Category: Birth

What’s Your Birth Plan…… B?

Pregnancy Podcast – Why You Need a Backup Plan

The Podcast
Yep, it’s the Pregnancy Podcast again! And, why not?

Episodes of thirty minutes or less covering pretty much any subject you can think of on pregnancy, birth and the postpartum, evidence-based and laid out in an easy to follow way.

What’s not to love??!

The episode
I feel I should say that although you can prepare for and influence your birth, you can’t really plan it. The path you envision may well take some twists and turns along the way.

Home Birth Is Now A Real Option In Stockholm

Home Birth Is Now A Real Option In Stockholm
Many of us in the birth community, as well as expectant parents, have been wondering why home birth has not been a common choice, or even much of an option, here in Sweden.

The great news is that now, at least in Stockholm, it is!

Karolinska University Hospital in Huddinge has just announced that they will offer birthing at home as an option in Stockholm. This development complements the ”Min Barnmorska” initiative that is already being run by Karolinska.

Due Date…….or Guess Date?

Pregnancy Podcast: Due Date

The Podcast
I make no apologies for returning to this podcast again and again.

If you are looking for short, easy to digest episodes on everything about pregnancy, birth and the postpartum, this one’s for you.

The host, Vanessa Merten, does all the research so you don’t have to and then shares her findings in a fun, straightforward and non-judgemental way.

I dare you not to love it!

The episode
Your due date, or guess date as I and many other doulas tend to refer to it, is one of the first things you find out after getting that positive test result.

Why a Doula is a Must for Birthing Abroad

A while ago I was honoured to be asked to write a guest blog post for the amazing Knocked Up Abroad. Whilst this post is not podcast related, I thought it was about time that I featured it here.

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Why a Doula is a Must for International Births

Having moved from the UK to The Netherlands age 22 with no job, nowhere to live, and a partner who’d never even visited the place, I figured that moving to Sweden thirteen years later would be easy.

Sure, I didn’t speak much of the language, but I could understand some, and yes, I’d miss my amazing friends A LOT, but I figured I’d meet other mums at the playground and make friends that way.

Hypnobirthing: The Lowdown

Doing It At Home – Hypnobirthing: Using The Power of The Mind To Influence Your Body

The podcast
The Doing It At Home podcast is hosted by married couple and health and fitness enthusiasts Matthew and Sarah.

Using a mix of birth stories, guest experts and episodes with Sarah and Matthew holding the floor, it’s a dynamic podcast and not one you’ll get tired of.

It’s also honest, real and it can be pretty raw too.

Even if you are not planning a home birth there is so much insight to be gained and then applied to any kind of pregnancy and birth journey.

The Evidence on Doulas

Evidence Based Birth – Doula

Why this podcast?
The Evidence Based Birth website is a go-to website for me and many other doulas.

It’s somewhere I know I can get an overview of the scientific research and that it’s a great resource to direct clients to as well.

The fact that there is also a podcast is a huge bonus and just makes all this info even more accessible.

The episode
This episode is part of the EBB series on pain relief methods and is a great one to listen to if you are considering working with a doula (which of course, I encourage you to do).

Are You Using Your BRAIN?

The Pregnancy Podcast – Using Your BRAIN: 5 Questions You Should Be Asking

Why this podcast?
The Pregnancy Podcast features regularly on this blog and needs no long introduction.

This podcast provides evidence-based information in easy to listen to episodes of thirty minutes or less and covers everything you need to know about pregnancy, birth and the early postpartum.

The episode
The BRAIN tool is something I, as a doula, cover with all my clients. It’s easy to remember for both the birthing person and partner and can make a big difference in your pregnancy and birth journey.

5 Birth Mantras That Work

The Birthful Podcast – 5 Physiological Birth Mantras That Work

Why this podcast?
With around two hundred and fifty episodes covering a huge range of pregnancy, birth and postpartum topics, this podcast is one I return to again and again.

Hosted by the mighty Adriana Lozada, each episode is packed with great info and Adriana’s enthusiasm and warmth make this podcast a joy to listen to.

As well as hosting this podcast, Adriana is also a birth doula, postpartum educator, writer and author.

VBAC and Uterine Rupture: What are the Facts?

The VBAC Link – Uterine Rupture Facts & Perspective

Why this podcast?
The VBAC Link is an absolute must if you are planning a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). With over a hundred episodes of birth stories and evidence-based information, this has become a firm favourite of mine.

The VBAC Link is also so much more than a podcast.

The hosts, Julie and Meagan, VBAC parents themselves, have created online VBAC courses for both parents and doulas as well as a blog series that covers all aspects of a VBAC journey and a wonderfully supportive VBAC community.

Informed Consent

Pregnancy Podcast – Q&A: Informed Consent

Why this episode?
I was not intending to feature the amazing Pregnancy Podcast again quite so soon but when I found this episode I knew I had to.

I cannot emphasise enough how important, vital even, informed consent is to having a birth experience which you view as both positive and empowering.

With that being said, let’s get right into this fantastic episode.

The episode
In the Q&A episodes (which tend to be a bit shorter) Vanessa reads out a listener question and then answers it using scientific research and evidence-based resources.

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