The Midwives’ Cauldron

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Rhea is a former PE teacher turned childbirth educator, and counsellor and feels privileged to have attended more than a thousand births in hospitals and home settings as a birth attendant as well as connecting with many more women, their partners and support people during birth preparation workshops and personal birth counselling sessions. 

Rhea has spoken extensively around Australia and internationally and is the author of two books – ‘Birth with Confidence: savvy choices for normal birth’  and the most recent ‘Beyond the Birth Plan: getting real about pain and power’.

Rheas thoughtful, gentle voice takes us on a look back over the world of birth from the past 40 years from England to Australia.  

How Rheas home births led to her passion into childbirth education and birth attendant work.

 How home births were parties back in the days! 

Rhea talks with us about how sadly, in more than forty years of birth work, she’s witnessed an unprecedented rise in unnecessary medical interventions and the development of a culture that, rather than supporting women to birth naturally – physiologically -, is actually undermining them.

We discuss the f&@k1ng epidural, as Rhea terms it, and how she feels it has hijacked what labour and birth discomfort means. The ‘thank goodness births’ and what this means for society.

And we discuss the importance of what it is we ‘choose’ to focus on when providing childbirth education. Attachment styles and how that impacts how we go into birth. How shame plays a role in how we may or may not ask for help.

Rhea leaves us with an oxytocin fuelled story from her book and makes Katie cry! 

LINKS
Rhea Dempsey website, c

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

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• 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?

On this episode of the Midwives Cauldron, it’s just me and Rachel hanging out and stirring the pot discussing vaginal examinations (VE's)!

• We take a step back in history to look at how midwives originally used vaginal examination during labour and for what purpose
• We look at current guidelines 
• Rachel goes on her history trail for us to find the original research which guidelines are based on
• We talk about said research, the risks of vaginal examinations 
• Language midwives could use to discuss VEs in preparation for labour
• The importance of talking about vaginal examinations during the antenatal phase
• How mainstream media influences us into thinking that vaginal examinations are an important part of our labour
• How medical birth needs a different assessment from physiological birth
• I ask whether there should ever be a timeline set in length for a labour 
• We question how students can learn the skill of vaginal examinations if we “shouldn’t be doing as many as we are” 
• And Rachel teaches me the word furtle! 

All this and more on this episode of The Midwives’ Cauldron

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. 

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• Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee
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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?

Professor Donna Geddes is the director of the Geddes Hartmann Human Lactation Research Group. Based in Perth, Australia, the group is made up of innovative and dedicated scientists and students that have a passion for developing measurements of lactation and breastfeeding and then applying them to make a difference to clinicians and breastfeeding families. The group makes a point of not only publishing their findings in scientific journals but spreading their information via free online articles and social media on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In.

Donna has a medical imaging background with an emphasis in ultrasound imaging. She has integrated this modality into many of the group’s studies providing a ‘window’ to different physiological processes during lactation. If you have listened to our previous podcast where I have spoken about the in quotes discovery of the breast anatomy - this is Donna! She showed the world the true anatomy of the lactating breast and could visualize how milk ejection occurs through her ultrasound techniques.  Her findings have attracted much international attention and she is often requested to speak at both International and National Scientific Meetings. She is the Secretary for the International Society for Research in Human Milk and Lactation.

In this episode

·      the tools and technology we currently use and what we could be seeing in the future  

·      using technology to identify if milk has come in or if there's inflammation in the breast

·      how to accurately test milk volumes

·      the controversial topic of test weighing

·      identifying lactation issues correctly- sucking and milk transfer and/or mil

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

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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?

In this episode of the cauldron we have Dr. Sharon Blackie; award-winning writer, psychologist and mythologist. Her highly acclaimed books, lectures and workshops are focused on the development of the mythic imagination, and on the relevance of myth, fairy tales and folk traditions to the personal, cultural and environmental problems we face today.

As well as writing five books of fiction and nonfiction, including the bestselling If Women Rose Rooted, and her new book Hagitude, her writing has appeared in anthologies, collections and in several international media outlets – among them the Guardian, the Irish Times, the i and the Scotsman. Her books have been translated into several languages, and she has been interviewed by the BBC, US public radio and other broadcasters on her areas of expertise. Her awards include the Roger Deakin Award, and a Creative Scotland Writer’s Award.

Sharon is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and has taught and lectured at several academic institutions, Jungian organisations, retreat centres and cultural festivals around the world. Her TEDx talk on the mythic imagination  can be viewed here.

During the episode

• We delve deep into the world of wise and influential women in native mythology and what this means for navigating peri-menopause and elderhood. 
• We ask Sharon what we can learn from the myths embedded in our cultures. 
• We take a look at the profession of midwifery as traditionally midwives were the older women, not mothers themselves or past the mothering stage.  We talk about how it is this group of women that can be leading the changes in the birth world. Not leaving it only to the younger midwives to fight. 
• We discuss th

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

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• 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?

In this episode we talk to Prof Helen Ball. Helen is Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Durham Infancy & Sleep Centre. Helen studies infant sleep and the parent-infant sleep relationship from a biosocial perspective. Broadly defined, her research examines sleep ecology, of infants, young children and their parents. This encompasses attitudes and practices regarding infant sleep, behavioural and physiological monitoring of infants and their parents during sleep, infant sleep development, and the discordance between cultural sleep preferences and biological sleep needs.

She pioneers the translation of academic research on infant sleep into evidence for use by parents and healthcare staff via Basis-- the Baby Sleep Information Source website. She serves as Associate Editor of the journal Sleep Health, and is on the Ediotial Board of the Journal of Human Lactation. She is Chair of the Lullaby Trust Scientific Committe, and an elected Board Member of the International Society for the Study and Prevention of Infant Deaths (ISPID).

In this episode we discuss:

·       Where on earth did the myths come from which tell us we will do harm to our baby if we pick them up too much - Rachel tells what horrendous thing she was told with her first baby

·       Helen takes us on an anthropological look at motherhood and infancy 

·       We discuss the old, current and quite frankly shocking SIDS safety messaging around the globe – Using a meat cleaver in bed with a baby to shock you out of bed sharing! 

·       And find out how Helen played an incredibly crucial role ensuring that the UK actually discuss safe bed sharing with parents.

LINKS:

Basis-- the Baby Sleep Information Source  www.basisonline.o

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

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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. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett is a health psychologist and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, and the CEO of Praeclarus Press, a small press specializing in women's health. Dr. Kendall-Tackett is Editor-in-Chief of the journal, Psychological Trauma and was Founding Editor-in-Chief of Clinical Lactation. 

