Podcasts about consultant obstetrician

Spirit Radio's Lydia O'Kane spoke with Shane Duffy, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, who is a visiting Fistula Surgeon in Uganda as part of the SafeBirth4All campaign spearheaded by a coalition of organisations including Misean Cara. Shane spoke to Lydia - on the Morning Show presented by Kieran about the very serious health condition called Obstetric Fistula which is a debilitating childbirth injury resulting from a prolonged or obstructed labour without access to emergency medical intervention that some 2 million women in developing world countries suffer from. To support the work of Misean Cara go to MiseanCara.ie and to support doctors like Shane Duffy going to Uganda to help these women.

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month.This is something that's been highlighted for a few years on the show, and we intend to keep making it a priority.But, so much of it is still misunderstood…Joining Andrea to discuss and give an overview of the condition is Aoife O'Neill, Consultant Obstetrician and Yvonne Counihan, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Endometriosis.Also joining to share their personal stories is Doireann Barrett, who runs Cneasú Community and listeners Ali and Leona…

महिलांमधील breast कॅन्सर च प्रमाण का वाढतंय? कॅन्सर च early detection कसं करता येत?  Menopause नंतर कॅन्सर ची risk वाढते का? obesity मुळे कॅन्सर चा धोका वाढतो का? Genetics आणि कॅन्सर चा काय संबंध? सगळ्या आजाराची लक्षणं कॅन्सर ची असतात का? कॅन्सर Prevention साठी काय करता येईल? Cancer Treatment साठी कोणत्या नवीन technology available आहेत? या सगळ्यावर आपण डॉ. रश्मी भामरे Consultant - Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Manipal Hospital, Baner आणि डॉ.अमित पारसनीस (HOD & Surgical Oncologist, Manipal Hospital, Baner) यांच्याशी चर्चा केली आहे.    How can we detect cancer early? Why is breast cancer on the rise among women, and how can it be identified? Does menopause or obesity increase cancer risk? What role do genetics play, and how can we prevent cancer? Join us as we discuss these critical questions and the latest advancements in cancer treatment with Dr. Rashmi Bhamare (Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist) and Dr. Amit Parasnis (HOD & Surgical Oncologist) from Manipal Hospital, Baner. डॉ.अमित पारसनीस आणि डॉ. रश्मी भामरे यांना संपर्क साधण्यासाठी या link वर click करा! Manipal Hospital:   https://www.manipalhospitals.com/baner/ https://www.manipalhospitals.com/khar... आणि मित्रांनो आपलं Merch घेण्यासाठी लगेच click करा! Amuktamuk.swiftindi.com Disclaimer:  व्हिडिओमध्ये किंवा आमच्या कोणत्याही चॅनेलवर पॅनलिस्ट/अतिथी/होस्टद्वारे सांगण्यात आलेली कोणतीही माहिती केवळ general information साठी आहे. पॉडकास्ट दरम्यान किंवा त्यासंबंधात व्यक्त केलेली कोणतीही मते निर्माते/कंपनी/चॅनल किंवा त्यांच्या कोणत्याही कर्मचाऱ्यांची मते/अभिव्यक्ती/विचार दर्शवत नाहीत. अतिथींनी केलेली विधाने सद्भावनेने आणि चांगल्या हेतूने केलेली आहेत ती विश्वास ठेवण्याजोगी आहेत किंवा ती सत्य आणि वस्तुस्थितीनुसार सत्य मानण्याचे कारण आहे.  चॅनलने सादर केलेला सध्याचा व्हिडिओ केवळ माहिती आणि मनोरंजनाच्या उद्देशाने आहे आणि चॅनल त्याची अचूकता आणि वैधता यासाठी कोणतीही जबाबदारी घेत नाही. अतिथींनी किंवा पॉडकास्ट दरम्यान व्यक्त केलेली कोणतीही माहिती किंवा विचार व्यक्ती/कास्ट/समुदाय/वंश/धर्म यांच्या भावना दुखावण्याचा किंवा कोणत्याही संस्था/राजकीय पक्ष/राजकारणी/नेत्याचा, जिवंत किंवा मृत यांचा अपमान करण्याचा हेतू नाही..   Guests: Dr. Amit Parasnis (HOD & Surgical Oncologist, Manipal Hospital, Baner) &  Dr. Rashmi Bhamare (Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Manipal Hospital, Baner) Host: Omkar Jadhav. Creative Producer: Shardul Kadam. Editor: Madhuwanti vaidya.  Edit Assistant: Rohit landge, Sangramsingh Kadam. Content Manager: Sohan Mane. Social Media Manager: Sonali Gokhale. Legal Advisor: Savani Vaze. Business Development Executive: Sai Kher. Intern: Saiee Katkar, Mrunal Arve, Dipak Khillare. Connect with us:  Twitter:  / amuk_tamuk   Instagram:  / amuktamuk   Facebook:  / amuktamukpodcasts   Spotify: Khuspus  #AmukTamuk #MarathiPodcasts #Khuspus  00:00 - Introduction  02:55 - Types of cancer in women  04:22 - Statistics of cancer in women  06:36 - The symptoms of cancer in women 16:17 - Impact of Lifestyle for Cancer 25:28 - Rural & urban statistics of cancer in women  26:20 - Misconceptions related to women's cancer  32:38 - Obesity & Cancer  35:24 - Diagnosis & primary signs  48:25 - Age-wise diagnosis of cancer 49:55 - Genetics and cancer in women 50:30 - Treatments for cancer in women? 01:06:48 - Mental health of women during cancer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this first episode of our three-part miniseries, "Transforming Maternal and Newborn Health," we dive into a groundbreaking quality improvement programme that has made significant strides in integrating HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria services into antenatal and postnatal care across Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania. We explore emerging evidence on how health systems can adapt and respond to changing landscapes, including the impact of COVID-19, to deliver better outcomes for mothers and newborns. Featuring insights from leading experts, we discuss the challenges, successes, and innovative approaches that have strengthened the capacity of health workers and improved access to essential care. This episode sets the stage for the next discussions on capacity building and sustainability, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in global health and health systems strengthening.Chapters:00:00:00 – Introduction and Series Overview00:01:30 – Responding to COVID-19 and Building Resilience00:03:20 – Maternal Health Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa00:04:45 – Strengthening Health Workforce Capacity00:06:20 – Key Findings and Lessons Learned00:08:04 – Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Mental Health00:09:17 – Practical Impact and Stories from Nigeria00:11:54 – Next Steps and Future Recommendations00:14:19 – Adapting to COVID-19 Challenges00:17:15 – Final Advice and ConclusionsIn this episode:Dr. Rael Mutai, Regional Technical Advisor (MNH), Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine TropicalRael is a public health specialist with over 21 years' experience in health and development. She is passionate about health systems strengthening, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights and Quality Maternal and Newborn Health. Rael has been involved with the programme in the last 3 years, as the Regional Technical Adviser for Kenya and Tanzania. The Programme uses global evidence customized to country context for improved maternal and newborn outcomes. The programme has addressed gaps in ANC-PNC service delivery through capacity building of healthcare workers and integrated approaches to care.Prof. Charles Ameh - Programme Lead, Liverpool School of Tropical MedicineCharles led the implementation of the GF ANC/PNC quality improvement programme in the last 3 years. This involves identifying problems and co-creating solutions with stakeholders in Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria. Key interventions designed and tested during this programme are relevant to several communities: maternity care providers, researchers, MNH programme managers, health professional associations and regulatory bodies, training institutions, women of reproductive age and their families in LMICs.Dr. Oladipo Aremu, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital , Oyo State, NigeriaDr Oladipo Aremu has been involved in research work relating to post-partum haemorrhage, maternal and child health for the last three years. His contribution to the post-partum haemorrhage research has helped to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. During the period of the research, the cost of the drug administered on patients resulted in remarkable cost savings when compared to cost of blood transfusion. Previous research activities involved in also contributed to improvement in respectful maternity care and upgrading the health worker-patient relationship. Useful links:This is a film from the WOMAN Trials at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, as part of the Healthier Together series presented by the WHO Foundation and produced by BBC StoryWorks.

Martyn Pittman, was a popular and successful consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist. He tells us his story of being dismissed from his dream job after raising concerns about patient safety and management issues. He describes the hostile takeover of his hospital by a neighboring trust, (a common but little investigated event) the imposition of a midwifery-led normalisation agenda, and the resistance to evidence-based care. Martyn's whistleblowing led to a formal investigation and a campaign to discredit him, including spreading false rumors. He highlights the isolation and gaslighting he experienced throughout the process. Martyn Pitman shares his experience of being a whistleblower in the NHS and the devastating impact it had on his career and personal life. He discusses the unfair treatment he faced from the trust, the lengthy investigation process, and the lack of support from the legal system. Martyn emphasizes the importance of self-care and seeking support during such challenging times. He also highlights the need for accountability and support for whistleblowers in the healthcare system.

Martyn Pittman, was a popular and successful consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist. He tells us his story of being dismissed from his dream job after raising concerns about patient safety and management issues. He describes the hostile takeover of his hospital by a neighboring trust, (a common but little investigated event) the imposition of a midwifery-led normalisation agenda, and the resistance to evidence-based care. Martyn's whistleblowing led to a formal investigation and a campaign to discredit him, including spreading false rumors. He highlights the isolation and gaslighting he experienced throughout the process. Martyn Pitman shares his experience of being a whistleblower in the NHS and the devastating impact it had on his career and personal life. He discusses the unfair treatment he faced from the trust, the lengthy investigation process, and the lack of support from the legal system. Martyn emphasizes the importance of self-care and seeking support during such challenging times. He also highlights the need for accountability and support for whistleblowers in the healthcare system. https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/23816023.martyn-pitman-supporters-force-start-tribunal/   https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/23950068.martyn-pitman-pulls-unfair-dismissal-case-hhft/

