Afleveringen
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This week make some noise for the first wrestler to join us on the podcast: WWE icon Becky Lynch!
Known to millions as The Man, Becky tells Gi about the moment she found out she was pregnant — while reigning as WWE Champion.
She also opens up about becoming a mum to daughter Roux during the pandemic and the challenges that followed, including post-weaning depression, grief after losing her father, and learning to see her body in a whole new light.
Watch Becky on WWE Raw live every Monday night exclusively on Netflix!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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When birth takes an unexpected turn, staying calm can make all the difference.
This week two midwives share the emergencies they'll never forget.
If you’re interested in being part of the Life of a Midwife series, we’d love to hear from you — just drop us an email [email protected].uk
Links from our midwives:
Little Light Support offers independent, trauma-informed birth debriefs for women and families — particularly those who’ve had complex, confusing or difficult experiences
East Anglian Midwives offer personalised pregnancy care, homebirth and hospital birth support, and postnatal care in Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, and Cambridge
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Former MP Theo Clarke joins Giovanna this week to share the story of how the birth of her daughter led her to become a campaigner for better maternity care.
Theo talks about navigating pregnancy while working in politics, including the challenges of having no statutory maternity leave as an MP and the pressure of being on duty during a period of major political upheaval.
She also opens up about her traumatic birth experience and the lack of adequate postnatal support she received afterwards, experiences that led her to launch the first UK parliamentary debate on birth trauma. Since then, she has continued campaigning alongside Louise Thompson for the introduction of an independent maternity commissioner.
UPDATE: Since recording this episode, the government has announced the appointment of the UK’s first-ever Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner, as part of efforts to improve maternity and neonatal care across England.
Links:
Follow Theo on Substack
Breaking the Taboo book
Birth Trauma Association
Maternity Commissioner Petition
Our interview with Louise Thompson
Do you follow our new Substack yet? Join the private village behind the podcast! xx
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Was home birth different in the 1970s compared to today?
This week, two midwives take us inside the world of birth beyond the hospital: from pioneering one of the earliest home water births to facing the realities, risks, and unexpected moments that come with bringing a baby into the world at home — even when the carpet is cream!
If you’re interested in being part of the Life of a Midwife series, we’d love to hear from you — just drop us an email [email protected].uk
Links from our midwives:
All4Maternity is the go to place for education and support if you’re a midwife or student midwife.
And All4Birth is the home for expectant and new parents - free, non-biased, evidence-based information! Curated by a midwife ❤️
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode Giovanna sits down with NHS GP, resident GP on BBC Morning Live and bestselling author, Dr Punam Krishan!
Punam opens up about her own traumatic first birth and the life-threatening complications, postnatal depression, and PTSD that followed.
She also talks about the breast cancer diagnosis she received last year that reinforced the importance of listening to her body and advocating for herself. Please take this conversation as a reminder to check your chests!
Dr Punam's latest book, The Mother Load Every Mother’s Guide to Juggling Health, Life & Happiness, is out now!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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How do midwives hold it together in times of immense pressure?
In this episode we hear from two midwives who have learned how to stay calm during overwhelming moments.
If you’re interested in being part of the Life of a Midwife series, we’d love to hear from you — just drop us an email [email protected].uk
Links from our midwives:
Petition · Make birth safer: protect midwives' working hours - United Kingdom · Change.org
Hard Pushed: A Midwife's Story and Womb: The Inside Story of Where We All Began
East Anglian Midwives offer personalised pregnancy care, homebirth and hospital birth support, and postnatal care in Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, and Cambridge
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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This week, we’re marking Father’s Day with a very special episode as we welcome Adam Frisby and Jamie Corbett to the studio!
They join Gi to share their remarkable journey to parenthood, including the moment their first surrogate withdrew from the process, how their own childhoods shaped the parents they wanted to be, and the joy of welcoming their beautiful baby Leven to the world.
Adam and Jamie also open up about the public scrutiny they’ve faced as a same-sex couple starting a family, and why they’re advocating for surrogacy law reform to better recognise intended parents from birth.
You can learn more about Adam and Jamie’s petition to change surrogacy law here
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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What happens when birth leaves a mark that doesn't just disappear?
In this episode we hear from two midwives who understand the lasting impact of birth trauma and what it means for the families who are left without clear answers.
If you’re interested in being part of the next series of Life of a Midwife, we’d love to hear from you — just drop us an email [email protected].uk
Links from our midwives:
Little Light Support offers independent, trauma-informed birth debriefs for women and families — particularly those who’ve had complex, confusing or difficult experiences
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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This week, we’re so excited to welcome Lauren Cowell for her first ever podcast interview!
After years of keeping a low profile while navigating public scrutiny, Lauren opens up to Gi about life after divorce, co-parenting, and how she handled the intense media attention surrounding her pregnancy with partner Simon Cowell.
Lauren also shares more about her involvement in the ‘Raise the Age’ campaign — and since recording this episode, Keir Starmer has announced plans for under-16s to be banned from social media by spring 2027 👏👏👏
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode of Life of a Midwife, Giovanna shares the extraordinary journey of one midwife who turned her own hardships into a lifelong calling.
From an orphaned child to an abandoned mother of triplets, to becoming the midwife she once desperately needed herself.
If you're interested in being part of the next series of Life of a Midwife we'd love to hear from you! Just drop us an email at [email protected].uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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This week Giovanna welcomes legendary singer-songwriter Laura Marling to the studio!
Laura tells Gi about her early fears that becoming a mother might stifle her creativity, and shares her experiences of having two home births.
She also discusses her mission to create children's music that parents can genuinely enjoy, and introduces her new venture, 'Laura Sings Raffi,' a 17-track cover album of beloved children's songs. Each song is brought to life with videos illustrated by Laura and animated by Rob Shuttleworth. Out now at Laurasings.co
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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"If my gut is telling me something is wrong, something is wrong."
This week we hear from two midwives who know the power of following their instincts.
If you're interested in being part of the next series of Life of a Midwife we'd love to hear from you! Just drop us an email [email protected].uk
Links from our midwives:Midwife Pip: The Home of Trusted Pregnancy, Birth and Postnatal Support For Parents
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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This week Gi reunites with her old friend Susannah Fielding! You’ll know Susannah from This Time with Alan Partridge, Man vs Baby, and Wolf Hall — but her most important role is being mum to her two-year-old son Alfie.
Susannah opens up to Gi about growing up with a single mother and an intermittently absent father, how those experiences shaped her relationships, and why she’s so focused on breaking cycles and not passing trauma on to her own child.
She also shares the story of her planned home birth that turned into an emergency C-section, the challenges she faced with breastfeeding, and what it’s been like returning to the theatre as a mum.
You can catch Susannah starring opposite Adrian Lester in Cyrano de Bergerac at the Noël Coward Theatre from 13th June.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Trigger warning: this episode incudes challenging experiences relating to baby loss. If you feel this may be a difficult listen please consider choosing another episode 💜
This week on Life of a Midwife we hear more of Anna’s extraordinary story, beginning with one of the first births she attended in South Sudan before she had even qualified as a midwife.
Anna also speaks candidly about her own experiences of having children.
If you’re interested in being part of the next series of Life of a Midwife, we’d love to hear from you — just drop us an email [email protected].uk
Links from our midwives:
Donate to Médecins Sans Frontières
BabySZN™ is a platform built to help women train specifically for fertility, pregnancy from a birthdual-qualified midwife and performance trainer
Frontline Midwife by Anna Kent
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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This week, Giovanna sits down with singer, presenter and all-round ray of sunshine Mollie King !
Mollie chats to Gi about life with her two young daughters, the realities of motherhood (no sleep), and her exciting new venture into podcasting.
She also opens up about navigating her father’s terminal illness while preparing to welcome her first baby.
Don’t forget to check out Novel Idea — Mollie’s brilliant new podcast with Matt Edmondson!
If you’re loving the conversations on the podcast, make sure you subscribe to our brand new Substack!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Trigger warning: this episode contains descriptions related to childbirth that may be distressing or upsetting to some listeners.
Purpose isn't always comfortable. Sometimes it takes you somewhere extraordinary.
This week we delve into the inspiring stories of two midwives whose paths were shaped by a pull they simply couldn't ignore.
If you’re interested in being part of the next series of Life of a Midwife, we’d love to hear from you — just drop us an email [email protected].uk
Links from our midwives:
Donate to Médecins Sans Frontières
BabySZN™ is a platform built to help women train specifically for fertility, pregnancy from a birthdual-qualified midwife and performance trainer
Frontline Midwife by Anna Kent
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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TRIGGER WARNING: this episode contains some difficult conversations, including discussions around suicidal thoughts. We know this can be a lot to take in, so please do take care of yourself while listening and know that it's completely okay to step away and come back when you're ready 💛
May is Maternal Mental Health Month, a reminder that keeping the difficult conversations going matters more than ever.
Our guest this week you'll know from iconic films and tv shows such as Fresh Meat, Wild Child, and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. But after the birth of her son, Kimberley Nixon found herself in some of the darkest days of her life.
Kimberley opens up to Giovanna about experiencing dark and intrusive thoughts, being diagnosed with postpartum OCD, and why she felt it was so important to share her story.
Kimberley's brilliant new book She Seems Fine To Me is out now.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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What does it feel like to hold a life for the first time?
In this episode of Life of a Midwife, three midwives tell us what it feels like to catch a baby!
If you’re interested in being part of the next series of Life of a Midwife, we’d love to hear from you — just drop us an email [email protected].uk
Links from our midwives:
BabySZN™ is a platform built to help women train specifically for fertility, pregnancy from a birthdual-qualified midwife and performance trainer
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Over the past nine years, Happy Mum Happy Baby has evolved — and so has our mission! Increasingly, our conversations have centred on mums themselves: their mental health, wellbeing, relationships, and identity. Because when a mum feels supported, seen, and heard, everything else can flourish. So... welcome to the era of Happy Mum !
And joining us to start this exciting new chapter is the gorgeous Lydia West. You’ll know Lydia from It’s a Sin, Years and Years, and Big Mood, but what you may not know is that she welcomed TWO babies between filming seasons one and two of Big Mood!
For the first time, Lydia opens up about her pregnancies and births, sharing her experience of severe hyperemesis, as well as the challenges she faced with bonding and feeding.
She and Gi also discuss her returning to work just eight weeks postpartum, the importance of supported childcare on set, and learning to loosen the reins amid the chaos of toddler life!
Big Mood series two is now streaming on Channel 4
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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To celebrate the international day of the midwife we’ve got something very special for you — the very first episode of our brand-new miniseries!
Every Thursday, we’ll be sharing powerful stories from midwives, past and present, as they reflect on the moments that have shaped their lives and careers.
In this first episode, we'll trace the moments two women were pulled into midwifery.
We’ll return to our regular guest episodes next Tuesday xx
If you’re interested in being part of the Life of a Midwife series, we’d love to hear from you — just drop us an email [email protected].uk
Links from our midwives:
Little Light Support offers independent, trauma-informed birth debriefs for women and families — particularly those who’ve had complex, confusing or difficult experiences
Petition · Make birth safer: protect midwives' working hours - United Kingdom · Change.org
Hard Pushed: A Midwife's Story and Womb: The Inside Story of Where We All Began
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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