Instinctive Birth

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

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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...

• those 'stages' of labour and why the medical model loves them
• one of the reasons behind vaginal exams
• the baby's journey

This is just the beginning of the conversation.

If this episode stirred something in you, don't stop here.

Come learn how actually to prepare for the birth you want. Undisturbed. Instinctive. Led by you.

Join the ⁠free monthly birth class⁠

If you want to go deeper, the community is where the real work happens. ⁠Whole Birth Community⁠

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!

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

Last year I realised that I had explored as far as I wanted to go in my career as a registered midwife. From birth units to job in the risk management department and ending in private midwifery. Leaving an MSc halfway through to going it alone as a 'birthkeeper', I still believe midwives in the system need to know how to support physiology and my personal journey shouldn't compromise that.

But also that another way of birthing is happening outside of the system.

You can find me on Instagram @evony.lynch

Want to learn more? Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribepage.io/evonylynch

Read more: https://www.all4maternity.com/optimising-normal-birth-tips-from-a-midwife/

A midwife who hates the sight of blood?!  In this episode I reflect on my own journey with blood and placentas from a place of trust, into fear and then home again. I give you an insight into how our experiences shape us and the importance of honest, regular reflection to ensure we are recognising any fears or issues that may impact on our work as midwives, birthkeepers and doulas. I regularly run placenta birth workshops online which can be found via my website or Instagram. 

You can find me @wayofthebirthkeeper  

Want to learn more? Sign up for my newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.com/birthkeeperguide 

Read more: https://www.all4maternity.com/optimising-normal-birth-tips-from-a-midwife/

Freebirth! Loved diving into freebirth with Leonie. She has freebirthed all three of her babies - all in different circumstances and with different experiences. 

From the first one where she slowly declined midwifery antenatal care and had an amazing birth under the stars in her bell tent; to a brief referral to social services. She now supports other choosing to freebirth, to understand their rights, practicalities and how to navigate the health and social services. Whether you're a midwife, student, doula or planning to have a baby then recognising that birth without a registered health professional is a valid choice, is important I believe. 

Come and join me as we explore birthing free together. 

You can find out more @birthwise.withleonie for her Navigating Officaldom online workshop

And you can find me @wayofthebirthkeeper on Instagram

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Find my online and inperson birthkeeper courses at Sacred Womancraft

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The medicalisation of birth is not new. 20 years in midwifery and birth truths are slipping away. It's time we reclaim them.

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Cat Price, student midwife turned birthkeeper following her own freebirth. We talk about the lack of evidence behind vaginal examinations, the truth about being a student midwife whilst observing the trauma being created within the maternity system, and her decision to walk away. If you are being called to midwifery yet your soul is questioning whether that is the right path for you, this will be great listen. 

Find her on instagram - catherine.n.price - birthkeeper, circles, rituals. rites and ceremonies.

Find me on art.of.midwifery on instagram and www.artofmidwifery.org

The opportunity to experience an  empowering physiological birth with the presence of an authentic midwife  is a choice we should have as women and birthing people.

It’s time to reclaim the art of midwifery.