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I am an NHS obstetrician hoping to share some thoughts and experiences about my working life. Maybe you enjoy call the midwife, perhaps birth fascinates, or you are simply curious about what exactly an obstetrician is? You might be pregnant and preparing for birth right now. Perhaps you work in maternity care and want to know what makes your obstetric colleagues tick, or you want some fresh ideas and inspiration. Whichever of these is the case TheObsPod is for you. Each episode contains 'the ...
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Join the Simply Zesty team as they analyse and discuss the latest news and trends in the world of digital marketing and technology, as well as interviews with leading figures within the industry.
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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 cruc…
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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 Discover why maintaining good dental hygiene is more important than ever during pregnancy, despite outdated beliefs linking gum disease to preterm birth being debunked by rece…
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Episode 173 Postnatal Psychosis a chat with Sarah
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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 st…
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Episode 172 The Unexpected - A Chat with Prof Emily Oster
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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 Durin…
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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 Organiz…
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Episode 170 Weight Stigma in Pregnancy
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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 …
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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 curta…
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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 pregn…
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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 …
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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 f…
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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…
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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 p…
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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…
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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…
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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 followi…
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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 …
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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, …
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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 a…
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Episode 157 Monitoring the Fetus in Labour
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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 fo…
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Episode 156 Hypnobirthing with Megan Rossiter Birth-Ed
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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 th…
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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 bir…
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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-loss htt…
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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 …
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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/lea…
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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 midwives https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0002034&type=printable GMC training s…
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Episode 150 Experience of Induction of Labour
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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/e071703 Thank you all for listening, M…
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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://elearnin…
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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.or…
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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.amazona…
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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 review https://www.rcog.org.uk/media/4v3hsepc/thyroiddisordersinpregna…
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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…
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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/A112.3 https://www.rcog.org.uk/media/3wykswng/gtg-50-umbilicalcordprolapse-2014.pdf https://www.spinningbabies.com/when-a-person-is-told-they-have-an-unstable-lie…
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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.pdf https://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 F…
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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/e…
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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 mi…
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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-praevia https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-all-patient-in…
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Episode 139 Building community relationships to tackle inequality
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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 project https://healthinnovationnetwork.com/insight/partnering-…
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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.pdf https://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/co…
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Episode 137 Infant feeding - A chat with Lyndsey Hookway
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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…
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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 here https://vimeo.com/user146271099/vi…
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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-agencies https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240068759 Thank you all for listening, My name…
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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 Mistakes Want to know more? https://www.england.nhs.uk…
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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? Information https://www.forwarduk.org.uk/…
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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 int…
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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-outcomes…
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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 …
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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-2022 Thank you all for listening, My name is Florence Wilcock I am an NHS doctor working as an obstetrician, sp…
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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/1185 https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD012671.pub2/full https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg190/ifp/chapter/if-there-is-meconium-during-labour Thank you all for listening, My name is Flo…
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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.…
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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 m…
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