In this Episode Shellie and Kemi begin the journey of following the red thread through time, from mitochondrial Eve to the present day. We explore what has always and still does make childbirth safe, what we can be grateful for from the advances in social healthcare and medication and changes in practice. We explore the figures of death rates around birth for mothers and babies, how they have never been 50/50 in history but for mothers have always been around or below 1%, even in prehistoric estimates! This is part one of two, don't worry we won't make you wait too long for the next episode!Website:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntetheredJoin our mailing list:https://birthuntethered.kit.comPatreon:https://www.patreon.com/14193903/joinSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1kKvf6pjLGDJ5nDBMKPCjBApple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@birthuntetheredInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/Support us by buying our merch:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merchBuy us a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie

In this raw and compassionate conversation, Shellie, Kemi and Simon explore birth through the eyes of Simon. A father who's thoughts and reactions were shaped by two frightening, medicalised births, and how that trauma followed him into a third, deeply different experience. We talk about fear, responsibility, and the pressure partners feel to “hold it together,” even when their nervous system is bracing for disaster.

Together, we reflect on how trauma affects decision-making in birth, how couples can process difficult moments without blame, and what helps rebuild trust after fear has taken over. We also explore the contrast between emergency-led care and respectful midwifery presence, the role doulas can play in supporting partners, and what years of learning has taught Simon about physiological birth, women’s bodies, and trust.An honest, powerful episode for fathers, partners, and couples navigating birth and birth after trauma and anyone who wants a deeper understanding of how birth shapes us.Join the Mailing List:https://birthuntethered.kit.comWebsite:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntetheredPatreon:https://www.patreon.com/14193903/joinSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1kKvf6pjLGDJ5nDBMKPCjBApple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@birthuntetheredInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/Support us by buying our merch:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merchBuy us a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie

In this episode Shellie and Kemi welcome Maha Al Musa. We delve into a deep discussion about the healing potential of embodying birth, the challenges of being an authentic heart led birthworker and Maha shares her birth stories, life journey and wisdom with us.Maha Al Musa is a mother of three beautiful children (now 29, 26 and 17) and is of Palestinian/Lebanese origin raised in Australia. She is a doula, birth mentor, international educator and the founder of EmbodyBirth and Bellydance For Birth® since 1997. She has released two award-winning resources—a world first book on Bellydance for birth, entitled Dance of the Womb, endorsed by Sheila Kitzinger, Dr. Michel Odent, Dr. Sarah Buckley and NACE (Aust.) and a follow on video series voted by about.com readers choice award for Best Pregnancy Fitness Product. She was presented with the One World Birth Hero National Award in 2011. She also has on offer her online 4 modules/ 21 chapters, wise conscious birth preparation program and her highly acclaimed EmbodyBirth mentored certification educator training as well as other powerful resources. Maha has been a keynote speaker at many birth conferences worldwide including the Shandong Midwifery Conference China, Human Rights In Childbirth Conference India and Birth Keepers Summit USA. She has also travelled extensively to many countries globally teaching her program including Japan, China, Taiwan, India, USA, NZ, Europe, and Maha has trained many teachers online post covid including in Vietnam and other countries.All of Maha's teachings are supported by the Universal truth that birth is a sacred portal that has the potential to raise human consciousness and that every woman and baby has the freedom to choose and the right to be supported and born into the hands and arms of Love. www.mahaalmusa.comInsta @embodybirthinternationalEmbodyBirth 2026 online mentored certified eductor training container with MahaMarch - October 2026https://www.mahaalmusa.com/embodybirth-educator-online-training-certificationEmbodyBirth Pregnancy And Birth Prep Program4 modules/ 21 chapterhttps://www.mahaalmusa.com/embodybirth-pregnancy-birth-preparation-online-courseBellydanceBirth Bundle includes the award winning BellydanceBirth dance videos, Maha's homebirth at 46 and bonuseshttps://embodybirth-academy.thinkific.com/Award winning world first book on Bellydance For Birth - Dance Of The Wombhttps://www.mahaalmusa.com/dance-of-the-womb-bookJoin the Mailing list:https://birthuntethered.kit.comWebsite:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntetheredPatreon:https://www.patreon.com/14193903/joinSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1kKvf6pjLGDJ5nDBMKPCjBApple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@birthuntetheredInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/Support us by buying our merch:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merchBuy us a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie