The Ultimate Birth Partner Podcast

In light of the recent NMC and Doula UK video, I decided to record this special episode as I felt it relates this this season's theme: The Reality of Birth. The video tried to define the role of a doula but missed the mark — suggesting we simply reinforce what midwives advise. That’s not the truth. You can watch it here - https://youtu.be/bXqIBMTZHDs Many care providers still remain confused...

In this episode of The Ultimate Birth Partner Podcast, I’m joined by Poppy Child from Pop That Mumma , who shares parts of her second birth story that she has never spoken about publicly before. Poppy went into her pregnancy journey believing that a pain-free birth was achievable, but the reality unfolded in ways she hadn’t expected. In this conversation, she opens up about the untold elements of...

Season Six - The Reality of Birth Today Welcome to a brand-new series of The Ultimate Birth Partner Podcast In this first episode, I am exploring the romanticised idea of birth that we can sometimes hold. I share Where the romantic image of birth comes from Why relying only on a partner can be overwhelming How the 'bubble' can burst in labour and postpartum Practical preparation tips for...

It's the season finale, and I’m delighted to wrap up with a powerful and thought-provoking conversation featuring the incredible Dr Rachel Reed - midwife, educator, author, and advocate for physiological birth. In this episode, we dive deep into the topic of Meconium-Stained Amniotic Fluid something that often triggers alarm bells during labour. But should it? Rachel helps us unpack the physi...

In this inspiring episode, I’m joined by Amelia, who shares her powerful birth stories - welcoming both of her daughters in a Midwife Led Unit, despite being labelled ‘high risk’ due to a high BMI and insulin-controlled gestational diabetes. Amelia’s journey is a testament to what’s possible when a woman is supported to trust her instincts, advocate for herself, and remain at the centre of her car...

In this powerful episode, I’m joined by former NHS midwife Rosemary, who bravely opens up about her time working within the UK’s maternity system - and why she ultimately made the difficult decision to walk away. With her knowledge and experience of women-centred care, Rosemary speaks candidly about the challenges she faced as a midwife, from rising pressures to the emotional toll of witnessing ca...

In this essential episode, I open up a conversation with Hayley Schoenberg and Dr Margo, where they explain, that far too many women are suffering from postpartum prolapse - in silence.  Despite how common it is, prolapse is rarely discussed during pregnancy, and even less so after birth. Yet it can have a profound physical and emotional impact on a woman's life. It's time to break the s...

In today’s episode, I explore one of the most profound truths about birth - the fact that you are the creator of life. I dive into how modern maternity services undermine women's instincts, why doubt is a normal part of labour, and how the subconscious work of pregnancy is what truly saves women in the birth room. I explore why achieving a physiological birth in 2025 is about more than just h...

In today’s episode, I am sharing the incredible biological design of birth and how your body naturally prepares your baby for life outside the womb. Modern maternity care often disrupts this process, but when we understand how nature intended birth to unfold , we can make informed choices to protect it. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How your microbiome shifts in pregnancy to prepare the birth...

In this powerful episode of The Ultimate Birth Partner Podcast , we dive into a topic that may challenge how you think about birth support: the role of a doula or birthkeeper. While many believe our job is to shield you from the medical system, the truth is more complex. My role isn’t to control external factors or guarantee a specific birth outcome. Instead, it’s to help you overcome self-doubt,...

In this episode, I explore the concept of the 'Full-Body Yes' and its profound impact on decision-making, particularly in the context of childbirth.  Key topics include: Understanding the Full-Body Yes: Recognising when your entire being - mind, body, and spirit - is in complete alignment with a decision, leading to a deep sense of certainty and peace. The Role of Intuition in Childbirth...

In this episode of The Ultimate Birth Partner Podcast , I am diving into the idea that intense, long contractions don't necessarily indicate progress in labour. I’ll take you through why contraction length alone isn’t a reliable indicator of progress and what actually matters more in birth. Tune in to discover:  ✨ Why rhythm and body positioning matter more than contraction length  ✨ What l...

