Think scientific evidence is going to give you a clear a 'best' path forward in your birth decision making? Unfortunately, it's rarely that simple. With midwife Beth Russell, we explore the messy middle where numbers meet lived experience: why absolute risk matters more than scary “your risk doubles” headlines, how studies like the Big Baby Trial get misread, and why nuance changes everything.

In this episode you will understand:

• How 'evidence' is created in the first place.
• What to consider and what to ask when evidence is being shared with you.
• What other facts influence the gathering of evidence and creation of clinical guidelines, so you can think critically about the choices you are making.
• What practical steps you can take to hold power in the choices youre making for you birth.

An incredibly helpful episode for you to understand birth within the context of the system in which it's happening.

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What happens when your birth experience completely contradicts everything you prepared for? For author Hannah Marsh, an emergency cesarean section after 30 grueling hours of labor left her feeling not just physically scarred, but emotionally devastated. Despite cesarean sections accounting for roughly 43% of UK births today, Hannah found herself woefully unprepared for this possibility – having focused exclusively on hypnobirthing techniques and natural birth preparation.

In the years that followed, Hannah began to reconcile her experience of birth as she discovered the history, magic and tales of caesarean birth in years gone by. Hannah's book "Thread: A Cesarean Story of Myth, Magic and Medicine" reframes cesarean birth not as a failure but as part of a rich historical narrative "full of power and magic and ingenuity and determination." By weaving together personal experience, historical research, and mythological connections, Hannah offers something rarely found in birth literature – a validating, empowering narrative specifically for cesarean births.

This conversation challenges the polarized debates in modern birth discourse by highlighting historical parallels between today's tensions and early 20th century divisions between "operators" and "non-operators" in obstetrics. Hannah reminds us that beneath these seeming oppositions, most birth practitioners share the common goal of supporting safe, positive birth experiences.

For anyone who has felt their birth story wasn't worth celebrating or those preparing for the possibility of various birth scenarios, this episode provides both validation and a new perspective on what it means to bring life into the world – regardless of the path taken.

Buy Hannah's Book Thread here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thread-Caesarean-story-magic-medicine/dp/1786584484?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

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Davina McCall joins the Birth-ed Podcast to share her transformative journey from anxious first-time mum to empowered birth advocate. Celebrating the launch of Davina's new book "Birthing," co-written with midwife Marley Henry – a judgment-free guide that supports women through conception, pregnancy, birth and beyond.

Davina and I explore what's missing from modern maternity care, celebrate the wonder of pregnancy and birth and empower you to navigate you rbirth choices with confidence and a sense of self.

A gorgeous listen if you're having a pregnancy wobble, need a lift or a nudge to remember just what a fantastic job you're doing already.

Listen now to discover how finding your voice in pregnancy can transform not just your birth experience, but your entire parenting journey.

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Buy Davina McCall's book Birthing here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/BIRTHING-self-help-Menopausing-pregnancy-conception/dp/0008701849/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1760F0DVHUO9W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.hlxLo4mQmYpEQlQIENFmfY3Yj4GUM-kOY3V0vzLDGsVoNsIMtK2FWgHxPM3NSYXd-z08j10hzgFjQG27_g04h_ZgjQ-CNouh9XRZPBBZDR0uKPMp0ixA7R3Qf3FKLX3E47eMf20-JF0_-zdGTe7qsq5ELRTqSxQ8mhHpS1NmSR_vfOxJfxrfXxhnr3oU7PdsgPC2N8Gu7oV5QeYMSK-8-1iIKhsGuzr5uDSoFx2z8bo.fgweLHg3oO74eEl2AMJGuWX_IROn7FTq7BPoEhZoasY&dib_tag=se&keywords=birthing&qid=1758630561&sprefix=birthing%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Follow Davina on Instagram here

https://www.instagram.com/davinamccall/

And Join in this week's podcast chat on instagram here

https://www.instagram.com/birth_ed/

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