The MAMA Podcast

Episode 7: Communication That Builds Trust in Maternity Care

In this episode of The MAMA Podcast, Heidi Eldridge (Founder & CEO of MAMA Academy) is joined by Roobin Jokhi to explore how communication can shape trust, safety, and experiences within maternity care. Drawing on their experience supporting families and healthcare professionals, they discuss the importance of compassionate conversations throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period, and how clear, empathetic communication can help families feel informed, respected, and empowered during some of life’s most vulnerable moments. Together, they explore the impact that trust and psychological safety can have on outcomes for both families and staff, the challenges professionals face in high-pressure environments, and why listening with empathy matters at every stage of the perinatal journey. This episode is part of The MAMA Podcast’s healthcare professional series, proudly sponsored by Fletchers Solicitors. [https://www.fletcherssolicitors.co.uk/?utm_medium=ppc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=brand_-_head_term&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23684082418&gbraid=0AAAAADxDcJLysOJjE6oX-S7E9JjovnQHV&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_b_QBhCSARIsAP6hR4fTmhSzQdOEqpTE2J0BndhaZx8cJfy2RgKLnFUKIW60GN3aT_jZLFQaAqPUEALw_wcB]

Episode 6: Minds Matter; Protecting Perinatal Mental Health

In this episode of The MAMA Podcast, Heidi Eldridge (Founder & CEO of MAMA Academy) is joined by Dr Rebecca Moore, Perinatal Psychiatrist and Co-Founder of Make Birth Better, to explore the vital role of perinatal mental health in protecting both families and healthcare professionals. Drawing on her extensive experience supporting parents and maternity staff, Rebecca shares insights into the emotional realities of pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood, the impact of trauma on families and professionals, and why compassionate, psychologically safe care matters at every stage of the perinatal journey. Together, they discuss the importance of recognising mental health needs early, reducing stigma within maternity services, and creating supportive environments where both families and staff feel heard, valued, and cared for. This episode is part of The MAMA Podcast’s healthcare professional series, proudly sponsored by Fletchers Solicitors. [https://www.fletcherssolicitors.co.uk/?utm_medium=ppc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=brand_-_head_term&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23684082418&gbraid=0AAAAADxDcJKMthxC1AkBhxa7tCYPhEEg3&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk_bPBhDXARIsACiq8R3SS_6KO6jJ3Jux-xSy7IN17pGMbOnqFdOct3KQXAodqmMjBAyr1moaAuSaEALw_wcB]

Episode 5: Compassionate Bereavement Care: Love, Loss & Legacy

In this episode of The MAMA Podcast, Heidi Eldridge (Founder & CEO of MAMA Academy) is joined by Grace Nartey, Lead Midwife for a Maternity Trauma and Loss Care Service, to explore what truly compassionate bereavement care looks like in practice and why supporting midwives is essential to delivering it.Drawing on over 30 years of experience across nursing, midwifery, safeguarding, and perinatal mental health, Grace shares insights into supporting families through baby loss, communicating difficult news with honesty and kindness, and creating meaningful, lasting memories during the most devastating moments of care. Together, they discuss the importance of presence over perfection, the role of language and personalised care, and how midwives can navigate the emotional weight of their work while continuing to provide safe, compassionate care to families. This episode is part of The MAMA Podcast’s healthcare professional series, proudly sponsored by Fletchers Solicitors [https://www.fletcherssolicitors.co.uk/].

Episode 4: Learning Together; Turning Investigations Into Improvement

In this episode of The MAMA Podcast, Heidi Eldridge (Founder & CEO of MAMA Academy) is joined by Amanda Clifton, registered nurse, midwife and maternity governance specialist, and Parbeen Alamgir, Partner and Birth Injury Specialist Solicitor at Fletchers, to explore how learning from investigations can improve outcomes for women, babies and families.Together, they discuss the recurring themes that continue to emerge in maternity investigations, including missed escalation, women not being listened to, consent and communication challenges, and the impact of systemic pressures on staff. The conversation also looks at how learning can be embedded into practice, from improving documentation and training to strengthening governance processes and supporting staff following adverse outcomes. The episode covers: * Common themes identified in maternity investigations and birth injury cases * The importance of listening to women and acting on concerns * Escalation challenges and delays in assessment or intervention * The impact of staffing pressures, training gaps and system constraints * How investigations translate into learning and changes in practice * Supporting staff and families following adverse outcomes * The role of governance, documentation and multidisciplinary learning * Empowering women and families to advocate for their care This episode is part of The MAMA Podcast’s healthcare professional series, proudly sponsored by Fletchers Solicitors [https://www.fletcherssolicitors.co.uk/].

Episode 3: Equity In Action; Inclusive, Respectful Maternity Care

In this episode of The MAMA Podcast, Heidi Eldridge (Founder & CEO of MAMA Academy) is joined by Leah Lewin, [https://www.instagram.com/theperinatalspecialist/] Co-CEO of White Ribbon Alliance UK [https://www.whiteribbonalliance.org.uk/], and Keelie Grindley [https://www.instagram.com/midwifekeelie/], founder of the Nya birth collective [https://www.instagram.com/nyabirthcollective/] and a midwife specialising in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), to explore equity in maternity care, anti-racist midwifery, and how to improve outcomes for Black and minority ethnic women and birthing people in the UK.  The conversation covers: -Why Black women and minority ethnic groups experience poorer maternity outcomes in the UK -The difference between cultural competence and culturally respectful care -How to actively listen to women and birthing people to improve safety -The role of education, training, and leadership in tackling health inequalities -How maternity services can move from awareness to meaningful, system-wide change. We also explores the importance of psychological safety for both staff and patients, and why creating inclusive, respectful environments is key to improving outcomes across maternity and neonatal services. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, policy maker, or advocate for safer maternity care, this episode offers practical insight into how we can work together to reduce disparities and ensure every family receives safe, high-quality care. This episode is part of The MAMA Podcast’s healthcare professional series, proudly sponsored by Fletchers Solicitors. [https://www.fletcherssolicitors.co.uk/]