In this powerful Christmas episode, Anna Kent - a humanitarian aid worker, NHS nurse and midwife - reflects on her experiences working in some of the world's most challenging environments, including South Sudan, Haiti and Bangladesh. She offers an intimate look at the difficulties of providing maternity care in conflict zones and refugee camps, shedding light on the trauma faced by women in these regions.

Anna speaks candidly about her personal journey, the emotional toll of working in these high-stress situations and her mission to ensure all women have access to gold-standard maternity care. She opens up about her struggles with PTSD and the challenges of reintegrating into normal life after such intense work.

This episode is a moving testament to Anna's resilience, compassion and dedication to advocating for women's health rights in the direst circumstances. An inspiring and sobering reminder of the ongoing fight for equitable maternity care worldwide.

*Trigger Warning* Birthing in extreme situations, birth trauma, maternal loss, baby loss and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

In This Episode:

[00:00] Teaser quote.

[02:20] Introducing Anna Kent, the 'Frontline Midwife'.

[04:46] Anna's journey to humanitarian work.

[08:35] Her first mission - the challenges and realities of working in South Sudan.

[11:11] Honouring the Lady on the Plane. The importance of telling women's stories.

[17:12] James: Anna's larger-than-life colleague.

[20:10] Life and work in Tam, South Sudan.

[25:54] Everyone deserves gold access to maternity care.

[30:33] Encounter with a black mamba!

[31:26] Life in a tent: a different perspective.

[32:53] The struggle of returning home.

[33:13] The harsh realities of humanitarian work - trauma and being scared to share.

[34:44] Hitting rock bottom.

[36:55] Missions to Haiti and Bangladesh - responsible for 30,000 Rohingya refugees.

[38:51] Feelings of powerlessness.

[39:44] The impact of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Flashbacks.

[42:43] Seeking help - finding solace in Buddhism and therapy.

[48:51] The pressure to save every life. Moral injury.

[54:42] Parenting and self-awareness.

1. Key Takeaways:
2. Anna Kent's Instagram page to find out more about Anna and her work.
3. Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) provide vital medical care and humanitarian assistance to victims of conflict, natural disasters, epidemics or healthcare exclusion in more than 70 countries.
4. What To Expect article on Cephalopelvic Disproportion (C.P.D.), a condition where the baby's head or body is too large to fit through the mother's pelvis.
5. Blue MumDays Episode 17 'When Birth Leads to Trauma', with Dr. Rebecca Moore of Make Birth Better.
6. MIND Charity information on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (P.T.S.D.), a mental health problem you may develop after experiencing traumatic...