Birth Tales

This week Leone is back on the podcast to share her second birth story, and it's a short and sweet episode about a speedy, positive birth! We chat about the differences between her two experiences, including a longer journey to conception this time around and what it was like navigating pregnancy and the postnatal period with a toddler in tow. Leone was fortunate to have continuity of care with both her midwife and doula, which helped her feel so well supported throughout. She shares the importance of informed decision-making and talks us through her fast waterbirth at home. This is such a lovely, reassuring listen for anyone preparing to welcome their second baby, and I know you're going to enjoy hearing Leone's story. Leone's first birth: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-tales/id1703057905?i=1000655012227  Leone's IG: https://www.instagram.com/leone_hunter_  My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/   The Birth Prep Bundle: https://sincere-union-68693.myflodesk.com/zkj6c4q686 

Rose is on the podcast today sharing her powerful story of birthing her little boy, Rumi. She had planned a homebirth and talks about the deep trust she felt in her body throughout pregnancy. After two weeks of prodromal labour, her contractions finally became more intense, but when she was unable to get hold of her homebirth midwives, she made the decision to go into hospital. Towards the end of her labour, Rose sensed that something wasn't right so asked her doctor for help and when Rumi was born, he needed life-saving care from their amazing medical team. Rose reflects candidly on her experience and the sadness, grief, rage and gratitude she has come to understand can all exist alongside one another. She shares how she received some of the kindest care from the place she least expected it, the overwhelming relief of finally holding Rumi in her arms in the NICU and the magic of witnessing his recovery. I'm so grateful to Rose for sharing such a deeply personal story with such honesty. This is a moving episode about navigating the unexpected, holding space for complex emotions and finding moments of hope in the midst of a difficult experience. Rose's IG: https://www.instagram.com/mamatapmethod/  The Birth Prep Bundle: https://sincere-union-68693.myflodesk.com/zkj6c4q686    My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/

This week we're hearing from Eve about her two very different but equally positive birth experiences. Both were planned homebirths, but she ended up in hospital with her first after there was meconium present in her waters. Eve talks about how different decisions can feel when you come to them yourself rather than feeling backed into them, she shares about the trust she built with her midwife over the course of her pregnancy and birth, plus the profound impact that that relationship had on her experience. Her second birth was a beautiful, unmedicated waterbirth at home (following seven weeks of prodromal labour), with the support of her partner and doula. We chat about the differences between the two experiences, how things don't have to go exactly to plan for a birth to feel positive and empowering and why Eve says she'd do her daughter's birth again in a heartbeat. This is a really thoughtful episode about trust, choice and the importance of feeling genuinely supported throughout your birth.   Eve's IG: https://www.instagram.com/evie.yoga/ My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/

In this episode Lottie is back on the podcast to share her second birth story. After a positive induction with her eldest, she didn't have any particularly strong feelings about what she hoped for from this birth, so when concerns were raised about her baby's size, she felt comfortable accepting another induction. We discuss the differences between this labour and her first, how Lottie felt she was working collaboratively with her care team whilst birthing her baby and her experience of a postpartum haemorrhage from a cervical tear.    Lottie's first birth: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-tales/id1703057905?i=1000658863582 Lottie's IG: https://www.instagram.com/slow_fashion_lottie/ and  https://www.instagram.com/studio_kivu/ The Birth Prep Bundle: https://sincere-union-68693.myflodesk.com/zkj6c4q686  My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/

Lily is back on the podcast for the third time! After a birth centre birth and a BBA with her two daughters, she's here today to share her most recent experience of giving birth to her son. Lily shares how she prepared for her homebirth by working on her mindset and hiring the same wonderful doula who supported her previous births. She explains why protecting her peace became a priority throughout her pregnancy, whether that meant shielding herself from other people's opinions or declining extra scans that were causing her unnecessary worry. Instead, she chose to trust her instincts and listen to her body. We chat about the idea that third births can throw you a curveball, and Lily shares how, after waiting much longer than she'd expected for her labour to begin, her third birth was definitely more mentally challenging than her second. Despite this, she found the experience genuinely fun and enjoyable. This is such a lovely story about waiting patiently for your baby to come when they're ready, and I'm sure it will be a really positive and empowering listen for anyone awaiting their baby's arrival.   Lily's 1st birth: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/005-lily-physiological-birth-mlu-doula-urinary-retention/id1703057905?i=1000629471822  Lily's 2nd birth: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/031-lily-2nd-birth-homebirth-bba-physiological-birth/id1703057905?i=1000652105241  Lily's IG:  https://www.instagram.com/thebettersleepcoach_/ Doula: https://www.instagram.com/doula_sarah/   My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/

In this episode Lisa shares her journey into motherhood. Having always wanted to be a mum, she loved being pregnant and was really excited to give birth. Lisa takes us step by step through her homebirth preparation including hiring two independent midwives to ensure continuity of care and planning for a waterbirth. We talk in depth about choosing to have your baby at home as a first time mum, the incredible support she received from her private midwives and her daughter's amazing en caul birth! Lisa's story beautifully highlights the power of both being well prepared and trusting your instincts when it comes to childbirth.   My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/

In this episode Sam shares the story of her son Max's birth. She began her conception journey with very little trust in her body, but her confidence grew rapidly once she fell pregnant and, aside from an ECV to turn her breech baby, she went on to have a very straightforward pregnancy. As Sam learned more about birth she transferred to the homebirth team to give herself the best chance of achieving the spontaneous physiological birth she hoped for. When her labour began, it quickly became far more intense than she had anticipated and she made the decision to transfer into hospital for anti-sickness medication. Sam reflects on what an incredible advocate and cheerleader her partner was, the fantastic support she received from her homebirth midwives and the elements that made her birth feel so positive despite the change in location. This is such a lovely conversation about learning to trust your body, adapting when birth takes an unexpected turn and recognising that a positive birth isn't defined by where it happens.   Sam's IG:  https://www.instagram.com/scroge  The Birth Prep Bundle: https://sincere-union-68693.myflodesk.com/zkj6c4q686  My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/

In today's episode Helena shares the stories of her two pregnancies and births, which unfolded in surprisingly similar ways. She had planned to welcome her babies at home, but as both labours began earlier than expected, she ended up giving birth in the hospital twice instead. Helena talks us through her two physiological births, the coping techniques she leant on to get her through and the extra care her pre-term babies needed in the early days postpartum. This was a particularly special episode to record because lovely Helena was my first proper doula client - I was actually at her daughter's birth! So it was a joy to reflect on her baby's birthday together and I know you're going to love hearing her story too.   Helena's IG: https://www.instagram.com/helenacolv/ The Birth Prep Bundle: https://sincere-union-68693.myflodesk.com/zkj6c4q686  My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/

In today's episode Rosie shares her journey into motherhood, which very sadly began with the loss of a twin pregnancy. She talks candidly about her miscarriage, finding solace in the stories of women who had been through similar experiences, and how grief, anxiety, joy and gratitude all had to coexist when she conceived again. Rosie always knew she wanted to birth her baby at home and she talks us through her long labour, including the mental challenge of navigating the early stages when progress felt slow. She was incredibly well supported throughout by her husband, doula and acupuncturist and when her baby was born into her arms in her own bedroom, Rosie describes feeling like an absolute queen. This is the most beautiful example of a mother's determination, strength and stamina and a wonderful reminder of just how empowering and positive birth has the potential to be.   Rosie's doula: https://www.sarahmkerridge.com  Rosie's acupuncturist:  https://www.claremossacupuncture.com  Rosie's IG: https://www.instagram.com/rosiegordonlennox     Rosie's website: https://www.rosiewildgoose.co.uk    My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/

In this episode Lily shares the story of her second daughter's birth — a freebirth at home in the water. Between her two pregnancies she sadly experienced a loss and she talks openly about the complex emotions she felt when she conceived again soon afterwards. Lily shares how she prepared for this experience by unlearning much of the information she had absorbed the first time around leaning into instinct, intuition, osteopathy and a deeper connection with herself. She also chose to invest in a postpartum doula and describes the incredible support she received after her daughter arrived, from nourishing meals and feeding guidance to nurturing touch and warm companionship. Her story beautifully highlights the power of trusting your instincts, feeling deeply supported and reconnecting with your body's innate wisdom.   Lily's first birth: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/002-lily-long-labour-hospital-birth-doula-mobile-epidural/id1703057905?i=1000627019373  Lily's IG: https://www.instagram.com/lilycanettyclarke/  The Birth Prep Bundle: https://sincere-union-68693.myflodesk.com/zkj6c4q686  My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/