Ep 7: From Antenatal Depression to Empowered Birth - Gabriella's Story

Ep 7: From Antenatal Depression to Empowered Birth - Gabriella's Story

This conversation recounts Gabriella's challenging pregnancy and empowering birth experience. Gabriella delves into her mental health struggles, including severe antenatal depression, the stigmas and stereotypes she faced during her pregnancy due to being labeled 'high risk', 'high BMI', and the powerful transformation she underwent. She highlights how the presence and support of her midwife Rosemary, were pivotal in restoring her trust in her body and birthing process. Gabriella also shares how her postpartum experience, supported by her family and mental health professionals, inspired her to train as a birth and postnatal doula.  The dialogue provides deep insights into the importance of trust, respect, education and the right support system for expectant mothers, especially those deemed high-risk. Note from the host: This was a much needed reflection between Gabriella and myself as her midwife and I'm grateful to have witnessed her birth.   Connect with Gabriella here [https://www.instagram.com/belladaviesheard/?hl=en] Her substack  [https://mymothersays.substack.com/] Or follow her doula journey here [https://www.instagram.com/denmamadoula/?igsh=MTAxZ2o1OW50ODR1dg%3D%3D]   If you have a period or pregnancy related story you'd love to share or just want to say hi, you can reach me at hello@houseofrosemary.com [hello@houseofrosemary.com] Book a session with Rosemary: https://beacons.ai/houseofrosemary [https://beacons.ai/houseofrosemary]   Lets connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseofrosemary [https://www.instagram.com/houseofrosemary] Website: https://houseofrosemary.com/ [https://houseofrosemary.com/] Explore services: https://houseofrosemary.com/services/ [https://houseofrosemary.com/services/]   To support my work (Thank you): https://buymeacoffee.com/houseofrosemary [https://buymeacoffee.com/houseofrosemary]   Disclaimer: Information shared here is based on the personal experiences of the guests and the host's experience as a medical herbalist and midwife. The information may not be suitable for you.

Ep 6: The Right to Chose: GBS Protocols - Deborah's Birth Story

In this episode we meet Deborah, a secondary school math teacher from South London. She shares the challenges she had dealing with hospital guidelines around Group B Strep (GBS). Deborah recounts her labour experience which went on for a few days and her decisions regarding medical interventions. She talks about what it was like navigating persistent pressure to give IV antibiotics to her newborn for GBS. She emphasizes her and her husband Michael's faith and their decision to decline the antibiotic treatment unless absolutely necessary. Their firmness resulted in multiple discussions and encounters with healthcare professionals. Deborah also explains the role her faith played in trusting the labour process and highlights the supportive presence of her husband.  Post-labour, she discusses breastfeeding challenges and the initial bonding with her baby, Samuel. This episode stresses the importance of respecting women's birth choices, irrespective of hospital guidelines or protocols. ----------------------------------------------------------------------   If you have a period or pregnancy related story you'd love to share or just want to say hi, you can reach me at hello@houseofrosemary.com [hello@houseofrosemary.com] Book a session with Rosemary: https://beacons.ai/houseofrosemary [https://beacons.ai/houseofrosemary]   Lets connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseofrosemary [https://www.instagram.com/houseofrosemary] Website: https://houseofrosemary.com/ [https://houseofrosemary.com/] Explore services: https://houseofrosemary.com/services/ [https://houseofrosemary.com/services/]   To support my work (Thank you): https://buymeacoffee.com/houseofrosemary [https://buymeacoffee.com/houseofrosemary]   Disclaimer: Information shared here is based on the personal experiences of the guests and the host's experience as a medical herbalist and midwife. The information may not be suitable for you.

