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

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
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?

Read More
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.

Read More