Why the Third Trimester Is Too Late to Prepare for Birth  With Midwife Pip Most parents wait until the third trimester to start thinking seriously about birth - but what if that’s too late? In this episode, I dive into the real reasons why birth preparation should begin much earlier in pregnancy. From understanding your options to building a support system and practicing evidence-based coping techniques, early prep can mean the difference between a birth that happens to you and one you actively shape. We’ll bust common myths, share insights, and give you a practical timeline for when and how to truly get ready. Whether you're expecting or planning ahead, this is the episode you didn’t know you needed until now. Extra Stuff: Midwife Pips Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books Check out Midwife Pip’s Exclusive Membership - http://www.midwifepip.com/ Get in Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe!  Midwife Pip x  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to make sure your baby’s breathing is normal   With Dr Lillie Parker  This week we are sharing essential information that every parent should know to make sure they can keep their baby safe. This week I am joined by Paediatric ED Doctor, Dr Lillie Parker to make sure you have the very best, reliable and expert knowledge on this important topic.  Extra Stuff: Midwife Pips Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books Check out Midwife Pip’s Exclusive Membership - http://www.midwifepip.com/ Get in Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe!  Midwife Pip x  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why Paternity Leave is Failing Families With Alex Lloyd Hunter Many dads feel under-supported in their role as fathers because traditional gender norms still often place the primary caregiving focus on mothers. While times are slowly changing, many workplaces offer limited paternity leave, making it difficult for dads to bond with their newborns in those crucial early weeks. Even when paternity leave is available, there can be pressure—social or professional—to return to work quickly, reinforcing the outdated idea that a father’s primary role is financial rather than emotional. Without strong support systems, from employers to parenting communities, many dads struggle to feel included and confident in their role, missing out on key bonding opportunities that are so important for both them and their children.  This week I am joined by Alex Lloyd Hunter a UK-based advocate for improved paternity leave and co-founder of The Dad Shift, an organisation dedicated to campaigning for better paternity leave policies in the UK. After becoming a dad, he recognised the significant barriers that limited fathers' involvement in bonding with and caring for their family. The UK's statutory paternity leave offers just two weeks at a rate of £184 per week, one of the least supportive in Europe.  Extra Stuff: Midwife Pips Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books Check out Midwife Pip’s Exclusive Membership - http://www.midwifepip.com/ Get in Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe!  Midwife Pip x  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What No One Tells You About Your Baby’s Nappies With Hannah Davies This week we are talking nappies; it may not be the most glamorous of topics but it is one that you need to know about. Nappies are an essential part of baby life and knowing what is and is not normal can be a huge sense of relief as there are so many variations and they can also alert you to potentially underlying health issues too.  Hannah Davies's the founder of Motherhood Road, Newborn Care Specialist and Sleep Consultant to make sure you have the nappy information you need for a smoother, healthier parenting journey.  Extra Stuff: Midwife Pips Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books Check out Midwife Pip’s Exclusive Membership - http://www.midwifepip.com/ Get in Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe!  Midwife Pip x  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dad Chats with CBeebies Nigel Clarke We talk a lot about motherhood and women’s health on the podcast so I am really excited to open the chat up to focusing on the very important other half’s… the dads! This week I am joined by Nigel Clarke @nigelclarketv dad of 3, TV presenter recognised by many little people from CBeebies The Baby Club, founder of Dadvengers @dadvengersofficial and a man on a mission to bridge this gap and ensure dads, their needs and roles are brought to the forefront of the conversation. Extra Stuff: Midwife Pips Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books Check out Midwife Pip’s Exclusive Membership - http://www.midwifepip.com/ Get in Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe!  Midwife Pip x  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hidden Discrimination Against New Mums with Ashley James  Parenthood can be hit with so much judgement, comparison and discrimination and this week’s guest is here to lift the lid on exactly this.  Ashley James is a well-known presenter, DJ and mother-of-two who has been in the public eye since 2012. She has built her reputation on candidly sharing her life and navigating the often-harsh realities of modern parenthood. Extra Stuff: Midwife Pips Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books Check out Midwife Pip’s Exclusive Membership - http://www.midwifepip.com/ Get in Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe!  Midwife Pip x  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Positive Inductions: Empowering Birth Stories  With Hayley and Danielle Induction of labour often lands in the ‘No thank you’ pile in birth plans and preferences and, as a Midwife, I am keen to challenge this idea because the truth is that with the right support, information and guidance an induction can be a very positive tool to an empowering birth experience.    This week I am joined by two incredible new mummy’s so expect baby appearances and noises on today’s episode! Hayley and Danielle, both members of my exclusive YPJ- Your Pregnancy and Postpartum Journey Programme and Hayley is also actually our Community Manager but other than having just become first time mums these two incredible women have something else in common- they both had a positive induction of labour birth and are, like me, keen to dispel the myths and scare mongering that exists out there. So grab a cuppa and let’s get down to it. Extra Stuff: Midwife Pips Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books Check out Midwife Pip’s Exclusive Membership - http://www.midwifepip.com/ Get in Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe!  Midwife Pip x  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

