"They Told Me It Would Feel Like a Smear Test." It Didn't.

They told me an endometrial biopsy would feel "like a smear test." It didn't. Not even close.

In this episode I share my experience of having an endometrial biopsy without adequate pain relief, and why this is STILL routine practice for so many women. I also share stories from others who went through the same thing, and the facts that every woman deserves to know before this procedure.

You have the right to ask for pain relief. You have the right to not be dismissed.

If you or someone you know is due to have an endometrial biopsy, please share this video. The more women who go in informed, the better.

In this episode:

🔹 My personal experience — fertility issues, the referral, and what actually happened in that room

🔹 What an endometrial biopsy actually involves (it's cutting, not scraping — and yes, that matters)

🔹 Cervical shock: what it is and what happened to me after 🔹 Why my TikTok about this went viral

🔹 Why pain relief isn't offered as standard — and the systemic reasons behind it

🔹 The statistics: 1 in 3 women report severe pain during this procedure

🔹 The gender pain gap and why women's pain is chronically underestimated

🔹 Medical gaslighting and chronic illness

🔹 What the NHS actually says about this procedure — and what it leaves out

🔹 The campaigns fighting to change this

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:34 Background — Fertility Issues and Pain

1:17 Referral to Gynaecology

1:52 Endometrial Biopsy Suggested

2:59 Day of the Procedure

4:08 The Painful Reality

5:10 Procedure Details — Cutting, Not Scraping

6:23 Extreme Pain During the Procedure

7:49 After the Procedure — Feeling Violated

8:38 Cervical Shock and the Ambulance

9:26 TikTok Video Goes Viral

10:32 Why Pain Relief Isn't Standard

11:50 Addressing Common Comments

14:23 Statistics — 1 in 3 Women Report Severe Pain

15:09 Campaigns Against Painful Procedures

15:53 The Gender Pain Gap — Women vs Men

18:21 Medical Gaslighting and Chronic Illness

21:44 NHS Information on Endometrial Biopsy

23:38 How the Procedure is Actually Done

24:23 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Support the channel: buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredparenthoodpod

🔔 Subscribe for more unfiltered, honest content on women's health, parenting, neurodiversity and disability advocacy.

Matthew and Ryan from TikTok (Daddies Overnight podcast) recently adopted a baby, and their comment sections are absolutely mental. Fans are demanding to see the child's face, asking for his name, and acting like they're owed something. They're not.

This parasocial relationship nonsense needs to stop. These creators don't owe you their child's identity just because you followed their adoption journey.

In this video, I'm breaking down why Matthew and Ryan are RIGHT to protect their son's privacy, the dangers of sharenting, and why family vloggers exploiting their kids online is getting out of hand. From celebrity culture to the disturbing reality of who's saving these videos, we need to talk about protecting children online.

Whether it's Matthew and Ryan's adoption story or other family vloggers monetising their kids, children deserve privacy and protection. Full stop.

Support The Show:
buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredparenthoodpod

Articles and Links Featured:

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Family/parenting-influencers-speak-new-law-designed-protect-kids/story?id=111580202

https://www.tiktok.com/@matthewandryanuk

https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/daddies-overnight

Topics covered:

Matthew and Ryan TikTok adoption journey
Daddies Overnight podcast creators
Parasocial relationships with influencers
Sharenting dangers and child exploitation
Family vloggers and child safety
Why children can't consent to being online
UK vs US child protection laws


If you're a parent creator or just care about kids' safety online, this one's for you.

#MatthewAndRyan #DaddiesOvernight #Sharenting #FamilyVloggers #ParasocialRelationships #ChildSafety #TikTok

Takeaways

• Respect the privacy and protection of children online.
• Consider the ethical and legal implications of sharing children's faces on social media.

Chapters

• 00:00 Demanding to See Children's Faces Online
• 09:50 Parasocial Relationships and Boundaries
• 17:24 Exploitation of Children on Social Media

Mattel have released a new Barbie, Autistic Barbie. Yes you heard that right. An Autistic Barbie! Complete with headphones and eyes that don't look at you.

Lets talk about it.


