The Obs Pod

Embark on a poignant exploration of a topic that's often cloaked in stigma yet crucial to maternal health: obesity and BMI during pregnancy. Join me, Florence, on the ObsPod, as we unravel the intertwined issues of weight management and prenatal care, delving into the NHS classifications that inform how expectant mothers with a BMI over 30 navigate their unique journey. This episode promises...

Embark on a transformative journey through the complexities of alcohol use during pregnancy, as we unravel the myriad risks and the vital necessity of abstinence for expectant mothers. Grappling with the nebulousness of self-reported alcohol intake and the deceptive simplicity of a 'unit' of alcohol, we aim to demystify the misconceptions and bring to light the stark realities of alcohol...

Are you already familiar with the life-saving role of blood transfusions in obstetrics? If not, get ready for an enlightening journey into this critical aspect of maternity care. This episode is packed with insights about the ins and outs of transfusions, from packed red cells to platelets, plus everything else a woman might need to replace following excessive bleeding during pregnancy or childbir...

Trigger warning this episode contains discussion of baby loss. What if you found yourself entangled in a challenging and rare pregnancy condition, not once but twice, with a heartbreaking ending? Unravel the personal narrative of Jenny Chambers, the founder and CEO of ICP Support, as she shares her painful journey through Intra-Hepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP). From the agony of stillbirth,...

Ever felt confused or guilty about your sleep position during pregnancy? Fear not, as I, Florence, an experienced NHS obstetrician, guide you through the maze of advice on this critical topic. Drawing from years of practice, continued learning and the latest research, I shed light on this topic, putting to rest unfounded fears and guilt. Together, we explore the NICE guidelines and dissect multipl...

Today is a much awaited episode having been brewing for over three years since I started the podcast which seems apt given the subject. How does it feel to be pregnant after fertility treatment, what might be the issues maternity staff need to be aware of ? What maternity care do we need to provide to the increasing number of families in our care after assisted conception and a fertility journey....

How much trust are you placing on the CTG monitor as you welcome a new life into the world? Get ready to have your beliefs challenged as Dr. Kirsten Small and I dissect the language and implications surrounding fetal monitoring during labor. We dive beneath the surface to expose how CTG monitoring can become a source of moral panic, shifting the focus from the true essence of childbirth.  Dr. Smal...

Ever wondered how hypno-birthing can change your childbirth experience? Today's special guest, Megan Rossiter, will take you on a journey through the transformative power of hypno-birthing. Megan went from an initial skeptic to becoming an inspiring advocate and teacher in this field. Dive in as we explore how hypno-birthing techniques influence the subconscious mind, helping parents reframe...

What if the treatments we believe to be beneficial in Obstetrics aren't as helpful as we thought? Or worse, might they bring along hidden risks for mothers and babies? As your host, Florence, I invite you to journey with me as we explore the complex world of antenatal steroids, a commonly used intervention for preterm labor and planned cesarean births. This episode will not only shed light on...

There have been some disturbing stories in the media recently about outcomes for women and babies in prison. Here I explore some evidence and more importantly what is being done to try and improve the situation. Want to know more? https://www.tommys.org/about-us/news-views/pregnant-women-prison-greater-risk-pregnancy-complications-and-baby-loss https://www.birthcompanions.org.uk/resources/5-birth-...

In this episode I am joined once again  by incredible obstetric physicians Professor Catherine Nelson-Piercy & Dr Melanie Nana. This time we are discussing breast cancer in pregnancy & some fantastic work they have been doing to standardise and improve care for women in this situation. We also discuss the fabulous charity Mummy's Star. Want to know more? https://www.mummysstar.org/ Br...

In this episode I am joined by incredible obstetric physicians Professor Catherine Nelson-Piercy & Dr Melanie Nana. We discuss what is an obstetric physician? How can we better work together in pregnancy to care for women with more complex medical issues? Plus learn all about maternal medicine networks. Want to know more? https://www.pslhub.org/learn/patient-safety-in-health-and-care/high-risk...

It's a tough time in the NHS at the moment. This week is a brief reflective episode on the importance of compassion not only for families under our care but for our selves and colleagues. Want to know more? Compassion for midwives https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0002034&type=printable GMC training survey & RCOG workplace behaviour tool...

