The Obs Pod
An NHS obstetrician shares thoughts and experiences about working life in maternity care. The podcast explores what an obstetrician does, offers insights for those preparing for birth, and aims to inspire those working in maternity services. Each episode includes a 'zesty bit' as a key takeaway. The host encourages listeners to subscribe and engage with the #MatExp movement.
Episodes
Episode 188 A Chat with Frances, Consultant midwife
In this episode I talk with my wonderful collelague consultant midwife Frances Rivers about what the role looks like on the ground and why it matters for women, midwives, and obstetricians. We dig into evidence, inequality, and personalised care, and how respectful conversations can keep trust even when choices sit outside recommendations. • what a consultant midwife does and why the role was crea
Episode 187 Palpitations In Pregnancy
We explain why palpitations and a fast heart rate are so common in pregnancy, and how to separate normal physiological change from signs that need urgent assessment. We walk through the questions we ask, the tests we choose, and how we stay reassuring while still taking symptoms seriously. • normal pregnancy physiology and a typical 10 to 20 bpm rise in resting pulse • why a high heart rate is a g
Episode 186 Induction of Labour Update
In this update I talk about why induction of labour is such a charged topic and why the real-world experience can feel long, uncomfortable, and out of step with what the evidence promises. We explain how drug shortages and new research are pushing the NHS towards oral and mechanical methods that could make induction more streamlined and less intrusive. What if you could take a tablet to start your
Episode 185 Medicines In Pregnancy
We talk frankly about why medicines in pregnancy and breastfeeding feel frightening, even though most women take something during pregnancy and many treatments are genuinely safe. We break down why the evidence is often patchy, how to think about benefit versus risk, and where to find clear information you can trust. • British Pharmacological Society statement and the scale of medicine use in preg
Episode 184 Too little amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios)
We explore what low amniotic fluid really means at different stages of pregnancy and when to act, when to watch, and how to personalise decisions. We share why routine induction for isolated low fluid may not improve outcomes and how to navigate monitoring, growth checks, and timing of birth.• defining oligohydramnios and anhydramnios• how gestation changes risk• ruling out ruptured membranes with
Episode 183 Too much amniotic fluid (Polyhydramnios)
We unpack polyhydramnios with clear guidance on measurement, risk, and choices, showing why most mild cases near term are benign while outlining when to call in fetal medicine. Practical steps help parents and midwives stay calm, plan safely, and avoid unnecessary interventions.• definitions of polyhydramnios by single deepest pool and AFI• pros and cons of SDP versus AFI measurement• thresholds f
Episode 182 Big Baby Update
Remember my popular Episode 29 on big babies from five years ago? Today I'm diving into what's changed since then, spurred by Warwick University's Big Baby trial, new research examining whether early induction truly prevents complications in pregnancies where scans predict larger babies.The most startling revelation? A whopping 60% of babies predicted to be above the 90th centile we
Episode 181 Assisted Vaginal Birth, a woman's perspective
Trigger warning: This episode discusses birth trauma.When a birth doesn't go as planned and requires intervention, how does it feel from the woman's perspective? Jacqueline Edwards, mother of five, shares her powerful firsthand experiences of both traumatic and positive assisted vaginal births, challenging healthcare professionals to see beyond the clinical procedure.Through our conversa
Episode 180 Mama Academy a chat with Heidi
Trigger warning Baby LossThis episode is part of the podcasthon global charity podcast event 15th-21st March 2025. Join me as I chat with Heidi Eldridge, founder of the Mama Academy, a charity dedicated to reducing stillbirths and improving maternal health. Heidi's personal story, marked by the tragic loss of her son Aidan, propelled her into action, grounding her journey in the need to provi
Episode 179 Ramadan Special
Step into our enlightening conversation about the multi-faceted experience of Ramadan, particularly as it relates to pregnant women and the maternity care system. With insights from Muslim doctors Miss Natasha Abdul-Aziz and Dr Emma Wiley , we dive into the spiritual and communal aspects of fasting during this holy month, discussing its potential impacts on health and wellbeing for expecting mo
