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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Advocacy & Maternity Reform, Doulas & Continuity of Care, Maternity Rights, Informed Consent, Birth Choices, Homebirth, Hospital Birth, Caesarean Birth, Induction of Labour, Birth Trauma, Doulas, Birth Companion, Partners, Birth Partners, Antenatal Classes, Pregnancy & Birth, Community & Events, Forest of Dean, Personal Reflections Emma Gleave Advocacy & Maternity Reform, Doulas & Continuity of Care, Maternity Rights, Informed Consent, Birth Choices, Homebirth, Hospital Birth, Caesarean Birth, Induction of Labour, Birth Trauma, Doulas, Birth Companion, Partners, Birth Partners, Antenatal Classes, Pregnancy & Birth, Community & Events, Forest of Dean, Personal Reflections Emma Gleave

Take Ownership of Your Pregnancy Care: Why Personalised, Caseload Midwifery Matters

A recent BBC article highlights an ongoing crisis in maternity services. Despite years of warnings and recommendations, little has changed. Depersonalised, intervention-heavy approaches dominate, leaving many women feeling unsupported during pregnancy and birth. The result? Rising intervention rates, birth trauma, and an overall lack of trust in the system.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

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Pregnancy Topics, Older Mothers, Growth Scans, Blood Tests, Pregnancy Complications, Birth Choices, Maternity Rights, Informed Consent, Labour & Birth, Induction of Labour, Labour Interventions, Caesarean Birth, Nutrition, Pregnancy Massage, Pregnancy Yoga, Relaxation, Wellbeing & Holistic Health, Self-Care, Doulas, Birth Companion, Antenatal Classes, Forest of Dean Emma Gleave Pregnancy Topics, Older Mothers, Growth Scans, Blood Tests, Pregnancy Complications, Birth Choices, Maternity Rights, Informed Consent, Labour & Birth, Induction of Labour, Labour Interventions, Caesarean Birth, Nutrition, Pregnancy Massage, Pregnancy Yoga, Relaxation, Wellbeing & Holistic Health, Self-Care, Doulas, Birth Companion, Antenatal Classes, Forest of Dean Emma Gleave

Do Growth Scans Improve Outcomes for Older Mothers? Examining the Evidence

As a birth professional, I often get asked about growth scans, or fetal growth assessments, especially for older mothers.

Every scan, test, or procedure offered during pregnancy is just that—offered. It is not mandatory. Women are best placed to make decisions for themselves and their babies, provided they are fully informed about the benefits and risks of each procedure. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. To help bridge that gap, here is a summary of the evidence.

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Doulas & Continuity of Care, Doulas, Birth Companion, Support in Birth, Pregnancy & Birth, Labour & Birth, Birth Choices, Physiological Birth, Caesarean Birth, Labour Interventions, Breastfeeding, Partners, Birth Partners, Maternity Rights, Informed Consent, Advocacy & Maternity Reform, Rites of Passage, Community & Events, Personal Reflections Emma Gleave Doulas & Continuity of Care, Doulas, Birth Companion, Support in Birth, Pregnancy & Birth, Labour & Birth, Birth Choices, Physiological Birth, Caesarean Birth, Labour Interventions, Breastfeeding, Partners, Birth Partners, Maternity Rights, Informed Consent, Advocacy & Maternity Reform, Rites of Passage, Community & Events, Personal Reflections Emma Gleave

The Evidence for Having a Doula

In a world where childbirth has increasingly shifted into hospitals and medical settings, the role of continuous, non-judgmental support during labour has never been more crucial. For centuries, women were surrounded by other women during birth—offering reassurance, guidance, and care. Today, doulas are reclaiming this vital role, and the evidence for their impact on birth outcomes is clear and compelling.

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Wellbeing, Wellbeing & Holistic Health, Pregnancy Massage, Self-Care, Relaxation, Hormones, Oxytocin, Pregnancy & Birth, Birth Choices, Physiological Birth, Labour & Birth, Labour Interventions, Caesarean Birth, Pregnancy Topics, Pregnancy Complaints, Swelling, Fatigue, Postnatal & Baby, Postnatal Recovery Emma Gleave Wellbeing, Wellbeing & Holistic Health, Pregnancy Massage, Self-Care, Relaxation, Hormones, Oxytocin, Pregnancy & Birth, Birth Choices, Physiological Birth, Labour & Birth, Labour Interventions, Caesarean Birth, Pregnancy Topics, Pregnancy Complaints, Swelling, Fatigue, Postnatal & Baby, Postnatal Recovery Emma Gleave

Can pregnancy massage shorten your labour?

Can pregnancy massage shorten your labour, improve your health, your birth, and event the health of your baby?

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