Breaking the taboo

This week our host, Theo Clarke is joined by Dr Chris Dewhurst , a neonatologist, and an affected mother to discuss premature babies and support for families in NICU. Topics that we discuss on the show include: what is NICU; reasons babies are admitted to NICU; prematurity and what this means; the family's role in the care of their babies; what does the journey look like after discharge from the N...

This week is Birth Trauma Awareness Week so our host, Theo Clarke is joined by Ailsa Adams, an affected mother, and Leena Savjani, a Partner at Irwin Mitchell, to discuss life after birth trauma. Topics that we discuss on the show include: requesting a birth debrief or reflections; the importance of peer support; access to perinatal health services; repair surgery and the realities; how to request...

This week our host Theo Clarke is joined by Sandra Igwe, founder of The Motherhood Group, and Neya Joshi, peer supporter for the Birth Trauma Association, to discuss inequalities in maternal health and birth trauma. Topics that we discuss on the show include: racial disparities in maternal health outcomes; black maternal health and wellbeing; the power of community and culturally safe support; men...

This week in a special episode our host Theo Clarke takes the podcast on the road to the Everywoman Festival in Cardiff. She joins the panel on the changing landscape in women's health which was recorded live in the main tent. Topics that we discuss on the show include: changing the narrative and how women’s health is portrayed in the media; lessons from the UK Birth Trauma Inquiry and the perspec...

This week in a special episode our host Theo Clarke is joined by Rosie Duffield MP, the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Birth Trauma in the UK Parliament. We discuss the Health Secretary’s recent announcement of a rapid national maternity investigation.   Topics that we discuss on the show include: the Government’s approach to maternity care; lessons and recommendations from the Bir...

This week our host Theo Clarke is joined by Tinuke Awe and Clo Abe, co-founders of Five X More, to break the taboo on black maternal health and birth trauma in the UK. They reflect on the experiences that led them to campaign on this issue; discuss data about inequalities in healthcare, and explain how their work is helping affected families with some practical tools for parents. Topics that we di...

This week our host Theo is joined by Dr Kim Thomas, CEO of the Birth Trauma Association, and campaigner and affected mum Gill Castle to answer listener questions on birth trauma. They share information for expectant mothers and families who've experienced a traumatic birth, including recovery from mental and physical health issues after childbirth, and provide some practical advice to help affecte...

This week our host Theo Clarke is joined by Jane Plumb, founder of Group B Strep Support, and an affected mother to discuss this infection that can affect pregnant mothers and their babies. Topics that we discuss on the show include: what is Group B strep; impact of GBS infection on babies; how to get tested as a pregnant mum; symptoms to look out for; and support for impacted families. Jane Plumb...

This week our host Theo Clarke is joined by former MP Cherilyn Mackrory and Zoe Clark-Coates MBE to discuss baby loss, the impact on mothers and provide some practical advice for affected families.  Topics that we discuss on the show include: living with the loss of a baby; support for affected mothers; bereavement counselling; pregnancy loss certificates; campaigning to improve maternity safety a...

This week our regular host Theo Clarke is interviewed by broadcaster and journalist Belle Donati to share the story of her traumatic birth, talk about her campaign to improve maternity care and share lessons from her new book 'Breaking the Taboo: Why we need to talk about birth trauma'.  Topics that we discuss on the show include: what is birth trauma; birth injuries; maternal mental health; going...

This week our host Theo is joined by Dr Jessica Heron, the Chief Executive of Action on Postpartum Psychosis, and an affected mother to provide some practical advice to help affected families.  Topics that we discuss on the show include: what postpartum psychosis is; treatment; mother and baby units; the importance of peer support; wider impact on the family; baby bonding; resources and help for a...

This week our host Theo is joined by award-winning journalist and author Lucy Jones to talk about matrescence and the metamophosis of pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood. They also discuss traumatic births and recovering from mental or physical issues after childbirth, and provide some practical advice to help affected families.  Topics that we discuss on the show include: what matrescence is, in...

This week our host Theo is joined by Dr Kim Thomas, CEO of the Birth Trauma Association, to answer listener questions on birth trauma. They share information for expectant mothers and families who've experienced a traumatic birth, including recovery from mental and physical health issues after childbirth, and provide some practical advice to help affected families. Topics that we discuss on the sh...

This week our host Theo is joined by Scott Mair, Director of Fatherhood Solutions, and Kieran Anders from Dad Matters, to talk about support for fathers who’ve experienced birth trauma. They share information to help dads who are struggling having witnessed a traumatic birth, including recovery from mental health issues after childbirth, and provide some practical advice to help affected families....

This week our host Theo is joined by Shah Qureshi, Head of Employment at Irwin Mitchell's London office, and Geeta Nayar, an affected mother and Senior Associate Solicitor, to talk about going back to work after birth trauma. They share information to help mothers who are looking at returning to the workplace, whilst recovering from mental or physical issues after childbirth, and provide some prac...

This week our host Theo is joined by Dr Rebecca Moore, a perinatal psychiatrist, and Rachael McGrath, Chair of the Birth Trauma Association, to talk about maternal mental health. They share information on what mental health issues can affect new mothers, covering everything from PTSD to living with symptoms such as OCD, and provide some practical advice for affected mums and their families.  Dr Re...

This week our host Theo is joined by Chloë Oliver, the CEO of the Masic Foundation, and affected mother Sarah Embleton to talk about birth injuries. They share information on what birth injuries are, covering everything from perineal tears to living with symptoms such as incontinence, and provide some practical advice for affected mums and their families. Topics that we discuss on the show include...

This week our host Theo is joined by Jo Fordyce, a specialist pelvic health physiotherapist, and Alice Johnstone, the postnatal pilates coach. They share practical information to help mothers recover from challenges after childbirth, discuss what to consider in pregnancy to help with postnatal recovery and suggest ways to better take care of yourself in the first six weeks of the postnatal period....

This week our host Theo is joined by Dr Kim Thomas, CEO of the Birth Trauma Association, and former police officer and mum Gill Castle to talk about birth trauma. They share information about what birth trauma is, covering everything from birth injuries to PTSD, and provide practical advice for affected mums and their families. Topics that we discuss on the show include: what causes birth trauma,...

'Breaking the Taboo' is my new podcast on women’s health. In series one, I’ll be looking at the issue of birth trauma by speaking to affected mothers, families, healthcare professionals and campaigners for practical advice. Like many women - my daughter's birth was not straightforward and this led me to chairing the UK Birth Trauma Inquiry as an MP in Parliament. So listen in and let’s break the t...