Dr. Kendall-Tackett specializes in women's-health research including breastfeeding, depression, trauma, and health psychology, and has won many awards for her work including the 2019 President’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Trauma Psychology from the American Psychological Association. Dr. Kendall-Tackett has authored more than 490 articles or chapters and is author or editor of 41 books. Her most recent books include Breastfeeding Doesn’t Need to Suck (2022) and Women’s Mental Health Across the Lifespan (2017). Her 41st book, Depression in New Mothers, 4th Edition is in press.

Dr Kendall Tackett discusses with us not only a vast range of topics specific to her work and new book but also some big and confronting topics in this episode.  

 A warning: Dr Kendall-Tackett discusses early in the podcast about her research and work with women who have experienced sexual assault. 

In this episode we delve in to:

• Postnatal anxiety and guilt 
• The power of oxytocin, a mother’s “Spidey senses” and the vulnerability during the early days
• Sleep, mental health and breastfeeding
• Postpartum depression 
• Placenta encapsulation and it’s potential effects on milk supply. 
• Secondary trauma in midwives and doulas and birth partners 
• Burn out in midwives - shift based vs continuity of carer model 
• How Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) affects adult health 
• How women who have experienced se

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?

James Bourton is a registered midwife who works in an NHS continuity of care midwifery model within in Wales, UK. James describes himself as a home birth midwife, experienced in physiological birth, working autonomously as a practitioner with the support of a small midwifery team. James is passionate about providing women and families with individualised care that works for them in a way that they can achieve positive outcomes during pregnancy, birth and beyond. James advocates for women to know and understand that they do have rights in birth, that they always have choices, and that they can say no! James feels that a continuity of care model is the way forward in midwifery (or the way backwards, as this is how it always was) as the outcomes speak for themselves. 

In this episode we shine a light on midwifery in a COC service in Wales. We discuss with James about working as a midwife who gets to follow women and their families through the entire continuum; pregnancy to postpartum. 

We ask james about working as a male midwife, the importance of making strong relationships, the joys of being the ‘local’ midwife in the community, on-calls and shift work, the importance of students getting to experience this way of working, and we talk about the real magic of working in traditional midwifery.  

James leaves us with a beautiful story from a midwives perspective.

This is the episode to start off the new year with a boost of oxytocin. 

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
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• 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?

In this episode Rachel & Katie discuss all things listening to babies during labour. 
Rachel walks us through:

• The Herstory of listening to the baby’s heart rate during labour. 
• The interesting and scary history of the inventer of the pinard trumpet. 
• Rachel’s “heart beat” impression! 
• Rachel’s ‘under water’ pinard story! 
• We discuss pinards and doppler listening devices. #bringbackthepinnard  
• What is the evidence for fetal heart rate monitoring in labour. 
• The current guidelines on intermittent auscultation. And the one piece of evidence a lot of guidelines are based off. 
• The normal and expected changes in a full term healthy baby’s heart rate during labour.
• Rachel gives tips on how to navigate working in the hospital environment with consented or declined auscultations. 
• Katie looks for sponsorship from Kendall mint cake, you have to listen to know what we’re on about with this one! 
• And last but by no means least, CTG monitoring and what the research says about outcomes for women and infants.

LINKS:
Rachel's blog post
  

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

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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?

Welcome to this episode of The Cauldron! We have the wonderful Lyndsey Hookway in the bubbling pot with us today. 
Lyndsey is an experienced paediatric nurse, children’s public health nurse, IBCLC, researcher, responsive sleep/parenting advocate, and the author of 6 books. She has worked with children and families for more than 20 years within in-patient paediatrics, paediatric ambulatory care, NICU, and the community. 

Lyndsey is a PhD researcher at Swansea University, exploring the needs and challenges of medically complex breastfed infants and children. In 2019 she founded the Breastfeeding the Brave project to raise awareness of the unique lactation needs of sick children in the paediatric setting. Lyndsey is the co-founder and clinical director of the Holistic Sleep Coaching program and Thought Rebellion. She is a respected international speaker and also provides regular training, advocacy and consultancy to both NHS and private organisations.

 We get to talk all things infant sleep in this episode! 

• how breastfeeding is often the scapegoat in the infant sleep scenario 
• how challenging it can be to give sleep information and support when we are not provided with good education on it
• common myths of infant sleep advice
• the sudo-science available online
• what the current science is saying
• how we can effectively, gently and with safe evidence implement sleep support into our own practice 

 LINKS: 

Support the show - link below
Rate and review - link below
Katie and Rachel's websites - link below

Instagram: @lyndsey_hookway

Facebook: @LyndseyHookway

Twitter: @FeedSleepBond

www.lyndseyhookway.com 

www.thoughtrebellion.com 

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.

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

This episode is all about assessment of labour as we interview Dr Clare Davison.  Clare is a midwife, academic and feminist. Clare is passionate about promoting and supporting physiological birth and working with women so that they can be empowered in their birth choices. Clare combines these passions by working as an independent midwife, providing holistic continuity of care to women; and as an academic teaching and hoping to inspire the next generation of midwives.

We delve into those questions you wanna know: 

• What is the cervix saying in labour? 
• How can we properly assess labour progress? 
• How do midwives using their other senses? 
• We ask how can midwives and health professionals trust birth and support women if they are not being given the skills to support physiological birth progress and use their intuition? 

And we even ask:
How many contractions ‘should’ there be for an “effective” labour? 
How quickly ’should’ the cervix dilate? 
How often ‘should’ a vaginal examination occur? 
And when can we assess that labour has actually started?

Find out lots in this episode of the cauldron, so, tie up your shoelaces, plug in your headphones and come with us on a ride into the world of assessing labour progress…. 

Dr Clare Davison:
Instagram @midwife.dr.clare
Twitter @sagefemmeclare 

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

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• 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?

It’s season 4 and to kick us off you have me and Rachel chewing the fat on all things breastfeeding and lactation. In this episode, we delve in to look at what is going on with in-hospital formula milk supplementation for breastfed infants. We ask why the supplementation rates are so high, and discuss it’s impact on breastfeeding, and lactation physiology. We talk about teat/bottle confusion, the best ways to give extra feeds and the acceptable medical reasons for this. We discuss why avoidance of top up feeds can be so hard in the early postnatal days for both the midwifery staff and new mothers, and we talk about the "top-up-trap", or as Rachel has termed it ”the top-up crap-trap”, and why it is so common for new parents to fall into once back at home. Rachel gives us an amazing impression of baby sleeping, please don't miss this it really is a treat for the ears, and following us along the way are the cicadas and noisy guinea fowl all joining us in the background from 'down at farm Rachel'!  

