Do you have an urge to listen to BigBirthas.co.uk founder Amber Marshall talk about high BMI birth for 50 minutes? Surely you’re keen to marvel at how much I waggle my hands around when I talk (because it’s a LOT)!? Well, I’m pleased to tell you your wait is over! I recently took part in a free online Birth Confidence Summit, organised by Birth Confidence Mentor and founder of BirthEssence.co.uk Charlotte Kanyi.
Charlotte has interviewed 27 ‘experts’ (her title, not mine) over Skype about many different aspects of birth. Talk titles include Healing from a traumatic birth, Exploring Induction Choices, Dropping the Nice Girl Conditioning – Make Birth Better (which links with) Visibility, Birth and freeing yourself from the Good Girl Archetype, Hypnobirthing for Confidence and more.
It’s a great idea and you can access all the talks for the bargain price of free!
I talk about why I set up the site, research, the difference between absolute and relative risk, looking positively at pregnancy vs the self-fulfilling prophecy, the media, blaming and scapegoating, and a bit about my two pregnancies and births and how I felt about them.
TL:DR?
In my interview I discuss how our bodies are designed for making and birthing babies. That we’re no longer in the minority and therefore shouldn’t be treated as ‘exceptional’ or ‘problematic’, in fact, we should have the same options as anyone else! Yes, carers should monitor the risks and act accordingly, but until something negative arises (and odds are it won’t) we should stay positive! Do your research and don’t expect your doctor to know everything about your personal circumstances and what is best for you. You decide, and you can use the BRAIN acronym to help you ask the right questions.
The Birth Confidence Summit Speakers
It’s a formidable line-up! There are some great speakers here:
Charlotte Kanyi, Confidence Mentor at BirthEssence
Natalie Meddings, Author, doula and birth yoga teacher
Debs Neiger, Independent midwife at Yorkshire Storks
Rebecca Schiller, Writer, Doula and Co Founder of BirthRights Charity
Alexia Leachman, Therapeutic Coach and Host of the award winning Fear Free ChildBirth Podcast
Kemi Johnson, Independent midwife, KG Hypnobirthing Teacher and Positive Birth Movement Facilitator
Liz Stanford, Owner of the Calm Birth School of hypnobirthing
Clare Ford, Birth Coach and Master Reiki Healer at Beautiful Souls
Mandy Rees, Pregnancy and Postnatal Yoga Teacher
Mars Lord, Award winning Doula, Doula Trainer at Abuela Doulas and Birth Activist
Phoebe Pallotti, Practicing Midwife and Associate Professor of Midwifery
Dr. Amali Lokugamage, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and Author
Samantha Nolan-Smith, Writer, Feminist and Founder and CEO of The School of Visibility
Simone Surgeoner, Mother of four and Journey Practitioner
Jo Bolden, Mother of one and Co founder and professional dancer at One Dance Epic
Emma Svanberg, Clinical Psychologist specialising in pregnancy birth and parenting
Dr. Rebecca Moore, Clinical Psychotherapist in Birth Trauma
Naraya Naserian, Mother of two and Journey Practitioner
Zoe Challenor, Professional Singer and Co Founder of B’Opera and Mother of Two
Lorna Phillip, Doula and Mizan Therapist at Birmingham Doula
Jennie Harrison, Energy Healer, Mindset Coach and Birth Trauma Specialist
Joy Horner, Independent Midwife, and facilitator of Positive Birth Movement Group
Kati Edwards, KG Hypnobirthing instructor and Doula at Birth You in Love
Nicola Goodall, Author, Founder of Red Tent Doulas and director of Wysewoman Workshops
Maddie McMahon, Breast Feeding Counsellor, Doula and Doula Trainer at Developing Doulas
Rachel Elizabeth, Mother of four and Doula at Creative Birth
Take a look and big thanks to Charlotte for organising and facilitating!