Midwife Pip® Podcast

Positive Birth Story

Em and Olive

There are so many birth stories to be read, but the power of listening to and reading positive and empowering birth stories as you prepare your mind and body to meet your little one is incredible.

Birth really is a whole-body experience that requires as much if not more psychological preparation as physical. And your birth is not merely one day it is an experience that stays with you forever so preparing is really important to having a positive experience regardless of the twists and turns that may crop up.

There is no right or wrong way to birth. Hospital birth, home birth, water birth, epidural birth, induced birth, vaginal birth, forceps birth, caesarean birth – they can all be empowering and truly positive experiences.

I am so honoured to be joined by the lovely Em today to chat about her birth experience. Em is a personal trainer and founder of Surrey studio @theBarnKT9. Em specialises in pre and postnatal training and is passionate about making sure women feel strong throughout their pregnancy and beyond.

In the past year Em has experienced what it feels like herself as she gave birth to her daughter Olive in November 2020. Em and all of her brilliant exercise motivation as well as her pregnancy and postpartum journey can be found on Instagram @on_point_training

If you have found this podcast useful, please don't forget to subscribe and leave a review so it can help reach other expectant parents.

Extra Stuff:

Follow Midwife Pip on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip

Check out Midwife Pip’s website - http://www.midwifepip.com/

Get access to my free courses → https://www.midwifepip.com/free-pregnancy-courses

Get in Touch:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip

Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe! 

Midwife Pip x 

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When it comes to deciding where to give birth there are a few options- we have consultant led units, midwifery led birthing centres or the comfort of your own home. Various health and pregnancy factors may influence the recommendation for your place of birth and your choice but having accurate, honest information about your birthplace choices is fundamental to helping you make the right decision for you.

On this week’s episode I am delighted to be joined by a fellow midwife, Keri.

Keri’s career has taken a different path to me as she has been practicing as an independent midwife in the North West of England for the last 3 years. Keri’s career has been based in the community setting and in the attendance of many homebirths. Keri is passionate about the ethos of community midwifery and getting to know the families that she cares for. Then being privileged enough to attend their home births is the icing on the top for Keri.

Keri’s independent practice means she now teaches antenatal, hypnobirthing and breastfeeding classes. When Keri is not supporting homebirths and educating new parents, she shares my passion exercise and fitness. Keri teaches Aqua natal classes at her local swimming pool and during lockdown has adapted to teach online fitness classes to encourage us all to keep active in the safety of our homes. Keri has also used her Instagram page @midwife_keri to help provide new mums with postpartum advice and support.

But more important than all of that, Keri is also mum to two girls, a toddler and newborn which understandably keep her very busy. So, I am so grateful that Keri has found some time to come on and chat to us about homebirth today. We chat about the pros and cons of opting for a homebirth, transfer rates, safety elements and Keri’s own experiences of having both a homebirth and a hospital birth.

If you have found this podcast useful, please don't forget to subscribe and leave a review so it can help reach other expectant parents.

Extra Stuff:

Follow Midwife Pip on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip

Check out Midwife Pip’s website - http://www.midwifepip.com/

Get access to my free courses → https://www.midwifepip.com/free-pregnancy-courses

Get in Touch:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip

Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe! 

Midwife Pip x 

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In a world where we are all seeking to be more environmentally friendly and are on a mission to be kinder to our planet there seems to be a mind field of considerations and choices to make over our lifestyles and purchases. Many new and expectant mums are seeking ways to parents in a more eco-conscious and sustainable way than we have done in previous generations. Even the smallest adjustments to everyday living can have a huge impact on supporting the momentum towards greater sustainability and the production of less waste.

On this week’s episode I am delighted to be joined by Midwife and mum, Angie Wills to discuss her top tips for easy eco-motherhood hacks that will also help save you some money along the way.

Angie has worked as a midwife in a variety of settings including delivery suite and birth centre and is now practicing in the community. She is also a trained and registered as a health visitor and has completed her master’s in professional development. Angies academia doesn’t stop there however she has gone onto teach midwifery students and has a number of publications in various journals.

