Birth Untethered

When routine cervical sweeps are actually invasive, coerced interventions, are we doing more harm than good?If you're pregnant or supporting someone through birth, understanding the truth about cervical sweeps could change your entire perspective on labor and medical intervention. This episode exposes the often-hidden reality: cervical sweeps are not just gentle, routine procedures, they're invasive, often coercive, and rooted more in tradition than evidence. Kemi Johnson and Shellie Poulter share the unfiltered truth, backed by the latest research and your own stories, about why these interventions may be causing more harm than benefit.Women deserve respectful, informed choices, yet countless women are subjected to these procedures without genuine consent, often feeling violated and confused about their options. You’ll discover how cervical sweeps can trigger uncomfortable inflammatory responses, increase pain and distress, and even impact long-term sexual health. We break down the history, the biomechanics, and the neurophysiology of the cervix, revealing why this vital organ is far more sensitive and complex than outdated myths suggest.You'll learn about the real risks: increased infection, unnecessary intervention, and the unsettling truth about how medical culture has normalized coercion and violated human rights. Most importantly, we empower you with the knowledge: your body, your baby, your right to say no. If you're pregnant, planning birth, or a supporter of birthing women, this episode is your call to question unecessary and often unhelpful routine practices and reclaim autonomy. As the legal case from Australia highlights, calling out assault and negligence in maternity care sparks the potential for systemic change. Don’t accept the illusion of 'routine', know your rights, understand the science, and stand against unnecessary interventions. This is essential listening for anyone wanting to protect their dignity and champion respectful, evidence-based childbirth.

Your body is a miracle designed for birth, don't let outdated practices sabotage that process.Tune in, get informed, and take your power back.Birthrights document on Coercion in maternity care:https://birthrights.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BirthrightsEndCoercion_Report.pdfLink to Shellie's Birth Rights Class and PDF: https://https://birthuntethered.kit.com/products/birthrights-class-recording-and-pdfWebsite:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntetheredPatreon:https://www.patreon.com/14193903/joinApple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@birthuntetheredInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/Support us by buying our merch:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merchBuy us a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie

This comprehensive discussion explores the limitations and realities of fetal monitoring techniques like CTG, Doppler scans, and fetal movement assessments. It emphasizes informed decision-making, the importance of understanding medical interventions, and advocating for respectful, evidence-based maternity care.Most women are often pushed into a cycle of unnecessary interventions, believing they're safeguarding their baby's safety, when in reality, many of these tests and procedures offer little long-term benefit. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the array of monitoring tools in pregnancy, like CTG scans, Doppler studies, or fetal movement counts, you're not alone. This episode uncovers the truth behind these widely used but poorly supported practices, revealing how they often lead to more harm than good through false positives and increased surgical interventions.Shellie and Kemi dive deep into the limitations and questionable efficacy of commonplace diagnostics such as fetal heart rate monitoring, ultrasound estimates, and pregnancy tests. You'll discover: why CTGs are more about legal protection for hospitals than actual safety; how reduced fetal movements, while oncerning, rarely predict serious outcomes; and why routine scans often do more to raise anxiety than improve health. They explain the subtle ways medical systems profit from unnecessary testing, fueling a cycle of intervention that doesn't improve long-term outcomes and equip you with critical questions to ask your healthcare providers.This episode challenges you to rethink what “monitoring” truly means, empowering you to take control of your birth experience. You'll explore how a reliance on flawed technology can obscure natural processes and delay crucial, less invasive care. If you're pregnant or supporting someone through pregnancy, this is essential listening to arm yourself with truth and clarity, enabling informed choices that prioritize your wellbeing and that of your baby.Join Shellie and Kemi as they expose the myths around fetal surveillance, advocating for evidence-based, respectful care. Knowledge is power - know the limits of these tools, and learn how to advocate for a birth experience rooted in confidence, not fear.

Most pregnant women encounter intrusive interventions and fear-mongering around late pregnancy, yet they often have no idea what’s really happening inside their bodies or whether these tests are necessary.

In this eye-opening episode, Shellie and Kemi expose the truth behind fetal surveillance, revealing why so much of this routine testing is unnecessary, and sometimes even harmful.

Discover how hormonal changes in the final weeks of pregnancy, like skyrocketing cortisol and CRH levels, make women and their babies more reactive to fear and stress.

Shellie and Kemi break down the manipulation tactics used to promote interventions like CTGs, growth scans, and cervical fiddling, exposing how these often create more harm than good. You'll learn why these procedures do not improve outcomes and how they can heighten anxiety, disrupt bonding, and interfere with natural labor signals.We dive into the science, covering the complex hormonal landscape of late pregnancy and show how stress and the environment influence your body’s natural readiness for birth.

