The B.R.A.I.N Tool Podcast

Hello gang,

Welcome back, hope you enjoy this episode  where we explore the differences between midwife-led care and obstetric-led care during pregnancy and birth.

As always I analyse your birth options for you using the B.R.A.I.N. Tool, helping you make informed, evidence-based decisions about your own care.

There's also a special mention on continuity of care/carer, and why it could be the small change with a big positive impact for your birth.

What Is Covered

🟢 Midwife-Led Care

•  For low-risk but what happens if you're high-risk
•  Lower rates of medical interventions
•  Higher likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth

🔵 Obstetric-Led Care

•  When this is the right choice
•  How it changes your birth outcomes
•  What interventions it may lead to

We apply the B.R.A.I.N framework to both models:

• Benefits
• Risks
• Alternatives
• Intuition
• Nothing

Evidence

As always what I talk about is backed by evidence here's the research I mention In the podcast.

https://www.cochrane.org/evidence/CD004667_are-midwife-continuity-care-models-versus-other-models-care-childbearing-women-better-women-and?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Things to Takeaway

•  There is no one-size-fits-all model, idividualise it to your needs
• Midwife-led continuity of care offers significant benefits for less intervention
• Obstetric-led care is there for where intervention is needed/wanted.

💬 Questions to Reflect On

•  What matters most to you in your birth experience? 
•  How do you feel about medical intervention vs physiological birth? 
•  Would continuity of care change how supported you feel? 

Resources

If you're looking to work with me click below

https://www.thismumhypnobirthing.com/

If you found this episode helpful, please follow the podcast, or rate it, or share it with someone preparing for birth.

For more birth related education check out
www.thismumhypnobirthing.com
@thismumhypnobirthing

Welcome back everyone to The B.R.A.I.N. Tool podcast your pregnancy and birth decision making podcast. 

This episode is focused on whether or not to have a VBAC (vaginal birth after c section) or to opt for a repeat c section.

We talk all about the biological need some women have to experience a physiological birth and how some women feel the need to opt for a c section to gain control over their birth.

We discuss risks and benefits of both in detail talking both long term and short term.

With 45% of women in the UK having c sections now, this is an important discussion to have.

I hope you enjoy the episode, take care everyone.

Stevie

This Mum

For more birth related education check out
www.thismumhypnobirthing.com
@thismumhypnobirthing

Hey Everyone,

Episode 24 discusses all the nuances around creating a birth plan. 

We discuss what they are, and weigh it up using the B.R.A.I.N Tool as always.

At the end I also give you my top tips on creating a birth plan and how you can get the absolute best out of yours.

I hope you enjoy the episode, if you do please rate it and share it with your friends so I can help more people.

Until next week, take care

Stevie

This Mum

For more birth related education check out
www.thismumhypnobirthing.com
@thismumhypnobirthing

Hey Everyone,

Welcome back , I had a two week hiatus over the easter half term because I'm going to be honest I can't think straight when three kids are around haha.

But... i'm back with a new episode and its another one of my positive birth stories, the birth of baby Cole.

In the episode you'll hear all the ways my pregnancy and birth with Cole challenged me and you'll hear about how his birth was different to my others.

It will teach you hopefully about the way out bodies and babies work together for birth.

I hope you enjoy listening, if you do please share this podcast to your socials or any of the previous episodes, it will really help me grow and help more people.

Take Care

Stevie

This Mum

For more birth related education check out
www.thismumhypnobirthing.com
@thismumhypnobirthing

Hey gang,

Welcome back to another episode of The B.R.A.I.N Tool podcast where we talk all about your mindset for birth.

We will discuss everything from Derren Brown (yes seriously) to neuroplasticity and how it works.

More importantly we discuss actual real life techniques that you can use to work on your mindset for birth and the impact it can have on your birth if your mindset is all over the place

I hope you enjoy the episode, please remember to review the episode and if you could share it with other pregnant people, i'll be forever grateful.