In this episode, Ishreen speaks to Dr. Marlene Abey-Wardner, an internationally recognised Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist. Dr. Marlene shares her remarkable journey in the medical field, highlighting her passion for women's health and her significant contributions to various medical organizations. Her insights on menopause and women in the workplace shed light on the need for awareness and support for women experiencing menopausal symptoms.  KEY TAKEAWAYS St. Bridget's Convent provided an inclusive environment where students of different nationalities and religions coexisted peacefully, fostering lifelong friendships and global citizenship. Hard work, honesty, sincerity, and building relationships through friendship were highlighted as key factors contributing to career success in the medical field and professional associations. Dr. Marlene emphasized the importance of addressing menopause symptoms and providing support for women in the workplace, advocating for education, medical check-ups, and psychological support. Loyalty, sincerity, and being available to help friends in need were identified as essential qualities for maintaining lifelong friendships and contributing to personal happiness and success. BEST MOMENTS "I think the secret of anyone's success in life is the way you handle life and the person that you are internally." "You asked me what is the secret of my success? Well, I think probably part of what I'd tell you would be because I've always worked hard in my profession and in whatever I do." "Many women have struggled through work with hot flushes and mind freezes and, almost not realized that it was due to menopause. And their colleagues had no idea and just thought that they were having a nervous breakdown or something." VALUABLE RESOURCES Privilege Survey  https://intelligentlinking261447.typeform.com/to/SNkQvD0v Website: https://belongingpioneers.com/privilege-research-and-podcast Email: equitychampions@belongingpioneers.com Useful links: https://linktr.ee/BelongingPioneers ABOUT THE GUEST Dr. Abeyewardene has held the post of Resident Obstetrician & Gynaecologist in the Ministry of Health in various hospitals across the world, in addition to serving as a Consultant. She has spent significant time teaching undergraduate, postgraduate students and training of midwives. Dr. Abeyewardene is a Fellow of the Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, and the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists of the UK. She has been an active member of several professional associations and medical bodies holding various key positions in the capacities of president, council member and board member and has represented Sri Lanka in a large number of international forums. In addition to many initiatives she has pioneered, she takes the credit of being a founder member of the Menopause Society of Sri Lanka, Founder Member of the Gynaecology Endoscopic Working Party and Prenatal Society of Sri Lanka. For her role in assisting the women of Sri Lanka, Dr. Abeyewardene was awarded the FIGO – International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetric award of distinction for services rendered in improving the Reproductive Health of Women. She also received a special service award from the Aids Foundation of Sri Lanka for delivering pregnant mothers with HIV. Dr. Abeyewardene joined Zonta Club One of Colombo as a member in 1989 and continues as an active Zontian to date. She enjoys this work as it provides her with an opportunity of being of service to women in spheres other than health. ABOUT THE HOST Ishreen Bradley, a Strategic Pioneer, excels in guiding Professional Leaders through complex challenges with clarity, confidence, and courage. She focuses on cultivating inclusive cultures and authentic leadership, offering senior leaders advice, consultancy, training, and coaching. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ishreenbradley/Privilege, Eruption, Culture, Diversity, inclusion, Equity, diverse, cultural, impact, power: https://privilege-eruption.com

C-section recovery is one of those subjects that is rarely mentioned before you experience it. So this week, I've got together with Clare Bourne, a pelvic health physiotherapist, to talk you through what you need to know to recover well. We cover everything from how to get out of bed in those first few hours, to exercise, to long term recovery and scar massage. For more information on Caesarean Sections, see Season 2 Episode 6 - Caesarean Birth with Consultant Obstetrician, Florence WilcockFind out more about Clare and her services at www.clare-bourne.comPlease subscribe, rate and review, so we can get this vital info to as many parents-to-be as we can!______________________This episode is sponsored byiCandyVisit  https://discover.icandyworld.com/birth-ed to shop my favourite pushchairs!Follow iCandy on IG and/or TikTok for helpful advice and ‘hints & tips' too!https://www.tiktok.com/@icandyworldhttps://www.instagram.com/icandyworlduk/The Bump Plan - visit thebumpplan.com/birthed-postnatal to access:Free Postnatal Pelvic Floor Recovery WorkshopFree Online Postnatal Returning to Exercise MasterclassAn exclusive 20% discount code to join The Bump Plan Postnatal POSTNATAL PLAN: A physio-approved program designed by Hollie Grant while she was postnatal, creating a unique and trustworthy experience for new mothers. This plan includes real-time responsive workouts for holistic recovery and fitness, with 24/7 access to resources and community support. Prices: £35/month, £180 for 6 months, £240 for an annual membership, including a 7-day free trial._____________________________Hear More from Birth-edJoin the Birth-ed Online Course https://birth-ed.co.uk/online-course-2Join the BUMP CLUB FREE https://birth-ed.co.uk/bump-clubFollow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/birth_ed/Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Welcome to the third episode of season four of Conversations in Fetal Medicine, where we speak to Professor Jenny Myers.Professor Myers' bio:Jenny is Professor of Obstetrics & Maternal Medicine within the Maternal & Fetal Health Research Centre, University of Manchester and Consultant Obstetrician, St Mary's Hospital. As an obstetrician, Jenny is part of the Maternal Medicine team and leads two translational research clinics for women with hypertension and diabetes. She is also the Hospital Chief Clinical Informatics Officer for St Mary's Managed Clinical Service (18000 births). She currently runs a portfolio of clinical and laboratory science studies which span vascular and placental biology research, preclinical models, observational cohort studies and intervention trials before, during and after pregnancy.Jenny is the chief/principal investigator for several multicenter studies related tohypertension and diabetes in pregnancy. Jenny is a Consulting Editor for Plos Medicine,President of the RCOG Blair Bell Research Society, obstetric advisor for the NationalDiabetes in Pregnancy Audit and has served on several NICE committees.World Pre-eclampsia Day 2024:This is on May 22nd 2024. Find out more about it from APEC (Action on Pre-eclampsia) here: https://action-on-pre-eclampsia.org.uk/world-pre-eclampsia-day/Phoenix study:Find out more about the Phoenix study here: Chappell LC, Brocklehurst P, Green ME, Hunter R, Hardy P, Juszczak E, Linsell L, Chiocchia V, Greenland M, Placzek A, Townend J, Marlow N, Sandall J, Shennan A; PHOENIX Study Group. Planned early delivery or expectant management for late preterm pre-eclampsia (PHOENIX): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2019 Sephttps://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2819%2931963-4/fulltextPodcast information:We have not included any patient identifiable information, and this podcast is intended for professional education rather than patient information (although welcome anyone interested in the field to listen). Please get in touch with feedback or suggestions for future guests or topics: conversationsinfetalmed@gmail.com, or via Twitter (X) or Instagram via @fetalmedcast.Music by Crowander ('Acoustic romance') used under creative commons licence. Podcast created, hosted and edited by Dr Jane Currie.

In this episode of The Green Life, we dive into the importance of smear tests and cervical screenings, and the barriers that women commonly find, when it is time to go for their checks. The anxiety, pressure and vulnerability  we  sometimes feel can prevent us from going to our appointments at all, resulting in health issues that would have  been otherwise preventable, such as Cervical Cancer. To discuss this matter, I have NHS OBGYN ,Doctor Ben Snowden, who is also the co-funder of HapiLegs the only surgical trousers designed to facilitate cervical screenings and similar procedures, to give women the control and power back during gynaecological examinations. This episode is brought to you by Namawell, the Best cold press juicers on the planet with the revolutionary J2 being the most amazing Bulk juicing champion. To get your Nama juicer at a discount, use code CHANTAL10 for 10% off! www.namawell.com Buy HapiLegs on my affiliate account https://hapilegs.co.uk/LIVELEANHEALTH/?ref=8 Use Liveleanhealth10 for 10% off Also by Dr Morse's Healing herbs, which I am an affiliate of , please feel free to order from my link to support my Podcast https://drmorsesherbalhealthclub.com/liveleanhealth USE CODE GREENLIFE FOR 5% OFF (only valid for your first purchase) Want to add some extra nutrients to your smoothies?Check out Nuzest https://www.nuzest.co.uk/LIVELEANHEALTH Get 15% off with my code LIVELEANHEALTH Wunder Workshop DISCOUNT LIVELEANHEALTH (15% OFF FIRST PURCHASE) UK www.wunderworkshop.com/LIVELEANHEALTH EU www.wunderworkshop.eu/LIVELEANHEALTHCheck out our Farm in Northern Portugal www.ecodharmavillage.com Work with me! www.liveleanhealth.com About De Ben Snowden Dr Benjamin J Snowden BSc (Hons) MBBS MRCOG is a practicing Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in the UK. His specialist interests include laparoscopic surgery, intrapartum care and medical education, whilst embodying a healthcare approach that unifies a staff-patient partnership. Ben is a proud husband, and father to an 8 year old daughter. When he isn't working, he is an enthusiastic chorister and occasional road cyclist.Alongside his work as a consultant, Ben is a medical director for Equalita Healthcare; a female-led, British startup responsible for the introduction of innovative gynaecological trousers (known as Hapilegs) into UK healthcare. Designed by a former gynae patient, HapiLegs promote control and dignity for women and people with cervixes and have been championed as a revolutionary step in FemTech. Procedures appropriate for HapiLegs use include cervical screening, colposcopy, coil insertion, sexual health screening and other outpatient procedures. HapiLegs will shortly be going into larger clinical trials to find the evidence that they improve patient attendance at cervical screening and also improve patient satisfaction and comfort during the procedure.  Learn about HapiLegs and buy here  https://hapilegs.co.uk/product/hapilegs/

