Episodes
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In this episode Rachel talks to Katie about all the wondrous and darn right fascinating things about the amniotic sac.
· Why is the baby surrounded by fluid, and what is it made of?
· Women are often told they have too much or too little fluid. Is this a problem?
· We also discuss why Rachel is (slightly!) obsessed with the function of the amniotic sac during labour
· We ask does breaking the amniotic sac (the waters) speed up labour at any point?
· What if your amniotic sac breaks before labour? We discuss the time the time-frames around augmenting labour when this has happened.
· And we discuss what if the membranes don’t break during labour?
All this and lots more for your eager lug’ols.
LINKS:
https://midwifethinking.com/2015/09/16/in-defence-of-the-amniotic-sac/
https://midwifethinking.com/2013/08/14/amniotic-fluid-volume-too-much-too-little-or-who-knows/
https://midwifethinking.com/2015/01/14/the-curse-of-meconium-stained-liquor/
https://midwifethinking.com/2017/01/11/pre-labour-rupture-of-membranes-impatience-and-risk/
Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms!
Support the show Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDadeLike this podcast? Leave us a review here
Want more from Katie and Rachel?
Katie's website
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Disclaimer
The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.
The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.
The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. -
In this episode I discuss with Professor Sir Stephen O’Rahilly all things pregnancy sickness and Hyperemesis.
I discuss what it is that causing this to happen during pregnancy. Why our human bodies could be making this hormone and what it’s use would possibly be for. And what the future holds for a cure, how Prof O’Rahilly and his team are working collaboratively with the pregnancy sickness support, a UK charity, women who have and are currently suffering from hyperemesis, and a team of obstetric specialists to find the answer to help stop this condition.
Just a few months ago the scientific evidence was published highlighting what causes pregnancy sickness and hyperemesis. This breakthrough discovery came from the work of Prof Sir O’Rahilly, his team and the team from Dr Marlena S. Fejzo in the US.
This ground breaking work gives hope to thousands of women globally who suffer terribly throughout their pregnancy with extreme nausea and sickness.Professor Sir Stephen O’Rahilly FRS, is Co-Director of the Institute of Metabolic Science (IMS) and Director of the MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit which is part of the broader University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories which he also directs. On the wider Cambridge Biomedical Campus, he is Scientific Director of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre and Head of the University Department of Clinical Biochemistry.
He was elected FRS in 2003, to the National Academy of Sciences, USA in 2011, has received five honorary doctorates and numerous scientific awards.
In 2013 he was made Knight Bachelor & for services to medical research.
His main research area is the aetiology and pathophysiology of human metabolic and endocrine disease and how such information might be used to improve the diagnosis, therapy and prevention of these diseases.
LINKS:
Pregnancy Sickness Support UK
Dr Marlena S. Fejzo HER Foundation
GD15 linked to maternal risk of nausea and vomiting during pregnancyWant to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms!
Support the show Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDadeLike this podcast? Leave us a review here
Want more from Katie and Rachel?
Katie's website
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Disclaimer
The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.
The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.
The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. -
Missing episodes?
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Lara Briden is a naturopathic doctor and bestselling author of the books Period Repair Manual and Hormone Repair Manual — practical guides to treating period problems with nutrition, supplements, and bioidentical hormones.
With a strong science background, Lara sits on several advisory boards and is the lead author on a couple of peer-reviewed papers.
She has more than 20 years’ experience in women’s health and currently has consulting rooms in Christchurch, New Zealand, where she treats women with PCOS, PMS, endometriosis, perimenopause, and many other hormone- and period-related health problems.
On this episode we discuss with Lara all things periods and perimenopause.
What is perimenopause? The nine symptoms you need to know!Is midlife really from 37? What is going on hormonally and how this affects our entire body systemDealing with heavy periodsSupplementing our hormones Taking the contraceptive pill Dealing with stress, does perimenopause affect our ability to cope the same as before? Alcohol use and the real truth you need to know! All things ‘sorting your sleep out’ including dealing with night shifts! All this and so much more!LINKS:
Website
Hormone repair manual book
The Lara Briden Podcast - Everything women’s health in under 15 minutes
Graph of hormonal changes of perimenopause
Graph of menstrual cycleWant to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms!
