Birth Untethered

Most pregnant women encounter intrusive interventions and fear-mongering around late pregnancy, yet they often have no idea what’s really happening inside their bodies or whether these tests are necessary. In this eye-opening episode, Shellie and Kemi expose the truth behind fetal surveillance, revealing why so much of this routine testing is unnecessary, and sometimes even harmful. Discover how h...

In this episode Shellie and Kemi continue thier discussion about the many reasons given to people to end their pregnancies before their bodies and babies are ready. They go through the reasons and discuss the available research on the outcomes comparing induction to not inducing. If you are being offered an induction, this episode and the previous episode will be very helpful for you in understand...

In this Episode Kemi and Shellie begin a two part discussion about common reasons given to people as to why they should end their pregnancy early via induction or cesarean. We look at the available evidence comparing outcomes for watchful waiting or ending the pregnancy early to see if when you are being told your baby's life is at risk if you continue your pregnancy compared to waiting, if th...

In this Episode Kemi and Shellie discuss the history of induction and we explore the current obstetric narrative that women are getting older, fatter and more complex and this is why outcomes are getting worse. But is is really the reason? The truth about induction may shock you! We dive deep into the world of labor induction and the myths surrounding it. Many expectant parents are pushed toward i...

In this episode Shellie and Kemi continue their overview discussion of induction of labour. Beginning with at home methods, covering the impacts of induction on maternal and infant physiology and the psychology of why so many people choose induction, even if they don't really believe it is the right course of action for them. Website: https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntethered Patreon:...

Shellie and Kemi continue their discussion about induction of labour. We circle back to stone babies, cover that you will not be pregnant forever and share an overview of what the induction process may look like if choosing a medical model. Remember, everything is your choice. Website:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntetheredPatreon:https://www.patreon.com/14193903/joinSpotify:https://ope...

Kemi and I delve into induction, why you really need to think seriously about the impacts before making the decision to have an induction because remember you always have a choice. We begin an overview of what an induction may look like, how long it may take and the effects on you and your baby. This episode is best watched as there are props to help demonstrate what assessing your bishop score in...

In this Episode Shellie and Kemi discuss the big intervention of choosing to leave your home to give birth and how choosing to birth in an obstetric unit dramatically worsens outcomes for you and increases the likelihood of long term negative health consequences for both you and your baby. We look back to the research propaganda that drove birth away from home and into the hospital and how the per...

In this episode Shellie and Kemi continue to discuss the routine surveillance that is on offer in NHS maternity services. In this episode we cover low PAPP-A and continue with routine maternity appointments including the 20 week ultrasound anatomy scan and what you may wish to accept or decline as part of your maternity journey. If you would like to attend the birthrights class and receive the pdf...

In this episode Shellie and Kemi discuss the routine surveillance that is on offer in NHS maternity services. In this episode we cover booking appointments, the first trimester scan, what you can accept or decline and why you may want to. We also cover blood pressure, urine dip testing, fundal height. We look back to the origin of maternity surveillance and the rise of medicalisation of testing. I...

In this episode we discuss inviting people into your pregnancy and birth bubble and the impact this can have on your journey and your physiology. We continue our onversation with Tess Lovely a former NHS midwife and her experience of trying to be with woman in the system and how the system treated her for it. We need to understand people's motivations and what we do and don't want to invit...

In this episode we discuss the first intervention - who you choose to invite into your pregnancy bubble and birth space. We have a frank conversation with 2 former NHS midwives - Tess Lovely and Kemi, in order to understand how their wanting to provide woman centered care was not encouraged in the NHS setting where they used to work. Tess gives us some excellent tips if you are choosing to navigat...

In this episode Shellie and Kemi continue the journey of following the red thread through time from mitochondrial Eve to the present day. We explore the repeating themes around patriarchal dominance over women and the tools used to subjugate, minimise and demonise feminine power and ownership over our bodies. The cultural shift from matricentric societies where the life giving power of women was c...