The waiting is over folks, we're back and we're ready to fill ya luggols with all those golden nuggets you've been missing!

RESOURCES & LINKS:

1. WHO/UNICEF 
2. ABM Guideline
3. Biro 2011 
4. Ali 2018
5. Parry et al 2013
6. Tender 2009

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?
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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?

Thank you to all of you who joined us in season 3, it has been epically wonderful! We are off for a little summer/winter break, but stay tuned as we will be back with some awesome new and exciting offerings for your lugg'ols and eyeballs! Listen in to the trailer to hear more. Until then you can find lots more  below.
LINKS:
Rachel Reed -courses, books, blog, etc
Buy us a coffee to keep the caffeine flowing
 

Support the show

• Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee
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• 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?

In this episode we talk to Anita Moorhead about all things antenatal hand expression. Anita is a Clinical Nurse/Midwife Consultant (for Lactation), at the Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, a coordinator for the DAME (Diabetes and Antenatal Milk Expressing) trial and PhD candidate at the Judith Lumley Centre, La Trobe University, Australia. Anita has collaborated on breastfeeding papers and reports, hospital, and state clinical guidelines and is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences. 

We start our conversation with Anita about the Diabetes and Antenatal Milk Expressing trial and what was its purpose and why this was a needed study. Then we delve deeper to ask all those common and not-so-common questions around the topic of antenatal hand expression. So in this episode you'll hear us talking about-
What were the feeding outcomes after women initiated antenatal hand expression in the DAME trial?
Does antenatal hand expression help with future breast milk feeding? 
Could antenatal hand expression cause an increase in the number of babies admitted into the special care nursery after birth?
Does antenatal hand expression cause earlier birth?
What were the average expressed milk volumes achieved by the women during the DAME study?
And we take an important deep dive into the psychological aspects of this practice in relation to the newly published paper looking at the views and experiences of the women in the DAME trial . We spoke about what midwives and birth workers should consider in relation to how women felt about this practice and the milk volumes they were expressing. 

LINKS:

Dr Rachel Reed - Courses- Books 

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?

In this episode we interview Ellie Young. Ellie is an Australian edge-dwelling registered midwife, qualitative researcher and writer. She has worked with women and families for over 15 years within the permaculture and traditional nutrition space whilst supporting women choosing to give birth outside the system. After midwifery training, Ellie went back to attending homebirth within her community, whilst undertaking a research study on women's experience of the transition phase of physiological labour during freebirth. This inquiry led her down the rabbit warren of all things nervous system, somatics and the Polyvagal Theory, whilst exploring women's unique perceptions of peak intensity within physiological labour processes. She's now a self-confessed geek for the rewilding of childbirth through understanding the social nervous system at play during birth and positioning it within a biopsychosocial model. Her work in the world is now firmly centred on supporting women and midwives on their paths to reconnection with self, the body, intuition, female physiology, birth and this precious earth. We discuss all this and more in this episode of cauldron.

LINKS:
Ellie Young: @newmoonmidwife
Blog Post: No Woman's Land
Dr Rachel Reed website

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!
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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 we have Dr Hazel Keedle and we are talking all things VBAC, vaginal birth after caesarean!

Hazel is a lecturer of midwifery at Western Sydney University, Australia. Hazel has worked in midwifery group practices, an aboriginal medical service, a variety of hospital settings and as a privately practising midwife in both city and regional locations.  Hazel’s passion for VBAC followed her own experience of having a VBAC with her daughter in 2008 and since then has published research on women's experience of having a VBAC at home and on her PhD work exploring women’s experiences of planning a VBAC across Australia. Hazel is currently the lead researcher on Australia's largest survey on women's experiences of maternity care, the Birth Experience Study. Hazel is passionate about improving support for women during pregnancy, birth, and the early transition to mothering.  

We asked Hazel all the questions you’ve been asking us for months to discuss! So here it is folks the topic you’ve been waiting for. Hazel definitely left us with some golden nuggets, you want to have your pen and paper ready. 

LINKS:
Dr Hazel Keedle
Dr Rachel Reed 

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• 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?

In this episode we have Professor Helen O'Connell and we are talking all things clitoris!
Professor O'Connell was elected Vice -President of USANZ in 2021. She was the first female Urologist in Australia and New Zealand, completing training in Melbourne in 1993 followed by a Fellowship in Female and Functional Urology in Houston, USA in 1994-5. Her doctoral studies in female pelvic anatomy have achieved international renown leading to significant conceptual changes in both medical and lay literature. Her higher degrees were conferred at the University of Melbourne where she became Professor in 2013 and Head of Department of Urology and Surgery in 2016. 
In 2014 Professor O'Connell became a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, completing its diploma in 2011 whilst a director for the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand. In 2019 she led a successful Australian Government bid to establish the Australasian Pelvic Floor Procedure Registry to improve the outcomes associated with mesh SUI and POP implantation and explantation procedures. It is a collaborative effort with Monash University Registries, the Australian Commission for Quality and Safety in Health Care, the Therapeutic Goods Administration and leading pelvic floor surgeons and consumers. 
She has been Principal investigator on a large number of clinical trials for drugs and devices for overactive bladder, stress incontinence in men and women and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Her current clinical interests are native tissue pelvic floor repairs, minimally invasive approaches to pelvic floor mesh removal and benign prostate surgery. 
In 2021 Professor O'Connell was named an Officer (AO) in the Order of Australia: For distinguished service to medical education, and to medicine, in the field of urology, as an academi

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• 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 we have the fabulous Kemi Johnson on to chat with us. Kemi is a mother, birthkeeper in the birthroom, birth educator and birth activist. Formerly an independent midwife, registered in the UK she is now freely following her calling to facilitate healthy ecstatic births for mothers, and their babies. We chat with Kemi about home birth, free-birth, and why the reported outcomes can often be misunderstood. We look at induction, and childbirth outcomes, time frames in birth, as well as breech birth. 

We find out why Kemi left midwifery and started speaking out. Her thoughts on becoming a "safe" midwife and working as an independent birth keeper. We talk tough about the difficulty midwives & doulas are currently facing in our maternity systems, and how we can best serve families as birth keepers and protectors whilst maintaining our own health. 

This will be a brilliant but tough listen at times, however a conversation we need to be having and acknowledging. 