Episode 178 Maternity Triage
Maternity triage plays an essential role in providing urgent care to pregnant women, ensuring timely and appropriate responses to potentially life-threatening situations. The episode discusses the BSOTS system, its implementation, challenges, and the importance of maintaining relationships with GPs and midwives while prioritising urgent care needs.• Overview of maternity triage and its significanc
Episode 177 Be the Difference a chat with Catherine
In this episode recorded for baby Loss Awareness week 2024, Join us as Catherine MacLennan from the Vilomah Foundation opens up about her personal journey through pregnancy loss and the varied care she received. Catherine’s story underscores the emotional toll and disparities in care, urging for a more empathetic approach in maternity services. We discuss the 2016 project, Nobody's Patient,
Episode 176 Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) - a chat with Sarah
Join me as I talk with Sarah Fishburn, who shares her deeply personal journey through three pregnancies plagued by pelvic girdle pain (PGP). Sarah opens up about how the lack of adequate information and support during her experiences inspired her to create the Pelvic Partnership, an organization dedicated to educating and empowering women suffering from PGP. Together, we dissect the often misunde
Episode 175 RSV vaccine
Curious about how the new RSV vaccine could protect your baby? Join me, Florence, as we uncover the latest addition to the UK’s maternal vaccination program. In this episode of the OBSpod, I break down everything you need to know about the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. Learn how this innovative recombinant vaccine works & why it's crucial for infants under a year old.Expectan
Episode 174 Dental Care
Can dental care during pregnancy really impact your baby's health? Join me, Florence, as I crack open the myths and present the facts on this crucial yet often ignored topic. Discover why maintaining good dental hygiene is more important than ever during pregnancy, despite outdated beliefs linking gum disease to preterm birth being debunked by recent studies like the meta-analysis from Norway
Episode 173 Postnatal Psychosis a chat with Sarah
Could you imagine the emotional and mental whirlwind of encountering postnatal psychosis right after welcoming your baby into the world? Join us as we sit down with the incredibly courageous Sarah, who takes us through her deeply personal journey of battling postnatal psychosis following an emergency caesarean section and her son’s critical NICU stay. We explore the crucial role of perinatal menta
Episode 172 The Unexpected - A Chat with Prof Emily Oster
Ever wondered how to navigate the uncertain terrain of pregnancy complications with confidence? Join us as we welcome Professor Emily Oster, an economist from Brown University and a celebrated author, who brings her latest data-driven insights to the table. In this episode, we dive deep into her new book, "The Unexpected: Navigating Pregnancy During and After Complications," Co-authored
Episode 171 Noise
Imagine giving birth in a peaceful sanctuary rather than a bustling, noisy ward. Join me, Florence, as newly installed noise-monitoring devices in our maternity ward prompt me to think about noise levels in maternity. Reflecting on my own experiences, including the challenges of keeping my voice down, we’ll navigate through the World Health Organization's guidelines on acceptable noise leve
Episode 170 Weight Stigma in Pregnancy
Have you ever considered the impact of a simple medical term on a person's experience? Midwife Jenny Cunningham and Catriona Forbes of a research collective join us to unravel the complex issue of weight stigma in pregnancy. Jenny shares her path from hands-on midwifery to academic research, while Catriona offers a personal narrative on the stigma she faced as an expectant mother, lending de
Episode 169 Hyperemesis
I am excited to bring you this episode on hyperemesis gravidarum. Joined by renowned experts Professor Catherine Nelson-Piercy, Dr. Melanie Nana, and Professor Catherine Williamson, we dissect the impact of this condition and the ground breaking RCOG guidelines that are transforming care for pregnant women. These leading figures pull back the curtain on shocking statistics like the 5% termination
Episode 168 Ramadan, it's ok to ask
