Avsnitt

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    In this episode, Katie takes Rachel behind the scenes for an in-depth exploration of donor milk—an intriguing topic that might just challenge everything you thought you knew about this practice.

    I have to caveat that some of the information in this episode is possibly going to get your knickers in a twist though – do we have any episode that don’t?!

    We’ll be discussing:

    The history of milk banking Are we seeing different health outcomes when using donor milk compared to a mother’s own milk?Are there differences between donor and mothers milk that we should know aboutWhat about informal, unpasteurised, milk sharing? Is this also happening in the hospital settings as well? And have you ever heard the term “milk sibling” before?

    I'll also dive into whether we need to rethink our approach to milk when caring for vulnerable infants. Plus, Rachel asks me about the future of milk banking—where is this practice headed?

    LINKS:

    Evidence-Based Methods That Promote Human Milk Feeding of Preterm Infants

    Early postpartum pumping behaviors

    Supplementation of Mother's Own Milk with Preterm Donor Milk

    Maternal production of milk

    Proactive Lactation Care

    Economic benefits and costs of human milk feedings

    The institutional cost of acquiring 100 mL of human milk

    Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! 

    Get 10% off Katie's Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course today with code POD10 at checkout. 

    Support the show

    Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDade

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    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

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    In this episode Rachel and Katie dive into the fascinating topic of waterbirth (excuse the pun, but it was too good to leave out!).

    I ask Rachel my burning questions and she stirs up the cauldron exploring everything from the history of waterbirth to the practicalities and the science behind it.

    Listen in as we find out about:

    · When did women start birthing in water?

    · What does the research say about waterbirth improving outcomes?

    · Why are some women told they can’t get into the pool until they are 5 centimeters dilated?

    · Do water-born babies take longer to start breathing?

    · Guidelines recommend women get out of the pool to birth the placenta, but do they really need to?

    · And lastly, does waterbirth alter the baby’s microbiome?

    So, place your order with the barista, pop your coat on, or press play as you get those headphones over your lugol’s, and let’s dive into the deep end of waterbirth.


    LINKS:

    https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/7/e056517

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871519216302190?via%3Dihub

    Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! 

    Get 10% off Katie's Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course today with code POD10 at checkout. 

    Support the show

    Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDade

    Like this podcast? Leave us a review here
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    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

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    Klicka här för att uppdatera flödet manuellt.

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    Dr Nils Bergman calls himself a Public Health Physician, and currently promotes and researches skin-to- skin contact on a full time basis. He is a Research Associate at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden. Dr. Bergman was born in Sweden and raised in Zimbabwe, where he also later worked as a mission doctor. He received his medical degree (MB ChB) at the University of Cape Town, a Diploma in Child Health at Uppsala University, and later a Masters in Public Health at the University of the Western Cape. During his years in Zimbabwe he completed a doctoral dissertation (MD, equivalent to PhD) on deadly scorpion stings. He has worked in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Sweden, and his last posting was Senior Medical Superintendent of Mowbray Maternity Hospital in Cape Town, overseeing 18000 births per year. He is married to Jill, and father to Rebecka, Simon and Emma, and has five grandchildren.

    In this episode, Dr. Bergman delves into the critical importance of maintaining skin-to-skin contact throughout the first day of a newborn's life. He explains how this practice not only connects and wires the baby's brain but also has profound effects on the mother.

    Dr. Bergman sheds light on the pivotal role of Oxytocin, often dubbed the 'love hormone,' which he eloquently describes as the hormone of resilience, vital for both mother and baby.

    We further explore the crucial significance of focusing not only on the first 1000 days of a child's life but also on the first 1000 minutes. Dr. Bergman passionately explains how these early moments are foundational for long-term health and emotional resilience.

    Additionally, we dive into the detailed work behind the latest version of the WHO Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) document. Dr. Bergman shares insights into the creation of this and introduces us to the concept of 'nurture-science.' He discusses how this emerg

    Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! 

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    Support the show

    Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDade

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    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

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    In this episode Katie takes Rachel into a conversation about why the nipple shield topic gets Katie’s knickers in a Twist.

    We discuss:

    The history of their use from1500s to present day How the research might not be telling the right story? Why are they so controversial? We ask do nipple shields affect how much milk the baby can take out of the breast? When might be a good reason to use a nipple shield – way more reasons than you probably think! How do you get the right fit, and who are we fitting the shield for, the baby’s mouth or the mum’s nip? Do babies attach differently when they use one? And we discuss how to wean off from using a nipple shield.

    All this and tons more packed in to one episode for your eager lug’ols.

    Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! 

    Get 10% off Katie's Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course today with code POD10 at checkout. 

    Support the show

    Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDade

    Like this podcast? Leave us a review here
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    Katie's website
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    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

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    In this episode Rachel takes me on the path to enlightenment about the topic of the occipito posterior (OP) position in pregnancy, labour and birth!

    I ask Rachel why she’s always been reluctant to cover this topic on the podcast!
    And sit down to discuss:

    What exactly is an OP position? Why it is considered a problem in our current maternity systems Are there any problems caused by a baby in an OP position? Some really interesting facts about the normal labour pattern with an OP position And we tackle the subject of the interventions to rotate baby’s and whether they work?

    All this and lots more as usual. And find all the links Rachel has provided below.

    LINKS:
    Blog post with links to the research and movie demo

    How the uterus transforms in labour movie

    Lesson on OP available in the Reclaiming Childbirth Collective

    Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! 

    Get 10% off Katie's Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course today with code POD10 at checkout. 

    Support the show

    Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDade

    Like this podcast? Leave us a review here
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    Katie's website
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    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

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    In this episode it’s us together again in the cauldron and Katie chats with Rachel about all things early weight loss… and gain in babies.

    We look at:

    · Why do babies lose weight?

    · What is normal weight loss?

    · Are there some babies who are more likely to lose more weight than others?

    · What’s with the panic once we hit the (not so magical) number of 10% weight loss?

    · And how can we best support mums and babies through this period of feeding difficulty, before we jump straight into the bottles of formula top-ups.

    · What about IV fluids given to labouring women and the effect on a baby’s weight straight after birth? We know there’s been talk of a correlation right, but why do we not have any standardised guidelines for this yet?

    · We try to straighten out the facts on one of those common anxiety causing parts of breastfeeding.

    All this and the usual banter when us two get together.

    LINKS:
    Breastfeeding & lactation: the fundamentals course
    BJM paper: Maternal intrapartrum fluids and neonatal weight loss in the breastfed infant. 2023

    Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! 

    Get 10% off Katie's Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course today with code POD10 at checkout. 

    Support the show

    Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDade

    Like this podcast? Leave us a review here
    Want more from Katie and Rachel?
    Katie's website
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    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

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    In this episode Rachel talks to Katie about all the wondrous and darn right fascinating things about the amniotic sac.

    · Why is the baby surrounded by fluid, and what is it made of?

    · Women are often told they have too much or too little fluid. Is this a problem?

    · We also discuss why Rachel is (slightly!) obsessed with the function of the amniotic sac during labour

    · We ask does breaking the amniotic sac (the waters) speed up labour at any point?

    · What if your amniotic sac breaks before labour? We discuss the time the time-frames around augmenting labour when this has happened.

    · And we discuss what if the membranes don’t break during labour?

    All this and lots more for your eager lug’ols.

    LINKS:

    https://midwifethinking.com/2015/09/16/in-defence-of-the-amniotic-sac/

    https://midwifethinking.com/2013/08/14/amniotic-fluid-volume-too-much-too-little-or-who-knows/

    https://midwifethinking.com/2015/01/14/the-curse-of-meconium-stained-liquor/

    https://midwifethinking.com/2017/01/11/pre-labour-rupture-of-membranes-impatience-and-risk/

    Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! 

    Get 10% off Katie's Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course today with code POD10 at checkout. 

    Support the show

    Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDade

    Like this podcast? Leave us a review here
    Want more from Katie and Rachel?
    Katie's website
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    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

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    In this episode I discuss with Professor Sir Stephen O’Rahilly all things pregnancy sickness and Hyperemesis.

    Just a few months ago the scientific evidence was published highlighting what causes pregnancy sickness and hyperemesis. This breakthrough discovery came from the work of Prof Sir O’Rahilly, his team and the team from Dr Marlena S. Fejzo in the US.

    This ground breaking work gives hope to thousands of women globally who suffer terribly throughout their pregnancy with extreme nausea and sickness.

