British Birthing Stories

 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/   British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTubeWant to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 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/ British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTubeWant to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTubeWant to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTubeWant to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I’m joined by Gabby, who shares her IVF journey and positive induction birth. Gabby opens up about years of having no natural cycle, navigating dismissed concerns, choosing to go private, trying IUI before moving to IVF, and conceiving on her first IVF transfer. She then takes us through advocating for herself around induction timing, having her waters broken, intense early contractions, opting for an early epidural, a long dilation phase, and a very quick 15-minute pushing stage. We also talk about late-pregnancy breech worries, birth preferences, golden hour, post-birth antibiotics, the realities of breastfeeding and jaundice, switching to combination feeding and formula, and the emotional hormone drop in the early postpartum days.This episode is shared for storytelling and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek personalised guidance from your healthcare provider.British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTubeWant to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I spoke with Lauren about her experience of having a calm, physiological NHS home birth, a birth she once never imagined would be possible for her.Lauren shares how she spent much of her life unsure about motherhood and deeply fearful of birth, and how that fear initially shaped her expectations around pregnancy and labour. She talks honestly about sitting on the fence for years, what finally led her to try to conceive, and how approaching conception with a relaxed mindset played a big role in her experience.As her pregnancy progressed, Lauren explains how educating herself completely transformed how she felt about birth. What began as a desire for “all the interventions” slowly shifted into a wish for a low-intervention, evidence-based birth rooted in feeling safe, informed, and in control. She shares the resources, research, and mindset shifts that helped her move from anxiety to confidence.Lauren takes us through planning an NHS home birth, what the process actually involved, and how supported she felt by her midwifery team throughout. She describes labour beginning quietly at home, progressing steadily, and moving into the birth pool, where her body took over completely. She shares her experience of the fetal ejection reflex, never consciously pushing, and how birth felt more powerful than painful.She also speaks candidly about the moments after birth, including not feeling an immediate rush of love, normalising how varied early bonding can be, and how that connection grew in the days that followed. Lauren reflects on the emotional intensity of the postnatal period, the hormone shifts, and the overwhelming love that eventually came flooding in.This episode is a grounded, reassuring look at NHS home birth in the UK, informed choice, and what can happen when women feel safe, supported, and trusted in their bodies.This conversation reflects one mother’s personal experience and is not intended to replace medical guidance or professional advice.British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTubeWant to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode I welcome Megan from Birth-ed back to the podcast to share the story of her second birth: a planned physiological home water birth after a pregnancy again affected by hyperemesis. Having previously experienced induction, Megan approached this birth differently — declining additional intervention and focusing on building deep self-trust throughout pregnancy. When her waters broke at home, labour unfolded quickly and calmly, and her baby was born just four hours later in a pool in her living room. Megan reflects on the contrast between her two births, navigating NHS care, and how confidence and preparation can shape the birth experience.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.British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTubeWant to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode I spoke with Megan, founder of Birth-Ed who shared the story of her first birth: an NHS induction at 39 weeks following reduced movements.After a pregnancy complicated by severe hyperemesis, Megan trusted her instincts when something felt “off” at the end of pregnancy. Although initial scans were normal, she chose induction, navigating hospital pressure, decision-making as a student midwife herself, and being told she wasn’t in established labour. What followed was a fast, intense hospital birth that challenged everything she thought she knew about labour. Megan speaks openly about induction, self-advocacy within the NHS, and the importance of being truly listened to during birth.