Have you ever experienced a moment of cultural awakening, realizing that there's so much more to learn about the traditions of those around us? That's exactly what happened to me, Florence, after reading an enlightening tweet from the outstanding obstetrician Nisha Knot, which set me on a path to discover more about Ramadan and its effects on pregnancy. Join me on the OBSpod as I navigat
Episode 167 Consent
This week follows directly on from Episode 166 Personalised care this time talking about the issue of consent. In this episode I reflect on the introduction of electronic consent in maternity care, scrutinizing its benefits and the unforeseen complexities it introduces. I discuss the General Medical Council's 2020 guidance on consent, spotlighting the critical need for inclusive language and
Episode 166 Personalised Care
As we navigate the intricate journey of childbirth, there is a balance between a mother's autonomy and stringent clinical guidelines. Step into the world of Personalised Care in maternity services, where my discussion sheds light on the emotional complexities of honouring the unique birth plans of expectant mothers. This episode is a clarion call for healthcare providers to listen deeply, a
Episode 165 Oxytocin Use
Discover the hormone oxytocin and its role in the birthing process in the latest ObsPod episode. We unravel the dual nature of this potent hormone, once an unquestioned staple in Active Management of Labour. Listen as we share an engaging conversation about its physiological impacts, the delicate balancing act required for its use in inducing labor, and the critical examination of its applicati
Episode 164 Intermittent Auscultation
Join me & my guest Dr. Kirsten Small as we build on our previous joint episode 157 Fetal heart monitoring in labour. This time we discuss the world of intermittent auscultation, you'll be enlightened by the evolution from the hands-on Pinard stethoscope to the advanced Doppler device. Dr. Small shares her expertise on the intimate connection care providers once had with this practice and
Episode 163 Overweight
Embark on a poignant exploration of a topic that's often cloaked in stigma yet crucial to maternal health: obesity and BMI during pregnancy. Join me, Florence, on the ObsPod, as we unravel the intertwined issues of weight management and prenatal care, delving into the NHS classifications that inform how expectant mothers with a BMI over 30 navigate their unique journey. This episode promises
Episode 162 Alcohol and Pregnancy
Embark on a transformative journey through the complexities of alcohol use during pregnancy, as we unravel the myriad risks and the vital necessity of abstinence for expectant mothers. Grappling with the nebulousness of self-reported alcohol intake and the deceptive simplicity of a 'unit' of alcohol, we aim to demystify the misconceptions and bring to light the stark realities of alcohol
Episode 161 Blood Transfusion
Are you already familiar with the life-saving role of blood transfusions in obstetrics? If not, get ready for an enlightening journey into this critical aspect of maternity care. This episode is packed with insights about the ins and outs of transfusions, from packed red cells to platelets, plus everything else a woman might need to replace following excessive bleeding during pregnancy or childbir
Episode 160 ICP & Me
Trigger warning this episode contains discussion of baby loss.What if you found yourself entangled in a challenging and rare pregnancy condition, not once but twice, with a heartbreaking ending? Unravel the personal narrative of Jenny Chambers, the founder and CEO of ICP Support, as she shares her painful journey through Intra-Hepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP). From the agony of stillbirth, t
Episode 159 Sleep position in Pregnancy
Ever felt confused or guilty about your sleep position during pregnancy? Fear not, as I, Florence, an experienced NHS obstetrician, guide you through the maze of advice on this critical topic. Drawing from years of practice, continued learning and the latest research, I shed light on this topic, putting to rest unfounded fears and guilt. Together, we explore the NICE guidelines and dissect multipl
Episode 158 Fertility
Today is a much awaited episode having been brewing for over three years since I started the podcast which seems apt given the subject. How does it feel to be pregnant after fertility treatment, what might be the issues maternity staff need to be aware of ? What maternity care do we need to provide to the increasing number of families in our care after assisted conception and a fertility journey.