Chapters

00:00 The Visibility of Autism
02:14 Concerns About Representation
04:36 Imagination vs. Representation in Toys
07:14 Critique of Performative Inclusion


Keywords

Autism, Barbie, representation, inclusivity, neurodiversity, children's toys, identity, parenting, societal perceptions, performative inclusion

Let's talk about the Angel Tree grifters flooding social media right now. If you have to film yourself doing charity, are you actually being charitable? Real talk about performative giving, why posting your 'good deeds' is harmful to vulnerable families, and what authentic kindness actually looks like. This isn't about shaming people who want to help, it's about protecting the dignity of families in need and teaching our kids that real kindness doesn't need an audience.

#parenting #unfilteredparenthood #mumlife #tiktokmum

UK FAIR DEALING DISCLAIMER:
Any clips or materials used in this video fall under Fair Dealing for the purposes of commentary, criticism, and review, as set out in the Copyright, Designs & Patents Act 1988. All content is used transformatively with no intention to infringe.

AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER:
Some links may be affiliate links which means I might earn a small commission if you buy through them. It costs you nothing and helps fund the chaos. Cheers!

—————————————————————————————

☕ Buy me a coffee (support the show!)
https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredparenthoodpod

🎧 Listen to the podcast:
Apple: search “Unfiltered Parenthood”
Spotify: search “Unfiltered Parenthood”
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UnfilteredParenthood

🎤 Record your own podcast with Riverside
Get 35% OFF annual plans with code BF2025

📱 Follow on TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@unfiltered_parenthood

📺 Watch on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@UnfilteredParenthood

💌 Business or guest enquiries
virtuallylucyva@gmail.com

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Drop a comment with your thoughts…
I see them all, even the unhinged ones.

We are SO back… again.
Leave a LIKE if you enjoy watching me attempt to parent, work, and occasionally survive xx

#parenting #unfilteredparenthood #mumlife #tiktokmum

UK FAIR DEALING DISCLAIMER:
Any clips or materials used in this video fall under Fair Dealing for the purposes of commentary, criticism, and review, as set out in the Copyright, Designs & Patents Act 1988. All content is used transformatively with no intention to infringe.

AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER:
Some links may be affiliate links which means I might earn a small commission if you buy through them. It costs you nothing and helps fund the chaos. Cheers!

———————————————————————————————

☕ Buy me a coffee (support the show!)
https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredparenthoodpod

🎧 Listen to the podcast:
Apple: search “Unfiltered Parenthood”
Spotify: search “Unfiltered Parenthood”
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UnfilteredParenthood

🎤 Record your own podcast with Riverside
Get 35% OFF annual plans with code BF2025

📱 Follow on TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@unfiltered_parenthood

📺 Watch on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@UnfilteredParenthood

💌 Business or guest enquiries
virtuallylucyva@gmail.com

———————————————————————————————

Drop a comment with your thoughts…
I see them all, even the unhinged ones.

In this episode of Balancing Business and Babies, host Lucy Howell is joined by guest Bianca Sprague from Bebomia Inc. to discuss the challenges of parenting a neurodiverse child and navigating maternal health issues.

Bianca shares her experiences with her daughter, Grey, who was diagnosed as neurodiverse and their journey through the educational system as well. Lucy opens up about her experiences giving birth during the early days of COVID. The conversation delves into the complexities of neurodiversity, the importance of support for parents, and the impact of medical interventions during childbirth.

Key Points Covered:

- Bianca's daughter's neurodiversity diagnosis and the challenges of parenting a neurodiverse child

- Discussion on the limitations of the educational system to support neurodiverse children

- Lucy's personal experience giving birth during the early days of COVID and the impact of lack of support during childbirth

- Bianca's pivot to becoming a doula and her journey in founding Bebomia Inc.

- The impact of medical interventions during childbirth and the need for a more supportive and empowering approach to birth experiences

- Plans for a part two to further explore maternity rates and issues faced by the Black community during childbirth

Tune in to the next episode for a deeper dive into maternity rates and the challenges faced by the Black community during childbirth.

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and valuable insights on Balancing Business and Babies.

Connect with Bianca here:

Facebook

Pinterest

Website

Instagram

YouTube

You wont want to miss this one.

