Childbirth education, home birth, attachement styles and the "F%k1ng epidural" - An interview with Rhea Dempsey

Rhea is a former PE teacher turned childbirth educator, and
counsellor and feels privileged to have attended more than a
thousand births in hospitals and home settings as a birth
attendant as well as connecting with many more women, their
partners and support people during birth preparation workshops
and personal birth counselling sessions. 



Rhea has spoken extensively around Australia and internationally
and is the author of two books – ‘Birth with Confidence: savvy
choices for normal birth’  and the most recent ‘Beyond the
Birth Plan: getting real about pain and power’.



Rheas thoughtful, gentle voice takes us on a look back over the
world of birth from the past 40 years from England to Australia.
 



How Rheas home births led to her passion into childbirth
education and birth attendant work.



 How home births were parties back in the days! 



Rhea talks with us about how sadly, in more than forty years of
birth work, she’s witnessed an unprecedented rise in unnecessary
medical interventions and the development of a culture that,
rather than supporting women to birth naturally – physiologically
-, is actually undermining them.



We discuss the f&@k1ng epidural, as Rhea terms it, and how
she feels it has hijacked what labour and birth discomfort means.
The ‘thank goodness births’ and what this means for
society.



And we discuss the importance of what it is we ‘choose’ to focus
on when providing childbirth education. Attachment styles and how
that impacts how we go into birth. How shame plays a role in how
we may or may not ask for help.



Rhea leaves us with an oxytocin fuelled story from her book and
makes Katie cry! 




LINKS
Rhea Dempsey website, courses, books 



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Music by Joseph McDade


Disclaimer
The information shared in this podcast is for general educational
purposes only and is not intended as medical or legal advice.
Always consult with a qualified professional regarding individual
health concerns.

The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast does not guarantee the
completeness or accuracy of the information provided and accepts
no liability for any loss or harm arising from reliance on this
content.