The Virtual Midwife

[Bellies Abroad](https://www.belliesabroad.com/) was created because becoming a family can be daunting enough – doing it in another culture can be very overwhelming. When women become mothers, we are full of fears and doubts; we do not need the medical community exacerbating this for profit or indolence. [Kiersten](https://www.belliesabroad.com/providers/kiersten-kiki-pilar-miller/) has been a trailblazer in bringing about change in her community as well as having already worked with the UK government to change their policy regarding maternal coverage for their foreign office families.

Like Kiersten, I believe that pregnancy and birth is one of the greatest adventures and helping women go through this incredibly transformative process is a wonderfully fulfilling part of our work. We have seen women take control of their birthing experiences by refusing to acquiesce to the bullying of the hospital staff, using the information we share and guiding them through the experience to emerge empowered. 

I am very privileged to be a [part of the Bellies Abroad](https://www.belliesabroad.com/providers/karen-wilmot%E2%80%8B-global/) community serving women globally, online and in person with information and support.

Listening to your baby cry can be frustrating and worrying. Is your baby crying because something is wrong or because they need something?  In this episode I talk about the importance of learning to listen to your baby and tuning in, rather than shutting down or turning to outside sources for guidance. You will learn about the biological response of a mother to her baby as well as the inherent nature of crying as communication. I have included a short meditation to help you quieten your mind and expand your awareness of your baby's ability to communicate with you. 

Resources [Dr Sears](https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/health-concerns/fussy-baby/why-do-babies-cry) and [Mother and Baby](https://www.motherandbaby.co.uk/baby-and-toddler/baby/why-is-my-baby-crying/mindfulness-techniques-to-help-you-and-your-baby-cope-with-crying)

While this is a podcast for pregnant women there are just as many women who want to be pregnant and cannot, or who are with a partner who does not want (more) children, or who have a chronic illness, or who are not able to find a suitable partner. The list of reasons is endless and as a women without children myself, and in a position where I work with women having babies daily - this is of particular interest to me. 

Jody Day is both a thought leader and a change maker and an advocate for womens choice and respect through her own personal challenges of being childless NOT by choice. Jody is the founder of [Gateway Women,](https://gateway-women.com/) the global friendship and support network for childless women, and the author of ‘[Living the Life Unexpected: 12 Weeks to Your Plan B for a Meaningful and Fulfilling Future Without Children’ (Bluebird/PanMacmillan).](https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/jody-day/living-the-life-unexpected) A thought leader on female involuntary childlessness, she’s a founding & former board member at [AWOC](https://awoc.org/) (Ageing Without Children), a former Cambridge Judge Business School Fellow in Social Innovation, [a TEDx speaker](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uufXWTHT60Y) and a trainee psychotherapist. Jody takes great pleasure in helping childless women [get their groove back](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvXScNU6GAM) and find their tribe via the Gateway Women workshops, [online communities](https://www.facebook.com/weareworthysummit/) and social meetups across the world. [www.gateway-women.com](https://gateway-women.com/)

This episode is a bit different as it is a recording of my presentation at the [Sensitive Midwifery Symposium](http://sensitivemidwifery.co.za/sensitive-midwifery-symposium/) in JHB, South Africa.  Embracing technology has been hard for me but a couple of years ago I realised that I if I was to remain true to my calling to change birth practices and improve women's experience of birth then I had to change the way that I was disseminating information and literally get comfortable with apps, tweets, tablets, status updates and cloud computing. I had to find out more about this wireless world where technology knows no boundaries and everyone seems to be constantly logged-on and linked-up. I would love your feedback. Sound quality is not great but the message is clear that the internet is a double edged sword. I discuss the challenge faced by midwives and birth workers to use it effectively.

Contact The Virtual Midwife

Website: [www.thevirtualmidwife.com](https://www.thevirtualmidwife.com/) 

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This is a meditation for anyone who is experiencing fear during pregnancy or fear of birth. While a fear of the unknown is normal and expected, fear can very easily grow and get out of control. The antidote to fear is trust. During this meditation you will be guided to find what trust looks, feels and sounds like to you, and to find ways of feeding your sense of trust in yourself, your body, your baby and your support rather than feeding your fear and insecurity. I recommend listening to this session at least once every trimester as your fears  and doubts change to help you deepen your sense of trust. 

Karen has been supporting families around the globe for over a decade. She has a has a strong presence with her online platform [www.thevirtualmidwife.com](https://www.thevirtualmidwife.com/). Karen speaks regularly at conferences around the world and regularly contributes articles to high-profile publications and features on podcasts on expat living and midwifery. She has an [app for Birth Breathing](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/birth-breathing/id1295854733?mt=8) techniques available on the iTunes store or [book a chat](https://thevirtualmidwife.setmore.com/)  and see how I can help you.

[Lisa Ferland](https://lisaferland.com/) is the editor and publisher of the [Knocked Up Abroad](knockedupabroad.com.) Series, and she helps other woman tell their stories by self-publishing and crowd funding their books on platforms like Kick starter and Indiegogo. In this episode she shares her 2 vastly different birth stories (first baby born in hospital in USA and 2nd baby born (accidentally) at home in Sweden) and goes on to share how this prompted the Knocked Up Abroad series. Lisa is a change maker, a thought leader and a fellow expat. I met her earlier this year at the Families in Global Transition conference in Den Hague, Netherlands after years of communication through our shared interest of birth abroad and supporting women. You can follow her on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/lisaferlandconsulting) or connect with her on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaferland/)

You can find a fill transcript of the interview on my [blog at the Virtual Midwife](http://www.thevirtualmidwife.com/blog/)

A powerful sound meditation to use during labor. The steady drumbeat is accompanied by positive affirmations to connect with your baby as you flow with the surges of labor. Breath sounds, soothing chants and gentle reminders to work with your body and your baby. Drumming courtesy of [Calm Whale](https://whaleloryb.bandcamp.com/track/shamanic-flow-part-1). Vocals Karen Wilmot.

A short meditation to set you up for a healthy pregnancy and tune into the immense changes your body is undergoing. Stay present and enjoy every moment with the knowledge that your body is incredibly capable. Learn to connect with your baby through the heart and womb energy and to trust your inner knowing.

Karen seamlessly combines her study of yoga, breath work and hypnotherapy with the principles of childbirth. She understands the challenges of working in a technocratic policy based system and uses her skill and experience to integrate ancient wisdom with modern knowing. Her dream is for every woman to give birth with confidence, trust and love and her challenge is to provide women with the tools, techniques and skills to be able to do so. Karen's rich diversity of experience has given her a deep insight into the needs of women across countries and cultures. She holds a deep belief in the mind body connection and integrates this into all aspects of her birth work.

Karen has been supporting families around the globe for over a decade. She has a has a strong presence with her online platform www.thevirtualmidwife.com. Karen speaks regularly at conferences around the world and regularly contributes articles to high-profile publications and features on podcasts on expat living and midwifery. [Learn more](http://www.thevirtualmidwife.com/)  or [book a chat](https://thevirtualmidwife.setmore.com/) and see how I can help you. Download the  [Birth Breathing](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/birth-breathing/id1295854733?mt=8) techniques App available on the iTunes store

A 20 minute relaxation to listen to in the last weeks of pregnancy when you are torn between excitement to meet your baby and apprehension about how giving birth will feel. This meditation will guide you to create a protective shield of self assurance as you allow your subconscious to show you alternatives you may not have considered.

Karen seamlessly combines her study of yoga, breath work and hypnotherapy with the principles of childbirth. She understands the challenges of working in a technocratic policy based system and uses her skill and experience to integrate ancient wisdom with modern knowing. Her dream is for every woman to give birth with confidence, trust and love and her challenge is to provide women with the tools, techniques and skills to be able to do so. Karen's rich diversity of experience has given her a deep insight into the needs of women across countries and cultures. She holds a deep belief in the mind body connection and integrates this into all aspects of her birth work.

Karen has been supporting families around the globe for over a decade. She has a has a strong presence with her online platform www.thevirtualmidwife.com. Karen speaks regularly at conferences around the world and regularly contributes articles to high-profile publications and features on podcasts on expat living and midwifery. She has an app for Birth Learn more at www.thevirtualmidwife.com or book a chat https://thevirtualmidwife.setmore.com/ and see how I can help you. Breathing techniques available on the iTunes store https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/birth-breathing/id1295854733?mt=8