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

Personal Reflections, Birthkeeper, Baby Loss, Death & Rites of Passage, Rituals, Fourth Trimester, Antenatal Classes, Labour & Birth, Support in Birth, Birth Choices, Freebirth Emma Gleave Personal Reflections, Birthkeeper, Baby Loss, Death & Rites of Passage, Rituals, Fourth Trimester, Antenatal Classes, Labour & Birth, Support in Birth, Birth Choices, Freebirth Emma Gleave

Sister Morning Star: Deepening What It Means to Be ‘With Woman’

An incredible weekend of traditional birth skills, sisterhood and deepening what it really means to be ‘with woman’. Learning alongside a Native elder, holding a Village Prenatal and Closing of the Bones ceremony, I came home profoundly changed — with more skills, more trust, a stronger village around me, and an even deeper understanding of what it means to truly be of service to women, families and babies.

Read More
Postnatal & Baby, Breastfeeding, Baby Feeding, Bonding, Fourth Trimester, Postnatal Support, Postnatal Recovery, Antenatal Classes, Pregnancy & Birth, Self-Care, Wellbeing & Holistic Health, Partners, Birth Partners, Birth Choices, Physiological Birth, Hormones, Oxytocin, Rituals, Community & Events Emma Gleave Postnatal & Baby, Breastfeeding, Baby Feeding, Bonding, Fourth Trimester, Postnatal Support, Postnatal Recovery, Antenatal Classes, Pregnancy & Birth, Self-Care, Wellbeing & Holistic Health, Partners, Birth Partners, Birth Choices, Physiological Birth, Hormones, Oxytocin, Rituals, Community & Events Emma Gleave

Emma’s Top 6 Ways to Get Breastfeeding Off to a Flying Start

Yes, breastfeeding is natural, but we’re social creatures. Historically, we would have grown up seeing our mothers, aunties, sisters, and friends breastfeeding—and they would have been on hand to guide and support us. In today’s world, however, we’re often surrounded by bottle-feeding imagery and clever formula marketing that can misinform and confuse us….

Read my top tips for a successful start, with the best places to go for support and information…

Read More
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.

Read More
Pregnancy & Birth Prep, Doulas & Continuity of Care, Doulas, Birth Companion, Support in Birth, Pregnancy & Birth, Labour & Birth, Birth Choices, Home Birth, Hospital Birth, Partners, Birth Partners, Pregnancy Massage, Baby Positioning, Postnatal & Baby, Postnatal Support, Fourth Trimester, Informed Consent, Maternity Rights Emma Gleave Pregnancy & Birth Prep, Doulas & Continuity of Care, Doulas, Birth Companion, Support in Birth, Pregnancy & Birth, Labour & Birth, Birth Choices, Home Birth, Hospital Birth, Partners, Birth Partners, Pregnancy Massage, Baby Positioning, Postnatal & Baby, Postnatal Support, Fourth Trimester, Informed Consent, Maternity Rights Emma Gleave

The Growing Role of Doulas in Birth Support

Why hire a doula, what questions to ask to find the right one, and will it make a difference to your birth?

Read More