When birth takes an unexpected turn, staying calm can make all the difference.

This week two midwives share the emergencies they'll never forget.

If you’re interested in being part of the Life of a Midwife series, we’d love to hear from you — just drop us an email [email protected]

Links from our midwives:

Little Light Support offers independent, trauma-informed birth debriefs for women and families — particularly those who’ve had complex, confusing or difficult experiences

East Anglian Midwives offer personalised pregnancy care, homebirth and hospital birth support, and postnatal care in Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, and Cambridge

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Former MP Theo Clarke joins Giovanna this week to share the story of how the birth of her daughter led her to become a campaigner for better maternity care.

Theo talks about navigating pregnancy while working in politics, including the challenges of having no statutory maternity leave as an MP and the pressure of being on duty during a period of major political upheaval.

She also opens up about her traumatic birth experience and the lack of adequate postnatal support she received afterwards, experiences that led her to launch the first UK parliamentary debate on birth trauma. Since then, she has continued campaigning alongside Louise Thompson for the introduction of an independent maternity commissioner.

UPDATE: Since recording this episode, the government has announced the appointment of the UK’s first-ever Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner, as part of efforts to improve maternity and neonatal care across England.

Links:

Follow Theo on Substack 

Breaking the Taboo book

Birth Trauma Association

Maternity Commissioner Petition

Our interview with Louise Thompson

Do you follow our new Substack yet? Join the private village behind the podcast! xx

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Was home birth different in the 1970s compared to today?

This week, two midwives take us inside the world of birth beyond the hospital: from pioneering one of the earliest home water births to facing the realities, risks, and unexpected moments that come with bringing a baby into the world at home — even when the carpet is cream!

If you’re interested in being part of the Life of a Midwife series, we’d love to hear from you — just drop us an email [email protected]

Links from our midwives:

All4Maternity is the go to place for education and support if you’re a midwife or student midwife.

And All4Birth is the home for expectant and new parents - free, non-biased, evidence-based information! Curated by a midwife ❤️

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Giovanna sits down with NHS GP, resident GP on BBC Morning Live and bestselling author, Dr Punam Krishan!

Punam opens up about her own traumatic first birth and the life-threatening complications, postnatal depression, and PTSD that followed.

She also talks about the breast cancer diagnosis she received last year that reinforced the importance of listening to her body and advocating for herself. Please take this conversation as a reminder to check your chests!

Dr Punam's latest book, The Mother Load Every Mother’s Guide to Juggling Health, Life & Happiness, is out now!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do midwives hold it together in times of immense pressure?

In this episode we hear from two midwives who have learned how to stay calm during overwhelming moments.

If you’re interested in being part of the Life of a Midwife series, we’d love to hear from you — just drop us an email [email protected]

Links from our midwives:

Petition · Make birth safer: protect midwives' working hours - United Kingdom · Change.org

Hard Pushed: A Midwife's Story and Womb: The Inside Story of Where We All Began

East Anglian Midwives offer personalised pregnancy care, homebirth and hospital birth support, and postnatal care in Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, and Cambridge

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re marking Father’s Day with a very special episode as we welcome Adam Frisby and Jamie Corbett to the studio!

They join Gi to share their remarkable journey to parenthood, including the moment their first surrogate withdrew from the process, how their own childhoods shaped the parents they wanted to be, and the joy of welcoming their beautiful baby Leven to the world.

Adam and Jamie also open up about the public scrutiny they’ve faced as a same-sex couple starting a family, and why they’re advocating for surrogacy law reform to better recognise intended parents from birth.

You can learn more about Adam and Jamie’s petition to change surrogacy law here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when birth leaves a mark that doesn't just disappear? 

In this episode we hear from two midwives who understand the lasting impact of birth trauma and what it means for the families who are left without clear answers.

If you’re interested in being part of the next series of Life of a Midwife, we’d love to hear from you — just drop us an email [email protected]

Links from our midwives:

Little Light Support offers independent, trauma-informed birth debriefs for women and families — particularly those who’ve had complex, confusing or difficult experiences

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re so excited to welcome Lauren Cowell for her first ever podcast interview!

After years of keeping a low profile while navigating public scrutiny, Lauren opens up to Gi about life after divorce, co-parenting, and how she handled the intense media attention surrounding her pregnancy with partner Simon Cowell.

Lauren also shares more about her involvement in the ‘Raise the Age’ campaign — and since recording this episode, Keir Starmer has announced plans for under-16s to be banned from social media by spring 2027 👏👏👏

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Life of a Midwife, Giovanna shares the extraordinary journey of one midwife who turned her own hardships into a lifelong calling.

From an orphaned child to an abandoned mother of triplets, to becoming the midwife she once desperately needed herself.

If you're interested in being part of the next series of Life of a Midwife we'd love to hear from you! Just drop us an email at [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Giovanna welcomes legendary singer-songwriter Laura Marling to the studio!

Laura tells Gi about her early fears that becoming a mother might stifle her creativity, and shares her experiences of having two home births.

She also discusses her mission to create children's music that parents can genuinely enjoy, and introduces her new venture, 'Laura Sings Raffi,' a 17-track cover album of beloved children's songs. Each song is brought to life with videos illustrated by Laura and animated by Rob Shuttleworth. Out now at Laurasings.co

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.