In the final episode of Season 03 of my Holistic Health Podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with my wonderful friend Debra Russell of Roar Birthing, who is a Doula and Hypnobirthing Instructor. Join us for this fascinating conversation delving into the experiences of childbirth for women. We explored how giving birth can be transformative for some yet daunting for others. Our discussion centred around the fundamental challenges and issues stemming from our own birthing stories, shedding light on the gaps and significant issues within today's medical system, where these ideas came from and what alternatives are out there. Debra Russell, an accomplished Doula and Hypno-birthing Instructor, is dedicated to guiding women through their birthing experience and beyond with her business, Roar Birthing. Through a range of tailored support and services, she shares invaluable experiences and anecdotes gleaned from her career, supporting women on their incredible journey into motherhood. To Learn More about Debra and what services she offers please get in touch with her/give her a follow.

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• Email Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:10 - Podcast introduction 01:29 - Guest Introduction 05:18 - What is a Doula? 06:05 - Doulas in the UK 09:14 - Potential growth of Doulas in the UK 09:47 - Problems with NHS 12:30 - Changes in consumer behaviour regarding medical services 13:28 - My birthing story. 14:57 - Understanding problems with the current medical system. 17:03 - Intention behind being a Doula. 17:47 - How practising Doula came from ancient culture. 18:40 - Birthing experience in America 19:57 - Community birthing 22:50 - The narrative about hospital births 25:40 - History of Birthing 27:32 - Where do you get the knowledge of birthing from? 29:47 - Importance of empowering birth choices for women 31:40 - Misconception around hypnobirthing 32:36 - Social pressures and norms around giving birth 40:10 - What is hypnobirthing? 44:07 - Relation between Hypnobirthing and the concept of Doula 47:10 - Narrative about mothers being a birth vessel 48:27 - Understanding the process of Doula 50:10 - Discussing postnatal problems 53:58 - Debra's personal birthing anecdote 56:26 - Postnatal anxiety 01:02:02 - Problems with 40-week Pregnancy 01:05:12 - Risks associated with induced Birth. 01:11:18 - Factors determining labour. 01:13:44 - What would be an idealized birth experience in an ideal world? 01:15:20 - Do doulas also guide in preconception? 01:17:20 - Birthing experience in Spain 01:18:56 - Role played by childhood that builds perception of women around birthing. 01:20:48 – Discussion around things getting worse not better since COVID within NHS Maternity and why this is. 01:25:27 – Debra’s various offerings and where to find her 01:28:02 – Outro – please like, comment, follow and share with a friend. Editing & post-production: Gill Perkins with support from Adnan Sayyad Intro and outro Music credit: Bensound – Small Guitar My intention with this Podcast is to educate, inform and empower my audience to approach their health more naturally. I hope you love this content – if you do please comment/like/share with a friend who you think may be interested too. Please also give me a follow here/ wherever you listen to podcasts - I so appreciate your support as I build this content – thank you 🙏🏽 To find out more about my other offerings please click here