Episode 157 Monitoring the Fetus in Labour
How much trust are you placing on the CTG monitor as you welcome a new life into the world? Get ready to have your beliefs challenged as Dr. Kirsten Small and I dissect the language and implications surrounding fetal monitoring during labor. We dive beneath the surface to expose how CTG monitoring can become a source of moral panic, shifting the focus from the true essence of childbirth. Dr. Small
Episode 156 Hypnobirthing with Megan Rossiter Birth-Ed
Ever wondered how hypno-birthing can change your childbirth experience? Today's special guest, Megan Rossiter, will take you on a journey through the transformative power of hypno-birthing. Megan went from an initial skeptic to becoming an inspiring advocate and teacher in this field. Dive in as we explore how hypno-birthing techniques influence the subconscious mind, helping parents reframe
Episode 155 Antenatal Steroids
What if the treatments we believe to be beneficial in Obstetrics aren't as helpful as we thought? Or worse, might they bring along hidden risks for mothers and babies? As your host, Florence, I invite you to journey with me as we explore the complex world of antenatal steroids, a commonly used intervention for preterm labor and planned cesarean births. This episode will not only shed light on
Episode 154 Pregnancy in Prison
There have been some disturbing stories in the media recently about outcomes for women and babies in prison. Here I explore some evidence and more importantly what is being done to try and improve the situation.Want to know more?https://www.tommys.org/about-us/news-views/pregnant-women-prison-greater-risk-pregnancy-complications-and-baby-losshttps://www.birthcompanions.org.uk/resources/5-birth-cha
Episode 153 Breast Cancer in Pregnancy
In this episode I am joined once again by incredible obstetric physicians Professor Catherine Nelson-Piercy & Dr Melanie Nana. This time we are discussing breast cancer in pregnancy & some fantastic work they have been doing to standardise and improve care for women in this situation. We also discuss the fabulous charity Mummy's Star.Want to know more?https://www.mummysstar.org/Breas
Episode 152 Obstetric Medicine
In this episode I am joined by incredible obstetric physicians Professor Catherine Nelson-Piercy & Dr Melanie Nana. We discuss what is an obstetric physician? How can we better work together in pregnancy to care for women with more complex medical issues? Plus learn all about maternal medicine networks. Want to know more?https://www.pslhub.org/learn/patient-safety-in-health-and-care/high-risk-
Episode 151 Compassion
It's a tough time in the NHS at the moment. This week is a brief reflective episode on the importance of compassion not only for families under our care but for our selves and colleagues.Want to know more?Compassion for midwiveshttps://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0002034&type=printableGMC training survey & RCOG workplace behaviour toolkith
Episode 150 Experience of Induction of Labour
In this episode I explore an article that looks at women's experience of induction of labour and ask are we aware of the repercussions when we suggest induction of labour? What impact does this have on how women feel and on their choices or birth options?Want to know more?https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/5/e071703Thank you all for listening, My name is Florence Wilcock I am an NHS doctor w
Episode 149 Smoking
Quitting smoking is the single most important action a woman can take to improve the health of her baby. I am ashamed to say I don't know much about the best way to tackle this discussion in the antenatal clinic. In this episode I discuss some training I have done to rectify this and my thoughts on what I learnt.Want to know more?https://elearning.ncsct.co.uk/vba_pregnancy-launchhttps://www.n
Episode 148 Bladder Care
This episode follows on directly from last week's episode on fluid balance as the urine we produce is such an important component of that balance. Hear why caring for the bladder in labour is so important and why in some labours and births a catheter tube in the bladder may be an essential part of treatment.Want to explore more?https://www.rcn.org.uk/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Documents
Episode 147 Fluid Balance
With a bit of a heatwave this week by UK standards we are encouraging pregnant women to drink plenty of water, but is there a downside could we actually be causing a problem? Surely water isn't harmful right?Join me to discuss fluid balance in labour, why its important and how to manage it.Want to know more?https://hsib-kqcco125-media.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/documents/peripartum-hyponatraemia
Episode 146 Thyroid
Today I am talking about the thyroid gland and what we think about if it is under or over active in pregnancy. These women are often referred to an obstetrician.Want to know more?https://thyroiduk.org/having-a-baby/https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/iodine.html Currently out for reviewhttps://www.rcog.org.uk/media/4v3hsepc/thyroiddisordersinpregnancyvpeerreviewfinal.pdfThank you all for listening, M
Episode 145 Born Before Arrival
