The Journey Ahead Podcast

Big babies. It's not uncommon for the conversation about your baby's size to open up recommendations around induction, planned sections and other interventions.

Today, we’re unpacking exactly what’s behind the “big baby” label - and more importantly, what the evidence says about induction, outcomes, and whether this label should influence your birth decisions at all. We get into some examples of what the stats mean in terms of actual numbers, and explore the complexity of labels within the healthcare system.

As a doula, my passion and focus is always helping women understand their options, protect their rights as human beings, and helping them feel powerful - whatever their birth looks like. Whilst this podcast is not designed as medical advice, it is focused on helping you have a curious approach to the things that are recommended and ensuring that your rights are protected and upheld. I’m not here to tell you what to do with your body or your birth. My goal is to help you feel informed and confident, so you can make decisions that feel right for you. Always be sure to do your own research, and trust your gut, too. 

Lived experiences of women matter. The way we feel and our mental health during our birth experiences is incredibly important, and policy is not law. You are well within your legal and human rights to explore if the care you are receiving is right for YOU.

Sara Wickham

Rachel Reed

Midwives Cauldron Podcast

Great Birth Rebellion Podcast

Some research too:

Cochrane Review

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

✨ Download the My Pocket Doula App® – your go-to guide for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum support

👩‍🍼 Work with me 1:1 or explore birth prep options

📸 Follow on Instagram: @journeyaheaddoula

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In a world where the c-section rate is increasing more than ever, I find lots of women are in search of a positive VBAC or sometimes even VBA2C story. Navigating the NHS when seeking this type of birth can be fraught with red tape and so working with Jordan and seeing the commitment she put into stacking the odds in her favour was awe-inspiring. 

I'm so grateful to Jordan for sharing her story - from sharing the work she did to work through trauma, to connecting with her instincts, to leveraging the support around her. If you are expecting, even if not planning a VBAC, this is a must-listen. Jordan's joy and connectedness to her body and her baby makes this birth story a must-listen! 

As always, thank you to Jordan and the other women who come forward to share their birth stories. You're changing the course of herstory by making these powerful experiences for all to hear. 

Rachel Reed Post

Midwives Cauldron VBAC Episode

Podcast with Rachel Reed on Instinctive Birth

Sara Wickham VBAC Archives

✨ Download the My Pocket Doula App® – your go-to guide for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum support

👩‍🍼 Work with me 1:1 or explore birth prep options

📸 Follow on Instagram: @journeyaheaddoula

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back after a little break! So wonderful to be bringing you doula chats this season - musings and educational solo episodes designed to help you feel powerful and prepared through your pregnancy, birth and parenting journey.

For the first episode of series 4 I'm opening with my musings on the current maternity system and the many layers of reasons why so many people plan for an intervention-free birth and end up being wheeled into theatre for an emergency. In this episode I explore some of the themes impacting maternity care, why it's not as simple as saying 'birth is safer now' and what you can do, whilst pregnant, to advocate for yourself to receive personalised, supportive care.

As a doula, my passion and focus is always helping women understand their options, protect their rights as human beings, and helping them feel powerful - whatever their birth looks like. Whilst this podcast is not designed as medical advice, it is focused on helping you have a curious approach to the things that are recommended and ensuring that your rights are protected and upheld.

Risk perception within the National Health Service (NHS) is not a uniform or purely objective assessment. Instead, it is a highly subjective, multi-dimensional process shaped by a complex interplay of individual, organisational, clinical, and external factors. These factors can lead to significant discrepancies between how risks are perceived by staff, managers, and patients, affecting safety, care delivery, and decision-making.

Lived experiences of women matter. The way we feel and our mental health during our birth experiences is incredibly important, and policy is not law. You are well within your legal and human rights to explore if the care you are receiving is right for YOU.

Birth Rights

AIMS

✨ Download the My Pocket Doula App® – your go-to guide for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum support

👩‍🍼 Work with me 1:1 or explore birth prep options

📸 Follow on Instagram: @journeyaheaddoula

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Birth panels are a worrying and increasing method of 'caregiving' that are not only being used in my local trusts but all over the UK. From the outside, this 'safety' focused approach seems like a good idea, right - individualised discussions about individuals - to ensure personalised care.

However, for many women their experience is one of coercion dressed up as 'we are keeping you safe'. In this episode I explore the concept of safety, and how choices can be taken away from us. I also explore how the undermining of confidence and making women feel like they have no say begs the question - can this policy driven and act of protecting the system and it's workers really be dressed up as safety? Safety for who?

I also chat through the rights that are protected, and the steps you can take to protect your rights to the birth you need and want.