You'll uncover the dangers of unnecessary monitoring and how it primes both mother and baby for heightened stress reactivity, impacting long-term emotional health. With concrete examples, research, and compassionate insights, this episode empowers you to take control of your birth choices, recognize coercion, and trust your instincts.

Website:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntethered

Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/14193903/join

Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735

Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@birthuntethered

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/

https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/

https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/

Support us by buying our merch:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merch

Buy us a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie

In this episode Shellie and Kemi continue thier discussion about the many reasons given to people to end their pregnancies before their bodies and babies are ready. They go through the reasons and discuss the available research on the outcomes comparing induction to not inducing.

If you are being offered an induction, this episode and the previous episode will be very helpful for you in understanding if it is actually likely to improve outcomes, save you or your baby's life or not.Website:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntetheredPatreon:https://www.patreon.com/14193903/joinSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1kKvf6pjLGDJ5nDBMKPCjBApple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@birthuntetheredInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/Support us by buying our merch:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merchBuy us a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie

In this Episode Kemi and Shellie begin a two part discussion about common reasons given to people as to why they should end their pregnancy early via induction or cesarean. We look at the available evidence comparing outcomes for watchful waiting or ending the pregnancy early to see if when you are being told your baby's life is at risk if you continue your pregnancy compared to waiting, if that is actually shown to be the case with evidence. Spoiler alert, there really aren't many reasons where induction actually improves outcomes for you and/or your baby.Website:⁠https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntethered⁠Patreon:⁠https://www.patreon.com/14193903/join⁠Apple Podcast:⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735⁠Instagram:⁠https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/⁠ ⁠

https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/⁠Support us by buying our merch:⁠https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merch⁠Buy us a coffee:⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie

In this Episode Kemi and Shellie discuss the history of induction and we explore the current obstetric narrative that women are getting older, fatter and more complex and this is why outcomes are getting worse. But is is really the reason?The truth about induction may shock you! We dive deep into the world of labor induction and the myths surrounding it. Many expectant parents are pushed toward induction as if it’s the only option, but that’s not always the case. We explore how the narrative often painted by medical professionals can lead to fear-driven decisions. Are you aware that induction rates are skyrocketing, yet the actual benefits are questionable? Let’s break down the statistics: - Stillbirth rates have decreased by 11%, but neonatal mortality has increased by 7%. - Maternal mortality has shot up by 44%! - The figures in the UK do not reflect the figures in other Western CountriesThese numbers reveal a troubling trend in maternity care. It’s essential to understand your options and assert your power in the birthing process. You are in control! Know your rights and the truth behind the interventions. Website:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntetheredPatreon:https://www.patreon.com/14193903/joinApple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/

https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/Support us by buying our merch:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merchBuy us a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie

In this episode Shellie and Kemi continue their overview discussion of induction of labour. Beginning with at home methods, covering the impacts of induction on maternal and infant physiology and the psychology of why so many people choose induction, even if they don't really believe it is the right course of action for them.

Website:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntethered

Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/14193903/join

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1kKvf6pjLGDJ5nDBMKPCjB

Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@birthuntethered

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/

https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/

https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/

Support us by buying our merch:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merch

Buy us a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie

Shellie and Kemi continue their discussion about induction of labour. We circle back to stone babies, cover that you will not be pregnant forever and share an overview of what the induction process may look like if choosing a medical model.Remember, everything is your choice. Website:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntetheredPatreon:https://www.patreon.com/14193903/joinSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1kKvf6pjLGDJ5nDBMKPCjBApple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@birthuntetheredInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/Support us by buying our merch:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merchBuy us a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie

Kemi and I delve into induction, why you really need to think seriously about the impacts before making the decision to have an induction because remember you always have a choice. We begin an overview of what an induction may look like, how long it may take and the effects on you and your baby. This episode is best watched as there are props to help demonstrate what assessing your bishop score involves, what your cervix may look like. This is a big subject so join us again next week for a continuation of this discussion in part 2. Website:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntetheredPatreon:https://www.patreon.com/14193903/joinSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1kKvf6pjLGDJ5nDBMKPCjBApple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@birthuntetheredInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/Support us by buying our merch:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merchBuy us a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie

In this Episode Shellie and Kemi discuss the big intervention of choosing to leave your home to give birth and how choosing to birth in an obstetric unit dramatically worsens outcomes for you and increases the likelihood of long term negative health consequences for both you and your baby.

We look back to the research propaganda that drove birth away from home and into the hospital and how the perceived safety was a lie then and still is now.

Here is a link to the TED talk about Breastfeeding and Heart Disease in women that we mention on the podcast - The single biggest protective factor: https://youtu.be/o2XjA4wA4TI?si=A8lWh55n3irorqLR

Website:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntethered

Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/14193903/join

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1kKvf6pjLGDJ5nDBMKPCjB

Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735

Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@birthuntethered

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/

https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/

https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/

Support us by buying our merch:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merch

Buy us a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie