We were featured in SheerLuxe recently talking all things doula, go and read it. But here's our version. When most people hear the word "doula" for the first time, they nod politely and Google it later. Or they picture someone burning sage. Either way, they don't really know ....but its just because nobody talks about this enough. So let's fix that. The word comes from the Greek for woman caregiver. In practice, a doula is a trained birth companion, non-medical, non-clinical, completely on your side. She's there through pregnancy, at the birth, and in those first raw weeks afterwards. Not to deliver your baby or to replace your midwife or your partner, just to make sure you're never navigating any of it alone. The way Milli Hill, author of The Positive Birth Book, describes it: "a doula mothers the mother". The most common question we get is whether a doula does the same job as a midwife. Honestly, midwives used to, but the NHS is stretched to breaking point and most midwives don't have the time to stop for a wee, never mind sit with you, talk through your fears, or be there for the whole labour. They're managing the clinical side, which is exactly what they should be doing. A doula fills what's been left behind....That continuous support, advocacy ...she's the person who stays. A lot of partners worry a doula will make them a bit redundant. It's the opposite. Your doula brings experience your partner doesn't have yet. Your partner brings everything else. In a labour room, that combination works. Your doula might go and grab food while your partner stays with you. She might quietly explain what's happening so your partner isn't scared. She handles the practical so your partner can just be there, present. What does a doula actually do? Before birth, she gets to know you properly, your hopes for the birth, your fears, what you want to happen and what you definitely don't. She helps you build a birth plan that's actually yours, not just a form you filled in. (The best doulas use The Naked Doula visual birth plan ;P). Some doulas are hypnobirthing specialists. Some will come to appointments with you. All of them will give you proper, evidence-based information so you're making decisions from a place of knowledge rather than anxiety. During labour she's with you, helping with breathing, positioning, comfort. Advocating for your birth plan when you're mid-contraction and can't speak for yourself. Afterwards, she comes to you. Helps with feeding, with the early days of keeping a tiny human alive, with the mental load of it all. No topic is off limits. The research is pretty clear on this. Doulas are associated with shorter labours, less pain, lower caesarean rates, better breastfeeding outcomes, and lower rates of postnatal depression. That's not a sales pitch, those are consistent findings across multiple studies. Cost varies a lot, anywhere from a £500 to around £2,500 for a full package, depending on experience and location. Most doulas offer payment plans. If you think it's out of reach, ask anyway. The best time to start looking is around 16-20 weeks, but later is fine too. What matters more than timing is finding the right person. Doula isn't a protected title, so anyone can use it, always ask about training and experience. Look at Doula UK, NurturingBirthDirectory.com, TheDoulaDirectory.com. And trust your gut. If you don't feel immediately comfortable with someone, she's not your doula! Is a doula right for you? If you want support, real, continuous, no-agenda support, then probably yes. First baby, fourth baby, previous trauma, no partner, just someone who wants to feel prepared. A doula works across all of it. They are worth their weight in gold! Birth is a big deal. You're allowed to have someone properly in your corner for it. Go and read the full SheerLuxe piece here, there's a lot more in there worth knowing. 👉 Read the SheerLuxe article

Everyone reacts differently to a positive test. Some people have been trying for years. Some weren't planning this at all. Some are holding a whole history of loss or trauma alongside those two lines. However it lands for you, that's okay. Nothing needs to happen immediately. Take a breath. Take a moment. Home tests are sensitive enough now to pick up a pregnancy around a week before a missed period. Which means you might know before your body's even clocked it. You don't need to see your GP first anymore, most areas let you self-refer directly to maternity services online. It's worth doing as soon as you know, because some early screening tests have a timing window and you don't want to miss them. Check your local NHS trust for how it works in your area. Going private? The process will vary. Choosing a path without midwifery care? That's your call, but do make contact to let them know. It keeps things straightforward and means you've got a point of contact if anything comes up. Smoking and drinking, it's time to cut that out. Caffeine, dial it back. And get your supplements sorted. The NHS recommends folic acid .... but there's more to know before you choose. Our folic vs folate piece is worth a read before you decide. Vitamin D is a non-negotiable either way. Beyond that it gets noisy fast, our nutrition in pregnancy piece cuts through some of it. Don't panic buy. Your baby has everything they need right now. That's you. Take care of yourself first. Thinking about who to tell? That's yours to decide too. If you do share the news, tell people a due month rather than a date. It'll save you a lot of "have you had the baby yet?" messages. And antenatal education... start now. We know, it feels ridiculous when you've only just peed on a stick. But what you understand early is what you'll actually be able to use when things get intense. Our Flashcards for Birth are built for exactly that... visual, clear, designed to make sense in the moments that matter. If anything feels off in early pregnancy, call your midwife or GP. You don't need a reason big enough. That's what they're there for. You don't have to read everything. Just what feels relevant to you right now. Just found out Is this normal... or should I be worried? (early pregnancy symptoms) What actually happens at your first midwife appointment? Do I actually need folic acid, or is there more to it? What do I really need to avoid in pregnancy? Why do I feel so anxious when I thought I'd feel happy? Do I have to do all the screening tests I'm offered? Learn it. Hold it. Use it when it counts

The early weeks can feel enormous. Especially when you’re sitting with a positive test and the next midwife appointment feels like a lifetime away. Ten weeks is a long time to hold something this big on your own. And it is big …. even if right now, your baby is about 2mm. Most people find out around the time of a missed period, roughly two weeks after ovulation, four weeks from the first day of their last period. That last bit matters: the whole dating system runs from your last period, not from conception. It feels backwards, but it’s just the most reliable date everyone has, your last period is typically known, conception usually isn’t. Worth knowing because those week-indicator tests often count from conception, check the instructions and add a couple of weeks if you need to. And if your cycle doesn’t follow the tidy 28-day model (many don’t), just mention it when you book in. You might be further along than you think. Symptoms are a funny one. They vary wildly with nausea, exhaustion, sore boobs, cramping, a little spotting. Some people get the ones nobody thinks to mention, like skin darkening or patches on the face. Some people feel absolutely nothing. All of it is normal. But if you’re struggling, you don’t have to wait until ten weeks to reach out. Your GP or midwife is there before that too. There’s this unspoken rule about not telling anyone until twelve weeks. But if you want to share with people you trust, do it. Talking through the worry and the symptoms with someone who loves you isn’t jinxing anything. And if things do get hard, having people who already know can make a real difference. Antenatal education probably feels premature right now, we get that. But this is actually the best time to start. You’ve got time ahead of you and a brain that’s ready to take things in before the intensity hits. And you don’t need to spend anything to get started, our Instagram has a lot of free resources and is a good place to start working out what resonates with you. When you’re ready to go deeper, our Flashcards for Birth are designed to be picked up now and used all the way through. Visual, clear, built for the moments when you need to actually remember something. It’s okay not to feel like yourself. The hormones are doing something extraordinary right now, and that shows up differently in everyone - physically, emotionally, all of it. The anxiety is part of it too. Not being able to check in and know that everything is progressing as it should is hard, especially when we’re so used to having answers on demand. We’ll be going deeper on early pregnancy anxiety here, it deserves its own space. If you have pain or bleeding, contact your early pregnancy unit or GP. You don’t need to justify it. That’s exactly what they’re there for. You don't have to read everything. Just what feels relevant to you right now. Just found out, what now? Is this normal... or should I be worried? (early pregnancy symptoms) What actually happens at your first midwife appointment? Do I actually need folic acid, or is there more to it? What do I really need to avoid in pregnancy? Why do I feel so anxious when I thought I'd feel happy? Do I have to do all the screening tests I'm offered?

