Episodes

  • 10: Postpartum psychosis- maternal mental health and support

    10: Postpartum psychosis- maternal mental health and support
    Mar 20 2025
    This week our host Theo is joined by Dr Jessica Heron, the Chief Executive of Action on Postpartum Psychosis, and an affected mother to provide some practical advice to help affected families.

    Topics that we discuss on the show include: what postpartum psychosis is; treatment; mother and baby units; the importance of peer support; wider impact on the family; baby bonding; resources and help for affected families; and raising awareness of the issue.

    Don't suffer in silence! Listen in and let's break the final taboo in women's health #breakingthetaboo.

    Action on Postpartum Psychosis: https://www.app-network.org/
    Getting Peer Support: https://www.app-network.org/get-help/peer-support-for-postpartum-psychosis/
    Insider Guides: https://www.app-network.org/postpartum-psychosis/insider-guides/
    Antenatal Toolkit: https://www.app-network.org/training-on-pp/antenataltoolkit/

    This podcast is sponsored by the law firm Irwin Mitchell.

    DISCLAIMER: This show is not intended to be medical advice please seek advice from a GP or Doctor.

    Website: http://www.theo-clarke.org.uk/podcast
    Instagram: @theoclarkemp
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    46 mins
  • 9: Matrescence: Pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood with author Lucy Jones

    9: Matrescence: Pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood with author Lucy Jones
    Mar 13 2025
    This week our host Theo is joined by award-winning journalist and author Lucy Jones to talk about matrescence and the metamophosis of pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood. They also discuss traumatic births and recovering from mental or physical issues after childbirth, and provide some practical advice to help affected families.

    Topics that we discuss on the show include: what matrescence is, information for new mothers, taboos around birth, birth injuries, maternal mental health, challenges breastfeeding, care for women post birth, society's expectations of motherhood, ways to express birth trauma such as writing groups or mothers' circles, shame and stigma around birth trauma and signpost to some useful resources.

    Lucy Jones is an award-winning journalist and the author of four books including the bestselling Losing Eden: Why Our Minds Need the Wild (a Times and Telegraph Book of the Year) and most recently Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood, which was longlisted for the inaugural Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction and a New Yorker and New Statesman Book of the Year. Her first book, Foxes Unearthed (2016), won the Society of Authors' Roger Deakin Award and was longlisted for the Wainwright Prize. Her writing on ecology, health and science has been published by BBC Earth, the Sunday Times, the Guardian, GQ and the New Statesman.

    Don't suffer in silence! Listen in and let's break the final taboo in women's health #breakingthetaboo.

    Read 'Matrescence' by Lucy Jones here.
    Birth Trauma Association: https://www.birthtraumaassociation.org/
    Birth Injuries Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/151415775011608/
    Masic Foundation: https://masic.org.uk
    New Mothers Writing Circle: https://www.newmumswriting.co.uk/

    This podcast is sponsored by the law firm Irwin Mitchell.

    DISCLAIMER: This show is not intended to be medical advice please seek advice from a GP or Doctor.

    Website: http://www.theo-clarke.org.uk/podcast
    Instagram: @theoclarkemp
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    49 mins
  • 8: Ask me anything on birth trauma

    8: Ask me anything on birth trauma
    Mar 6 2025
    This week our host Theo is joined by Dr Kim Thomas, CEO of the Birth Trauma Association, to answer listener questions on birth trauma. They share information for expectant mothers and families who've experienced a traumatic birth, including recovery from mental and physical health issues after childbirth, and provide some practical advice to help affected families.

    Topics that we discuss on the show include: antenatal classes, recovering from stiches, induction, pain relief and epidurals, risks in childbirth, perineal tears and incontience, bonding with baby, mental health support and breastfeeding.

    Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dad-matters-support-for-fathers-who-experience-birth/id1791997791?i=1000696476191

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/63D4c7TNHuJ6fBR1Uu7s9j?si=1b900225bdfd4220

    Don't suffer in silence! Listen in and let's break the final taboo in women's health #breakingthetaboo.

    Birth Trauma Association: https://www.birthtraumaassociation.org/

    This podcast is sponsored by the law firm Irwin Mitchell.

    DISCLAIMER: This show is not intended to be medical advice please seek advice from a GP or Doctor.

    Website: http://www.theo-clarke.org.uk/podcast
    Instagram: @theoclarkemp
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    47 mins
  • 7: Dad Matters - Support for fathers who experience birth trauma

    7: Dad Matters - Support for fathers who experience birth trauma
    Feb 27 2025
    This week our host Theo is joined by Scott Mair, Director of Fatherhood Solutions, and Kieran Anders from Dad Matters, to talk about support for fathers who’ve experienced birth trauma. They share information to help dads who are struggling having witnessed a traumatic birth, including recovery from mental health issues after childbirth, and provide some practical advice to help affected families.
    Topics that we discuss on the show include: the impact of birth trauma on dads; the importance of antenatal education; what to discuss with your partner during pregnancy including birth plans; impact on parent-infant relationships including attachment and bonding; supporting a partner post birth trauma; recovery as a family; helping siblings to understand birth trauma; mental health support for dads; feelings of guilt; dad's role during birth and the importance of advocacy; loss and bereavement and impact on subsequent births; babies in neonatal care; postpartum psychosis; and where to get help for dads who are struggling.
    Trigger warning: please note this episode contains references to maternal suicide and baby loss.
    Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/breaking-the-taboo/id1791997791
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hbO9pLpPadK01oEO5KMZO

    Don't suffer in silence! Listen in and let's break the final taboo in women's health #breakingthetaboo.
    Dad Matters UK: https://dadmatters.org.uk/
    Fatherhood Solutions: https://www.ipip.co.uk/fatherhood-solutions
    Birth Trauma Association: https://www.birthtraumaassociation.org/
    Parent Infant Foundation: https://parentinfantfoundation.org.uk/
    Home Start: https://www.home-start.org.uk/
    This podcast is sponsored by the law firm Irwin Mitchell.
    DISCLAIMER: This show is not intended to be medical advice please seek advice from a GP or Doctor.
    Website: http://www.theo-clarke.org.uk/podcast
    Instagram: @theoclarkemp
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • 6: Advice on going back to work after birth trauma

    6: Advice on going back to work after birth trauma
    Feb 20 2025
    This week our host Theo is joined by Shah Qureshi, Head of Employment at Irwin Mitchell's London office, and Geeta Nayar, an affected mother and Senior Associate Solicitor, to talk about going back to work after birth trauma. They share information to help mothers who are looking at returning to the workplace, whilst recovering from mental or physical issues after childbirth, and provide some practical advice to help affected families.

    Topics that we discuss on the show include: the impact of birth injuries on careers; how to navigate a return to work; workplace rights; legal protections for mothers with physical or psychological challenges; examples of helpful adjustments employers can make; how to break through fear and shame in the workplace; maternity leave; flexible working or change of duties; signposting to helpful services to aid recovery; the role of mentors; when to seek legal advice and what this entails; and advice on maternity disability discrimination claims.

    This podcast is sponsored by the law firm Irwin Mitchell.

    DISCLAIMER: This show is not intended to be medical advice please seek advice from a GP or Doctor.

    Irwin Mitchell: https://www.irwinmitchell.com/personal/medical-negligence

    Acas: https://www.acas.org.uk/
    Maternity Action: https://maternityaction.org.uk/
    The Masic Foundation: https://masic.org.uk/
    Birth Trauma Association: https://www.birthtraumaassociation.org/
    Website: http://www.theo-clarke.org.uk/podcast
    Instagram: @theoclarkemp

    #breakingthetaboo

    Don't suffer in silence! Listen in and let's break the final taboo in women's health
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    38 mins
  • 5: Maternal mental health- recovering from PTSD post birth

    5: Maternal mental health- recovering from PTSD post birth
    Feb 13 2025
    This week our host Theo is joined by Dr Rebecca Moore, a perinatal psychiatrist, and Rachael McGrath, Chair of the Birth Trauma Association, to talk about maternal mental health. They share information on what mental health issues can affect new mothers, covering everything from PTSD to living with symptoms such as OCD, and provide some practical advice for affected mums and their families.

