Welcome to The Good Birth Practice

Are you looking for some realistic, sensible, well-informed antenatal education and support during your pregnancy, birth and fourth trimester?

Are you interested in hypnobirthing, but a bit concerned you won't be able to get on board with it all?
Maybe you're considering doula support, but aren't sure exactly how it helps?
You're the sort of woman who enjoys a good plan, but can't quite see how to write a birth plan that is credible, realistic and gets the attention it deserves?
Are you planning caesarean birth, and want it to be as positive and empowering as any other type of birth
Or perhaps you want support from someone who knows the system inside out, and can be realistic and honest with you about the practicalities of the system, as well as tools and strategies you can use to make birth more positive?

I'm Charlie, a hypnobirthing teacher, doula, maternity researcher, MNVP Lead and volunteer with AIMS. I have over 10 years experience working with women and families, and within the NHS maternity system. I am dedicated to helping you navigate the nuances of your choices, and create practical, realistic and tailored birth plans that leave you feeling fulfilled not frustrated.

Want to know more?

Contact me to book a chat at charlie@thegoodbirthpractice.co.uk

Or find out which support could be right for you here

Ask for more info

Supporting You

Because I only offer one-to-one support, all the antenatal classes and sessions I offer are entirely tailored to you. Whether you're seeking hypnobirthing or birth planning, caesarean birth support or Pocket doula care,

we do it your way. It can be helpful to have an idea about how it works, before you book a call with me to discuss how it can be adapt to your particular situation.

Hypnobirthing

These sessions are for you if are want to want to learn hypnobirthing skills and how to apply them in practice. In four sessions tailored to your situation and your needs we'll cover all the hypnobirthing basics, and discuss why they work and how you can use them.

Birth doula

Maybe this is your first pregnancy and it's all new and overwhelming? Or this birth to come is after a traumatic experience? Or you just want to make birth better than it has a reputation for being, I will help you navigate your choices, the NHS and any bumps in the road throughout your pregnancy and birth

Pocket Doula

You like the sound of a doula and the benefits they can bring, but don't feel you want or need another person at your birth. Pocket Doula support gives you all the benefits of a doula's antenatal, birth and postnatal support, we just do it without being physically in the birth room with you (always available to you and your partner by phone and WhatsApp though!)

How to write a birth plan

You're the type of woman who naturally makes plans and prepares. In pregnancy, though, you have a short amount of time to gather a huge amount of very important information. Birth plans are a pregnancy rite of passage. And they also have a shocking reputation for 'going out of the window when things get intense'.

I am here to help you make plans that are realistic, credible, adaptable and unique to you.

Caesarean birth planning

Caesarean births deserve as much celebration and positivity as any other type of birth. If you are planning a caesarean birth I am here to help you to prepare for the birth of your baby - and your recovery. From the practicalities of the day itself, to creating a positive and soothing birth environment, to ideas to celebrate... we can cover it all so you can feel relaxed and confident about your baby's birth.

How to be a birth partner

There's a huge amount of pressure on partners to be a 'Good Birth Partner' - but there are very few sources of realistic information about what that actually means. I'll share my 10 years + experience with you, and support the two of you to develop a Birth Partner Plan that will offer practical and emotional support you can both feel confident in and rely on

Ask for more info

Could we click?
Why I might be right for you and your pregnancy

Choosing someone to support you through your pregnancy and birth is a big decision. Whether you're seeking a doula or a hypnobirthing teacher or someone to help you with birth planning, you are likely to remember them for the rest of your life. So it's an important decision!

Your choice is going to be driven by how much you trust me, as well as the services I can support you with. So here's a little bit about how I work and why that might be important to you.

I want you to feel confident in yourself, and your ability to make the right decision on the day. During your pregnancy, our work together will give you the insight you need to make the right decisions for you on the day.

I genuinely don't have an opinion about how or where you have your baby. As long as you are able to make fully informed decisions your choices are your choices. I have supported planned home births, planned caesarean births, birth centre births, water births, births that were planned to be in one place and transferred to another, emergency caesarean births, inductions of labour and all sorts of different births.

