The Outspoken Birthworker

The Outspoken Birthworker Antenatal & Hypnobirthing Teacher offering inclusive in person and online classes and workshops in Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire and beyond.

Get in touch to book your free consultation now!

27/05/2026

1. Ambivalence towards your older child is completely normal.

This one is hard and it’s also tough to say out loud, but it’s very common for all of a sudden, your older child to feel over bearing, needy and even annoying. No, it doesn’t make you a terrible parent and yes those feelings will very likely pass. Just be kind to yourself, appreciate your hormones are all over the place and that you are adjusting to a massive life change. If you are lucky enough to have a village, reach out for support with the older children. And the guilt? Yes you’re going to feel it but again remember that feeling “mum guilt” is a completely normal, biological reaction.

2. Breastfeeding - you won’t necessarily just pick up where you left off.

Getting breastfeeding off to a good start with my first was a real challenge, but it became much easier over time. When I gave birth to my third baby, I wasn’t expecting the start of our journey to be a challenge but he needed lots of support in the first few days to learn how to attach at the breast efficiently. Don’t be afraid to reach out for breastfeeding support even if it is your second baby. Just because you know what you’re doing this time around, your baby doesn’t and time, patience and a good dose of hand expression might be needed to help your baby thrive In the early days.

3. Dividing yourself is hard work.

I initially worried that I would love my first born more than the second but the minute she was born, this wasn’t an issue. What was a challenge, was dividing my time between the two when my husband was working. My,not even 2 year olds, needs were high and she demanded my attention constantly. I had to learn to be okay with putting the baby down in a safe space whilst I met the needs of my toddler. The sling also came in VERY handy when tackling this.

*******************

For more support and education during the postnatal period, join an antenatal course or workshop with The Outspoken Birthworker. We ensure that you are not only educated for your birth, but for those early post-natal days and weeks.

24/05/2026

2 years ago, I was about to go to bed, unaware that I was going to wake up and experience an un disturbed home birth for the first time.

We never intended freebirth. The plan was to have midwives in attendance but it seemed free birth found us when the midwives were unable to reach us on time.

I can’t quite explain my birth experience with Gaia. Euphoric is usually my go to adjective. But what I do know, is that it completely transformed me and the way I view birth - it is the reason I became a Birthworker.

People always ask me if I was scared or panicked when they hear my last two baby’s were born without medical assistance. But despite knowing that nobody would make it, I never once felt worried. Something deep inside me knew that my body was capable of bringing her to me safely. I instinctively knew to trust my body and respect the birthing process. I felt strong, powerful, unstoppable. The moment the Ferguson Reflex kicked in and I was bearing down and mooing gloriously to push her out is what I can only describe as a peak human experience - I was utterly intoxicated on the hormones of labour.

This is physiological birth in all its glory.

Experiencing birth stripped back to its most raw form led me to this work. Thank you Gaia, my Earth Mother Goddess, for showing me that birth is the most incredible and powerful thing a human being is capable of - you have changed my whole trajectory and for that, I am forever grateful.

Happy Birthday beautiful girl 🌍 ❤️

Antenatal education shouldn’t just focus on the person giving birth - the birth partner has a vital role to play. So, ho...
20/05/2026

Antenatal education shouldn’t just focus on the person giving birth - the birth partner has a vital role to play.

So, how can you make sure you’re not being a s**t birth partner? Here’s a few quick tips.

1) Be a team player. Go to the classes, help pack the birth bag and be fully involved In making the birth plans. Not only is this supportive but it helps you connect to the pregnancy.

2) Get educated. Know the birth plan. Understand her choices. This means when she’s in labour land and working through contractions, you are able to help advocate for her and her birth choices.

3) Get involved with planning the birth environment. Whether the birth is happening at home, a birth centre or a hospital, as a birth partner, you will be the one setting it up - and you will need to do it quickly.

