British Birthing Stories

In today’s episode, I speak with Harriet, a midwife, yoga teacher, and first-time mum, about her experience of conceiving through IVF and going on to have a planned NHS home water birth with her daughter, Juno.Harriet shares her journey to conception after two and a half years of trying, eventually discovering that both she and her husband were facing fertility challenges. They went on to have IVF with ICSI and were left with just one embryo, which became their daughter. Harriet reflects on navigating pregnancy as a midwife herself, including experiencing severe sickness throughout much of her pregnancy.She talks through planning a home birth within the NHS, reaching 40+12 weeks pregnant, and navigating the pressure around induction as she waited for labour to begin. Harriet shares how labour started quietly at home and progressed throughout the day, using movement, breathwork and instinctive positions to support her body through back-to-back surges.Harriet’s daughter Juno was born in the birth pool at home just after midnight, caught by her husband and brought straight to her chest. She also shares her experience of a physiological third stage, the early postpartum hormone shifts, and their breastfeeding journey, including navigating tongue tie in the early weeks.This episode offers an honest account of IVF, post-dates pregnancy and planning a home birth within the NHS, alongside reflections on trusting the body, birth preparation and the realities of the early postpartum period.This episode is shared for storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice.    

In today’s episode, I interview myself and share the birth story of my second son Kit. After having a previous C-section with my eldest son, Finn, I knew that I desperately wanted a VBAC birth with Kit. I did everything I could to prepare for Kit's birth, such as listening to lots of birth stories, downloading a hypnobirthing course, which was Pop That Mama's Birth Box, and making sure that I just did as much research as I could into how I could make this possible. I spoke with a consultant midwife and was able to start my labour on the midwife-led unit, but then eventually had to transfer to the main labour ward as my labour just progressed really slowly. Towards the end of labour, I had to have an episiotomy and forceps delivery, and Kit struggled to breathe once he was born, so he was sent away to NICU, and I had a postpartum haemorrhage and blood transfusion, which was really difficult at the time, but I am so grateful for everything that I'd done ahead of the birth, which meant that I was able to really cope and manage what was going on during my labour and birth.I share what it's like experiencing not having the birth you'd hoped for and being separated from your baby after birth. I also talk really openly about what it was like not experiencing love and struggling to bond with your baby and what it's like having a baby in NICU even for a short stay. I hope this helps other women out there. And ultimately, it was this birth that made me really want to start this podcast to help other women learn how to advocate for themselves because even though the birth that I experienced was quite traumatic to me, it wasn't actually that bad. And I guess that's because I felt so prepared. And as you'll hear if you listen to this birth story, I really advocated for myself the entire way through and I knew exactly what I was signing up for throughout that entire labor in terms of my interventions. So I hope that this is helpful and I can't wait to hear what you think.Please note that this episode shares my personal experience and is not intended as medical advice. Every pregnancy and birth journey is unique, so if you have any concerns about your own health or pregnancy, please speak with a qualified medical professional.

CONTENT WARNING: this episode discusses still birth. Please take care while listening. This anonymous birth story has been shared by a mother who gave birth to her baby boy sleeping at 24 weeks pregnant, after noticing reduced movements and that her baby had stopped kicking, despite having no other symptoms. She wants to raise awareness of stillbirth and highlight why it is so important to be aware of your baby’s movements and notice any changes in your baby’s kicks during pregnancy. By sharing her experience of reduced fetal movements and stillbirth, she hopes other parents will feel empowered to trust their instincts and advocate for themselves. If you notice any changes in your baby’s movements, please seek medical assistance and get immediate help if something doesn’t feel right. She also shares this for anyone who has experienced pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or miscarriage so you know you are not alone and your story matters.The stories shared on British Birthing Stories are real, personal experiences from real women. I am not a medical professional and this podcast is not a substitute for medical advice. Every pregnancy and birth is different, and I always encourage you to speak to your midwife or doctor about your own individual care. 

In today’s episode, I interview myself and share the birth story of my first son, Finn. When I was a young woman living in Australia, I was diagnosed with pre-cancerous cells on my cervix and had to undergo two LLETZ procedures. Later, when I became pregnant with Finn, I learned that these procedures had affected my cervix, leaving me with a short cervix and placing me at higher risk of preterm birth. Because of this, I was monitored under consultant-led care through the preterm birth clinic.At 18 weeks pregnant, my cervix began to open and funnel, and I had to have a cervical cerclage fitted which is a stitch placed in the cervix to help keep the baby safely inside. I share honestly about what it was like navigating that experience, the uncertainty and worry of hoping I would make it to full term, and how that period of pregnancy felt emotionally.Thankfully, I did go on to reach full term. However, Finn was in the breech position and never turned. I tried everything I could, including techniques like Spinning Babies and two ECV attempts to try to turn him, but ultimately he stayed breech.In this episode, I also open up about something that can be difficult to talk about: gender disappointment. I share the shame I felt around those emotions and why I believe it’s important to talk about them more openly, in the hope that other women who may be experiencing similar feelings feel less alone.In the end, I chose to have a planned C-section with Finn, which was the right decision for me. I share what it was like going into that experience and having a caesarean birth.Please note that this episode shares my personal experience and is not intended as medical advice. Every pregnancy and birth journey is unique, so if you have any concerns about your own health or pregnancy, please speak with a qualified medical professional.