LINKS:
Kemi Johnson website, courses, more https://www.kemibirthjoyjohnson.com/
Find Kemi on Instagram @kemibirthjoyjohnson

Rachel Reed website: blog, books, courses https://www.rachelreed.website/

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

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• 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, we answer your questions! We take a dive into, inverted nipples and what you can do during pregnancy and with breastfeeding. Answer whether vaginal examinations are necessary during pregnancy, why milk teeth are called milk teeth, look into informed non-consent in the hospital setting, and discuss declining interventions during labour & birth. We delve into the ethics and copyright of how to share information. Whether you can or should breastfeed whilst pregnant, how placental function is checked on an ultrasound scan, and more on placenta previa. As well as also squeezing in why some women experience lower libido and vaginal dryness whilst breastfeeding and the KICO - knees in, calves out birthing position.

Phew! That was a lot and we hope you enjoy it.

LINKS:
Childbirth Physiology Course: https://www.rachelreed.website/store
Dr Rachel Reed Website, blog, books and more https://www.rachelreed.website/
Sara Wickham article re. sharing information: https://www.sarawickham.com/riffing-ranting-and-raving/how-to-share-blog-posts-so-that-everyone-benefits/

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

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• 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?

In this episode in the cauldron, we have Pippa Grace, the author of Mother in the mother. 

Pippa is a socially engaged artist, writer, and sculptor. Her work brings together over 26 years of training and working in the worlds of holistic health, bodywork, dance, creative writing, film, and sculpture. 

 Pippa facilitates the sharing of stories and the creation of ‘visual narratives’ at beautifully held workshops. Pippa is particularly interested in helping to give voice to the quiet, everyday stories that may otherwise be overlooked or forgotten. Where voices have been silenced, her practice helps them find a creative way to speak out. A passionate feminist for as long as she can remember, Pippa specialises in working with women, exploring issues including motherhood, grand-motherhood, menarche, the female body, and trauma.
 
All of her work is grounded by an ongoing fascination with, and research into, the healing qualities of literature, myth, fairytale, storytelling, dream, and archetype.

In this episode, we explore the themes of maternal lineage and women's experiences when they themselves became a mother. We touch on what are some of the challenges or joys women often encounter in their own relationships when they themselves become a mother, how becoming a mother in itself, can be healing for some women, and we look at how Pippa explored the role of being both a mother and a daughter in the same body.

I know you will enjoy this fascinating discussion which really looks deeper into themes of transitioning into motherhood and what it means for our relationships, both past, present, and the future. 

Thank you to all of you that support the show over on our Patreon page, and if this is something you think you like the sound of doing then all the links are below.  We are so thrilled to have you with us, stirring up the

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• 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?

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
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• 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?

On this incredible episode, we get the pleasure of picking the brain of Dr Sarah Buckley, where we go on a journey into the hormones from conception to pregnancy, birthing to feeding, bonding & attachment.

Sarah Buckley is a New-Zealand-trained GP/family physician with qualifications in GP-obstetrics and family planning. She is also a PhD candidate at the University of Queensland, where her research is focused on oxytocin and the autonomic nervous system in labour and birth, and the impacts of interventions.

Dr Buckley’s work critiques current practices in pregnancy, birth, and parenting from the widest possible perspectives, including scientific, anthropological, cross-cultural, psychological, and personal. She encourages us to be fully informed in our decision-making; to listen to our hearts and our intuition; and to claim our rightful role as the real experts in our bodies and our children.

She is well known from her incredible and bestselling book Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering: A Doctor’s Guide to Natural Childbirth and Gentle Early Parenting Choices.

And her ongoing interest in the hormones of labour and birth, culminated in her groundbreaking report Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing This report, available for free online, has been described as “…one of the most revolutionary and influential publications on maternity and newborn care ever issued.”

Sarah tells us much more about oxytocin - that marvellous feel good hormone, that really does control so much of our bodily functions. Sarah answers questions about whether oxytocin and synthetic oxytocin (syntocinon/pitoci

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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, we interview Lily Nichols RDN. Lily is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator, researcher, and author with a passion for evidence-based prenatal nutrition. Her work is known for being research-focused, thorough, and critical of outdated dietary guidelines. She is co-founder of the Women’s Health Nutrition Academy and the author of two books, Real Food for Pregnancy and Real Food for Gestational Diabetes. Lily’s bestselling books have helped tens of thousands of mamas (and babies!), are used in university-level maternal nutrition and midwifery courses, and have even influenced prenatal nutrition policy internationally. She writes at https://lilynicholsrdn.com/

 Lily’s second book, Real Food for Pregnancy, is an evidence-based look at the gap between conventional prenatal nutrition guidelines and what’s optimal for mother and baby. With over 930 citations, this is the most comprehensive text on prenatal nutrition to date.

 Lily is also creator of the popular blog, LilyNicholsRDN.com, which explores a variety of topics related to real food, mindful eating, and pregnancy nutrition.

 We talk about what is 'real' food, not just the difference between processed food and whole unprocessed food, its not just that! Of course, we touch on diet & supplements for pregnancy, diet for those women diagnosed with gestational diabetes, and we even manage to fit in the best nutrition for recovery post-birth and breastfeeding. This is a wonderful episode full of golden nuggets! I know you'll thoroughly enjoy it and if you can please share this on your socials & tag us in your stories, plus we are so grateful to all of you who take that extra 5 mins to write us a review on Apple podcast to really help get this podcast out to a wider audience, and hey that can only be a good

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• 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?

In this episode, Rachel and I discuss all things placentas! 

We look more deeply at the time it takes to transfer blood from the placenta into the baby after birth and what the reason for this is. Rachel makes a stand for the “forgotten placenta” as well as bringing in some blokes named Erasmus from 1796 and Pierre from 1875 to make our jaws drop when she reveals what they were saying about letting the blood from the placenta flow to the baby all that time ago! 

And of course, we look further at expectant and active management of the placenta and how this looks in our current day hospital systems, Lotus birth, and the history of ceremonially cutting of the cord. We also dive fully into “confessions of a vampire”, as Rachel puts it!: Cord blood banking and all it entails, according to the current research. 

LINKS:

MWT blog posts: 

• An actively managed placenta may be the best option for most women
• The Placenta: essential resuscitation equipment
• Cord blood collection: confessions of a vampire-midwife 

Research: Birthing the placenta: women's decisions and experiences
Research: Third stage management practices 

Rachel Reed: https://www.rachelreed.website/
Patreon donation page:

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. 

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• 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?

In this episode Professor Hannah Dahlen talks us through her incredible beginnings growing up as the daughter of a midwife and her early initiation into the birth world in Yemen. How her passion for feminism and supporting women was seeded into her through her young girl experiences seeing and recognising how differently women and girls are treated and seen.  Hannah shares with us her own connection to the real-life 'Call the midwife' book through her mother's experience working in the east end of London. And she kindly shares with us her incredible and heartfelt story from midwife to professor, and what keeps her fire burning to continually strive to improve the outcomes for women and infants globally. 

