Articles

Here I share what I have gathered through almost 2 decades of learning, teaching and supporting women and families, studying birth and listening closely to women’s experiences.

You’ll find writing about pregnancy, birth preparation, hormones, movement, breastfeeding, postnatal recovery and emotional wellbeing — alongside deeper explorations of maternity culture, autonomy and birth in the news.

My work brings together evidence, traditional wisdom, practical experience and a deep trust in women’s bodies.

Take your time here, use the index, follow what speaks to you. And if you would like someone beside you as you prepare for pregnancy, birth or the months beyond, you can explore my classes and support here in the Forest of Dean and online.

Topic Index

These articles have been categorised to the best of my ability!

Open one of the topics below to explore, continue on to explore in date order, or if you’re after something particular and can’t find it let me know here

Pregnancy Topics, Older Mothers, Labour & Birth, Caesarean Birth, Birth Choices, Birth Plans, Maternity Rights, Informed Consent, Pregnancy & Birth, Advocacy & Maternity Reform, Baby Positioning, Birth Biomechanics Emma Gleave Pregnancy Topics, Older Mothers, Labour & Birth, Caesarean Birth, Birth Choices, Birth Plans, Maternity Rights, Informed Consent, Pregnancy & Birth, Advocacy & Maternity Reform, Baby Positioning, Birth Biomechanics Emma Gleave

Empowering Mothers to Make Informed Choices: Considering a Caesarean for a Healthy, Older Mum

For many women, becoming a mother is one of life’s most precious journeys—especially when it’s a long-awaited pregnancy. Older mums, in particular, often face added layers of advice and medical recommendations, frequently framed around reducing perceived risks. If you’ve been advised to have a planned caesarean section, it’s completely natural to want to take the safest route for your baby. However, stepping into motherhood also means stepping into your power. You are the one growing this baby inside your body, and no one else shares that unique bond.

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Pregnancy & Birth, Pregnancy Topics, Birth Choices, Birth Plans, Induction of Labour, Labour Interventions, Maternity Rights, Informed Consent, Wellbeing & Holistic Health, Self-Care, Pregnancy Massage, Reflexology, Relaxation, Hormones, Oxytocin, Partners, Birth Partners, Bonding, Community & Events, Rites of Passage, Rituals, Postnatal & Baby, Postnatal Support, Pregnancy Complaints, Sleeplessness, Anxiety in Pregnancy Emma Gleave Pregnancy & Birth, Pregnancy Topics, Birth Choices, Birth Plans, Induction of Labour, Labour Interventions, Maternity Rights, Informed Consent, Wellbeing & Holistic Health, Self-Care, Pregnancy Massage, Reflexology, Relaxation, Hormones, Oxytocin, Partners, Birth Partners, Bonding, Community & Events, Rites of Passage, Rituals, Postnatal & Baby, Postnatal Support, Pregnancy Complaints, Sleeplessness, Anxiety in Pregnancy Emma Gleave

Embracing the Last Few Weeks of Pregnancy

The last stretch of pregnancy is often packed with a mix of emotions—excitement, impatience, and a touch of stress. With your due date just around the corner, it feels like everyone is asking, “Have you had the baby yet?” While their curiosity comes from a good place, it can feel a little overwhelming. Instead of letting that pressure get to you, let’s reframe this time as a chance to slow down, connect with yourself, and prepare for the big day.

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Antenatal, Pregnancy & Birth, Birth Choices, Birth Plans, Wellbeing & Holistic Health, Self-Care, Women’s Wellness, Rites of Passage, Rituals, Community & Events, Antenatal Classes, Pregnancy Massage, Herbal Teas, Nutrition, Partners, Birth Partners, Support in Birth, Doulas, Birth Companion, Pregnancy Yoga, Relaxation, Hormones, Oxytocin Emma Gleave Antenatal, Pregnancy & Birth, Birth Choices, Birth Plans, Wellbeing & Holistic Health, Self-Care, Women’s Wellness, Rites of Passage, Rituals, Community & Events, Antenatal Classes, Pregnancy Massage, Herbal Teas, Nutrition, Partners, Birth Partners, Support in Birth, Doulas, Birth Companion, Pregnancy Yoga, Relaxation, Hormones, Oxytocin Emma Gleave

A Modern Take on the Blessingway Ceremony: Honoring Motherhood with Heart

When we think of celebrating an expectant mother, our minds often jump to baby showers.

