This week our host Theo Clarke, former MP and Chair of the UK Birth Trauma Inquiry, is joined by Dr Kim Thomas, CEO of the Birth Trauma Association to answer listener questions on birth trauma. They share information for expectant mothers and families who’ve experienced a traumatic birth, including recovery from mental and physical health issues after childbirth, and provide some practical advice to help affected families.Topics that we discuss on the show include: dealing with postnatal PTSD; available therapies for new mothers; advocacy during birth and after; advice for partners or families who’ve witnessed traumatic births; how to access birth debriefs; requesting a planned caesarean; the importance of self-care and creative practices; and where to find support for pregnant and new mothers on birth and complications.

BIOGRAPHY

Dr Kim Thomas is CEO of the Birth Trauma Association, a charity that supports parents experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder after birth. She was also the secretariat for the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) inquiry into birth trauma, and wrote the inquiry report, published in May 2024. She has published two books about birth trauma: Birth Trauma: A Guide for You, Your Friends and Family to Coping with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Following Birth; and Postnatal PTSD: a Guide for Health Professionals. Her book Broadmoor Women looked at the lives of women committed to Broadmoor in the nineteenth century. She also worked as a freelance journalist for more than 20 years, writing for national newspapers and magazines, with a specialist focus on health and medicine.

Birth Trauma Association:

https://www.birthtraumaassociation.org/

Theo Clarke was the Member of Parliament for Stafford. She chaired the first parliamentary inquiry into birth trauma in British history and previously set up the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Birth Trauma in the House of Commons. Theo has served as parliamentary private secretary at the Departments for Education, Business and Trade and HM Treasury, in addition to being trade envoy for the Prime Minister. She won Speech of the Year at the Parliamentarian of the Year Awards and was included in the prestigious Top 100 Women in Westminster list in 2025 and 2024. Theo hosts the hit podcast ‘Breaking the Taboo’ which ranks in the Top 5 most listened to shows in the UK for alternative health and a book club at ‘A Thread of One’s Own’. She has also published a memoir ‘Breaking the Taboo: why we need to talk about birth trauma‘. Don’t suffer in silence! Listen in and let’s break the final taboo in women’s health #breakingthetaboo.

This podcast is sponsored by the law firm Irwin Mitchell.

DISCLAIMER: This show is not intended to be medical advice – please seek advice from a GP or doctor.

Instagram: @Theoclarkemp @birthtrauma

Website: www.theo-clarke.org.uk/podcast

Breaking The Taboo production team:

Producer: Natasha Feroze

Researchers: Max Austin and Elliott Malik

Designer: Emily Ryder

Social Media: Bella Carter

Studio Manager: Adam Woodward

Studio: Studio 55, part of Wolfe Power Club

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