Support the show Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDadeLike this podcast? Leave us a review here
Want more from Katie and Rachel?
Katie's website
Rachel's website
Disclaimer
The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.
The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.
The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. -
Where and how women choose to birth matters. Born at Home is a stunning documentary film exploring what it takes to have a positive and transformative birth experience.
Empowered by the homebirth of her second child in 2020, Amanda Banks together with long term dear friend Eleanor Currie, set out to create a film exploring Homebirth in QLD.
We talked to Eleanor and Amanda about the messaging behind the filmHome birth statistics About the transformative effects home birth can have for some women, And we delve deeper into the reasons why more women are deciding to give birth at home.
With a passion for telling stories about the human experience. Their film 'Born At Home' explores the emotional journey of homebirth. The film interviews birthing experts, midwives, educators and shows many a homebirth first hand.This is a beautiful episode with many insights. A great way to whet your appetite before you see the film.
LINKS:
Born at home the film
IG @bornathomethefilm
Screenings of the filmWant to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms!
Support the show Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDadeLike this podcast? Leave us a review here
Want more from Katie and Rachel?
Katie's website
Rachel's website
Disclaimer
The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.
The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.
The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. -
Wendy Jones BSc, MSc, PhD, MRPharmS is known for her work on providing a service on the compatibility of drugs in breastmilk and has been a registered breastfeeding supporter for 36 years. She is passionate that breastfeeding should be valued by all and that medication should not be a barrier. In her employed life she was a primary care pharmacist. Wendy left paid work 12 years ago to concentrate on writing her books and developing her website to provide information for mothers and professionals. Wendy was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List of 2018 for services to mothers and babies.
In this episode I chat to Wendy about all those common questions which start with “is it safe to breastfeed with that medication?!”
· Breastfeeding whilst needing medications for a chronic condition
· Common misconceptions with anxiety and depression medications and breastfeeding
· Is it safe to keep breastfeeding when you catch the common cold or flu?
· Emergency contraception – do you need to stop breastfeeding and will it affect milk supply?
· Wendy tells us about the new medications for migraines
· Colic medicines – is there evidence for this and do they work?
· Why planning in pregnancy is essential to support ongoing breastfeeding for those needing to use any medications long term, and yet unfortunately is still mostly not happening.· And Wendy tells me how she ended up giving out her personal phone number to the whole of the UK several years ago for any breastfeeding questions on medications and feeding! And was dealing with 10.000 calls a year!
LINKS:
Wendy Jones website, fact sheets, books and more
BFN Drugs in breast milk fact sheets
Lactmed
E Lactencia
Hale medsWant to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms!
Support the show Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDadeLike this podcast? Leave us a review here
Want more from Katie and Rachel?
Katie's website
Rachel's website
Disclaimer
The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.
The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.
The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. -
Bonnie Hughes is a midwife, with a background in musical theater and journalism. She is the creator of the podcast series Making a Midwife, and an animation film-maker hobbyist. Bonnie is passionate about the power of story, and how the stories we tell ourselves, the stories we live, the stories we are part of, and the characters we play in those stories shape the future. Bonnie explores, both through her midwifery work and her art how she can create a positive and uplifting impact for both midwives and the women and families in her care.
This episode will fuel your day tenfold when you hear us talking about the importance of taking up space and the power of anger.
We discuss:
· Working as a newly qualified midwife.
· Her incredible stop animation film titled ‘Big Trouble’
· How society puts girls and women into a place where they have to earn their worth.
· How women are conditioned to be small in size and mind, and the constant worry about how much space we take up in the world.
· We touch on how almost every woman in a maternity unit talks about their size, whether pregnant or not.
· We discuss how anger destroys us when we silence ourselves and let it fester.