Hannah's interview with us is one of story and delight, utter strength and empowerment despite the odds. A must-listen for everyone, as this will definitely leave you feeling positive for the future and grateful for women like Hannah who work in this field. 

Hannah Dahlen is the Professor of Midwifery, Discipline Leader of Midwifery, and Associate Dean (Research and Higher Degree Research) in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University. She has been a midwife for 30 years and still practices. 

Hannah has over 200 papers and book chapters and has strong national and international research partnerships. She has received 20 grants since 2000, including being CI on three NHMRC grants and an ARC Linkage grant. She has spoken at over 100 national and international conferences in the past 5 years and given invited keynote addresses at most of these.

In 2019 Hannah was awarded a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia (General Division) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for her significant services to midwifery, nursing, and medical education and research. In November 2012 Hannah was named in the Sydney Morning Herald’s

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

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• 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?

In this episode we have got Dr Sara Wickham back! Sara’s newest book titled In Your Own Time: How western medicine controls the start of labour and why this needs to stop, is a masterclass in what the evidence really says about induction of labour and a fascinating insight into how birth has come to be controlled by Western medicine. 

Staggeringly, over a third of all pregnant women have their labour medically induced, and this is accompanied by a tsunami of avoidable medical interventions. Worldwide, this trend is growing at an alarming rate. This is despite both a lack of evidence demonstrating its benefits and a wealth of evidence indicating the significant short- and long-term negative impacts of induction on the health and wellbeing of mothers and their babies.

Sara discusses with us how her timely book, in light of the newly released NICE Inducing labour guidelines, demystifies the evidence and highlights the significant discrepancies between guidelines and what we really know about the benefits of supporting women to birth spontaneously.

Sara is a midwife, speaker, bestselling author and researcher who works independently. Sara’s career has been varied and includes more than twenty years of experience as a midwife, lecturer and researcher. She is the author/editor of seventeen books and is the Director of the Birth Information Project. She divides her working time between speaking, writing, facilitating online courses, creating resources and undertaking a wide variety of consultancy projects and advisory activities.

LINKS:
Dr Sara Wickham website: www.sarawickham.com

The book’s webpage www.sarawickham.com/time 

Instagram  @drsarawickham
Facebook  fb/saramidwife

The Cauldron

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

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• 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?

In this episode we go on an hour-long whistle-stop tour all about low  milk supply. We touch on topics such as: 

• How many women experience low milk supply
• Breast refusal
• Re-building milk supply
• Donor milk
• Nipple teat confusion
• Breast reduction surgery
• The top up trap
• Medications that could affect milk supply
• Witching hours and COLIC 

Phew! It's jam packed.  We even have some great 80s or is it 90s movie references and some Ah-mazing accents from two of our comedy idols - Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer. You can't miss this, and nor can your friends so go on, shout out the window now and tell 'em to put the kettle on as you're popping round with the podcast they need to hear!

LINKS:
Rachel Reed: https://www.rachelreed.website/
Patreon donation page: https://www.patreon.com/themidwivescauldron
Instagram: @themidwivescauldron
Resources for low milk supply:

• https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-problems/low-milk-supply
• https://professoramybrown.co.uk/
• https://professoramybrown.co.uk/research
• https://kellymom.com/ages/newborn/bf-basics/importance-responsive-feeding/
• https://kellymom.com/hot-topics/low-supply/ 
• https://dianawest.com/books/

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
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• 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?

In this episode we have with us Dr Florence Wilcock , an obstetrician who has been working in NHS maternity services for more than 25 years. Florence has a special interest in improving women’s experience of maternity care & has been a consultant in London since 2007 where she is currently the lead obstetrician for Perinatal mental health as well as working with the Birth Options team, and homebirth team.
 As a member of the London Maternity Clinical Network Florence was responsible for the innovative Maternity ‘Whose Shoes’ co production workshops piloted across London in 2014. As a result she co-founded #MatExp with Gill Phillips; a grassroots movement of women, families and staff caring for them & working together to improve maternity services, and is also a clinical representative on the Royal College of Obs & Gyn women’s network.
Florence hosts the podcast TheObsPod. Where she works towards demystifying obstetrics and help both maternity staff and families.
Today we talk about how midwives and obstetricians can work more collaboratively in the hospital system.
We discuss safety, the current discussions on physiological birth as radical thinking and the thoughts of some who propose inductions for everyone!
Florence talks us through her Lithotomy challenge & the simple power of nurturing touch. She clearly points out how this education tool can spark our knowledge of how disempowering this can be for a woman.
And we discuss how the small changes, or what is often known as the 'warm and fluffies' for both obstetrician and midwife, can make a significant difference for the woman physiologically as well as emotionally.
And Florence leaves us with her zesty "nuggets" for us all to work in a space that benefits and protects women, midwives and obstetricians.

Links:
Dr Florence Wilcock:

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• 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?

We'll be back soon. Thanks for being with us for Season 2; all the in-depth conversations, truth-bombs, singing, laughter and so many golden nuggets!  It's great to have you with us in this big bubbling cauldron of goodness. 

Watch out for the beginning of Season 3 on our Instagram page where we have some great stuff coming up for you all. 

Please check out our links below. 

LINKS: 

Dr Rachel Reed - https://rachel-reed.website/

Our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/themidwivescauldron 

Our Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/themidwivescauldron/

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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, we talk with Bashi Kumar-Hazard.  Bashi is an Australian-based lawyer who works to promote the human rights of women and infants in the provision of maternity healthcare.  She has represented families and healthcare providers defending their human rights in coronial inquests, court proceedings, and civil disputes. Her background experience is in the field of competition and consumer law. She is currently completing a PhD in anti-competitive practices in maternity healthcare at the University of Sydney Law School. Bashi has been a director of Human Rights in Childbirth since 2014. In that role, she has collaborated with consumer groups in a number of countries, the World Health Organisation, and the International Confederation of Midwives to advocate for and defend women's rights in pregnancy and childbirth.

We discuss what is the law and what rights do women have over their bodily autonomy, the 2020 CEDAW case confirming that obstetric violence is a form of gender-based violence built on discriminatory stereotypes and perceptions about women, the special Rapporteur's report on abuse and disrespect in childbirth, and gender-based violence. We also discuss accountability for maternity care and how it can affect systemic change.

