Join us for this fascinating conversation delving into the experiences of childbirth for women. We explored how giving birth can be transformative for some yet daunting for others. Our discussion centred around the fundamental challenges and issues stemming from our own birthing stories, shedding light on the gaps and significant issues within today's medical system, where these ideas came from and what alternatives are out there.

Debra Russell, an accomplished Doula and Hypno-birthing Instructor, is dedicated to guiding women through their birthing experience and beyond with her business, Roar Birthing. Through a range of tailored support and services, she shares invaluable experiences and anecdotes gleaned from her career, supporting women on their incredible journey into motherhood.

To Learn More about Debra and what services she offers please get in touch with her/give her a follow.

00:00 - Intro

00:10 - Podcast introduction

01:29 - Guest Introduction

05:18 - What is a Doula?

06:05 - Doulas in the UK

09:14 - Potential growth of Doulas in the UK

09:47 - Problems with NHS

12:30 - Changes in consumer behaviour regarding medical services

13:28 - My birthing story.

14:57 - Understanding problems with the current medical system.

17:03 - Intention behind being a Doula.

17:47 - How practising Doula came from ancient culture.

18:40 - Birthing experience in America

19:57 - Community birthing

22:50 - The narrative about hospital births

25:40 - History of Birthing

27:32 - Where do you get the knowledge of birthing from?

29:47 - Importance of empowering birth choices for women

31:40 - Misconception around hypnobirthing

32:36 - Social pressures and norms around giving birth

40:10 - What is hypnobirthing?

44:07 - Relation between Hypnobirthing and the concept of Doula

47:10 - Narrative about mothers being a birth vessel

48:27 - Understanding the process of Doula

50:10 - Discussing postnatal problems

53:58 - Debra's personal birthing anecdote

56:26 - Postnatal anxiety

01:02:02 - Problems with 40-week Pregnancy

01:05:12 - Risks associated with induced Birth.

01:11:18 - Factors determining labour.

01:13:44 - What would be an idealized birth experience in an ideal world?

01:15:20 - Do doulas also guide in preconception?

01:17:20 - Birthing experience in Spain

01:18:56 - Role played by childhood that builds perception of women around birthing.

01:20:48 – Discussion around things getting worse not better since COVID within NHS Maternity and why this is.

01:25:27 – Debra’s various offerings and where to find her

01:28:02 – Outro – please like, comment, follow and share with a friend.

Editing & post-production: Gill Perkins with support from Adnan Sayyad

Intro and outro Music credit: Bensound – Small Guitar

My intention with this Podcast is to educate, inform and empower my audience to approach their health more naturally. I hope you love this content – if you do please comment/like/share with a friend who you think may be interested too. Please also give me a follow here/ wherever you listen to podcasts - I so appreciate your support as I build this content – thank you 🙏🏽

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