What is a BBA? What do we mean by born before arrival and how frequently does it happen? What are the options for women that may have experienced this in the past?Want to know more?https://www.britishjournalofmidwifery.com/content/supervision/born-before-arrival-supervision-in-action/https://www.maternityandmidwifery.co.uk/homebirth/https://www.birthrights.org.uk/factsheets/unassisted-birth/https
Episode 144 Unstable Lie
Today I am talking about unstable lie when a baby is moving around loads at the end of pregnancy instead of settling to head down.Want to know more?https://fn.bmj.com/content/99/Suppl_1/A112.3https://www.rcog.org.uk/media/3wykswng/gtg-50-umbilicalcordprolapse-2014.pdfhttps://www.spinningbabies.com/when-a-person-is-told-they-have-an-unstable-lie/You may need an organisational or institutional log i
Episode 143 Chickenpox
Chickenpox or varicella is a common infection , what happens if you get it in pregnancy or your child does?Want to know more?https://www.rcog.org.uk/media/y3ajgkda/gtg13.pdfhttps://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-all-patient-information-leaflets/chickenpox-and-pregnancy-patient-information-leaflet/Thank you all for listening, My name is Florence Wilcock I am an NHS doctor working as an obst
Episode 142 Waterbirth
Water can be used for pain relief during labour and giving birth. It has incredible benefits but why are only approximately 10% of women using water ? do we truly provide access to a birthing pool for all women? In light of the evidence of its positive effects shouldnt we be looking at this?Want to know more?https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/7/e056517https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/g
Episode 141 Flourish
This episode is out a day early to celebrate International Day of The Midwife 2023.It's a chat with my colleague and friend Kate Greenstock , all about her newly published book 'Flourish: A practical and emotional guidebook to thriving in midwifery'The book is just what it says it is, first acknowledging the emotional and psychological work of midwifery or any maternity staff for th
Episode 140 Low Lying Placenta
Here I discuss what do we mean by a low lying placenta or placenta praevia & how can are for women with this pregnancy complication to keep them and their baby safe.Want to know more?https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/pregnancy-complications/low-lying-placenta-placenta-praeviahttps://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-all-patient-information-leaflets/placenta-praevia-placenta-acc
Episode 139 Building community relationships to tackle inequality
This week I am talking to the fabulous midwife Rosie Murphy about her Dazi project: 'Improving outcomes for women from minoritised ethnic backgrounds'. We discuss how a new approach is needed by not only maternity services but the wider NHS.Want to know more?Rosie's 3 blogs about her projecthttps://healthinnovationnetwork.com/insight/partnering-with-minoritised-women-to-improve-mate
Episode 138 Baby's movements
We are always asking women about their baby's movements, why is that and what is considered normal?Want to know more?https://www.rcog.org.uk/media/2gxndsd3/gtg_57.pdfhttps://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-all-patient-information-leaflets/your-babys-movements-in-pregnancy-patient-information-leaflet/https://www.aims.org.uk/journal/item/counting-the-kicksResources for women with a range
Episode 137 Infant feeding - A chat with Lyndsey Hookway
As obstetricians we can be ignorant of infant feeding issues and its not our fault incredible as it seems we have no training in this and it turns out loads of other professional don't either. To help me discuss this sometimes tricky issue I am joined by Lyndsey Hookway lactation consultant, researcher and author.Want to know more?https://courses.abm.support/courses/team-baby-getting-ready-t
Episode 136 It's OK to Ask
This week I am chatting to Teri Gavin-Jones about her work on health inequality and her journey with community partners resulting in a fantastic resource of cultural curiosity films titled 'It's Ok to ask'. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.Want to explore more?You can watch all the videos herehttps://vimeo.com/user146271099/videosThank you all for listening, My n
Episode 135 Embrace Equity
To mark international women's day on 8th March I am discussing the recent WHO report of trends in global maternal mortality.Want to know more?https://www.who.int/news/item/23-02-2023-a-woman-dies-every-two-minutes-due-to-pregnancy-or-childbirth--un-agencieshttps://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240068759Thank you all for listening, My name is Florence Wilcock I am an NHS doctor working
Episode 134 Safety Clutter
I have been doing some training to be ready for the new NHS Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF). In this episode I reflect on what I have learnt and what the challenges there may be as we implement this new way of learning from incidents.You may also like to listen to Episode 13 MistakesWant to know more?https://www.england.nhs.uk/patient-safety/incident-response-framework/https://q
Episode 133 FGM
FGM or female genital mutilation can be a tricky topic that we feel uncomfortable talking to women about. Here I sign post some useful NHS training and resources and remind people its the little things , kindness and compassion that will make a difference to these difficult conversations. Want to know more?Informationhttps://www.forwarduk.org.uk/violence-against-women-and-girls/female-genital-muti
Episode 132 TEDxNHS
Last summer August 2022 I gave a TEDxNHS talk. I wanted to bring the perspective of women giving birth but also that of the obstetricians and other maternity staff to try and encourage collaboration to find the sweet spot bringing safety and a positive birth experience together. The result is my talk 'Birth should be special'This episode is an introduction to my talk, why I wanted to tal
Episode 131 Cord Blood
Cord blood is actually an inaccurate description, this is the baby's blood.Here I am exploring the timing of cutting the umbilical cord and the impact this can have on the baby's health.Want to know more?https://www.bloodtobaby.com/https://www.cochrane.org/CD004074/PREG_effect-timing-umbilical-cord-clamping-term-infants-mother-and-baby-outcomeshttps://www.cochrane.org/CD003248/PREG_does-
Episode 130 City of Sanctuary
Today I am joined by two very special guests to discuss City of Sanctuary Maternity Stream. Katherine is a midwife and Wan is a woman seeking sanctuary. We discuss some of the barriers vulnerable women face seeking maternity care and some very simple ways we can put them at ease.Want to know more?There are some fantastic videos and resources for maternity services herehttps://cdn.cityofsanctuary.o
Episode 129 CQC Maternity Survey 2022
Each year the Care Quality Commission surveys experiences of maternity care in England. Here I take a look and discuss the lateset results published last week.Want to know more?https://www.cqc.org.uk/publication/surveys/maternity-survey-2022Thank you all for listening, My name is Florence Wilcock I am an NHS doctor working as an obstetrician, specialising in the care of both mother and baby duri
Episode 128 Meconium
What is meconium? Why do we worry about meconium in the waters during labour?Want to know more?https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/1185https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD012671.pub2/fullhttps://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg190/ifp/chapter/if-there-is-meconium-during-labourThank you all for listening, My name is Florence Wilcock I am an NHS doctor working as an obstetr
Episode 127 Re:Birth
As we start the new year I thought I would build on previous episodes 23 & 24 on language by discussing Re:Birth a project looking at language by the Royal College of Midwives in collaboration with other maternity organisations published in Summer 2022.Want to know more:https://www.rcm.org.uk/rebirth-hub/rebirth-summary-2022/https://www.rcm.org.uk/media/6228/rebirth-method-and-technical-report
Episode 126 WildObs Part 2
As we hit the festive season join me and my great friend Gill Phillips of the wildcard whose shoes podcast as we reflect on 2022 and have a little fun.Thank you for listening throughout 2022, see you next year!Thank you all for listening, My name is Florence Wilcock I am an NHS doctor working as an obstetrician, specialising in the care of both mother and baby during pregnancy and birth. If you h
Episode 125 Fetal Blood Sampling
What is Fetal Blood Sampling? How did we do it , and why I think it should it be abandoned if you haven't already stopped this procedure?Want to know more?https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/gid-ng10174/documents/draft-guidelinehttps://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/aogs.12416https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006174.pub3/fullhttps://www.nice.org.uk/guida
Episode 124 The Pelvis
Are there four types of pelvis, that's what we are taught but is it true? Are we sometimes misinforming women about their pelvic shape and ability to give birth?Want to know more?https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140673697054317https://www.cochrane.org/CD000161/PREG_pelvimetry-fetal-cephalic-presentations-or-near-term-deciding-mode-deliveryhttps://www.britishjournalofmid
Episode 123 Transfer
The episode is out on Thursday this week in honour of World Prematurity Day 17th Nov when we focus on the fact the worldwide 1 baby in every 10 is born prematurely.Find out all about in utero transfers, what are they, why do we transfer between hospitals, and what do they involve?Want to know more?Useful links for parents expecting a premature babyhttps://www.londonneonatalnetwork.org.uk/wp-co
Episode 122 Sepsis
This episode covers Sepsis & the sepsis six the mainstay of initial treatment for this serious life threatening illness. Warning this episode contains mentions of maternal death and baby loss.Want to know more?https://sepsistrust.org/https://www.rcog.org.uk/media/ea1p1r4h/gtg_64a.pdfhttps://www.gov.uk/government/collections/group-a-streptococcal-infections-guidance-and-data#management-Thank
Episode 121 Small Baby
I can't believe I have managed to neglect the topic of a small baby up to this point especially given Episode 29 Big baby is now my most popular episode. Join me to rectify this omission as I discuss what we think about when a baby is small , and what do we mean by small anyway?Want to know more?https://www.isuog.org/static/b2aa3fb4-031e-4d84-b7246d613a466884/ISUOG-Practice-Guidelines-diagnos