LINKS: 
Human Rights In Childbirth (HRiC) - Bashi Kumar Hazard http://humanrightsinchildbirth.org/

Submission from HRiC on informed consent to NICE - 
<https://humanrightsinchildbirth.org/index.php/2021/02/17/shared-decision-making-in-maternity-care/>

HRiC's submission - 
<https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Women/SR/ReproductiveHealthCare/Human%20Rights%20in%20Childbirth.pdf>
Special Rapporteur's report - 
<https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N19/213/27/PDF/N1921327.pdf?OpenElement>.

The report is also available in French and Spanish -  <http

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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 2nd episode on gestational diabetes, we discuss the baby; what is hypoglycaemia, how does it affect babies, what are the signs, and how is it treated? We look at some of the evidence and latest guidelines for treatment of hypoglycaemia in the infant, as well as antenatal hand expression, what helps support a baby's glucose level after birth and the link between women with gestational diabetes and delayed onset of lactation (milk 'coming in' late) and its potential impact on future breastfeeding. And of course, how to get breastfeeding off to a good start. A jam-packed episode to complete our whirlwind tour of GD. 

 LINKS:

Our Patreon account https://www.patreon.com/themidwivescauldron

Dr Rachel Reed - Gestational Diabetes blog https://midwifethinking.com/2018/03/20/gestational-diabetes-beyond-the-label/

Hypo EXIT - Lower versus Traditional Treatment Threshold for Neonatal Hypoglycemia. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1905593

ABM #1 Guidelines for Glucose Monitoring and Treatment of Hypoglycemia in Term and Late Preterm Neonates, Revised 2021  https://www.bfmed.org/assets/DOCUMENTS/PROTOCOLS/Protocol%20%231.pdf

Dextrose gel for neonatal hypoglycaemia (the Sugar Babies Study): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(13)61645-1/fulltext  

Advising women with diabetes in pregnancy to express breast

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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, we discuss all things gestational diabetes. This is a two-part episode as there was just so much we had to talk about. We start with gestational diabetes in pregnancy and next time we will be looking at it from the mother and baby perspective. 

Listen in as Rachel gives us the most wonderful analogy about insulin and glucose wrapped up in the form of Pac-Man, and Rachel dissects some of the research to give us a greater understanding of testing for diabetes in pregnancy and what this all really means but when a mother is diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

This is a cracker of an episode and we'll be back with the 2nd part very soon! Get your lugholes ready coz here we go!

LINKS:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/themidwivescauldron

Dr Rachel Reed website https://rachel-reed.website/

Midwifethinking Blog: https://midwifethinking.com/2018/03/20/gestational-diabetes-beyond-the-label/

Michel Odent real quote (!) “A diagnosis looking for a disease. ”



Disclaimer:
The information and 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. 

All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the content of the podcast are hereby expressly disclaimed. Your use of content contained in or linked to this podcast is entirely at your own risk. The Mi

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

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• 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?

On this episode we talk to Dr Sara Wickham, a midwife, best-selling author, speaker and researcher. Sara is the Director of the Birth Information Project. She divides her time between speaking, writing, facilitating online courses, creating resources, and undertaking consultancy services for midwifery and health-related organisations around the world. 

Today we are discussing all things Anti D. 

We delve into the founding history of Anti d – who discovered it, how it's made, what monkeys have got to do with Anti-D, the limitations in the research, and where we are at in current maternity practice. It's a jam-packed show!

Plus Rachel and Sara discuss their, let's say unusual, hobby of being guideline detectives! 

Sara's passion is "Getting good information out so women and families know what the evidence is and know what they want to do." 

This episode is both wonderfully informative and full of discoveries you've probably never heard before and of course some laughter along the way!

LINKS:
Sara's website 
Sara on Instagram @drsarawickham

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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?

In this episode we talk with the utterly wonderful Prof Amy Brown about why she doesn’t like sea lions, looking at breastfeeding from a biological perspective,  women’s experiences of feeding their babies, how to navigate the internet as a birth worker and more!

 Prof  Amy Brown is a professor of maternal and child public health at Swansea University. She is based in the department of public health, policy and social sciences where she is the director of their research centre 'LIFT' which stands for Lactation, Infant Feeding and Translation.  She researches everything to do with becoming and being a new parent, with a particular focus on infant feeding, mental health and normal baby behaviour. The ultimate aim of her research being to change society and culture, which as she states“turns out not to be an overnight job”. Amy wants to see a future where women and families are respected, valued and supported in growing, birthing and caring for their babies.  

Amy has written extensively; a plethora of books, research, blog articles and videos which you can find below.

LINKS:

Website: https://professoramybrown.co.uk/

Books: https://professoramybrown.co.uk/books-%26-shop  

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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?

In this episode we get to interview the wonderful Billie Harrigan. Billie is the Owner and Director of Birth Trauma Ontario, which provides education and training for maternity providers and allied birth professionals in trauma-informed care, as well as providing information and support for parents and loved ones that are dealing with birth-related trauma or birthing after trauma.

Billie is a traditional birth companion, certified birth and postpartum doula, and childbirth educator. 

We delve into some deep topics in this episode; what is trauma-informed care, how 1/3 of women experience trauma following birth, the importance of language and we discuss the skill of “affective empathy” and how this is key to gain an emotional resonance with another person. How affective empathy changes outcomes, improves client trust, how it reduces burnout in clinicians, and improves overall job satisfaction. 

I think you’ll find this episode both challenging and game-changing. And as Billie says it's time to start equipping women with the tools they need.    

LINKS:
Billie Harrigan website: https://billieharrigan.com/

Dr Rachel Reed book: https://rachel-reed.website/reclaiming-childbirth-as-a-rite-of-passage/


MUSIC: Joesph McDade https://josephmcdade.com/music
PRODUCTION: Katie James

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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?

This time Rachel interviews Katie about the most common breastfeeding questions we have about the early days.  The usual banter and laughter ensue, with a musical number or two belted out by Rachel!

LINKS: 
Donna Ramsey. Anatomy of the lactating human breast redefined with ultrasound imaging: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15960763/ (open access article) 


Disclaimer:
The information and 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. 

All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the content of the podcast are hereby expressly disclaimed. Your use of content contained in or linked to this podcast is entirely at your own risk. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

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 Danielle Arabena, is a descendant of the Meriam Mer people in the Torres Strait, a medical doctor, GP specialist,  educator, respected figure in the medical community and host of the Indigenous Health MedTalk podcast. 

This episode delves into aboriginal history, ancient medicine, medical magic and how we no longer recognise the importance of connecting to our menstrual cycle. We discuss how we can all benefit from sitting with ourselves properly during our cycle, learning more about our womb space and the energy it carries, including pain, trauma, and loss that we may be holding onto.

