The Obs Pod

Maybe you've seen the trailer for 'This is going to hurt' BBC First view depicting cord prolapse. Prompted by this dramatised version I thought I would talk about what a cord prolapse is like & what the modern approach to treatment would be. Want to know more? https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/patients/patient-leaflets/umbilical-cord-prolapse-in-late-pregnancy/   https://www.rcog.org.u...

On entering most maternity units who are the first people you encounter? Why reception staff of course. Here I pause to think about the role they play and how we might value them a bit more given their crucial role in maternity units. If you have enjoyed my podcast please do share your thoughts by leaving a review on your podcast provider or get in touch. I love to hear your thoughts and ideas. if...

Three Australian women made a documentary film asking the question 'What would it take for all women to emerge physically well and emotionally safe from their birth' the result is Birth Time. I has seen quite a few comments about the film on social media so I thought I would watch it & see for myself. In this episode I share my personal thoughts and reflections on watching the film....

Why on earth does the midwife you meet at the start of pregnancy ask you about genital herpes?  What business is it of ours.  Here I explore the topic and wonder if we are perhaps missing the point... Want to know more? Layout 1 (rcog.org.uk) Prevalence | Background information | Herpes simplex - genital | CKS | NICE Third trimester antiviral prophylaxis for preventing maternal genital herpes simp...

The Placenta is a simply awesome organ that grows and sustains the baby during pregnancy. Here I attempt to discuss how it forms , a baffling number of cell changes and 'invasions' of the mother's womb lining and blood vessels. Warning there is a brief mention of baby loss . Want to know more? https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/1471-0528.15306 https://www.tommys.o...

A reflective episode for New Year as I look back through the decades to what i was up to in 1992, 2002, 2012 & the present day. Join me as I think about some of the significant changes in the maternity world and in my working life. Wishing you all a Happy New Year! If you have enjoyed my podcast please do share your thoughts by leaving a review on your podcast provider or get in touch. I love...

Its the festive season & that calls for something a little special. In this episode I have clubbed together with my good friend Gill Phillips the creator of WhoseShoes & the WildcardWS podcast for an exploration of some of our maternity #MatExp work, pulling together some of our #MatExp-Adventures with a musical theme. Want to explore more? #MindNBody Advent videos, 2018 – perinatal mental...

Pre eclampsia is a huge topic so these are my thoughts but not comprehensive coverage. If you want to go into more detail and explore guidance take a look at these resources https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/dg23/chapter/3-The-diagnostic-tests   https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/patients/patient-leaflets/pre-eclampsia/ https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng133/informationforpublic https://action-on-pre-eclam...

Every Monday I am on the labour ward, week in week out.  For me it is routine but for the families I treat it is anything but. Here I discuss a typical labour ward day and reflect on some of the challenges I face. You might like to go back and listen to episode 18 handover as I refer back to this during the episode. If you have enjoyed my podcast please do share your thoughts by leaving a review o...

Here I discuss our obsession with time and clocks in maternity care. Are our decisions really that time critical? Want to know more? Decision to delivery interval of instrumental births in theatre vs in the room https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01302.x Caesarean categories and timing https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng192/resources/caesarean-birth-pdf-661420787888...

Twins can be fun. In this episode find out about different types of twin pregnancy and what challenges and choices obstetricians and parents face in thinking through pregnancy and birth. Want to know more? https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/finding-out/pregnant-with-twins/ https://www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/patients/patient-information-leaflets/pregnancy/pi-multiple-pregnancy.pdf https://www...

In the wake of Cop26 I have been thinking about maternity services and climate change. Listen to my exploration of some of the problems but also some possible solutions. Want to know more? https://www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/recycling-unit-answers-the-covid-mask-mountain-problem/ https://www.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk/news/newcastle-hospitals-become-first-in-the-uk-to-use-climate-friendly-gas-and-air...

Find out how we know when and where there is an emergency situation in hospital. Why is 2222 is such an important number for healthcare professionals and what does neonatal resus have to do with a G&T. If you have enjoyed my podcast please do share your thoughts by leaving a review on your podcast provider or get in touch. I love to hear your thoughts and ideas. if you have found my ideas help...

How can we make sure people who do not speak English get equal access to information and good quality care? Here I discuss the challenges and the importance of translation & interpreting services in maternity care. Want to know more? Guidance and stats https://www.gov.uk/guidance/language-interpretation-migrant-health-guide#main-messages https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/uk-po...

Listen to a sparky and stimulating chat with JennytheM a retired midwife who has so much wisdom to offer on many aspects of maternity care from #Skintoskin to Courage Butter. If you want to explore more of jenny's story and her fantastic blogs you can find her here https://jennythem.com/ as well as on twitter @JennytheM If you have enjoyed my podcast please do share your thoughts by leaving a...

This episode celebrates the theme of Black History Month 2021 - Proud to be Please do also go back and listen to one of my previous episodes Ally and explore the Brown Mama Brown me podcast. Want to know more? https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/1p7r3fkpsWTbQ9shCFh1QXc/betty-campbell https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/article/section/news/proud-to-be-black-history-month-uk-launches-theme-f...

This episode recorded for Baby Loss Awareness Week 2021 discusses the difficulties of baby loss at extremely preterm birth , the challenge of how you classify live birth and still birth & some of the implications for parents. This may be an episode that triggers difficult feelings and memories for many so take care of yourself and make sure now is the right time for you to listen before you st...

What role do ambulance services play in maternity care & how can we work with them to improve pre hospital maternity care? Want to know more? https://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/calling-us/calling-999/advice-if-you-are-due-to-give-birth/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7783920/ https://www.mamaacademy.org.uk/professionals-hub/midwifery-resources/ambulance-call-cards/ http://www.lon...

How do we care for women with a diagnosis of diabetes when they are pregnant & why is the extra care we give so important? In this episode I  explore existing diabetes and gestational diabetes and the differences  and similarities between them and the impact they have on pregnancy experience and outcome. Want to know more? NICE guidance: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng3 https://www.cochran...

Today is World Patient Safety day World Pt safety day , this year focusing on safe and respectful maternity and newborn care. Here are some of my thoughts on how we may provide that without our own opinions and bias getting in the way.  Want to know more? World Patient Safety Day 2021 (who.int) Alice Ladur's research https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-018...

Gem is an obstetrician and has recently become a new mum with her wife Emma. I was delighted when she offered to share her journey to parenthood the good and the less than ideal so that we can learn how to improve our services to support same sex parents as they become a family. Gem can be contacted on twitter @gem_goodyear Want to know more? https://www.hfea.gov.uk/i-am/fertility-treatment-for-lg...

What is performative parenting ? How can we help new parents discuss how they really feel and talk honestly rather than perpetuating the myth of perfection portrayed on social media? Want to explore more? https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jul/03/why-be-a-performative-insta-parent-when-your-kids-will-be-happy-in-front-of-the-tv https://www.buzzfeed.com/mikespohr/these-comics-are-shocki...

Understand why midwives and doctors worry about itching in pregnancy and what it might mean. Learn a bit about the latest research into treatment and how you might access support if you develop this liver condition in pregnancy. Want to know more? https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/patients/patient-leaflets/obstetric-cholestasis/ https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/gtg43/ ht...

What are your responsibilities as a doctor in your everyday life? what happens when you stop and help? Thank you all for listening,  My name is Florence Wilcock I am an NHS doctor working as an obstetrician, specialising in the care of both mother and baby during pregnancy and birth. If you have enjoyed my podcast please do continue to subscribe, rate, review and recommend my podcast on your podca...

Sometimes you meet someone who spurs you on and brings out the best in you, for me this is Gill Phillips aka WhoseShoes. Hear us chat about what makes us #MagicMates & how finding someone you click with can make magic happen! More information about Gill & some of the topics we discuss: https://padlet.com/WhoseShoes/overview One blog Flo! https://whoseshoes.wordpress.com/2015/02/23/in-the-s...