British Birthing Stories

Mil: Second Birth, Healing After Traumatic First, Water Birth, Shoulder Dystocia, Birth Centre

Thu, 14 May 2026 03:00:00 GMT

What does it feel like to go back into labour knowing everything that went wrong the first time — and come out the other side feeling like you got your birth back? In this episode of British Birthing Stories, Mil returns to share the birth of her son Billy: an NHS birth centre water birth, a shoulder dystocia, and the most healing experience of her life.

After her first birth left her with a postpartum haemorrhage, a serious infection, birth trauma, and postnatal depression, Mil was determined to do things differently second time around. She switched hospitals, switched her birth plan from a list of preferences to a set of feelings — safe, heard, in control — and fought to be approved for a birth centre birth despite her history. What followed was a labour that started calmly, progressed quickly, and then threw one final curveball: Billy's shoulder got stuck, and the midwives hauled Mil out of the bath, laid her on the floor, and freed him in what she can only describe as a wrestling move. He was briefly given oxygen, then handed over screaming. She was stitched up in ten minutes and eating toast in a fairy-lit room while her husband fell asleep beside her.

She wrote the midwives a letter when she got home. She told them they had fixed something she hadn't realised was still broken.

In this episode we chat about:

Switching hospitals after her first experience and fighting to be approved for a birth centre birth
Going overdue at 41+1 and choosing induction after weeks of false starts and sweeps
A positive induction experience — and how different it felt from the first time
Labouring calmly in the birth centre with just a TENS machine and no pain relief for hours
Waters breaking at 3pm and things progressing quickly from there
Transition, vomiting, gas and air that didn't really help, and being 8.5cm without realising it
A shoulder dystocia — and the midwife who hauled her out of the bath and onto the floor
Billy needing a little oxygen before his first cry — and the relief when it came
A first-degree tear, ten minutes of stitches, and being up walking within the hour
The night and day difference in recovery compared to her episiotomy first time around
Combo feeding second time around and how much it helped her mental health postpartum
Writing the midwives a letter — and what she means when she says they gave her something back

Find Mil on Instagram and Tiktok

The stories shared on British Birthing Stories are real, personal experiences from real women. I am not a medical professional and this podcast is not a substitute for medical advice. Every pregnancy and birth is different, and I always encourage you to speak to your midwife or doctor about your own individual care.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mil: NHS Induction at 39 weeks for reduced movements, forceps, episiotomy, Postpartum Haemorrhage, Blood Transfusion, Postnatal Depression and Anxiety , Breastfeeding Challenges

Tue, 12 May 2026 03:00:00 GMT

What happens when you've done the NCT course, made the birth plan, and gone into hospital as prepared as you possibly can and it still falls apart? In this episode of British Birthing Stories, I sit down with Mil, a stay-at-home mum, content creator, and freelance copywriter, who shares her honest account of her first NHS birth: induction, forceps, episiotomy, a postpartum haemorrhage, and a blood transfusion.

Mil was admitted for a routine reduced movement check at 39 weeks when the decision was made to induce her that day - no warning, no chance to go home and prepare. What followed was 12 hours in a waiting room in active labour, a serious infection, a baby in distress, and every intervention she'd hoped to avoid. Then the haemorrhage. Then a blood transfusion at 2am. Then eight days in hospital while her daughter recovered from severe jaundice. And a postnatal anxiety and depression that went undiagnosed for nearly a year.

Mil also opens up about the breastfeeding guilt that compounded everything — a missed tongue tie, a supply that never came in, and hiding her daughter's bottle in the car park at Baby Sensory. But this isn't where her story ends. Her second NHS birth was, in her own words, the most beautiful and magical experience of her life.

In this episode we chat about:

Going in for a reduced movement check and leaving being induced with no time to go home
12 hours in a waiting room in active labour with inadequate pain relief
Labour stalling, a serious infection, and being rushed to the labour ward
Forceps, ventouse, and episiotomy after baby's heart rate dropped
A postpartum haemorrhage and blood transfusion
Eight days in hospital while her daughter recovered from severe jaundice
Postnatal anxiety and depression going undiagnosed for almost a year
Breastfeeding guilt, a missed tongue tie, and formula-feeding shame
Why her second NHS birth was everything her first wasn't

Find Mil here on Instagram and Tik Tok

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dani: First Birth, Positive Planned NHS Home Birth After Fertility Struggles, PCOS, Hypnobirthing, Doula Support, No Pain Relief, Placenta Encapsulation

Thu, 07 May 2026 03:00:00 GMT

She always knew she wanted a home birth. From the moment she decided she wanted children, there was never any question. Hospital was not even in her mind.

Dani is a first time mum from Devon who shares a deeply beautiful first birth story after two years of trying to conceive with PCOS. She conceived the day before moving across the country from Hertfordshire to Devon — a moment she describes as feeling like pure divine timing. She prepared for her birth like a marathon. Hypnobirthing with a doula, affirmations on the walls, a birth playlist, fairy lights, an astronaut projector covering the ceiling in stars, and a birth pool set up in her mum's annex. She refused extra growth scans in her third trimester on instinct alone. Her baby was born weighing 8lb 3oz.

Labour started at 2am on her due date. She laboured quietly through the night and all the next day. She ate a Chinese takeaway on the toilet while going through contractions. She never had a single internal examination and never knew how dilated she was. Her daughter Aurea was born at 11.26pm with no pain relief, no stitches, and a delayed cord clamp. The midwives she had never met before did everything on her birth plan without being asked.

