What If Pregnancy Actually Made You Stronger? with England International Lark Atkin-Davies

What happens when your body has always been your performance tool… and suddenly its purpose changes completely?

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, England rugby player Lark Atkin-Davies shares what it’s really like to navigate pregnancy as an elite athlete. From body image and identity shifts to gestational diabetes and letting go of control, Lark opens up about the realities behind the headlines.

Together, we explore how sport shapes resilience, why pregnancy challenges even the strongest women, and what it means to prepare for birth when your mindset has always been about pushing forward.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating pregnancy, identity change, or the balance between ambition and motherhood.

Extra Resources:

📚Midwife Pip’s Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books
💫 Feel calm, confident, and fully supported through pregnancy with Midwife Pip ‘DM” -  “YPJ” on Instagram: @midwife_pip

Connect with Pip:
Instagram: @midwife_pip
Facebook: Midwife Pip
Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

Sponsorship Opportunities: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

And if you’d love to feel more confident and calm through pregnancy, birth, and beyond, come join our community,  you don’t have to do motherhood alone.

Enjoy listening… and don’t forget to subscribe!

Midwife Pip x

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Are Sleep Coaches Safe? A Midwife and Nurse Explain

The baby sleep industry is under scrutiny and if you've seen the recent headlines, you probably have questions.

In this episode, I'm joined by Gem, a paediatric nurse and sleep expert from Calm and Bright Sleep Support, to have the honest conversation most people in this space are avoiding.

We're not here to debate sleep training. We're here to talk about something more important: safety, regulation, and what it actually means to get qualified, evidence-based support for your baby's sleep.

Because the truth is this industry is unregulated. Anyone can call themselves a sleep coach. And when parents are exhausted, desperate, and vulnerable, that matters.

In this episode we cover:

If you've been feeling confused, unsure who to trust, or shaken by recent news in the sleep space, this episode will cut through it.

You are the expert in your baby. This conversation will help you feel like it.

Extra Resources:

📚Midwife Pip’s Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books
💫 Feel calm, confident, and fully supported through pregnancy with Midwife Pip ‘DM” -  “YPJ” on Instagram: @midwife_pip

Connect with Pip:
Instagram: @midwife_pip
Facebook: Midwife Pip
Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

Sponsorship Opportunities: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

And if you’d love to feel more confident and calm through pregnancy, birth, and beyond, come join our community,  you don’t have to do motherhood alone.

Enjoy listening… and don’t forget to subscribe!

Midwife Pip x

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Baby Illness: Clear Answers for New Parents With Dr Rachael Barr

The first time your newborn gets sick, everything feels louder - the breathing, the crying, the clock ticking toward the middle of the night. A tiny cough can spiral into big fear, and suddenly you’re wondering: Is this normal? Am I missing something? Should I be doing more?

Welcome to our chat today on where we cut through the noise, the late-night Googling, and the worst-case scenarios. We’re joined by Dr Rachael Barr, who’s here to bring calm, clarity, and evidence-based guidance to one of the most stressful parts of early parenthood when your baby isn’t well.

This is a conversation for new and expectant parents who want clear answers, not panic and confidence, not confusion.

Extra Resources:

📚Midwife Pip’s Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books💫 Feel calm, confident, and fully supported through pregnancy with Midwife Pip ‘DM” -  “YPJ” on Instagram: @midwife_pip

Connect with Pip:Instagram: @midwife_pipFacebook: Midwife PipEmail: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

Sponsorship Opportunities: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

If this episode resonated with you, please follow, rate, and leave a short review -  it truly helps more mums find this support and reassurance.

And if you’d love to feel more confident and calm through pregnancy, birth, and beyond, come join our community,  you don’t have to do motherhood alone.

Enjoy listening… and don’t forget to subscribe!

Midwife Pip x

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Overheating & Overthinking: The Truth About Baby Sleep in Warm Weather

With Tori Drew

It’s 2am. The house is quiet… but you’re not asleep.

You’re standing over your baby, one hand hovering just above their chest, asking yourself the same question for the tenth time tonight
Are they too hot? Too cold? Should I add a layer… or take one away?

When the weather warms up, something shifts for parents. The rules you thought you understood suddenly feel unclear. The advice online? Conflicting. The fear? Very real.

Because here’s the truth, overheating isn’t just uncomfortable. It’s one of the most overlooked risks when it comes to safer sleep. And yet, so many of us are left guessing in the dark… literally.

So in this episode, we’re cutting through the noise. I am joined by Sleep Consultant and mum of 4, Tori Drew known on social media as @thisparentcan_sleep

We’re talking about what actually matters when it comes to babies and safer sleep - what’s myth, what’s evidence-based, and what could make all the difference.