Induction: what actually happens If you’re facing an induction, or trying to decide whether it’s right for you, this is here to help you understand the process. Not to scare you. Just so you know what’s is happening. Because the consent process around induction is often not what it should be. A leaflet, a ten-minute chat, a casual mention of booking you in “just in case”, sometimes weeks before your due date. That gets in your head. You deserve more than that. And if you’re arriving here having hoped for something different like a labour that started on its own, a birth that went another way then you’re allowed to feel that. You can be making a clear, considered decision about induction and still be grieving the version that didn’t happen. Both things are true at once. The BMJ (British Medical Journal) now reports that half of all pregnancies in the UK involve some form of medical intervention, a caesarean or an induction. You are not alone in this. The short version Induction isn’t one thing, it’s a sequence of stages, each one building on the last. It starts with getting your cervix ready, moves through breaking your waters, and if needed, ends with a hormone drip to bring on contractions. At every stage, your consent matters and your choices are still yours. Stage 1 - Ripening your cervix The first thing most people aren’t told: the early stages of induction aren’t about starting labour. They’re about getting your cervix ready for it. Before anything is given, you’ll have a vaginal examination to see where your cervix is at. The language used here, “favourable,” “scoring”, is outdated and can make you feel like your body is getting it wrong. It isn’t. Your body doesn’t know an induction is planned. If your cervix is completely closed, that’s exactly where it thinks it should be. You’ll usually be given one of two things: A propess - similar to a tampon, inserted vaginally just behind the cervix A prostin - a tablet, inserted in the same place Both work to soften and open the cervix over time. Some people go into labour from this stage alone but that’s not typical. More often there’s waiting, more examinations, more time. If a standard induction isn’t suitable for you, usually because of a previous caesarean or uterine surgery, a mechanical induction may be offered instead. This uses a foley catheter: a small balloon inserted into the cervix that gently encourages it to open physically. Stage 2 - Breaking your waters Once your cervix has opened enough, the next step is breaking your waters. What catches a lot of people off guard: if the labour ward is busy, this gets paused until there’s capacity. It’s a safety call. Completely understandable, and also really hard when you’ve come this far. After your waters go, you’ll usually get a few hours to see if labour picks up on its own. This is worth saying clearly: being mid-induction doesn’t mean your choices are gone. Interventions already started do not remove your right to pause, ask questions, or change your mind. It is still your body. It is still your birth. Use BRAIN - a simple framework for navigating decisions at any point in your care. Stage 3 - The oxytocin drip If things don’t move after your waters break, you’ll be offered an oxytocin drip, a synthetic hormone that brings on contractions. A few things to know going in: You’ll be monitored continuously with a CTG (cardiotocograph) , a machine that tracks your baby’s heartbeat and your contractions. It limits mobility, so ask early about your options for moving around Contractions from the drip tend to feel more intense than in a spontaneous labour so ask about pain relief before you need it If an epidural is offered or you’re considering one, it can increase the chance of an instrumental birth - that’s forceps or ventouse. Worth knowing, not a reason to rule it out. The thing to hold onto Every stage of induction carries its own risks and its own potential for further intervention. That’s not a reason to say no, it’s a reason to stay informed and keep asking. You don’t have to move at the speed of the ward. And everything you’ve prepared still matters. Your environment, your birth partner, your oxytocin, none of it stops being relevant because you’re being induced. The things that help you feel safe, calm, present, bring them. Your birth is still yours. Source: BMJ, 2024. Half of pregnancies in the UK now involve medical intervention.