All four of my children were born at home. I feel extremely fortunate about this - they should too. Four wonderful experiences. I will forever be in debt to Louisa and Jolie.When, twenty-four years ago, my then wife, Louisa, told me she wanted to give birth to our first child at home, I thought she was off her rocker, but I gave her my word that we would at least talk to a midwife, and we did just that. Within about five minutes of meeting Tina Perridge of South London Independent Midwives, a lady of whom I cannot speak highly enough, I was instantly persuaded. Ever since, when I hear that someone is pregnant, I start urging them to have a homebirth with the persistence of a Jehovah's Witness or someone pedalling an upgrade to your current mobile phone subscription. I even included a chapter about it in my first book Life After the State - Why We Don't Need Government (2013), (now, thanks to the invaluable help of my buddy Chris P, back in print - with the audiobook here [Audible UK, Audible US, Apple Books]).I'm publishing that chapter here, something I was previously not able to do (rights issues), because I want as many people as possible to read it. Many people do not even know home-birth is an option. I'm fully aware that, when it comes to giving birth, one of the last people a prospective mum wants to hear advice from is comedian and financial writer, Dominic Frisby. I'm also aware that this is an extremely sensitive subject and that I am treading on eggshells galore. But the word needs to be spread. All I would say is that if you or someone you know is pregnant, have a conversation with an independent midwife, before committing to having your baby in a hospital. It's so important. Please just talk to an independent midwife first. With that said, here is that chapter. Enjoy it, and if you know anyone who is pregnant, please send this to them.We have to use fiat money, we have to pay taxes, most of us are beholden in some way to the education system. These are all things much bigger than us, over which we have little control. The birth of your child, however, is one of the most important experiences of your (and their) life, one where the state so often makes a mess of things, but one where it really is possible to have some control.The State: Looking After Your First BreathThe knowledge of how to give birth without outside interventions lies deep within each woman. Successful childbirth depends on an acceptance of the process.Suzanne Arms, authorThere is no single experience that puts you more in touch with the meaning of life than birth. A birth should be a happy, healthy, wonderful experience for everyone involved. Too often it isn't.Broadly speaking, there are three places a mother can give birth: at home, in hospital or – half-way house – at a birthing centre. Over the course of the 20th century we have moved birth from the home to the hospital. In the UK in the 1920s something like 80% of births took place at home. In the 1960s it was one in three. By 1991 it was 1%. In Japan the home-birth rate was 95% in 1950 falling to 1.2% in 1975. In the US home-birth went from 50% in 1938 to 1% in 1955. In the UK now 2.7% of births take place at home. In Scotland, 1.2% of births take place at home, and in Northern Ireland this drops to fewer than 0.4%. Home-birth is now the anomaly. But for several thousand years, it was the norm.The two key words here are ‘happy' and ‘healthy'. The two tend to come hand in hand. But let's look, first, at ‘healthy'. Let me stress, I am looking at planned homebirth; not a homebirth where mum didn't get to the hospital in time.My initial assumption when I looked at this subject was that hospital would be more healthy. A hospital is full of trained personnel, medicine and medical equipment. My first instinct against home-birth, it turned out, echoed the numerous arguments against it, which come from many parts of the medical establishment. They more or less run along the lines of this statement from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology: ‘Unless a woman is in a hospital, an accredited free-standing birthing centre or a birthing centre within a hospital complex, with physicians ready to intervene quickly if necessary, she puts herself and her baby's health and life at unnecessary risk.'Actually, the risk of death for babies born at home is almost half that of babies born at hospital (0.35 per 1,000 compared to 0.64), according to a 2009 study by the Canadian Medical Association Journal. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence reports that mortality rates are the same in booked home-birth as in hospitals. In November 2011 a study of 65,000 mothers by the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU) was published in the British Medical Journal. The overall rate of negative birth outcomes (death or serious complications) was 4.3 per 1,000 births, with no difference in outcome between non-obstetric and obstetric (hospital) settings. The study did find that the rate of complications rose for first-time mums, 5.3 per 1,000 (0.53%) for hospitals and 9.5 per 1,000 (0.95%) for home-birth. I suspect the number of complications falls with later births because, with experience, the process becomes easier – and because mothers who had problems are less likely to have more children than those who didn't. The Daily Mail managed to twist this into: ‘First-time mothers who opt for home birth face triple the risk of death or brain damage in child.' Don't you just love newspapers? Whether at home or in the hospital there were 250 negative events seen in the study: early neonatal deaths accounted for 13%; brain damage 46%; meconium aspiration syndrome 20%; traumatic nerve damage 4% and fractured bones 4%. Not all of these were treatable.There are so many variables in birth that raw comparative statistics are not always enough. And, without wishing to get into an ethical argument, there are other factors apart from safety. There are things – comfort, happiness, for example – for which people are prepared to sacrifice a little safety. The overriding statistic to take away from that part of the study is that less than 1% of births in the UK, whether at hospital or at home, lead to serious complications.But when you look at rates of satisfaction with their birth experience, the numbers are staggering. According to a 1999 study by Midwifery Today researching women who have experienced both home and hospital birth, over 99% said that they would prefer to have a home-birth in the future!What, then, is so unsatisfying about the hospital birth experience? I'm going to walk through the birthing process now, comparing what goes on at home to hospital. Of course, no two births are the same, no two homes are the same, no two hospitals are the same, but, broadly speaking, it seems women prefer the home-birth experience because: they have more autonomy at home, they suffer less intervention at home and, yes, it appears they actually suffer less pain at home. When mum goes into labour, the journey to the hospital, sometimes rushed, the alien setting when she gets there, the array of doctors and nurses who she may never have met before, but are about to get intimate, can all upset her rhythm and the production of her labour hormones. These aren't always problems, but they have the potential to be; they add to stress and detract from comfort.At home, mum is in a familiar environment, she can get comfortable and settled, go where she likes and do what she likes. Often getting on with something else can take her mind off the pain of the contractions, while in hospital there is little else to focus on. At home, she can choose where she wants to give birth – and she can change her mind, if she likes. She is in her own domain, without someone she doesn't know telling her what she can and can't do. She can change the light, the heating, the music; she can decide exactly who she wants at the birth and who ‘catches' her baby. She can choose what she wants to eat. She will have interviewed and chosen her midwife many months before, and built up a relationship over that time. But in hospitals she is attended by whoever is on duty, she has to eat hospital food, there might be interruptions, doctors' pagers, alarms, screams from next door, whirrs of machinery, tube lighting, overworked, resentful staff to deal with, internal hospital politics, people coming in, waking her up, and checking her vitals, sticking in pins or needles, putting on monitor belts, checking her cervix mid-contraction – any number of things over which mum has no control. Mums who move about freely during labour complain less of back pain. Many authorities feel that the motion of walking and changing positions can even enhance the effectiveness of the contractions, but such active birth is not as possible in the confines of many hospitals. Many use intravenous fluids and electronic foetal monitors to ensure she stays hydrated and to record each contraction and beat of the baby's heart. This all dampens mum's ability to move about and adds to any feelings of claustrophobia.In hospital the tendency is to give birth on your back, though this is often not the best position – the coccyx cannot bend to help the baby's head pass through. There are many other positions – on your hands and knees for example – where you don't have to work against gravity and where the baby's head is not impeded. On your back, pushing is less effective and metal forceps are sometimes used to pull the baby out of the vagina, but forceps are less commonly used when mum assumes a position of comfort during the bearing-down stage.This brings us to the next issue: intervention. The NPEU study of 2011 found that 58% of women in hospital had a natural birth without any intervention, compared to 88% of women at home and 80% of women at a midwife-led unit. Of course, there are frequent occasions when medical technology saves lives, but the likelihood of medical intervention increases in hospitals. I suggest it can actually cause as many problems as it alleviates because it is interruptive. Even routine technology can interrupt the normal birth process. Once derailed from the birthing tracks, it is hard to get back on. Once intervention starts, it's hard to stop. The medical industry is built on providing cures, but if you are a mother giving birth, you are not sick, there is nothing wrong with you, what you are going through is natural and normal. As author Sheila Stubbs writes, ‘the midwife considers the miracle of childbirth as normal, and leaves it alone unless there's trouble. The obstetrician normally sees childbirth as trouble; if he leaves it alone, it's a miracle.'Here are just some of the other interventions that occur. If a mum arrives at hospital and the production of her labour hormones has been interrupted, as can happen as a result of the journey, she will sometimes be given syntocinon, a synthetic version of the hormone oxytocin, which occurs naturally and causes the muscle of the uterus to contract during labour so baby can be pushed out. The dose of syntocinon is increased until contractions are deemed normal. It's sometimes given after birth as well to stimulate the contractions that help push out the placenta and prevent bleeding. But there are allegations that syntocinon increases the risk of baby going into distress, and of mum finding labour too painful and needing an epidural. This is one of the reasons why women also find home-birth less painful.Obstetricians sometimes rupture the bag of waters surrounding the baby in order to speed up the birthing process. This places a time limit on the labour, as the likelihood of a uterine infection increases after the water is broken. Indeed in a hospital – no matter how clean – you are exposed to more pathogens than at home. The rate of post-partum infection to women who give birth in hospital is a terrifying 25%, compared to just 4% in home-birth mothers. Once the protective cushion of water surrounding the baby's head is removed (that is to say, once the waters are broken) there are more possibilities for intervention. A scalp electrode, a tiny probe, might be attached to baby's scalp, to continue monitoring its heart rate and to gather information about its blood.There are these and a whole host of other ‘just in case' interventions in hospital that you just don't meet at home. As childbirth author Margaret Jowitt, says – and here we are back to our theme of Natural Law – ‘Natural childbirth has evolved to suit the species, and if mankind chooses to ignore her advice and interfere with her workings we must not complain about the consequences.'At home, if necessary, in the 1% of cases where serious complications do ensue, you can still be taken to hospital – assuming you live in reasonable distance of one.‘My mother groaned, my father wept,' wrote William Blake, ‘into the dangerous world I leapt.' We come now to the afterbirth. Many new mothers say they physically ache for their babies when they are separated. Nature, it seems, gives new mothers a strong attachment desire, a physical yearning that, if allowed to be satisfied, starts a process with results beneficial to both mother and baby. There are all sorts of natural forces at work, many of which we don't even know about. ‘Incomplete bonding,' on the other hand, in the words of Judith Goldsmith, author of Childbirth Wisdom from the World's Oldest Societies, ‘can lead to confusion, depression, incompetence, and even rejection of the child by the mother.' Yet in hospitals, even today with all we know, the baby is often taken away from the mother for weighing and other tests – or to keep it warm, though there is no warmer place for it that in its mother's arms (nature has planned for skin-to-skin contact).Separation of mother from baby is more likely if some kind of medical intervention or operation has occurred, or if mum is recovering from drugs taken during labour. (Women who have taken drugs in labour also report decreased maternal feelings towards their babies and increased post-natal depression). At home, after birth, baby is not taken from its mother's side unless there is an emergency.As child development author, Joseph Chilton Pearce, writes, ‘Bonding is a psychological-biological state, a vital physical link that coordinates and unifies the entire biological system . . . We are never conscious of being bonded; we are conscious only of our acute disease when we are not bonded.' The breaking of the bond results in higher rates of postpartum depression and child rejection. Nature gives new parents and babies the desire to bond, because bonding is beneficial to our species. Not only does it encourage breastfeeding and speed the recovery of the mother, but the emotional bonding in the magical moments after birth between mother and child, between the entire family, cements the unity of the family. The hospital institution has no such agenda. The cutting of the umbilical cord is another area of contention. Hospitals, say home-birth advocates, cut it too soon. In Birth Without Violence, the classic 1975 text advocating gentle birthing techniques, Frederick Leboyer – also an advocate of bonding and immediate skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby after birth – writes:[Nature] has arranged it so that during the dangerous passage of birth, the child is receiving oxygen from two sources rather than one: from the lungs and from the umbilicus. Two systems functioning simultaneously, one relieving the other: the old one, the umbilicus, continues to supply oxygen to the baby until the new one, the lungs, has fully taken its place. However, once the infant has been born and delivered from the mother, it remains bound to her by this umbilicus, which continues to beat for several long minutes: four, five, sometimes more. Oxygenated by the umbilicus, sheltered from anoxia, the baby can settle into breathing without danger and without shock. In addition, the blood has plenty of time to abandon its old route (which leads to the placenta) and progressively to fill the pulmonary circulatory system. During this time, in parallel fashion, an orifice closes in the heart, which seals off the old route forever. In short, for an average of four or five minutes, the newborn infant straddles two worlds. Drawing oxygen from two sources, it switches gradually from the one to the other, without a brutal transition. One scarcely hears a cry. What is required for this miracle to take place? Only a little patience.Patience is not something you associate with hospital birth. There are simply not the resources, even if, as the sixth US president John Quincy Adams said, ‘patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish'. The arguments to delay the early cutting of the cord (something not as frequent in hospitals as it once was) are that, even though blood going back to the placenta stops flowing – or pulsing – non-pulsing blood going from the placenta into baby is still flowing. After birth, 25–35% of baby's oxygenated blood remains in the placenta for up to ten minutes. With the cord cut early, baby is less likely to receive this blood, making cold stress, infant jaundice, anaemia, Rh disease and even a delayed maternal placental expulsion more likely. There is also the risk of oxygen deprivation and circulatory shock, as baby gasps for breath before his nasal passages have naturally drained their mucus and amniotic fluid. Scientist W. F. Windle has even argued that, starved of blood and oxygen, brain cells will die, so cutting the cord too early even sets the stage for brain damage.Natural birth advocates say it is vital for the baby's feeding to be put to the breast as soon as possible after birth, while his sucking instincts are strongest. Bathing, measuring and temperature-taking can wait. Babies are most alert during the first hour after birth, so it's important to take advantage of this before they settle into that sleepy stage that can last for hours or even days.Colostrum, the yellow fluid that breasts start producing during pregnancy, is nature's first food. is substance performs many roles we know about and probably many we don't as well. Known as ‘baby's first vaccine', it is full of antibodies and protects against many different viruses and bacteria. It has a laxative effect that clears meconium – baby's black and tarry first stool – out of the system. If this isn't done, baby can be vulnerable to jaundice. Colostrum lines baby's stomach ready for its mother's milk, which comes two or three days later, and it meets baby's nutritional needs with a naturally occurring balance of fat, protein and carbohydrate. Again, with the various medical interventions that go on in hospitals, from operations to drug-taking to simply separating mother and baby, this early breast-feeding process can easily be derailed. Once derailed, as I've said, it's often hard to get back on track. I am no scientist and cannot speak with any authority on the science behind it all, but I do know that nature, very often, plans for things that science has yet to discover.Once upon a time, when families lived closer together and people had more children at a younger age, there was an immediate family infrastructure around you. People were experienced with young. If mum was tired, nan or auntie could feed the baby. Many of us are less fortunate in this regard today. With a hospital, you are sent home and, suddenly, you and your partner are on your own with a baby in your life, and very little aftercare. When my first son was born I was 30. I suddenly realized I had only held a baby once before. I was an only child so I had never looked after a younger brother or sister; my cousins, who had had children, lived abroad. Suddenly there was this living thing in my life, and I didn't know what to do. But, having had a home-birth, the midwife, who you already know, can you give you aftercare. She comes and visits, helps with the early breastfeeding process and generally supports and keeps you on the right tracks.It's so important to get the birthing process right. There are all sorts of consequences to our health and happiness to not doing so. And in the West, with the process riddled as it is with intervention, we don't. We need to get birth out of the hospital and into an environment where women experience less pain, lower levels of intervention, greater autonomy and increased satisfaction.A 2011 study by a team from Peking University and the London School of Hygiene found that, of 1.5 million births in China between 1996 and 2008, babies born in hospitals were two to three times less likely to die. China is at a similar stage in its evolutionary cycle to the developed world at the beginning of the 20th century. The move to hospitals there looks inevitable. Something similar is happening in most Developing Nations.In his book A History of Women's Bodies, Edward Shorter quotes a doctor describing a birth in a working-class home in the 1920s:You find a bed that has been slept on by the husband, wife and one or two children; it has frequently been soaked with urine, the sheets are dirty, and the patient's garments are soiled, she has not had a bath. Instead of sterile dressings you have a few old rags or the discharges are allowed to soak into a nightdress which is not changed for days.For comparison, he describes a 1920s hospital birth:The mother lies in a well-aired disinfected room, light and sunlight stream unhindered through a high window and you can make it light as day electrically too. She is well bathed and freshly clothed on linen sheets of blinding whiteness . . . You have a staff of assistants who respond to every signal . . . Only those who have to repair a perineum in a cottars's house in a cottar's bed with the poor light and help at hand can realize the joy.Most homes in the developed world are no longer as he describes, if they ever were, except in slums. It would seem the evolution in the way we give birth as a country develops passes from the home to the hospital. It is time to take it away from the hospital.Why am I spending so much time on birth in a book about economics? The process of giving birth is yet another manifestation of this culture of pervasive state intervention. (Hospitals, of course, are mostly state run.) It's another example of something that feels safer, if provided by the state in a hospital, even if the evidence is to the contrary. And it's another example of the state destroying for so many something that is beautiful and wonderful.What's more, like so many things that are state-run, hospital birth is needlessly expensive. The November 2011 study of 65,000 mothers by the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit looked at the average costs of birth in the NHS. They were highest for planned obstetric unit births and lowest for planned home-births. Here they are:* £1,631 (c. $2,600) for a planned birth in an obstetric unit * £1,461 (c. $2,340 for a planned birth in an alongside midwifery unit (AMU)* £1,435 (c. $2,300) for a planned birth in a free-standing midwifery unit (FMU)* £1,067 (c. $1,700) for a planned home-birth.Not only is it as safe; not only are people more satisfied by it; not only do the recipients receive more one-to-one – i.e. better – care; home-birth is also 35% cheaper. Intervention is expensive.So I return to this theme of non-intervention, whether in hospitals or economies. It often looks cruel, callous and hard-hearted; it often looks unsafe, but, counter-intuitively perhaps, in the end it is more human and more humane.When you look at the cost of private birth, the argument for home-birth is even more compelling. Private maternity care is expensive. For example, in summer 2012, a first birth at the Portland Hospital in London costs £2,880 (about $4,400) for a normal delivery and £3,790 (about $5,685) for an elective caesarean and for the first 24 hours of care. Additional nights in a standard room cost around £1,000 (about $1,500). You also have to allow for the fees charged by your private consultant obstetrician, which might be £3,000–£4,000 ($4,500– $6,000). So, in total, a private birth at a hospital such as the Portland could cost £7,500–£10,000 ($10–$15,000). There will be some saving if you opt for a ‘midwife-led delivery service' or ‘midwife-led care'. In this instance, you will still have a named obstetrician, but he or she will see you less often, and the birth may be ‘supported by an on-call Consultant Obstetrician'. London midwives charge £2,500–£4,000 (c. $4–6,000) for about six months of care from early pregnancy to a month after birth. The comparative value is astounding, I would say.To have a planned home-birth on the NHS is possible, but can be problematic to arrange, depending on where you are based. Most people, after they have paid taxes, do not now have the funds to buy a private home-birth, so they are forced into the arms of government health care, such is the cycle at work.I was first introduced to the idea of home-birth by my ex-wife, Louisa, something for which I will forever be grateful. She hated hospitals due to an earlier experience in her life and only found out about alternatives thanks to the internet. I, as well as my friends and family, thought Louisa was insane. But she insisted. And she was right to.Our first son was actually two weeks and six days late. Because he was so late, we were obliged to go to the hospital, which we did, after two weeks and five days. We were kept waiting so long in there, we decided to go and persuaded an overworked nurse that we were fine to go and we left. The confused nurse was glad to have one less thing to think about. The next day Samuel was born: a beautiful and wonderful experience that I will never forget, one of the happiest days of my life – exactly as nature intended.Simply talking to people that have experienced both home-birth and hospital birth, or reading about their experiences, the anecdotal evidence is compelling. Home-birth may not be for everyone – I'm not suggesting it is. Birthing centres seem a good way forward. But a hospital birth should only be for emergencies. Childbirth is a natural process that no longer requires hospitalization, except in those 1% of situations where something goes seriously wrong. If it does go wrong and there is an emergency, call an ambulance and be taken to hospital – that is what they are for.Returning to the original premise of Natural and Positive Law, it's pretty clear which category hospital birth falls into. Hospitals do things in the way that they do because of the pressures they are under, not least the threat of legal action should some procedural failure occur. Taking birth back home and away from the state reduces the burden of us on it and of it on us.Life After the State - Why We Don't Need Government (2013) is now back in print - with the audiobook here: Audible UK, Audible US, Apple Books. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theflyingfrisby.com/subscribe