Angie is a cloth nappy library volunteer and an enthusiast of promoting sustainability and motherhood in a more eco friendly way. Angie shares her tips and tricks for embracing an eco-motherhood stance to help us navigate the endless choices available and simplify environmentally friendly parenting. Angie can be found on Instagram @theecomidwife.

If you have found this podcast useful, please don't forget to subscribe and leave a review so it can help reach other expectant parents.

Extra Stuff:

Follow Midwife Pip on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip

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Get access to my free courses → https://www.midwifepip.com/free-pregnancy-courses

Get in Touch:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip

Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe! 

Midwife Pip x 

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During the journey of pregnancy and birth there can be many twists and turns that crop up along the way. For this reason, many women will meet an Obstetrician during pregnancy, during labour or even after the birth of your baby. An obstetrician is a doctor who specialises in these specific areas and the are there to support you to make informed choices and decisions about your care pathway. For some women, the idea of seeing an obstetrician feels a little anxiety provoking or concerning that interventions may be recommended, or they may be given labels such as having a “high risk” pregnancy.

So, on this week’s episode I am delighted to be joined by Dr Ellie Rayner who is here to explain why meeting your Obstetrician need not be an anxiety provoking experience and to reassure you that we are all on the same team when it comes to your pregnancy and birth.

Dr Ellie Rayner is an Obstetrics and Gynaecology specialist doctor working full time in Devon. She’s also Antenatal and Hypnobirthing Teacher and founder of The Maternity Collective. She prides herself on wanting to make obstetrics assessable and understandable and is passionate about providing expectant parents with accurate, up to date and evidence-based information to enable them to make informed choices about their care. In addition to being a member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, she has qualifications in medical education and health services improvement and utilises all these skills to ensure women at whichever part of their motherhood journey feel supported to make decisions right for them and their baby. She is particularly interested in improving women’s pregnancy and birth experience and reducing the chance of complications and feels that this involves comprehensive pregnancy and antenatal education, starting even before conception.

Ellie and I discuss how your consultations with an obstetrician should look, how we interpret risk and making informed decisions that are right for you and your baby. The take home from this episode is that your obstetrician is on your side and you shouldn’t feel concerned about seeing one during your pregnancy or birth journey. When Ellie isn’t supporting expectant parents she can be found on Instagram @maternitymedic.

If you have found this podcast useful, please don't forget to subscribe and leave a review so it can help reach other expectant parents.

Extra Stuff:

Follow Midwife Pip on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip

Check out Midwife Pip’s website - http://www.midwifepip.com/

Get access to my free courses → https://www.midwifepip.com/free-pregnancy-courses

Get in Touch:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip

Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe! 

Midwife Pip x 

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What you need to know about Exercise in Pregnancy With Charlie Barker (Bumps & Burpees)

We all know that moving our bodies and exercising has so many health and wellness benefits, that is no surprise. But when it comes to exercising in pregnancy and feeling confident that you can do so safely there is a whole lot more confusion. It is also sensible to consider exercising in a way specific to pregnancy, to prepare your body for birth and the postpartum journey. But with so many myths and inconsistent information in the media I am thrilled to be joined by Pre- and Post-natal exercise expert and founder of Bumps and Burpees, Charlie Barker.

Charlie Barker is a first-time mum and the founder of Bumps & Burpees, the go-to community for new and expectant mums who want to stay strong, healthy and happy throughout their pregnancies and into motherhood. As a qualified pre & post-natal exercise specialist Charlie is passionate about educating and empowering women at a time in their lives where things can feel daunting and living and breathing it all herself now has only made her desire to help others deeper.

Charlie and I talk with a whole heap of passion about this subject and I hope that it reassures you that pregnancy is indeed the perfect time to start or continue exercising for a healthier pregnancy journey and future for your family.

