In today’s episode of Bun in the Oven Hollie is joined by the wonderful, knowledgeable, and passionate Dr Sinéad Dufour to talk all about pelvic girdle pain pregnancy. Pelvic Girdle Pain (or PGP) can be misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and left untreated, but it doesn’t need to be that way. Sinéad has worked tirelessly to help raise awareness of the evidence around PGP and is leading the way in how we think about PGP.


In this episode Hollie and Sinéad discuss:
► What pelvic girdle pain actually is
► How we might treat pelvic girdle pain
► Why treatment for pelvic girdle pain will vary for each individual
► How physical activity can benefit pelvic girdle pain
► What to do if you think you might be suffering with pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy


I hope you find this episode useful if you are sugaring with pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain and it helps more women get the support and treatment they so deserve.  


Guest Bio: Dr Sinéad Dufour


Dr. Sinéad Dufour is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Faculty of Health Science at McMaster University.  She teaches and conducts research in the Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Rehabilitation Science. She completed her MScPT at McMaster University (2003), her PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Science at Western (2011), and returned to McMaster to complete a post-doctoral fellowship (2014).

Her current research interests include: conservative approaches to manage pelvic floor dysfunction, pregnancy-related pelvic-girdle pain, and interprofessional collaborative practice models of service provision to enhance pelvic health and pain science. 

Sinéad stays current as a pelvic health physiotherapists through her practice at The World of my Baby (the WOMB) a family of perinatal care centers in Ontario, Canada.  Sinéad has been an active member of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) sitting of multiple committees and leading several clinical practice guidelines. 

She also proud to serve as a clinical advisor many women’s health businesses. Her passion for optimizing perinatal care and associated upstream health promotion for women stemmed from her own experience becoming a mother of twins.  She is an advocate for women’s pelvic health and a regular invited speaker at conferences around the world. 
 

► Follow Dr Sinéad Dufour on Instagram HERE
► The World of my Baby (WOMB) - website HERE
► Dr Sinead Dufour, McMaster University Profile
► Reframe Rehab
► Bia Formations: Courses for Healthcare Professionals
► APTA Pelvic Health: Free Webinars 

 
A Word From Our Sponsor: The Bump Plan


Are you pregnant currently? Not sure how to move your body safely during this changing time? Want to stay active but need a helping hand? Join my revolutionary pregnancy fitness method The Bump Plan Pregnancy FREE for 7 days here and feel strong and empowered in your pregnancy.

The Bump Plan has already helped over 25,000 pregnant women stay safely active and empowered throughout their pregnancies through its trimester specific workouts (in which I am always at the same stage of my pregnancy as you will be in yours), extensive Education Hub of video, audio, and article content, discount platform, and growing Facebook community – try it out for FREE here.

Follow The Bump Plan on Instagram HERE

As a listener of Bun in The Oven if you enter the code ‘BUN20’ at checkout for The Bump Plan you will receive 20% discount per month off the price of your subscription – click HERE to sign up with your discount today

In today’s episode of Bun In The Oven Hollie is joined by her absolute favourite pelvic health physiotherapist, and all round superwoman, Emma Brockwell. In this episode Hollie and Emma discuss how to look after your pelvic floor before and after pregnancy.

At time of recording Hollie was 22 weeks pregnant and was actively trying to stay on top of her pelvic floor training this time around. Hollie struggled with stress incontinence during her first pregnancy and found it a real shock. She had spent her life telling women to do their pelvic floor exercises yet hadn’t in any way prioritised it herself. So, one day, when she was sat in a café waiting for a meeting she sneezed and leaked. Sadly this is pretty common, but the good news is that there’s a lot we can do to prevent it.

So in today’s episode Emma and Hollie discuss:

► How you can look after your pelvic floor before and after pregnancy
► What exactly the pelvic floor is
► What happens to the pelvic floor during pregnancy and labour
► How we can boost the health and tone of our pelvic floor during and after pregnancy
► What prolapse is and how to manage it
► When to seek help from a professional.

Emma and Hollie have worked together in various capacities for many years. She is a passionate pelvic health physiotherapist, author of the book Why Did No-One Tell Me, co-host of the fantastic podcast At Your Cervix, sits on the scientific clinical advisory board of the Active Pregnancy Foundation, and is a passionate runner (and a mother too).

This episode is ideal for you if you are currently pregnant, work with pregnant people, are recently postnatal or are worried you may be suffering with some level of pelvic floor dysfunction. 

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a topic that is far less taboo than it has been previously, with social media and female tech brands helping to raise awareness of the issue, but there are still people out there nervous to ask for help. We hope this episode helps you better understand such an important part of your body, and helps you seek help if you need it!

Guest Bio: Emma Brockwell

Emma is a specialist Pelvic health physiotherapist focusing on problems related to the pelvic floor and pelvis. These include incontinence, bladder and bowel dysfunctions, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain, constipation, painful intercourse as well as aches and pains during pregnancy.  

She specializes in helping post-natal women return to running and exercise, in addition to leading a popular running group and helping women meet their running objectives. She has co- authored published returning to running postnatal guidelines for medical, health and fitness professionals. She is passionate about treating all women with the highest level of care.

She is the co-host of At Your Cervix - The podcast and the incredible book ‘Why Did No One Tell Me’.

► Follow Emma Brockwell on Instagram here
► Listen to the 'At Your Cervix Podcast' here
► Buy Emma's book 'Why Did No One Tell Me' here
► Emma Brockwell's Website - click here

A Word From Our Sponsor: The Bump Plan

Are you pregnant currently? Not sure how to move your body safely during this changing time? Want to stay active but need a helping hand? Join my revolutionary pregnancy fitness method The Bump Plan Pregnancy FREE for 7 days here and feel strong and empowered in your pregnancy.

The Bump Plan has already helped over 25,000 pregnant women stay safely active and empowered throughout their pregnancies through its trimester specific workouts (in which I am always at the same stage of my pregnancy as you will be in yours), extensive Education Hub of video, audio, and article content, discount platform, and growing Facebook community – try it out for FREE here.

Follow The Bump Plan on Instagram HERE

As a listener of Bun in The Oven if you enter the code ‘BUN20’ at checkout for The Bump Plan you will receive 20% discount per month off the price of your subscription – click HERE to sign up with your discount today

In this episode of Bun in the Oven Hollie speaks to anti-diet registered nutritionist Laura Thomas, all about body image during and after pregnancy.

So, in today’s episode Laura and Hollie discuss:

► What diet culture is and how it affects our lives
► Why we are in a society where people feel it is acceptable to comment on another person’s body
► Why we put certain bodies on such a pedestal
► How this can make pregnancy and postpartum a really testing time for a person’s body acceptance.
► How to navigate your changing pregnancy body and learn to accept it

This episode on your pregnancy body is for you if you are struggling to navigate the physical changes that come with pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period, if you find the pressure from the media to look a certain way during pregnancy or snap back postnatally, or if you have previously struggled with disordered eating, fat-shaming from healthcare professionals, or body image concerns.

We hope it helps you navigate this period of your lives, and allows you to show yourself kindness where possible. 


Guest Bio: Laura Thomas Phd

Laura Thomas is an anti-diet registered nutritionist specialising in Intuitive Eating and weight-inclusive nutrition. She supports families who are experiencing feeding and eating challenges to heal their relationship with food and their bodies. She's author of the Can I Have Another Snack Newsletter and host of the podcast of the same name. And author of two books, Just Eat It and How to Just Eat It.

► Follow Laura on Instagram HERE
► Buy Laura's Book 'How to Just Eat It' HERE
► Buy Laura's Book 'Just Eat It' HERE
► Join Laura's Newsletter 'Can I Have Another Snack' HERE
► Listen to Laura's Podcast HERE
► Buy 'My Body, My Home. A Radical Guide to Resilience and Belonging' HERE
► Buy 'The Wisdom of Your Body. Finding Healing, Wholeness, and Connection Through Embodied Living' HERE
► Read '7 Body Affirming Books For Kids' HERE


A Word From Our Sponsor: The Bump Plan

Are you pregnant currently? Not sure how to move your body safely during this changing time? Want to stay active but need a helping hand? Join my revolutionary pregnancy fitness method The Bump Plan Pregnancy FREE for 7 days here and feel strong and empowered in your pregnancy.

The Bump Plan has already helped over 25,000 pregnant women stay safely active and empowered throughout their pregnancies through its trimester specific workouts (in which I am always at the same stage of my pregnancy as you will be in yours), extensive Education Hub of video, audio, and article content, discount platform, and growing Facebook community – try it out for FREE here.