This is where preparation starts to matter. The decisions you make at this stage, where to give birth, who’s with you, what you’re saying yes and no to, shape what your birth actually looks like. You don’t have to get it perfect. You just have to know what’s yours to decide. Most of it is. Pick what feels relevant to you right now. where should I give birth, and how do I know what’s right for me? There isn’t a single best answer. There’s the one that fits you, your body, and what you actually want from this. Here’s how to start working that out. [Read more →] what happens if I disagree with what I’m being told in labour? You’re allowed to pause. You’re allowed to ask. You’re allowed to say no. Here’s how that actually works in practice, and what to do if it doesn’t go smoothly. [Read more →] how can my partner actually support me during labour? Less about technique, more about presence. Here’s what useful support looks like, and how to set them up to be the person you need them to be. [Read more →] You don't have to read everything. Just what feels relevant to you right now. Learn it. Hold it. Use it when it counts

I just found out, what actually happens now? The overwhelm is real. Here's a calm, clear breakdown of the very first steps, and what can wait. [Read more →] is this normal? or should I be worried? Early pregnancy symptoms vary more than anyone tells you. Some people feel everything. Some feel nothing. Here's what's actually going on. [Read more →] why do I feel so anxious when I thought I'd feel happy? First trimester anxiety is more common than it looks from the outside. Here's why it happens and what to do with it. [Read more →] what actually happens at your first midwife appointment? It's less clinical than you'd expect. Here's what to expect, what to ask, and what it's really for. [Read more →] do I actually need folic acid, or is there more to it? The NHS has a recommendation. There's also more to know. Here's how to make the call for yourself. [Read more →] do I have to do all the screening tests I'm offered? No. Here's what each one is actually for, so you can decide what's right for you. [Read more →] what do I really need to avoid in pregnancy? A lot of the guidance out there is overcautious at best. Here's what actually matters, and what you can stop worrying about. [Read more →] You don't have to read everything. Just what feels relevant to you right now. Learn it. Hold it. Use it when it counts

Most people assume they’ll have their baby in hospital. And if TV is your reference point, that means bright lights, doctors rushing in, machines beeping from every corner. The reality is usually much calmer than that. Even on labour wards, the ones labelled high risk, you’re typically getting one-to-one care with your midwife. Doctors are there, but they tend to pop in for reviews rather than hovering, and they’re called when a midwife needs a second opinion or extra support. It’s not the chaos the screen version suggests. And hospital is just one option. Where you can actually give birth Most people aren’t told clearly enough that they have real choices here. Beyond the labour ward, there are midwife-led units attached to hospitals, freestanding midwife-led units (sometimes called birthing centres), and home birth. There’s a lot of noise about what you’re “allowed” to do, which units you qualify for, whether a home birth is on the table for you. The truth is you have birthing rights as much as you have human rights. Emma Ashworth writes brilliantly about this if you want to go deeper. What your doctors and midwives will do is recommend what they believe is safest based on their guidelines and the research available. That’s their job. But it doesn’t mean you have to follow that recommendation without question, it means you take the information, weigh it up, and make the decision that’s right for you and your family. What the research actually says A lot of what you’ll be told about where to give birth leans on the Birthplace Study (Brocklehurst, 2011). It found that for people planning to give birth in a midwife-led unit or at home, there was no difference in baby outcomes compared to a labour ward, with one exception. For first-time mothers choosing a home birth, there was a small increase in risk: 9 in every 1,000 births compared to 5 in every 1,000 in hospital (NHS, 2024)*. That’s the number. You get to decide what it means for you. Midwife-led units These can be attached to a labour ward or completely freestanding. The general criteria is similar across most trusts, they’re usually offered to anyone who doesn’t need continuous CTG monitoring. There are no doctors on these units. It’s midwife-led, one-to-one care, and typically a calmer, more home-like environment. One thing worth knowing: pain relief options are more limited here. If stronger pain relief matters to you or feels like an important part of your plan, ask specifically what’s available before you commit, you don’t want to be transferred mid-labour because of something you could have planned for in advance. The part nobody talks about enough Here’s something that gets glossed over: most of labour happens at home, regardless of where you plan to give birth. Your contractions will almost certainly start there. You won’t be encouraged to come in until you’re in established labour, contractions that are frequent and lasting around a minute. That early stage is long, and it’s hard, and it doesn’t get nearly enough airtime. Your body is doing enormous work before anyone is pushing anything. So even if a home birth has never appealed to you, you’re going to be labouring in your own space for a significant stretch of time either way. Think about that environment. Think about what you’ll need. Start working through your birth preferences from that point, not from the moment you walk through the doors of wherever you’re giving birth. Which brings us to the planning side of things.... Your Birth Plan Having something simple to refer back to during early labour, something you’ve already thought through, makes a real difference when you’re in it and don’t want to be making decisions from scratch. We have a visual birth preferences template here at TND that’s designed to make that process feel less overwhelming. It’s a good place to start. *The study measured a range of outcomes together in one figure, everything from stillbirth at the most serious end, to a broken collarbone at the other. Those are very different things, and they're counted the same way. So when you hear that number, it's worth knowing it doesn't mean 9 in every 1,000 home births end in serious harm. It means 9 experienced something on that spectrum. That's the conversation worth having with your midwife, what does that number actually look like for someone like you?