Ep 5: From Menstruation to Menopause: A Herbalist's Perspective

In this episode, medical herbalist Anita Ralph discusses her journey into herbal medicine, starting with her first experience using herbal remedies for a toothache/sinusitis. Anita talks about the importance of understanding physiology, patient storytelling and the role of diet and simple herbs in healing. She also shares her insights on women's health issues, including menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause, advocating for a more natural and integrated approach to healthcare. She touches on her long standing collaboration with a gynaecologist, showcasing how herbal medicine can play a crucial role in a person's health journey. Lastly, we discuss the need for better education and awareness about herbal medicine amongst both patients and conventional medical practitioners.   Connect with Anita here [http://www.medicinetreeherbs.co.uk] Anita's Bio Anita Ralph is a consulting medical herbalist, fellow of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists and member of the College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy. She has seen patients and prescribed plant medicine for over 30 years, and runs a herbal medicine clinic and herbal pharmacy called Medicine Tree, in West Malling in Kent, with two associate medical herbalists. She has collaborated with consultant gynaecologist and now menopause expert, Anne Henderson, and with breast cancer oncologist Russell Burcombe for the last 20 years.  Anita published a scientific paper about herbal treatment of menopause symptoms in the Journal of Herbal Medicine and wrote the herbal medicine chapter for the Natural Menopause book published by Dorling Kindersley.  Anita has written several other courses and is a tutor for herbalists in training, including co-writing the textbook to accompany the Foundation Course in Western Herbal Medicine at Heartwood Education: Native Healers: Foundations in Western Herbal Medicine published by Aeon Books. Anita is passionate about helping people and reconnecting us to our inner nature through plants as medicine and healing foods. She can be contacted via her website: www.medicinetreeherbs.co.uk [http://www.medicinetreeherbs.co.uk] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have a period or pregnancy related story you'd love to share or just want to say hi, you can reach me at hello@houseofrosemary.com [hello@houseofrosemary.com] Book a session with Rosemary: https://beacons.ai/houseofrosemary [https://beacons.ai/houseofrosemary]   Lets connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseofrosemary [https://www.instagram.com/houseofrosemary] Website: https://houseofrosemary.com/ [https://houseofrosemary.com/] Explore services: https://houseofrosemary.com/services/ [https://houseofrosemary.com/services/]   To support my work (Thank you): https://buymeacoffee.com/houseofrosemary [https://buymeacoffee.com/houseofrosemary]   Disclaimer: Information shared here is based on the personal experiences of the guests and the host's experience as a medical herbalist and midwife. The information may not be suitable for you.

Ep 4: From C-Section to a Family Homebirth: Vanessa’s Story of Determination & Faith

In this episode, Vanessa shares her challenges and experiences with her births, emphasizing her determination to have natural births. Initially resistant to having a C-section, Vanessa navigates through her emotions and the pressure from medical professionals leading up to her first labour, eventually yielding to an emergency C-section. She also shares some insight to who she was prior to having children, including her career in architecture/construction and her role in founding the Black Girl Knit Club. Vanessa describes her second pregnancy, detailing how her research, self-advocacy and support system, including from her husband Kingsley led her to a successful and empowering VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) at home.  Vanessa also provides practical and mental advice for expectant mothers aiming for a natural birth, while Kingsley offers insights from a partner's perspective on how to support and stay aligned during the birthing process.   Connect with Vanessa here  [https://www.instagram.com/vea__k/?hl=en] Or check out her work at Black Girl Knit Club [https://www.instagram.com/blackgirlknitclub/?hl=en]   If you have a period or pregnancy related story you'd love to share or just want to say hi, you can reach me at hello@houseofrosemary.com [hello@houseofrosemary.com] Book a session with Rosemary: https://beacons.ai/houseofrosemary [https://beacons.ai/houseofrosemary]   Lets connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseofrosemary [https://www.instagram.com/houseofrosemary] Website: https://houseofrosemary.com/ [https://houseofrosemary.com/] Explore services: https://houseofrosemary.com/services/ [https://houseofrosemary.com/services/]   To support my work (Thank you): https://buymeacoffee.com/houseofrosemary [https://buymeacoffee.com/houseofrosemary]   Disclaimer: Information shared here is based on the personal experiences of the guests and the host's experience as a medical herbalist and midwife. The information may not be suitable for you.

Ep 3: Cultural Healing: The Power of African Traditions in Women's Health

In this insightful conversation, Naa Adjeley, a UK-based herbalist and cultural researcher, delves into the essence of herbalism rooted in African traditions. She discusses the natural human scent and the implications of masking it with products, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's body. Naa shares her personal journey into herbalism, influenced by her own near-death experience. We talk about her childhood being influenced by her grandmother's practices, highlighting the significance of the traditional family and community-based medicinal knowledge. She talks about the role of diet, stress management and natural remedies in maintaining healthy periods. Naa also touches on traditional African puberty rites and postpartum care and the importance of educating young women and supporting new mothers. Lastly, she explores the significance of natural, herb-based remedies and the integrity required in the practice of herbalism.   Connect with Naa ⁠here⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/tsofanye/?hl=en]   If you have a period or pregnancy related story you'd love to share or just want to say hi, you can reach me at hello@houseofrosemary.com [hello@houseofrosemary.com] Book a session with Rosemary: https://beacons.ai/houseofrosemary [https://beacons.ai/houseofrosemary]   Lets connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseofrosemary [https://www.instagram.com/houseofrosemary] Website: https://houseofrosemary.com/ [https://houseofrosemary.com/] Explore services: https://houseofrosemary.com/services/ [https://houseofrosemary.com/services/]   To support my work (Thank you): https://buymeacoffee.com/houseofrosemary [https://buymeacoffee.com/houseofrosemary]   Disclaimer: Information shared here is based on the personal experiences of the guests and the host's experience as a medical herbalist and midwife. The information may not be suitable for you.