As a doula, my passion and focus is always helping women understand their options, protect their rights as human beings, and helping them feel powerful - whatever their birth looks like. Whilst this podcast is not designed as medical advice, it is focused on helping you have a curious approach to the things that are recommended and ensuring that your rights are protected and upheld.

Risk perception within the National Health Service (NHS) is not a uniform or purely objective assessment. Instead, it is a highly subjective, multi-dimensional process shaped by a complex interplay of individual, organisational, clinical, and external factors. These factors can lead to significant discrepancies between how risks are perceived by staff, managers, and patients, affecting safety, care delivery, and decision-making.

Lived experiences of women matter. The way we feel and our mental health during our birth experiences is incredibly important, and policy is not law. You are well within your legal and human rights to explore if the care you are receiving is right for YOU.

Birth Rights

AIMS

✨ Download the My Pocket Doula App® – your go-to guide for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum support

👩‍🍼 Work with me 1:1 or explore birth prep options

📸 Follow on Instagram: @journeyaheaddoula

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sleep. Infant sleep. It's a chaotic and stressful time for many parents. We get told horror stories and many people say with a sneer 'goodbye to sleep for the next five years'! But here's the thing - sleep is a complex element of your baby's development and deeply woven into their

In this episode I speak to the fabulous Sara from The Lifestage Lab to get into the titty gritty of the psychological development of babies and and why understanding the development side of their brain can help you move through this part of their and your life with more grace and less pressure. We also chat about attachment focused strategies you can use to all get more sleep, whilst being respectful and attentive to your baby's needs.

Not an episode to be missed!

As a doula, my passion and focus is always helping women understand their options, protect their rights as human beings, and helping them feel powerful - whatever their birth looks like. Whilst this podcast is not designed as medical advice, it is focused on helping you have a curious approach to the things that are recommended and ensuring that your rights are protected and upheld. I’m not here to tell you what to do with your body or your birth. My goal is to help you feel informed and confident, so you can make decisions that feel right for you. Always be sure to do your own research, and trust your gut, too. 

Lived experiences of women matter. The way we feel and our mental health during our birth experiences is incredibly important, and policy is not law. You are well within your legal and human rights to explore if the care you are receiving is right for YOU.

Whether you're gearing up for parenting through the sleep-deprived haze of the infant stage, navigating the wild ride that is the toddler stage, or trudging through the emotional whirlwind of the teenage stage, The LifeStage Lab has got your back; helping you to knit Psychological Theory into the very fabric of your parenting journey to tackle those life-stage challenges & fuel your kid's social, emotional, and behavioural growth like a pro.

From signature on-demand video courses and downloadable resources, immersive masterclasses and workshops to premium bespoke 1-1 support packages, there truly is something for everyone. So, if you're up for a journey brimming with fresh transformative perspectives, warm Brummie-accented non-judgmental acceptance and fluff-free strategy & expertise (sprinkled with a hefty dose of humour and a dash of colourful language!), come on into the lab!

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✨ Download the My Pocket Doula App® – your go-to guide for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum support

👩‍🍼 Work with me 1:1 or explore birth prep options

📸 Follow on Instagram: @journeyaheaddoula

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I sit down with Charlotte - a former client (and now close friend) whose birth unfolded in the most instinctive, powerful way imaginable. After navigating trauma from her first birth, Charlotte spent her second pregnancy rebuilding trust in her body, questioning the system, and reclaiming her voice.

What began as a plan for a home birth with midwives became an “accidental” (but not so accidental) freebirth - a calm, intuitive experience that showed just how deeply a woman’s body knows what to do when she feels safe and supported.

We talk about debriefing birth trauma, the illusion of control in the maternity system, what it means to birth in full autonomy, and the quiet strength that comes from doing the internal work - not just learning techniques, but truly believing you can do it.

Charlotte’s story is one of reclamation, power, and pure physiological birth - the kind that reminds us why women deserve to be trusted.

✨ Download the My Pocket Doula App® – your go-to guide for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum support

👩‍🍼 Work with me 1:1 or explore birth prep options

📸 Follow on Instagram: @journeyaheaddoula

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if your body already knows how to grow, carry, and birth your baby - and chiropractic care simply helps you remember that?

In this episode, I’m joined by Sally, The Pregnancy Chiropractor, to talk all things alignment, balance, and body connection in pregnancy. We dive into what chiropractic care actually involves (it’s gentler than you think), how it supports your pelvis, ligaments, and nervous system, and why so many pregnant people notice improved comfort, better sleep, and even smoother births after regular adjustments.

Whether you’re navigating back pain, pelvic tension, or just want to feel more at home in your body as it changes, this conversation will give you insight into how aligned structure leads to easeful function — and how your spine and nervous system can be your secret superpower for birth.