Follow The Bump Plan on Instagram HERE

As a listener of Bun in The Oven if you enter the code ‘BUN20’ at checkout for The Bump Plan you will receive 20% discount per month off the price of your subscription – click HERE to sign up with your discount today

In this episode Bump Plan Founder Hollie Grant looks into everything you need to know about second trimester exercise.


By this stage of your pregnancy you will have a growing bump that needs navigating, your pelvic floor is under more strain from a growing uterus, and there needs to be some new considerations around how you train your core. Knowledge is power though, and Hollie talks you through all of this in this episode.


For many pregnant people though it can be really confusing as to what you can and can’t do during pregnancy from an exercise, or physical activity point of view. Some choose to completely cease physical activity for fear it’s harmful, whilst others continue as they did before. It can really vary so much, but what’s really important is that we are staying active!


Therefore, in this episode Hollie examines:


► What the current Chief Medical Officers 'Guidelines for Physical Activity During Pregnancy'
► Defining 'Physical Activity During Pregnancy'
► What to consider when moving your body in your second trimester
►What to prioritise in second trimester exercise
► Pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy
► Prolapse during pregnancy
► Diastasis during pregnancy
► Actionable activities to include in your second trimester exercise routines


I hope you find this episode on second trimester exercise helpful, and it supports you through an active second trimester!


Helpful Links


► UK Chief Medical Officer Physical Activity Guidelines: Pregnancy and After Childbirth
► The Active Pregnancy Foundation
► Bun in the Oven Season 2, Episode 2: First Trimester Exercise - What You Need to Know
 

Guest Bio: Hollie Grant


Hollie Grant is an award-winning Pilates expert, experienced personal trainer and pre & postnatal exercise specialist. With over a decade’s experience, Hollie has taught thousands of women across the globe in her popular London studio, at luxury hotels such as The Royal Mansour and The Mandarin Oriental, via her online and through her hugely successful online pre & postnatal fitness platform The Bump Plan.

Since launching in December 2020, The Bump Plan has helped over 25,000 women stay active during pregnancy and after birth, and is recognised as the leading pre & postnatal fitness plan in the UK. Hollie has been featured regularly in publications such as Vogue, The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, and Stylist magazine, and has been interviewed on various industry podcasts, whilst also hosting both ‘The Strong Women’ and ‘Bun in The Oven’ podcasts.

► Follow Hollie on Instagram HERE
► Follow The Bump Plan on Instagram HERE
► The Bump Plan Website: click HERE
► Check out The Bump Plan Pregnancy: click HERE


A Word From Our Sponsor: The Bump Plan


Are you pregnant currently? Not sure how to move your body safely during this changing time? Want to stay active but need a helping hand? Join my revolutionary pregnancy fitness method The Bump Plan Pregnancy FREE for 7 days here and feel strong and empowered in your pregnancy.

The Bump Plan has already helped over 25,000 pregnant women stay safely active and empowered throughout their pregnancies through its trimester specific workouts (in which I am always at the same stage of my pregnancy as you will be in yours), extensive Education Hub of video, audio, and article content, discount platform, and growing Facebook community – try it out for FREE here.

Follow The Bump Plan on Instagram HERE

As a listener of Bun in The Oven if you enter the code ‘BUN20’ at checkout for The Bump Plan you will receive 20% discount per month off the price of your subscription – click HERE to sign up with your discount today

Welcome to today’s episode of Bun in the Oven and this is one for those of you who are planning on staying active during pregnancy, as you’ll hear today’s topic mentioned no doubt when training and the advice and guidance can seem quite confusing at times. It’s also something thought to affect almost 100% of us by the time we give birth….so it’s pretty common! Today’s topic is Diastasis, or DRA.

Diastasis is one of the prenatal concerns I’m most asked about, and I understand why women are confused. The information available around Diastasis, particularly when exercising, is changing quite quickly, which is a good thing, and the language we use when talking about it is so important.

So, I am so grateful I get to speak to the super knowledgeable Antony Lo in this episode, and break down:

► What Diastasis is
► Why it happens
► How to train with a diastasis
► And why we all need to stop worrying so much about it.

This is an important episode for anyone who is nervous or confused about Diastasis, has had a previous diagnosis, or works with pregnant or postnatal people. I hope you find this episode helpful, and it helps free you from fear of movement.