· And we ask “How can we use anger for its best purpose?”
LINKS
Bonnie Hughes filmsBig Trouble
The shared anatomy of Students and Midwives
Rage becomes her: the power of women’s anger by Soraya Chemaly
Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms!
Support the show Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDadeLike this podcast? Leave us a review here
Want more from Katie and Rachel?
Katie's website
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Disclaimer
The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.
The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.
The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. -
Mavis Kirkham is Midwifery Professor Emerita at Sheffield Hallam University and has held honorary professorial positions at the University of Technology Sydney and Auckland University of Technology. After over forty years as a clinical midwife and researcher, she is interested in reflecting and writing on birth and midwifery in its wider context. A major theme of her research has been the way in which the context of their care impacts upon childbearing women and how their working experiences impact upon midwives. She has long been concerned with how birth stories are negotiated and the impact of these stories on tellers and hearers. With Nadine Edwards she has edited a new book titled Freebirth Stories.
In this episode we discuss with Mavis:
About Mavis’ interest in freebirth and why it seems more women are choosing this way to give birth Mavis tells us about the Freebirth stories from women and Doulas she and Nadine collected for their new bookWe discuss the importance of language in pregnancy, birth and postpartum spaces The important role that doulas play And we ask what Mavis sees as the future of midwiferyMavis is one of those midwives who has witnessed so many parts of midwifery and her bounty of knowledge and kindness shines through in this episode.
LINKS:
Freebirth StoriesWant to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms!
Support the show Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDadeLike this podcast? Leave us a review here
Want more from Katie and Rachel?
Katie's website
Rachel's website
Disclaimer
The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.
The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.
The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. -
Dr Marina Weckend is a midwife and post-doctoral researcher based at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia. Building on 13 years’ experience in midwifery practice, education and research in Germany, UK and Australia, Marina is committed to improving maternity care services through better understandings of birth physiology. Her current program of research focuses on natural fluctuations and pauses during labour and birth, and seeks to normalise physiological plateaus as a strategy to reduce childbirth medicalisation.
What are physiological plateaus in labour? Are labour pauses normal? When do they occur during labour and birth? How long do they last? What’s the defining feature of a physiological plateau? How do midwives think and work with them based on their experiences?
In this episode we discuss:LINKS:
www.marinaweckend.com
Twitter @marinaweckend
LinkedIn Marina Awakening
Physiological Plateaus Newsletter
Oct 2023 Failure to progress or just normal?
Physiological plateaus during normal labor and birth: A scoping review of contemporary concepts and definitions
Failure to progress or physiological plateaus? A constructivist grounded theory explaining midwives’ views of healthy pauses during childbirth.Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms!
Support the show Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDadeLike this podcast? Leave us a review here
Want more from Katie and Rachel?
Katie's website
Rachel's website
Disclaimer
The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.
The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.
The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. -
In this episode Katie talks with Rachel about late preterm and early term infants. These are the babies who have flown under the radar for far too long and often are the babies who struggle the most to get going with breastfeeding.
Come with us as we take a look at the current research, plans for feeding and what mothers are saying who have had babies born just that bit too early.· How many babies are born late preterm and why the numbers are growing.
· How late preterm infants are different neurologically and physically to full term babies
· What complications are more likely to be seen in the late preterm population
· Current challenges within the maternity system when supporting mothers with late preterm infants
· Is there a basic plan which can be generalised for most or all late preterm infants?
· What about those babies born 37-38+6 weeks (early term), do they have higher needs too?
· And we look at the barriers to continuation of breastfeeding.
https://abm.memberclicks.net/assets/DOCUMENTS/PROTOCOLS/10-breastfeeding-the-late-pre-term-infant-protocol-english.pdf
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/2/312
https://internationalbreastfeedingjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13006-017-0114-0 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.1740-8709.2012.00463.x
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/bfm.2020.0379
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0884217515305190
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089%2Fbfm.2015.0122Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms!
