The Midwives' Cauldron

Want to send us a message? Fan mail? Thoughts on the episode?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/e056517https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871519216302190?via%3DihubWant 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 DisclaimerThe 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 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 emergWant 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 DisclaimerThe 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 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 Want more from Katie and Rachel? Katie's website Rachel's website DisclaimerThe 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 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 demoHow the uterus transforms in labour movieLesson on OP available in the Reclaiming Childbirth CollectiveWant 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 DisclaimerThe 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.