Hannah’s two births were so different and equally powerful. Labour wakens big emotions and though she’s still making sense of it all, her two labours have changed her. Follow Hannah’s journey from past trauma to healing and the awakening of a strong creative energy.
Read MoreEmily reflects on the first year with her daughter: the traumatic start, the bonding process and finding her own parenting style. Read her thoughts in this heartfelt letter to her little girl.
Read MoreElizabeth is a GP, married with two kids and a relatively recent house owner. When she learns her request for life insurance isn’t even reviewed due to her mental health history, she decides to take action and reaches out to Make Birth Better.
Read MoreAmerican mum Taylor Hindermann shares about the birth story of her son, Kip. During pregnancy the doctors found fluid in Kip’s abdomen which seemed to put his life in danger. Defining all odds, Kip was born at 34 weeks. This is Taylor’s story about her ‘miracle baby’.
Read MoreBeverley is a first-time mum and founder of Motherhood Uncensored, a charity tackling myths, misogyny and nonsense about motherhood by sharing unheard stories. She shares about how she thinks her preparation pre-birth set her up to fail.
Read MoreThe UK Public Inquiry into Birth Trauma is calling for evidence from professionals who have experience of working with birth trauma and those suffering from vicarious trauma themselves too.
Read MoreVeterinary nurse Jo felt elated when she became pregnant for the second time. But this soon led to a devasting loss that was to affect the subsequent birth of her rainbow baby. Here, she discusses her journey through postnatal trauma and how, with the right support, she found eventual empowerment.
Read MoreThe Birth Trauma All Parliamentary Party Group (APPG) - led by Theo Clarke MP and Rosie Duffield MP - is launching a public inquiry today, which aims to review the reasons for the prevalence of birth trauma in the UK. The inquiry is inviting parents and professionals affected by birth trauma to submit their stories. There will also be a series of witness panel sessions held in Parliament. This will conclude in a report which puts forward policy recommendations to reduce the rate of birth trauma.
Read MoreWith 2023 drawing to a close the Make Birth Better team look back on the past year by sharing the achievements they’re most proud of, their biggest insights and what they are excited about for the new year ahead. Lots of great stuff in the pipeline so watch this space. For now, we want to thank all of you who have worked with us, supported us and shared their voices. Bring on a new year, we’re ready!
Read MoreWhat can you do to improve maternity services for deaf and BSL users? Some actions and a reading list.
Read MoreMaternity care is a sacred space where compassion, support and empowerment should reign. But often lurking beneath the surface is an undercurrent of systemic toxicity, eroding the emotional and physical wellbeing of those dedicated to this noble profession, as Laura Spence reflects.
Read MoreAlice’s first pregnancy was a smooth-sailing one, though she felt extremely anxious all the time. Superstition, withdrawing from social events and doom scrolling were her new reality – until thankfully Alice opened up at a doctor’s appointment who noticed what this was: acute perinatal anxiety. Alice shares about the amazing support she got after that.
Read MoreFor a long time, weightlifting was Chelsea’s sole focus of the day, every day. It was a great outlet for the stresses she faces, and it boosted her physical health as well as her mental health. The birth of her son threw her completely off course. She felt no longer strong: not physically or mentally. Chelsea writes about her path to healing and reflects on what helped her gain her strength back, in the hope to help others who can relate.
Read MoreFollow Amina Berour on her transformational journey as an obstetrics trainee. Amina shares some wonferful insights around the human element of obstetrics and the need to be fully trauma-informed when caring for others.
Read MoreWe are 5! We all came together in London at The Good Company and cheersed to five amazing years of Make Birth Better. We hugged, laughed, talked and celebrated how far we’ve come and everyone who has supported us.
Read MoreAnecdotally, at Make Birth Better, we hear about the quiet decline of home births. We know for many home birth is a really vital choice they want to have to help manage their trauma. That’s why we want to hold space for these experiences. Read the stories of Jane, Emma, Catherine, Cat and Anna.
Read MoreWhat happens if a Muslim woman presents with trauma following birth? Do you know how to support her? Aaliyah Shaikh explored and documented British Muslims’ experiences of pregnancy and childbirth trauma for her PhD thesis. Here’s fourteen amazing recommendations to help you support the Muslim community better.
Read MoreTracey is a mum to four girls and has also been an egg donor and a surrogate. She is currently the Surrogate Manager at a UK based surrogacy agency. Tracey shares openly about her journeys: why she chose to be a donor and a surrogate, what it was like giving birth, but also (sadly) miscarrying and how support could be better.
Read MoreAre you in need of a reminder that change IS happening as much as we are? Because times are tough right now and we are all feeling it. We asked the wonderful organisations in our network: what are you most proud of? And collated all their brilliant stories for you here: to celebrate the change that most definitely is happening!
Read MoreMake Birth Better’s CEO Nikki Wilson discusses intergenerational trauma with podcaster and Birth Trauma Peer Support Worker Frankie Gibbons. We highly recommend listening to the podcast episode here. Frankie describes how her second birth - an empowering, wonderful home birth (after a previous traumatic one) - completely turned her mum’s opinion on birth upside down.
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