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 & 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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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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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 & Birth, Birth Stories, Birth Choices, Physiological Birth, Natural Birth, Hormones, Oxytocin, Anxiety in Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complaints, Antenatal Classes, Doulas, Birth Companion, Partners, Birth Partners, Pregnancy Massage, Wellbeing & Holistic Health, Relaxation, Self-Care, Informed Consent Emma Gleave Pregnancy & Birth, Birth Stories, Birth Choices, Physiological Birth, Natural Birth, Hormones, Oxytocin, Anxiety in Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complaints, Antenatal Classes, Doulas, Birth Companion, Partners, Birth Partners, Pregnancy Massage, Wellbeing & Holistic Health, Relaxation, Self-Care, Informed Consent Emma Gleave

Birth on TV: A Far Cry from Reality

Let’s talk about birth as it’s shown on TV. You know the scenes—frantic rushes to the hospital, women screaming at the top of their lungs, doctors barking orders, and babies arriving within minutes. It’s dramatic, sure, but also wildly misleading.

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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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