Because safer sleep shouldn’t feel like a guessing game.

Extra Resources:

📚Midwife Pip’s Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books💫 Feel calm, confident, and fully supported through pregnancy with Midwife Pip ‘DM” -  “YPJ” on Instagram: @midwife_pip

Connect with Pip:Instagram: @midwife_pipFacebook: Midwife PipEmail: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

Sponsorship Opportunities: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

If this episode resonated with you, please follow, rate, and leave a short review -  it truly helps more mums find this support and reassurance.

And if you’d love to feel more confident and calm through pregnancy, birth, and beyond, come join our community,  you don’t have to do motherhood alone.

Enjoy listening… and don’t forget to subscribe!

Midwife Pip x

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The Truth About Stretch and Sweeps with Midwife Pip  

If you’ve been offered a stretch and sweep, or heard people say “just get a sweep and it’ll start labour,” this episode is for you.

In this episode, Midwife Pip explains exactly what a stretch and sweep (also called a membrane sweep) is, how it works in the body, what the research actually shows about its effectiveness, and how to decide whether it’s right for you, without pressure.

We talk honestly about when sweeps are more likely to help, when they often don’t, what they can feel like, potential downsides, and the importance of informed consent. This isn’t about saying yes or no, it’s about understanding your options so you can feel steady and confident in your decision.

Calm, evidence-based guidance for late pregnancy, induction decisions, and informed choice.

Extra Resources:

📚Midwife Pip’s Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books
💫 Feel calm, confident, and fully supported through pregnancy with Midwife Pip ‘DM” -  “YPJ” on Instagram: @midwife_pip

Connect with Pip:
Instagram: @midwife_pip

Sponsorship Opportunities: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

If this episode resonated with you, please follow, rate, and leave a short review -  it truly helps more mums find this support and reassurance.

And if you’d love to feel more confident and calm through pregnancy, birth, and beyond, come join our community,  you don’t have to do motherhood alone.

Enjoy listening… and don’t forget to subscribe!

Midwife Pip x

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Leaking Urine in Pregnancy: What’s Normal and What Actually Helps - with Midwife Pip  

Leaking urine during pregnancy is incredibly common, but that doesn’t mean you have to just put up with it.

In this episode, Midwife Pip breaks down why leaking happens in pregnancy, what’s considered normal, what’s not, and what the evidence actually says helps. We explore why leaking isn’t always about a “weak pelvic floor”, the huge role pressure management plays, and the small changes that can make a real difference, even during pregnancy.

This is calm, clear, expert-led guidance designed to remove shame, reduce confusion, and help you feel more in control of your body during pregnancy. If you’ve ever leaked when coughing, sneezing, exercising, or standing up, this episode is for you.

Extra Resources:

📚Midwife Pip’s Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books💫 Feel calm, confident, and fully supported through pregnancy with Midwife Pip ‘DM” -  “YPJ” on Instagram: @midwife_pip

Connect with Pip:Instagram: @midwife_pipFacebook: Midwife PipEmail: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

Sponsorship Opportunities: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

If this episode resonated with you, please follow, rate, and leave a short review -  it truly helps more mums find this support and reassurance.

And if you’d love to feel more confident and calm through pregnancy, birth, and beyond, come join our community,  you don’t have to do motherhood alone.

Enjoy listening… and don’t forget to subscribe!

Midwife Pip x

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FAQs Every New & Expectant Dad Has (But Rarely Asks) - with Midwife Pip  

Becoming a dad can feel exciting, surreal, and quietly overwhelming - often all at once.

In this episode, Midwife Pip answers the questions many new and expectant dads think but rarely say out loud. From why pregnancy can feel abstract, to what your role really is in labour, to bonding with your baby and navigating postnatal mental health, this is an honest, judgment-free guide to fatherhood.

We talk about emotional disconnect, relationship changes, postpartum mental health in dads, and the myths that put unnecessary pressure on new families, without macho nonsense or pretending it’s all sunshine.

If you’re about to become a dad, are already in the thick of it, or want to support your partner better, this episode will help you feel more prepared, more grounded, and far less alone.

Extra Resources:

📚Midwife Pip’s Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books
💫 Feel calm, confident, and fully supported through pregnancy with Midwife Pip ‘DM” -  “YPJ” on Instagram: @midwife_pip

Connect with Pip:
Instagram: @midwife_pip

Sponsorship Opportunities: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

If this episode resonated with you, please follow, rate, and leave a short review -  it truly helps more mums find this support and reassurance.

