The birth-ed podcast

"What if the blanket covers baby's face and I don't notice"
"Imagine if I threw my baby down the stairs"
"I could shake you right now"
Intrusive thoughts affect around half of new mums. These thoughts of harm can feel quite terrifying, but are they anything to worry about? What can you do to manage them or where can you seek support?
In this episode I am joined by clinical psychologist Dr Caroline Boyd where she shares her research into Intrusive Thoughts and tells us about her new book 'Mindful New Mum: A Mind-Body Approach to the Highs and Lows of Motherhood'

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Dr Caroline Boyd Links

Follow on Instagram @_drboyd
Buy Mindful New Mum Book
Dr Boyd's website
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Seeing men in the birth room is a relatively recent occurrence, but something that the vast majority of women have come to expect if they have a male partner. Interestingly, the male hormonal responses to birth can be very different to that of a women. And in this episode we take a look at why that is, and what men can do to make sure they feel calm and confident as they support a women to meet their baby.

This week I am chatting to a very special guest, midwife of over 20 years, Mark Harris.
Personally, having spent much of the past decade working alongside women, supporting women, and studying the physiology of the female body- this has been an eye opening conversation into what goes on for a man during one of the most transformational moments of his life.

This is an episode to listen to with your partner if you can, or send over once you’ve finished! And even if you’re not pregnant, your understanding of how each others’ minds work is about to increase exponentially! It's practically couples' therapy in a podcast.

Please note, we are incredibly inclusive and supportive of ALL birth partners of any gender- whether parents, grandparents, friends, family, doulas or none at all- and are very aware that not all women will go into birth supported by a male (or any) partner. This episode in particular focuses a lot on the specifics of male physiology and the differences that may appear between them and a birthing woman. We look forward to bringing you an episode all about ‘birth partners’ soon!

EPISODE NOTES

Birthing 4 Blokes course

https://birthing4blokes.com/

Code FREE for free access

Men, Love & Birth

By Mark Harris

If Sex was like Birth Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jACKa9YW2Yg

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We talk a lot about decision making for birth- Where might you choose to birth your baby? Do you want an epidural? Should you have an induction? etc etc.. but the decision making (and the impact of those decisions) actually starts MUCH earlier on in pregnancy.
This week I am exploring all of this with friend and community midwife Laura Green, whose approach to informed choice, birth education and advocacy makes my heart sing! She brings a brilliant insight and balance to this conversation through her experiences both working inside the maternity system and supporting families privately outside of the NHS- always centring women and families at the heart of her care. It is a conversation steeped in warmth, evidence, nuance and honesty- everything I love a 'bit of' here at birth-ed!
In this week's episode we chat about:

- What's going on in maternity services and how is this impacting rates of intervention?
- What are the common things in pregnancy that might affect our birth experience? (Screening for Gestational Diabetes, Low PAPP A, Routine Scans, Growth Scans etc)
- How to navigate these decisions in pregnancy and understand the longer possible impact of these decisions.
- How to advocate for yourself once your decision has been made.
This episode is worth listening AS EARLY ON in pregnancy as you can. Though even if you're due soon or have had your baby, it will hopefully give you some perspective on your experiences so far.
So, set aside an hour, grab a pen and paper if you can, and enjoy!
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Laura Green Links
Laura's WebsiteFollow Laura on Instagram________________________________________
This episode is sponsored by OR Collective. For 50% OFF your first month's subscription, use the code BIRTHED50 at the checkout. Sign up here
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In today's episode, Psychotherapist, Author and Mother of 3 Anna Mathur & I discuss all things postnatal mental health. Whether you are currently pregnant and getting prepared for what to expect postnatally, or you're in the depths of the early days of motherhood, there's heartwarming chat, practical tools and tons of helpful info to takeaway from this conversation. In this episode we explore:

• The normal ups and downs of emotions in the first year
• Recognising when what are feeling isn't 'normal'
• The Baby Blues & postnatal hormones
• Practical tools and techniques to protect our emotional health postnatally
• Things to consider during pregnancy
• Perfectionism, Control, Identity & 'Type A' personalities
• The art of surrender
• Where to seek more support/therapy

Please subscribe, rate and review! So we can get this vital info to as many parents to be as we can!
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Anna Mathur, physchotherapist, author, podcast host & mum who is widely celebrated for her accessible mental health advice and the light-bulb moments she offers across her platforms, including her Instagram page, incredibly popular podcast ‘The Therapy Edit’ and five-star rated online courses on Reframing Anxiety, People Pleasing and Self-Worth.

Instagram @Annamathur
Anna's website
Shop Anna's books

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BACP Website
SPONSORS
This episode is sponsored by Little List and Hot Tea Mama
Start your list with Little List today!
Get 10% off Hot Tea Mama withe the code HOTTEA10

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BLACK FRIDAY SALE!
Join the birth-ed Online Course for JUST £29 this weekend!
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I want you to stop, take a breath, close your eyes and picture this.

It’s the early hours of the morning, the day after your baby is born, the rest of the world is sleeping. But not you. You’re in bed yes, but you’re wide awake, in awe of everything you just did. Pride is radiating from you. Your body's aching, your face is tired, but you’re beaming, because the way it panned out was exactly what you needed it to be. And in this moment, you are transformed. Transformed into a mother that is everything her baby needs. That same baby, heavy, asleep on your chest. You breathe in their sweet smelling head of hair, your hand cups their perfectly tiny bottom and you whisper to them.. ‘We did it my love. We did it together’.

THIS is everything I want for you. And YOU can make it happen.

It’s not for me to say how that birth should happen. Of course, there are no guarantees in birth. We don’t hold FULL control over what happens, and ‘a hypnobirthing course’ cannot (and should not) ever guarantee a certain type of birth or a certain place of birth- we are in part influenced by mother nature’s plans and by the system/people supporting us (or not).

But we DO hold so much more power, control and responsibility than we often realise, until we come out the other side.

It’s time to take control of the things we can, and let go of the things we can’t. And the birth-ed® Online Course is going to show you how.

THIS BLACK FRIDAY WEEKEND the birth-ed Online course is on sale for JUST £29!

£29 to change not just YOUR life, but your baby’s too.

Just sign up before midnight on Monday 27th November, 2023.

It’s time!
https://birth-ed.co.uk/online-course-2