In this episode we talk about:

What it is really like to try to conceive with PCOS and what finally helped
How hypnobirthing completely changed Dani's mindset around birth and fear
What a doula actually does during pregnancy and how to find the right one
Labouring at home all day without intervention and what that felt like
Why she refused extra growth scans and what her instinct told her
Placenta encapsulation and whether it helped her postpartum recovery
Grieving your old self after becoming a mum and how long that really takes

This episode is for anyone who has ever dreamed of a calm physiological home birth and wondered if it is really possible. Dani's story is proof that it absolutely is.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chloe: First Birth, Positive Emergency C-Section After Water Birth 48 Hour Labour and Succenturiate Placenta

Tue, 05 May 2026 03:00:00 GMT

She pushed for five hours. Her baby kept getting stuck. And when she finally made the call for a C section, the medical team tried to talk her out of it before admitting it was probably the right idea all along.

Chloe is a veterinary neurologist from West Berkshire and a first time mum who went into birth as prepared as anyone could be. Hypnobirthing, research, a birth pool, a TENS machine, and a very clear birth plan. What followed was 48 hours of labour, a cervical lip that nobody had spotted, and a pushing stage that lasted five hours before things came to a halt. Chloe trusted her gut, held her ground with the team, and consented to an emergency C section. Then came the moment that reframed everything. Her placenta turned out to be a rare succenturiate type, meaning a vaginal delivery could have had very serious consequences for both of them.

In this episode we talk about:

How Chloe combined hypnobirthing with a research driven approach and what she took from each
What a cervical lip is and how it can stall even the most established labour
Why Chloe asked for a C section herself and had to fight for it
The rare succenturiate placenta discovery and what it meant for her birth outcome
How to reframe a birth that looked nothing like the plan and still call it a positive experience

This episode is for anyone heading into their first birth wanting to understand how staying open minded can completely change how you feel about whatever happens on the day.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vicky: Two Positive NHS Hospital Vaginal Births, Large Baby, Informed Second Birth

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 03:00:00 GMT

They warned her throughout her entire second pregnancy that her baby was measuring large and that there could be complications at delivery. He was out in two pushes.

Vicky is a mum of two boys from Kent who shares two positive NHS hospital vaginal births. Her first birth was harder than expected. A midwife changeover at a critical moment left her without the pain relief she had been promised and pethidine administered too late meant she felt out of sorts in the precious first moments with her baby. Second time around she went in informed, prepared, and knowing exactly what she needed.

What made the difference was simple. She understood her options. She knew how to use gas and air properly. And when the moment came, despite being warned all pregnancy that her large baby could cause complications, she delivered him in two pushes with no stitches and was home the next day.

In this episode we talk about:

How a midwife changeover in active labour affected Vicky's first birth and what she took from it
How learning to use gas and air properly transformed her second birth experience
What it is like to be warned all pregnancy about a large baby and shoulder dystocia and then deliver in two pushes
Navigating the emotional juggle of a newborn and a toddler in those early postpartum weeks

This episode is for anyone going into a second birth wanting to understand how knowledge and preparation can completely change your experience.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hannah: First Birth, 36 Hour Labour, Failed Induction, Unplanned C-Section

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:53:30 GMT

She planned a natural water birth. She hypnobirthed. She researched everything. And after 36 hours in labour and a failed induction drip still stuck at 5cm, she made the most empowered decision of her birth. Asking for a C-section she never planned for. And she would do it all again.

Hannah is a first time mum who shares her honest and empowering story of a 36 hour labour, a failed induction, and an emergency C-section on the NHS. Despite spending months preparing for a medication free water birth, Hannah found herself at a crossroads in the early hours of the morning, advocated for herself clearly and confidently, and came out the other side feeling something she never expected to feel. Completely proud of her birth.

Hannah did not get the birth she planned. She got something better. A birth where every single decision was hers, made with knowledge, clarity and confidence. She is not someone who feels like her birth went wrong. She is someone who knows exactly why it went the way it did and would make every single choice again.

In this episode we talk about:

Planning for a natural birth and navigating when labour does not progress
What it really feels like to go on an NHS hormone drip and why Hannah chose to come off it
How to advocate for an unplanned C-section and what that process looks like on the NHS
What nobody tells you about C-section babies in the first hours after birth
Recovery tips for C-section mums that will actually make a difference in those early days

This episode is for anyone who has ever worried that a C-section means their birth went wrong. Hannah is proof that it absolutely does not.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kaci’s Birth Story: From Obstetric Cholestasis to a Cord Prolapse and CAT-1 Emergency C-Section

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In today’s episode, I speak with Kaci, who shares her first birth story, which unexpectedly ended in an emergency (Category 1) C-section under general anaesthetic following a cord prolapse.

Kaci talks about a physically and emotionally challenging pregnancy, including PCOS, endometriosis, frequent hospital visits for reduced movements, and later being diagnosed with obstetric cholestasis after persistent itching and advocating to be heard. She shares how her waters broke spontaneously, labour progressed with the support of a hormone drip, and how quickly everything changed.

We also discuss recovery after an emergency caesarean, early feeding experiences, processing birth trauma, and Kaci hopes of planning a VBAC in the future.

This episode is shared for storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kailey: Third Birth, Birth Before Arrival (BBA), Freebirth at Home, Precipitous Labour, 42+4 Pregnancy & NHS Experience

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 03:00:00 GMT

In this episode I chat with Kailey who shares her incredible third birth story, including a birth before arrival (BBA) where she gave birth completely alone at home before midwives or paramedics arrived.

After two previous births where she felt her experience was disrupted, Kaylee went into this pregnancy determined to have a physiological home birth on her terms. Navigating pregnancy as a single mum of three, she opens up about advocating for herself within the NHS system, declining interventions, and facing pressure around being 42+4 weeks pregnant.

Her labour began calmly but quickly turned into an intense precipitous labour, with her baby born just 16 minutes after calling the midwives. Guided only by a midwife on the phone, Kaylee experienced a powerful fetal ejection reflex, catching her own baby in the dark, an experience she describes as deeply healing and empowering.

She also shares the reality of postpartum recovery, from the day 4 emotional dip to navigating newborn life solo, and how this birth transformed her confidence as a mother.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in home birth, freebirth, birth before arrival, post-term pregnancy, and advocating for yourself in maternity care.

Please note: this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amanda: Two births, Hospital Induction, Forceps Birth, Home Water Birth, Physiological Birth & Becoming a Doula

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 03:00:00 GMT

In today’s episode, I speak with Amanda about her journey from a traumatic birth experience to a positive home birth, and how it led her to become a birth doula.

Amanda shares how her first pregnancy involved concerns about a small baby, which led to pressure to accept an NHS hospital induction. This resulted in a cascade of interventions, including a forceps birth and episiotomy, leaving her feeling shocked, disconnected and physically traumatised.

She opens up about her difficult postpartum recovery, including post-birth infection, tailbone pain after birth, breastfeeding difficulties, reflux in newborns, and the impact on her postnatal mental health. Amanda reflects on feeling unsupported during labour and the challenges of advocating for yourself in birth.

When Amanda became pregnant again, she chose a completely different path. With the support of a birth doula, she was able to process her birth trauma, rebuild confidence and make informed decisions throughout pregnancy.

Amanda planned a home birth within the NHS, choosing to avoid unnecessary interventions and trust her body. She describes her physiological home water birth as calm, empowering and deeply healing. This episode covers induction of labour, forceps delivery, episiotomy recovery, birth trauma, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding challenges, home birth, hypnobirthing, doula support, birth advocacy and maternal mental health, offering an honest and informative insight into how birth experiences can shape early motherhood.

This episode is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeanette: Two Births, Breech Baby, Attempted Vaginal Breech and Unplanned C-Section, VBAC and Emergency C-Section Under General Anaesthetic, Miscarriage, Tongue Tie, Breastfeeding Challenges,

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 03:00:00 GMT

This week I'm joined by Jeanette, who shares two very different births that both ended in unplanned C-sections.

Her first baby turned breech right at the end of pregnancy. After three failed ECV attempts and a lot of research, she planned a C-section but went into labour first. When her baby showed signs of distress, the decision was made and she had an unplanned C-section.

For her second birth, Jeanette had a miscarriage between pregnancies before conceiving her rainbow baby. She was planning a VBAC when her waters broke at 40 weeks. Back at hospital her contractions became constant with no break between them and her baby's heart rate dropped. It was a category one emergency. Jeanette was taken for surgery under general anaesthetic alone, without her husband. Her baby was born not breathing and needed resuscitation.

Jeanette wanted to share her story so other mothers know that even when birth doesn't go to plan and the situation becomes frightening, you can still come out the other side feeling grateful and at peace with how it happened.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ellie: Infertility, Positive NHS Hospital Induction, 3B Tear, Retained Placenta & Fibroids

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Ellie shares the story of conceiving her son after two and a half years of trying, following years on the contraceptive pill and eventually discovering during pregnancy that she had a large uterine fibroid. With concerns about her baby’s growth and blood flow between the placenta and uterus, she was placed under consultant-led care and scheduled for an induction on her due date.

Ellie describes arriving at hospital for the induction, receiving a pessary, and unexpectedly progressing into labour quickly overnight. What followed was a fast and intense labour, where she laboured using gas and air, pethidine, and the bath before rapidly reaching full dilation just as she was being moved to the delivery ward for the epidural she had planned. Her son was born vaginally after a short pushing stage, but the birth was complicated by him being born with his arm up, resulting in a severe 3B tear.

She also speaks honestly about the immediate postpartum complications that followed, including a retained placenta requiring surgery, missing the “golden hour” with her baby, significant blood loss, and the emotional impact of recovering from a serious birth injury. Ellie reflects on the challenges of early feeding, the slow physical recovery from a third-degree tear, pelvic floor rehabilitation, and learning to reconnect with her body after birth trauma. This episode offers a detailed, honest, and reassuring insight into induction birth, retained placenta, severe tearing, and the realities of postpartum recovery after a traumatic birth.

This podcast shares personal birth experiences and is not intended as medical advice.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma: Second Birth, NHS Home Birth After Caesarean (HBAC), VBAC, Water Birth, Physiological Birth

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 03:00:00 GMT

In this episode I’m joined by Emma, who shares the story of her second birth, an NHS home birth after caesarean (HBAC) and VBAC birth story. Emma reflects on choosing an elective C-section for her first baby during Covid, navigating postpartum recovery, and her difficult early breastfeeding journey.

For her second pregnancy, Emma prepared for a VBAC home birth with the support of a doula and hypnobirthing, while advocating for her birth choices despite pushback from healthcare professionals. She takes us through spontaneous labour at 37 weeks, labouring through the night in water, and welcoming her baby in a powerful physiological birth at home.

We also talk about planning a home birth after caesarean, birth rights, doula support, physiological birth, and Emma’s successful breastfeeding journey second time around.

This episode is shared for storytelling and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek personalised guidance from your healthcare provider.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harriet: Infertility Struggles, IVF, Post-Dates, NHS Home Water Birth & Physiological Third Stage, Breathwork and Meditation

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 03:00:00 GMT

In today’s episode, I speak with Harriet, a midwife, yoga teacher, and first-time mum, about her experience of conceiving through IVF and going on to have a planned NHS home water birth with her daughter, Juno.

Harriet shares her journey to conception after two and a half years of trying, eventually discovering that both she and her husband were facing fertility challenges. They went on to have IVF with ICSI and were left with just one embryo, which became their daughter. Harriet reflects on navigating pregnancy as a midwife herself, including experiencing severe sickness throughout much of her pregnancy.

