Category: Natural Birth

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.

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.

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.

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.

What Role Should Men Play In Birth?

Evidence Based Birth – What role should men play in birth?

Why this podcast?
I refer people to the Evidence-Based Birth website all the time and am so happy that there is now a podcast too. All of the articles are, as the name suggests, evidence-based, meaning you have access to solid information on which to base your decisions.

It is so very important that whatever choices you make surrounding your pregnancy and birth are informed ones.

Information and knowledge ensure that you are the driver in your experience rather than a passenger.

Back Labour and How to Handle It

Preggie Pals – Managing Back Labor

Why this podcast?
I re-discovered this podcast while I was exploring the Parents On Demand network.

Each episode features a group of women who are mothers, pregnant or both as well as experts who provide sound information. There’s a fun, chatty atmosphere and it’s really easy to listen to.

With episodes covering trying to conceive, infertility, pregnancy and birth related topics you’ll be sure to find something that appeals to you.

12 Wishes For Your Birth

Birthful – 12 Days of Birth

Why this podcast?
The Birthful podcast is a wonderful one for birth workers and families alike. Hosted by doula, author and postpartum educator, Adriana Lozada, Birthful provides birth stories as well as interviews with birth and postpartum experts.

Adriana is so enthusiastic and down to earth that listening to an episode is always a treat. Plus, with almost 200 episodes, there is a gold mine of information to be sourced.

Why this episode?
I was so happy to spot an episode on having a positive birth experience that included so much wisdom from Adriana’s many years as a doula.

How Might A Big Baby Change Your Birth?

Evidence Based Birth – What are the birth implications for a suspected big baby?

Why this podcast?

“If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any.” Diana Korte and Roberta Scaer.

In order to have options you first need to know what those options are and that requires information. Luckily, the internet is a source of endless knowledge but how much of it can really be trusted?

Evidence Based Birth is a fantastic and very accessible resource that is exactly what it says it is – evidence-based – and that is key when you are researching your birth options.

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