4) Get clued up on the breathing and relaxation techniques. Know which ones she wants to use and when she might want to use them so you can gently offer suggestions during labour. If she’s happy with its breath with her and be present during those moments.

5) Be a snack machine. Food and drink is needed during labour (despite what you may be told) to support energy levels. Bonus points if you’re providing her favourites - the labour hormones will love this.

Don’t feel like you’re up to the task of supporting a person through birth? This is something you need to be honest about with yourself and your partner. It’s important this is communicated before birth as they may wish to hire a doula for extra support.

Need more?

Join an Outspoken Birthworker Antenatal Hypnobirthing course or workshop to delve deeper into the role of the birth partner.

17/05/2026

1. Fear is a normal part of the birthing process.

It’s human nature to be anxious about the unknown & not knowing how things are going to play out. We learn to work with this kind of fear rather than against it. Any one selling you a completely fear free birth is leading you down an unrealistic path.
What’s not normal? The fear that society has pushed on us that birth is dangerous and that our bodies can’t handle it. That’s why we learn about REAL birth physiology and how we can support it.

2) Positive mindset takes time.

No matter what type of birth you are planning, it is absolutely possible to create a positive mindset around your birth. Although starting Hypnobirthing later in your pregnancy is better than not doing any at all, for it to be really effective, your mind needs time to re-condition the way it thinks about birth. That’s why around 20 weeks is the sweet spot to start a course or workshop.

3) We can learn to welcome the pain of labour rather than fear it.

Again, anyone selling you a pain free birth is, quite frankly, talking s**t. Birth hurts. That much you need to accept. But the pain? If you’re having a physiological labour, it’s not quite the same as pain from a horrific injury or medical condition. This pain feels different. It has a purpose. Think about how mentally, you frame the kind of pain you experience when doing a really tough work out. Birth isn’t dissimilar - we can learn to work with the pain rather than against it.
And the really cool thing? Our body produces the Beta-Endorphin hormone to act as a natural pain relief.

This is where antenatal education really comes into its own. Learning about the system, your rights and how to make info...
14/05/2026

This is where antenatal education really comes into its own. Learning about the system, your rights and how to make informed decisions. It is a huge part of my work at The Outspoken Birthworker and is deeply ingrained in all aspects of my courses.

Due to late onset Pre-Eclampsia, my baby needed to be born. I had two options: Induction or C-Section.

I chose induction. How did I decide? By using my BRAINS to discuss my options with my care provider and make a fully informed decision.

B - Benefits of a care option or intervention

R - Risks of a care option or intervention

A - Alternatives. What other options are available?

I - Intuition. What is your gut telling you (she’s a wise old bird)

N - Nothing. What happens if we do nothing at all?

S - Space. If it’s not urgent, ask for time and privacy to make a choice.

Know the system. Know your rights. Know how to advocate for them.

13/05/2026

I thought I was clued up before my first birth, I did the online Hypnobirthing course (I should have done a comprehensive in person one), I had researched online, but the reality is, it wasn’t enough.

So what do I wish I had known about birth before my first baby?

1) Breathing my baby out was unrealistic.

I did a VERY well known online Hypnobirthing course for my first birth that made it sound like breathing downwards would basically make your baby fall out as easily as taking a 💩. This is why In person Hypnobirthing courses work better as there is so much nuance to discuss during the pushing stage. Yes some people might be able to do it, and yes the down breath can be helpful for moving the baby downwards in the pelvis, but as for actually pushing it out? If you are having a truly physiological birth, it’s much more likely you will experience the Ferguson Reflex (not to be confused with the foetal ejection reflex). An uncontrollable urge to bear down, moo gloriously and bring your baby earth side. And you know what? It felt fu***ng awesome - All 3 times

2) Vaginal examinations aren’t a reliable indication of when your baby will be born.

I went from 2-10cm in 20mins. At 2cm they told me it would be “a long while yet”. What a load of crap. My baby was in my arms less than 2 hours later. So, no, if you don’t want a vaginal examination during labour, you don’t have to accept one even if they tell you it is “policy”.