And if you’d love to feel more confident and calm through pregnancy, birth, and beyond, come join our community,  you don’t have to do motherhood alone.

Enjoy listening… and don’t forget to subscribe!

Midwife Pip x

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The Lie We Tell Women About Birth - with Helen Ashfield

A challenging or traumatic birth can leave a deep imprint, one that extends far beyond the early postpartum weeks and can shape how the future feels, too. When thoughts of another pregnancy or birth arise, they often carry a powerful mix of emotions, memories, and questions.

This week, I’m joined by the wonderful Helen, an incredible mum of 2 who I’ve had the honour of supporting through my YPJ - Your Pregnancy and Postnatal Journey programme. Although Helen prepared for her first birth in all the ways we’re told we “should,” the experience itself was not close to what she wanted. Determined to approach things differently the next time, she chose to reclaim her power and prepare in a new way. Today, I’m so grateful to share space with her as she opens up about her journey, with the hope of supporting and guiding others as they navigate birth themselves.

Extra Resources:

📚Midwife Pip’s Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books💫 Feel calm, confident, and fully supported through pregnancy with Midwife Pip ‘DM” -  “YPJ” on Instagram: @midwife_pip

Connect with Pip:Instagram: @midwife_pipFacebook: Midwife PipEmail: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

Sponsorship Opportunities: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

If this episode resonated with you, please follow, rate, and leave a short review -  it truly helps more mums find this support and reassurance.

And if you’d love to feel more confident and calm through pregnancy, birth, and beyond, come join our community,  you don’t have to do motherhood alone.

Enjoy listening… and don’t forget to subscribe!

Midwife Pip x

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Your Birth, Your Power: How to Take Control- with Gabbie Smith

Parenthood is the wildest ride of all, one minute you’re on top of the world, the next you’re Experiencing a traumatic or difficult birth can have lasting effects- not only in the immediate postpartum period but well into the future. The thought of another pregnancy or birth can then bring up a whole new wave of emotions and reflections.

This week I am joined by an incredible, mum, Gabbie. I have had the pleasure of supporting Gabbie and her family in my YPJ – my Your Pregnancy and Postnatal Journey programme. Gabbie’s first birth was a traumatic experience despite doing the prep society convinces us is the right thing to do and she decided to take the reins on her next birth, to prepare differently and today I have the privilege of talking to her as she shares her story to help others navigate birth too. 

Extra Resources:

📚Midwife Pip’s Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books
💫 Feel calm, confident, and fully supported through pregnancy with Midwife Pip ‘DM” -  “YPJ” on Instagram: @midwife_pip

Connect with Pip:
  Instagram: @midwife_pip
  Facebook: Midwife Pip
  Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

Sponsorship Opportunities: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

 If this episode resonated with you, please follow, rate, and leave a short review -  it truly helps more mums find this support and reassurance.

And if you’d love to feel more confident and calm through pregnancy, birth, and beyond, come join our community — you don’t have to do motherhood alone.

Enjoy listening… and don’t forget to subscribe!

Midwife Pip x

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pelvic Floor Secrets No One Told You with Clare Bourne  

Today we’re diving into one of the most misunderstood and most transformative parts of pregnancy prep: your pelvic floor. These are the muscles that quietly hold everything together, influence how you birth, shape your recovery, and even affect how you feel in your body long after the baby arrives. Yet for so many women, the pelvic floor only becomes a topic after something goes wrong.

In this episode, pelvic health physiotherapist, author, and educator Clare Bourne @clarebournephysio joins us to pull back the curtain on what’s really happening in your body during pregnancy and birth. Clare has guided thousands of women through evidence-based, practical birth prep that replaces fear with confidence.

Settle in as we explore why your pelvic floor deserves a starring role in your birth plan, how to actually prepare it for labour, and what meaningful recovery looks like beyond the myths, mixed messages, and “just do your Kegels” advice. This is the conversation every mum-to-be should hear.

Extra Resources:

📚Midwife Pip’s Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books

💫 Feel calm, confident, and fully supported through pregnancy with Midwife Pip ‘DM” -  “YPJ” on Instagram: @midwife_pip

Connect with Pip:

Instagram: @midwife_pip

Facebook: Midwife PipEmail: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

Sponsorship Opportunities: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

If this episode resonated with you, please follow, rate, and leave a short review -  it truly helps more mums find this support and reassurance.

And if you’d love to feel more confident and calm through pregnancy, birth, and beyond, come join our community,  you don’t have to do motherhood alone.

Enjoy listening… and don’t forget to subscribe!

Midwife Pip x

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices