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BLUE MUMDAYSThe Parental Mental Health Podcast Author: Vikki Stephenson
Blue MumDays is a podcast about perinatal illness, parenting and being kind to yourself. Up to 1 in 7 mums and 1 in 10 dads will suffer with their mental health after the birth of their baby. Having once interviewed the likes of Sir David Attenborough and Hans Zimmer during my BBC career, Im now speaking to mums, dads and mental health experts each week, in an effort to understand my own experience of postnatal depression. Dispelling myths, smashing stigma & bringing hope to parents having a hard time. Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Kids & Family, Mental Health, Parenting Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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"Just Make It Stop!" - Driven to the Edge: Sophie Burch (Part 1)
Episode 41
Monday, 9 June, 2025
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...
