Hypnotherapist Sophie Burch opens up about the intense struggles she faced after the births of her first two sons. These included a traumatic delivery with shoulder dystocia, and the challenges of colic and silent reflux. With little support, she reached a breaking point where she nearly harmed her baby in a moment of despair. Her deeply personal and courageous story highlights the urgent need for emotional support and better preparation for new mothers. Sophie found healing through helping others, and has dedicated her life to supporting maternal mental health with tools like the Beyond Birth Guide.

* Trigger Warning: Birth Trauma, Resuscitation and Neonatal Intensive Care (N I C U)*

In This Episode We Discuss:

[00:00 ] Teaser quote.

[01:36 ] Introduction to Nurture You's Sophie Burch.

[03:28 ] A difficult pregnancy - antenatal depression and work stress. Polycistic ovarian syndrome (P C O S).

[07:01 ] A traumatic shoulder dystocia delivery and resuscitation of her baby. No follow-ups or support.

[10:10 ] Full throes of postnatal depression. Terrified her son would be taken away from her if she admitted how she was feeling.

[14:38 ] Healing through helping others. C B T (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). Support from her husband and friends.

[19:01 ] Sophie's second pregnancy - hypnobirthing and a healing home birth.

[21:30 ] Driven to the edge through her baby's silent reflux - a call for help in a moment of desperation.

[25:35 ] Healing through talking, journalling, breathwork and nurturing yourself as well as your baby. Developing her 'Beyond Birth' guide.

Key Takeaways:

1.   Shoulder dystocia is a childbirth emergency that happens when a baby's shoulders get stuck behind the mother's pelvic bones, after the head has been delivered. It can make delivery difficult and dangerous for both the baby and the mother. R C O G information on Shoulder Dystocia.

2.    Blue MumDays S1 Ep17: When Birth Leads to Trauma – listen to my conversation with Make Birth Better’s Dr. Rebecca Moore to learn more about birth trauma.

3.   Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder affecting people with ovaries, often during their reproductive years. It can cause a range of symptoms and impact fertility. N H S information on P C O S.

4.   Colic is frequent, prolonged and intense crying or fussiness in a healthy infant, specifically if they cry more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week for at least 1 week. Colic can be particularly frustrating for parents because the baby's distress occurs for no apparent reason and no amount of consoling seems to bring any relief. N H S advice on colic.

5.   Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors are a common class of antidepressants used for treating depression, anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions. Specifically they increase the levels of serotonin, a ‘feel good’ neurotransmitter in the brain. N H S overview of S S R I anti-depressants.

6.   Hypnobirthing is a childbirth method using relaxation, breathing techniques, visualisation and self-hypnosis to help women feel calm, confident and in control during labour and birth. Tommys guide on hypnobirthing.

7.   Silent reflux (also called laryngopharyngeal reflux, or L P R) occurs when stomach acid or digestive juices flow back up into the throat and voice box without causing the usual symptoms of heartburn or indigestion. NHS advice on reflux and silent reflux.

8.   Blue MumDays Episode 27 - Justin Eade: It's Good To Walk.

9.   Find out more about Sophie Burch’s coaching and hypnotherapy work through her 'Nurture You' website. The ‘Beyond Birth Guide’ is Sophie’s supportive and practical guide for parents and parents to be. It shows you how to reconnect and rediscover yourself, deepen your awareness, feel calm and confident in managing all the tasks and feelings that parenting brings. 

10. Suzy Reading's instagram page. Suzy is a chartered psychologist offering tips on wellbeing and mindfulness.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share, rate and subscribe. It really does make the difference in helping others find it – which means helping more parents in need.

Follow us:

Instagram / Twitter / Facebook Group / bluemumdays@gmail.com

Taking A Pause:

Due to some sad family news, Blue MumDays is going on hiatus, so thank you for your patience while I take some time out. In the meantime, please feel free to listen to the many fantastic conversations I've had in the archive.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share, rate and subscribe. It really does make the difference in helping others find it – which means helping more parents in need.

You are not alone and will not feel this way forever.

Links to Support: (please note we do not check or monitor them individually).

1.    Acacia Family Support Pre and postnatal depression support for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic mums and dads.  0121 301 5990, help@acacia.org.uk. 

2.    Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) Moderated Forum, click here to find out more. Email: app@app-network.org / Tel: 020 3322 9900

3.    AIMS for better birthing. helpline@aims.org.uk. This email will go to a group of AIMS volunteers and someone will respond as soon as possible. / Telephone: +44 (0) 300 365 0663 (leave message)

4.    Andys Man Club A non-judgmental talking group for men. info@andysmanclub.co.uk

5.    Association of Postnatal Illness Helpline: 10am – 2pm – 0207 386 0868 / Email: info@apni.org (Live chat online facility)

6.    Best Beginnings. Free NHS-accredited Baby Buddy app offering 24/7 App support for new parents

7.    Birth Trauma Association Email: support@birthtraumaassociation.org.uk

8.    CALM. National helpline: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-midnight)

9.    Cedar House Support Group for mums with postnatal depression. Email: lwise@talktalk.net (Liz Wise) / Mobile: 07773 283556.

10. Contact - for families with disabled children. Helpline: 0808 808 3555.

11. Dad Matters. Support dads to have successful relationships with their families, with mental hea