You can find Charlie on Instagram @charlielaunder and @bumpsandburpees where she has loads of free, simple home workout videos. For more about what Bumps and Burpees can offer your or to find a trainer near you check out www.bumpsandburpees.com

And don’t forget Charlie’s brand-new book is available to order here:

www.amazon.co.uk/Bumps-Burpees-Staying-Throughout-Pregnancy/dp/0241491118/ref=sr_1_1?crid=4Z4INR1EB10M&dchild=1&keywords=bumps+and+burpees+book&qid=1608367239&sprefix=bumps+and+burp%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

If you have found this podcast useful, please don't forget to subscribe and leave a review so it can help reach other expectant parents.

Extra Stuff:

Follow Midwife Pip on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip

Check out Midwife Pip’s website - http://www.midwifepip.com/

Get access to my free courses → https://www.midwifepip.com/free-pregnancy-courses

Get in Touch:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip

Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe! 

Midwife Pip x 

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Pregnancy is a powerful time to nourish yourself and your baby towards a healthier future. It is an empowering change that you can make yourself to directly improve the health of your family for the present and for the future.

Healthy eating habits have arguably never been more important than during pregnancy and yet it is an area we do not discuss nearly half as much as we should.

This is an area of women’s health I am super passionate about so this week I am really excited to be joined by Lucinda Miller to discuss why we should all be taking more notice of our nutrition in pregnancy and understanding how powerful it really can be.

Lucinda Miller is the founder of NatureDoc and runs a team of UK-wide nutritional therapists specialising in pregnancy, baby and child nutrition. She has been practising as a naturopath for over 20 years, qualified in Functional Medicine and is author of the bestselling family cook book The Good Stuff. Lucinda has also written a weaning bible which will be published in May 2021.

Lucinda is a mum of three, living in Wiltshire and has a wealth of experience in supporting and educating women and children in all thing’s nutrition.

I am thrilled to have such an expert guest on today to talk about why we really should be considering our nutrition much more during pregnancy. We discuss everything from pregnancy supplementation, omega 3 intake and share our tips to improving your diet during pregnancy. I hope this episode is equal amounts of inspiration and motivation to you as you grow your little one in pregnancy and beyond.

Lucinda can be found on Instagram @naturedockids and her website is: www.naturedoc.co.uk

If you have found this podcast useful, please don't forget to subscribe and leave a review so it can help reach other expectant parents. 

Extra Stuff:

Follow Midwife Pip on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip

Check out Midwife Pip’s website - http://www.midwifepip.com/

Get access to my free courses → https://www.midwifepip.com/free-pregnancy-courses

Get in Touch:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip

Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe! 

Midwife Pip x 

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To those of you who were Season 1 listeners welcome back and to those of you who are new to my podcast welcome to season 2 of The Midwife Pip Podcast hosted by me, Pip.

I am a practicing midwife and enthusiastic of all things women’s wellness, especially when it comes to pregnancy and motherhood.

Do you find yourself with lots of pregnancy questions unanswered?

Do you feel extra midwifery support would be useful to you?

Do you fully understand how to enhance your pregnancy wellness?

You are in good hands- this podcast is for you.

Alongside this I have also been busy creating a 12 month pregnancy journey support group and course to provide you with a whole package of expert wellness and pregnancy information to guide you every step of the way leaving no stone unturned from trimester 1 right through to trimester 4. I am now enrolling expectant mums in their first trimester, spaces will be limited so if you think this sounds like you get in touch through my social media @midwife_pip or at www.midwifepip.com

P.S. Don't forget to mention Midwife Pip Podcast in your message to take advantage of the Exclusive Offer

This season has been recorded whilst working full time for the NHS during the Coronavirus pandemic. I would like to say a special THANK YOU to all the frontline key workers keeping the country moving in these challenging times. I would be very grateful if you could take some time to leave review if you find these episodes helpful to share your appreciation to all the expert guests giving up their time during Lockdown 3.0 to bring you the very best!

Extra Stuff:

Follow Midwife Pip on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip

Check out Midwife Pip’s website - http://www.midwifepip.com/

Get access to my free courses → https://www.midwifepip.com/free-pregnancy-courses

Get in Touch:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip

Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe! 