    Dr Rebecca Moore is a consultant perinatal psychiatrist passionate about trauma informed care and reducing trauma in maternity care. She is the co-founder of Make Birth Better which is a unique UK based collaboration of parents and professionals educating and campaigning around birth trauma.
    Rachael McGrath is chair of the Birth Trauma Association; coming to the role after accessing support from the BTA due to her own traumatic childbirth which resulted in serious physical and psychological injuries. Until recently Rachael worked for a regional NHS maternal and perinatal mental health service. Rachael has twins and feels passionately about utilising patient experiences and embedding trauma informed practice into healthcare.

    Topics that we discuss on the show include: what is birth trauma; how might you feel post birth; symptoms of PTSD; multiple pregnancy losses and IVF; wider impact on relationships; how to access mental health support; types of treatment; twins; and advice for future pregnancies.

    Don't suffer in silence! Listen in and let's break the final taboo in women's health #breakingthetaboo.

    Make Birth Better: https://www.makebirthbetter.org/
    Dr Moore: https://www.doctorrebeccamoore.com/
    Birth Trauma Association: https://www.birthtraumaassociation.org/

    This podcast is sponsored by the law firm Irwin Mitchell.

    DISCLAIMER: This show is not intended to be medical advice please seek advice from a GP or Doctor.

    Website: http://www.theo-clarke.org.uk/podcast
    Instagram: @theoclarkemp
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    51 mins
  • 4: Birth injuries: perineal trauma, healing and recovery

    4: Birth injuries: perineal trauma, healing and recovery
    Feb 6 2025
    This week our host Theo is joined by Chloë Oliver, the CEO of the Masic Foundation, and affected mother Sarah Embleton to talk about birth injuries. They share information on what birth injuries are, covering everything from perineal tears to living with symptoms such as incontinence, and provide some practical advice for affected mums and their families.

    Topics that we discuss on the show include: risk and knowledge in advance of injuries; instrumental delivery and informed consent; long term costs of injuries; women not being listened to; lessons from the UK Birth Trauma Inquiry; the major impacts on day to day life as an affected mother; work and impact/adjustments; wider impact on family, friends, relationships and bonding with baby; psychological impacts of these injuries including anxiety, PTSD and depression.

    Don't suffer in silence! Listen in and let's break the final taboo in women's health #breakingthetaboo.

    Website: https://masic.org.uk/
    Talking to your GP: https://masic.org.uk/getting-help/gp-support/
    Employment advice: https://masic.org.uk/getting-help/employment-support/
    Instrumental delivery survey: https://masic.org.uk/news/womens-experiences-of-instrumental-delivery-in-the-uk/
    Impact of birth injuries on mother/baby bond survey: https://masic.org.uk/news/masic-foundation-first-five-years-survey-impact-of-severe-perineal-injury/

    This podcast is sponsored by the law firm Irwin Mitchell.

    DISCLAIMER: This show is not intended to be medical advice please seek advice from a GP or Doctor.

    Website: http://www.theo-clarke.org.uk/podcast
    Instagram: @theoclarkemp
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    42 mins
  • 3: Painful sex to pelvic health – physical recovery from birth trauma

    3: Painful sex to pelvic health – physical recovery from birth trauma
    Jan 30 2025
    This week our host Theo is joined by Jo Fordyce, a specialist pelvic health physiotherapist, and Alice Johnstone, the postnatal pilates coach. They share practical information to help mothers recover from challenges after childbirth, discuss what to consider in pregnancy to help with postnatal recovery and suggest ways to better take care of yourself in the first six weeks of the postnatal period.

    Topics that we discuss on the show include: what is pelvic floor dysfunction and what symptoms mothers might have post partum, how pelvic health physiotherapy can be managed and treated, the importance of antenatal education, resources that are available, things to consider before returning to exercise, practicising self care and how it's never to late too start wherever you are at in your recovery.

    Don't suffer in silence! Listen in and let's break the final taboo in women's health.

    This podcast is sponsored by the law firm Irwin Mitchell.

    DISCLAIMER: This show is not intended to be medical advice please seek advice from a GP or Doctor.

    Website: http://www.theo-clarke.org.uk/podcast

    Instagram: @theoclarkemp

    Your Time Pilates: www.yourtimepilates.com

    Pelvic Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy: https://thepogp.co.uk/patients/physiotherapists/7bd22997-a67c-4a44-92cf-423462fff346/
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    40 mins
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