Sprogcast

Episode 30 is a change from our usual format, as September is proving such a busy month. Karen goes solo, and we revive one of our favourite interviews from episode 4: Rebecca Schiller of Birthrights, talking about risk in childbirth, a topic as relevant now as it was two years ago. Karen also talks about Pinter & Martin's new book Growing Up Pregnant by Deirdre Curley, and Mark drops in for a couple of minutes to big up the NCT presidential campaign.

In episode 29, Mark and Karen have a good chat about why Karen is standing for election as president of NCT, and then get into the furore around the "normal birth" campaign. Research Midwife Shawn Walker talks about her important research into supporting breech birth, and we finish with a freewheeling breech freebirth story.

We didn't know what it was going to be about until we started recording, and it turned out to be about language! We interview journalist and founder of the Happy Birth Club, Beverley Turner, and there is a short but interesting chat between midwives Ellie Durant and Nabila Fowles-Gutierrez. Enjoy!

In which Mark and Karen talk about the dance of birth activism. Interviews with Secret Midwife Ellie Durant, and doula and activist Alana Apfel.

A live episode recorded at effraspace with Vanessa Olorenshaw, Becky Reed, and Denis Walsh, chatting with an audience on the subject of maternal autonomy

In this episode, Mark and Karen get stuck into the representation of birth in fiction, and chat to author Alice Allen. We have a short report from Doula UK Conference, as well as ten minutes with independent midwife Claire Harbottle on ways of working within the NMC constraints.

In Sprogcast 24, Mark and Karen get stuck into some sensitive and controversial topics, and very nearly fall out. Fascinating interviews with Aileen White from Birthing From Within Kent who supports women after miscarriage, and Abi Fitzgibbon of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service.

This topical episode looks at the state of the NHS in general, and the current crisis in midwifery, with an interview from NCT Senior Policy Advisor Elizabeth Duff, discussing the Support Overdue Report. Mark and Karen mention breastfeeding once or twice, and review the new book on LGBT parenting, Pride & Joy.

In Sprogcast 22, Dr Attila Jonas talks about his woman-centred epidurals, and Johanna Rhys-Davies gives a great insight into her work for Birthrights. Mark and Karen discuss the IMUK insurance issue, and get a bit philosophical, as usual.

Sprogcast - Episode 21 (January 2017) by Pinter & Martin