    I discuss what it is that causing this to happen during pregnancy. Why our human bodies could be making this hormone and what it’s use would possibly be for. And what the future holds for a cure, how Prof O’Rahilly and his team are working collaboratively with the pregnancy sickness support, a UK charity, women who have and are currently suffering from hyperemesis, and a team of obstetric specialists to find the answer to help stop this condition.

    Professor Sir Stephen O’Rahilly FRS, is Co-Director of the Institute of Metabolic Science (IMS) and Director of the MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit which is part of the broader University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories which he also directs. On the wider Cambridge Biomedical Campus, he is Scientific Director of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre and Head of the University Department of Clinical Biochemistry.

    He was elected FRS in 2003, to the National Academy of Sciences, USA in 2011, has received five honorary doctorates and numerous scientific awards.

    In 2013 he was made Knight Bachelor & for services to medical research.

    His main research area is the aetiology and pathophysiology of human metabolic and endocrine disease and how such information might be used to improve the diagnosis, therapy and prevention of these di

    Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! 

    Get 10% off Katie's Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course today with code POD10 at checkout. 

    Support the show

    Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDade

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    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

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    Lara Briden is a naturopathic doctor and bestselling author of the books Period Repair Manual and Hormone Repair Manual — practical guides to treating period problems with nutrition, supplements, and bioidentical hormones.

    With a strong science background, Lara sits on several advisory boards and is the lead author on a couple of peer-reviewed papers.

    She has more than 20 years’ experience in women’s health and currently has consulting rooms in Christchurch, New Zealand, where she treats women with PCOS, PMS, endometriosis, perimenopause, and many other hormone- and period-related health problems.

    On this episode we discuss with Lara all things periods and perimenopause.

    What is perimenopause? The nine symptoms you need to know!Is midlife really from 37? What is going on hormonally and how this affects our entire body systemDealing with heavy periodsSupplementing our hormones Taking the contraceptive pill Dealing with stress, does perimenopause affect our ability to cope the same as before? Alcohol use and the real truth you need to know! All things ‘sorting your sleep out’ including dealing with night shifts! All this and so much more!

    LINKS:

    Website
    Hormone repair manual book
    The Lara Briden Podcast - Everything women’s health in under 15 minutes
    Graph of hormonal changes of perimenopause

    Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! 

    Get 10% off Katie's Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course today with code POD10 at checkout. 

    Support the show

    Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDade

    Like this podcast? Leave us a review here
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    Katie's website
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    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

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    Where and how women choose to birth matters. Born at Home is a stunning documentary film exploring what it takes to have a positive and transformative birth experience.

    Empowered by the homebirth of her second child in 2020, Amanda Banks together with long term dear friend Eleanor Currie, set out to create a film exploring Homebirth in QLD.

    With a passion for telling stories about the human experience. Their film 'Born At Home' explores the emotional journey of homebirth. ​The film interviews birthing experts, midwives, educators and shows many a homebirth first hand.

    We talked to Eleanor and Amanda about the messaging behind the filmHome birth statistics About the transformative effects home birth can have for some women, And we delve deeper into the reasons why more women are deciding to give birth at home.

    This is a beautiful episode with many insights. A great way to whet your appetite before you see the film.

    LINKS:
    Born at home the film
    IG @bornathomethefilm
    Screenings of the film

    Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! 

    Get 10% off Katie's Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course today with code POD10 at checkout. 

    Support the show

    Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDade

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    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

  • Want to send us a message? Fan mail? Thoughts on the episode?

    Wendy Jones BSc, MSc, PhD, MRPharmS is known for her work on providing a service on the compatibility of drugs in breastmilk and has been a registered breastfeeding supporter for 36 years. She is passionate that breastfeeding should be valued by all and that medication should not be a barrier. In her employed life she was a primary care pharmacist. Wendy left paid work 12 years ago to concentrate on writing her books and developing her website to provide information for mothers and professionals. Wendy was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List of 2018 for services to mothers and babies.

    In this episode I chat to Wendy about all those common questions which start with “is it safe to breastfeed with that medication?!”

    · Breastfeeding whilst needing medications for a chronic condition

    · Common misconceptions with anxiety and depression medications and breastfeeding

    · Is it safe to keep breastfeeding when you catch the common cold or flu?

    · Emergency contraception – do you need to stop breastfeeding and will it affect milk supply?

