode with an exclusive first reading of her new spoken word piece, 'The A to Z of Childbirth Activism'. Kati is also a hypnobirthing teacher, a doula and an international speaker helping parents-to-be to really understand their birth options so they can discover what path is the best for them. She helps people create great birth experiences. The birth of Kati's 2nd child featured on the groundbreaking BBC1 documentary ‘Childbirth All or Nothing' and she has appeared on BBC 5Live and BBC Family and Education discussing how doulas can help people give birth after previous traumatic experiences. https://www.facebook.com/KatiEdwardsBirthkeeper https://www.birthyouinlove.com/

Allison Tate (she/her) of Birthworkers for Human Rights (previously known as Doulas for Human Rights) joins us in this episode to talk about birthwork in the US, racial disparities and birth activism during the pandemic. Allison is a Scottish, holistic, spiritual, birth and bereavement birthkeeper, birth rights activist, birth advocate, birth educator and energy worker, living in Florida. She provides trauma informed support for births in all trimesters, all outcomes and for all birthing people. She holds herself accountable for addressing white supremacy, racism, inequity, disparities and obstetric violence in reproductive care, for reducing harm, trauma and perinatal illness and for facilitating change. She can be found across social media platforms @backtobirth @birthworkersforhumanrights Birthworkers for Human Rights: https://www.instagram.com/birthworkersforhumanrights/ https://www.facebook.com/birthworkersforhumanrights https://www.facebook.com/groups/521810432102477 Back to Birth: https://www.instagram.com/backtobirth/ https://www.facebook.com/backtobirthsbd https://www.facebook.com/groups/252781502682771 https://twitter.com/backtobirth

Stacie is a parent who navigated being autistic and pregnant during the pandemic. She joined us to tell her story. Stacie found Sam's Homebirth Group really helpful - you can join the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/homebirthsupportuk You can buy Sam's birth affirmations here: https://caerphillydoula.co.uk/e-shop/

April is Autism Awareness Month and, in this episode, we are joined by Lana Grant, author of "From Here To Maternity, pregnancy and motherhood on the Autism Spectrum". We talk about the difficulties and discrimination autistic women and birthing people face when pregnant and accessing maternity services, including how the pandemic has impacted their rights. Lana is a Specialist Advisor and advocate for people with autism and their families. She has worked within the field of autism for nearly twenty years and specialises in autism and females. You can find out more about Lana here.

Amanda Burleigh, midwife, joins Sam and Becki to talk about cord clamping - a very informative episode you won't want to miss! Amanda started campaigning for optimal cord clamping in 2005 with the Wait for White campaign. After years of practicing immediate cord clamping as a midwife, Amanda realised that there was no evidence to say this was safe for baby and, on the contrary, she found research which shows immediate/ early cord clamping deprives the baby of 30% of their blood volume and could cause harm. Find out more about Amanda and the #WaitForWhite campaign here: https://waitforwhite.com/

In this episode we talk to Safura and Faiza, founders of The Raham Project. The project is dedicated to supporting maternal mental well being for mothers and their partners of ethnic minority backgrounds. Here is a link to the FIVEXMORE '6 steps' as mentioned in the podcast: www.fivexmore.com Follow them on social media: Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

Sam and I are joined in this episode by the lovely Aimee Hamblyn. We discuss the sacred work of the Doula with Aimee and touch on subjects such as Religion, abortion and being queer. We just LOVE how Aimee refers to birthwork as 'Spiritual Activism' and we all enjoyed delving into this deep, meaty subject. We are sure you'll love this episode as much as we did! Find out more about Aimee on her website here: www.aimehamblyn.co.uk Follow Aimee on instagram @aimee_hamblyn Check out Aimee's spiritual work on Facebook @loveconnectiontransformation - she has a NEW course running this summer! Aimee is also a Developing Doulas Course Leader and is training new Doulas this summer, check out the course here: www.developingdoulas.co.uk

In this episode the lovely Sheena Byrom joins us to talk about midwifery, maternity services and the current challenges midwives are facing working during the pandemic. Sheena was awarded an OBE in 2011 for services to midwifery, and received an Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Midwives in 2015. In 2016 she was delighted to receive an Honorary Doctorate from Bournemouth University. You can find out more about Sheena on her website: www.sheenabyrom.com/ Sheena has written several books: Catching Babies, her midwife memoirs. She jointly edited The Roar Behind the Silence: why kindness, compassion and respect matter in maternity care with Professor Soo Downe OBE. She joined forces with Soo again with Squaring the Circle: researching normal birth in a technological world which was published in June 2019. Sheena and her daughter, Anna, set up All 4 Maternity, the home of The Practising Midwife publication - find out more here: www.all4maternity.com/ Follow Sheena on social media @sheena_byrom

Michelle (AKA Limerick Doula) was part of our podcast episode back in June of last year talking about plus-size pregnancy and birth (which you can listen to again here). Michelle joins us in this new episode to tell us about the birth of her daughter, Iris and her upcoming book, Fat Birth. Get yourself a cuppa and make yourself comfortable - This is a beautiful birth story... Follow Michelle on instagram here>> @fat.and.pregnant If you have a plus-size birth story you would like to submit for inclusion in Michelle's new book, please do so here