E198. Cycle Secrets: Demystifying Hormones and Tracking With Laura Federico and Morgan Miller Millions of people rely on apps to track their cycles however these over generalised, computer generated methods do not necessarily allow us to be empowered about our health as women and to truly understand our bodies in the way we deserve to if fertility and wellbeing are in our goals.  This week I am joined by @thecyclebook Laura Federico, certified sex and relationship therapist and Morgan Miller, midwife, activist, and birth centre founder. Together Laura and Morgan have co-authored The Cycle Book. These are two women on a mission to equip other women with the tools to take ownership over their own well-being and to understand the ins and outs of their body. Extra Stuff: Midwife Pips Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books Check out Midwife Pip’s Exclusive Membership - http://www.midwifepip.com/ Get in Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe!  Midwife Pip x  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

E197. Redefining Birth Preparation If your birth preparation looks abit like this… “I am filling my feed with positive birth content” “I am reading positive birth stories” “I am learning how to breathe” “I am hoping it will be ok” “I am staying optimistic” “I am just going to go with the flow” “You can’t control your birth” Then you need to listen to this weeks episode. Extra Stuff: Midwife Pips Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books Check out Midwife Pip’s Exclusive Membership - http://www.midwifepip.com/ Get in Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe!  Midwife Pip x  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlocking Your Baby’s Visual Potential: Essential Tips for Parents With Jen Fuller When your baby is born, to begin with, let’s face it there’s a lot of feeding, changing, hopefully some sleeping albeit at the wrong time of day and there you go on repeat. But one of the things babies are working on developing is their vision and science behind visual development has evolved and allowed us parents to also open our eyes to the potential ways we can support our little people.  This week I am joined by Jen Fuller, founder of Etta Loves and mum of 2. Jen is passionate about supporting babies to achieve the best possible visual experience to contribute to their development, whilst supporting parents and carers with easy everyday moments.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Fear to Confidence: How Polly Took Control of Her Birth With YPJ Member Polly and YPJ Midwife Chloe Meet Polly, one of our wonderful YPJ (Your Pregnancy and Postnatal Journey) members. Polly’s insights to birth and long journey trying to conceive made her feel she had to have a planned c-section, a decision based entirely on fear and misinformation. Polly took the reins, advocated, empowered herself with bespoke and evidence based honest information and made informed choices about her positive birth experience. Thank you for sharing your story Polly, such a powerhouse mumma! Extra Stuff: Midwife Pips Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books Check out Midwife Pip’s Exclusive Membership - http://www.midwifepip.com/ Get in Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe!  Midwife Pip x  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Empowered Induction: Laura’s Positive Birth Story” With YPJ Member Laura and YPJ Midwife Chloe Meet Laura, one of our wonderful YPJ (Your Pregnancy and Postnatal Journey) members. Laura works as a psychotherapist and has treated many women with birth trauma in her career, she was acutely aware of the need to protect herself and … she smashed it. There is so much fear around induction of labour but Laura went into it in such an informed and empowered place that it was a totally positive experience from start to finish. Thank you for sharing your story Laura, appropriate and well informed intervention is a blessing.  Extra Stuff: Midwife Pips Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books Check out Midwife Pip’s Exclusive Membership - http://www.midwifepip.com/ Get in Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe!  Midwife Pip x  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Trauma to Triumph: Megan’s Empowering Birth Journey With YPJ Member Megan and YPJ Midwife Chloe Meet Megan, one of our wonderful YPJ (Your Pregnancy and Postnatal Journey) members. Megan’s first birth was one she would describe as traumatic, having a lasting impact postpartum and making her worried about ever having another. Megan’s birth this year was the complete opposite- a positive, empowering experience and she has kindly agreed to share it to make sure other mums know their birth experience can be different to.  Extra Stuff: Midwife Pips Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books Check out Midwife Pip’s Exclusive Membership - http://www.midwifepip.com/ Get in Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe!  Midwife Pip x  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Optimise weaning by following these steps With - Annabel Karmel No parent wants a fussy eater, we all dream for children that sit at the table for food and eat their veggies. Sounds like the perfect mealtime, right? But unfortunately for us parents rarely is it all that plain sailing.  This week I am joined by @annabelkarmel , with expertise spanning over 30 years, London-born mother of three and MBE, bestselling international author, and a world-leading expert on devising delicious, nutritious meals for babies and children to help shed light on how we can feed our children with less stress and more success.  