Support the show Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDadeLike this podcast? Leave us a review here
Want more from Katie and Rachel?
Katie's website
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Disclaimer
The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.
The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.
The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. -
Welcome to season 5!! This episode we have the marvelous Dr Sara Wickham back in the cauldron with us talking all about what’s in her new book Plus Size Pregnancy.Sara talks to us about:
· How women and families want, need and deserve better answers to their many questions about higher BMI and birth, and that midwives and birth workers need to know what the evidence says.
· Clarification of what is the BMI and as Sara says “it’s a racist, sexist, classist” index created for complete different reason than for health!
· We look at why a higher BMI comes with so many tests and limitations for birth and Sara talks us through the existing evidence.
· Are women with a high BMI more at risk of caesarean section, and if so what are the real reasons behind this?
· Why the phrase morbid obesity is utter nonsense and rooted in a much darker context.
· Sara delves into diet culture, it’s myths and the marketing behind it.
· Weight bias and fat shaming in healthcare.
· And why using BMI is problematic in maternity care.
You’ll hear all this and much more in this fabulous episode.
LINKS:
Plus Size Pregnancy book
Dr Sara Wickham website
Sara on Instagram @drsarawickham
Sara on Facebook sarawickham.comWant to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms!
Support the show Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDadeLike this podcast? Leave us a review here
Want more from Katie and Rachel?
Katie's website
Rachel's website
Disclaimer
The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.
The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.
The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. -
In this episode Rachel takes us into the world of ‘early labour’. She’s been promising it for a long while, and here it is. Get your lug’ols around this one!
In this episode we discuss:
· What’s going on physiologically during this phase of childbirth
· Beta endorphins and how they work for us during labour
· The neocortex and what is so important about this part of our brain as we birth
· Why women in early labour who attend the maternity unit are often sent back home
· Early labour and the maternity system
· How early labour interventions can be prevented
· We discuss birthing babies into your tights!
· And whether we can ever fully prepare women with prenatal education
Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms!
Support the show Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDadeLike this podcast? Leave us a review here
Want more from Katie and Rachel?
Katie's website
Rachel's website
Disclaimer
The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.
The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.
The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. -
Welcome to the biggest episode yet! Well not really, but we have met a milestone I couldn’t have fathomed 3 years ago on 20th July 2020. It has hit home what has happened over this time and how this 'little' podcast has grown into something really fantastic. And this is due to my dear friend Dr Rachel Reed, our amazing guests who have so kindly donated their time to come on, and to all of you who listen in each episode and make the effort to share it, talk about it, grab a bit of merch to promote it, those of you who have financially supported the show and also those of you who have written in with your stories which have often bought me to tears. I am humbled and really bloomin grateful.
This is a bonus episode just for you. You will not hear anything about birth, midwifery, or breastfeeding! Be warned! This is a listener special where we asked you guys for your questions about us!So what will your lug’ols be filled with today?
· Katie’s story of a bag of crisps called Keith
· Rachel dancing to Oliver Twist
· How surprisingly we both chose very similar people to invite to our dinner party!
· But don’t talk to Rachel about bananas or pineapples
· We reminisce on going clubbing together from 11am on public holidays in Newcastle upon Tyne, in the UK.
· We let you in on what we got up to at our midwifery university graduation
· And finally … how Katie got chased by a lion.
Should make for good listening… not educational listening at all, but if you are up for being told a story or two then grab a cuppa and sit down with us in this special episode!
Support the show Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDadeLike this podcast? Leave us a review here
Want more from Katie and Rachel?
Katie's website
Rachel's website
Disclaimer
The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.
The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.
The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. -
In this episode Katie talks to Zainab Yate. Zainab is a Biomedical Ethicist, with a specialist interest in infant feeding. Zainab is Vice Chair and named qualitative lead on a paediatric flagged Research Ethics Committee Panel for the Health Research Authority (HRA) in the UK. She's also been a volunteer breastfeeding peer supporter with the NHS for a number of years, is the owner-author of the resource site for mothers and healthcare practitioners on Breastfeeding / Nursing Aversion and Agitation and author of "When Breastfeeding Sucks".
