Hypnotherapist Sophie Burch opens up about the intense struggles she faced after the births of her first two sons. These included a traumatic delivery with shoulder dystocia, and the challenges of colic and silent reflux. With little support, she reached a breaking point where she nearly harmed her baby in a moment of despair. Her deeply personal and courageous story highlights the urgent need for emotional support and better preparation for new mothers. Sophie found healing through helping others, and has dedicated her life to supporting maternal mental health with tools like the Beyond Birth Guide.

* Trigger Warning: Birth Trauma, Resuscitation and Neonatal Intensive Care (N I C U)*

In This Episode We Discuss:

[00:00] Teaser quote.

[01:36] Introduction to Nurture You's Sophie Burch.

[03:28] A difficult pregnancy - antenatal depression and work stress. Polycistic ovarian syndrome (P C O S).

[07:01] A traumatic shoulder dystocia delivery and resuscitation of her baby. No follow-ups or support.

[10:10] Full throes of postnatal depression. Terrified her son would be taken away from her if she admitted how she was feeling.

[14:38] Healing through helping others. C B T (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). Support from her husband and friends.

[19:01] Sophie's second pregnancy - hypnobirthing and a healing home birth.

[21:30] Driven to the edge through her baby's silent reflux - a call for help in a moment of desperation.

[25:35] Healing through talking, journalling, breathwork and nurturing yourself as well as your baby. Developing her 'Beyond Birth' guide.

Key Takeaways:

1. Shoulder dystocia is a childbirth emergency that happens when a baby's shoulders get stuck behind the mother's pelvic bones, after the head has been delivered. It can make delivery difficult and dangerous for both the baby and the mother. R C O G information on Shoulder Dystocia.

2. Blue MumDays S1 Ep17: When Birth Leads to Trauma – listen to my conversation with Make Birth Better’s Dr. Rebecca Moore to learn more about birth trauma.

3. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder affecting people with ovaries, often during their reproductive years. It can cause a range of symptoms and impact fertility. N H S information on P C O S.

4. Colic is frequent, prolonged and intense crying or fussiness in a healthy infant, specifically if they cry more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week for at least 1 week. Colic can be particularly frustrating for parents because the baby's distress occurs for no apparent reason and no amount of consoling seems to bring any relief. N H S advice on colic.

5. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors are a common class of antidepressants used for treating depression, anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions. Specifically they increase the levels of serotonin, a ‘feel good’ neurotransmitter in the brain. N H S overview of S S R I anti-depressants.

6. Hypnobirthing is a childbirth method using relaxation, breathing...

In this special episode for Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, host Vikki chats with lactation consultant Sally Rickard about the ups and downs of breastfeeding and early motherhood. Sally shares her personal and professional insights on common challenges like tongue-tie, milk supply issues, mastitis and the emotional strain these can bring. With kindness and clarity, Sally offers practical advice on latch, positioning, and mixed feeding, while reassuring parents that it’s okay to ask for help. This episode is a comforting reminder that you're not alone—and that support is always available.

In this Episode:

[00:00] Teaser Quote

[02:04] Meet Sally Rickard, lactation consultant

[03:02] Personal breastfeeding challenges

[04:15] The reality of motherhood expectations

[06:46] Navigating conflicting advice

[07:50] The complexity of breastfeeding

[09:32] Sally's own breastfeeding issues and birth experience

[18:30] Sally’s journey to becoming a lactation consultant

[25:55] Tongue-tie

[30:22] Common issues with latch

[33:24] Supply issues and solutions

[38:19] Mixed feeding: a balanced approach

[43:30] How to tell if you're baby is feeding well

[45:11] Mastitis and blocked ducts

[50:11] Soothing cracked and sore nipples

[52:47] Final thoughts and resources

Key Takeaways:

1. Find out more about Sally Rickard and her breastfeeding expertise and support in South London through her website, Baby-thrive.com.
2. I B C L C stands for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. It's a globally recognised certification for professionals with specialist knowledge and skills in breastfeeding and lactation management.
3. The N C T is the National Childbirth Trust, who offer antenatal classes where you can meet fellow parents in your area and learn more about looking after a baby.
4. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (E P D S) is a widely used screening tool to identify women who may be at risk of postpartum depression. It's a 10-item questionnaire that assesses symptoms like guilt, sleep disturbance, and low energy.
5. Listen to 'Double Cancer Didn't Cause Depression, Giving Birth Did' (Blue MumDays S1 Ep1 with postnatal depression counsellor Liz Wise), to learn how a problem bonding with her daughter didn’t cause issues later in life. Liz’s daughter Emma talks beautifully about the close bond she has with her mum and how Liz’s experience of PND actually made her a better mum.
6. The Lactation Consultants of Great Britain is a registered charity working to improve the health and wellbeing of families through advocacy and expert IBCLC breastfeeding care. A lactation consultant can help you with breastfeeding issues and advice.
7. NHS guidance on tongue-tie, a condition where the skin under a baby’s tongue is shorter or tighter than normal, restricting movement. This can cause feeding difficulties like...

In this second part of Frontline Midwife Anna Kent's story, Anna talks movingly about her own experience of motherhood, from an early miscarriage to the tragic loss of her baby daughter Fatima at only 6 months gestation, due to a rare brain condition. Anna discusses the impact this had on her mental health and grief, as well as the transformative experience of having her second daughter, Aisha. Anna emphasises the importance of creating safe spaces to discuss and honour baby loss. The episode also highlights Anna's memoir, 'Frontline Midwife,' and the legacy of her late midwife friend, Helen Loewenstein.

*Trigger Warning* Miscarriage, baby loss, very brief mention of suicide.

In This Episode:

[00:00] Teaser quote

[01:47] Introducing Anna Kent

[03:25] Anna's personal journey with motherhood

[04:11] Unexpected pregnancy, distressing miscarriage

[09:21] Challenges and decisions during Anna's second pregnancy

[14:03] The birth and devastating loss of Fatima

[21:38] Coping with grief and moving forward

[23:37] Pregnant again, with Aisha

[24:59] The need for empathy and compassion in midwifery

[26:18] Concentrating on positive birth experiences

[29:16] Aisha's birth story

[31:15] Balancing grief and love, honouring Fatima's memory

[33:42] How to help a grieving parent

[40:14] The impact of writing the 'Frontline Midwife'

[45:19] Current life and reflections

Key Takeaways:

1. Anna Kent's Instagram page to find out more about Anna and her work.
2. 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.
3. A cerebral teratoma is a rare, malignant, and fast-growing tumour that originates in the brain and is made up of multiple tissues.
4. Zephyrs Charity in Nottingham supports families following pregnancy loss or the death of a baby or child. They run a number of therapeutic support sessions for bereaved parents in the Nottingham area.
5. The Helen Loewenstein Memorial Trust was set up to honour Anna’s midwife friend Helen. We make grants to cover course-fees and essential study expenses for student midwives in Liberia who would not otherwise have sufficient funds to become qualified midwives.
6. Listen to “It’s Not The End: Recovery After Baby Loss’ with the wonderful Keji Moses of Mayah’s Legacy.
7. Click this link to find out more about Keji's charity, Mayah's Legacy
8. NHS on Miscarriage information.
9. The Miscarriage Association is a UK charity providing further support for those experiencing baby loss.
10. Tommys is the largest charity in the UK carrying out...