A year ago I gave birth to my baby George. Little did I know 5 days prior when my waters ruptured that I’d be faced with many challenges including obstruction of labour leading to this POWERFUL moment of me pulling my boy out of my own belly in theatre. I was ready for anything Leading up to this, I had envisaged a beautiful vaginal birth, I had gotten excited about the thought of feeling those incredible sensations as the uterus contracts to dilate the cervix. I had dreamt about crowning as my baby emerged and me smiling, knowing I was going through this mad portal of life! I practised body balancing and saw an osteopath weekly from 24 weeks. I continued my work, I created my vision boards. I made my birth preferences using my visual birth plan and accounted for ALL OUTCOMES. Including induction, caesarean and emergencies! I was CLEAR and CONCISE from the very start with my care providers. I delved deeper into my birth rights and how to action them through Emma Ashworth. I hired a Doula. I had complete support from my husband and I had a completely healthy pregnancy with absolutely zero complications. I felt extremely lucky and empowered and used my knowledge and wisdom to continue to make informed decisions each step of the way! Going “overdue” 40 weeks came and went. My birth preferences stated I did not want an induction and that I fully understood the pros and cons of waiting. I’d used my knowledge & confidence to stand up for what I wanted to do knowing that the latest MBRRACE report supported reduced numbers in risk post 42 weeks. Even though I knew this when 41 weeks hit I panicked. I was so sure he was coming before this. I'd had some tingles and movement since 36 weeks. Strong braxton hicks, had come then gone with niggles of back ache! But no, here I was waiting and feeling ALL THE FEELS! I took a leaf out of my own book and started the Naked Doula birth moon! This is where you spend time decided to increasing Oxytocin levels. So anything that makes you feel good. Getting out in nature, laughing, watching your fav movie. Visiting places that spark the best memories. Cuddling, kissing and spending time with people you love. I soon felt relaxed and back on form… 42+1 My waters started trickling. Fuck! Was it finally happening? Woohoo it’s starting! I knew it! It wasn't just wee! Ha... something was happening and I was feeling SO ready. Although every time I went for a wee I was genuinely trying to work out whether or not it was an added bit of wee or the waters... I kept my cool and monitored myself knowing I was seeing someone the next day. I was finally heading into Labour and I couldn’t have been happier. 42+3 Contractions started at around 1pm They were coming every 10 mins and I was so fucking excited. I was due a well-being scan at 3.30pm that I’d agreed to with me being post 42 weeks. I was so welcoming to my contractions. I spoke kindly to them, I praised them. I LOVED THEM!! They gave me so much joy! Each time I knew my uterus was doing something incredible! I understood the assignment! When I got to the hospital for my scan, George was so happy in there and my placenta was working fine. There were no concerns and I was happy to wait it out. Whilst I was there it was confirmed my waters had broke. The midwife explained their policy which was that continuous monitoring was advised after 24 hours of water rupture. I knew the risks and opted to stay home as the risk of infection rises in hospital with examinations and interventions. I knew and understood the signs to look out for it something didn’t feel right. I was happy to be home with my family! Shit got real… literally My contractions continued. They started to get closer together and by 5pm they were around 7 mins apart. I did bedtime with Charlie and was trying hard to keep the flow ha! Stressful bedtime as possible and I thought "I'm going to have a baby by the morning". After he fell to sleep I went back downstairs to chill with my husband. They felt manageable and I was enjoying the waves! I enjoyed a hearty pizza and felt SO FRICKING HAPPY! I went to sleep around 10pm as I wanted as much rest as possible before things ramped up! By 2am they started waking me from my sleep. I was having to use my breath now for each one. The rise and drop was like a wave and I just knew this was it! I was contracting every 5 mins sometimes every 2. I found myself loosing more water and about an hour later I had a bloody show. I popped my splash blanket down on the bed just in case of any mess and kept Adam asleep! 