The Midwives' Cauldron

In this episode it’s us together again in the cauldron and Katie chats with Rachel about all things early weight loss… and gain in babies. We look at: · Why do babies lose weight? · What is normal weight loss? · Are there some babies who are more likely to lose more weight than others? · What’s with the panic once we hit the (not so magical) number of 10% weight loss? · And how can we best support mums and babies through this period of feeding difficulty, before we jump straight into the bottles of formula top-ups. · What about IV fluids given to labouring women and the effect on a baby’s weight straight after birth? We know there’s been talk of a correlation right, but why do we not have any standardised guidelines for this yet? · We try to straighten out the facts on one of those common anxiety causing parts of breastfeeding. All this and the usual banter when us two get together. LINKS: Breastfeeding & lactation: the fundamentals course BJM paper: Maternal intrapartrum fluids and neonatal weight loss in the breastfed infant. 2023 Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! Support the Show. Patreon BuyMeACoffeeMERCHJoseph McDade Like 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 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. Patreon BuyMeACoffeeMERCHJoseph McDade Like 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 discuss with Professor Sir Stephen O’Rahilly all things pregnancy sickness and Hyperemesis. 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 pregn Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! Support the Show. Patreon BuyMeACoffeeMERCHJoseph McDade Like 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.

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. 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 cycle Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! Support the Show. Patreon BuyMeACoffeeMERCHJoseph McDade Like 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. 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 film Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! Support the Show. Patreon BuyMeACoffeeMERCHJoseph McDade Like 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 meds Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! Support the Show. Patreon BuyMeACoffeeMERCHJoseph McDade Like 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 films Big 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. Patreon BuyMeACoffeeMERCHJoseph McDade Like 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.

Two beautiful births tales are told here on this special episode - Mavis Kirkham kindly gave me permission to record these excerpts from the new book Freebirth Stories. LINKS You can grab it on Amazon here, buy it at The Great British Book Shop, or ask your local indie book shop to order it in for you. And if you’d like to connect with Mavis and Nadine, the book has a Facebook page here. Get 10% off Katie's Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course today with code POD10 at checkout. Support the showPatreon BuyMeACoffeeMERCHJoseph McDade Like 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.

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: Mavis 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 Stories Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! Support the Show. Patreon BuyMeACoffeeMERCHJoseph McDade Like 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. 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. Patreon BuyMeACoffeeMERCHJoseph McDade Like 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.2015.0122 Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! Support the Show. Patreon BuyMeACoffeeMERCHJoseph McDade Like 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 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.com Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! Support the Show. Patreon BuyMeACoffeeMERCHJoseph McDade Like 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. Patreon BuyMeACoffeeMERCHJoseph McDade Like 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. Patreon BuyMeACoffeeMERCHJoseph McDade Like 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. Patreon BuyMeACoffeeMERCHJoseph McDade Like 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: LINKS The Lancet series and webinar Short explanation video about The Lancet and WHO series First steps nutrition Breastfeeding and formula supplementation – the traps a Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! Support the Show. Patreon BuyMeACoffeeMERCHJoseph McDade Like 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, books Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! Support the Show. Patreon BuyMeACoffeeMERCHJoseph McDade Like 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)! All this and more on this episode of The Midwives’ Cauldron Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! Support the Show. Patreon BuyMeACoffeeMERCHJoseph McDade Like 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.

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 Group Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! Support the Show. Patreon BuyMeACoffeeMERCHJoseph McDade Like 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. During the episode LINKS: Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! Support the Show. Patreon BuyMeACoffeeMERCHJoseph McDade Like 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.