She talks through planning a home birth within the NHS, reaching 40+12 weeks pregnant, and navigating the pressure around induction as she waited for labour to begin. Harriet shares how labour started quietly at home and progressed throughout the day, using movement, breathwork and instinctive positions to support her body through back-to-back surges.

Harriet’s daughter Juno was born in the birth pool at home just after midnight, caught by her husband and brought straight to her chest. She also shares her experience of a physiological third stage, the early postpartum hormone shifts, and their breastfeeding journey, including navigating tongue tie in the early weeks.

This episode offers an honest account of IVF, post-dates pregnancy and planning a home birth within the NHS, alongside reflections on trusting the body, birth preparation and the realities of the early postpartum period.

This episode is shared for storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Georgia: VBAC, Short Cervix, Episiotomy, Forceps Delivery, NICU stay, PostPartum Haemorrhage

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 03:00:00 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview myself and share the birth story of my second son Kit. After having a previous C-section with my eldest son, Finn, I knew that I desperately wanted a VBAC birth with Kit. I did everything I could to prepare for Kit's birth, such as listening to lots of birth stories, downloading a hypnobirthing course, which was Pop That Mama's Birth Box, and making sure that I just did as much research as I could into how I could make this possible. I spoke with a consultant midwife and was able to start my labour on the midwife-led unit, but then eventually had to transfer to the main labour ward as my labour just progressed really slowly. Towards the end of labour, I had to have an episiotomy and forceps delivery, and Kit struggled to breathe once he was born, so he was sent away to NICU, and I had a postpartum haemorrhage and blood transfusion, which was really difficult at the time, but I am so grateful for everything that I'd done ahead of the birth, which meant that I was able to really cope and manage what was going on during my labour and birth.

I share what it's like experiencing not having the birth you'd hoped for and being separated from your baby after birth. I also talk really openly about what it was like not experiencing love and struggling to bond with your baby and what it's like having a baby in NICU even for a short stay. I hope this helps other women out there. And ultimately, it was this birth that made me really want to start this podcast to help other women learn how to advocate for themselves because even though the birth that I experienced was quite traumatic to me, it wasn't actually that bad. And I guess that's because I felt so prepared. And as you'll hear if you listen to this birth story, I really advocated for myself the entire way through and I knew exactly what I was signing up for throughout that entire labor in terms of my interventions. So I hope that this is helpful and I can't wait to hear what you think.

Please note that this episode shares my personal experience and is not intended as medical advice. Every pregnancy and birth journey is unique, so if you have any concerns about your own health or pregnancy, please speak with a qualified medical professional.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She Stopped Feeling Her Baby Kick at 24 Weeks - This Is Why Movements Matter | Anonymous Stillbirth Story

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

CONTENT WARNING: this episode discusses still birth. Please take care while listening.

This anonymous birth story has been shared by a mother who gave birth to her baby boy sleeping at 24 weeks pregnant, after noticing reduced movements and that her baby had stopped kicking, despite having no other symptoms. She wants to raise awareness of stillbirth and highlight why it is so important to be aware of your baby’s movements and notice any changes in your baby’s kicks during pregnancy. By sharing her experience of reduced fetal movements and stillbirth, she hopes other parents will feel empowered to trust their instincts and advocate for themselves. If you notice any changes in your baby’s movements, please seek medical assistance and get immediate help if something doesn’t feel right. She also shares this for anyone who has experienced pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or miscarriage so you know you are not alone and your story matters.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Georgia: Gender Disappointment, Short Cervix, Cerclage, Breech, Planned C-section

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview myself and share the birth story of my first son, Finn. When I was a young woman living in Australia, I was diagnosed with pre-cancerous cells on my cervix and had to undergo two LLETZ procedures. Later, when I became pregnant with Finn, I learned that these procedures had affected my cervix, leaving me with a short cervix and placing me at higher risk of preterm birth. Because of this, I was monitored under consultant-led care through the preterm birth clinic.

At 18 weeks pregnant, my cervix began to open and funnel, and I had to have a cervical cerclage fitted which is a stitch placed in the cervix to help keep the baby safely inside. I share honestly about what it was like navigating that experience, the uncertainty and worry of hoping I would make it to full term, and how that period of pregnancy felt emotionally.

Thankfully, I did go on to reach full term. However, Finn was in the breech position and never turned. I tried everything I could, including techniques like Spinning Babies and two ECV attempts to try to turn him, but ultimately he stayed breech.

In this episode, I also open up about something that can be difficult to talk about: gender disappointment. I share the shame I felt around those emotions and why I believe it’s important to talk about them more openly, in the hope that other women who may be experiencing similar feelings feel less alone.

In the end, I chose to have a planned C-section with Finn, which was the right decision for me. I share what it was like going into that experience and having a caesarean birth.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lauren: First Birth, Planned NHS Home Birth, Physiological Water Birth, Fetal Ejection Reflex, Meditation & Breathwork

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In today’s episode, I speak with Lauren, an NHS worker and meditation and breathwork teacher, about her experience of having a planned NHS home water birth with her first baby.

Lauren shares her journey to conception, including the emotional pressure of trying for nearly a year, working in the NHS during COVID, and how stress shaped her experience of fertility. She reflects on how taking the pressure off trying to conceive ultimately led to pregnancy and changed how she viewed the connection between the mind and body.

She talks through how her understanding of breathwork and hypnobirthing influenced her birth choices, leading her to plan a home birth despite it being her first baby. Lauren describes labour beginning quietly at home, moving into the birth pool, and the powerful moment her body began pushing instinctively, experiencing the fetal ejection reflex.

