The Midwives' Cauldron

In this episode, Katie takes Rachel behind the scenes for an in-depth exploration of donor milk—an intriguing topic that might just challenge everything you thought you knew about this practice.                                                     I have to caveat that some of the information in this episode is possibly going to get your knickers in a twist though – do we have any episode that don’t?! We’ll be discussing:   The history of milk banking   Are we seeing different health outcomes when using donor milk compared to a mother’s own milk? Are there differences between donor and mothers milk that we should know about What about informal, unpasteurised, milk sharing? Is this also happening in the hospital settings as well?  And have you ever heard the term “milk sibling” before?  I'll also dive into whether we need to rethink our approach to milk when caring for vulnerable infants. Plus, Rachel asks me about the future of milk banking—where is this practice headed? LINKS: Evidence-Based Methods That Promote Human Milk Feeding of Preterm Infants  Early postpartum pumping behaviors Supplementation of Mother's Own Milk with Preterm Donor Milk Maternal production of milk Proactive Lactation Care  Economic benefits and costs of human milk feedings The institutional cost of acquiring 100 mL of human milk Impact of early human milk on sepsis and health-care costs Quality indicators for human milk use  Support the show Resources & Support Get Katie’s Milk Supply Confidence Kit — a free resource to help pregnant women, new parents and professionals feel calm, informed, and confident about breastfeeding. Download here Leave a Review Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a review and tell your friends! Want More from Katie and Rachel? – Katie’s website – Rachel’s website 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.

In this episode Rachel and Katie dive into the fascinating topic of waterbirth (excuse the pun, but it was too good to leave out!).  I ask Rachel my burning questions and she stirs up the cauldron exploring everything from the history of waterbirth to the practicalities and the science behind it.  Listen in as we find out about: ·      When did women start birthing in water? ·      What does the research say about waterbirth improving outcomes? ·      Why are some women told they can’t get into the pool until they are 5 centimeters dilated? ·      Do water-born babies take longer to start breathing? ·      Guidelines recommend women get out of the pool to birth the placenta, but do they really need to? ·      And lastly, does waterbirth alter the baby’s microbiome? So,  place your order with the barista, pop your coat on, or press play as you get those headphones over your lugol’s, and let’s dive into the deep end of waterbirth.  LINKS: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/7/e056517 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871519216302190?via%3Dihub Support the show Resources & Support Get Katie’s Milk Supply Confidence Kit — a free resource to help pregnant women, new parents and professionals feel calm, informed, and confident about breastfeeding. Download here Leave a Review Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a review and tell your friends! Want More from Katie and Rachel? – Katie’s website – Rachel’s website 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.

Dr Nils Bergman calls himself a Public Health Physician, and currently promotes and researches skin-to- skin contact on a full time basis. He is a Research Associate at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden. Dr. Bergman was born in Sweden and raised in Zimbabwe, where he also later worked as a mission doctor. He received his medical degree (MB ChB) at the University of Cape Town, a Diploma in Child Health at Uppsala University, and later a Masters in Public Health at the University of the Western Cape. During his years in Zimbabwe he completed a doctoral dissertation (MD, equivalent to PhD) on deadly scorpion stings. He has worked in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Sweden, and his last posting was Senior Medical Superintendent of Mowbray Maternity Hospital in Cape Town, overseeing 18000 births per year. He is married to Jill, and father to Rebecka, Simon and Emma, and has five grandchildren. In this episode, Dr. Bergman delves into the critical importance of maintaining skin-to-skin contact throughout the first day of a newborn's life. He explains how this practice not only connects and wires the baby's brain but also has profound effects on the mother. Dr. Bergman sheds light on the pivotal role of Oxytocin, often dubbed the 'love hormone,' which he eloquently describes as the hormone of resilience, vital for both mother and baby. We further explore the crucial significance of focusing not only on the first 1000 days of a child's life but also on the first 1000 minutes. Dr. Bergman passionately explains how these early moments are foundational for long-term health and emotional resilience. Additionally, we dive into the detailed work behind the latest version of the WHO Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) document. Dr. Bergman shares insights into the creation of this and introduces us to the concept of 'nurture-science.' He discusses how this emerging field emphasizes understanding the biological and emotional nurturing essential for optimal human development. Support the show Resources & Support Get Katie’s Milk Supply Confidence Kit — a free resource to help pregnant women, new parents and professionals feel calm, informed, and confident about breastfeeding. Download here Leave a Review Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a review and tell your friends! Want More from Katie and Rachel? – Katie’s website – Rachel’s website 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.

In this episode Katie takes Rachel into a conversation about why the nipple shield topic gets Katie’s knickers in a Twist.   We discuss:  The history of their use from1500s to present day  How the research might not be telling the right story?  Why are they so controversial?  We ask do nipple shields affect how much milk the baby can take out of the breast?  When might be a good reason to use a nipple shield – way more reasons than you probably think!  How do you get the right fit, and who are we fitting the shield for, the baby’s mouth or the mum’s nip?  Do babies attach differently when they use one?  And we discuss how to wean off from using a nipple shield. All this and tons more packed in to one episode for your eager lug’ols.   Support the show Resources & Support Get Katie’s Milk Supply Confidence Kit — a free resource to help pregnant women, new parents and professionals feel calm, informed, and confident about breastfeeding. Download here Leave a Review Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a review and tell your friends! Want More from Katie and Rachel? – Katie’s website – Rachel’s website 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.