All four of my children were born at home. I feel extremely fortunate about this - they should too. Four wonderful experiences. I will forever be in debt to Louisa and Jolie.When, twenty-four years ago, my then wife, Louisa, told me she wanted to give birth to our first child at home, I thought she was off her rocker, but I gave her my word that we would at least talk to a midwife, and we did just that. Within about five minutes of meeting Tina Perridge of South London Independent Midwives, a lady of whom I cannot speak highly enough, I was instantly persuaded. Ever since, when I hear that someone is pregnant, I start urging them to have a homebirth with the persistence of a Jehovah's Witness or someone pedalling an upgrade to your current mobile phone subscription. I even included a chapter about it in my first book Life After the State - Why We Don't Need Government (2013), (now, thanks to the invaluable help of my buddy Chris P, back in print - with the audiobook here [Audible UK, Audible US, Apple Books]).I'm publishing that chapter here, something I was previously not able to do (rights issues), because I want as many people as possible to read it. Many people do not even know home-birth is an option. I'm fully aware that, when it comes to giving birth, one of the last people a prospective mum wants to hear advice from is comedian and financial writer, Dominic Frisby. I'm also aware that this is an extremely sensitive subject and that I am treading on eggshells galore. But the word needs to be spread. All I would say is that if you or someone you know is pregnant, have a conversation with an independent midwife, before committing to having your baby in a hospital. It's so important. Please just talk to an independent midwife first. With that said, here is that chapter. Enjoy it, and if you know anyone who is pregnant, please send this to them.We have to use fiat money, we have to pay taxes, most of us are beholden in some way to the education system. These are all things much bigger than us, over which we have little control. The birth of your child, however, is one of the most important experiences of your (and their) life, one where the state so often makes a mess of things, but one where it really is possible to have some control.The State: Looking After Your First BreathThe knowledge of how to give birth without outside interventions lies deep within each woman. Successful childbirth depends on an acceptance of the process.Suzanne Arms, authorThere is no single experience that puts you more in touch with the meaning of life than birth. A birth should be a happy, healthy, wonderful experience for everyone involved. Too often it isn't.Broadly speaking, there are three places a mother can give birth: at home, in hospital or – half-way house – at a birthing centre. Over the course of the 20th century we have moved birth from the home to the hospital. In the UK in the 1920s something like 80% of births took place at home. In the 1960s it was one in three. By 1991 it was 1%. In Japan the home-birth rate was 95% in 1950 falling to 1.2% in 1975. In the US home-birth went from 50% in 1938 to 1% in 1955. In the UK now 2.7% of births take place at home. In Scotland, 1.2% of births take place at home, and in Northern Ireland this drops to fewer than 0.4%. Home-birth is now the anomaly. But for several thousand years, it was the norm.The two key words here are ‘happy' and ‘healthy'. The two tend to come hand in hand. But let's look, first, at ‘healthy'. Let me stress, I am looking at planned homebirth; not a homebirth where mum didn't get to the hospital in time.My initial assumption when I looked at this subject was that hospital would be more healthy. A hospital is full of trained personnel, medicine and medical equipment. My first instinct against home-birth, it turned out, echoed the numerous arguments against it, which come from many parts of the medical establishment. They more or less run along the lines of this statement from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology: ‘Unless a woman is in a hospital, an accredited free-standing birthing centre or a birthing centre within a hospital complex, with physicians ready to intervene quickly if necessary, she puts herself and her baby's health and life at unnecessary risk.'Actually, the risk of death for babies born at home is almost half that of babies born at hospital (0.35 per 1,000 compared to 0.64), according to a 2009 study by the Canadian Medical Association Journal. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence reports that mortality rates are the same in booked home-birth as in hospitals. In November 2011 a study of 65,000 mothers by the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU) was published in the British Medical Journal. The overall rate of negative birth outcomes (death or serious complications) was 4.3 per 1,000 births, with no difference in outcome between non-obstetric and obstetric (hospital) settings. The study did find that the rate of complications rose for first-time mums, 5.3 per 1,000 (0.53%) for hospitals and 9.5 per 1,000 (0.95%) for home-birth. I suspect the number of complications falls with later births because, with experience, the process becomes easier – and because mothers who had problems are less likely to have more children than those who didn't. The Daily Mail managed to twist this into: ‘First-time mothers who opt for home birth face triple the risk of death or brain damage in child.' Don't you just love newspapers? Whether at home or in the hospital there were 250 negative events seen in the study: early neonatal deaths accounted for 13%; brain damage 46%; meconium aspiration syndrome 20%; traumatic nerve damage 4% and fractured bones 4%. Not all of these were treatable.There are so many variables in birth that raw comparative statistics are not always enough. And, without wishing to get into an ethical argument, there are other factors apart from safety. There are things – comfort, happiness, for example – for which people are prepared to sacrifice a little safety. The overriding statistic to take away from that part of the study is that less than 1% of births in the UK, whether at hospital or at home, lead to serious complications.But when you look at rates of satisfaction with their birth experience, the numbers are staggering. According to a 1999 study by Midwifery Today researching women who have experienced both home and hospital birth, over 99% said that they would prefer to have a home-birth in the future!What, then, is so unsatisfying about the hospital birth experience? I'm going to walk through the birthing process now, comparing what goes on at home to hospital. Of course, no two births are the same, no two homes are the same, no two hospitals are the same, but, broadly speaking, it seems women prefer the home-birth experience because: they have more autonomy at home, they suffer less intervention at home and, yes, it appears they actually suffer less pain at home. When mum goes into labour, the journey to the hospital, sometimes rushed, the alien setting when she gets there, the array of doctors and nurses who she may never have met before, but are about to get intimate, can all upset her rhythm and the production of her labour hormones. These aren't always problems, but they have the potential to be; they add to stress and detract from comfort.At home, mum is in a familiar environment, she can get comfortable and settled, go where she likes and do what she likes. Often getting on with something else can take her mind off the pain of the contractions, while in hospital there is little else to focus on. At home, she can choose where she wants to give birth – and she can change her mind, if she likes. She is in her own domain, without someone she doesn't know telling her what she can and can't do. She can change the light, the heating, the music; she can decide exactly who she wants at the birth and who ‘catches' her baby. She can choose what she wants to eat. She will have interviewed and chosen her midwife many months before, and built up a relationship over that time. But in hospitals she is attended by whoever is on duty, she has to eat hospital food, there might be interruptions, doctors' pagers, alarms, screams from next door, whirrs of machinery, tube lighting, overworked, resentful staff to deal with, internal hospital politics, people coming in, waking her up, and checking her vitals, sticking in pins or needles, putting on monitor belts, checking her cervix mid-contraction – any number of things over which mum has no control. Mums who move about freely during labour complain less of back pain. Many authorities feel that the motion of walking and changing positions can even enhance the effectiveness of the contractions, but such active birth is not as possible in the confines of many hospitals. Many use intravenous fluids and electronic foetal monitors to ensure she stays hydrated and to record each contraction and beat of the baby's heart. This all dampens mum's ability to move about and adds to any feelings of claustrophobia.In hospital the tendency is to give birth on your back, though this is often not the best position – the coccyx cannot bend to help the baby's head pass through. There are many other positions – on your hands and knees for example – where you don't have to work against gravity and where the baby's head is not impeded. On your back, pushing is less effective and metal forceps are sometimes used to pull the baby out of the vagina, but forceps are less commonly used when mum assumes a position of comfort during the bearing-down stage.This brings us to the next issue: intervention. The NPEU study of 2011 found that 58% of women in hospital had a natural birth without any intervention, compared to 88% of women at home and 80% of women at a midwife-led unit. Of course, there are frequent occasions when medical technology saves lives, but the likelihood of medical intervention increases in hospitals. I suggest it can actually cause as many problems as it alleviates because it is interruptive. Even routine technology can interrupt the normal birth process. Once derailed from the birthing tracks, it is hard to get back on. Once intervention starts, it's hard to stop. The medical industry is built on providing cures, but if you are a mother giving birth, you are not sick, there is nothing wrong with you, what you are going through is natural and normal. As author Sheila Stubbs writes, ‘the midwife considers the miracle of childbirth as normal, and leaves it alone unless there's trouble. The obstetrician normally sees childbirth as trouble; if he leaves it alone, it's a miracle.'Here are just some of the other interventions that occur. If a mum arrives at hospital and the production of her labour hormones has been interrupted, as can happen as a result of the journey, she will sometimes be given syntocinon, a synthetic version of the hormone oxytocin, which occurs naturally and causes the muscle of the uterus to contract during labour so baby can be pushed out. The dose of syntocinon is increased until contractions are deemed normal. It's sometimes given after birth as well to stimulate the contractions that help push out the placenta and prevent bleeding. But there are allegations that syntocinon increases the risk of baby going into distress, and of mum finding labour too painful and needing an epidural. This is one of the reasons why women also find home-birth less painful.Obstetricians sometimes rupture the bag of waters surrounding the baby in order to speed up the birthing process. This places a time limit on the labour, as the likelihood of a uterine infection increases after the water is broken. Indeed in a hospital – no matter how clean – you are exposed to more pathogens than at home. The rate of post-partum infection to women who give birth in hospital is a terrifying 25%, compared to just 4% in home-birth mothers. Once the protective cushion of water surrounding the baby's head is removed (that is to say, once the waters are broken) there are more possibilities for intervention. A scalp electrode, a tiny probe, might be attached to baby's scalp, to continue monitoring its heart rate and to gather information about its blood.There are these and a whole host of other ‘just in case' interventions in hospital that you just don't meet at home. As childbirth author Margaret Jowitt, says – and here we are back to our theme of Natural Law – ‘Natural childbirth has evolved to suit the species, and if mankind chooses to ignore her advice and interfere with her workings we must not complain about the consequences.'At home, if necessary, in the 1% of cases where serious complications do ensue, you can still be taken to hospital – assuming you live in reasonable distance of one.