Lauren also shares honestly about the realities of the postnatal period, including breastfeeding challenges, reflux, hormone crashes, and the emotional intensity of early motherhood, both for her and her partner.

This episode offers a calm, honest account of a first-time NHS home birth, alongside reflections on preparation, breathwork, and navigating the postpartum period.

This episode is shared for storytelling purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura: Second Birth, Planned NHS Home Birth, Hyperthyroidism, Unstable Lie, Breech Baby & Hospital Transfer for Postpartum Haemorrhage

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Laura returns to share the story of her second birth, a planned NHS home birth following her previous induction and assisted delivery. Once again managing hyperthyrodism during pregnancy, Laura was determined to approach this birth differently, prioritising autonomy, research, and continuity of care.

Her pregnancy took several unexpected turns, including an unstable lie in the final weeks, with her baby moving between breech and transverse positions. Laura discusses booking an ECV, exploring vaginal breech options, and working closely with her doula and the hospital birth choices team to create multiple contingency plans.

At 41 weeks, her baby finally settled head down, and labour began spontaneously at home. Laura describes a calm and uninterrupted labour, the use of water for pain relief, and the transformative experience of birthing her daughter in her own home.

However, the story didn’t end there. Following the birth, Laura experienced a significant postpartum haemorrhage and required transfer to hospital for further management and surgical repair under general anaesthetic. She reflects on the contrast between the calm of home and the urgency of transfer, and how she felt emotionally in the aftermath. We also touch on postnatal recovery, combi-feeding, and the healing power of a birth where she felt informed, respected, and supported even when events didn’t unfold exactly as planned.

This episode explores home birth, unstable lie, breech positioning, hospital transfer, postpartum haemorrhage, and the importance of advocacy in complex pregnancies.

This episode reflects personal experience and is not medical advice.

https://www.communitybirthclub.com/home

https://thedoula.club/

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura: First Birth, Hospital Induction, Hyperthyroidism, High Fluid Concerns and Low PAPP-A

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In today's episode, I speak with Laura on the podcast as she shares the story of her first birth. During pregnancy, Laura was managing hyperthyroidism and was later diagnosed with low PAPP-A, which led to increased monitoring and concerns around her baby’s growth and fluid levels. As her pregnancy progressed, she was advised to have an NHS hospital induction, marking a significant shift from the birth she had initially hoped for.

Laura talks openly about navigating the “high-risk” label, multiple appointments, and the emotional weight of being told induction was strongly recommended. She shares her experience of a prolonged hospital induction, the use of the hormone drip, an epidural that left her struggling to feel how to push, and ultimately an assisted forceps birth.

We also discuss the impact of COVID restrictions during her postnatal stay, the challenges of breastfeeding following a previous breast reduction, and the emotional aftermath of a birth that left her feeling more relief than euphoria. Laura reflects on consent, communication, and the importance of feeling heard and supported during labour.

This episode explores medical complexity, induction, assisted delivery, and the early postnatal period as well as the long-lasting emotional impact of a first birth that didn’t go to plan.

This episode reflects personal experience and is not medical advice.

https://www.communitybirthclub.com/home

https://thedoula.club/

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liz: Second Birth, A Positive NHS Birth Centre Birth

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In today's episode I welcomed Liz back to the show to share her second birth story with us. Liz’s second birth was everything her first wasn’t — calm, instinct-led, and deeply healing. After a more medicalised first experience, Liz went into her second pregnancy determined to feel informed, grounded and in control of her choices. She prepared differently this time — focusing on building trust in her body and understanding her options.

Labour began gently at home. Early contractions were manageable, and she was able to stay in her own space, moving intuitively and conserving her energy. When things began to intensify, there was a quiet confidence about her — she knew the sensations, she recognised the rhythm, and she trusted what her body was doing.

Things progressed steadily, and when active labour took hold, it was powerful but focused. There was no panic — just surrender. Liz describes reaching that familiar turning point where everything feels big and overwhelming… only to realise that it meant she was close.

Her baby was born in a moment that felt both surreal and deeply grounding. No drama. No chaos. Just strength, relief and an overwhelming wave of emotion.

For Liz, this birth wasn’t just about how her baby arrived — it was about reclaiming her voice. It was about making informed decisions, advocating for herself, and stepping into labour feeling supported rather than steered.

This episode is a reminder that every birth is different — and sometimes a second birth can bring the healing you didn’t even realise you needed.

Please remember, this podcast shares personal experiences and is not medical advice. Always speak to your healthcare provider about your own care and circumstances.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liz: First Birth, A Positive NHS Hospital Birth, Unexplained Infertility, Breastfeeding Challenges

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Liz, a mum of two, antenatal teacher, and breastfeeding peer supporter, who shares her experience of a hospital labour ward birth following a long journey through unexplained infertility.

In this episode, Liz shares the story of the birth of her first baby after a long and emotionally challenging journey with unexplained infertility. She talks about conceiving naturally just before starting IVF, early pregnancy bleeding caused by a subchorionic haematoma, and navigating anxiety after years of trying to conceive.

Liz planned a birth centre birth, but after bleeding began in labour she transferred to labour ward. She describes a fast, intense labour supported by an excellent midwife, using gas and air, continuous monitoring, and giving birth to a large baby boy with a second-degree tear. Liz reflects positively on the birth itself, despite some aspects not going to plan.

The episode also explores a difficult postpartum period, as Liz’s son struggled to gain weight and was eventually diagnosed with cow’s milk protein allergy after weeks of feeding concerns and feeling dismissed. Liz shares what she wishes she’d known, how she learned to advocate for herself, and how these experiences later led her to become an antenatal teacher and breastfeeding peer supporter.

