In today's episode I'm chatting to Kim about her amazing homebirth. Kim fell pregnant a little faster than she expected and quickly decided homebirth was the best option for her and her baby. She threw herself into birth prep - reading books, listening to podcasts and seeing a women's health physio - which she found to all be very empowering.

When her labour started at 4am her contractions came on thick and fast from the beginning. She used active birthing positions, gas and air and the birth pool to help her through her surges and Indie was born after an intense 9 hours of labour. Kim opted for a physiological third stage and delayed cord clamping before snuggling up for some lovely skin to skin with her newborn at home.

Kim's website: https://kimhartwell.com/ Kim's IG: https://www.instagram.com/kimhartwell/ Humum: https://www.instagram.com/iamhumum/

My website: www.serenalouth.comMy IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/

In today's episode I'm sharing my own story of birthing my son Max. I touch on the experience of losing my first pregnancy at 12 weeks, how that loss affected my second pregnancy and the amazing support I received from my doula, acupuncturist and therapist. I talk about how finding out I was GBS positive influenced my choice of birth place and how much I enjoyed learning about pregnancy and birth through hypnobirthing, podcasts and lots of reading.

I laboured in the MLU with the support of my husband and doula and whilst the birth was long and intense I came away feeling really happy about my experience. I talk at length about the preparation I did and coping techniques I used that I believe attributed to my positive birth.

My website: www.serenalouth.comMy IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/

Britta the acupuncturist: https://brittawoermann.co.uk/ Petals counselling charity: https://www.petalscharity.org/ My doula Michele: https://www.michelemyoga.com/ Lactation consultant Sharon: https://www.londonlactationconsultants.co.uk/who-we-are/

In today's episode I'm speaking to CJ as she shares the story of her daughter Evie's birth. After being diagnosed with PCOS, CJ had been told she might struggle to get pregnant, so she embarked on an 18 month journey of changing her diet and lifestyle to prepare her body and optimise her chances of conceiving. Luckily she fell pregnant quickly, but she struggled with intense pelvic girdle pain during her second trimester which was a real challenge.

CJ prepared for birth by really focussing on her nutrition and immersing herself in hypnobirthing which she found to be an amazing support during her long labour in the midwife lead unit. CJ and her husband went back home shortly after the birth but were back in hospital a few days later for monitoring due to a ragged placenta and Evie being jaundiced.

CJ's website: https://www.charlottejamesholistic.co.uk/ CJ's IG: https://www.instagram.com/cj_health_coach/

My website: www.serenalouth.comMy IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/

In today's episode I'm speaking to Georgia who gave birth to her daughter Skye in the water in the MLU. She shares about finding out she was GBS positive during pregnancy, how she managed her diagnosis of gestational diabetes and why she loved having the support of a doula. When her labour began at 39 weeks Georgia stayed at home for as long as possible, so by the time she arrived at the hospital she was fully dilated. She jumped straight in the pool and birthed her baby very soon after, using gas and air, massage and aromatherapy to help her through her surges. After a really positive birth Georgia did experience some breastfeeding challenges and explains why she ended up breastfeeding from one breast only.

Georgia's website: https://www.back-to-you.com/ Georgia's IG: https://www.instagram.com/backtoyouyoga/ Georgia's doula Lauren: https://www.thebarnesdoula.com/ Georgia's sister's studio: https://www.broodfamilystudio.com/

My website: https://serenalouth.com/ My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/

In today's episode I'm speaking to Louise as she shares her amazing physiological twin birth story. From the moment the hospital confirmed she was pregnant with identical twins Louise found herself under pressure to have a c-section. She spent her pregnancy researching, advocating for herself and visualising her pain-free birth. When her waters broke prematurely her hospital were unable to accept her due to the NICU being full so she was transferred in labour to an unfamiliar hospital 45 minutes from her home. Despite all the last minute changes she managed to stay calm and birth her babies and her very large placenta vaginally without any medication or intervention. Her boys were both admitted to the NICU where they spent 10 days being treated for respiratory distress syndrome which Louise admits was a traumatic start to motherhood; luckily Felix and Leo both went on to make a full recovery.