Episode 120 Reading the Signals
It is a difficult time in maternity care in the UK, last week saw the release of the report into East Kent Maternity services 'Reading the signals' which has lessons for us all.Join me as I digest and think about this report and the previous reports of maternity services failing families and think a little about where we go from here.Want to know more?https://assets.publishing.service.g
Episode 119 Belly Woman
Have you wondered what it would be like practicing maternity care in a low or middle income country? What if you went to do that, and then found yourself in the middle of an Ebola Epidemic? Here I chat to Benjamin Black about his fascinating book Belly Woman , about his experiences of working in Sierra Leone and his reflections on differences and similarities with challenges in the UK.Want to know
Episode 118 Postnatal Innovation a chat with Sunita
Meet Sunita Sharma a consultant in O&G with a passion for all things postnatal. Take a listen to the innovative work she is doing to improve postnatal care at her own hospital and across London. I am hoping our conversation will inspire plenty of ideas for postnatal improvement work. Sunita can be found on twitter @SunitaS2016Want to know more?https://www.beyondbirthlivinglibrary.org/https:/
Episode 117 Baby Loss Awareness Week 2022
It is Baby Loss Awareness week 2022. In its 20th year the aims are: Remembrance, Raise Awareness & Drive Change. This year the theme is 'Stepping stones' looking at the journey parents face after a baby dies. I have chosen to compliment this with some thoughts on the stepping stones a professional takes when looking after a family in these circumstances.Want to know more?https://baby
Episode 116 Conference
What are medical conferences for? Are they just an excuse for some fun or do they add value?Here I explore a bit about why there are so many medical conferences and share some thoughts about which conferences I find helpful to my practice.Want to know more?https://bicsoc.org.uk/Thank you all for listening, if you have enjoyed my podcast please do continue to subscribe, rate, review and recommend m
Episode 115 The Black Maternity Experience Survey
Have you read the FiveXmore Black Maternity Experience Survey published this year? If you haven't and you work in maternity then its essential reading. Here I discuss why its so valuable and my thoughts on some of the results.Want to know more?https://www.fivexmore.com/blackmereporthttps://www.fivexmore.com/6stepsThank you all for listening, if you have enjoyed my podcast please do continue t
Episode 114 Age
Today I am discussing if the age a woman is when she become pregnant is important? Find out some stats and definitions of how age can have an impact on pregnancy outcomes for both mother and baby.Want to know more?https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/tog.12710https://www.rcog.org.uk/guidance/browse-all-guidance/scientific-impact-papers/induction-of-labour-at-term-in-older-mothers-scie
Episode 113 Data
My attention has recently been drawn to a report - The 'so what' of maternity data. Join me as I discuss my thoughts & reflections on the report as well as how we may equip ourselves better to understand data and make it useful.Want to know more:https://www.hqip.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/The-So-What-of-Maternity-Data-report-FINAL.pdfhttps://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploa
Episode 112 Blood clots, treatment and prevention
Are we obsessed with blood clots , thrombosis in pregnancy? Why do we worry & what can we do about them.Want to explore more?Reducing the risk of venous thrombosis in pregnancy and after birth patient information leaflet | RCOGgtg-37b-1.pdf (rcog.org.uk)gtg-37a.pdf (rcog.org.uk) Antenatal venous thromboembolism - Crosby - 2021 - The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist - Wiley Online Library https
Episode 111 Travel
When should you or shouldn't you travel during pregnancy ? What are the issues you need to consider when planning a trip whether it be for work, family or holiday, home or abroad?Want to know more?https://www.rcog.org.uk/media/lrupol45/air-travel-update_v4.pdfhttps://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/travelling/https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/general-travel-health-advice/pregnant-trave
Episode 110 Anatomy lesson
Do you know your anatomy? When we doctors and midwives use the word perineum do you know what we are talking about? Here I explore some research on the level of knowledge people have about female body parts.Wan to know more?https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/may/30/most-britons-cannot-name-parts-vulva-survey https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00192-021-04727-9https://eveappeal.o
Episode 109 HIV
Why do we screen for HIV in pregnancy ? Here I give a little thought to women who are pregnant and HIV positive and how much their care has changed over the course of my career.Want to know more?https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-all-patient-information-leaflets/hiv-and-pregnancy-patient-information-leaflet/https://www.bhiva.org/file/5f1aab1ab9aba/BHIVA-Pregnancy-guidelines-2020-3rd-int