Through her formal higher education studies, trials and cultural journeying, Dr Danielle Arabena has arrived into her true authentic self as a Doctor, Doula, Healer and Indigenous health educator. Danielle has spent 30 years devoted to studies of all types, defying odds & bending stereotypes.  Dr Danielle has a particular interest in holistic women's health, menstruation, childbirth, lactation and postpartum care. 

LINKS:
Website
Podcast
IG - @drdaniellearabena

Artist - Delvene Cockatoo Collins 

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• 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?

In this episode Katie interviews Rachel Reed on her new book 'Reclaiming childbirth as a rite of passage'; from conception to birthing, including tea and toast at the end!

LINKS:
https://rachel-reed.website/reclaiming-childbirth-as-a-rite-of-passage/

Chapters

Part One: The Weft

1. Herstory: an overview of the herstory of childbirth from early humans to the emergence of modern maternity systems.
2. The legacy: how the legacy of herstory continues to influence the modern cultural landscape of childbirth.
3. Blood mysteries: an exploration of women’s bodily rites of passage and how they are interrelated with the childbirth experience.
4. Childbirth as a rite of passage: key elements of childbirth as a rite of passage and the role of care providers (setting the scene for Part Two).

Part Two: The Weave

1. Preparation: pregnancy and cultivating self-trust for birth
2. Separation: early labour and releasing the external world
3. Liminality: labour, betwixt and between, and transition
4. Emergence: birthing the baby and witnessing body wisdom
5. Integration: birthing the placenta and mother-baby enchantment
6. Medical birth rites: how to centre the woman when her childbirth rite of passage includes medical intervention.

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
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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?

Toni Harman is the incredible film maker of the multi-award winning documentaries Microbirth, Doula and Freedom for birth, as well as the producer of the microbiome online courses. In this episode, we explore the science of ‘seeding and feeding’ a baby’s microbiome during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding and the critical role of mothers’ microbes for optimal training of the infant immune system and lifelong health. Along with discussing the differences between vaginal and caesarean birth, those amazing human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), we also get down and dirty in the mud, Katie has now decided she needs a cow for a house pet, and we even talk about cave beer and pickling all in the name of healthy pregnancy, birth and for ongoing lifelong health for our babies, children and own bodies. 

LINKS:
Microbiome Courses website: http://microbiomecourses.com

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/473121803401844/

On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/MicrobiomeCourses/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/microbiomecourses/

Megan Azad: Perinatal antibiotic exposure of neonates in Canada and associated risk factors: a population-based study https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/14767058.2014.947578

Ewe Ewald: Proceedure in the NICU, University Hospital Sweden - Skin to skin contact https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=VVwbVJpfgAc 

Lambic beer: https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/what-is-lambic-beer-the-fermented-sour-belgian-beer-you-need-to-try 

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?

 In this episode, Rachel and Katie take a look at the evidence surrounding the pushing phase of labour. Rachel discusses the reasoning behind why we need to stop talking about labour in stages and we delve into the cervical lip and how best to deal with it. And of course along the way we have some fun.  Join us in this episode of The Midwives Cauldron to learn while you laugh.

LINKS: 
Research mentioned:

• Dahlen et al. (2013) Vaginal examinations during normal labor: routine examination or routine intervention: https://connect.springerpub.com/content/sgrijc/3/3/142?implicit-login=true

Midwife thinking blog posts: 

• The anterior cervical lip: how to ruin a perfectly good birth: https://midwifethinking.com/2016/06/15/the-anterior-cervical-lip-how-to-ruin-a-perfectly-good-birth/
• Pushing: leave it to the experts: https://midwifethinking.com/tag/cervical-lip/ 

Disclaimer:
The information and 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. 

All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the content of the podcast are hereby expressly disclaimed. Your use of content contained in or linked to this podcast is entirely at your own risk. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or relia

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?

We interview three amazing women who embarked on a mission to find out why an increasing number of women are emerging from their births physically and emotionally traumatised.  Their discoveries exposed the truth and led them to join the birth revolution and forge a movement and a documentary film that hopes to change the face of maternity care in Australia and across the developed world. Join us as we chat with Jerusha Sutton, Jo Hunter and Zoe Naylor.

LINKS:
Website https://www.birthtime.world

Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vXkYqTPvKM

Screenings https://www.birthtime.world/screenings

Find them on Facebook and instagram @birthtimeworld

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Support the show

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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?

Sophie Messager joins us in the Cauldron to talk about her new book Why Postnatal Recovery Matters

We talk all things becoming a mother, including how a lovely pigs trotter soup or lotus birth is the perfect way to avoid too many visitors. We explore the raw, real and forgotten side of the 4th trimester and the misconception that mothering is 'just doing nothing' and the mother guilt and expectations put upon women. Sophie discusses the best ways to support women as they navigate the early days of mothering. And lastly, we discuss the beautiful 'closing the bones' ceremony', which aims to bring the new mother back to herself energetically, spiritually and physically. 

This episode is for new parents and anyone who cares for new parents in the postnatal period. 

LINKS

• Book:  https://sophiemessager.com/why-postnatal-recovery-matters-book/
• Courses and more: https://sophiemessager.com/mums-and-mums-to-be/
• Instagram: @sophie_messager

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.

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

Here is the 2nd part of this listener requested episode. Rachel and Katie delve into self-care,  dealing with colleagues, Christmas albums, the concept of resilience in the birth-worker realm and various antics.

Links:
Dr. Rachel Reed
https://midwifethinking.com/
https://rachel-reed.website/books/

Jane Hardwicke Collings
https://janehardwickecollings.com/category/school-of-shamanic-womancraft/

Marilyn French
https://www.amazon.com/Marilyn-French/e/B000AQ4TNS%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

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?
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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?

In this long-awaited episode, Rachel and Katie get into the questions you've all been asking us; how to navigate, cope, and work within the system. In this 1st part, we look at spheres of influence, the gifts we can offer, and our relationships with women. We've got to say, that despite the title, this was probably one of the funniest episodes we have ever recorded! So, enjoy the fun along the way, and treat yourself to a bit of self-care by listening in!

LINKS:
Dr. Rachel Reed: 
https://midwifethinking.com/
https://rachel-reed.website/books/

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 we continue where we left you... on our cliffhanger question which we both love/hate to answer! Rachel & Katie also discuss twins and breech birth, galactogogues to increase milk supply and the usual fun along the way.  Join us for more of your questions.