    · Wendy tells us about the new medications for migraines

    · Colic medicines – is there evidence for this and do they work?

    · Why planning in pregnancy is essential to support ongoing breastfeeding for those needing to use any medications long term, and yet unfortunately is still mostly not happening.

    · And Wendy tells me how she ended up giving out her personal phone number to the whole of the UK several years ago for any breastfeeding questions on medications and feeding! And was dealing with 10.000 calls a year!


    LINKS:
    Wendy Jones website, fact sheets, books and more
    BFN Dr

    Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! 

    Get 10% off Katie's Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course today with code POD10 at checkout. 

    Support the show

    Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDade

    Like this podcast? Leave us a review here
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    Katie's website
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    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

  • Want to send us a message? Fan mail? Thoughts on the episode?

    Bonnie Hughes is a midwife, with a background in musical theater and journalism. She is the creator of the podcast series Making a Midwife, and an animation film-maker hobbyist. Bonnie is passionate about the power of story, and how the stories we tell ourselves, the stories we live, the stories we are part of, and the characters we play in those stories shape the future. Bonnie explores, both through her midwifery work and her art how she can create a positive and uplifting impact for both midwives and the women and families in her care.

    This episode will fuel your day tenfold when you hear us talking about the importance of taking up space and the power of anger.

    We discuss:

    · Working as a newly qualified midwife.

    · Her incredible stop animation film titled ‘Big Trouble’

    · How society puts girls and women into a place where they have to earn their worth.

    · How women are conditioned to be small in size and mind, and the constant worry about how much space we take up in the world.

    · We touch on how almost every woman in a maternity unit talks about their size, whether pregnant or not.

    · We discuss how anger destroys us when we silence ourselves and let it fester.

    · And we ask “How can we use anger for its best purpose?”

    LINKS
    Bonnie Hughes films

    Big Trouble

    The shared anatomy of Students and Midwives

    Rage becomes her: the power of women’s anger by Soraya Chemaly

    Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! 

    Get 10% off Katie's Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course today with code POD10 at checkout. 

    Support the show

    Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDade

    Like this podcast? Leave us a review here
    Want more from Katie and Rachel?
    Katie's website
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    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

  • Want to send us a message? Fan mail? Thoughts on the episode?

    Mavis Kirkham is Midwifery Professor Emerita at Sheffield Hallam University and has held honorary professorial positions at the University of Technology Sydney and Auckland University of Technology. After over forty years as a clinical midwife and researcher, she is interested in reflecting and writing on birth and midwifery in its wider context. A major theme of her research has been the way in which the context of their care impacts upon childbearing women and how their working experiences impact upon midwives. She has long been concerned with how birth stories are negotiated and the impact of these stories on tellers and hearers. With Nadine Edwards she has edited a new book titled Freebirth Stories.

    In this episode we discuss with Mavis:

    About Mavis’ interest in freebirth and why it seems more women are choosing this way to give birth Mavis tells us about the Freebirth stories from women and Doulas she and Nadine collected for their new bookWe discuss the importance of language in pregnancy, birth and postpartum spaces The important role that doulas play And we ask what Mavis sees as the future of midwifery

    Mavis is one of those midwives who has witnessed so many parts of midwifery and her bounty of knowledge and kindness shines through in this episode.

    LINKS:
    Freebirth Stories

    Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! 

    Get 10% off Katie's Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course today with code POD10 at checkout. 

    Support the show

    Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDade

    Like this podcast? Leave us a review here
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    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

  • Want to send us a message? Fan mail? Thoughts on the episode?

    Dr Marina Weckend is a midwife and post-doctoral researcher based at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia. Building on 13 years’ experience in midwifery practice, education and research in Germany, UK and Australia, Marina is committed to improving maternity care services through better understandings of birth physiology. Her current program of research focuses on natural fluctuations and pauses during labour and birth, and seeks to normalise physiological plateaus as a strategy to reduce childbirth medicalisation.
    In this episode we discuss:

    What are physiological plateaus in labour? Are labour pauses normal? When do they occur during labour and birth? How long do they last? What’s the defining feature of a physiological plateau? How do midwives think and work with them based on their experiences?

    LINKS:

    www.marinaweckend.com
    Twitter @marinaweckend
    LinkedIn Marina Awakening
    Physiological Plateaus Newsletter
    Oct 2023 Failure to progress or just normal?
    Physiological plateaus during normal labor and birth: A scoping review of contemporary concepts and definitions
    Failure to progress or physiological plateaus? A constructivist grounded theory explaining midwives’ views of healthy pauses during childbirth.

    Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! 

    Get 10% off Katie's Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course today with code POD10 at checkout. 

    Support the show

    Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDade

    Like this podcast? Leave us a review here
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    Rachel's website

    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

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    In this episode Katie talks with Rachel about late preterm and early term infants. These are the babies who have flown under the radar for far too long and often are the babies who struggle the most to get going with breastfeeding.

    Come with us as we take a look at the current research, plans for feeding and what mothers are saying who have had babies born just that bit too early.

    · How many babies are born late preterm and why the numbers are growing.

    · How late preterm infants are different neurologically and physically to full term babies

    · What complications are more likely to be seen in the late preterm population

    · Current challenges within the maternity system when supporting mothers with late preterm infants

    · Is there a basic plan which can be generalised for most or all late preterm infants?

    · What about those babies born 37-38+6 weeks (early term), do they have higher needs too?

    · And we look at the barriers to continuation of breastfeeding.

    https://abm.memberclicks.net/assets/DOCUMENTS/PROTOCOLS/10-breastfeeding-the-late-pre-term-infant-protocol-english.pdf
    https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/2/312
    https://internationalbreastfeedingjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13006-017-0114-0 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.1740-8709.2012.00463.x
    https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/

    Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! 

    Get 10% off Katie's Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course today with code POD10 at checkout. 

    Support the show

    Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDade

    Like this podcast? Leave us a review here
    Want more from Katie and Rachel?
    Katie's website
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    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

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    Welcome to season 5!! This episode we have the marvelous Dr Sara Wickham back in the cauldron with us talking all about what’s in her new book Plus Size Pregnancy.

    Sara talks to us about:

    · How women and families want, need and deserve better answers to their many questions about higher BMI and birth, and that midwives and birth workers need to know what the evidence says.

    · Clarification of what is the BMI and as Sara says “it’s a racist, sexist, classist” index created for complete different reason than for health!

    · We look at why a higher BMI comes with so many tests and limitations for birth and Sara talks us through the existing evidence.

    · Are women with a high BMI more at risk of caesarean section, and if so what are the real reasons behind this?

    · Why the phrase morbid obesity is utter nonsense and rooted in a much darker context.

    · Sara delves into diet culture, it’s myths and the marketing behind it.

    · Weight bias and fat shaming in healthcare.

    · And why using BMI is problematic in maternity care.

    You’ll hear all this and much more in this fabulous episode.

    LINKS:
    Plus Size Pregnancy book
    Dr Sara Wickham website
    Sara on Instagram @drsarawickham
    Sara on Facebook sarawickham.com

    Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! 

    Get 10% off Katie's Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course today with code POD10 at checkout. 

    Support the show

    Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDade

    Like this podcast? Leave us a review here
    Want more from Katie and Rachel?
    Katie's website
    Rachel's website

    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

  • Want to send us a message? Fan mail? Thoughts on the episode?

    In this episode Rachel takes us into the world of ‘early labour’. She’s been promising it for a long while, and here it is. Get your lug’ols around this one!

    In this episode we discuss:

    · What’s going on physiologically during this phase of childbirth

    · Beta endorphins and how they work for us during labour

    · The neocortex and what is so important about this part of our brain as we birth

    · Why women in early labour who attend the maternity unit are often sent back home

    · Early labour and the maternity system

    · How early labour interventions can be prevented

    · We discuss birthing babies into your tights!

    · And whether we can ever fully prepare women with prenatal education

    Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! 

    Get 10% off Katie's Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course today with code POD10 at checkout. 

    Support the show

    Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDade

    Like this podcast? Leave us a review here
    Want more from Katie and Rachel?
    Katie's website
    Rachel's website

    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

  • Want to send us a message? Fan mail? Thoughts on the episode?

    Welcome to the biggest episode yet! Well not really, but we have met a milestone I couldn’t have fathomed 3 years ago on 20th July 2020. It has hit home what has happened over this time and how this 'little' podcast has grown into something really fantastic. And this is due to my dear friend Dr Rachel Reed, our amazing guests who have so kindly donated their time to come on, and to all of you who listen in each episode and make the effort to share it, talk about it, grab a bit of merch to promote it, those of you who have financially supported the show and also those of you who have written in with your stories which have often bought me to tears. I am humbled and really bloomin grateful.

    This is a bonus episode just for you. You will not hear anything about birth, midwifery, or breastfeeding! Be warned! This is a listener special where we asked you guys for your questions about us!

    So what will your lug’ols be filled with today?

    · Katie’s story of a bag of crisps called Keith

    · Rachel dancing to Oliver Twist

    · How surprisingly we both chose very similar people to invite to our dinner party!

    · But don’t talk to Rachel about bananas or pineapples

    · We reminisce on going clubbing together from 11am on public holidays in Newcastle upon Tyne, in the UK.

    · We let you in on what we got up to at our midwifery university graduation

    · And finally … how Katie got chased by a lion.

    Should make for good listening… not educational listening at all, but if you are up for being told a story or two then grab a cuppa and sit down with us in this special episode!

    Support the show

    Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDade

    Like this podcast? Leave us a review here
    Want more from Katie and Rachel?
    Katie's website
    Rachel's website

    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

  • Want to send us a message? Fan mail? Thoughts on the episode?

    In this episode Katie talks to Zainab Yate. Zainab is a Biomedical Ethicist, with a specialist interest in infant feeding. Zainab is Vice Chair and named qualitative lead on a paediatric flagged Research Ethics Committee Panel for the Health Research Authority (HRA) in the UK. She's also been a volunteer breastfeeding peer supporter with the NHS for a number of years, is the owner-author of the resource site for mothers and healthcare practitioners on Breastfeeding / Nursing Aversion and Agitation and author of "When Breastfeeding Sucks".

    We discuss what is breastfeeding aversion & agitation, and what is D-MER (dysphoric milk ejection reflex)?
    We look at the differences between the two.
    And ask what do clinicians need to look for specifically?
    Why does D-MER and breastfeeding aversion occur, how long it normally lasts and what can be done to support women who experience this?
    We talked about what "being touched out" means and how to deal with it.
    And we take a dive into when the euphoria does not happen immediately after birth.

    This is such an incredible episode full of lots of really thoughtful insights, I know you will get a lot out of it. Enjoy.

    LINKS
    Zainab Yate Differential diagnosis article
    Zainab Yate Breastfeeeding aversion article
    Alia Heise – D-MER
    D-MER resources
    Recent research on D-MER https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36705232/

    Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! 

    Get 10% off Katie's Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course today with code POD10 at checkout. 

    Support the show

    Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDade

    Like this podcast? Leave us a review here
    Want more from Katie and Rachel?
    Katie's website
    Rachel's website

    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

  • Want to send us a message? Fan mail? Thoughts on the episode?


    In this episode I take Rachel and you into the world of underhand marketing tactics going on right under our noses from the commercial milk formula (CMF) industry.

    In Feburary 2023 the Lancet and WHO released a new 3 part series discussing the marketing of CMF. Rachel really did wonder if this would be of any interest to our listeners and I promised her that within a few minutes her knickers would be in a twist ... and they were!

    This is not a discussion about whether formula milk should be used this is a look at the often horrifying goings-on that are, in a large part, leading to women all over the globe feeling robbed of their breastfeeding wishes, hopes and experiences.

    In this episode you will hear about:

    Who first patented infant formula and why.How we are all being subversively targeted with underhand tactics. How the CMF industry raises profits by casting doubt on mothers milk and pathologising normal baby behaviours: how often babies breastfeed or typical crying which is OK. How much the CMF industry is worth The impact the CMF industry marketing has on the health costs for individual countires. Political lobbyingTax evasionAnd we lay it out - is there any difference between a tin of formula which costs 9 or 28 and where to get safe information about formula. We discuss whether there is a need for toddler and growing up milks.And we take a look at the estimated cost of unpaid work from breastfeeding. Don't fret, we leave you with some actionable places to go from here!

    LINKS
    The Lancet series and webinar

    Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms! 

    Get 10% off Katie's Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course today with code POD10 at checkout. 

    Support the show

    Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee MERCH here! Music Joseph McDade

    Like this podcast? Leave us a review here
    Want more from Katie and Rachel?
    Katie's website
    Rachel's website

    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.