These stories are personal experiences and are shared for informational purposes only. They should not be taken as medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gabby: First Birth, IVF Infertility Journey & Positive Hospital Induction

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

In this episode I’m joined by Gabby, who shares her IVF journey and positive induction birth. Gabby opens up about years of having no natural cycle, navigating dismissed concerns, choosing to go private, trying IUI before moving to IVF, and conceiving on her first IVF transfer. She then takes us through advocating for herself around induction timing, having her waters broken, intense early contractions, opting for an early epidural, a long dilation phase, and a very quick 15-minute pushing stage. We also talk about late-pregnancy breech worries, birth preferences, golden hour, post-birth antibiotics, the realities of breastfeeding and jaundice, switching to combination feeding and formula, and the emotional hormone drop in the early postpartum days.

This episode is shared for storytelling and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek personalised guidance from your healthcare provider.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lauren: First Birth, Planned NHS Home Birth, Physiological Birth, Water Birth, Fetal Ejection Reflex

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In today’s episode, I spoke with Lauren about her experience of having a calm, physiological NHS home birth, a birth she once never imagined would be possible for her.

Lauren shares how she spent much of her life unsure about motherhood and deeply fearful of birth, and how that fear initially shaped her expectations around pregnancy and labour. She talks honestly about sitting on the fence for years, what finally led her to try to conceive, and how approaching conception with a relaxed mindset played a big role in her experience.

As her pregnancy progressed, Lauren explains how educating herself completely transformed how she felt about birth. What began as a desire for “all the interventions” slowly shifted into a wish for a low-intervention, evidence-based birth rooted in feeling safe, informed, and in control. She shares the resources, research, and mindset shifts that helped her move from anxiety to confidence.

Lauren takes us through planning an NHS home birth, what the process actually involved, and how supported she felt by her midwifery team throughout. She describes labour beginning quietly at home, progressing steadily, and moving into the birth pool, where her body took over completely. She shares her experience of the fetal ejection reflex, never consciously pushing, and how birth felt more powerful than painful.

She also speaks candidly about the moments after birth, including not feeling an immediate rush of love, normalising how varied early bonding can be, and how that connection grew in the days that followed. Lauren reflects on the emotional intensity of the postnatal period, the hormone shifts, and the overwhelming love that eventually came flooding in.

This episode is a grounded, reassuring look at NHS home birth in the UK, informed choice, and what can happen when women feel safe, supported, and trusted in their bodies.

This conversation reflects one mother’s personal experience and is not intended to replace medical guidance or professional advice.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Megan: Second Birth, NHS Home Water Birth & Physiological Birth

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

In today's episode I welcome Megan from Birth-ed back to the podcast to share the story of her second birth: a planned physiological home water birth after a pregnancy again affected by hyperemesis. Having previously experienced induction, Megan approached this birth differently — declining additional intervention and focusing on building deep self-trust throughout pregnancy. When her waters broke at home, labour unfolded quickly and calmly, and her baby was born just four hours later in a pool in her living room. Megan reflects on the contrast between her two births, navigating NHS care, and how confidence and preparation can shape the birth experience.

These stories are personal experiences and are shared for informational purposes only. They should not be taken as medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Megan: First Birth, NHS Hospital Induction, Reduced Movements & Fast Hospital Birth

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In this week's episode I spoke with Megan, founder of Birth-Ed who shared the story of her first birth: an NHS induction at 39 weeks following reduced movements.

After a pregnancy complicated by severe hyperemesis, Megan trusted her instincts when something felt “off” at the end of pregnancy. Although initial scans were normal, she chose induction, navigating hospital pressure, decision-making as a student midwife herself, and being told she wasn’t in established labour. What followed was a fast, intense hospital birth that challenged everything she thought she knew about labour. Megan speaks openly about induction, self-advocacy within the NHS, and the importance of being truly listened to during birth.

These stories are personal experiences and are shared for informational purposes only. They should not be taken as medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jenna: Two Births, Difficult Hospital Birth & Healing NHS Home Birth

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

In this episode I interviewed Jenna about her two very different NHS birth stories, her first, a long hospital labour ending in a forceps delivery, and her second, a fast and deeply healing home birth. Jenna talks openly about conceiving after an ectopic pregnancy, then labouring for over 42 hours with her first son after her waters broke early. She describes being repeatedly sent home, left without adequate support, denied pain relief, and physically restrained during pushing, an experience she later recognised as birth trauma. Although her baby was born safely, the emotional impact lingered well into the postnatal period.

For her second pregnancy, Jenna was clear from the outset: she wanted a planned NHS home birth. She shares how hypnobirthing, self-education, and feeling genuinely supported by her midwives allowed her body to labour instinctively and undisturbed.

We also explore postpartum mental health, breastfeeding, recovery, and how the right support, or lack of it, can shape the early days of motherhood.

This episode is a powerful reflection on birth trauma, informed choice, and how a positive birth can help heal what came before.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hannah: Two Planned Positive NHS Home Births, Water Birth, Physiological birth, Hypnobirthing, Fetal Ejection Reflex, Retained Placenta

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Two home births. Two boys born in the pool. Two labours where her body did almost everything on its own and no pain relief either time.

Hannah is a mum of two boys from Somerset who shares two calm, positive NHS home water births. Her first, during COVID, came after weeks of reading, hypnobirthing practice, and a pregnancy where her son measured small and consultants kept changing their minds. Labour started at 3am and built slowly through the day. The midwife was delayed. The pool was nearly too late. And then, in the water, just after midnight, her son wriggled out on his own in a Superman pose with his arms above his head. Hannah picked him up herself.