Tune in to learn:

• How chiropractic care supports the body through pregnancy
• The connection between alignment, comfort, and optimal foetal positioning
• Common myths (and what’s actually true) about seeing a chiropractor in pregnancy
• Practical ways to work with your body, not against it

👩‍🍼 Book treatment and sessions with Sally

📸 Follow on Instagram: The Pregnancy Chiropractor

✨ Download the My Pocket Doula App® – your go-to guide for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum support

👩‍🍼 Work with me 1:1 or explore birth prep options

📸 Follow on Instagram: @journeyaheaddoula

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I sit down with Chloe to talk about her intuitive freebirth - a powerful, grounded, and deeply self-led experience. Chloe shares how she prepared for birth by protecting her energy, following her instincts, and embracing her neurodivergence as a source of wisdom rather than a challenge to overcome.

Together, we explore what it means to find true safety in birth, how intuition can guide decision-making when logic runs out of road, and the quiet power of saying “no” to what doesn’t feel right. Chloe’s story moves from careful preparation to a semi-planned freebirth - and the calm, instinctive trust that carried her through it all.

This conversation is a reminder that birth doesn’t need to look one way to be powerful. It’s about self-trust, sovereignty, and the unshakeable knowing that you and your baby already have everything you need.

✨ Download the My Pocket Doula App® – your go-to guide for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum support

👩‍🍼 Work with me 1:1 or explore birth prep options

📸 Follow on Instagram: @journeyaheaddoula

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode of The Journey Ahead, I sit down with the legendary Dr Sarah Buckley - GP, researcher, author, and one of the most trusted global voices in the birth world. We dive deep into the hormonal blueprint of labour and birth: what it is, why it matters, and how it’s often disrupted by well-meaning (but poorly evidenced) interventions. Dr Buckley shares the science behind oxytocin, the cascade of hormonal physiology, and how to support this process, even when the birth you planned takes a different turn.

We explore:

• The role of hormones in labour, birth, and bonding
• How interventions (even common ones) can shift the physiological flow
• The long-term impact of disrupted birth experiences
• What you can do when you’re navigating birth in a system that doesn’t always honour physiology
• How knowledge, advocacy, and environment can help you reclaim your power

Whether you're planning a home birth, navigating hospital policies, or just want to feel more connected to your body's innate wisdom - this episode is a must-listen.

Dr Sarah Buckley is a globally renowned GP/family physician, academic researcher, and author known for her groundbreaking work on the hormonal physiology of birth.

She is the author of the bestselling book Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering, and the lead author of the landmark report Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing, widely considered one of the most influential publications on maternity care to date.

Her work bridges science, anthropology, and intuition, encouraging women and birthing people to be fully informed, trust their bodies, and reclaim their innate power in pregnancy, birth, and parenting. With over 25 years of experience writing and speaking on pregnancy, birth, and early parenting, Dr Buckley’s work has been published and translated worldwide. She is currently completing a PhD on oxytocin and the impact of interventions on hormonal physiology at the University of Queensland.

To explore more of Dr Buckley's work:

🌐 www.sarahbuckley.com

📖 Get the book: Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering

✨ Download the My Pocket Doula App® – your go-to guide for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum support

👩‍🍼 Work with me 1:1 or explore birth prep options

📸 Follow on Instagram: @journeyaheaddoula

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Having avidly listened to every episode and completed both Katie's lactation courses, when it came to creating a breastfeeding preparation episode I knew who would be the perfect expert to bring into the room.

In this week's episode we chat about the importance of real support and community when embarking on your feeding journey, the basics we can go back to when we're finding things challenging, and how we can stand in our power when things don't quite go to plan. Katie is a wonderful guest and had me chuckling several times (sorry to your ears about that) and I feel like this is a must-listen episode for those who are pregnant and preparing to breastfeed.

Katie James has been a midwife for 25 years, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) for 18, she’s also the host and creator of the podcasts The Midwives’ Cauldron and The Feeding Couch.  

Katie has worked in a variety of settings from hospital, homebirth, and community midwifery. Katie has worked supporting all areas of breastfeeding and lactation including with families of small and vulnerable babies in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Katie has a passion for education and has enjoyed teaching students, midwives doctors and doulas; as well of thousands of pregnant women and parents; basically, anyone who will listen to her talk about the marvels of breastfeeding, lactation and human milk! 

(Katie currently spends her working time creating two podcasts, hosting online lactation and breastfeeding courses for birth workers or parents-to-be, and providing lactation consultations globally.) 

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The Feeding Couch Podcast Insta

The Feeding Couch Podcast

The Midwives' Cauldron Podcast

Katie offers courses and one-to-one consultations. 

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