The Obs Pod

ตอน

• Episode 188 A Chat with Frances, Consultant midwife 30.05.2026 42นาที

  In this episode I talk with my wonderful collelague consultant midwife Frances Rivers about what the role looks like on the ground and why it matters for women, midwives, and obstetricians. We dig into evidence, inequality, and personalised care, and how respectful conversations can keep trust even when choices sit outside recommendations. • what a consultant midwife does and why the role was created • the four pillars: clinical expertise, leadership, research, education • h...
• Episode 187 Palpitations In Pregnancy 16.05.2026 20นาที

  We explain why palpitations and a fast heart rate are so common in pregnancy, and how to separate normal physiological change from signs that need urgent assessment. We walk through the questions we ask, the tests we choose, and how we stay reassuring while still taking symptoms seriously. • normal pregnancy physiology and a typical 10 to 20 bpm rise in resting pulse • why a high heart rate is a general sign of illness rather than a diagnosis • infection screening in pregnan...
• Episode 186 Induction of Labour Update 02.05.2026 23นาที

  In this update I talk about why induction of labour is such a charged topic and why the real-world experience can feel long, uncomfortable, and out of step with what the evidence promises. We explain how drug shortages and new research are pushing the NHS towards oral and mechanical methods that could make induction more streamlined and less intrusive. What if you could take a tablet to start your labour? Would you be willing to help shape treatment for the future by participating in r...
• Episode 185 Medicines In Pregnancy 28.03.2026 20นาที

  We talk frankly about why medicines in pregnancy and breastfeeding feel frightening, even though most women take something during pregnancy and many treatments are genuinely safe. We break down why the evidence is often patchy, how to think about benefit versus risk, and where to find clear information you can trust. • British Pharmacological Society statement and the scale of medicine use in pregnancy • why pregnant and breastfeeding women are often excluded from trials • ...
• Episode 184 Too little amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios) 21.02.2026 18นาที

  We explore what low amniotic fluid really means at different stages of pregnancy and when to act, when to watch, and how to personalise decisions. We share why routine induction for isolated low fluid may not improve outcomes and how to navigate monitoring, growth checks, and timing of birth. • defining oligohydramnios and anhydramnios • how gestation changes risk • ruling out ruptured membranes with history and tests • expert scans, infections, and maternal factors • why fluid matters for l...
• Episode 183 Too much amniotic fluid (Polyhydramnios) 07.02.2026 26นาที

  We unpack polyhydramnios with clear guidance on measurement, risk, and choices, showing why most mild cases near term are benign while outlining when to call in fetal medicine. Practical steps help parents and midwives stay calm, plan safely, and avoid unnecessary interventions. • definitions of polyhydramnios by single deepest pool and AFI • pros and cons of SDP versus AFI measurement • thresholds for mild, moderate, severe excess fluid • idiopathic cases late in pregnancy and prevalence • ...
• Episode 182 Big Baby Update 12.07.2025 29นาที

  Remember my popular Episode 29 on big babies from five years ago? Today I'm diving into what's changed since then, spurred by Warwick University's Big Baby trial, new research examining whether early induction truly prevents complications in pregnancies where scans predict larger babies. The most startling revelation? A whopping 60% of babies predicted to be above the 90th centile weren't actually that large at birth. This margin of error should give us serious pause when recommending ...
• Episode 181 Assisted Vaginal Birth, a woman's perspective 17.05.2025 50นาที

  Trigger warning: This episode discusses birth trauma. When a birth doesn't go as planned and requires intervention, how does it feel from the woman's perspective? Jacqueline Edwards, mother of five, shares her powerful firsthand experiences of both traumatic and positive assisted vaginal births, challenging healthcare professionals to see beyond the clinical procedure. Through our conversation, Jacqueline offers a rare glimpse into the psychological impact of instrumental deliveries. She des...
• Episode 180 Mama Academy a chat with Heidi 15.03.2025 39นาที

  Trigger warning Baby Loss This episode is part of the podcasthon global charity podcast event 15th-21st March 2025. Join me as I chat with Heidi Eldridge, founder of the Mama Academy, a charity dedicated to reducing stillbirths and improving maternal health. Heidi's personal story, marked by the tragic loss of her son Aidan, propelled her into action, grounding her journey in the need to provide essential resources and support for expectant parents. Discover how Mama Academy's innovative init...
• Episode 179 Ramadan Special 05.03.2025 48นาที

  Step into our enlightening conversation about the multi-faceted experience of Ramadan, particularly as it relates to pregnant women and the maternity care system. With insights from Muslim doctors Miss Natasha Abdul-Aziz and Dr Emma Wiley , we dive into the spiritual and communal aspects of fasting during this holy month, discussing its potential impacts on health and wellbeing for expecting mothers. Ramadan is more than just abstaining from food; it is a time for ren...
• Episode 178 Maternity Triage 15.02.2025 31นาที

  Maternity triage plays an essential role in providing urgent care to pregnant women, ensuring timely and appropriate responses to potentially life-threatening situations. The episode discusses the BSOTS system, its implementation, challenges, and the importance of maintaining relationships with GPs and midwives while prioritising urgent care needs. • Overview of maternity triage and its significance • Introduction to the Birmingham Symptom Specific Obstetric Triage System (BSOTS) ...
• Episode 177 Be the Difference a chat with Catherine 09.10.2024 52นาที

  In this episode recorded for baby Loss Awareness week 2024, Join us as Catherine MacLennan from the Vilomah Foundation opens up about her personal journey through pregnancy loss and the varied care she received. Catherine’s story underscores the emotional toll and disparities in care, urging for a more empathetic approach in maternity services. We discuss the 2016 project, Nobody's Patient, and its enduring impact on bereavement care. From workshops in South West London to the importa...
• Episode 176 Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) - a chat with Sarah 14.09.2024 1ชม. 5นาที

  Join me as I talk with Sarah Fishburn, who shares her deeply personal journey through three pregnancies plagued by pelvic girdle pain (PGP). Sarah opens up about how the lack of adequate information and support during her experiences inspired her to create the Pelvic Partnership, an organization dedicated to educating and empowering women suffering from PGP. Together, we dissect the often misunderstood mechanics behind pelvic pain and emphasize the critical importance of early treatment...
• Episode 175 RSV vaccine 10.08.2024 18นาที

  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 crucial for infants under a year old. Expectant mothers, healthcare professionals, and anyone interested in maternal and infant health will find t...
• Episode 174 Dental Care 27.07.2024 19นาที

  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 recent studies like the meta-analysis from Norway. We'll delve into the specifics of increased risks like gingivitis and tooth erosion, and highlight t...
• Episode 173 Postnatal Psychosis a chat with Sarah 13.07.2024 48นาที

  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 stay. We explore the crucial role of perinatal mental health teams, and the struggle of distinguishing physical from mental symptoms when sleep-depri...
• Episode 172 The Unexpected - A Chat with Prof Emily Oster 29.06.2024 32นาที

  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 During and After Complications," Co-authored with Dr. Nathan Fox, an OBGYN. The book shares personal experiences and valuable advice on prep...
• Episode 171 Noise 15.06.2024 20นาที

  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 Organization's guidelines on acceptable noise levels in hospitals. Discover the diverse sources of noise, from technological equipment to emer...
• Episode 170 Weight Stigma in Pregnancy 11.05.2024 1ชม. 3นาที

  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 she faced as an expectant mother, lending depth to our understanding of these early, often negative categorizations. Language has power, esp...
• Episode 169 Hyperemesis 25.04.2024 59นาที

  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 curtain on shocking statistics like the 5% termination rate for wanted pregnancies due to severe nausea, emphasizing the urgency for healthcare provider...