This month I talk to counsellor, fellow doula and birth educator Rhea Dempsey. Rhea is author of Birth with Confidence, a must read if you really want to face your fears and understand the culture of birth and how it impacts us all. We have a copy to giveaway!

She has helped over 1,000 women give birth and is currently writing her second book - which we are really looking forward to.

Rhea and I have both witnessed a huge increase in the phobia of childbirth, especially the fear of pain.

The fact that Rhea has been attending births for over 30 years means she was around before the epidural arrived in the early 80s. Even though only 13% of our She Births® mums have an epidural - I would have loved to have been doula'ing in those days because so much was different, in the attitudes and the culture of births - the timelines, the expectations and the belief system around pain.

We discuss how past traumas can be a hindrance but also healed during birth and how birth is an ego-dissolution process - that ties very closely to the underlying purpose of pain.

My favourite is when we talk about the different archetypes of a doula - knowledge that will help you make the best choice for your family I am sure.

Like me and a lot of us who live in the very raw and real space of birth - Rhea also swears a wee bit - so I hope you forgive us and enjoy the show.

Nadine