The Midwives' Cauldron

By: Katie James and Dr Rachel Reed
  • Summary

  • Join us as we hubble, bubble, toil, and trouble our way through aspects of midwifery, birth, lactation, and womanhood. We tackle and discuss a variety of topics within the sphere of womanhood, birth, and lactation and what this entails in today's society. We want to be able to share in the strengths of women gathering together and being more informed, for their birth, their feeding experience, and the transition into knowing ourselves better. This is the podcast to connect us as a greater circle of women united.

    © 2024 The Midwives' Cauldron
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Episodes
  • What you didn't know about donor milk and milk sharing
    Sep 25 2024

    Want to send us a message? Fan mail? Thoughts on the episode?

    In this episode, Katie takes Rachel behind the scenes for an in-depth exploration of donor milk—an intriguing topic that might just challenge everything you thought you knew about this practice.

    I have to caveat that some of the information in this episode is possibly going to get your knickers in a twist though – do we have any episode that don’t?!

    We’ll be discussing:

    • The history of milk banking
    • Are we seeing different health outcomes when using donor milk compared to a mother’s own milk?
    • Are there differences between donor and mothers milk that we should know about
    • What about informal, unpasteurised, milk sharing? Is this also happening in the hospital settings as well?
    • And have you ever heard the term “milk sibling” before?

    I'll also dive into whether we need to rethink our approach to milk when caring for vulnerable infants. Plus, Rachel asks me about the future of milk banking—where is this practice headed?

    LINKS:

    Evidence-Based Methods That Promote Human Milk Feeding of Preterm Infants

    Early postpartum pumping behaviors

    Supplementation of Mother's Own Milk with Preterm Donor Milk

    Maternal production of milk

    Proactive Lactation Care

    Economic benefits and costs of human milk feedings

    The institutional cost of acquiring 100 mL of human milk

    Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms!

    Get 10% off Katie's Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course today with code POD10 at checkout.

    Support the show

    • Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee
    • MERCH here!
    • Music Joseph McDade

    Like this podcast? Leave us a review here
    Want more from Katie and Rachel?
    Katie's website
    Rachel's website

    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

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    49 mins
  • Waterbirth
    Sep 4 2024

    Want to send us a message? Fan mail? Thoughts on the episode?

    In this episode Rachel and Katie dive into the fascinating topic of waterbirth (excuse the pun, but it was too good to leave out!).

    I ask Rachel my burning questions and she stirs up the cauldron exploring everything from the history of waterbirth to the practicalities and the science behind it.

    Listen in as we find out about:

    · When did women start birthing in water?

    · What does the research say about waterbirth improving outcomes?

    · Why are some women told they can’t get into the pool until they are 5 centimeters dilated?

    · Do water-born babies take longer to start breathing?

    · Guidelines recommend women get out of the pool to birth the placenta, but do they really need to?

    · And lastly, does waterbirth alter the baby’s microbiome?

    So, place your order with the barista, pop your coat on, or press play as you get those headphones over your lugol’s, and let’s dive into the deep end of waterbirth.


    LINKS:

    https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/7/e056517

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871519216302190?via%3Dihub

    Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms!

    Get 10% off Katie's Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course today with code POD10 at checkout.

    Support the show

    • Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee
    • MERCH here!
    • Music Joseph McDade

    Like this podcast? Leave us a review here
    Want more from Katie and Rachel?
    Katie's website
    Rachel's website

    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

    Show more Show less
    1 hr
  • Kangaroo mother care and zero separation with Dr Nils Bergman
    Aug 7 2024

    Want to send us a message? Fan mail? Thoughts on the episode?

    Dr Nils Bergman calls himself a Public Health Physician, and currently promotes and researches skin-to- skin contact on a full time basis. He is a Research Associate at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden. Dr. Bergman was born in Sweden and raised in Zimbabwe, where he also later worked as a mission doctor. He received his medical degree (MB ChB) at the University of Cape Town, a Diploma in Child Health at Uppsala University, and later a Masters in Public Health at the University of the Western Cape. During his years in Zimbabwe he completed a doctoral dissertation (MD, equivalent to PhD) on deadly scorpion stings. He has worked in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Sweden, and his last posting was Senior Medical Superintendent of Mowbray Maternity Hospital in Cape Town, overseeing 18000 births per year. He is married to Jill, and father to Rebecka, Simon and Emma, and has five grandchildren.

    In this episode, Dr. Bergman delves into the critical importance of maintaining skin-to-skin contact throughout the first day of a newborn's life. He explains how this practice not only connects and wires the baby's brain but also has profound effects on the mother.

    Dr. Bergman sheds light on the pivotal role of Oxytocin, often dubbed the 'love hormone,' which he eloquently describes as the hormone of resilience, vital for both mother and baby.

    We further explore the crucial significance of focusing not only on the first 1000 days of a child's life but also on the first 1000 minutes. Dr. Bergman passionately explains how these early moments are foundational for long-term health and emotional resilience.

    Additionally, we dive into the detailed work behind the latest version of the WHO Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) document. Dr. Bergman shares insights into the creation of this and introduces us to the concept of 'nurture-science.' He discusses how this emerg

    Want to listen to the new podcast 'The Feeding Couch'? Find it here or on all good podcast hosting platforms!

    Get 10% off Katie's Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course today with code POD10 at checkout.

    Support the show

    • Please support the show via Patreon or BuyMeACoffee
    • MERCH here!
    • Music Joseph McDade

    Like this podcast? Leave us a review here
    Want more from Katie and Rachel?
    Katie's website
    Rachel's website

    Disclaimer
    The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Midwives' Cauldron podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.

    The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness.

    The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 11 mins

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Aspiring Midwife

As an aspiring young midwife I love listening to Katie and Rachel. Not only do they have great banter but I feel like I learn so much from each episode.

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