TikTok birth stories can be powerful. They can help women feel less alone, more informed, and more confident about speaking up during labour.
But they are not your midwife.
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In this episode of Making Room, Dr Remi talks about the danger of applying someone else’s birth story to your own labour without the full clinical context.
We discuss a viral-style birth story where a woman was told her baby was “distressed”, was offered a caesarean section, said no, and went on to have a vaginal birth. It is easy to hear a story like that and think: “If they offer me a caesarean, I should say no too.”
But birth decisions are rarely that simple.
This episode explores what clinicians may mean when they say a baby is “distressed”, why caesarean section recommendations can feel frightening or confusing, and why true birth advocacy is not just saying no. It is asking better questions.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why viral birth stories often miss the most important context
- What “baby distressed” may actually mean in labour
- Why a caesarean section may be recommended
- Why maternity care can feel coercive, even when clinicians are trying to keep mother and baby safe
- How social media can increase fear around birth decisions
- Why advocacy is not about refusing everything
- Questions to ask before accepting or refusing an intervention
- How partners, doulas and birth supporters can help you speak up in labour
- Why clinicians need to use clearer language with women and families
Questions you can ask in labour:
“What does that mean?”
“How urgent is this?”
“What happens if I say no?”
“What happens if I say yes?”
“Is there anything else we can try?”
“Can I have a few minutes to speak to my partner?”
“Can I have a second opinion?”
This episode is for pregnant women, birth partners, postpartum women, doulas, midwives, doctors and anyone trying to understand birth decisions beyond social media soundbites.
Making Room is a podcast from Her Health Room, helping women navigate pregnancy, postpartum and motherhood beyond the guidelines.
DISCLAIMER
This episode is for education only and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Please speak to your own midwife, doctor or maternity team about your individual pregnancy and birth circumstances.