******* Thinking of launching your own podcast? Grab my podcast ebook for advice and tips on launching and marketing*********

Need help gaining some balance in your business then grab my free work and parenting planner

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neurodiversity, special education, parenting challenges, homeschooling, childbirth education, informed consent, ultrasound measurements, special education needs (SEN), neurodiverse children, doula, birthing experience, induced labor, water birth, epidural, cesarean, medical interventions, postpartum period, COVID birth

Lucy Howell breaks down the internet’s biggest parenting myth: that gentle parenting means no rules, no discipline, and total chaos. Spoiler alert — it doesn’t.

In this episode, Lucy gets brutally honest about what gentle parenting really is, why it keeps getting confused with permissive parenting, and how social media is feeding the fire. She opens up about parenting her neurodivergent son, the realities of emotional regulation when you're completely touched out, and why being calm doesn't mean you're weak.

If you’re sick of people twisting the narrative and blaming “gentle” parenting for everything from tantrums to moral collapse — this one’s for you.

🔥 Why gentle parenting isn’t passive

🔥 The difference between calm and permissive

🔥 Real talk on setting boundaries and showing empathy

🔥 Parenting in public while being judged by strangers

🔥 The long-game of raising emotionally safe kids

🎧 LISTEN NOW:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/unfiltered-parenthood/id1724540784

🎥 Watch + Share on YouTube Shorts & TikTok Clips from this episode dropping now: @unfilteredparenthood

🔖 Keywords: gentle parenting, permissive parenting, parenting boundaries, emotional regulation, parenting podcast, respectful parenting, parenting TikTok, conscious parenting, parenting truth, raising emotionally intelligent kids

#UnfilteredParenthood #GentleParenting #ParentingPodcast #MumLife #ParentingTruths #RespectfulParenting #ModernParenting #ParentingWithBoundaries #ParentingStyles

Hey there!

Welcome to another episode of "Balancing Business and Babies." I'm your host, Lucy, and today we're diving into a conversation that's close to many of our hearts. I have got Harrison Cantel with me – a super dad and savvy entrepreneur. He's here to share his real-life stories about mixing playtimes, playtime and work.

You can also watch this episode on youtube on the Balancing Business and Babies Video Podcast

1. Harrison's Heartfelt Transition from Expectant Dad to Business Whiz: Harrison gets candid about his journey into fatherhood while creating his marketing company. He's living proof that you can be a cool dad and a successful business owner at the same time.
2. Juggling Mental Health and Daily Hustle: Let's talk about how Harrison keeps his mind in check while balancing his roles. He's got some neat tricks up his sleeve for staying sane amidst the chaos of running a creative media brand and being a hands-on dad.
3. Real Talk: Authenticity in Personal Branding: Harrison spills the beans on how being authentic on social media, has shaped his personal and professional image. His video style isn't just about looking good; it's about being genuine, facing challenges head-on, and sharing those experiences.
4. Lockdown Babies and Dad Life: Ever wondered what it's like raising a child during a pandemic? Harrison and Lucy share the ups and downs, focusing on how their little one's imaginations have been a silver lining during lockdown.
5. Day-to-Day: Striking a Balance Between Family Time and Work: From enjoying family dinners to setting aside phone-free time, Harrison gives us a peek into his daily life, blending fatherhood with his role as a founder.
6. Opening Up: A Dad's Take on Mental Health and Communication: It's vital, Harrison says, for dads to talk about their struggles. He's all for open communication, especially about men's mental health, and how it helps in handling the pressure of life and work.
7. Leaning on Others: The Strength of Support Systems: Wrapping up, Harrison highlights how having a strong support network has been key to his well-being and success. It's all about finding that sweet spot of support in both your personal and business lives.

This episode isn't just your regular podcast talk; it's a slice of life, filled with relatable stories and practical tips for anyone trying to make it work with kids, careers, and everything in between. Harrison's journey is a reminder of the importance of keeping it real, looking after our mental health, and the power of community.

Connect With Harrison and get your videos looking amazing!

Linkedin

Website

Instagram

YouTube

SEO Keywords: balancing business and babies, business owner, founder, creative, media brand, marketing company, personal brand, videos, dad, father-to-be, mental health, work-life balance, routines, priorities, video style, openness, authenticity, challenges, experiences, family dinners, phone time, fatherhood, mental health, lockdown children, lockdown babies, social interaction, speech and language, routine, imagination, content creation, men's mental health, open communication, support, well-being.