Find out more about Louise here: https://www.loupyoga.com/ Or on her IG: https://www.instagram.com/loupyoga_studio/

www.serenalouth.com @SerenaLouth https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/

More info on my upcoming hypnobirthing course: https://serenalouth.com/hypnobirthing

In today's episode I'm chatting to Jaime who fell pregnant a few weeks after sister, so they experienced parallel pregnancies on either side of the Atlantic. On the whole she enjoyed her pregnancy and spent lots of time educating herself about birth, her choices and the postpartum period. After her labour began with her waters breaking she spent the day at home trying to bring on contractions before transferring in to hospital when things got going. Her labour was long and intense due to the baby being back to back. She tried pethidine, gas and air and the birth pool before eventually moving to the labour ward for an epidural so she could get some rest. Jaime found the pushing phase really empowering but baby Milo had shoulder dystocia so needed some assistance at the last minute to be born safely.

Find out more about Jaime here: https://www.jaimehepburn.com/ Or on her IG: https://www.instagram.com/jaimehepburn

www.serenalouth.com @SerenaLouth https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/

In today's episode we're hearing from Natalie who gave birth to her son Jackson in Germany. She found out she was pregnant after nearly 2 years of trying to conceive and on the whole loved being pregnant despite some nausea and tiredness in the early weeks. Natalie spent the first half of her labour in the MLU using the birth pool for relief, but transferred to hospital for an epidural when she became too tired to continue. Towards the end of her labour the baby showed signs of distress and the decision was made for Natalie to have an emergency c-section. She shares how she truly believes her son's birth was the experience she was supposed to have and we discuss the importance of having a plan B when it comes to birth preferences.

Find out more about Natalie on her IG. https://www.instagram.com/natalie.kmartin/

www.serenalouth.com @SerenaLouth https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/

In today's episode I'm speaking to India as she reflects on her pregnancy and birth exactly a year later. After going through two heartbreaking miscarriages India was surprised when she found out she was pregnant. She shares how her experience of loss affected her trust in her body and left her feeling very vulnerable during pregnancy. When she found out that her baby was breech she set to trying to turn the baby using moxibustion and Spinning Babies positions, but when Eva remained breech India opted for a c-section. She went on to have a challenging time breastfeeding due to a tongue tie, mastitis, conflicting advice from her care providers and lots of pressure from herself and she generously shares the very mixed emotions that came with choosing to discontinue breastfeeding.

www.serenalouth.com @SerenaLouth

In today's episode I'm speaking to Holly whose first birth experience ended in an emergency c-section under general anaesthetic when the midwives were unable to find her baby's heartbeat during her labour. Luckily Jasper was born safely and stayed with her husband until she came round from surgery. When she fell pregnant with her daughter she deliberated long and hard over whether to try for a VBAC. Holly talks us through her decision making process, explains why she eventually opted for an elective c-section and shares her experience of birthing Sylvie.

Find out more about Holly here or on her IG.

www.serenalouth.com @SerenaLouth

You can find more information on my online hypnobirthing course beginning 8th November 2023 here.

In today's episode I'm chatting to Suzie. She settled in the Welsh countryside during her pregnancy and began planning for her homebirth with the help of her very holistic local midwives. She loved listening to podcasts and learning lots about birth in the lead up to her due date which meant that she was well prepared when things finally kicked off. After a powerful labour Suzie birthed her baby in the birth pool surrounded by nature but had to transfer in a few hours later when her baby became unwell. Her and her partner spent the next 5 days in hospital whilst baby Fred was treated for congenital pneumonia.

Find out more about Suzie and her beautiful tattoos here or on her IG.

www.serenalouth.com @SerenaLouth