In this episode I explore an article that looks at women's experience of induction of labour and ask are we aware of the repercussions when we suggest induction of labour? What impact does this have on how women feel and on their choices or birth options? Want to know more? https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/5/e071703 Thank you all for listening,  My name is Florence Wilcock I am an NHS docto...

Quitting smoking is the single most important action a woman can take to improve the health of her baby. I am ashamed to say I don't know much about the best way to tackle this discussion in the antenatal clinic. In this episode I discuss some training I have done to rectify this and my thoughts on what I learnt. Want to know more? https://elearning.ncsct.co.uk/vba_pregnancy-launch https://ww...

This episode follows on directly from last week's episode on fluid balance as the urine we produce is such an important component of that balance. Hear why caring for the bladder in labour is so important and why in some labours and births a catheter tube in the bladder may be an essential part of treatment. Want to explore more? https://www.rcn.org.uk/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Documen...

With a bit of a heatwave this week by UK standards we are encouraging pregnant women to drink plenty of water, but is there a downside could we actually be causing a problem? Surely water isn't harmful right? Join me to discuss fluid balance in labour, why its important and how to manage it. Want to know more? https://hsib-kqcco125-media.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/documents/peripartum-hyponatrae...

Today I am talking about the thyroid gland and what we think about if it is under or over active in pregnancy. These women are often referred to an obstetrician. Want to know more? https://thyroiduk.org/having-a-baby/ https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/iodine.html Currently out for review https://www.rcog.org.uk/media/4v3hsepc/thyroiddisordersinpregnancyvpeerreviewfinal.pdf Thank you all for listenin...

What  is a BBA? What do we mean by born before arrival and how frequently does it happen? What are the options for women that may have experienced this in the past? Want to know more? https://www.britishjournalofmidwifery.com/content/supervision/born-before-arrival-supervision-in-action/ https://www.maternityandmidwifery.co.uk/homebirth/ https://www.birthrights.org.uk/factsheets/unassisted-birth/...

Today I am talking about unstable lie when a baby is moving around loads at the end of pregnancy instead of settling to head down. Want to know more? https://fn.bmj.com/content/99/Suppl_1/A112.3 https://www.rcog.org.uk/media/3wykswng/gtg-50-umbilicalcordprolapse-2014.pdf https://www.spinningbabies.com/when-a-person-is-told-they-have-an-unstable-lie/ You may need an organisational or institutional...

Chickenpox or varicella is a common infection , what happens if you get it in pregnancy or your child does? Want to know more? https://www.rcog.org.uk/media/y3ajgkda/gtg13.pdf https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-all-patient-information-leaflets/chickenpox-and-pregnancy-patient-information-leaflet/ Thank you all for listening,  My name is Florence Wilcock I am an NHS doctor working as an...

Water can be used for pain relief during labour and giving birth. It has incredible benefits but why are only approximately 10% of women using water ? do we truly provide access to a birthing pool for all women? In light of the evidence of its positive effects shouldnt we be looking at this? Want to know more? https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/7/e056517 https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-informatio...

This episode is out a day early to celebrate International Day of The Midwife 2023. It's a chat with my colleague and friend Kate Greenstock , all about her newly published book 'Flourish: A practical and emotional guidebook to thriving in midwifery' The book is just what it says it is, first acknowledging the emotional and psychological work of midwifery or any maternity staff for...

Here I discuss what do we mean by a low lying placenta or placenta praevia & how can  are for women with this pregnancy complication to keep them and their baby safe. Want to know more? https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/pregnancy-complications/low-lying-placenta-placenta-praevia https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-all-patient-information-leaflets/placenta-praevia-placenta-...

This week I am talking to the fabulous midwife Rosie Murphy about her Dazi project: 'Improving outcomes for women from minoritised ethnic backgrounds'. We discuss how a new approach is needed by not only maternity services but the wider NHS. Want to know more? Rosie's 3 blogs about her project https://healthinnovationnetwork.com/insight/partnering-with-minoritised-women-to-improve-m...