‘My mother groaned, my father wept,' wrote William Blake, ‘into the dangerous world I leapt.' We come now to the afterbirth. Many new mothers say they physically ache for their babies when they are separated. Nature, it seems, gives new mothers a strong attachment desire, a physical yearning that, if allowed to be satisfied, starts a process with results beneficial to both mother and baby. There are all sorts of natural forces at work, many of which we don't even know about. ‘Incomplete bonding,' on the other hand, in the words of Judith Goldsmith, author of Childbirth Wisdom from the World's Oldest Societies, ‘can lead to confusion, depression, incompetence, and even rejection of the child by the mother.' Yet in hospitals, even today with all we know, the baby is often taken away from the mother for weighing and other tests – or to keep it warm, though there is no warmer place for it that in its mother's arms (nature has planned for skin-to-skin contact).Separation of mother from baby is more likely if some kind of medical intervention or operation has occurred, or if mum is recovering from drugs taken during labour. (Women who have taken drugs in labour also report decreased maternal feelings towards their babies and increased post-natal depression). At home, after birth, baby is not taken from its mother's side unless there is an emergency.As child development author, Joseph Chilton Pearce, writes, ‘Bonding is a psychological-biological state, a vital physical link that coordinates and unifies the entire biological system . . . We are never conscious of being bonded; we are conscious only of our acute disease when we are not bonded.' The breaking of the bond results in higher rates of postpartum depression and child rejection. Nature gives new parents and babies the desire to bond, because bonding is beneficial to our species. Not only does it encourage breastfeeding and speed the recovery of the mother, but the emotional bonding in the magical moments after birth between mother and child, between the entire family, cements the unity of the family. The hospital institution has no such agenda. The cutting of the umbilical cord is another area of contention. Hospitals, say home-birth advocates, cut it too soon. In Birth Without Violence, the classic 1975 text advocating gentle birthing techniques, Frederick Leboyer – also an advocate of bonding and immediate skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby after birth – writes:[Nature] has arranged it so that during the dangerous passage of birth, the child is receiving oxygen from two sources rather than one: from the lungs and from the umbilicus. Two systems functioning simultaneously, one relieving the other: the old one, the umbilicus, continues to supply oxygen to the baby until the new one, the lungs, has fully taken its place. However, once the infant has been born and delivered from the mother, it remains bound to her by this umbilicus, which continues to beat for several long minutes: four, five, sometimes more. Oxygenated by the umbilicus, sheltered from anoxia, the baby can settle into breathing without danger and without shock. In addition, the blood has plenty of time to abandon its old route (which leads to the placenta) and progressively to fill the pulmonary circulatory system. During this time, in parallel fashion, an orifice closes in the heart, which seals off the old route forever. In short, for an average of four or five minutes, the newborn infant straddles two worlds. Drawing oxygen from two sources, it switches gradually from the one to the other, without a brutal transition. One scarcely hears a cry. What is required for this miracle to take place? Only a little patience.Patience is not something you associate with hospital birth. There are simply not the resources, even if, as the sixth US president John Quincy Adams said, ‘patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish'. The arguments to delay the early cutting of the cord (something not as frequent in hospitals as it once was) are that, even though blood going back to the placenta stops flowing – or pulsing – non-pulsing blood going from the placenta into baby is still flowing. After birth, 25–35% of baby's oxygenated blood remains in the placenta for up to ten minutes. With the cord cut early, baby is less likely to receive this blood, making cold stress, infant jaundice, anaemia, Rh disease and even a delayed maternal placental expulsion more likely. There is also the risk of oxygen deprivation and circulatory shock, as baby gasps for breath before his nasal passages have naturally drained their mucus and amniotic fluid. Scientist W. F. Windle has even argued that, starved of blood and oxygen, brain cells will die, so cutting the cord too early even sets the stage for brain damage.Natural birth advocates say it is vital for the baby's feeding to be put to the breast as soon as possible after birth, while his sucking instincts are strongest. Bathing, measuring and temperature-taking can wait. Babies are most alert during the first hour after birth, so it's important to take advantage of this before they settle into that sleepy stage that can last for hours or even days.Colostrum, the yellow fluid that breasts start producing during pregnancy, is nature's first food. is substance performs many roles we know about and probably many we don't as well. Known as ‘baby's first vaccine', it is full of antibodies and protects against many different viruses and bacteria. It has a laxative effect that clears meconium – baby's black and tarry first stool – out of the system. If this isn't done, baby can be vulnerable to jaundice. Colostrum lines baby's stomach ready for its mother's milk, which comes two or three days later, and it meets baby's nutritional needs with a naturally occurring balance of fat, protein and carbohydrate. Again, with the various medical interventions that go on in hospitals, from operations to drug-taking to simply separating mother and baby, this early breast-feeding process can easily be derailed. Once derailed, as I've said, it's often hard to get back on track. I am no scientist and cannot speak with any authority on the science behind it all, but I do know that nature, very often, plans for things that science has yet to discover.Once upon a time, when families lived closer together and people had more children at a younger age, there was an immediate family infrastructure around you. People were experienced with young. If mum was tired, nan or auntie could feed the baby. Many of us are less fortunate in this regard today. With a hospital, you are sent home and, suddenly, you and your partner are on your own with a baby in your life, and very little aftercare. When my first son was born I was 30. I suddenly realized I had only held a baby once before. I was an only child so I had never looked after a younger brother or sister; my cousins, who had had children, lived abroad. Suddenly there was this living thing in my life, and I didn't know what to do. But, having had a home-birth, the midwife, who you already know, can you give you aftercare. She comes and visits, helps with the early breastfeeding process and generally supports and keeps you on the right tracks.It's so important to get the birthing process right. There are all sorts of consequences to our health and happiness to not doing so. And in the West, with the process riddled as it is with intervention, we don't. We need to get birth out of the hospital and into an environment where women experience less pain, lower levels of intervention, greater autonomy and increased satisfaction.A 2011 study by a team from Peking University and the London School of Hygiene found that, of 1.5 million births in China between 1996 and 2008, babies born in hospitals were two to three times less likely to die. China is at a similar stage in its evolutionary cycle to the developed world at the beginning of the 20th century. The move to hospitals there looks inevitable. Something similar is happening in most Developing Nations.In his book A History of Women's Bodies, Edward Shorter quotes a doctor describing a birth in a working-class home in the 1920s:You find a bed that has been slept on by the husband, wife and one or two children; it has frequently been soaked with urine, the sheets are dirty, and the patient's garments are soiled, she has not had a bath. Instead of sterile dressings you have a few old rags or the discharges are allowed to soak into a nightdress which is not changed for days.For comparison, he describes a 1920s hospital birth:The mother lies in a well-aired disinfected room, light and sunlight stream unhindered through a high window and you can make it light as day electrically too. She is well bathed and freshly clothed on linen sheets of blinding whiteness . . . You have a staff of assistants who respond to every signal . . . Only those who have to repair a perineum in a cottars's house in a cottar's bed with the poor light and help at hand can realize the joy.Most homes in the developed world are no longer as he describes, if they ever were, except in slums. It would seem the evolution in the way we give birth as a country develops passes from the home to the hospital. It is time to take it away from the hospital.Why am I spending so much time on birth in a book about economics? The process of giving birth is yet another manifestation of this culture of pervasive state intervention. (Hospitals, of course, are mostly state run.) It's another example of something that feels safer, if provided by the state in a hospital, even if the evidence is to the contrary. And it's another example of the state destroying for so many something that is beautiful and wonderful.What's more, like so many things that are state-run, hospital birth is needlessly expensive. The November 2011 study of 65,000 mothers by the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit looked at the average costs of birth in the NHS. They were highest for planned obstetric unit births and lowest for planned home-births. Here they are:* £1,631 (c. $2,600) for a planned birth in an obstetric unit * £1,461 (c. $2,340 for a planned birth in an alongside midwifery unit (AMU)* £1,435 (c. $2,300) for a planned birth in a free-standing midwifery unit (FMU)* £1,067 (c. $1,700) for a planned home-birth.Not only is it as safe; not only are people more satisfied by it; not only do the recipients receive more one-to-one – i.e. better – care; home-birth is also 35% cheaper. Intervention is expensive.So I return to this theme of non-intervention, whether in hospitals or economies. It often looks cruel, callous and hard-hearted; it often looks unsafe, but, counter-intuitively perhaps, in the end it is more human and more humane.When you look at the cost of private birth, the argument for home-birth is even more compelling. Private maternity care is expensive. For example, in summer 2012, a first birth at the Portland Hospital in London costs £2,880 (about $4,400) for a normal delivery and £3,790 (about $5,685) for an elective caesarean and for the first 24 hours of care. Additional nights in a standard room cost around £1,000 (about $1,500). You also have to allow for the fees charged by your private consultant obstetrician, which might be £3,000–£4,000 ($4,500– $6,000). So, in total, a private birth at a hospital such as the Portland could cost £7,500–£10,000 ($10–$15,000). There will be some saving if you opt for a ‘midwife-led delivery service' or ‘midwife-led care'. In this instance, you will still have a named obstetrician, but he or she will see you less often, and the birth may be ‘supported by an on-call Consultant Obstetrician'. London midwives charge £2,500–£4,000 (c. $4–6,000) for about six months of care from early pregnancy to a month after birth. The comparative value is astounding, I would say.To have a planned home-birth on the NHS is possible, but can be problematic to arrange, depending on where you are based. Most people, after they have paid taxes, do not now have the funds to buy a private home-birth, so they are forced into the arms of government health care, such is the cycle at work.I was first introduced to the idea of home-birth by my ex-wife, Louisa, something for which I will forever be grateful. She hated hospitals due to an earlier experience in her life and only found out about alternatives thanks to the internet. I, as well as my friends and family, thought Louisa was insane. But she insisted. And she was right to.Our first son was actually two weeks and six days late. Because he was so late, we were obliged to go to the hospital, which we did, after two weeks and five days. We were kept waiting so long in there, we decided to go and persuaded an overworked nurse that we were fine to go and we left. The confused nurse was glad to have one less thing to think about. The next day Samuel was born: a beautiful and wonderful experience that I will never forget, one of the happiest days of my life – exactly as nature intended.Simply talking to people that have experienced both home-birth and hospital birth, or reading about their experiences, the anecdotal evidence is compelling. Home-birth may not be for everyone – I'm not suggesting it is. Birthing centres seem a good way forward. But a hospital birth should only be for emergencies. Childbirth is a natural process that no longer requires hospitalization, except in those 1% of situations where something goes seriously wrong. If it does go wrong and there is an emergency, call an ambulance and be taken to hospital – that is what they are for.Returning to the original premise of Natural and Positive Law, it's pretty clear which category hospital birth falls into. Hospitals do things in the way that they do because of the pressures they are under, not least the threat of legal action should some procedural failure occur. Taking birth back home and away from the state reduces the burden of us on it and of it on us.Life After the State - Why We Don't Need Government (2013) is now back in print - with the audiobook here: Audible UK, Audible US, Apple Books. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theflyingfrisby.com/subscribe