5am came and I felt a bigger gush and FUCK, I saw meconium…. Heading into hospital All I thought was FFS! I was becoming more of a statistic! The meconium looked fresh and is quite normal for a baby around this gestation so I calmly called Labour suite and we made our way in just to check it wasn’t “old”! We called my Dad and got him to come over and watch Charlie. During my journey I tried to keep my oxytocin levels high with music and breathing. All the things were going on in my head and I desperately just wanted to birth my baby without there being any issues. I arrived at reception with some meconium stained puppy pads in arm. The reception was quite full of staff. No one seemed to be giving birth. It was so quiet! They all looked at me and I said this little one has been having fun and done a poo, fancy a look? They all laughed and there I was spreading out puppy pads along maternity reception! Ahhh they all said, it's fresh! No worries and no panics! Phew! Getting comfortable I was taken to a room on labour suite where I consented to monitoring to check me and baby! This involved a CTG to check baby's heart rate. All was fine! My contractions had become sparodic - which I expected as I'd just waked into a bright spot lit hospital! I knew it would mess with my oxytocin! I waited in this room for a few hours to keep an eye on me and babe and wait for a dedicated midwife. I closed my eyes, listened to music and just connected with George. I was then gifted the most wonderful midwife called Jen at 8am. Completely woman centred and completely ready to follow my lead! Soon after my consultant turned up. We all had a chat, as I was contemplating going back home. I agreed to stay in with intermittent monitoring PROVIDING I could have a nice dark room with a pool on sanctuary suite (midwife led birth centre) I told the team I'd play it by ear to whether I'll be staying for longer. Jen went off to set it up. Ten mins later she ushered me through some doors and to my room. It was gorgeous and spa like. So I made myself extremely comfy! I put on my music, smells and sentimental items, my Flashcards and got some sleep! I'd text my doula and photographer with the update! My photographer started making her way in and Rosie my doula agreed to come over in a few hours. I couldn’t get enough I now felt comfortable and chilled and everything was in place. I was feeling increase pressure on my cervix and in my pelvis teamed with sporadic lengthened contractions. When they came they were strong, they’d rise and then as the started to fall they’d rise again. Every time I felt pressure it took my breath away and I welcomed each contraction with smiles, a floppy face and low vibrational noise. I was LOVING every sensation! I couldn’t get enough! When I think back now these contractions felt so different they were full of pressure and felt pushy. (I'll come back to this later on) Its GAME ON Mid day I asked Jen to examine me. I was purely curious knowing it meant nothing. As Jen popped inside I used my FFFF to relax into it. Jen noticed something odd. My cervix was effaced (thinned) except for 2 spots either side of the opening she felt 2 hard lumps and not 1cm dilated. Jen saved face and told me maybe these will thin out too. I didn’t ask questions but started to wonder how in my experience I was having contractions which mirrored what I know as a more advanced labour. Or even maybe nearing the pushy part of labour! It really threw me and I genuinely thought ok, maybe what I thought I had experienced up until now wasn't quite the real deal! Little did I know that inside my uterus HAD been working SUPER hard as was actually completely pulled up and thinned out!... but let's go back to the now and what I did to follow my intuitions. I decided that night was going to be OXYTOCIN PARTY SOS! My Doula & Photographer turned up and we started getting ready for MUSIC, DANCING & GOOD VIBES! Oxytocin PARTY SOS - 42+4 That night, I said goodbye to Adam whilst he went to see to Charlie and I had THE BEST night I’ve had in SO LONG! We danced, we laughed so hard and I ate like a queen inbetween the pressure I was feeling and the long contractions. It was THE BEST! I couldn’t have been more invested at this point. I continued to receive intermittent monitoring on my terms and danced with my baby to music that made me feel like an absolute GODDESS! Time to RECHARGE By midnight I was ready to recharge and prepare for the night ahead. My photographer headed back to the hotel and my doula got comfy in the reclining chair. I was given the opportunity to swap out the bed in my room for a more comfortable one from upstairs! I laid there and felt the contractions rising and falling STRONG. During the night I had to get up due to the intensity. Moving with this wheeled stool and using noise - each time ending with BIG SMILES as I welcomed each one with open arms. Surrending to the process. But as the night progressed I started to feel an unease in my body. Something didn’t feel right. I took some time to connect with myself and my body. Operation Baby! Morning came, I was feeling tired as my body had been working throughout the night. My midwife for the day was known for her amazing ways