Useful Links:

► NHS: Your Post Pregnancy Body - read HERE

Guest Bio:

Antony Lo:

Antony Lo is a physiotherapist from Australia and runs The Physio Detective service and My PT Education. He earned his degree from the University of Sydney and has been in practice since 1997 (old enough to see old things come back as new things!). He completed his post- graduate Master in Manual Therapy (Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy) from the University of Western Australia and commenced his Specialization training in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. He has been working at the junction of Musculoskeletal, Sports Rehab and Performance, and Women’s Health for his whole career. He has experience participating and coaching a range of sports and has been a consultant for a number of different types of elite sports athletes of all ages.

Websites

► Antony Lo Website: click HERE
► Physio Detective Website: click HERE
► My PT Education Website: click HERE
► The Diastasis Project Website: click HERE

Instagram:

► Follow Antony Lo HERE
► Follow My PT Education HERE
► Follow 'The Womens Health Podcast' HERE
► Follow 'The Diastasis Project' HERE

Other Ways to Follow Antony Lo:

► Subscribe on Youtube HERE
► 'Like' on Facebook HERE
► Follow on Twitter HERE

A Word From Our Sponsor

The Bump Plan:

Are you pregnant currently? Not sure how to move your body safely during this changing time? Want to stay active but need a helping hand? Join my revolutionary pregnancy fitness method The Bump Plan Pregnancy FREE for 7 days here and feel strong and empowered in your pregnancy.

The Bump Plan has already helped over 25,000 pregnant women stay safely active and empowered throughout their pregnancies through its trimester specific workouts (in which I am always at the same stage of my pregnancy as you will be in yours), extensive Education Hub of video, audio, and article content, discount platform, and growing Facebook community – try it out for FREE here.

Follow The Bump Plan on Instagram HERE

As a listener of Bun in The Oven if you enter the code ‘BUN20’ at checkout for The Bump Plan you will receive 20% discount per month off the price of your subscription – click HERE to sign up with your discount today

In today’s episode of Bun in the Oven I’m talking about Pregnancy Sickness, a topic not often discussed but that’s experienced by 70-80% of pregnant women, and at it’s worse is called Hyperemesis Gravidarum and can be completely debilitating. 
 
Personally, at 14 weeks, I have just come through that first trimester fog of pretty mild morning sickness and feel so so lucky to have got away so lightly. Given my job I know so many women who have struggled throughout their pregnancies with some form of pregnancy sickness, and the key here is you do not have to suffer in silence and there is support out there.
 
So, in today’s episode I speak to the incredible Dr Caitlin Dean and Megan Rossiter. 
In this episode we go into detail about:

► What pregnancy sickness is
► The sliding scale of severity of pregnancy sickness
► When and where to get support
► What Hyperemesis Gravidarum is and how it’s treated
► The stigma that is still present when it comes to pregnancy sickness
► How to support your mental health when facing pregnancy sickness or Hyperemesis Gravidarum 

 
This really does give great insight into a really difficult symptom and is ideal for those suffering but also those who work closely with pregnant people.
 
I hope this episode is helpful and provides you with the support you need.

Useful Links:

► NHS: Severe Vomiting in Pregnancy - read HERE
► NHS: Vomiting & Morning Sickness - read HERE

Guest Bios:

Megan Rossiter:

Megan Rossiter is an antenatal and hypnobirthing teacher, mum to 2 and 2 little stars in the sky.

Megan suffered with Hyperemesis Gravidarum in both pregnancies and uses her platform to raise awareness around the condition. Megan is the founder of birth-ed, providing Multi-Award Winning antenatal & hypnobirthing courses to families across the globe.

► Follow Birth Ed on Instagram HERE
► Birth-Ed Website: click HERE
► Listen to The Birth-Ed Podcast HERE

Dr Caitlin Dean:

Dr Caitlin Dean is a registered nurse and researcher specialising in pregnancy sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum and is the chairperson for Pregnancy Sickness Support.

Having suffered the condition herself she has dedicated her career to ensuring other sufferers receive support and information needed to survive the condition. She writes widely for the lay and medical press, talks at conferences, provides education for healthcare professionals and acts as a spokesperson for the condition globally.