In this Episode Shellie and Kemi begin the journey of following the red thread through time, from mitochondrial Eve to the present day. We explore what has always and still does make childbirth safe, what we can be grateful for from the advances in social healthcare and medication and changes in practice. We explore the figures of death rates around birth for mothers and babies, how they have neve...

In this raw and compassionate conversation, Shellie, Kemi and Simon explore birth through the eyes of Simon. A father who's thoughts and reactions were shaped by two frightening, medicalised births, and how that trauma followed him into a third, deeply different experience. We talk about fear, responsibility, and the pressure partners feel to “hold it together,” even when their nervous system...

In this episode Shellie and Kemi welcome Maha Al Musa. We delve into a deep discussion about the healing potential of embodying birth, the challenges of being an authentic heart led birthworker and Maha shares her birth stories, life journey and wisdom with us. Maha Al Musa is a mother of three beautiful children (now 29, 26 and 17) and is of Palestinian/Lebanese origin raised in Australia. She is...

Shellie and Kemi chat to Alex and Becca about their wild pregnancy and freebirth. Becca and Alex share their thought processes through the pregnancy and birth, ideas of things that were helpful for them both throughout. An honest deep dive into what stepping outside of the status quo felt like for both of them. This is an excellent episode for birth partners to listen to. Website:https://www.these...

In this episode, Kemi and Shellie speak with Anna and Max about her decision to freebirth her first baby at home with her partner Ben and her doula Shellie. Anna discusses the things that happened throughout her pregnancy that brought her to the realisation that she felt that birthing at home with her chosen support felt like the safest and most sensible option for her. Anna describes a number of...

In this Episode Shellie and Kemi are joined by Amelia. They explore art, blood, life, death, the times it is helpful to reach out to people to hold space for you and when that may not be useful. Finding your power of no. Taking what you need from the system whilst holding boundaries for what you don't want or need. We explore spirit, ceremony and ritual in integrating loss, life, death, birth...

In this episode Shellie and Kemi dive into the anatomy of the umbilical cord, speak about the blood flow through placentas and how the levels in babies blood change due to the transition to live outside of the uterus and what this can mean. We debunk some cord myths, highlight the increased safety for mothers and babies in leaving the cord the F alone to do what it needs to do. Let's stop the...

In this Episode, Shellie and Kemi discuss avocado gate - the transfusion of blood from the placenta to the baby, waiting for a baby to have all of their blood, that they need for transitioning and for their whole health for life. We muse about maintaining an intact cord for helping transition and hear Christina's amazing story of her heroic efforts to help her daughter's transition Earth s...

In this episode, Shellie and Kemi discuss the physiology of the immediate time after birth, the benefits of skin to skin and breastfeeding, protecting the birthing dyad in these precious and vitally important moments. We talk about placentas, umbilical cords and blood in both mothers and babies. What causes haemorrhage, what can we do naturally to help prevent it, manage if it does happen. We expl...

In this Episode Shellie and Kemi discuss deeper into the oxytocin spiral of labour, the Ferguson and Foetal Ejection Reflex, the wonders of champagne and the amazing design of the human body for safety during childbirth. Join us on Patreon to support the podcast with the added bonus of further resources. We have three tiers: 1. Simple Truths - £2 per month - video episode, PDF with links to the re...

In this episode Shellie and Kemi sink further into the initiation of physiological labour. We speak about oxytocin, the brown fat your baby is accumulating ready for birth, the protection of supporting physiology rather than removing safety with intervention. This is essential listening for everyone in the lead up to birth to understand the amazing things happening in your body and your baby's...

Shellie and Kemi discuss the physiology of the birth giver and baby in the lead up to the start of labour and what the potential consequences of choosing to interrupt that with induction and/or cesarean are. This will continue in episode 2 where we flow, much like birth from the initiation of labour into the potential beginning of labour. Join us on Patreon for the following benefits: Simple Truth...