By Evony Lynch
The podcast currently has 21 episodes available.
Kemi Johnson - outspoken birth activist, former independent midwife turned birthkeeper, speaker and educator - dives into the truth about birth in our society today. With swearing included we explore...
Plus, listen to us two elder - but hot (Kemi's words!) - experienced birthkeepers tell you how f$cking awesome birth is across the spectrum of 'risk'.
Follow her and her work here - from pregnancy Power Hours ("the antidote to the grooming of the medical system") to birthkeeper mentoring:
Instagram: @kemibirthjoyjohnson
https://www.kemibirthjoyjohnson.com/
Feeling the call to birthwork?
Join me on my next intake of the Birthkeeper Programme!
https://wayofthebirthkeeper.org/birthkeeper-course/
In this compelling episode of Birth Truths, we dive deep into the world of birth advocacy with the remarkable Sam Gadsen, an experienced doula and passionate birth activist based in the UK.
Sam's advocacy work is nothing short of inspiring – from leading a thriving UK homebirth Facebook group with over 15k members to launching the Birth Activist Podcast, she's dedicated to fighting for the rights of families to birth at home without coercion or interference.
But Sam's activism goes beyond the online sphere. She's on the frontline, supporting families facing unjust social services surveillance and supporting those experiencing domestic violence. Her rapid response to the pandemic's challenges led her to create a freebirth course in just three days to meet the overwhelming demand from her community.
Through her website 'They Said to Me,' Sam sheds light on the coercion and abuse prevalent in the UK maternity services, amplifying the voices of those who have experienced mistreatment and advocating for systemic change.
Join us as we explore Sam's journey, her unwavering commitment to birth justice, and the vital work she's doing to empower families and transform the birthing landscape.
Listen now and be inspired to join the movement, in whatever way that looks for you, for birth rights and autonomy.
Sam Gadsen Doula
https://www.facebook.com/groups/homebirthsupportuk
They Said to Me.
Parenting+ Facebook Group - The Village
Train with me
I'm back with a new name, a new look, and fired up to tell the truth about birth. Join me as I explain the reason behind 'Birth Truths', my mission and why we all have been corrupted to believe that physiological birth is just game of chance that we all need saving from...
The breech research that closed the door on vaginal breech birth... (although some places, 20 years later, are slowly reclaiming the skills)
The Term Breech Trial, 2000.
Follow me on Instagram: @evony.lynch
About me: https://wayofthebirthkeeper.org/
Sign up for my newsletter - get my Birth Truths guide.
The Cervix isn't Everything in Labour!
Isn't it time we debunked the 'stages of labour'? The belief that we can define where someone is in labour and how long it is, how safe it is, depending on the state of the cervix?! The medical model relies heavily on the cervix as a way to monitor and manage labour, yet it is only one TINY piece of the puzzle!
In this episode I talk about...
We're diving into labour inside the birthkeeper programme right now. It opens again in September, so if you are feeling called and want to learn more come along to my taster session - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/birthkeeper-course-free-taster-session-tickets-639489870417
And don't forget to sign up to my newsletter for birthy tips and events!
https://www.subscribepage.com/birthkeeperguide
Love Evony x
I talk to Megan, from the US who following the amazing physiological birth of her first baby at home with a birthkeeper, she began haemorrhaging and was transferred to hospital where they discovered an adherent placenta and then received a blood transfusion. She has an incredibly positive approach to an experience which she knew was life threatening. She said she will still be birthing her next baby at home.
Sadly since then she has felt alienated and not able to talk about her experience. In this podcast we talk about what happened, about postpartum haemorrhage and why I feel it is important to be truthful around birth - it is beautiful but powerful. And sometimes unpredictable.
Do you feel the call to work with pregnancy and birth?
Follow me on Instagram @wayofthebirthkeeper for birthy goodness.
Download my free mini e-book 'Reclaiming Birth' - a Handbook for Birthkeepers
Join me on my next free birthkeeper course taster session!
In this episode I explore the medical model and how understanding my own values helped me understand my struggles within the system.
I also talk about although my work is centred on physiological birth, I don't have a dogmatic approach and that being balanced is important to me and my teaching.
What are your values and are you living and working in alignment with them?
I'd love to hear your thoughts! Email me or DM me on Instagram!
Love Evony x
She is not afraid to stand up for normal physiological birth in an age where the right to birth this way is being eroded. vilified and denigrated.
She has been an important role model to me through some tough times in my career, taking time to respond to students and midwives and still fights tirelessly for midwifery and birth at age 67.
Most people are birthing within our maternity system but
I am so happy to share with you this important conversation around birth.
Sheena Byrom is a practising midwife of 40 years, having worked in the NHS for most of that time. Sheena was one of the UK’s first consultant midwives, and as head of midwifery successfully helped to lead the development of three birth centres in East Lancashire. As well as being an international speaker, Sheena provides workshops and consultancy services on respectful maternity care. With her midwife daughter Anna is the proud joint owner of The Practising Midwife journal, and an exciting learning online platform All4Maternity.com
Sheena’s midwifery memoirs, Catching Babies, is a Sunday Times bestseller, and her seminal book, The Roar Behind the Silence: why kindness, compassion and respect matter in maternity care jointly edited with Soo Downe, is being used as a resource to improve maternity care throughout the world. In 2019 Sheena and Soo edited their second book, ‘Squaring the Circle: researching normal childbirth in a technological world’.
Sheena was awarded an OBE in 2011 for services to midwifery and was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Midwives in 2015. In 2016 and 2018, Sheena received Honorary Doctorates from Bournemouth University and the University of Central Lancashire, and in 2017 she was made a Visiting Fellow at Bournemouth University.
Sheena is committed to the humanisation of childbirth, to maximising normal physiological birth processes, and for all women to experience a positive birth.
Check out the links we spoke about:
Low Risk Birth Workshop - online 18th March 2023
All4Maternity
One Thought
Supporting Physiological Birth Choices in Midwifery Practice by Claire Feeley
Enjoyed this podcast?
DOWNLOAD MY FREE GUIDE - Reclaiming Birth: A Birthkeeper's Handbook
AND follow my birth insights on Instagram @wayofthebirthkeeper
Birth is being Reclaimed! Following several local births where a group of women have made conscious choices about their pregnancies and births, we are seeing first hand the intersection of the medical model and the those choosing undisturbed physiological birth. Making choices that do not align with guidelines and expectations around 'safe' birth may create anxiety and potential friction. But does it really need to be this way?
Join me and experienced birthkeeper Julie as we share what we are witnessing and experiencing as birthkeepers down here in West Cornwall and consider how we create bridges for everyone.
Resources to explore:
Supporting Physiological Birth Choices in Midwifery Practice by Claire Feeley
Dr Sara Wickham - Freebirth
Enjoyed this podcast?
DOWNLOAD MY FREE GUIDE - Reclaiming Birth: A Birthkeeper's Handbook
AND follow my birth insights on Instagram @wayofthebirthkeeper
The podcast currently has 21 episodes available.