Last October Caitlin obtained her PhD in hyperemesis research and is passionate about putting the patient's voice and lived experience at the heart of medical research. Caitlin lives on a farm in Cornwall with her husband, three children, two dogs and some cows, in her spare time she runs a property development company and likes to travel.

► Follow Pregnancy Sickness Support on Instagram HERE
► Pregnancy Sickness Support Website: click HERE


A Word From Our Sponsor

The Bump Plan:

Are you pregnant currently? Not sure how to move your body safely during this changing time? Want to stay active but need a helping hand? Join my revolutionary pregnancy fitness method The Bump Plan Pregnancy FREE for 7 days here and feel strong and empowered in your pregnancy.

The Bump Plan has already helped over 25,000 pregnant women stay safely active and empowered throughout their pregnancies through its trimester specific workouts (in which I am always at the same stage of my pregnancy as you will be in yours), extensive Education Hub of video, audio, and article content, discount platform, and growing Facebook community – try it out for FREE here.

Follow The Bump Plan on Instagram HERE

As a listener of Bun in The Oven if you enter the code ‘BUN20’ at checkout for The Bump Plan you will receive 20% discount per month off the price of your subscription – click HERE to sign up with your discount today

In todays episode, Bump Plan Founder Hollie Grant looks into everything you need to know about exercising in the first trimester. Especially if you are pregnant for the first time, the first trimester of pregnancy can be a time of great change in the body which can leave many women feeling confused as to how they can continue to move their body safely during this time.

However, exercising throughout the first trimester (and, indeed throughout your pregnancy) can have profound and far reaching physical and mental health benefits, whilst also helping your body prepare for the demands of labour and parenting.

Therefore, in this episode Hollie will be talking you through:

► The vast physical and mental health benefits to staying active during pregnancy
► The current guidelines for physical activity from the UK Chief Medical Officer, and what that means for you
► Defining 'Physical Activity During Pregnancy'
► How to approach physical activity in pregnancy if you weren't active prior to pregnancy
► What to prioritise exercise wise in the first trimester, and
► How that can be affected by some of the most common pregnancy symptoms

I hope this episode helps you if you are currently in Trimester 1 and wondering how to move your body safely during this time. 

Guest Bio:

Hollie Grant:

Hollie Grant is an award-winning Pilates expert, experienced personal trainer and pre & postnatal exercise specialist. With over a decade’s experience, Hollie has taught thousands of women across the globe in her popular London studio, at luxury hotels such as The Royal Mansour and The Mandarin Oriental, via her online and through her hugely successful online pre & postnatal fitness platform The Bump Plan.

Since launching in December 2020, The Bump Plan has helped over 25,000 women stay active during pregnancy and after birth, and is recognised as the leading pre & postnatal fitness plan in the UK. Hollie has been featured regularly in publications such as Vogue, The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, and Stylist magazine, and has been interviewed on various industry podcasts, whilst also hosting both ‘The Strong Women’ and ‘Bun in The Oven’ podcasts.


► Follow Hollie on Instagram HERE
► Follow The Bump Plan on Instagram HERE
► The Bump Plan Website: click HERE
► Check out The Bump Plan Pregnancy: click HERE

A Word From Our Sponsor

The Bump Plan

Are you pregnant currently? Not sure how to move your body safely during this changing time? Want to stay active but need a helping hand? Join my revolutionary pregnancy fitness method The Bump Plan Pregnancy FREE for 7 days here and feel strong and empowered in your pregnancy.

The Bump Plan has already helped over 25,000 pregnant women stay safely active and empowered throughout their pregnancies through its trimester specific workouts (in which I am always at the same stage of my pregnancy as you will be in yours), extensive Education Hub of video, audio, and article content, discount platform, and growing Facebook community – try it out for FREE here.

Follow The Bump Plan on Instagram HERE

As a listener of Bun in The Oven if you enter the code ‘BUN20’ at checkout for The Bump Plan you will receive 20% discount per month off the price of your subscription – click HERE to sign up with your discount today

SEASON 2 Episode 1 – Everything You Need to Know in Trimester 1
Welcome to the very first episode of Season 2 of Bun in the Oven podcast. I’m currently 10 weeks pregnant and have just left that weird pre booking appointment limbo where you’re 99% sure you’re pregnant, but you haven’t yet seen a health professional to confirm everything.  

Now for many women those first 8-12 weeks of pregnancy, with no direct access to a midwife, can be a daunting time, especially if they have suffered a previous loss. It can feel like such a long time to wait until that initial booking appointment, which I have just had, and you might have so many questions you want to ask a health professional before then. 

That’s where todays episode comes in. In this episode, I am talking to the wonderful, and super knowledgeable, Pip Morrish. Pip is an experienced, practicing Midwifery Sister, MSc graduate, founder of Midwife Pip Podcast, Hypnobirth and Antenatal Educator, co- author of published research and importantly a mum. 

In this episode Pip and I dive into the feelings, concerns, highs and lows of those first few weeks. We talk about:

► When it’s time to call your GP to book an initial appointment
► What happens in your booking appointment
► What to expect from your 1st trimester, and
► How to manage anxiety in that time

Pip also simplifies:

► What foods to avoid
► What supplements are important, and
► Why staying active in that first trimester is so powerful. 
This is a really helpful episode for anyone who is yet to meet their midwife and wants some professional support and reassurance before then. 

Pip is such a wonderful guest and personally she is on a mission to ensure all expectant and new mums feel like superwoman during pregnancy and when they give birth. I hope you find this episode helps you feel confident and positive ahead of one of the best, and most thrilling, journeys of your life. 

Guest Bio:

Pip Morrish (aka Midwife Pip):

Pip is an experienced, practicing Midwifery Sister, MSc graduate, founder of Midwife Pip Podcast, Hypnobirth and Antenatal Educator, co- author of published research and importantly a mum. 
Pip is on a mission to ensure all expectant and new mums feel like superwoman during pregnancy and when they give birth. Pip believes passionately that with the right support, honest and evidence-based information all birth should be positive regardless of any twists and turns that may crop up. For this reason, Pip begun her Instagram page @midwife_pip followed by her online courses where she is on hand to support and guide women through all aspects of pregnancy, birth, and the early postpartum every step of the way. 
Friendly, non-judgemental advice throughout every trimester of pregnancy, birth and beyond, with the benefit of exclusive community support groups, live calls and 24/7 access to Pip she is here to create empowered, positive experiences for all! 
► Follow Pip on Instagram HERE
► Midwife Pip’s Website: click HERE
► Listen to The Midwife Pip Podcast HERE

A Word From Our Sponsor
The Bump Plan
Are you pregnant currently? Not sure how to move your body safely during this changing time? Want to stay active but need a helping hand? Join my revolutionary pregnancy fitness method The Bump Plan Pregnancy FREE for 7 days here and feel strong and empowered in your pregnancy.

The Bump Plan has already helped over 25,000 pregnant women stay safely active and empowered throughout their pregnancies through its trimester specific workouts (in which I am always at the same stage of my pregnancy as you will be in yours), extensive Education Hub of video, audio, and article content, discount platform, and growing Facebook community – try it out for FREE here.
Follow The Bump Plan on Instagram HERE

As a listener of Bun in The Oven if you enter the code ‘BUN20’ at checkout for The Bump Plan you will receive 20% discount per month off the price of your subscription – click HERE to sign up with your discount today
  

In this weeks episode we’ll be talking about single parenting, with 2 incredible women who have chosen to create and raise children on their own. My guests are Liv Thorne and Amy Jones.  

In this episode we discuss how to physically create a baby when you haven’t a partner, the reaction and support received by friends and family, and the challenges and joys of being a single parent. I hope that it not only helps those of you embarking on the same path, but also those of you who are single parenting due to divorce or loss. I hope you all enjoy this episode and find strength and support within it.

Guest Bios

Liv Thorne

Liv Thorne is the director of a web design agency, mum to her son Herb, butler to Elvis the 13-year-old terrier and creator of the popular Instagram account @livsalone. Through her Instagram, and recent book, she has documented her experience and journey of becoming a single mother after never really finding the “one”. There is a saying that everyone has a book in them, she just didn’t realise hers would be about buying sperm! Livs book “Liv's Alone -Amateur Adventures in Solo Motherhood” has been a huge success, understandably.

► Follow Livs Alone on Instagram HERE 
► Buy Liv’s Book  HERE 
► Check out Liv’s website HERE 

Amy Jones

Amy Jones is a Management consultant by day, fitness blogger by night! She recently made the decision that her journey to finding “the one” was potentially holding her back from her desire to have her own child. Taking things into her own hands, she is now embarking on her biggest adventure to date as she kicks off her journey to become a solo mother. She has been incredibly honest on social media about all aspects of this journey, and also hopes that she can show other women considering this route that it is possible.