In this episode, I explore the 'privacy instinct' and its profound significance for neurodiverse women during childbirth. I delve into how an innate desire for privacy and autonomy can influence birth experiences, especially for those with heightened sensory sensitivities and unique communication needs. Episode Highlights: Understanding the Privacy Instinct: Discussing the natural inclin...

In this episode, I’m diving into the importance of thoroughly researching and interviewing your chosen place of birth. Many women assume that midwife-led units or hospitals will automatically align with their birth preferences, but policies and practices can vary widely. I’ll be sharing:  ✔️ Why hospitals and MLUs don’t always provide the experience you expect.  ✔️ The key questions you MUST ask b...

In this episode, we are diving into two game-changing strategies for labour: STOP and FLOP. These simple, yet powerful tools can help you navigate your birth journey with a sense of calm, control, and empowerment. Developed through years of experience in the birth space, these methods are designed to help you release tension, trust your body, and create the right conditions for oxytocin to flow. W...

In this episode, I’m sharing 8 powerful quotes that I have written about, and taught over the past couple of decades while supporting couples both in and out of the birth room. These phrases are designed to shift your mindset, empower your choices, and help you tap into your inner strength as you prepare for birth. Tune in to explore how these sayings can help you let go of fear, trust your body’s...

In this episode, I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my course Discover Your North Star ! This isn’t your typical antenatal course - it’s designed to help you break free from fear-based narratives and step into your birth experience feeling empowered, calm, and fully aligned. Tune in as I share a comprehensive overview of the course, including what’s inside, how it can transform your mindset, a...

In the last episode of 2024 - I am bringing you another solo episode where I pull up my big girl pants, and bravely admit that earlier this year I had a complaint made against me.   I am so passionate about my work and the support I offer, that I wanted to share a little bit about this experience, and highlight some essential steps you can take, if you are considering hiring a doula. My wish is th...

In this episode of the podcast, we begin exactly where we left off last week, with Hayley and Katja sharing the details of their healing home birth. Baby Isabelle was born safely after a previous traumatic birth, but Hayley knew instinctively that she needed some support. After a wonderful golden hour, everyone began to notice that Hayley wasn't herself, and was showing signs of deterioration...

In this episode, I am chatting with Hayley and Katja Schoenberg about their healing homebirth story. In part one, they candidly share their decisions regarding having another baby, and how important it was to Hayley for them both to do a lot of preparation to ensure that they had the best chance of achieving their dream birth. Tune in next week to pick up where we left off and learn more about the...

This week I am sharing with you how Journalling can support you to prepare for birth by 'Doing the work'. This involves asking yourself questions and being open and honest about how you feel about giving birth and also how to share your thoughts and feelings with your birth partner. You can either use your own notebook and answer some of the questions that I share with you, or you can pu...

In this episode, I am chatting to Sheryl Wynne who kindly talks us through her Healing Birth Hierarchy of Needs tool that she uses to help prepare couples for their dream birth. This conversation will allow you to identify ways that you can support yourself on your journey to achieving the birth that you want. It aims to help you understand why it is so important to reach for the stars, and not se...

In this week's episode Dr Jenna and I are discussing the importance of healing from birth trauma before having another baby. We talk through the reasons why this is useful for both you and your birth partner as well as a wider conversation about birth preparation and how to take ownership of the information you are exposed to, rather than just accepting any information you receive. Being curi...

This week is part two of Dhi's story - where he shares his version of each of the births of his 5 children.  In this episode we pick up where we left off last week, with Dhi telling us his experience of discovering Leonie was pregnant with twins and how they went on to have a C-section due to pre-eclampsia.  He candidly talks about the disappointment he felt when they needed to engage with ma...

In this week's episode, Leonie's husband Dhi shares his experience of becoming a father and how his philosophies of birth changed dramatically as he learned more about the process. He explains how confident he felt in the idea that Leonie was capable of giving birth without medical assistance, and how his understanding deepened as each of their children were born. Next week, he candidly...