Midwife Pip x 

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Pregnancy and the Postpartum can be very anxiety provoking times, add into that mix a global pandemic, self-isolation and a huge amount of uncertainty on future lockdowns and prospects and we can find ourselves amidst a challenging time to say the least. Equipping ourselves with mindfulness tools and techniques can be game changing in helping us manage our daily stresses and anxieties. I was, like many, a mindfulness sceptic until I actually tried it and realised it is not all about chanting and crystal balls as it is often portrayed. By all means chant away if that is what works for you but for so many it can be a powerful way of focusing our minds and bodies on the present, breathing and relaxing into a calm state that enables us to take on the day in a positive way. 

On this week’s episode I am delighted to be joined by Rachel @_stronglikemama_ , a qualified hypnobirthing practitioner, from Kent and a mum of two boys. Rachel trained and qualified with KGHypnobirthing and set up Strong Like Mama, to teach a full antenatal and hypnobirthing course to expectant couples.

She wants women to go through pregnancy and birth feeling truly confident and informed, and like they are the ones in charge of what happens to their body and their baby (which of course they are!) They should feel empowered and, frankly, a little bit like a superhero after birthing a baby!

Rachel teaches both group and private course and offers face to face and zoom classes too. Rachel and I discuss how many of the tools used in hypnobirthing can transform into everyday life and assist us to live in more mindful and present way. At the end of this episode I am super excited that Rachel will also be sharing a short relaxation practice, so join us and give it a go in the comfort of your own home and see how you feel afterwards

Extra Stuff:

Follow Midwife Pip on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip

Check out Midwife Pip’s website - http://www.midwifepip.com/

Get access to my free courses → https://www.midwifepip.com/free-pregnancy-courses

Get in Touch:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip

Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe! 

Midwife Pip x 

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Google anything to do with labour and you will likely hear the term ‘Hypnobirthing’. 

But it is not about chanting with charms and crystals, in fact that is a huge misconception! 

At its core, Hypnobirthing aims to help a woman deal with any fear or anxiety around birth and aims to equip you with methods to help you stay calm, relaxed and in control. 

On this week’s episode I am delighted to be joined by Abby @abby_loveyourbirth , an experienced Hypnobirthing teacher and teacher trainer. Abby and I talk abouthow the practices of hypnobirthing compliment your body’s physiology in labour. By enabling your body and mind to be relaxed, birth can be less painful, quicker and a very positive experience. Abby is based in West Yorkshire, with many years’ experience teaching hypnobirthing to expectant parents and also training and mentoring others to become hypnobirthing teachers she is the perfect guest for this weeks podcast chat. 

Abby helps parents to feel calm and confident about birth, equipping them with the tools to have a positive birth experience however this may happen for them. Abby really does practice what she preaches having given birth to her 4 children all through which she embraced hypnobirthing techniques. 

Abby mirrors my ethos that all women should approach their birth free from fear and I hope this chat helps you to embark on your positive birth journey.

Extra Stuff:

Follow Midwife Pip on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip

Check out Midwife Pip’s website - http://www.midwifepip.com/

Get access to my free courses → https://www.midwifepip.com/free-pregnancy-courses

Get in Touch:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip

Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe! 

Midwife Pip x 

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It comes as no surprise that our bodies undergo incredible changes during labour and birth. But how much do we actually understand about the ‘normal’ physiological process? 

On this week’s episode I am joined by midwife Angie Willis who explains why women should understand what their body is doing and the amazing things it is capable of. We hear of terms such as contractions, the birth canal and cervical dilation but what actually are these and how does labour andbirth work?

This is a hugely empowering and enlightening listen and Angie mirrors my ethos that all women should be fully informed about their bodies. So, I am thrilled that Angie has come on to chat about birth physiology and address this gap in understanding.

Angie can be found on Instagram @theecomidwife where many cute eco nappies feature!

Extra Stuff:

Follow Midwife Pip on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip

Check out Midwife Pip’s website - http://www.midwifepip.com/

Get access to my free courses → https://www.midwifepip.com/free-pregnancy-courses

Get in Touch:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip

Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us

Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe! 

Midwife Pip x 

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