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.British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTubeWant to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I interviewed Jenna about her two very different NHS birth stories, her first, a long hospital labour ending in a forceps delivery, and her second, a fast and deeply healing home birth. Jenna talks openly about conceiving after an ectopic pregnancy, then labouring for over 42 hours with her first son after her waters broke early. She describes being repeatedly sent home, left without adequate support, denied pain relief, and physically restrained during pushing, an experience she later recognised as birth trauma. Although her baby was born safely, the emotional impact lingered well into the postnatal period.For her second pregnancy, Jenna was clear from the outset: she wanted a planned NHS home birth. She shares how hypnobirthing, self-education, and feeling genuinely supported by her midwives allowed her body to labour instinctively and undisturbed.We also explore postpartum mental health, breastfeeding, recovery, and how the right support, or lack of it, can shape the early days of motherhood.This episode is a powerful reflection on birth trauma, informed choice, and how a positive birth can help heal what came before.British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTubeWant to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m joined by Hannah, who shares her first and second birth stories, both planned NHS home births, during and after the COVID pandemic.Hannah talks through choosing home birth for her first baby in 2021, being supported by a dedicated NHS home birth team, and navigating late-pregnancy pressure around induction due to a small-measuring baby. She shares a long early labour, a powerful transition, and a calm water birth at home, including experiencing a fetal ejection reflex and being the first to lift her baby from the pool.We also dive into Hannah’s second home birth, planned under a different trust without a dedicated home birth team. She opens up about weeks of stop-start labour, the mental challenge of holding trust in her body, and advocating for her choices despite uncertainty around midwife availability. Hannah shares a shorter, more intense labour, another water birth, and the contrast between postpartum recovery with and without stitches.Throughout the episode, Hannah reflects on continuity of care, birth preparation through hypnobirthing, the realities of NHS home birth availability, and why home birth doesn’t have to be an “all or nothing” approach to medical support. She also shares thoughtful insights on postpartum recovery, breastfeeding across two very different babies, and parenting with a three-year age gap.This episode reflects personal experiences and is not medical advice.British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTubeWant to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m welcoming Layla back to the podcast as she shares her second birth story a positive NHS hospital water birth of identical twins, planned outside of hospital guidelines. Layla talks about being strongly encouraged towards a planned caesarean, choosing instead to educate herself, understand her rights, and advocate for a vaginal twin birth. We discuss navigating consultant care, negotiating access to the birth pool, and securing permission for her doula to attend during COVID, which became a crucial source of emotional safety and continuity.She shares the emotional decision to agree to an induction at 36+5 due to growth concerns, managing CTG monitoring and repeated pressure for a C-section, and how strong midwifery and doula support helped her stay calm and grounded. Layla describes birthing her first twin in water, followed by a more urgent assisted delivery for her second twin, with both babies born safely.We also touch on the early postnatal period, including breastfeeding support, jaundice, a five-day hospital stay, and the ongoing importance of self-advocacy.This episode reflects personal experience and is not medical advice.British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTubeWant to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode I chatted with Erin shares her first birth story, positive NHS hospital induction after reduced fetal movements, leading to a fast vaginal birth.Erin talks through days of monitoring, repeated pessary attempts, and how labour ramped up quickly once her waters were broken. She shares what helped with pain relief (TENS, gas and air, and diamorphine), what it felt like being close to intervention during pushing, and the moment she found her voice and delivered her son.We also chat honestly about the post-birth feeding journey, including a sleepy newborn after opioid pain relief, breastfeeding struggles, pumping, combi-feeding, and eventually formula — plus Erin’s reassuring advice about knowing your options and trusting your instincts.This episode is for informational purposes only and reflects personal experiences. It does not replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTubeWant to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Cat, a mum of two, who shares her experiences of an NHS birth centre water birth and a planned home birth that became an unexpectedly fast delivery before midwives arrived. Cat first reflects on welcoming her daughter in a birth centre, describing a calm, physiological labour supported by NHS midwives, gas and air, and the freedom to move and follow her instincts. She then shares her second birth, a planned NHS home birth that unfolded rapidly at home. Alongside both birth stories, Cat speaks openly about the emotional impact of becoming a mother after losing her own mum. She reflects on how grief resurfaced in the early postnatal period, the intensity of post-birth hormonal shifts, and the emotional challenges of transitioning from one child to two. This episode explores themes of NHS birth options, birth centre and home birth, trusting your body, informed decision-making, grief in motherhood, and postpartum emotional wellbeing.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.British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTubeWant to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode I spoke with Rosie who shares her unforgettable first birth story, a fast, intense, and ultimately positive NHS hospital birth. From months of trying to conceive and pregnancy growth-scan worries, to a labour that began amid a burglary, car shopping in Manchester, and escalated far quicker than anyone expected. She talks honestly about CTG monitoring, consenting to an episiotomy, and the shock of realising she was already in advanced labour on arrival at hospital. Rosie also opens up about recovery, breastfeeding challenges, and experiencing postpartum anxiety, offering a raw, funny, and reassuring reminder of just how unpredictable birth and early motherhood can be.