The Doula's Guide to... Preparing For Your Birth

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 4 episode 2! In today's episode I'm talking about one of the most unhelpful things people say to pregnant women, and how to reframe this so that you don't bring other people's negativity in to your postpartum experience. *Please note this podcast is not medical advice and not meant to influence your decision making process, it...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 4! I am so excited to share with you the birth story of our third little baby, our first boy, born at home just like his big sister. *I haven't recorded in ages and I have chronic baby brain so I hope this episode makes sense lol, I also can't currently access my emails as I am having trouble with my host site which I'm hoping to s...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 3 episode 13. Today I wanted to chat to you about something that I'm hearing people being told often - that inductions are risk free, or "not very risky". I wanted to break this down into different methods so this episode focuses on the balloon catheter and the risks associated with this form of induction. *Please note this podca...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 3 episode 13. Today I'm giving you a little update on why there's been a podcast pause - I'm pregnant with baby number 3! I chat about how we decided on having another baby, things I've been doing during this pregnancy and my plans for the future. I hope you enjoy listening. *Please note this podcast is not medical advice Links mentioned in this e...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 3 episode 12. Today I wanted to chat to you about something that I'm hearing people being told often - that inductions are risk free, or "not very risky". I wanted to break this down into different methods so this episode focuses on the pessary and the risks associated with this form of induction. *Please note this podcast is not...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 3 episode 11. Today I wanted to chat to you about some common myths I hear all the time around using hypnobirthing tools and techniques. So often people have a fear of being judged for wanting to change their birth environment, or they worry about being called naive for planning an unmedicated birth for example. I address these common anxietie...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 3 episode 10. Today I wanted to chat to you all about the phrase "all that matters is a healthy baby" and why I fundamentally disagree. We talk about sensitive topics such as birth trauma, postpartum mental wellbeing, unhealthy and sick babies, unnecessary interventions etc. If this may be too tough a listen right now then you can al...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 3 episode 9. This is the ninth episode in a series all about common birth myths, today I wanted to chat to you all about the myth that your midwife appointments (in the UK) will prepare you for birth. This is something I hear so commonly from clients and followers - that they thought they would receive birth preparation in their midwife apts, so I...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 3 episode 8. This is the sixth episode in a series all about common birth myths, today I wanted to chat to you all about the myth that you need vaginal exams throughout your labour to track your progress. I discuss how your labour will progress, the things which help it to progress and how to understand whether or not a VE is the right decisio...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 3 episode 7. This is the fifth episode in a series all about common birth myths, today I wanted to chat to you all about the myth that you need coaching to push your baby out. We discuss spontaneous vs coached pushing, what research and guidelines say, and how to enjoy a smooth second stage of labour. *Please note this podcast is not medical a...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 3 episode 6. This is the fourth episode in a series all about common birth myths, today I wanted to chat to you all about the myth that your waters will break at the start of labour, we also cover the myth that if they do, you'll have to be induced to start your contractions. *Please note this podcast is not medical advice Links mentioned...

Hello! Just a quick exciting announcement today - I've released a mini album of guided pregnancy relaxation tracks for you to use throughout your pregnancy and birth. These tracks will help you relax, regulate, bond with your baby and prepare for birth. Simply search for "The Dungaree Doula" wherever you listen to music, the album is called "Guided Relaxations for Pregnancy &amp...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 3 episode 4. This is the third episode in a series all about common birth myths, today I wanted to chat to you all about the myth that you have to give birth on your back. I discuss how we came to believe this is the best position to birth in, what your alternative options are and the benefits and risks of both. *Please note this podcast is not me...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 3 episode 3. This is the second episode in a series all about common birth myths, today I wanted to chat to you all about the myth that you can't do hypnobirthing if you want an epidural, induction or cesarean, I bust this myth and talk about why I think it's super valuable for EVERYONE regardless of the birth you are planning. *Please note this p...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 3 episode 2. This is the first episode in a series all about common birth myths. TW this episode revolves around the 'risks of prolonged pregnancy' as outlined by the NICE guidelines which is predominantly the risk of stillbirth. We discuss the risk of stillbirth by gestation and your options for going to, or beyond, 42 weeks gestation. *Please no...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 3 episode 1! This episode is just a little chat about a few things, first of all I reveal the theme for season 3 of the podcast, then I introduce you to my new E-book you can download for free below, and finally I talk about the best way to prepare for birth if you're due this year. It feels good to be back! *Please note this podcast is not medica...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 2 episode 31. This is the final episode of season 2 of the podcast and I thought I'd round it out with a lovely big chat all about what I'd personally do if I was pregnant right now and how I'd embrace, prepare and surrender to the pregnancy. I hope you enjoy listening, this episode is just for fun and completely hypothetical but it may just give...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 2 episode 30, the penultimate episode of season 2. Today we're doing something a little different and I've recorded a relaxation track for you to enjoy, this one isn't your typical guided relaxation but instead an affirmation track filled with lovely positive affirmations for pregnancy and birth, I hope this makes you feel empowered, encouraged an...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 2 episode 29. Today I'm talking to the incredible Lou of The Birth Motherhood Collective all about making connections in pregnancy, this is a lengthy episode but it's so worth a listen as we cover SO much. Listen to us chat about the importance of connecting to your mind and body, how to make connections with your partner and a wider support netwo...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 2 episode 28. Today I'm talking about why we all need to learn to relax during pregnancy, but like seriously relax - deep nourishing rest, for the benefit or ourselves, our babies and for the sake of our births. We deep dive in to the autonomic nervous system, improving our vagal tone, what on earth kindfulness is, and so much more. Come and liste...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 2 episode 27. Today I'm talking about the profound impact the environment you give birth in can have on the course of your labour. We chat all about the hormones which need to thrive in your body and how your birth space can impact these, how to mitigate disturbances to the birth environment and yourself and how to create a birth environment which...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 2 episode 26, everything you need to know about giving birth at home after a cesarean. Well not quite everything, this is a bigggg topic but we cover the reasons why you might want a HBAC/FBAC, if it is safe, what the risks and benefits are and how to prepare. *Please note this podcast is not medical advice, all opinions are my own Links mentioned...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 2 episode 25. A lovely little chat this week with some ideas for your initial postpartum period to help ease into parenthood feeling supported, held and nourished. *Please note this podcast is not medical advice, all opinions are my own Links mentioned in this episode: Meal train ideas: click here The lost art of postnatal wrapping by Sophie Messa...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 2 episode 24. In this episode I'm talking about amniotomy, AKA having your waters broken artificially. Now hear me out on this one, you might think it's not relevant to you because you're not planning on being induced, but this is happening more and more frequently in spontaneous labours as well as induced labours and it could serve you really wel...

Welcome to The Doula's Guide To... Podcast, season 2 episode 23. In this episode I'm talking about babywearing, one of my fave topics everrrrrr. I talk about why babywearing is such a magical parenting tool, how to get started, choosing a sling, safe babywearing and so much more. I hope you love listening. *Please note this podcast is not medical advice, all opinions are my own Links mentioned in...