Through the lens of an NHS obstetrician -An interview with Dr Florence Wilcock

In this episode we have with us Dr Florence Wilcock , an
obstetrician who has been working in NHS maternity services for
more than 25 years. Florence has a special interest in improving
women’s experience of maternity care & has been a consultant
in London since 2007 where she is currently the lead obstetrician
for Perinatal mental health as well as working with the Birth
Options team, and homebirth team.
 As a member of the London Maternity Clinical Network
Florence was responsible for the innovative Maternity ‘Whose
Shoes’ co production workshops piloted across London in 2014. As
a result she co-founded #MatExp with Gill Phillips; a grassroots
movement of women, families and staff caring for them &
working together to improve maternity services, and is also a
clinical representative on the Royal College of Obs & Gyn
women’s network.
Florence hosts the podcast TheObsPod. Where she works towards
demystifying obstetrics and help both maternity staff and
families.
Today we talk about how midwives and obstetricians can work more
collaboratively in the hospital system.
We discuss safety, the current discussions on physiological birth
as radical thinking and the thoughts of some who propose
inductions for everyone!
Florence talks us through her Lithotomy challenge & the
simple power of nurturing touch. She clearly points out how this
education tool can spark our knowledge of how disempowering this
can be for a woman.
And we discuss how the small changes, or what is often known as
the 'warm and fluffies' for both obstetrician and midwife, can
make a significant difference for the woman physiologically as
well as emotionally.
And Florence leaves us with her zesty "nuggets" for us all to
work in a space that benefits and protects women, midwives and
obstetricians.

Links:
Dr Florence Wilcock:
The Obs Pod podcast
Twitter @FWMaternity and @TheObsPod 
Instagram @TheObsPod 
"Whose shoes" #matexp with Gill Phillips 


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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.