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.British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTubeWant to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode I'm joined by Layla, a mum of three and a doula based in Devon, who shares her experience of planning and having an NHS-supported home birth with her first baby.Layla reflects on her pregnancy journey and explains why home birth felt like the right choice for her. Feeling safest and most at ease in her own environment, alongside having continuity of care through NHS midwifery services, helped her feel confident in trusting her body and approaching labour calmly. Learning more about physiological birth, and being supported by both her midwife and a doula, reinforced her belief that home was the place where she would feel most listened to and supported.While Layla describes her home birth as a positive and empowering experience, she also speaks openly about the challenges she faced in the postpartum period. She reflects on the emotional and physical adjustments of early motherhood, the unexpected difficulties she encountered after birth, and how this time deepened her understanding of the importance of ongoing support beyond labour itself.Layla shares how her birth and postpartum experiences went on to influence her later pregnancies and ultimately her decision to become a doula herself. This episode explores themes of NHS home birth, continuity of care, self-trust, and postpartum vulnerability, highlighting the lasting impact birth experiences can have long after birth.Layla is a holistic heart-led Doula, based in Devon; weaving together practical & soulful support for women navigating the transformational path of pregnancy, birth & early motherhood. I walk alongside you on this journey; cheering you on, reminding you of your strength & inner wisdom 🤍Find out more about Layla and work together with her here:www.fullbloomdoula.co.ukhttps://www.instagram.com/full_bloom_doula?igsh=eHVkMnR6cHF5ZW1i&utm_source=qrThese 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.British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTubeWant to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's interview I'm joined by Faye, who shares her positive hospital birth experience in the UK, following a highly medicalised and high intervention first birth in Canada.Faye reflects on how her previous experience shaped her hopes for a different kind of birth the second time around, including her wish for a home birth. She speaks openly about how staffing shortages in her area meant this wasn’t possible, and how she navigated the disappointment while still holding onto what mattered most to her, feeling informed, supported, and trusted.During labour, Faye describes how a changeover in midwives had a noticeable impact on her experience. She reflects on how the arrival of a new midwife, who trusted her instincts and approach to labour, helped her feel calmer, more confident, and better able to stay in her own rhythm. Feeling listened to and believed in allowed her to trust herself, labour intuitively, and avoid unnecessary checks or interventions.Throughout the conversation, Faye shares how self-trust, advocacy, and supportive care shaped her birth experience, and how a hospital setting did not prevent her from having a positive, empowering birth. This episode explores themes of flexibility, autonomy, and the profound difference it can make when care providers truly trust the birthing woman.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.British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTubeWant to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#01 In my very first episode I chat with Katie, an independent midwife and mum of two based in Cornwall, who shares her experiences of two home births.Katie speaks openly about how her work as a private midwife influenced her expectations, decision-making, and emotions going into birth, while also reflecting on the vulnerability of stepping into the role of the birthing woman herself. She discusses choosing private midwifery care for both pregnancies, the importance of continuity of care, and what it was like to place her trust in another midwife, particularly during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.This conversation explores how feeling truly believed in and supported by care providers can shape birth experiences, alongside themes of informed choice, trust, and intuition. Katie’s story offers an honest and thoughtful reflection on physiological birth, autonomy, and the lasting impact birth experiences can have, both personally and professionally.Work with Katie here: https://www.instagram.com/katiemidwifecornwall/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.British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTubeWant to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to British Birthing Stories.This weekly podcast is a space where women across the UK share honest, real-life birth stories. In this introduction episode, I share more about myself, why I decided to create this podcast, and how my own birth experiences influenced British Birthing Stories.I’m Georgia, your host, and each week I sit down with a different woman to hear her personal experience of pregnancy, labour, birth, and the postpartum period.From home births to hospital deliveries, planned caesareans to unexpected turns, these conversations reflect the full spectrum of what giving birth can look and feel like. There is no single “right” way to give birth, only real stories, shared openly.The aim of British Birthing Stories is to help women feel more informed, empowered, and confident in their birth choices, with the hope of supporting more positive birth experiences.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.British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTubeWant to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.