In this week’s episode I chatted with Erin shares her first birth story, positive NHS hospital induction after reduced fetal movements, leading to a fast vaginal birth.

Erin talks through days of monitoring, repeated pessary attempts, and how labour ramped up quickly once her waters were broken. She shares what helped with pain relief (TENS, gas and air, and diamorphine), what it felt like being close to intervention during pushing, and the moment she found her voice and delivered her son.

We also chat honestly about the post-birth feeding journey, including a sleepy newborn after opioid pain relief, breastfeeding struggles, pumping, combi-feeding, and eventually formula — plus Erin’s reassuring advice about knowing your options and trusting your instincts.

This episode is for informational purposes only and reflects personal experiences. It does not replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTube

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Cat, a mum of two, who shares her experiences of an NHS birth centre water birth and a planned home birth that became an unexpectedly fast delivery before midwives arrived. Cat first reflects on welcoming her daughter in a birth centre, describing a calm, physiological labour supported by NHS midwives, gas and air, and the freedom to move and follow her instincts. She then shares her second birth, a planned NHS home birth that unfolded rapidly at home. Alongside both birth stories, Cat speaks openly about the emotional impact of becoming a mother after losing her own mum. She reflects on how grief resurfaced in the early postnatal period, the intensity of post-birth hormonal shifts, and the emotional challenges of transitioning from one child to two. This episode explores themes of NHS birth options, birth centre and home birth, trusting your body, informed decision-making, grief in motherhood, and postpartum emotional wellbeing.

These stories are personal experiences and are shared for informational purposes only. They should not be taken as medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTube

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode I spoke with Rosie who shares her unforgettable first birth story, a fast, intense, and ultimately positive NHS hospital birth. From months of trying to conceive and pregnancy growth-scan worries, to a labour that began amid a burglary, car shopping in Manchester, and escalated far quicker than anyone expected. She talks honestly about CTG monitoring, consenting to an episiotomy, and the shock of realising she was already in advanced labour on arrival at hospital. Rosie also opens up about recovery, breastfeeding challenges, and experiencing postpartum anxiety, offering a raw, funny, and reassuring reminder of just how unpredictable birth and early motherhood can be.

These stories are personal experiences and are shared for informational purposes only. They should not be taken as medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

British Birthing Stories shares real, unfiltered stories of childbirth in the UK, from pregnancy and labour to postpartum recovery.

These stories reflect personal experiences and should not be taken as or replace medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Follow us on social: Instagram · TikTok · YouTube

Want to come on the podcast? Get in touch and share your story here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.