 In today’s episode, I speak with Lauren, an NHS worker and meditation and breathwork teacher, about her experience of having a planned NHS home water birth with her first baby.Lauren shares her journey to conception, including the emotional pressure of trying for nearly a year, working in the NHS during COVID, and how stress shaped her experience of fertility. She reflects on how taking the pressure off trying to conceive ultimately led to pregnancy and changed how she viewed the connection between the mind and body.She talks through how her understanding of breathwork and hypnobirthing influenced her birth choices, leading her to plan a home birth despite it being her first baby. Lauren describes labour beginning quietly at home, moving into the birth pool, and the powerful moment her body began pushing instinctively, experiencing the fetal ejection reflex.Lauren also shares honestly about the realities of the postnatal period, including breastfeeding challenges, reflux, hormone crashes, and the emotional intensity of early motherhood, both for her and her partner.This episode offers a calm, honest account of a first-time NHS home birth, alongside reflections on preparation, breathwork, and navigating the postpartum period.This episode is shared for storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. 

 In this episode, Laura returns to share the story of her second birth, a planned NHS home birth following her previous induction and assisted delivery. Once again managing hyperthyrodism during pregnancy, Laura was determined to approach this birth differently, prioritising autonomy, research, and continuity of care.Her pregnancy took several unexpected turns, including an unstable lie in the final weeks, with her baby moving between breech and transverse positions. Laura discusses booking an ECV, exploring vaginal breech options, and working closely with her doula and the hospital birth choices team to create multiple contingency plans.At 41 weeks, her baby finally settled head down, and labour began spontaneously at home. Laura describes a calm and uninterrupted labour, the use of water for pain relief, and the transformative experience of birthing her daughter in her own home.However, the story didn’t end there. Following the birth, Laura experienced a significant postpartum haemorrhage and required transfer to hospital for further management and surgical repair under general anaesthetic. She reflects on the contrast between the calm of home and the urgency of transfer, and how she felt emotionally in the aftermath. We also touch on postnatal recovery, combi-feeding, and the healing power of a birth where she felt informed, respected, and supported even when events didn’t unfold exactly as planned.This episode explores home birth, unstable lie, breech positioning, hospital transfer, postpartum haemorrhage, and the importance of advocacy in complex pregnancies.This episode reflects personal experience and is not medical advice. https://www.communitybirthclub.com/home  https://thedoula.club/   

 In today's episode, I speak with Laura on the podcast as she shares the story of her first birth. During pregnancy, Laura was managing hyperthyroidism and was later diagnosed with low PAPP-A, which led to increased monitoring and concerns around her baby’s growth and fluid levels. As her pregnancy progressed, she was advised to have an NHS hospital induction, marking a significant shift from the birth she had initially hoped for.Laura talks openly about navigating the “high-risk” label, multiple appointments, and the emotional weight of being told induction was strongly recommended. She shares her experience of a prolonged hospital induction, the use of the hormone drip, an epidural that left her struggling to feel how to push, and ultimately an assisted forceps birth.We also discuss the impact of COVID restrictions during her postnatal stay, the challenges of breastfeeding following a previous breast reduction, and the emotional aftermath of a birth that left her feeling more relief than euphoria. Laura reflects on consent, communication, and the importance of feeling heard and supported during labour.This episode explores medical complexity, induction, assisted delivery, and the early postnatal period as well as the long-lasting emotional impact of a first birth that didn’t go to plan.This episode reflects personal experience and is not medical advice. https://www.communitybirthclub.com/home https://thedoula.club/ 

In today's episode I welcomed Liz back to the show to share her second birth story with us. Liz’s second birth was everything her first wasn’t — calm, instinct-led, and deeply healing. After a more medicalised first experience, Liz went into her second pregnancy determined to feel informed, grounded and in control of her choices. She prepared differently this time — focusing on building trust in her body and understanding her options.Labour began gently at home. Early contractions were manageable, and she was able to stay in her own space, moving intuitively and conserving her energy. When things began to intensify, there was a quiet confidence about her — she knew the sensations, she recognised the rhythm, and she trusted what her body was doing.Things progressed steadily, and when active labour took hold, it was powerful but focused. There was no panic — just surrender. Liz describes reaching that familiar turning point where everything feels big and overwhelming… only to realise that it meant she was close.Her baby was born in a moment that felt both surreal and deeply grounding. No drama. No chaos. Just strength, relief and an overwhelming wave of emotion.For Liz, this birth wasn’t just about how her baby arrived — it was about reclaiming her voice. It was about making informed decisions, advocating for herself, and stepping into labour feeling supported rather than steered.This episode is a reminder that every birth is different — and sometimes a second birth can bring the healing you didn’t even realise you needed.Please remember, this podcast shares personal experiences and is not medical advice. Always speak to your healthcare provider about your own care and circumstances.

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Liz, a mum of two, antenatal teacher, and breastfeeding peer supporter, who shares her experience of a hospital labour ward birth following a long journey through unexplained infertility.In this episode, Liz shares the story of the birth of her first baby after a long and emotionally challenging journey with unexplained infertility. She talks about conceiving naturally just before starting IVF, early pregnancy bleeding caused by a subchorionic haematoma, and navigating anxiety after years of trying to conceive.Liz planned a birth centre birth, but after bleeding began in labour she transferred to labour ward. She describes a fast, intense labour supported by an excellent midwife, using gas and air, continuous monitoring, and giving birth to a large baby boy with a second-degree tear. Liz reflects positively on the birth itself, despite some aspects not going to plan.The episode also explores a difficult postpartum period, as Liz’s son struggled to gain weight and was eventually diagnosed with cow’s milk protein allergy after weeks of feeding concerns and feeling dismissed. Liz shares what she wishes she’d known, how she learned to advocate for herself, and how these experiences later led her to become an antenatal teacher and breastfeeding peer supporter.These stories are personal experiences and are shared for informational purposes only. They should not be taken as medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.