More than one in three babies are now delivered by caesarean section in Ireland marking a ten-year high, that's according to new statistics from the National Healthcare Quality Reporting System Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Dr Vicky O'Dwyer, Consultant Obstetrician at the Rotunda.

More than one in three babies are now delivered by caesarean section in Ireland marking a ten-year high, that's according to new statistics from the National Healthcare Quality Reporting System Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Dr Vicky O'Dwyer, Consultant Obstetrician at the Rotunda.

India explores the complicated world of nutrition with the help of Dr Emma Derbyshire. How much of the advice out there is crucial, and how much is just another stress on a new parent? And could the food we eat during pregnancy impact the future tastes of an unborn baby? Nadja Reissland shares her research. Food is one thing, but what are we not exploring when it comes to our influence over an unborn baby? Child psychotherapist Graham Music and Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Christine Ekechi share some other significant factors that can impact a foetus.Presented by India Rakusen. Producer: Georgia Arundell. Series Producer: Ellie Sans. Executive Producer: Suzy Grant. Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts. Original music composed and performed by The Big Moon. Mix and Mastering by Olga Reed.A Listen production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

17 January 2024 Dr. Salma Yassine specialises in pediatric and neuro-ophthalmology at Moorfields Eye Hospital and she is telling us how much screen time our kids should be getting. Vishal Soni, Senior Technical Product Manager at Alteryx lets us know if we should be scared of AI. Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist and Medical Director, Dr Mariam from Awatai Clinic came in to talk about the importance of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and HPV. Last, but not least, it's Pets & Vets! Veterinary Physiotherapist Megan Taylor and Dr. Maria from Modern Vet are in to answer all of your pet queries!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pregnancy is a time of anticipation, but also one of anxiety. After all, the expecting mother is preparing for her life to change with the arrival of her baby, while hoping for a safe and healthy delivery. If the pregnancy is a high-risk one, there are even more fears over the well-being of mother and baby. Dr Muniswaran Ganeshan, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist from Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, joins us to explain more about managing high-risk pregnancies, and how he helps to keep mothers and their babies safe.

This week on The Ribbon Box Podcast, we're joined by Professor Asma Khalil, a Consultant Obstetrician and Fetal Medicine specialist at St George's Hospital, London.With the TRB Founder currently expecting twins, we wanted to get our questions asked by the expert. From the key challenges to be aware of with multiples, to having a comprehensive prenatal plan. Professor Asma Khalil provides a comprehensive range of services to support expectant mothers throughout their pregnancy journey. Get in touch with her today: https://asmakhalil.co.uk/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/fertility-spingboard/exclusive-content

Dr. John Coulter, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecological Oncologist and Clinical Lead of The National Gestational Trophoblastic Disease Centre at Cork University Maternity Hospital explains Gestational Trophoblastic Disease, also known as "Molar Pregnancy". Patient advocate, Rachel shares her lived experience of GTD. 

