Dou-la-la the Birthy Podcast

In this episode, we hear the beautiful story of Naid’s first birth — a calm, powerful homebirth where she welcomed her baby surrounded by familiarity, trust, and support. With me by her side as her doula, Naid shares what it was like preparing for birth at home, navigating the waves of labour, and discovering her own strength along the way. We talk about the emotions, the unexpected moments, and t...

We’re starting our new season of the Doulala Podcast with a topic extremely close to our hearts and something we think deserves exploring.  In this episode, we challenge the conventional idea of what a "positive birth" should look like. Often, society, the media and plenty of social media accounts paint a picture of the ideal birth experience looking, sounding, and feeling a particular w...

Come and learn all about the benefits of Placenta consumption and encapsulation. Louise shares her expert knowledge with Leanne is this in depth chat detailing her passion for placentas and how her work truly benefits all! We discuss the Process of Encapsulation, The benefits of consuming the placenta and different methods, The lack of evidence and funding, how the patriarchy has impacted postpart...

You might have already heard our podcast episode on early labour and what that’s all about...well now it’s time for what comes next and all things ‘active labour’! This is the point when things get really established, sensations intensify and your uterus works hard to get your body (and baby) ready for birth... But how do you know when you’re in active labour? We’ll dispel all the myths about what...

So what is freebirth anyway?!  Maybe you’ve heard about it, maybe you haven’t, maybe you think you know why people choose it as an option, maybe you can’t understand it at all.  This Dou-la-la episode is for all of you! Freebirth is on the rise in the UK and often any discussion about it in the media is pure clickbait and overflowing with misinformation. We are thrilled to be joined by one of our...

It’s highly unlikely you’ll make it through pregnancy without being offered a sweep (AKA stretch and sweep, or membrane sweep). Don’t worry, no brooms involved. Many people have heard of them but in our experience most people have very little knowledge about what is involved, whether they are actually effective and what the risks may be. That’s where your favourite friendly, unfiltered doulas come...

Are you planning to breastfeed? Do you want to know more about how to get things off to a good start? Are you looking for top tips for the early days? You do not want to miss this awesome episode of the Dou-La-La podcast with Meg and our guest, Bea from @beasbirthandboobs   Bea explains things in such a simple way, putting you and your baby at the heart of everything. This episode will bring nugge...

Induction. One of the most discussed areas of birth, something that generates much debate, and for many, something you are statistically quite likely to experience. But what even is it?!In this episode we talk about the basics that you need to know. From the what's and whys, to the can I decides?....... it is a great starting point for anyone, regardless of whether induction has been mentioned...

To celebrate the start of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 (29th April 2024) we’re bringing you a very special episode of the Dou-la-la podcast! We chat to Dr. Jenna Brough, a Perinatal Clinical Psychologist who specialises in providing support to people from fertility right through to early parenthood.   This episode is incredibly useful regardless of what stage you are at in your pregn...

Listen today to hear all about Remi's choice to have a homebirth following the birth of her first son. She shares her thoughts on the system, tells us all about her experiences and how her mindset has completely shifted to what birth can be like and how her journey this time has impacted her family life. I (Leanne) was lucky enough to be alongside Remi (and Oli) on their pregnancy and birth jo...

You want to put your fingers where?!? Vaginal examinations (someone inserting their fingers into your vagina, usually to have a good feel of your cervix) have become a standard expectation when it comes to assessing the establishment and progress of labour. An expectation of both the person in labour, and the healthcare provider supporting them.  This episode of Dou-La-La gets down to what a vagin...

You’ll be offered all sorts of appointments in pregnancy (I say offered...most will feel very much obligatory, let’s start right now by saying they are not!).  Midwives Consultants Scans Tests Monitoring  In this episode we’ll be giving you a whole load of support for preparing for these appointments, whatever they are, whenever they are. Perhaps you’re chilled out and have no clue what the appoin...

Our second guest episode on the Dou-La-La podcast is now available! In this episode we are chatting to Anna Clarkson from @hackneyhypnobirthing, a friend, colleague and total gem of a human! She is a hypnobirthing teacher with a passion for advocacy, knowledge and injecting a whole lot of nuance into every birthy conversation. We will always advocate for doing a birth plan (Plan A AND Plan B!) but...

Introducing our very first guest edition of the Dou-La-La podcast! We’re thrilled to welcome Lucy from VBAC Hypnobirthing to join us in conversation about all things VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean). Lucy shares her passion for VBAC birth, and her wealth of experience and knowledge as we chat about: • The work you need to do when planning a VBAC • Challenges you might face • Top tips for VBAC...

You’re at your booking appointment, it’s quite early in your first pregnancy and the midwife says “so where are planning to have the baby?”….Erm…..?You don’t know what you don’t know, and funnily enough we’re not taught about the options of where we can give birth before we become pregnant. Most people don’t even know there’s choice. It’s a question both of us get asked frequently. In this essenti...

This episode is a juicy one (aren’t they all!) as we follow on from recent coverage of Ferne McCann talking about her experience of birthing her baby. After we’re done having a wee rant about how some people reacted on social media (can we just cheer each other on please!)….we explore the reality of the birthing phase of labour. Is it even possible to breathe a baby out? What is the body actually...

It’s the thing everyone is told to expect when you’re giving birth, and usually with an added dash of watermelons and nostrils thrown in for good measure. In this episode we’ll be ditching the misconceptions and talking about the reality of pain in labour (yes, it can hurt!) and how we might just be thinking about it in a really unhelpful way. In our usual unfiltered, honest and relaxed way, we ta...

In this new episode of the DoulaDoula podcast, Leanne and Meg discuss that all important birth support team and delve into the birth partner job spec thinking about what every birth partner NEEDS to know and what they should be prepared for on the day. What should they bring to the room? What should they leave at the door? What do they really need to do for you? Should your life partner/the baby’s...

 Episode 3 of the Doula Doula podcast has landed folks, and it’s a good one, especially if you are pregnant and wondering what labour will be like or are in what you think might be the early stages of labour and need a reality check to block out the “helpful” noise from social media!    This one features mucus banter, the reality of the rollercoaster that is early labour, and why ignoring everythi...

In this one we get into how your mindset can influence your birth experience (it’s science babe, you’re just a mammal after all!) and bring you our thoughts on what a fear driven mindset can lead to and how to supercharge your mindset as you prepare for birth.    Don’t forget to hit follow on your podcast provider and leave us a review so the podcast can get to as many people as possible!   @birth...

Welcome to the brand spanking new Doula Doula podcast! Episode 1 is now available to listen to, find it on all your usual podcast providers.    The first episode is a little intro to find out who we are (if you don’t already know us!), what brought us both to the birth world and generally whet your appetite for what’s to come (hint: a whole load of birthy goodness for your ears!).    Follow to mak...