Have  a lovely day, take care

Stevie

This Mum

For more birth related education check out
www.thismumhypnobirthing.com
@thismumhypnobirthing

Huge disclaimer for this episode, I am trying to be as unbiased as I can however as a Hypnobirthing teacher and user myself I obviously can't really be so it is an honest look at the benefits v risks (cons) of using Hypnobirthing from my perspective.

In the episode I talk about how common misconceptions about hypnobirthing get in the way of people using it and how reading a book differs from completing a course

As always we weigh up whether you want to do hypnobirthing using The B.R.A.I.N Tool, and any research mentioned in the episode is linked below.

I hope you enjoy the episode,

Until next time, take care

Stevie

This Mum

Study here 

Study here

Study here

For more birth related education check out
www.thismumhypnobirthing.com
@thismumhypnobirthing

Episode 20 Focuses on whether or not you should hire a Doula

IAs always we’re breaking down that decision using the B.R.A.I.N. tool so you can rest assured that You've made a fully informed decision.

You’ll learn

• What a doula actually does (and doesn’t do)
• The evidence
• Alternatives to hiring a doula

If you’re considering whether hiring a doula is worth it, this episode will help you think through the decision.

What Is a Doula?

A doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and sometimes after birth.

Unlike your medical provider, a doula does not perform clinical tasks. Their role is to offer continuous support and help you navigate your birth experience.

B.R.A.I.N. stands for:

• B – Benefits
• R – Risks
• A – Alternatives
• I – Intuition
• N – Nothing

This tool is commonly used during pregnancy and birth and today, we apply it to hiring a doula.

Benefits of Hiring a Doula

Evidence like this Cochrane review shows that continuous labor support is associated with:

• Shorter labor
• Lower cesarean rates
• Reduced use of pain medication
• Fewer assisted deliveries
• Higher satisfaction with the birth experience

Risks

While there are no medical risks to hiring a doula, the cost can be off putting so we discuss this in detail with lots of nuance.

Alternatives to Hiring a Doula

• Utilising your birth partner for a similar role
• Doing a good birth education course 
• Working with a private midwife
• Having a friend or family member do a similar role

Questions to Reflect On

• Would I feel more confident with an experienced birth bestie?
• Is this a priority financially?
• How do I feel when I imagine having a doula present?
• How would I feel if I didn’t hire one?

Key Takeaway

There’s no one “right” answer. The best decision is the one that aligns with you values and plans for birth.

Did you like this episode?

If this conversation helped you feel more informed and empowered:

• Share it with a pregnant friend
• Share it to your socials
• Leave a review to help other women find the podcast

I'll be back again next week, until then take care of you

Stevie

For more birth related education check out
www.thismumhypnobirthing.com
@thismumhypnobirthing

In todays episode im talking all about the new up and coming pain relief option for birth 'remifentanil'. As always we discuss the benefits v risks of this particular option and explore any alternatives and nuance that I think its important that you consider.

Below i've linked a study for you to have a look at, if you wanted the evidence and the research behind everything I discuss.

https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD011989.pub2/full?cookiesEnabled

I hope you enjoy the episode, I hope it helps keep you informed and confident to make those necessary choices for your birth. 

If your looking for Hypnobirthing check out my courses here  https://www.thismumhypnobirthing.com/

I'll be back next week with a new episode, until then take care of you

Stevie

This Mum Hypnobirthing

For more birth related education check out
www.thismumhypnobirthing.com
@thismumhypnobirthing

You all loved hearing about my first birth story so i hope you all love this one just as much.

Positive stories allow you to see the potential of whats possible for you and that's my aim when sharing this.

Until next time

Take care

Stevie

For more birth related education check out
www.thismumhypnobirthing.com
@thismumhypnobirthing

Welcome back everyone, 

In this episode we discuss everything you need to know to decide if you want to breastfeed your baby.

You'll hear about my stories of feeding my three babies, including formula, breastfeeding struggles and breastfeeding success.

If you're looking for breastfeeding education so that you can get off to the right start you can find my class by clicking here 

for more information about the benefits of breastfeeding check out unicef here

I hope you enjoy the episode,

Take care

Stevie

For more birth related education check out
www.thismumhypnobirthing.com
@thismumhypnobirthing