Real birth stories is a podcast about the incredible and unique ways that women bring their babies into the world.
We often hear birth stories second-hand…in fact, we live in a culture that loves a theatrical and often horrifying birth story! It’s about time the myths were busted.
Real birth stories put parents in the driving seat of their own stories, so you get the facts straight from the mother’s mouth. Each episode focuses on a different mother’s experience, and they are all so different and so inspiring. If you are pregnant or just interested in birth, then this podcast is for you!
Your hosts are two best friends:
Scarlett - host
Hello, I'm Scarlett, friend of our wonderful butterbean creator Lucy. I’m a woman in her thirties who is, as Lucy puts it, a 'Mum in the making'. I have no kids of my own, and am no expert on what it means to bring a person into the world. So you can expect a lot of questions from me about parenthood! I met Lucy at university and have always been inspired by her ability to create community. I’m keen to hear from other women about this very natural thing called birth that still, for some reason, carries an air of mystery. I feel very lucky to be able to hear their stories, and I hope our conversations can create a space where women realise they are not alone in their experiences: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Lucy - host
Hi! I’m Lucy - antenatal educator and advocate against birth misinformation! I’m here to spill the truth and empower women. My role on the podcast is to host the conversation, but also to shed light on the facts about labour and feeding. Scarlett is one of my oldest and best friends. In a way, she represents women everywhere who are considering having children. I want to give her - and all women in this position - the best chance of having a really good birth and feeding experience one day. If I can give this gift to my friend, then I can give it to anyone listening!
Real birth stories is brought to you by butterbean. For more information visit www.butterbean.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
This week's guest is.... one of your co-hosts - Lucy!
Lucy gave birth to Ivy in 2021. After having a low risk pregnancy with no complications she ended up going down the entirely medical route for Ivy's birth. Lucy questions whether this was necessary and how if she had been more informed she may have had a different experience.
Lucy's take on breastfeeding pre-birth was that she would just see how she got on with it. When she gave birth and then struggled with feeding she needed support and had to seek it out herself.
Real Birth Stories is brought to you by Butterbean. To find out more visit www.butterbean.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
17 Nov 2022
Leann & Sylvie
Leann gave birth in 2021 after an oracle predicted her baby's due date (and got it right!).
A story of a quick birth, a baby that was truly ready to be born and how time is of the essence - especially at 3am when it's snowing outside!
Leann used hypnobirthing and talks about how it helped her to stay relaxed as labour progressed and how she went onto feed Sylvie by breast but with the odd bottle of formula when needed.
Real Birth Stories is brought to you by Butterbean. For more information visit www.butterbean.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
10 Nov 2022
Lauren & Ruby
After a miscarriage in 2019, Lauren found out she was pregnant in 2020 - just before COVID started.
Lauren tells us how she loved being pregnant but didn't love the fact her husband Rob had to sit in the car for all of her scans (he did enjoy multiple peanut butter and jam sandwiches while waiting, every cloud). She describes spending part of her labour alone and how she made it a positive experience and how she really struggled with breastfeeding before cracking it and continuing for 20 months! This story truly was a rollercoaster ride but Lauren navigated it beautifully.
Real Birth Stories is brought to you by Butterbean. To find out more, visit www.butterbean.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
3 Nov 2022
Katie & Albert
After being told she was having a girl, Katie gave birth to Albert (a boy) in 2021.
Katie talks us through her informed decision to have an elective c-section, her challenges and triumphs with breastfeeding and how her life has completely changed since she took a pregnancy test and unexpectedly found out she was pregnant in 2020. From saying goodbye to her old life (for a little while) to navigating her way through the prevailing narrative that is motherhood - Katie has been on a journey that started with pregnancy and hasn't finished just yet! An inspiring and really truthful episode, told by a woman who's not ashamed to say it like it is - utterly refreshing!
Real Birth Stories is brought to you by Butterbean. For more information please visit www.butterbean.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
27 Oct 2022
Vikki, Elsie & May
This week we welcomed Vikki onto the podcast. A mum of 2 and a full time baby entertainer (yes that is Vikkis job!), we were so pleased to steal a bit of time to hear Vikkis story as she looked back on her first and second pregnancies and births and the choices she made to bring both of her girls into the world. From planning for a serene water birth to booking a c-section and navigating her way through the maternity system, it's fair to say Vikki had some u-turns to work through. By taking it step by step she made choices that she is proud of (which we think is pretty fantastic actually!).
Real Birth Stories is brought to you by Butterbean. To find out more, visit www.butterbean.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
18 Oct 2022
Meg & Phoebe
This week we welcomed Meg onto the podcast. To say Meg was faced with adversity in her pregnancy is an understatement. Extreme sickness, the grief of losing her Dad to COVID and being so far away from her Mum meant that Meg had to dig deep to find resilience throughout her pregnancy with Phoebe. Despite this she tells her story with such warmth and humor as she looks back on her own very unique birth story.
This episode of Real Birth Stories is brought to you by Butterbean. To find out more, visit www.butterbean.uk
If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in this programme then you can find support below:
Grief: https://www.cruse.org.uk/understanding-grief/grief-experiences/losing-a-parent/
Pregnancy sickness: https://www.pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
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