Birth Untethered

In this episode Shellie and Kemi continue to discuss the routine surveillance that is on offer in NHS maternity services. In this episode we cover low PAPP-A and continue with routine maternity appointments including the 20 week ultrasound anatomy scan and what you may wish to accept or decline as part of your maternity journey.

If you would like to attend the birthrights class and receive the pdf: ⁠https://birthuntethered.kit.com/products/birthrights-masterclass-and-pdf⁠

Season 11 Episode 5 of the Better Birth Podcast about gestational diabetes if you want to look into that further.

https://chipper-teacher-4208.kit.com/products/june-bitesize-gestational-diabetes

Use the discount code serenity50 for 50% off he usual price taking it from £30 to £15. It includes a 2 hour recorded ass about gestational diabetes and a pdf handout with lots of useful information about gestational diabetes, diet, lifestyle, supplements, hacks, meal plans and recipes.

#437 birthing instincts podcast: What is the value of the fetal non stress test?

To join us on Unleash Your VBAC Power: https://stan.store/quantumlifeandbirth/p/unleash-your-vbac-power-20-live-round-presale?fbclid=PAVERFWAQD90RleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAaex5UnWL11WSJ_ra7aUfyRC2g_fS_18HMCvUdxRAUrhHDvUSLOnHRddr5M3sg_aem_rJreWhv4MVKOI_rwcKRrmA

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

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

In this episode Shellie and Kemi discuss the routine surveillance that is on offer in NHS maternity services. In this episode we cover booking appointments, the first trimester scan, what you can accept or decline and why you may want to. We also cover blood pressure, urine dip testing, fundal height.

We look back to the origin of maternity surveillance and the rise of medicalisation of testing.

If you would like to attend the birthrights class and receive the pdf: https://birthuntethered.kit.com/products/birthrights-masterclass-and-pdf

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

In this episode we discuss inviting people into your pregnancy and birth bubble and the impact this can have on your journey and your physiology. We continue our onversation with Tess Lovely a former NHS midwife and her experience of trying to be with woman in the system and how the system treated her for it. We need to understand people's motivations and what we do and don't want to invite into our sphere of influence.

Join the Birthrights Lecture and get the PDF: https://birthuntethered.kit.com/products/birthrights-masterclass-and-pdf

If you'd like to get in touch with and work with Tess, you can find her here: ⁠https://www.birthfromwithin.co.uk⁠

Tess's podcast is:The Good, The Bad & The Vagina

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

Join the mailing list:⁠https://birthuntethered.kit.com⁠

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

In this episode we discuss the first intervention - who you choose to invite into your pregnancy bubble and birth space. We have a frank conversation with 2 former NHS midwives - Tess Lovely and Kemi, in order to understand how their wanting to provide woman centered care was not encouraged in the NHS setting where they used to work. Tess gives us some excellent tips if you are choosing to navigate your pregnancy within the NHS to help with coercion.Become untethered from other people's fear and realise that you have power over who you invite on your pregnancy journey and into your birth space and that your choice is VERY important in supporting your pregnancy and birth physiology working well. This is a two part episode, Tess will be back with us for episode 2 as well.

If you would like to read my AIMS article you can do so here:

https://www.aims.org.uk/journal/item/birthplace-language-coercive

If you'd like to get in touch with and work with Tess, you can find her here: https://www.birthfromwithin.co.ukTess's podcast is:The Good, The Bad & The VaginaWebsite:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntetheredJoin the mailing list:https://birthuntethered.kit.comPatreon: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 continue the journey of following the red thread through time from mitochondrial Eve to the present day. We explore the repeating themes around patriarchal dominance over women and the tools used to subjugate, minimise and demonise feminine power and ownership over our bodies. The cultural shift from matricentric societies where the life giving power of women was celebrated and family caring was communal to today's isolation of family units, segregation of tasks to gender based roles. We explore changes in language, religion and attitudes over time and how they have all contributed to the shaping of society and maternity medicine as it is today. We explore some recent data around free birthing and how safe it actually looks compared to national averages and how the choice to freebirth in modern times is nothing like stepping back to medieval practice. We explore why women are choosing to birth without medical providers present and we speak about reclaiming the words, the wisdom and the rites around pregnancy and birth.Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/14193903/joinMailing List:https://birthuntethered.kit.comWebsite:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntetheredSpotify: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 begin the journey of following the red thread through time, from mitochondrial Eve to the present day. We explore what has always and still does make childbirth safe, what we can be grateful for from the advances in social healthcare and medication and changes in practice. We explore the figures of death rates around birth for mothers and babies, how they have never been 50/50 in history but for mothers have always been around or below 1%, even in prehistoric estimates! This is part one of two, don't worry we won't make you wait too long for the next episode!Website:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntetheredJoin our mailing list:https://birthuntethered.kit.comPatreon: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 raw and compassionate conversation, Shellie, Kemi and Simon explore birth through the eyes of Simon. A father who's thoughts and reactions were shaped by two frightening, medicalised births, and how that trauma followed him into a third, deeply different experience. We talk about fear, responsibility, and the pressure partners feel to “hold it together,” even when their nervous system is bracing for disaster.

Together, we reflect on how trauma affects decision-making in birth, how couples can process difficult moments without blame, and what helps rebuild trust after fear has taken over. We also explore the contrast between emergency-led care and respectful midwifery presence, the role doulas can play in supporting partners, and what years of learning has taught Simon about physiological birth, women’s bodies, and trust.An honest, powerful episode for fathers, partners, and couples navigating birth and birth after trauma and anyone who wants a deeper understanding of how birth shapes us.Join the Mailing List:https://birthuntethered.kit.comWebsite: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 welcome Maha Al Musa. We delve into a deep discussion about the healing potential of embodying birth, the challenges of being an authentic heart led birthworker and Maha shares her birth stories, life journey and wisdom with us.Maha Al Musa is a mother of three beautiful children (now 29, 26 and 17) and is of Palestinian/Lebanese origin raised in Australia. She is a doula, birth mentor, international educator and the founder of EmbodyBirth and Bellydance For Birth® since 1997. She has released two award-winning resources—a world first book on Bellydance for birth, entitled Dance of the Womb, endorsed by Sheila Kitzinger, Dr. Michel Odent, Dr. Sarah Buckley and NACE (Aust.) and a follow on video series voted by about.com readers choice award for Best Pregnancy Fitness Product. She was presented with the One World Birth Hero National Award in 2011. She also has on offer her online 4 modules/ 21 chapters, wise conscious birth preparation program and her highly acclaimed EmbodyBirth mentored certification educator training as well as other powerful resources. Maha has been a keynote speaker at many birth conferences worldwide including the Shandong Midwifery Conference China, Human Rights In Childbirth Conference India and Birth Keepers Summit USA. She has also travelled extensively to many countries globally teaching her program including Japan, China, Taiwan, India, USA, NZ, Europe, and Maha has trained many teachers online post covid including in Vietnam and other countries.All of Maha's teachings are supported by the Universal truth that birth is a sacred portal that has the potential to raise human consciousness and that every woman and baby has the freedom to choose and the right to be supported and born into the hands and arms of Love. www.mahaalmusa.comInsta @embodybirthinternationalEmbodyBirth 2026 online mentored certified eductor training container with MahaMarch - October 2026https://www.mahaalmusa.com/embodybirth-educator-online-training-certificationEmbodyBirth Pregnancy And Birth Prep Program4 modules/ 21 chapterhttps://www.mahaalmusa.com/embodybirth-pregnancy-birth-preparation-online-courseBellydanceBirth Bundle includes the award winning BellydanceBirth dance videos, Maha's homebirth at 46 and bonuseshttps://embodybirth-academy.thinkific.com/Award winning world first book on Bellydance For Birth - Dance Of The Wombhttps://www.mahaalmusa.com/dance-of-the-womb-bookJoin the Mailing list:https://birthuntethered.kit.comWebsite: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

Shellie and Kemi chat to Alex and Becca about their wild pregnancy and freebirth. Becca and Alex share their thought processes through the pregnancy and birth, ideas of things that were helpful for them both throughout. An honest deep dive into what stepping outside of the status quo felt like for both of them. This is an excellent episode for birth partners to listen to.Website:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntethered

Join the mailing list:

https://birthuntethered.kit.com

Patreon: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 speak with Anna and Max about her decision to freebirth her first baby at home with her partner Ben and her doula Shellie. Anna discusses the things that happened throughout her pregnancy that brought her to the realisation that she felt that birthing at home with her chosen support felt like the safest and most sensible option for her. Anna describes a number of things that happened during her pregnancy that made her reevaluate the value she had initially thought interactions with the NHS brought to her pregnancy. We discuss blood pressure, aspirin, fundal height measurment, growth restriction and small for gestational age, dopler studies, rythm and ritual in labour and the amazing power of physiological birth. We delve into what birthing untethered in an informed way really looks like and the safety and peace that it brought for Anna, Ben and Max. If you are thinking about birthing untethered and want more information and support, you can contact Shellie or Kemi for more information. We both offer power hours to help discuss any questions that are coming up for you. Shellie also offers remote and in person support for birth.If you want to freebirth in the UK this is a legal and reasonable option. You have a legal obligation to notify your birth. For more information you can go here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/guidance-on-birth-notification-process-for-unassisted-births/

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

Sign up to the mailing list: https://birthuntethered.kit.com

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