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
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Personal Stories, Reflections & Local Advocacy | Birth Stories | Home Birth Suspension | Community & Events | Personal Reflections | Self-Care | Herbal Wisdom | Womb Wisdom | Hormones | Rites of Passage | Menopause |
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All Pregnancy Wellness Topics | Pregnancy Yoga | Nutrition | Supplements | Vegan Pregnancy | Keto Pregnancy | GBS | Microbiome |
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All Pregnancy Risk Factors, Monitoring & Complications Topics | Low Iron | Blood Tests Older Mothers | Young Mothers | Diabetes | Gestational Diabetes | Graves Disease | Twins & Multiples | Breech Baby | Posterior Baby | Small for Gestational Age | PROM - Premature Rupture of Membranes | Pre-eclampsia | Growth Scans | PAPP-A | PCOS | Thyroid Conditions | Worms in Pregnancy | Preterm Birth |
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All Normal Labour & Birth Topics | Baby Positioning | Birth Biomechanics Doulas | Birth Companion | Antenatal Classes | Partners | Birth Partners | Relaxation | Pregnancy Massage | Shiatsu | Reflexology | Hormones | Oxytocin | Rebozo | Breech Birth | Twin Birth
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Postnatal & Baby | Breastfeeding | Babywearing | Sling Support | Postnatal Support | Postnatal Recovery | Bonding | Fourth Trimester | Birth Trauma
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All Baby Loss | Miscarriage | Stillbirth | Abortion | Death | Rites of Passage | Rituals
Doulas and Birth Workers Community Sharing Day’s 💛
A nourishing day of connection, skill-sharing, Qigong, treatment swaps and honest conversation with fellow doulas and birth workers. Why local, in-person community matters so much when so many of us work alone — and why resourcing ourselves is part of supporting women well.
Why I Say Yoni…
Why do I use the word Yoni? Rooted in ancient Sanskrit, Yoni can mean source, womb, origin and place of creation. In this piece I explore why language matters, the importance of knowing our anatomical terms, and why reconnecting with pelvic wisdom can support women through birth and throughout life.
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.
How I Treated Threadworms Naturally During Pregnancy
When I discovered that my son and I both had threadworms while I was pregnant, I chose to research natural ways of treating them. Here I share the complete two-week routine that worked for us—including raw garlic, carrots, pumpkin seeds, dietary changes, homeopathy and the essential hygiene measures that helped prevent reinfection.
Women’s Health, Menopause & Matt Bishop’s Event…
After hearing women’s experiences of being dismissed by healthcare services at Matt Bishop MP’s women and girls event at Speech House, I reflect on menopause, oestrogen, the role of the adrenal glands—and why women need community, meaningful information and genuine choice.
Shrouding - An Ancient Ritual
This week I experienced something profound — being shrouded. For thousands of years, families cared for their loved ones in this way at home, just as naturally as we swaddle our babies or wrap women during pregnancy and after birth. These simple acts of wrapping are not just rituals, they are deeply human ways of offering support, love, and closure.
Seasons and Cycles: A Transformational Weekend Exploring Womanhood
This past weekend, I crossed a profound threshold during an experiential workshop led by Samara Hawthorn of Wellmama CIC. Among the many powerful rituals, the women-only sweat lodge stood out as a sacred space to explore the seasons and cycles of our lives as women.
It’s hard to put into words the transformation that happens when women come together in this way. Perhaps that’s why it’s referred to as the “blood mysteries.”
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.
Healing from Birth Trauma: My Journey and How You Can Start Yours
After my first birth, I found myself replaying the events over and over in my mind. I had felt like a rabbit stuck in the headlights—surrounded by watching eyes, unsupported, and unable to communicate. I didn’t know that wasn’t normal, and on paper, everything about the birth looked fine.
The notes, the outcome—it all seemed like a completely normal birth, like those I’d been reading in the home birth group!
I was delighted to have achieved a home birth, but inside, I felt stuck and didn’t feel able to reach out for support.
From Burnout to Renewal: My Journey Back to Supporting Parents
For those of you who knew me before, you’ll know how passionate I was about making meaningful changes to maternity services. Becoming a parent opened my eyes to so much, and I threw myself into spreading evidence-based information, training, and networking. I truly believed it would make a difference.
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.