Extra Stuff: Midwife Pips Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books Check out Midwife Pip’s Exclusive Membership - http://www.midwifepip.com/ Get in Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe!  Midwife Pip x  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do babies really need to see an Osteopath? With - Laura Tilson  If you have had a baby or have mum friends you will likely have heard of someone taking their baby to see an Osteopath and in some counties it is now pretty commonplace. So, what’s the deal with it, why are babies having osteopathic treatment and is it necessary? This week I am joined by Laura Tilson, @lauratilsonosteopathy an experienced and registered Ostepath working in London and a wonderful human who supported by journey with Alfie and opened my eyes to the world of Osteopathic treatments.  Extra Stuff: Midwife Pips Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books Check out Midwife Pip’s Exclusive Membership - http://www.midwifepip.com/ Get in Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe!  Midwife Pip x  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Understanding allergies in babies With - Dr Helen HowellsEvans   Allergies in babies and children seem more common than ever, but what’s the truth behind them and what do we need to know and do as parents to keep our little ones safe?   This week I am joined by Dr Helen, a specialist doctor in the field of allergies. Helen became interested in allergy due to her own experiences of managing a child with milk and nut allergies and now educates internationally on this important topic. Extra Stuff: Midwife Pips Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books Check out Midwife Pip’s Exclusive Membership - http://www.midwifepip.com/ Get in Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe!  Midwife Pip x  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What nobody tells you about the postpartum  With Kelsey Parker The world can paint an idealistic, unrealistic picture of the postpartum and many motherhood experiences when, for most, it is raw, a messy kind of beautiful and for me with a side plate of bribery, conflicting emotions and endless learning.   This week I am joined by Kelsey Parker @being_kelsey. Kelsey is co-founder and owner of K2K Performing Arts School in Orpington and the wife of the late Tom Parker from boyband The Wanted. Kelsey found herself an unexpected grief expert and spokesperson after she was widowed at just 32 years old. You may also have heard Kelsey on her podcast Mums The Word, today we are chatting about what surprised us the most about becoming mothers in a conversation of expectations vs reality so grab a cuppa and join us for some real talk.  Extra Stuff: Midwife Pips Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books Check out Midwife Pip’s Exclusive Membership - http://www.midwifepip.com/ Get in Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe!  Midwife Pip x  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Top Tips You Need to Transition From 1 to 2 Children With Midwife Pip I get it, the thought of 2 little people to care for around the clock, splitting yourself in 2, helping your first born adapt, allowing yourself to thrive in the centre of it all it is a big worry. I was there and I felt it all too, this week I am sharing some of our experience, tips and ideas to navigating the big transition from 1 to 2 children.  Extra Stuff: Midwife Pips Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books Check out Midwife Pip’s Exclusive Membership - http://www.midwifepip.com/ Get in Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe!  Midwife Pip x  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simplifying what you actually need to buy for your baby With Hannah Fox from Which? Positive test and then bammm you’re hit with a never-ending overwhelming list of products your baby seems to need… but do they really? And how to do choose the right products for you that they actually do need?    This week I am joined by Hannah Fox @hannahmrfox from Which? @whichuk  Hannah Fox is a parenting and health journalist with more than 17 years experience in the industry. She’s the author of Mother&Baby Pregnancy Milestones (Hamlyn, 2016) and spent four years as a writer at Mother & Baby Magazine and website. She joined Which? in 2017, where she's a Principal Researcher and Writer, looking after the testing and content for a range of baby and child product areas including car seats and pushchairs. We are going to break through the overwhelm and noise to actually work out what a baby does need and how to choose the right items for you and your baby.  Extra Stuff: Midwife Pips Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books Check out Midwife Pip’s Exclusive Membership - http://www.midwifepip.com/ Get in Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe!  Midwife Pip x  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to choose the right carrier for you and your baby With Tatum from Ergobaby Carriers have honestly been lifesaving for me on my motherhood journey and are hands down a non-negotiable essential in my life. But I know when you start looking into a carrier to purchase it can lead you down a path of overwhelming confusion because there are so many different types to choose from.   This week I am joined by Tatum from Ergobaby. Mum of two wild boys, Content & Community Lead at Ergobaby UK & Europe, trained babywearing peer supporter, passionate about empowering parents. We are going to break through the baby carrier noise and simplify the different types and important features to consider when choosing the right carrier for you and your little one.  Extra Stuff: Midwife Pips Guide to a Positive Birth: https://www.midwifepip.com/midwife-pip-books Check out Midwife Pip’s Exclusive Membership - http://www.midwifepip.com/ Get in Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwife_pip Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwifepip Email: https://www.midwifepip.com/contact-us Enjoy Listening... and don't forget to subscribe!  Midwife Pip x  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices