bloom stories

Sep 28 2023 27 ep. 3

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Welcome to Bloom, the podcast where mums share their unfiltered birth experiences. We hope that by listening to their stories, you feel empowered and inspired, wherever you are on your own journey.

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26. POPPY ~ when you lose your baby

Sep 28 2023 58 mins

Poppy’s story feels incredibly important to tell and I am really grateful that she has entrusted us with it. In the UK today, it is estimated that 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss during pregnancy or birth (source) yet, loss is usually only talked about behind closed doors. Poppy has been strong enough to share her story which includes giving birth to Daphne, her second baby, who w

EP#25: EMILY ~ a ten year rollercoaster

Sep 19 2023 61 mins

Emily has had a whirlwind ten years. From relocating her whole life from Hertfordshire to the Midlands in order to live with her partner, to having three babies under five, to being made redundant whilst pregnant with her second child, to becoming self-employed and learning to juggle childcare as well as the very different needs of her three beautiful children. Emily has it all goi

EP#24: MEGS ~ inner conflicts of motherhood

Aug 06 2023 75 mins

The highest highs, the lowest lows. The elation seeing a positive test, followed by the terrible grief of miscarriage. Trying to become pregnant again, yet unable to accept the fact when it happens. A physically healthy twin pregnancy, filled with anxiety. Needing help, but not wanting it when it arrives. Instagram vs the reality of life with newborns. The torture of two cries and

EP#23: NIA ~ mother of three, grandmother of three

Jul 24 2023 60 mins

As a mother to three grown up children and now granny to three grandchildren, Nia has well over thirty years of mothering wisdom, insights and experience to share with us. Ever wondered what it was like trying to prepare for birth before the internet? Or simply how to survive 30 years of parenting in one piece? This one is for you. We talk about:First trimester agoraphobiaThree gre

EP#22: IZZI ~ business owner and mother

Jul 06 2023 68 mins

To anyone out there who thinks you might want to have kids one day but worry how you might do it whilst successfully running and growing your own business — this episode is for you. No one is saying that it is easy, but Izzi’s story demonstrates that it is possible to have a really positive pregnancy and birth experience whilst juggling the demands of running a business. We tal

EP#21: JENNIE ~ from home to hospital

Jun 18 2023 60 mins

In today’s episode, Jennie and I discuss a surprisingly simple conception after some initial infertility fears and three rounds of egg freezing. Jennie talks about her reasons for choosing a home birth and how to cope when the plan doesn’t unfold as you imagined it would. Her partner wasn’t able to join her in the ambulance for the emergency transfer to hospital. But upon arr

EP#20: KELLY ~ IVF ninja mama

Apr 09 2023 59 mins

In today’s episode, Kelly and I discuss how an IVF procedure really happens. Three letters that hold so much weight for so many women, after years of hope and failure. The IVF process comes without a rulebook, a clear timeline or a defined process. The delicate balance of criteria that need to align can be a huge mental burden. Kelly’s journey does have a happy ending, but that

EP#19: CLARE ~ mother of five

Apr 04 2023 54 mins

As one of 12 herself, large families are nothing new to Clare. Maybe it’s no surprise therefore that she takes the rollercoaster of being mother to her own five children, all in her stride. Join us as Amelia and Clare discuss what she has learnt from five pregnancies, five births and looking after five babies. We also tackle the impossible question of how to balance your own pers

EP#18: RACHEL ~ midwife to mother

Mar 26 2023 59 mins

Rachel talks about her journey from midwife to mother. Rachel had supported hundreds of women through pregnancy and birth before experiencing it for herself. It might be tempting to think of this as the best possible preparation, but the reality for Rachel was that every challenge she experienced was magnified by guilt that she didn’t intuitively have all the right coping mechani

EP#17: KATE ~ the Dutch approach

Mar 20 2023 60 mins

Kate felt a real difference between the physical versus the mental pregnancy experience. Physically, she felt amazing. On the other hand, her mental journey ebbed and flowed. Looking back she feels like she has now blocked out the tough parts, but she was very anxious at times, having had a miscarriage start of the year.Amelia and Kate talk miscarrying at work, managing fear and wo