and her knowledge in spinning babies and aromatherapy. So it was operation baby and she started by having me do some leaning inversions (with consent), then onto some side lying releases which MY GOD did they cause some HEAVY pressure and intense contractions! Not long after me and my doula went for some fresh air and a walk.. when I got back I felt the need to get into the pool. I just wanted darkness and to be left alone. I didn’t want to dance, or bounce on the ball. I wanted to chill. The unease was still with me. By this point I felt like those surrounding me didn’t quite understand the sensations I was feeling. I knew what I was feeling. They felt SO intense and I was having to focus whilst riding them. I asked for Jen and to perform another vaginal exam. She was amazing and came to see me. NOTHING HAD CHANGED. These hard lumps were still present and I just thought what the fuck. I knew these contractions were doing something but WHAT? Because they definitely were not dilating my cervix. I laid there for a moment and just cried. My consultant came and offered some gentle induction methods but I told her something isn’t right. It feels like a blockage - I said I don’t know whether it’s physical or mental but there is a blockage. I laid down on the bed for a moment and connected again with my higher self and my baby. I remeber seeing the twinkly lights on the ceiling and I asked myself "Should I try an induction" instantly I felt a BIG NO in my gut and I knew my choices were right. I looked at my consultant and said well I’ve broken as many guidelines as possible. So shall we break some more? She laughed and said we can all see how hard you’ve tried and I really don’t know why labour isn’t progressing. I said. no induction. It’s time now. It’s time to birth my baby. Go hard or go home I took some time to myself. To come to terms with the fact I wasn’t going to have a vaginal birth. I thought about the hundreds of women who message me. I thought about all the stories. I thought about the strength and community. I rang my mentor Lisa and asked. Why Lisa. Why is this happening to me. Her words stuck with me. Emma, you are forged in fire creating an easier path for others that come after you I felt powerful and strong. I let go of the expectations and I let that fire rise inside of me. After this the contractions and pressure STOPPED COMPLETELY like my body was saying THANK FUCK! I said, If we are doing this Im going to make it even EXTRA! I know I’ve already planned a gentle caesarean (I'd planned for all outcomes) and pre discussed BUT I want to deliver my OWN baby. I want to lift him to my chest! Go hard or go home! The consultant agreed and said ok, lets do this! (She’d never done a maternal assisted section before) This C Section was classed as a Cat 3. 42+5 (My Birthday) Some of the theatre team were PUSHING back. They firstly didn't agree to photos from my photographer and complained to the matron. They then said they don’t agree to 2 people. We managed to argue the photos as “every Partner” when in theatre takes pics. We tried to fight it so that both Adam and Hannah could be with me with no prevail. Adam, then said right, ok. The photographer is going in then… I told him that he really didn’t need to do that and his response was that he really wanted to capture memories. So it was agreed Hannah would capture the birth and then Adam would swap with her after George was born. As I walked into the theatre room it HIT ME! It was the same room Charlie was born. The same room that reminded me of my mum who passed away whilst Charlie was in my belly. The same room that I felt so connected with her. I became overwhelmed and started using breath work to create calm. It was SO hard to keep it together. I connected to my strength and told myself just how strong I was and that this strength didn't mean I had to hold it all in. I could surrender and I did. I allowed my emotions to flow and I allowed myself to feel. Keeping it together My childhood flashed before my eyes. They inserted the spinal block and I started to feel the tingle. It rose up my body like a flush of warm water. The room was calm, the outer lights were dimmed, music was playing and I laid there in anticipation. Emotions started to flood my mind, I felt like I couldn’t breathe for a moment. I took back my power as Hannah held me and I closed my eyes. Just then my whole childhood with my mum flashed before my eyes like a film reel. My mum has passed away during my first pregnancy with Charlie. The visions in that moment were so fast and intense. Like a spinning wheel. Picture after picture. Memory after memory. I then saw my Mum just before I heard them say he’s coming. Gloves at the ready they lowered the screen. I can’t see I can’t see I cried. I reached down and there he was My arms were guided towards him and as my hands surrounded his body I felt a sense of power. I can remember the feeling of my gloves on his warm skin. I remember feeling the slight heaviness of pulling him out. Wow. He still looked as though he didn't know he was born. Just calm. I then bought him to my chest and held him close. He was so alert then and let out a cry. I had a caesarean lotus birth which means my placenta was delivered with baby so that the cord could be left attached to him until it was completely white. I made the decisions that my baby was not touched or taken away from me. He was not wiped at all and I had organised vaginal seeding for him to protect his Microbiome. (This is when a gauze is inserted into your vagina before hand and then removed after and wiped over baby) this is what they'd receive should they have gone through the birth canal. Trusting Instincts Why had my GUT told me something wasn’t right. What was going on inside of my body? Upon opening me up there was a fair amount of free fluid in my abdomen, this particular instance it’s believed to have been the pressure. The lower part of the uterus had become extremely thinned - which means the contractions had been doing some hard graft, pulling up the muscles. My uterus was literally in the position to push my baby out! Whattt! I knew it! But usually during this process throughout labour those muscles pull up and dilate the cervix whilst helping baby down. In my case baby had not been moving down at all and dilation had been stuck. George was in a good position but for some reason was obstructed (He was only 8lbs 4) My consultant explained if I had agreed to induction or if I’d have carried on contracting in that way for any longer I would have most likely ruptured my previous c section scar. The odds of this happening is VERY LOW! Like statistically 0.4%, I was the statistic in this story in many ways, but my body knew. We've since found that I have. Hyper tonic pelvic floor. Severely tight muscles due to my hardcore dance career as a child and training with the royal ballet. The tightness of my pelvic floor and surrounding tightness and issues with facia meant that George couldn't move down and we think now maybe why the uterus just wasn't playing with the cervix. The lumps are still a little unknown but are being linked to scaring from the continued pressure and pulling up of those muscles as a child. Navigating my journey I didn’t get all these choices by chance. I trusted myself radically, Id worked on my mindset and I was so connected to my baby. I used my own work and principles to become so informed and have open and honest conversations from the beginning with my care providers. I ensured I had care providers who were supportive. And I removed any that we’re not. I covered all options and all bases and even though I didn’t get the birth I wanted I can safely say I made all my decisions with confidence and gut instinct. Techniques are just the surface, if you really want to IGNITE your power and feel like a bad bitch doing so you absolutely can! And it's starts with YOU. Grab my book The Fearless Birth Book and find your POWER for your birth now <3

try to not to worry about baby's position Babies can move right up to and sometimes during labour itself! We recommend you check out @spinningbabies and if you've got access to our amazing visual hypnobirth programme you can find some faboulous guest expert videos and information within here too! If you have any worries at all do reach out to your care provider for specific personalised medical advice.

It can be really difficult when trying to make the best decisions for you. Firstly babe you have ALL the choice! It is your Birth Right! You can decide what is best for YOU. If you have access to our amazing visual hypno-birth programme I would suggest heading over to the informed section and watching our guest expert session on Induction with Erin Fung from BetterBirthUK this is loaded with facts to help you to make an informed decision around Induction.. You can also download the 'Ask your provider' questions and take them to your appointment. Remember to use the BRAIN acronym also when making informed decisions (Benefits. Risks. Alternatives. Intuition. Nothing) We also recommend AIMS UK, Emma Ashworth, Dr Rachel Reed and Dr Sara Wickham. Whatever you choose to do it has to be the best decision for you

Water births are beautiful, allow for so much more movement, and the warmth of the water acts as such an effective natural pain relief. Read more in this amazing piece by OK! Where I speak about all things water births! Check it out here

Check out this article in The Mirror where Emma explains more about how floppy face floppy fanny works! Featuring Emma working with her client Lauren with the aim to aid her with her second home birth! We love this piece from the mirror especially the emphasis on FFFF! Our fav birth mantra obvs! Read it here