► Follow Amy Jones on Instagram HERE 

A Word From Our Sponsor

The Bump Plan

This episode of Bun in the Oven is sponsored by The Bump Plan.

Given the theme of this podcast I imagine that some of you are currently pregnant or planning a family. So many women I know just aren’t sure how to move their body safely during this changing time? Or they want to stay active but need someone to show them the way and hold their hand? That’s where the Bump Plan comes in. The Bump Plan is a holistic prenatal fitness plan that allows you to work out with confidence at each trimester of your pregnancy.

Founded by myself, Hollie Grant, The Bump Plan has already helped over 30,000 pregnant women stay active safely, and feel empowered throughout their pregnancies. Through its trimester specific workouts in which I am always at the same stage of my pregnancy as you will be in yours, hypnobirthing subscription, and extensive Education Hub, you’ll feel supported and part of a welcome community.

Let me help you move safely through your pregnancy, maintain your fitness and strength, and enter parenthood strong and prepared for all the demands it poses.

► As a listener of Bun in the Oven I am offering you £5/month off the cost of your monthly subscription to The Bump Plan simply by entering the code 'bun' at checkout. To get started today simply head here and enter the code 'bun' at checkout. 

Join our community today and stay strong throughout your pregnancy.

► Follow The Bump Plan on Instagram HERE

In this week’s episode we’ll be talking about the racial disparities in maternal health, and the current challenges faced by black women and birthing people during pregnancy and after childbirth. My guests are the amazing founders of the organisation Five X More, Tinuke Awe and Clotilde Abe.

We discuss the worrying statistics surrounding black women and birthing people in the UK, what is currently being done to reduce these figures, and how we can all help support Five X More in their goal of improving the statistics as soon as possible.

Tinuke and Clo, whilst feeling this cause is their calling, work incredibly hard whilst also raising their own children. We do have another gorgeous little guest in this podcast, Tinukes 1 year old daughter Eden, so I hope you enjoy the occasional squeels of excitement you hear in the background.

Guest Bio:

Five X More 

Five X More is a grassroots organisation committed to changing Black women and birthing people’s maternal health outcomes in the UK. It was initiated in 2019 when two Black mothers, Tinuke and Clotilde came together with the dream of improving maternal mortality rates and health care outcomes for Black women.

Five X More is dedicated to supporting mothers and birthing people with its campaigning work and recommendations. It focuses on empowering Black women and birthing people to make informed choices and advocate for themselves throughout their pregnancies and after childbirth.

► Follow Five X More on Instagram HERE

► Check out the Five X More Website HERE

Useful links and How You Can Help:

► Navigating Pregnancy as a Black Person - watch HERE

► Read this article about Racial Disparities in Maternal Health and the disparity in maternal deaths because of ethnicity - click HERE

► Donate to Five X More HERE

► Take the 'Black Maternity Experience Survey' HERE

A Word From Our Sponsor

The Bump Plan

This episode of Bun in the Oven is also sponsored by The Bump Plan.

Given the theme of this podcast I imagine that some of you are currently pregnant or planning a family. So many women I know just aren’t sure how to move their body safely during this changing time? Or they want to stay active but need someone to show them the way and hold their hand? That’s where the Bump Plan comes in. The Bump Plan is a holistic prenatal fitness plan that allows you to work out with confidence at each trimester of your pregnancy.

Founded by myself, Hollie Grant, The Bump Plan has already helped over 30,000 pregnant women stay active safely, and feel empowered throughout their pregnancies. Through its trimester specific workouts in which I am always at the same stage of my pregnancy as you will be in yours, hypnobirthing subscription, and extensive Education Hub, you’ll feel supported and part of a welcome community.

Let me help you move safely through your pregnancy, maintain your fitness and strength, and enter parenthood strong and prepared for all the demands it poses.

► As a listener of Bun in the Oven I am offering you £5/month off the cost of your monthly subscription to The Bump Plan simply by entering the code 'bun' at checkout. To get started today simply head here and enter the code 'bun' at checkout. 

Join our community today and stay strong throughout your pregnancy

► Follow The Bump Plan on Instagram HERE