LINKS:
Dr. Rachel Reed's blog: https://midwifethinking.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, we answer your questions! You asked us a variety of questions, including "are tongues ties on the rise?" and "what actually bursts in labour, and is it really water?" We also discuss advanced maternal age and induction of labour; and how to get enough clinical hours to become an IBCLC. There were so many questions this is only part one... 

Links:

FROSTTIE trial https://www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/frosttie/clinicians

Mills N, Pransky SM, Geddes DT, Mirjalili SA. What is a tongue tie? Defining the anatomy of the in‐situ lingual frenulum. Clinical Anatomy. 2019 Sep;32(6):749-61. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ca.23343 

Bode L. Human milk oligosaccharides: every baby needs a sugar mama. Glycobiology. 2012 Sep 1;22(9):1147-62. https://academic.oup.com/glycob/article/22/9/1147/1988076

Bruce German https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/breast-milk-reveals-clues-health 

Dr. Rachel Reed https://rachel-reed.website/links/

Books:

Dr. Rachel Reed. Why Induction Matters. https://rachel-reed.website/books/

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?

On this episode of The Midwives' Cauldron we take a whistle-stop tour of breastfeeding over the years, stopping by to hear about some of the fascinating and peculiar 'herstories'. 

We learn how the corsets of the fashion conscious women of the day could lead to inverted nipples and in some cases far worse outcomes! The 6 specifications to become a wet nurse... and whether Rachel fits the mould! And some of the hilarious, yet gruesome remedies for low milk supply and sore nipples. 

Stay tuned for a leap into the fascinating world of how we once fed our babies!

BOOK:
Breasts, bottles, and babies: a history of infant feeding by Valerie A Fildes

Editing and producing: Katie James & Jannis Piekarek
Music: Joesph Dade

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, Katie tries to enjoy a cup of tea while Rachel disturbs her with a tale of perineal bungles. We delve into the government-backed interventions implemented in a misguided attempt to save women's perineums. We explore the origins of perineal bundles and how they impact on midwifery practice and women's births. This tale is about how women are being blamed (again) for damage caused by care providers.

Links:

Midwife Thinking Blog: 

• Perineal Bungles and Midwifery Practice: https://midwifethinking.com/2018/05/09/the-perineal-bundle-and-midwifery/

Dr Helen O’Connell – clitoris research:

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5013866.stm 
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1283096/

Music:
Joesph Dade 

Production:
Katie James

Editing:
Katie James and Jannis Piekarek

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, we have the absolute delight of interviewing Jane Hardwicke Collings about women's rites of passage and how they shape our lives. We pay particular attention to the peri-menopause and the role of Autumn Women as leaders and change agents in the maternity system. This episode is jam-packed with intelligent, jaw-dropping and wonderful insights into womanhood.

Let us introduce Jane...

Jane Hardwicke Collings is a post menopausal grandmother. She was an intensive care and operating theatre nurse, and then a homebirth midwife for 30 years. Now her work focuses on teaching the Women’s Mysteries and writing about them. She gives workshops on mother and daughter preparation for menstruation, the spiritual practice of menstruation, and the sacred and shamanic dimensions of pregnancy, birth and menopause. Jane founded and runs The School of Shamanic Womancraft, an international Women’s Mystery School.

Links:

More about Jane

• Jane Hardwicke Collings 
• School of Shamanic Womancraft 
• Jane's forthcoming online courses:
  Autumn women, harvest queen 
  Snake medicine: shedding menstrual shame

Mentioned in the podcast

• About Bloody Time by Karen Pickering & Jane Bennett: 
• Dr. Christiane Northrup 
• More about the slang use of 'Karen'

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?

Join us as we delve deeper into induction of labour through the early postnatal lens. We discuss the impact of induction on the baby, and on the mother's lactation, looking at ways to ensure all mothers and infants get off to the best start, despite the labour and birth they may have had. Somehow this episode ends up wandering into the world of Wizard of Oz. We also learn new and, personally I think, much better words for amniotic fluid and the placenta. And we find out about the delights of Rachel's cat. Listen in for great insights and laughs along the way.

LINKS:
Book:
Why Induction Matters https://rachel-reed.website/why-induction-matters/?fbclid=IwAR0DwkC22hj112IslErUeBn1Ymm-DjvPlPD1MyQ_fO6MlRCWOBao3cBdkWE

Research:
Lussier 2015
Morton 2009
Slusher 2008
Meier 2016

Midwife Thinking Blog:
Induction: a step by step guide https://midwifethinking.com/2015/03/18/induction-a-step-by-step-guide/?fbclid=IwAR0RrYgWY5Ew3kptsDRyBnU3GWqzYC9BJDYfXDUVdVVAGeITYAwkMZwuH0s
Post-Dates Induction of Labour: balancing risks https://midwifethinking.com/2016/07/13/induction-of-labour-balancing-risks/?fbclid=IwAR00mo74WyMVM3pabgtT9SAjbbXcwDV0zXBcvPhLLvRvN5Q7FYLJ6

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, we take a step back in time and a short but deep dive into history from a female perspective. We explore how ideas about women and their bodies have led to the birthing practices we see today. We visit the world of Goddesses, vulva art, and how women were once revered for their ability to create life. Then we move on through the times into a world where women were seen as dirty malfunctioning versions of men, whose primary role was to reproduce. We also talk about how science and the mechanisation of the world resulted in our bodies being viewed as machines. On this whistlestop tour of history... or should I say herstory, you will hear about the gossips (you definitely want to listen to this), the closing off of keyholes during birth, and of course some fun along the way. You also get a sneak peek into the vulva art that one of us loves to make!

Show LINKS:
Jane Hardwick Collins: https://janehardwickecollings.com/
Marilyn French : https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14160.Marilyn_French
Adrian Wilson: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18183261-ritual-and-conflict
Layne Redmond: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/910443.When_the_Drummers_Were_Women


Music by: Joesph McDade
Production: Katie James
Editing: Katie James and Jannis Piekarek

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 episode 1, where we chat about how Rachel and Katie met, how our careers in midwifery evolved, and our plans for future podcast episodes. Join us as we invite you into our world of midwifery, education, laughter, and fun... and where this all began.

LINKS:
Rachel's blog: https://midwifethinking.com/

Rachel mentions her journey into embodying the true essence of midwifery and rites of passage with Jane Hardwick Collins. Find out more about Jane's work here: https://janehardwickecollings.com/ 

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?

Join Katie James RM, IBCLC and Dr. Rachel Reed RM, PhD as they hubble, bubble, toil and trouble their way through aspects of midwifery, birth, lactation and womanhood. 

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.