The first podcast episode of 2021 is here! In this episode Sallyann joins Sam and I to talk about her book "Labour of Love: The Ultimate Guide to being a Birth partner". The role of the birth partner is pivotal to a person's birth experience whether you are husband, wife, partner, mother, sister, friend or doula! You can find out more about Sallyann and her work as a Doula on her website here: www.birthability.co.uk Checkout Sallyann's new podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-ultimate-guide-to-being-a-birth-partner

This year saw the creation of the Birth Activists podcast amid a global pandemic. Sam and I recap on the podcast guests of 2020 whilst we enjoy a festive tipple. You can also watch the video recording of this podcast on YouTube here!

In this episode, we are joined by the Leader of the Welsh National Party, Neil McEvoy AM, to talk about the issue of parental alienation and the abuse of power perpetuated by social services. Neil has well and truly earned his place on The Birth Activists podcast! His activism work has caused great controversy and he has been personally targeted because of his willingness to speak out against injustice. You can follow Neil on social media @neiljmcevoy Find out more about Neil here: https://www.neilmcevoy.wales/ Links referenced in the podcast: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/media-attendance-at-family-court-hearings-ex711 **This is marked as explicit cos Sam only went and dropped the 'F' word!

Kay King joins us in this episode to discuss her new book 'Why Babyloss Matters' and her work as an Advanced Grief Recovery Practitioner. *TRIGGER WARNING* In this episode we discuss sensitive issues such as abortion, infertility, miscarriage and babyloss. Visit Kay's website and buy the book: www.birthandloss.uk Find out more about the Grief Recovery Method here: www.griefuk.org

Sam and I are joined by Verina, Emma and Maddie who all devote time to volunteering for the charity, AIMS (Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services) in varying ways and are passionate advocates for choice in and improvement of the UK's Maternity Services. Since the 1960s AIMS have campaigned tirelessly for improvements to the UK's maternity services, as well as supporting women and families directly through their helpline, and sharing information to pregnant people and health carers with their hugely informative books, Journal and website resources. AIMS works towards better births for all by campaigning and information sharing, protecting human rights in childbirth and helping women to know their rights, whatever birth they want, and wherever they want it. Verina Henchy is a Doula and Homeopath based in Rutland. You can find out more about Verina here: www.verinahenchy.co.uk Emma Ashworth is a British Doula and Birth Activist based in Spain. You can find out more about Emma here: www.facebook.com/emmaashworthdoula Maddie McMahon is a Doula, Doula Trainer and Mentor. You can find out about what she does on the following platforms: www.Developingdoulas.co.uk / www.Thebirthhub.co.uk / www.Doulavation.com / www.Maddiemcmahon.com

In this episode, Sam and I talk to Komal, a first time expectant parent based in Northampton (my neck of the woods). She has been campaigning about the restrictions on partners attending scans and is now facing the prospect of spending a great deal of her labour alone, without her partner. Please think about signing Komal's petition here: https://www.change.org/p/northampton-general-hospital-to-allow-1-named-contact-at-maternity-appointments If you are based in Northamptonshire, please consider giving feedback on maternity services to the Maternity Voice Partnership (MVP) via this survey

Amity Reed joins us in this episode, on the eve of her book release! "Amity Reed became a midwife to serve women, but the reality of working in over-stretched and underfunded NHS maternity services soon shattered her illusions. She's not alone – for every 30 midwives that train, 29 will leave the profession. Overdue is both the devastating personal story behind the statistics, and a call for change in the NHS. Real-life stories capture the moments at the heart of midwifery: life, death, birth, tragedy and joy, and are embedded in a clear-sighted examination of what is working – and what isn't – in maternity services. The result is a book that asks – and tries to answer – questions that are at the heart of many people's working lives: how can we follow our calling, provide for our families and keep ourselves healthy, if the workplace and its systems are working against us?" Buy the book here: https://www.pinterandmartin.com/overdue

Holly is a mum to 3 boys, living in Northamptonshire, who started a petition to allow partners in to hospitals when she faced the prospect of being without her husband, Ricky, when she needed him most. We talk to Holly about the #butnotmaternity campaign and her experience of being pregnant and birthing during the pandemic. Sign the petition: https://www.change.org/p/partners-allowed-for-entirety-of-labour-birth-in-all-hospitals Use this open letter as a template to write to your MP: https://www.birthblissdoulacourses.co.uk/kickihansardsblog/open-letter-restrictions-in-maternity-services

Professor, author and breastfeeding guru, Amy Brown, joins us for this episode to talk about Breastfeeding Grief and Trauma following the release of her book, Why Breastfeeding Grief and Trauma Matters. We are HUGE fans of Amy here at The Birth Activists and it was so lovely to chat about this subject which is particularly close to Becki's heart. Becki has personal experience of breastfeeding grief - Read her blog here: www.mothers-spirit.co.uk/post/breastfeeding-trauma-grief Visit Amy's website here: www.professoramybrown.co.uk Buy Amy's books here: www.professoramybrown.co.uk/shop Follow Amy on facebook: www.facebook.com/breastfeedinguncovered Follow Amy on instagram: www.instagram.com/prof_amybrown

What are Becki and Sam ranting about now? Find out on this bonus mini podcast episode....