According to the National Health & Morbidity Survey 2022 on Maternal and Child Health, only less than half of women of reproductive age or their partner use any contraceptive methods in Malaysia. What is the impact of low contraceptive use on the health and well-being of women and their families, and what are the unmet needs for family planning? Dr Lavitha Sivapatham, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist from Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, provides an overview of modern contraceptive methods, and addresses common fears and concerns over the use of contraception.

Ever thought about the toll gestational diabetes could take on newborns? We offer an enlightening perspective on the risks of gestational diabetes such as preterm labor, larger than average babies, breathing issues, and low blood sugars.  As we navigate this complex terrain, we aim to simplify these medical matters into easy-to-understand dialogues, giving expectant mothers the much-needed reassurance they're seeking.Our guest today is Professor Fergal Malone, Consultant Obstetrician and former CEO of the Rotunda Hospital.  Stepping beyond his medical expertise, Fergal graciously allows us a peek into his life and career at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. He reminisces about his seven-year journey as the CEO of the Rotunda Hospital, and how he managed to seamlessly balance demanding responsibilities in teaching, research, personnel, and management. You'll also get an intimate look at how Fergal, the father of four daughters who are all in the medical field, juggles his vibrant family life along with his high-powered career.Finally, we explore the nuances of career progression, specifically the indispensable role of mentorship in the medical field. Fergal shares the invaluable lessons he learned from his mentor, Mary Dalton, on creating impactful research through collaboration. As we wrap up, we dissect the subtle intricacies of data interpretation in obstetrics, focusing on the induction of labour at 39 weeks gestation and home births. This episode promises to enlighten not only medical professionals and expecting parents, but also those fascinated by the world of obstetrics. Prepare to be informed, inspired, and intrigued!

Adrian Goldberg hears from UK medics calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Israel has launched the onslaught in the territory, in retaliation for horrific attacks by Hamas in which more than 1400 people were killed. More than 200 hostages were taken. More than 4300 people have since died in Gaza, many of them civilians, as a result of aerial strikes, which are thought to be the prelude of a ground invasion. Humanitarian Aid has been allowed into the territory after several days of siege and the International Committee of the Red Cross is now asking for medical personal and surgical teams to be allowed in. Adrian is joined by Dr Omar Abdel-Mannan who has made several visits to Gaza and the West Bank and Dr Deborah Harrington a Consultant Obstetrician based in Oxford who has been travelling to Gaza since 2017.Produced in Birmingham by Adrian Goldberg and Harvey White. Funded by subscriptions to the Byline Times. Made by We Bring Audio for Byline Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted by Bruno de Carvalho, EFP Perio Talks brings together two experts: Associate Professor Ali Çekici (Turkey) and Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr Renee Behrens (UK). Together, they unveil the complex influence of hormonal changes on women's gum health across different life phases, offering valuable insights into puberty, the menstrual cycle, contraceptive use, pregnancy, IVF, post-menopause, and even transgender health.

In this podcast two experts discuss Alcohol and Pregnancy. Dr Mary O'Mahony, Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Professor Maeve Eogan, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist talk to podcast host Noreen Turley about a range of issues involved including Foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). FASD Awareness Day is the 9th of September 2023.    They discuss the difficulties that some women face giving up alcohol while pregnant and the importance of providing consistent messaging to women. The clear message is that No amount of alcohol at any stage of pregnancy is safe for your baby and if you have had a drink stopping as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed is the best thing for your developing baby.   Maeve says that “We want to support women who find having an alcohol free pregnancy difficult without the‘blame and shame culture' this can prevent women asking for help. Health care professionals need to have clear communication and have those challenging conservations with women so that we can provide support to women.”    Mary explains that “The reality is that anytime alcohol is consumed during pregnancy, it passes from your blood stream through the placenta to your baby. Even a small amount of alcohol can harm a baby's development and may have lifelong effects. But stopping drinking alcohol at any stage of pregnancy is of benefit to the baby.”   Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). FASD experience lifelong challenges and need support with their physical health. They may struggle with learning, memory, attention, communication, emotional regulation, and social skills. FASD Awareness Day is the 9th of September 2023.    For further information and tips for not drinking during pregnancy contact the Drug and Alcohol Helpline on 1800 459 459 or visit  https://www2.hse.ie/pregnancy-birth/keeping-well/food-drink/alcohol/ and https://www2.hse.ie/my-child/     Produced by GKMedia.ie

Welcome to the first episode of the second season of Conversations in Fetal Medicine, where we talk to Professor Sally Collins. Sally is a Consultant Obstetrician subspecializing in Feto-Maternal Medicineat the John Radcliffe Hospital and a Professor of Obstetrics in the NuffieldDepartment of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford.Sally graduated in Medicine from the University of Oxford and specialized inObstetrics and Gynaecology, training within the Oxford region during whichtime she completed a DPhil in Obstetric Ultrasound. Sally is currently aConsultant Obstetrician in a busy NHS Trust and has set up the Oxford FMUtertiary referral Placenta Clinic.She is highly research active having authored over 150 journal articles, filedthree patents and won several international research awards. She currentlyholds several grants including from the NIHR and Sir Jules Thorn Trust todevelop a fully automated first trimester ultrasound screening tool for fetalgrowth restriction.Sally is also world renowned for her expertise in placenta accreta spectrum(PAS) and is currently working with NHS England to develop a nationalnetwork for the diagnosis and management of PAS having co-authored theRCOG and FIGO guidelines on diagnosis and management of PAS. She isChairperson elect of the International Society for PAS and is the lead authoron their recent evidence-based guidelines. She is a founder member of theOxford Placenta Accreta team (https://www.placentaaccretasspectrum.com/)and continues to strive to improve the outcomes for women affected by thisrare, but complex and potentially lethal condition.Websites with further details about her work and research: https://www.wrh.ox.ac.uk/team/sally-collinsHer Wikipedia page:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sally_CollinsThe (fabulous) PAS website we discuss in the episode:  https://www.placentaaccretasspectrum.com/We have not included any patient identifiable information, and this podcast is intended for professional education rather than patient information (although anyone is of course welcome to listen). Please get in touch with feedback or suggestions for future guests or topics: conversationsinfetalmed@gmail.com, or via Twitter (X) or Instagram via @fetalmedcast.    Music by Crowander ('Acoustic romance') used under creative commons licence. Podcast created, hosted and edited by Dr Jane Currie. 

Join us for an empowering episode of Kamalaya's "Wellness for Life" podcast as we dive deep into the intricate cycles of women's health. In this riveting conversation, we have the privilege of hosting Kate Panter, a distinguished Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist and a fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Delve into the vibrant world of women's health as Karina Stewart, our esteemed host and founder of Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary on Koh Samui, together with Dr Panter explore an array of captivating topics that resonate with women of all ages. From optimising fertility and navigating hormonal shifts to managing health risks and embracing the transformative stages of perimenopause and menopause, this episode is a treasure trove of knowledge and empowerment. Discover the essential cycles of women's health, gain insights into maintaining optimal fertility and uncover red flags that demand attention. Dive into the depths of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and gain valuable strategies for navigating the unique challenges and opportunities that arise during different phases of life. As an added bonus, we're thrilled to announce the launch of our new women's wellness program, Radiant Bliss. This transformative program is exclusively designed to address the specific needs and concerns of women, catering to different stages of life and enhancing overall wellbeing. Visit our website, www.kamalaya.com, to explore this extraordinary offering. Tune in to the "Wellness for Life" podcast and embark on a transformative journey towards radiant health, embracing the power and beauty of women's wellbeing. Together, let's celebrate the vitality, resilience and limitless potential that defines the essence of womanhood. We value your feedback and suggestions for future episodes. Reach out to us at info@kamalaya.com with the subject line "Wellness for Life Podcast," and let your voice be heard.  Stay connected with us on social media for daily doses of inspiration, motivation and the latest trends in holistic wellbeing. www.kamalayaconnect.com  https://www.facebook.com/kamalayaconnect  https://www.linkedin.com/company/kamalayaconnect  https://www.instagram.com/kamalayaconnect 

A recent survey by the Health Information and Quality Authority has given us a detailed review of the standard of maternity bereavement services in Ireland. Almost 900 participants took part in the survey, and the aim is to bring attention to the situation for grieving parents who are experiencing this loss. But is the conversation being given enough attention or is the stigma of pregnancy loss still present? Stefanie Preissner was joined by Professor Keelin O'Donoghue, Consultant Obstetrician at Cork University Hospital and lead of the pregnancy loss research group in UCC…

A recent survey by the Health Information and Quality Authority has given us a detailed review of the standard of maternity bereavement services in Ireland. Almost 900 participants took part in the survey, and the aim is to bring attention to the situation for grieving parents who are experiencing this loss. But is the conversation being given enough attention or is the stigma of pregnancy loss still present? Stefanie Preissner was joined by Professor Keelin O'Donoghue, Consultant Obstetrician at Cork University Hospital and lead of the pregnancy loss research group in UCC…

***CORRECTION ***The cut off of 23 weeks gestation does NOT apply if the fetus  has a life limiting abnormality which will result in the death of the fetus either before or within 28 days of birth . Women CAN avail  of a termination and there is no upper limit of gestation in these cases. We discuss this point at 4:37 mins **The abortion process is different after 22+6 days.

Gubby Ayida is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust(CWFT). She is currently seconded as the Medical Director at Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. With a strong background in NHS management and clinical leadership, Gubby is involved with NHS transformation work and Integrated Care Working both place-based and across the sector. She has effectively led change management during a merger of two acute hospitals. Gubby is Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust's Special Advisor to the Trust Board on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, a role taken up just before the first wave of the Covid pandemic. She seeks to systematically use her current executive and board advisory roles and management experience to deliver transactional improvements and influence much-needed cultural change to address 'belonging' in the NHS People Plan and tackle the health inequalities exposed by the pandemic.  For more information about CHLN, visit: https://cmf.li/CHLNSupport the show

We've spoken multiple times about sex & physical intimacy, but this time, let's get even more serious about it. The journey to becoming pregnant can be highly stressful for many couples, especially if they're hoping to get pregnant quickly or have been through multiple failed pregnancies. Fertility issues - which are at the top of couples' minds - often times add more stress to their ‘Trying To Conceive' journey. How do we make this journey less stressful? And how can we ‘successfully' make love (and get pregnant)?  Dr Janice Tung, a Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, and IVF Specialist at Thomson Fertility Centre join the girls in this episode of Hush Podcast to discuss sex, fertility and making babies. --- I Love Children Know Your Fertility Wellness campaign partners with both Thomson Fertility Centre and Thomson Chinese Medicine to offer couples fertility consultations. Find out more here: https://ilovechildren.sg/know-your-fertility-wellness See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we speak with Professor Mark Johnson, leading Consultant Obstetrician and Head of Research & Development at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London. Mark is also the founder of Borne, a medical research charity which aims to prevent premature birth. This episode is particularly pertinent as Mark supported Caro in her subsequent pregnancies after losing her first son, Freddie.