We discuss what is breastfeeding aversion & agitation, and what is D-MER (dysphoric milk ejection reflex)?
We look at the differences between the two.
And ask what do clinicians need to look for specifically?
Why does D-MER and breastfeeding aversion occur, how long it normally lasts and what can be done to support women who experience this?
We talked about what "being touched out" means and how to deal with it.
And we take a dive into when the euphoria does not happen immediately after birth.
This is such an incredible episode full of lots of really thoughtful insights, I know you will get a lot out of it. Enjoy.LINKS
Zainab Yate Differential diagnosis article
Zainab Yate Breastfeeeding aversion article
Alia Heise – D-MER
D-MER resources
Recent research on D-MER https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36705232/Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms!
Support the show Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDadeLike this podcast? Leave us a review here
Want more from Katie and Rachel?
Katie's website
Rachel's website
Disclaimer
The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.
The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.
The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. -
In this episode I take Rachel and you into the world of underhand marketing tactics going on right under our noses from the commercial milk formula (CMF) industry.In Feburary 2023 the Lancet and WHO released a new 3 part series discussing the marketing of CMF. Rachel really did wonder if this would be of any interest to our listeners and I promised her that within a few minutes her knickers would be in a twist ... and they were!
This is not a discussion about whether formula milk should be used this is a look at the often horrifying goings-on that are, in a large part, leading to women all over the globe feeling robbed of their breastfeeding wishes, hopes and experiences.
In this episode you will hear about:
Who first patented infant formula and why.How we are all being subversively targeted with underhand tactics. How the CMF industry raises profits by casting doubt on mothers milk and pathologising normal baby behaviours: how often babies breastfeed or typical crying which is OK. How much the CMF industry is worth The impact the CMF industry marketing has on the health costs for individual countires. Political lobbyingTax evasionAnd we lay it out - is there any difference between a tin of formula which costs 9 or 28 and where to get safe information about formula. We discuss whether there is a need for toddler and growing up milks.And we take a look at the estimated cost of unpaid work from breastfeeding. Don't fret, we leave you with some actionable places to go from here!LINKS
The Lancet series and webinarShort explanation video about The Lancet and WHO series
First steps nutrition
Breastfeeding and formula supplementation – the traps and escap
Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms!
Support the show Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDadeLike this podcast? Leave us a review here
Want more from Katie and Rachel?
Katie's website
Rachel's website
Disclaimer
The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.
The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.
The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. -
Rhea is a former PE teacher turned childbirth educator, and counsellor and feels privileged to have attended more than a thousand births in hospitals and home settings as a birth attendant as well as connecting with many more women, their partners and support people during birth preparation workshops and personal birth counselling sessions.
Rhea has spoken extensively around Australia and internationally and is the author of two books – ‘Birth with Confidence: savvy choices for normal birth’ and the most recent ‘Beyond the Birth Plan: getting real about pain and power’.
Rheas thoughtful, gentle voice takes us on a look back over the world of birth from the past 40 years from England to Australia.
How Rheas home births led to her passion into childbirth education and birth attendant work.
How home births were parties back in the days!
Rhea talks with us about how sadly, in more than forty years of birth work, she’s witnessed an unprecedented rise in unnecessary medical interventions and the development of a culture that, rather than supporting women to birth naturally – physiologically -, is actually undermining them.
We discuss the f&@k1ng epidural, as Rhea terms it, and how she feels it has hijacked what labour and birth discomfort means. The ‘thank goodness births’ and what this means for society.
And we discuss the importance of what it is we ‘choose’ to focus on when providing childbirth education. Attachment styles and how that impacts how we go into birth. How shame plays a role in how we may or may not ask for help.
Rhea leaves us with an oxytocin fuelled story from her book and makes Katie cry!
LINKS
Rhea Dempsey website, courses, booksWant to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms!
