The Ultimate Birth Partner Podcast
Everything a pregnant woman and her partner need to know to support them in preparation for labour, birth, and the early days with a new baby. This podcast gives both you and your partner the confidence and knowledge about the role they play throughout your birth, so they don't undermine or ruin the birth for you. Throughout these episodes, my guests and I will share with you our experience of being a birth keeper and advocate for women across the globe. This podcast is inclusive and invites guests from all backgrounds to enable you to hear a wide range of experiences.
The Ultimate Birth Partner Podcast
Episode 152 - Dr Rachel Reed - Meconium Stained Amniotic Fluid: variation or complication?
It's the season finale, and I’m delighted to wrap up with a powerful and thought-provoking conversation featuring the incredible Dr Rachel Reed - midwife, educator, author, and advocate for physiological birth.
In this episode, we dive deep into the topic of Meconium-Stained Amniotic Fluid something that often triggers alarm bells during labour. But should it? Rachel helps us unpack the physiology, the myths, and the medical responses surrounding meconium in the waters.
This conversation is essential listening for anyone preparing for birth, especially those wanting to feel informed and empowered in situations where the language of risk is used to justify intervention.
We explore:
- What meconium actually is - and when it’s considered 'normal'
- Why the presence of meconium doesn’t always mean distress
- The difference between thin and thick meconium - and why that matters
- How maternity systems often respond to meconium stained amniotic fluid
- How to approach decision-making with confidence and context
About Dr Rachel Reed:
Rachel is renowned for her evidence-based approach and her ability to reframe complex birth topics with clarity and wisdom. She’s the author of Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage, and Why Induction Matters. Her MidwifeThinking blog became a go-to resource for birth professionals and parents alike.
Resources mentioned:
- Rachel’s website: www.rachelreed.website
- Rachel's Blog https://www.rachelreed.website/blog
- Instagram: @dr.rachel.reed
Thank you for joining me this season.
Whether you’ve listened to one episode or every single one, I’m so grateful for your time and energy. This show is for you - for every birth partner, mother, and supporter who wants to walk into birth feeling prepared, powerful, and protected. I’ll be back in September with more conversations that challenge, inform, and inspire.
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Labour of Love - The Ultimate Guide to Being a Birth Partner - click here:-https://bit.ly/Labouroflove
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Pregnancy Journal for 'The Art of Giving Birth'
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Pregnancy Journal for 'The Art of Giving Birth'
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Please remember that the information shared with you in this episode is solely based on my own personal experiences as a doula and the private opinions of my guests, based on their own experiences. Any recommendations made may not be suitable for ...