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

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 & 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?

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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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