Support the show Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDadeLike this podcast? Leave us a review here
Want more from Katie and Rachel?
Katie's website
Rachel's website
Disclaimer
The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.
The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.
The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. -
On this episode of the Midwives Cauldron, it’s just me and Rachel hanging out and stirring the pot discussing vaginal examinations (VE's)!
We take a step back in history to look at how midwives originally used vaginal examination during labour and for what purposeWe look at current guidelines Rachel goes on her history trail for us to find the original research which guidelines are based onWe talk about said research, the risks of vaginal examinations Language midwives could use to discuss VEs in preparation for labourThe importance of talking about vaginal examinations during the antenatal phaseHow mainstream media influences us into thinking that vaginal examinations are an important part of our labourHow medical birth needs a different assessment from physiological birthI ask whether there should ever be a timeline set in length for a labour We question how students can learn the skill of vaginal examinations if we “shouldn’t be doing as many as we are” And Rachel teaches me the word furtle!All this and more on this episode of The Midwives’ Cauldron
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Support the show Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDadeLike this podcast? Leave us a review here
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Disclaimer
The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.
The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.
The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. -
Professor Donna Geddes is the director of the Geddes Hartmann Human Lactation Research Group. Based in Perth, Australia, the group is made up of innovative and dedicated scientists and students that have a passion for developing measurements of lactation and breastfeeding and then applying them to make a difference to clinicians and breastfeeding families. The group makes a point of not only publishing their findings in scientific journals but spreading their information via free online articles and social media on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In.
Donna has a medical imaging background with an emphasis in ultrasound imaging. She has integrated this modality into many of the group’s studies providing a ‘window’ to different physiological processes during lactation. If you have listened to our previous podcast where I have spoken about the in quotes discovery of the breast anatomy - this is Donna! She showed the world the true anatomy of the lactating breast and could visualize how milk ejection occurs through her ultrasound techniques. Her findings have attracted much international attention and she is often requested to speak at both International and National Scientific Meetings. She is the Secretary for the International Society for Research in Human Milk and Lactation.
In this episode
· the tools and technology we currently use and what we could be seeing in the future
· using technology to identify if milk has come in or if there's inflammation in the breast
· how to accurately test milk volumes
· the controversial topic of test weighing
· identifying lactation issues correctly- sucking and milk transfer and/or milk supply problems
· nipple pain and nipple shields
· and we look at extremely high suck vacuum levels and effects on breastfeeding
LINKS
Prof Donna Geddes
Geddes Hartmann Human Lactation Research GroupWant to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms!
Support the show Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDadeLike this podcast? Leave us a review here
Want more from Katie and Rachel?
Katie's website
Rachel's website
Disclaimer
The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.
The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.
The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. -
In this episode of the cauldron we have Dr. Sharon Blackie; award-winning writer, psychologist and mythologist. Her highly acclaimed books, lectures and workshops are focused on the development of the mythic imagination, and on the relevance of myth, fairy tales and folk traditions to the personal, cultural and environmental problems we face today.
As well as writing five books of fiction and nonfiction, including the bestselling If Women Rose Rooted, and her new book Hagitude, her writing has appeared in anthologies, collections and in several international media outlets – among them the Guardian, the Irish Times, the i and the Scotsman. Her books have been translated into several languages, and she has been interviewed by the BBC, US public radio and other broadcasters on her areas of expertise. Her awards include the Roger Deakin Award, and a Creative Scotland Writer’s Award.
Sharon is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and has taught and lectured at several academic institutions, Jungian organisations, retreat centres and cultural festivals around the world. Her TEDx talk on the mythic imagination can be viewed here.
We delve deep into the world of wise and influential women in native mythology and what this means for navigating peri-menopause and elderhood. We ask Sharon what we can learn from the myths embedded in our cultures. We take a look at the profession of midwifery as traditionally midwives were the older women, not mothers themselves or past the mothering stage. We talk about how it is this group of women that can be leading the changes in the birth world. Not leaving it only to the younger midwives to fight. We discuss the overarching patriarchal messages which purport that menopause is an ‘illness’ to be fixed, cured, or masked so we can continue to look like young maidens.And we hear about the power of elderhood, and what we can learn even if we are still in our mother years or just coming into perimenopause.