Pregnancy is the beginning of a thrilling, roller coaster ride for any couple, but the journey actually begins even before the baby is conceived. Join Dr Goh Huay Yee, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, from ParkCity Medical Centre, to find out how couples can start the family planning journey, and what they need to know about steering the next nine months - and beyond - together with their healthcare provider.

Professor Mary Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician at the National Maternity Hospital & Assistant Prof at UCD

Today I'm to be joined by Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist who needs no introduction  Dr Deemah Salem. Some of you may know Dr Deemah currently practices at Genesis Healthcare in Dubai and is widely known for advocating women preventative health and education across the region. Today we'll discussing a topic that most parents are very apprehensive about and that's puberty. We'll cover what to expect, how to talk to your kids about it and provide a safe space for them to come to you during this period of transition. Dr Deemah is a American Board of Obgyn, and is a true advocates women's preventative healthcare. Fluent in both English and Arabic, she has a rich and diverse background that caters to the cultural needs of patients. Dr Deemah's passion is to educate and empower women with information about their health and provide them with the best healthcare possible.As usual if anyone would like to make an appointment With Dr Deemah head over to www.genesis-dubai.com or give them a call on +971 4 577 6500.Check out her amazing instagram page .@dr.deemahsalem

Dr. Breffni Anglim O'Regan is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with a Subspecialist in Urogynaecology and Pelvic Floor Reconstructive Surgery in the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital. Dr. Anglim O'Regan explains the lifestyle changes that we can make to strengthen our pelvic floor and reduce severity of urinary incontinence as well as medical and surgical treatment options. You don't have to suffer in silence with this very common women's health condition.

In this special episode I speak to Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Tejal Amin, who specialises in early pregnancy and miscarriage, about pregnancy loss, the causes, the signs and symptoms, the factors that can increase risk, common misconceptions and available support. I am also joined by my good friend Alice Haig, who tells us her story of conceiving and pregnancy losses. Charities that were mentioned in this episode are: Tommy's - https://www.tommys.org/The Miscarriage association - https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/Cradle - https://cradlecharity.org/Relate - https://www.relate.org.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For years, the stereotype of women in the menopausal and post-menopausal period was that of ageing women past their prime and productivity. However, these views have become outdated, and will continue to change as we develop, and provide women with, more options to improve health and well-being in mid-life and beyond. In the first of a 3-part series on menopause, we speak to Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr Premitha Damodaran, to discuss significant updates in the Clinical Practice Guidelines on Management of Menopause in Malaysia 2023, especially pertaining to the use of menopausal hormone therapy. Image credit: Shutterstock

This episodes discusses abortions and may be difficult for some listeners.  In the first half of this episode, Stefanie talks to Dr. Vicky O'Dwyer, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Rotunda Hospital to discuss the process of getting an abortion in Ireland and the supports that are available to women in need of abortions and post-procedure. In the second half of the episode, Stefanie speaks with Orna Cronin, who talks about her personal experience with TFMR (Termination For Medical Reasons), and why she was unable to get the care she needed in Ireland.  You can support Stefanie and the show on HeadStuff+ Follow Stefanie on Instagram @StefaniePreissner Thanks to Cathal O'Gara for our artwork and our music is from Only Ruin. This episode of Basically is sponsored by Rockwell. Feel free to check them out at rockwellfinancial.ie/basically

On this episode of Meditalk we speak with Dr Michael Gannon who very kindly answered frequently asked questions on ‘induction'. Dr Gannon is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at St John of God Hospital in Subiaco. I would like to thank the wonderful women who provided questions to ask Dr Gannon about 'induction' via SJOGH Subiaco facebook and instagram pages, I greatly appreciate you taking the time and showing your support. Thank you Dr Michael Gannon for sharing his time & knowledge with us today on Meditalk. To learn more about Dr Gannon and SJOG Subiaco please visit: sjog.org.au Stay well, D :-)

Today I'm chatting with Dr Anne Henderson, a highly experienced Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist who has spent 17 years as a senior consultant at a major acute NHS Trust, following undergraduate studies at Cambridge UniversityDr Anne is passionate about women's health issues, particularly menopause and HRT, which is now a key health agenda. She has extensive experience in this area having undertaken postgraduate research into the menopause, HRT, PMS and post-natal depression.In addition, she is a British Menopause Society Accredited Specialist, a recognition currently held by fewer than 200 practitioners in the UK and Anne also believes in offering her patients the full spectrum of treatments which includes complementary therapies such as herbal medicine.She has worked closely with a medical herbalist in Kent for the last 20 years: this collaboration has been highly successful and forms an integral part of Anne's clinical practice and educational seminars. She believes that the role of complementary therapies, particularly herbal medicine, is greatly under-recognised by most healthcare practitioners … which is why we're talking about it today!For more information I highly recommend checking out Anne's brilliant book Natural Menopause, full of illustrations, tips and practical advice from a trusted professional.You can download The Doctor's Kitchen app for free to get access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We've had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.Do check out this week's “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.We would love to get your feedback on the subject matter of these episodes - please do let me know on our social media pages (Instagram, Facebook & Twitter) what you think,and give us a 5* rating on your podcast player if you enjoyed today's episode.Check out the recipes and app here: https://apple.co/37PvMMXJoin the newsletter and 7 day meal plan here: https://thedoctorskitchen.com/newsletter/Check out the socials here: https://www.instagram.com/doctors_kitchen/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Around 1/3 births in the UK happen by caesarean, so it's certainly something you might like to learn about during pregnancy.The prospect of major abdominal surgery whilst awake can be quite daunting for many of us, so in this episode we talk through exactly what you can expect from a caesarean birth.Not just that, but thinking about- what are your options and what considerations might you make to support yourself and your baby and mark this as a positive, transformative, special way of giving birth.I am joined by Consultant Obstetrician Florence Wilcock to shine a light on caesarean birth and hopefully leave you feeling more prepared, more confident and more empowered if you birth your baby by caesarean.______________________________________________________________________________________Birth-ed LinksJoin free- BUMP CLUB- expert  week by week support throughout your pregnancyOnline Course from £40/$49Group and Private Antenatal/Hypnobirthing Courses with podcast host and birth expert Megan Rossiter______________________________________________________________________________________Florence Wilcock LinksThe Obs PodMat ExpSupport the show

Justin speaks to Dr Jenny Walsh, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the National Maternity Hospital.

Simon McGarr, Solicitor and Director at Data Compliance Europe & Professor Declan Keane, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and former Master of the National Maternity Hospital at Holles Street.

We hear from Professor Mary Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist at the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street.

In this episode, we chat with Dr Emma Torbe about her career as a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. We discuss combining medicine and surgery, the variation of the speciality, and the best and hardest parts of her work. She also shares some useful advice for those considering working part-time. This episode is sure to get you thinking about a career in obstetrics and gynaecology if you haven't been already!

Hello and thank you for listening! In today's episode we are joined by Dr Brenda Kelly. Brenda is a Consultant Obstetrician and Fetal Medicine specialist at Oxford University Hospitals Trust. She has over 20 years of experience of working with women and families. Often, when a problem is detected on a scan or through blood tests, there isn't a clear answer about what is wrong with baby. In this episode Brenda explains how a medical team work together to complete the 'jigsaw puzzle' when either a genetic or structural problem is detected. Catherine tells us more about her experience of having a diagnosis of Down's Syndrome for Bud and how the wider societal perception of life with DS intersects with the raft of unknowns that come with a 'non-fatal' diagnosis.  Brenda turns the interviewing tables, and asks Catherine and Hayley about their experience of pregnancy after TFMR. It was an unexpected twist, and we hear about both of their different experiences with this. We hope you enjoy this episode. Let us know: you can follow us on Instagram & Facebook @TimeToTalkTFMR and Twitter @talkTFMR and email us on talkTFMR@yahoo.com  

It's World Menopause Day and this year's theme is premature ovarian insufficiency otherwise known as premature menopause. It's a condition which affects 1 in 100 women under 40, 1 in 1000 under 30, and 1 in 10,000 under 20. This is where the ovaries are unable to produce oestrogen and progesterone and the menopause happens many years before it naturally should. It can be incredibly stressful for the women concerned and requires specialist hormone treatment to negate the health risks of an oestrogen deficiency at such a young age. So I've reached out to Dr Rebecca Gibbs, who's the perfect person to discuss this because of her professional specialism in obstetrics and gynaecology and her own personal experience of premature menopause.It was a privilege to chat to Dr Rebecca Gibbs who is a consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist working at the Royal Free Hospital in London and at The Portland Hospital. Rebecca was diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency in her early 30s whilst undergoing fertility treatment. She has used her experiences as both a doctor and a patient to volunteer for Daisy Network, the UK's premature ovarian insufficiency charity and she's full of great, practical advice on how to cope with this difficult condition and to live a positively child-free life.We have a frank conversation about the health implications of a diagnosis of premature menopause, the devastating reproductive impact it has on girls and women, the appropriate treatment and how her own experience has changed the way Rebecca approaches all her menopausal patients. Rebecca talks about the excellent support from her GP after her diagnosis, the counselling she received to help her and her husband come to terms with it and how she has created a full, happy and positive life for herself over the past 5 years. We cover the unwitting lack of sensitivity that is often shown towards women who don't have children and Rebecca is funny and forthright about how she deals with the inevitable: “And when are you going to start a family?” question. We also discuss her work with Daisy Network as their Advice Doctor and all the wonderful support that this charity offer women with premature ovarian insufficiency.Tune in to hear more from this sparky, interesting and highly inspirational woman!If you've enjoyed this episode please leave a 5-star rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts as it helps to spread the word, so that new listeners can find the show. Because every woman deserves to have a happy menopause.

The concept of an assisted birth is an anxiety provoking one amongst most pregnant women and many are desperate to avoid the use of forceps of ventouse instruments during their birth. However instrumental assistance is currently used in around 1 in 8 UK births and so it is imperative women are informed and empowered about them. On this week's episode I am joined by Consultant Obstetrician Aamna to discuss the ins and outs of assisted and instrumental birth, to help you realise that it is not something to be afraid of and that an assisted birth can still form a hugely positive birthing experience. When the lovely Aamna is not chatting to expectant mums or supporting birth on labour ward she can be found on Instagram @aamnasasanow Enjoy listening and don't forget to subscribe and leave a review. Midwife Pip www.midwifepip.com

Dr Anita Makins discusses 'Female genital mutilation (FGM): a global perspective', and Dr Katy Newell-Jones presents ‘Medicalisation of female genital cutting: decision making dilemmas and competing priorities'. Dr Anita Makins is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Dr Katy Newell-Jones is a facilitator and researcher.