Her second labour was even more straightforward, apart from the week before it, when she reached 5cm and everything just stopped. He wasn't in the right position. The midwives went home. And Hannah spent the next ten days having contractions that never quite got going, holding out for the home birth she really wanted. When labour finally arrived properly, the active part was only six hours. He was born in the pool just after midday. No stitches. Stubborn placenta. Half an hour alone with her baby in the water.

In this episode we talk about:

What it is really like to have an NHS home birth under a dedicated home birth team and what changes when that team doesn't exist second time around
How hypnobirthing shaped Hannah's mindset across both labours
What the fetal ejection reflex actually feels like from the inside
Being sent home at 5cm and spending ten days in limbo waiting for labour to start again
Why Hannah chose the injection for her placenta both times and what she thinks about the all-or-nothing view of home birth
What a three year age gap between boys is actually like, for anyone wondering

This episode is for anyone who wants a home birth on the NHS and has been told it might not be possible. Hannah did it twice. And she would not change a thing.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Layla: Second Birth, Positive Twin Water Birth, Identical Twins, Physiological Birth, Birthing Out of Guidelines, Induction, Ventouse Twin Two

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

The consultant told her on her head be it. She was 30 weeks pregnant with identical twins and asking for a water birth so she changed care providers and started again.

Layla is a doula now based in Devon who shares one of the most extraordinary birth stories on this podcast. Already known to listeners from her first episode about her home birth with her son, this time she was navigating a high-risk twin pregnancy during COVID, fighting for access to the pool, and going up against consultants who told her a vaginal water birth was simply not something she could have. She sacked the first consultant. Met with the head of midwifery. Wrote it all into her birth plan. And then trusted her body to do the rest.

Her waters were broken at midnight. By 3am she was in the pool. By 5am she was 8cm. Her first twin was born in the water, caught by no one but Layla herself. Her second twin dropped into the pelvis so fast her heart rate disappeared. What followed was the calmest, most controlled emergency nobody even told Layla was happening.

In this episode we talk about:

What it is actually like to find out you are having identical twins alone at a 12-week scan during COVID
Why Layla sacked her first consultant and how she requested a new one
What twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome is and why it meant fortnightly scans throughout her pregnancy
How she secured access to the birthing pool for a twin birth by threatening a home birth
What happened when her second twin's heart rate disappeared after Twin One was born
Why birthing out of guidelines does not mean birthing without support
How Ellie the midwife and one very excited doctor made the whole thing possible

This episode is for anyone carrying twins who has been told that what they want is not possible. Layla is proof that with the right information, the right team, and the right room, it absolutely can be.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Erin: First Birth, Positive NHS Hospital Induction, Reduced Movements, Three Failed Pessaries, Diamorphine, Fast Vaginal Birth

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

She was admitted the day before her due date with reduced movements. And then her body kept expelling every single pessary they put in.

Erin is a mum of two from a small town who shares a calm, grounded and ultimately positive first birth story after an induction that did not go quite to plan. Three pessaries. None lasting longer than an hour. A body that had its own ideas. And then a drip, diamorphine, and a labour that moved fast once it finally got going. Erin went from irregular contractions to holding her son Frankie in her arms in a matter of hours, supported by a midwifery team she felt genuinely cared for by throughout.

What makes this episode so valuable is not just the birth. It is the honesty about what came after. Breastfeeding that started on the floor, moved to a side-lying position at home, then to pumping, then to formula. No guilt. No drama. Just a woman working out what her baby needed and doing that.

In this episode we talk about:

What reduced movements actually means and what happens when you report them
Why Erin's body kept rejecting the pessaries and what the midwives did next
What diamorphine feels like and how it affected her son's feeding in those first hours
How a healthcare assistant helped her more than the lactation consultant did
The honest reality of trying to breastfeed when the only position that works is lying down
What she would tell any woman who is nervous about induction

This episode is for anyone heading into an induction feeling scared of what it might look like. Erin's story is proof that it can be calm, it can be positive, and it can be completely yours.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cat: Two Births, NHS Birth Centre Water Birth & Unexpected Unassisted Birth Before Arrival Home Birth, Endometriosis

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Her first birth was a calm, quick water birth at the birth centre. Her second was a home birth except the pool wasn't filled, the midwife wasn't there, and her partner was on a 999 call cutting off her leggings when their son arrived on the living room floor.

Kat is a mum of two from Huddersfield who shares two very different but equally positive NHS birth stories. Diagnosed with deeply infiltrating endometriosis and told conception might be difficult, she fell pregnant four days after that call. Her first birth was a birth centre water birth — she arrived at 5cm, progressed to full dilation in under an hour, and birthed on gas and air with a student midwife who read the room perfectly. Second time around she went 17 days overdue, navigated pressure around induction with research and confidence, and planned a home birth in the pool. Her body had other ideas.

In this episode we chat about:

Receiving a deeply infiltrating endometriosis diagnosis and falling pregnant four days later
Planning a birth centre birth and progressing from 5cm to birth in under an hour
How the fetal ejection reflex took over in both labours and why trusting her body made all the difference
The emotional weight of becoming a mother without her own mum there, and seeking counselling after her first birth
Going 17 days overdue, pushing back on induction, and researching her options to feel confident in that decision
A midwife performing an unsolicited sweep during a home visit and how it affected Kat's confidence going into labour
Giving birth unattended on the living room floor with her partner on a 999 call
The emotional crash after her son's birth and the juggle of suddenly having two children

This episode is for anyone navigating a diagnosis that makes them question whether pregnancy is possible, or anyone who wants to understand what it looks like to trust your body completely — twice.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rosie: First Birth, Positive Hospital Birth, Planned Pregnancy After 10 Months of Trying, Consultant Led Care, Hypnobirthing, Unmedicated Labour, Postpartum Anxiety

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Everything was calm. Candles on, playlist playing, TENS machine working, and Rosie labouring at home exactly as she had hoped. And then the police arrived to take a statement about her stolen car.