During the episodeLINKS:
Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms!
Support the show Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDadeLike this podcast? Leave us a review here
Want more from Katie and Rachel?
Katie's website
Rachel's website
Disclaimer
The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.
The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.
The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. -
In this episode we talk to Prof Helen Ball. Helen is Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Durham Infancy & Sleep Centre. Helen studies infant sleep and the parent-infant sleep relationship from a biosocial perspective. Broadly defined, her research examines sleep ecology, of infants, young children and their parents. This encompasses attitudes and practices regarding infant sleep, behavioural and physiological monitoring of infants and their parents during sleep, infant sleep development, and the discordance between cultural sleep preferences and biological sleep needs.
She pioneers the translation of academic research on infant sleep into evidence for use by parents and healthcare staff via Basis-- the Baby Sleep Information Source website. She serves as Associate Editor of the journal Sleep Health, and is on the Ediotial Board of the Journal of Human Lactation. She is Chair of the Lullaby Trust Scientific Committe, and an elected Board Member of the International Society for the Study and Prevention of Infant Deaths (ISPID).
In this episode we discuss:
· Where on earth did the myths come from which tell us we will do harm to our baby if we pick them up too much - Rachel tells what horrendous thing she was told with her first baby
· Helen takes us on an anthropological look at motherhood and infancy
· We discuss the old, current and quite frankly shocking SIDS safety messaging around the globe – Using a meat cleaver in bed with a baby to shock you out of bed sharing!
· And find out how Helen played an incredibly crucial role ensuring that the UK actually discuss safe bed sharing with parents.
LINKS:Basis-- the Baby Sleep Information Source www.basisonline.org.uk
Infancy & Sleep Centre: www.dur.ac.uk/disc
Prof Helen Ball https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/h-l-ball/
Research Gate https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Helen-Ball
Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms!
Support the show Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDadeLike this podcast? Leave us a review here
Want more from Katie and Rachel?
Katie's website
Rachel's website
Disclaimer
The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.
The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.
The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. -
Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett is a health psychologist and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, and the CEO of Praeclarus Press, a small press specializing in women's health. Dr. Kendall-Tackett is Editor-in-Chief of the journal, Psychological Trauma and was Founding Editor-in-Chief of Clinical Lactation.
Dr. Kendall-Tackett specializes in women's-health research including breastfeeding, depression, trauma, and health psychology, and has won many awards for her work including the 2019 President’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Trauma Psychology from the American Psychological Association. Dr. Kendall-Tackett has authored more than 490 articles or chapters and is author or editor of 41 books. Her most recent books include Breastfeeding Doesn’t Need to Suck (2022) and Women’s Mental Health Across the Lifespan (2017). Her 41st book, Depression in New Mothers, 4th Edition is in press.
Dr Kendall Tackett discusses with us not only a vast range of topics specific to her work and new book but also some big and confronting topics in this episode.
A warning: Dr Kendall-Tackett discusses early in the podcast about her research and work with women who have experienced sexual assault.
In this episode we delve in to:
Postnatal anxiety and guilt The power of oxytocin, a mother’s “Spidey senses” and the vulnerability during the early daysSleep, mental health and breastfeedingPostpartum depression Placenta encapsulation and it’s potential effects on milk supply. Secondary trauma in midwives and doulas and birth partners Burn out in midwives - shift based vs continuity of carer model How Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) affects adult health How women who have experienced sexual abuse prefer to engage with breastfeeding and what the research is showing.LINKS :
Course Burnout among perinatal workers
Book
Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms!
Support the show Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDadeLike this podcast? Leave us a review here
Want more from Katie and Rachel?
Katie's website
Rachel's website
Disclaimer
The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.
The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.
The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. - Show more