In this episode, Sam and I are joined by Laura to talk about her work with refugees and asylum seekers, and in particular the research work she has done interviewing 'displaced' mothers. We tackle sensitive issues such as racism, racial bias and colourism. Here is a link to her research blog: https://phdresearchstories.wordpress.com/2019/07/08/researching-mothers-as-a-mother Laura co-founded MEAD (Migration, Ethnicity, Race and Diversity Research Group)://www.cardiff.ac.uk/research/explore/research-units/migration,-ethnicity,-race-and-diversity-research-group Laura collaborates with Oasis Cardiff: http://oasiscardiff.org/ - Oasis Cardiff is an non profit charity that aims to help Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Cardiff.

In this episode, Sam and I are joined by Maddie McMahon - Doula, writer and Breastfeeding Counsellor. Maddie talks about her blog, 'In the Eye of The Storm: Ocular Melanoma, Maternity Care and Me', and how her recent experience receiving cancer treatment opened her eyes to similarities with maternity care. Follow Maddie's work here: developingdoulas.co.uk - Doula preparation course doulavation.com - Extension course for birthworkers with emphasis on building your business Thebirthhub.co.uk - Maddie's blog maddiemcmahon.com - Maddie's doula site bfsupportmatters.org.uk - Cambridge Breastfeeding Alliance maddiesmiracle.org.uk - Maddie's Miracle Charity

In this episode Sam and I are joined by Kemi Johnson and Michelle Quashie to discuss the Childbirth Choices Matter campaign further. Kemi is an Independent Midwife and Hypnobirthing Instructor. Visit Kemi's website here: www.birthjoy.org Michelle is a doula and the founder of the Women's Voices Conference. Support the campaign by making a donation here: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/childbirth-choices-matter

In this episode Sam and I are joined by Jacqui Tomkins (Chair of IMUK) and Kay King (Campaign Manager of Childbirth Choices Matter and the National Coordinator for the White Ribbon Alliance in the UK) to talk about the current campaign to produce an insurance product for self-employed independent midwives. Find out more and donate here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/childbirth-choices-matter Please share the podcast and the crowdfunder and help support Independent Midwifery to remain a choice for expectant parents, your children and your children's children!

In this episode, Samantha and I chat with fellow doula, Michelle, and plus-size mum, Sarah, about what it's like to be labelled with a high BMI during pregnancy and how this can impact on your birth choices. This episode comes with a *TRIGGER WARNING* of obstetric rape and violence, sexual assault and infant death. Michelle is owner of Limerick Doula Services in Limerick, Ireland - check out her website here. She is a plus-size mum of 4, and at the time of the recording she was expecting number 5! Michelle also runs a private body-positive facebook group entitled 'Fat and Pregnant Community' - please contact Michelle directly to learn more. Sarah is a mum of 2 living in Cardiff.

Sam and I are joined by fellow doula, Paula Cleary, talking about the trials and tribulations of being an activist for birthing women and people. This episode comes with a TRIGGER WARNING for sexual abuse, domestic violence and obstetric violence and as such has been categorised as EXPLICIT. We also talk about self care as birthworkers when handling traumatic cases. Find out more about Paula on her website here and visit the Birth Place Matters website which has been pivotal in Paula's activism journey and hugely beneficial to many women and birthing people.

Samantha and I chat with fellow doula Katie Olliffe about the benefits of optimal cord clamping and the controversial subject of intact resuscitation. You can find out more about Katie on her website here or follow her on Facebook here. The Wait For White website is a great resource for further information on optimal cord clamping. Also, here are some useful AIMS articles about Neonatal Resuscitation and Delaying the Clampers. As usual, full permission has been given to share the information discussed in this podcast.

Today, Samantha and I talk about what is and isn't in the remit of a doula and how this is often misinterpreted or misunderstood by healthcare professionals. Becki Scott is a doula and holistic therapist living and working in Northamptonshire - you can find out more about her here Samantha Gadsden is a doula in South Wales - you can find out more about her on her website here. Samantha runs the national Home Birth Support Group UK on Facebook. She has also set up a paid Facebook group (Freebirth And Emergency Childbirth Support Group UK) specifically for those people considering freebirth or looking for resources when a baby is likely to be BBA (born before arrival).

Becki Scott chats to Samantha Gadsden about the rise in women and birthing people considering freebirth during the pandemic. Becki is a doula and holistic therapist living and working in Northamptonshire - you can find out more about her here Samantha is a doula in South Wales - you can find out more about her on her website here. Samantha runs the national Home Birth Support Group UK on Facebook. She has also set up a paid Facebook group (Freebirth And Emergency Childbirth Support Group UK) specifically for those people considering freebirth or looking for resources when a baby is likely to be BBA (born before arrival).