Rosie is a first-time mum whose pregnancy took an unexpected turn when a routine fundal height measurement raised concerns about her baby’s growth. What followed was consultant-led care, growth scans, cord flow scans, and the anxiety of watching her baby’s percentile drop. She had done hypnobirthing, read the books, and prepared herself as much as she could — but nothing quite prepares you for labouring at home while the police are in your dining room.

In this episode we talk about:

• What it feels like to be moved from midwife-led to consultant-led care

• How hypnobirthing helped Rosie stay calm through pregnancy uncertainty

• What it was like to labour at home with the police in the next room

• How transition felt when Rosie didn’t realise that was what was happening

• Why having someone in the room to advocate for you can change everything

• What postpartum anxiety looked like day to day

• How CBT through the NHS helped Rosie understand that some of what she was experiencing went deeper than birth

This episode is for anyone who has spent pregnancy holding their breath, waiting for the next scan, the next result, or the next reassurance — and for anyone who needs the reminder that having someone who will keep calling until someone listens can make all the difference.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Layla: First Birth, Positive NHS Home Birth, Doula Support, Meconium in Waters, No Pain Relief, Postnatal Depression

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 19:37:56 GMT

Everything was going perfectly. Six hours of labour, no pain relief, at home exactly where she wanted to be. And then her waters broke and there was meconium in them.

Layla is a doula now based in Devon, but when she had her son 8 years ago she was simply a first time mum who knew she wanted to birth at home, surrounded by fairy lights, affirmations she had painted herself, and the song she would one day know her boy was born to. Six hours of labour, no pain relief, meconium in the waters, an ambulance on standby outside, and a baby who arrived in a squat with her husband holding her up.

And then, four days later, postnatal depression hit like a bolt out of the blue.

In this episode we talk about:

How Layla found her doula and why she knew from early on she wanted that support
What it felt like to be 4cm dilated without knowing she was in labour
How meconium in the waters changed the energy of her home birth and what the midwives did
Managing a first labour with no pain relief using only breath and movement
What postnatal depression actually felt like in those first few days and why she nearly didn't recognise it
What she now tells her own clients about trusting their bodies and finding their birth team

This episode is for anyone who wants to believe that a positive home birth is possible, and for anyone who has found that the birth going well did not protect them from what came after.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Faye: Second Birth, Positive Hospital Birth, Meconium in Waters, Spontaneous Labour, Gas and Air, Postpartum Haemorrhage

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 19:37:45 GMT

She had planned a home birth. She had done hypnobirthing. She had her playlists ready. And then the NHS called and said there were no midwives available.

Most women would have panicked. Faye walked into that hospital, held her ground against a doctor pushing for induction, and had the birth she always wanted anyway. Just not where she planned it.

Faye is a mum of two who had her first baby in Vancouver via induction and epidural, meaning she had never experienced the NHS maternity system, or what spontaneous labour actually felt like. Second time around she wanted something completely different. What she got was a labour that tested every bit of that preparation, a midwife swap mid-shift that changed the entire energy of the room, and a baby who arrived so fast that nobody saw the postpartum haemorrhage coming.

In this episode we talk about:

What it is actually like to navigate the NHS for the first time as a second time mum
How meconium in your waters affects your birth options and what the doctors will ask of you
Why the energy of the person in your birth room matters more than you think
What spontaneous labour feels like compared to an induced labour
How Faye went from 6cm to pushing in under half an hour
What a postpartum haemorrhage actually looks and feels like from the inside

This episode is for anyone who has had to let go of the birth they planned and trust that their body will find its own way. Faye did not get her home birth. But she got something she never expected either.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katie: Two Positive Births, Planned Home Birth and Before Arrival, Independent Midwife, PCOS, Covid, Second Unplanned Freebirth In Bath

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 19:36:41 GMT

She was a midwife. She knew the system inside out. And she still couldn't get the care she actually wanted.

Katie is an independent midwife now based in Cornwall who shares two home births that could not have been more different. Her first was a planned Halloween home birth during COVID, with a private midwife who looked her in the eyes at 37 weeks and told her she could do this. Her second moved so fast that her daughter arrived before the midwives did, born in the bath with meconium in the waters and only her husband and mum there to catch her.

In this episode we talk about:

What it actually feels like to navigate the NHS as a midwife and still feel let down
Why Katie chose an independent midwife during COVID and how that decision changed everything
What meconium in your waters actually means and when to worry
How hypnobirthing helped her stay present through both labours
What independent midwifery really costs and why so many women find a way to make it work
What to do if you want a home birth but keep getting pushed back

This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like the system wasn't built for them, or is pregnant and already sensing that the care they are getting doesn't feel quite right. Whether you are thinking about a home birth, considering going private, or just want to know what your options actually are, Katie has lived it from both sides of the table.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to British Birthing Stories

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 19:36:16 GMT

Welcome to British Birthing Stories.

This weekly podcast is a space where women across the UK share honest, real-life birth stories. In this introduction episode, I share more about myself, why I decided to create this podcast, and how my own birth experiences influenced British Birthing Stories.

I’m Georgia, your host, and each week I sit down with a different woman to hear her personal experience of pregnancy, labour, birth, and the postpartum period.

From home births to hospital deliveries, planned caesareans to unexpected turns, these conversations reflect the full spectrum of what giving birth can look and feel like. There is no single “right” way to give birth, only real stories, shared openly.

The aim of British Birthing Stories is to help women feel more informed, empowered, and confident in their birth choices, with the hope of supporting more positive birth experiences.

These stories are personal experiences and are shared for informational purposes only. They should not be taken as medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.