Birth Truths

Mar 03 2024 1

Birth Truths Podcast artwork

Welcome to "Birth Truths," where we dive deep into the heart of birth. As a former midwife turned birthkeeper, I'm on a mission to keep birth truths alive. Join me and a diverse array of guests, including birth activists and visionary women sharing their birth stories, as we explore the intersection of feminism, patriarchy, and physiological birth. From dissecting the politics of birth to sharing practical insights and strategies for reclaiming autonomy, "Birth Truths" is a platform for powerful conversations and offers a vision for the future.

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Listen to the Whispers of the Universe.

Mar 03 2024 18 mins

I talk about my close call of repeating old patterns, how we can tune into our inner voice and follow the fire in your heart.

Stop Obsessing over Dilatation and Stages of Labour!

Jun 02 2023 24 mins

The Cervix isn't Everything in Labour! Isn't it time we debunked the 'stages of labour'? The belief that we can define where someone is in labour and how long it is, how safe it is, depending on the state of the cervix?! The medical model relies heavily on the cervix as a way to monitor and manage labour, yet it is only one TINY piece of the puzzle! In this episode

Unpredictable Birth - Postpartum haemorrhage and hospital transfer after freebirth

May 25 2023 75 mins

I talk to Megan, from the US who following the amazing physiological birth of her first baby at home with a birthkeeper, she began haemorrhaging and was transferred to hospital where they discovered an adherent placenta and then received a blood transfusion. She has an incredibly positive approach to an experience which she knew was life threatening. She said she will still be birt

Why I don't fit in the medical model

Apr 09 2023 23 mins

In this episode I explore the medical model and how understanding my own values helped me understand my struggles within the system. I also talk about although my work is centred on physiological birth, I don't have a dogmatic approach and that being balanced is important to me and my teaching. My ethos is centred on my values of freedom, integrity, humility, and compassion an

Exploring Our Stories

Apr 02 2023 10 mins

This week has seen such beautiful sharing and support occurring within our birthkeeper course Whatsapp group. We have been working on 'Exploring our Stories' module, looking at the ways we have been indoctrinated around pregnancy and birth, the shame we have felt, and then the ways our own experiences of conception, pregnancy, birth and loss have shaped us. Own Your Stories! Everyt

Sheena Byrom - Why Birth Matters

Mar 17 2023 57 mins

Sheena Byrom walks her talk when it comes to birth. She is not afraid to stand up for normal physiological birth in an age where the right to birth this way is being eroded. vilified and denigrated. She has been an important role model to me through some tough times in my career, taking time to respond to students and midwives and still fights tirelessly for midwifery and birth at

Making Radical Birth Choices in the Medical System

Mar 04 2023 36 mins

Birth is being Reclaimed! Following several local births where a group of women have made conscious choices about their pregnancies and births, we are seeing first hand the intersection of the medical model and the those choosing undisturbed physiological birth. Making choices that do not align with guidelines and expectations around 'safe' birth may create anxiety and potent

Can you change the system from within?

Feb 10 2023 32 mins

Last year I realised that I had explored as far as I wanted to go in my career as a registered midwife. From birth units to job in the risk management department and ending in private midwifery. Leaving an MSc halfway through to going it alone as a 'birthkeeper', I still believe midwives in the system need to know how to support physiology and my personal journey shouldn't compromi

Blood, haemorrhage and fear.

Feb 08 2023 33 mins

A midwife who hates the sight of blood?! In this episode I reflect on my own journey with blood and placentas from a place of trust, into fear and then home again. I give you an insight into how our experiences shape us and the importance of honest, regular reflection to ensure we are recognising any fears or issues that may impact on our work as midwives, birthkeepers and do

Navigating Freebirth

Jan 28 2023 81 mins

Freebirth! Loved diving into freebirth with Leonie. She has freebirthed all three of her babies - all in different circumstances and with different experiences. From the first one where she slowly declined midwifery antenatal care and had an amazing birth under the stars in her bell tent; to a brief referral to social services. She now supports other choosing to freebirth, to