3) You don’t have to accept the injection to deliver your placenta.

My labour was induced via pessary, so it was safer for me to accept the injection than not to, but had I not had a pre-eclampsia induction, I would not have known it was okay to wait for my placenta to come on it’s own. Speak to your HCP to find out the risks and benefits of accepting the injection or waiting to make an informed decision.

What do you wish you had known about birth before your first baby?

Re-Posting for May for May as it is Pre-Eclampisa Awareness month. It was my first pregnancy and I never expected it to ...
08/05/2026

Re-Posting for May for May as it is Pre-Eclampisa Awareness month.

It was my first pregnancy and I never expected it to happen to me.

Know the signs and symptoms and get urgent medical attention if you experience any.

*High blood pressure ( 140/90 or over)
* Swelling especially in the face, hands, or feet
* Severe headaches that don’t go away
* Changes in vision (blurred vision, light sensitivity, seeing spots)
* Upper abdominal pain, usually under the ribs on the right side
* Nausea or vomiting (especially sudden onset later in pregnancy)
* Shortness of breath
* Sudden weight gain (from fluid retention)

Pre-Eclampsia is no joke. It’s the most common of the serious pregnancy complications and it does not discriminate.

❤️

07/05/2026

The post-natal period is a wild ride. I speak to so many families who wish they had been more prepared for the realities.

So what do I wish I had known about the post-natal period before my first baby?

1) Breastfeeding is fu***ng hard work.

Don’t get me wrong. I love it. Like really love it. But In the beginning it’s Hard. Fu***ng. Work. And the support? If you don’t know where to look for it, essentially non-existent (or terrible). Seek support from a qualified lactation worker early doors and get yourself down to a local breastfeeding support group. These people are my village.

2) It’s normal for a baby not to want to be put down.

We are carry mammals. Our baby’s crave closeness and that means putting them down is not something they are a fan of. So no, you are not doing anything wrong - it’s biology.

3) You might mourn the goodbye of your pre-baby relationship.

I was not expecting this one. Random crying sessions thinking about how my relationship with my husband would look different now. I knew it wasn’t a bad thing, but I couldn’t help but morn the fact that, that version of us was gone.

4) Bounce Back Culture is Bulls**t

I could write a whole bloody post about this one but yeah, society’s obsession with bouncing back is one big crock of s**tttttt. It’s okay to:

- not want to see anyone
- not be ready to go out and about
- for your body to not look how It did before
- for your friendships to change
- to be consumed by your love for your baby & not give a crap about much else.
-for the house to be a mess

These are just a few things that stood out in my memory on a long old list of first time mum, post partum shockers (second post incoming 😅)

What do you wish you had known about postpartum first time round?

Edit - We now have a date! Sunday 12th July, 9:30am - 3:30pm, Mindhub, Evesham**Free, One day Antenatal Hypnobirthing Wo...
03/05/2026

Edit - We now have a date! Sunday 12th July, 9:30am - 3:30pm, Mindhub, Evesham

**Free, One day Antenatal Hypnobirthing Workshop**

The Outspoken Birthworker is turning 1 & to celebrate we are doing a bit of re-branding and are offering 5 birthing couples the opportunity to attend a free one day work shop worth £160!

The catch? There isn’t one really. We just ask that you agree to have your photos used in our professional branding shoot for our website and social media & leave us a review on Google & Facebook.

To find out more about this rare opportunity & register your interest, visit https://www.theoutspokenbirthworker.co.uk/general-8-1

Want to see what The Outspoken Birthworker is all about? ? Come and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

*We have planned the workshop for July/Aug 2026. Date, time and location (will be Evesham, Worcestershire or the surrounding area) to be confirmed once we have gaged interest in the workshop.

Address

Evesham

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Outspoken Birthworker posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to The Outspoken Birthworker:

Shortcuts

Share

Category