But what if there were a way to focus more on nurturing the mom-to-be rather than just showering gifts for the baby? Enter the Blessingway Ceremony—a thoughtful, heartfelt tradition centered on uplifting, empowering, and connecting the mother with her closest circle of women.

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Postnatal & Baby, Breastfeeding, Baby Feeding, Bonding, Fourth Trimester, Postnatal Support, Birth Choices, Birth Plans, Physiological Birth, Hormones, Oxytocin, Support in Birth, Doulas, Birth Companion, Partners, Birth Partners, Antenatal Classes, Pregnancy & Birth, Wellbeing & Holistic Health, Self-Care, Community & Events, Forest of Dean Emma Gleave Postnatal & Baby, Breastfeeding, Baby Feeding, Bonding, Fourth Trimester, Postnatal Support, Birth Choices, Birth Plans, Physiological Birth, Hormones, Oxytocin, Support in Birth, Doulas, Birth Companion, Partners, Birth Partners, Antenatal Classes, Pregnancy & Birth, Wellbeing & Holistic Health, Self-Care, Community & Events, Forest of Dean Emma Gleave

Laid-Back Breastfeeding: Instincts, Connection, and the Golden Hour

Breastfeeding is often portrayed as a skill mothers need to master, but what if it’s more about letting go and following instincts? Laid-back breastfeeding, also known as biological nurturing, encourages this natural approach by allowing mother and baby to work together in a relaxed, intuitive way.

This blog explores the benefits of laid-back breastfeeding, its connection to the "golden hour" after birth, and how creating the right environment—both during birth and postpartum—can set families up for success.

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Pregnancy & Birth, Antenatal Classes, Support in Birth, Partners, Birth Partners, Doulas, Birth Companion, Birth Choices, Birth Plans, Informed Consent, Labour & Birth, Labour Interventions, Physiological Birth, Baby Positioning, Pregnancy Massage, Relaxation, Rites of Passage, Bonding, Community & Events Emma Gleave Pregnancy & Birth, Antenatal Classes, Support in Birth, Partners, Birth Partners, Doulas, Birth Companion, Birth Choices, Birth Plans, Informed Consent, Labour & Birth, Labour Interventions, Physiological Birth, Baby Positioning, Pregnancy Massage, Relaxation, Rites of Passage, Bonding, Community & Events Emma Gleave

The Role of Partners in Labor: How Antenatal Classes Strengthen Teamwork

When it comes to childbirth, the role of the partner often gets overlooked in the whirlwind of preparation. Yet, partners play a crucial part in shaping the birth experience. Far from being bystanders, they can be active participants, providing support, strength, and reassurance during labor.

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Pregnancy, Pregnancy & Birth Prep, Pregnancy & Birth, Antenatal Classes, Birth Choices, Birth Plans, Home Birth, Hospital Birth, Informed Consent, Partners, Birth Partners, Support in Birth, Pregnancy Massage, Relaxation, Pregnancy Complaints, Anxiety in Pregnancy, Hormones, Physiological Birth, Doulas, Birth Companion, Birth Stories Emma Gleave Pregnancy, Pregnancy & Birth Prep, Pregnancy & Birth, Antenatal Classes, Birth Choices, Birth Plans, Home Birth, Hospital Birth, Informed Consent, Partners, Birth Partners, Support in Birth, Pregnancy Massage, Relaxation, Pregnancy Complaints, Anxiety in Pregnancy, Hormones, Physiological Birth, Doulas, Birth Companion, Birth Stories Emma Gleave

Preparing for a Calm and Confident Birth: The Importance of Antenatal Classes

The journey to parenthood is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming—especially when thinking about labor and birth. Many expectant parents worry about how they’ll cope with the pain, the unexpected twists, or the sheer unpredictability of it all. But here’s the good news: you can feel calm, confident, and prepared for birth. One of the best ways to achieve this is through antenatal classes.

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