I am able to have worked with women and their growing families for over 12 years, as a hypnobirthing and antenatal teacher, as a doula and as MTW NHS Trust MNVP Lead. I can help you navigate the nuances of these complicated systems, and I can help you prepare to have your baby in them.

I have three children, all of them born at home and supported by the same two midwives.

Ask for more info

Follow me on insta for entirely irregular but well considered thoughts on having a 'good birth', hypnobirthing, continuity of care, feminism, doula support, informed choice, birth planning, the social value ascribed to 'mother', why birth matters, antenatal education and preparation, and some general stuff around being a woman in the world....

Hello! It seems it’s time for an intro post again!

I’m Charlie. I’m a doula, hypnobirthing teacher and specialist in birth planning and preparation. I’m also your MTW MNVP lead, an @aims_uk volunteer and a sometime maternity researcher. Oh. And a mother of three!

If you’re looking for realistic, sensible, well-informed antenatal education and support then I’m your Gal. I’m here to help you navigate both the reality of the NHS and the nuances of your choices. I’ll help you to do practical, realistic and tailored birth planning that leaves you feeling fulfilled not frustrated

* Pocket Doula
* Birth Doula
* Hypnobirthing
* How to Write A Birth Plan
* Caesarean Birth Planning
* How to be a Birth Partner

Drop me a note and let’s make a date to chat about what you want and need and see whether I’m the right doula for you ♥️

#doula
#hypnobirthing
#birthplanning
#birthplans
#havingababy
#antenataleducation
#knowledgeispower
#sevenoaksmums
#tonbridgemums
#tunbridgewellsmums
#maidstonemums
#positivebirth

New FAQs page on the website 🙌.

Birth plans are a bit of a pregnancy rite of passage.... yet we all know that they are inconsistent at helping you have a 'Good Birth' experience. So how do you go about writing one you can feel confident about and rely on? Start with these tips, and then book a Birth Planning session with me!

#birthplan
#birthplanning
#antenatal
#antenatalclasses
#doula
#hypnobirthing
#havingababy
#havingababyin2025
#2025babies

Tuesday morning.
Tonbridge.
Hanging out with the very brilliant women of @babyumbrella on behalf of @mtw_mvp . These women provide a vital and much needed service. Not just to those individual women who need support. This is important generational, social, population-level health and well-being business. This benefits society today, next month and for years to come. Guess what though? Because it’s women’s business, because you can’t capitalise from it and make a profit, it’s done by the goodwill of women. Quelle surprise 🙄

Anyway. If you’ve got a few spare coppers down the back of the sofa, please send it in the direction of Baby Umbrella. Every little really does help…

#havingababy
#mothersmatter
#breastfeeding
#womensupportingwomen

No two days the same. Today it’s yoga, kids, admin, breastfeeding, gym, accountant ( 🙄) and now deep back in Mum Gear, making hot chocolate and being repetitive about tidy bedrooms. Anyway. Turns out I can’t take a photo without a pout and weird eyebrows 🤷🏽‍♀️

#doula
#hypnobirthing
#birthcompanion
#havingababy
#positivebirth

Big circle of life energy this week. New life beginning as eras end. Ancient green lanes of Kent. Old haunts and new people…. And the joyous abandonment that comes from knowing someone so bloody well you entirely forget yourself. Releasing old habits, celebrating family traditions (cocktails, anyone?). Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust. Love to love.

#doula
#circleoflife
#cocktails
#legacy

First two days back and we’re hip deep in the complexities of continuity, out of guidelines care, personalisation of care and how in the blue blazes you’re supposed to navigate all this as ‘just a mum’ 🙄. More to come…

#doula
#pocketdoula
#hypnobirthing
#antenatalcare
#knowledgeispower
#goodbirth
#havingababyin2025

@stuffmadefromthings earrings making sunny days even sunnier ♥️

#doulalife
#oxytocinvibes

Quality of time with three of the best today.

The results? Is oxytocin infectious? It absolutely is.

#doula
#relationality
#oxytocinhigh
#minieggs

Remember that post a week or so back, where I said something along the lines of, ‘yeah, I’m shit at the socials but I’m trying…’? Well yeah, so it comes to pass. I’d intended to do a post today about Maternity Voices Partnerships ( @mtw_mvp ) and why they matter and how you can get involved… but I spent two hrs chairing our first Committee meeting of 2025 (and apparently spent 15mins of that apologising… which seems to be what I’m doing now 🤦🏽‍♀️) and then a load of life admin and here we are at 8pm on a Friday and I haven’t done it. So have this marvellous sticker I saw in Sainos car park today instead. Apt. Very apt.

…. And it just occurred to me that there’s a lesson here about ensuring plans are flexible and situational 🙌🏼 see! I pulled it out of the bag!!!

#shitatsocialmedia
#doula
#birthplanning
#pulleditoutofthebag

There are times when I forget the impact birth work has. It can feel grubby to sell my time and experience, particularly when I truly believe that the NHS should be doing this so you can access it for free… but when the reminders come they hit hard.

In a shop the other week the woman at the till looked at me oddly. “You’re a doula aren’t you? I know you from online. You really helped me when I was pregnant with my son….” *FIVE YEARS AGO*

And last week, at @maidstoneislamiccentre in my @mtw_mvp role , women really appreciate the chance to talk openly about their past experiences and those to come. Even I need reminding of this sometimes.

Anyway. The point is, these conversations have been important prompts for me. This week I’m reviewing classes and prices. So - tell me what you want and need and I’ll try to make it available and accessible ♥️

#doula
#hypnobirthing
#antenatalclasses
#birthprep
#havingababy
#positivebirth

Skipping along a verdant Spring lane clasping my great big ‘Birthy Stuff Hamper’ (thanks again to J&J&K for this lovely gift - it’s perfect), and about to say ‘Let’s go 🙌🏼’ to a gorgeous pair on the cusp of meeting their baby.

This is the absolute dream ♥️

#doulalife
#birthplanning
#havingababy
#2025baby
#yogaface

#1 Top Doula Tip For The Arrival Of Siblings = drop your standards.

✅ Carpet picnics
✅ CBeebies
✅ Frozen meals (if you want to batch cook then great, otherwise @thecookkitchen is excellent)
✅ Call on friends and family to give you an hours nap while they take your babes for a walk or to groups
✅ Know that this is just a phase. It’s ALL a phase

#justaphase
#doula
#newbaby
#siblings

Women have been taking the matter of improving maternity care into their own hands for years. Since our needs and knowledge took a back seat in maternity care, in fact. Follow in the steps of your mother, grandmother and great-grandmothers and get involved in MNVP (it needn’t be a lot of time. You’re a mother. It goes without saying that you’re busy, but every little heals ♥️)

Posted @withregram • @mtw_mvp GET INVOLVED!

We are the Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership.
We gather feedback from women and families who have used maternity services at MTW, and we use that feedback to improve services.

You can get involved by:

* Sharing your experience, and what you would like to STOP, START or CONTINUE. You can comment on this thread, or email me directly at mtw.mvp@gmail.com

* Joining our group! We co-produce leaflets and information with the Trust. We also do regular visits to Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Crowborough Birthing Centre at MTW and Maidstone Birth Centre

* If you run a group in the area, inviting us to come along and hear what women and families have to say about their experiences

#maternityvoices #mothersmatter #midwivesmatter #becomingamum

Have you heard of MNVPs? Did you know every NHS Trust has one, and their job is to hear how maternity care services should be improved?

You can easily get involved. If you have an opinion about an aspect of care TELL US! You can contact me as your MTW MNVP lead by email MTW.mvp@gmail.com or follow us at @mtw_mvp

MNVP = Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership. They are the latest iteration of decades of maternity activism - which has been almost exclusively voluntary, so HUGE 🙏🏼 to all the women who’ve invested their time, energy and resources. We work IN PARTNERSHIP with @mtw.maternity Recognising that when we work together we are greater than the sum of our parts.

#maternity
#maternityimprovements
#havingababy
#goodbirth
#positivebirth
#mothersmatter
#midwivesmatter
#doulalife
#hellomynameis

Ah 😌 I first posted this gem way back in 2019. It never stops being funny because it’s true 😂

If you’re having a baby in 2025, trust me you have Wonderful things ahead! Yeah sure it’s hard work. And it can feel scary and intense. And it takes some recovering from and it will change your whole entire bloody life. But it is WONDEROUS. You will discover things about you and your body that utterly astound you. You will feel emotions so intense and so polarised and happening so quickly that they give you whiplash - and I hope you’ll recognise how necessary and rich and life-enhancing the full gamut is.

Becoming a mother is a funny old game. It’s the most vital thing in the world, and it’s also hidden away and fetishised and poorly supported. Don’t miss out on what you need to experience it to its fullest joyful, confusing, overwhelming, precious, insane extent. Here are some wonderful Kent and UK people and organisations to follow;

@lauragoodbirth
@ruthgoodbirth
@kent.doula.collective
@trudi_motheringmojo
@mtw.maternity
@aims_uk
@doulauk
@maidstone.birth.centre
@crowboroughbirthingcentre
@masicfoundation
@birthmapping
@dr.rachel.reed
@drsarawickham
@nct_sevenoaks_tonbridge
@nct_maidstone
@gpphysiotherapy
@raiseupmums
@restore_physio
@infantsleepconsultants
@thecalmbirthschool
@theplacentaconnection
@birthblissacademy
@midwifemarley
….and REALLY IMPORTANTLY @mtw_mvp

#havingababyin2025 #2025babies #doula #womensupportingwomen #happynewyear #womensbodieswomensrights #feminist

A joyful but blustery lurch about the beach with my loves♥️
Goodbye 2024 😶
Come on 2025…. Bring on the babes and brilliance 🍃

I know it’s only Christmas Eve… but gift of the year already?! From my brilliant sister at @purplebadger , typically considerate and ethical ♥️ A pumpkin Pie kit, filling made by her own fair hand from pumpkins leftover from their Halloween fundraising for @mindcharity

She’s bloody brilliant and if you’re looking for a really magical UK break in 2025 I can’t recommend them highly enough

#campinglife #ukstaycation #brilliantwomen

…and that’s a wrap for 2024 🙌🏼 🎄 ♥️ I love my bloody job so much it’s not true. It’s been a brilliant mix of babies, interesting people, vital conversations, posh outings, and important change.

Big love to all the gorgeous families I’ve spent time with and enjoyed making lifelong memories with. You’re all bloody marvellous.

Also thanks to the MNVP peeps I’ve worked with - the SU reps, ICB staff and dedicated and determined NHS staff. This is no easy time to work in maternity care, but they keep turning up and doing their damndest.

Here’s to 2025 and the Feb babies I’m already looking forward to meeting ♥️ 🌟

#doula
#goodbye2024
#thatsawrap

Utterly beautiful @bedgebury.pinetum with two of the best people in the world @whitehavengirl

Those mushrooms were just the most magical moment 🍄 I could waffle on endlessly about how mushrooms offer a visualisation of human society - entwined and enmeshed, invisibly but vitally…. But you know what? I’m going to save that for the New Year

#doula #haveyourselfamerrylittlechristmas #magicmoments #midwivesmatter #makingmemories #familiescomeinallshapesandsizes #womenarethebest

@babyumbrella is an INCREDIBLY important organisation in West Kent, providing support and services that are not otherwise available. Could YOU be the next part of this vital charity ♥️

Posted @withregram • @babyumbrella We have a trio of fabulous roles open on our team at the moment - are any of these right for you or someone you know?

Please share far and wide and help us find the very best people to support as many families as possible in those early months and years of new parenthood.

-——————
Chair of Trustees - voluntary role - 5-6 hours per month

After 4.5 years, our current Chair’s term is coming to an end and we are looking to bring in an empowering leader who is passionate about what we do to lead our board over the next phase of our development.

-——————
Support Practitioner - freelance role - 4-10 hours per month

For the first time since 2021 we are looking to add a new practitioner to our small team to enable us to be more flexible and add extra support where it is needed. We are looking for a qualified Lactation Consultant or Breastfeeding Counsellor who is skilled, passionate and reliable for in person work within West Kent (Otford, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells) as well as Zoom.

-——————
Trusts & Foundations Manager - freelance role - 12 hours per month

We’re looking for a trusts and foundations freelancer to join our team for 12 hours a month to ensure our grants income stream is stable and efficiently managed, supporting our charitable activities with West Kent families.

-——————
Check out the full role descriptions at babyumbrella.org.uk/work-with-us and don’t hesitate to get in touch for a chat if you have questions at info@babyumbrella.org.uk.

We can’t wait to meet you 🙂

Oh I do love me a bit of CPD. And what better time of year to hunker down and connect with the senses than this?

#aromatherapy
#aromatherapyforchildbirth
#scentsations
#doula
#empoweringbirth
#havingababy
#birthplan

Serendipity in all its glorious technicolour. Good vibes only at Geri’s, and the perfect place to see such a brilliant omen

#nofilter #goodvibesonly #womensupportingwomen #serendipity #rainbowsofinstagram

I’m in a special place and time, closing loops and observing life unfold, as it always does, in its own way. Already this week I’ve loved baby toes wriggling and responsive in sleep. Hours of held hands, a squeeze the last communication. 2weeks. 48yrs. 100yrs. How much has happened in that span of years, how much forgotten, and how many precious memories held.

There are so many synergies between the beginning of life and its end. These moments are all that matters, forming us and imprinting on expectations and attitudes. The only control we really have over them is our determination for human connection, compassion, ability to accept and value these moments, our feelings, as meaningful. Just that, and nothing more.

And how much knowledge we’ve lost about these vital human transformations. I can appreciate the intention behind the systematising, the institutionalising. I know the shape of the World has followed suit and we may be on a one way path. But how much richer our lives could be if we had access to these moments more. If we knew what to expect and were more honest about and comfortable with the inevitable mish-mash of tears, laughter, pain, comfort, distress, connection… and what a privilege it is to be present.

Huge thank you to a beautiful, powerful, resilient, determined woman for my gift (pictured) @dr.rachel.reed you made a big difference here ♥️

I think I’m a bit late to the party with this book. It’s an absolute masterclass of perfect prose, and how to live a meaningful life, with dignity and integrity, in an uncertain, unstable world - within and without. Serendipity timed this perfectly.

10/10. Highly recommend

#booksofinstagram #manners #doula #lifeinbooks

How did we get here? To a place where the person, the meaning of the experience, is displaced by bureaucracy? We seem to have forgotten that life is valuable all the way through. Not just when you’re fit and instagrammable. But at the margins too. When the value of an hour isn’t how much you can fit in it, but about closeness, contact and peace. How did we manage to upend our values so significantly? How have we become so disconnected from our bodies and senses and the material world around us? Are we really content with this?

Real care does exist. But only thanks to the women (and a few men) who refuse to be beaten. Who care despite the system. Turning up every day despite the bureaucracy and poor funding and shit conditions that make it harder rather than easier. When you receive care that makes you feel connected, it can’t be just a job.

Huge thanks to the carer today who sat and talked to me, and was interested in photos from a life well lived. Who shared her own life with me, and talked of her mum, training midwives in Accra. Maybe, one day, we’ll be able to align the system to our human needs.

#midwivesmatter
#carematters
#lifewelllived

A week of big emotions. My mum died suddenly in 2005. Still now, nearly 20yrs later, I regularly think, oh! I must call Mum and tell her about that… and the lovely thing is that over the years I’ve come to highly value that instinct. It means she’s still with me, all the time. That she’s not forgotten. That all the things I learnt from her, and memories I have, and ways of being that are just now I am, remain current and alive inside me, even while she’s not here.

Ultimately it is all we have, these human connections between us. They are the power we have. They are all that matters.

😊 ✨ ♥️

#doula
#antenatal
#birthplanning
#inductionoflabour
#knowledgeispower

This Baby Loss Awareness Week my trusty TENS machine had an outing of a different kind: easing the discomfort and pain of miscarriage. It was returned yesterday with such kind generosity - although unnecessary. Communities of women support these silent losses every week, and it matters. This is both paying it forwards and back.

Sending love and strength to these women and everyone suffering grief and loss this week.

#tensmachine
#blaw
#womensupportingwomen
#miscarriagesupport
#payitforward
#doulasupport

Thanks for the timely reminder @thebootlegaltruist ❤️

#serendipity
#smallmomentsofcalm
#ittakesavillage
#doula
#grounded

Birth plans, eh? Almost everyone writes one, and they have a reputation for being almost completely useless at helping you control what happens. So why *are* you writing one?

Check out this blog for three birth plan pitfalls.... and three Top Doula Tips for your writing a birth plan that looks and sounds like YOU ❣️

https://www.thegoodbirthpractice.co.uk/single-post/so-come-on-why-are-you-writing-that-birth-plan

#doula #birthplan #birthplanning #doulatoptips #havingababy #antenatal #knowledgeispower #newblogpost

IMPORTANT REQUEST…

Posted @withregram • @mtw_mvp 📣COMMUNICATION AND CONSENT📣
❓Did you have a baby at MTW Maternity between April ‘23 and April ‘24?

We’re working with MTW Maternity to improve communication and make sure consent is informed and free. Tell us how it was for you either by commenting on this thread, or emailing us at mtw.mvp@gmail.com

Thank you - your voice matters

#positivebirth #havingababy #newmum #sevenoaksmums #tonbridgemums #tunbridgewellsmums #maidstonemums #edenbridgemums #tonbridgemums #westmallingmums #kentmums #mnvp

Me: I’ll be with you in 15mins. Do you need anything?
New Dad: Manly sized washing up gloves with testosterone boost, please

Top Doula Tip #573 : as a new parent, whenever you have visitors, ask them to bring something. Anything. It gently reminds them that they’re coming to see people who need a bit of nurturing, not just a fresh new human. Met my own standard yesterday and duly arrived for a postnatal visit with biscuits and washing up gloves 😂

#doula #postnatal #fourthtrimester #newdad #newbaby #doulatips

…and we’re off #2. Writerly furrowed brow returns, as does the emotional pendulum between “I love writing 🥰’ // ‘this is agony 😭’

* choice and decision making
* birth
* birth plans
* humanisation
* neoliberalism
* sex and gender
* clinicians and institutions
* knowledge systems
* feminism
* disembodiment and dehumanisation

#doula #birth #midwivesmatter #mothersmatter #antenataleducation #knowledgeispower #choices #informeddecisionmaking #consent #feminist #birthplan

Posted @withregram • @mtw_mvp

📣 COMMUNICATION AND CONSENT 📣
❓DID YOU HAVE A BABY BETWEEN APRIL ‘23 & APRIL ‘24 ❓

This morning I met with Katy (your Patient Experience Lead Midwife) and Aswini (Continuous Improvement Manager) to talk about your experiences of communication and consent at MTW Maternity.

We have had feedback on these topics before, but we want to hear YOUR experiences so we can include them in a new plan to ensure EVERYONE gets the information and care they deserve.

You can share your experiences on this thread, or by emailing me at mtw.mvp@gmail.com.

#maternity #havingababy #informedconsent #newmum #maternityimprovement #firstbirthday #tunbridgewellsmums #tonbridgemums #sevenoaksmums #edenbridgemums #maidstonemums #kentmums #westmallingmums

Week #1 of (finally) stepping up as class rep… 🥥

#motherhood
#ivegotalovelybunchofcoconuts
#classrep
#doula
#writeyourownpunchline

Posted @withregram • @mtw_mvp 📣 Could your experience help to develop the new Midwifery curriculum at Canterbury Christchurch? Get in touch to find out how you can help Kent Midwives of the future give the best possible care… email 📧 Health.ExpertsByExperience@canterbury.ac.uk

#maternity #positivebirth #maternityimprovements #mothersmatter #newmum

…aaaand we’re off! September = back to work and back on call. Looking forward to meeting you, Baby ❤️

#doula #birthplanning #birthplan #mothersmatter #goodbirth #positivebirth #tensmachine #hypnobirthing #doulaoncall

Ain’t Blighty grand?

#sealover #sureshores #getinthedrink #penzance #newlyn #TheLizard #carbisbay #hove #seaford #whitstable #thissummer #showmethesea

Almost exactly 19yrs ago I was having a conversation that only a week before my Mum had - serendipitously and not a little bit tragically - prepared me for.

Nearly two decades later I feel so proud of her and wonder often about the people wandering the Earth thanks to her. Top Tip : if you favour organ donation tell your family now, it makes their decisions so much easier in the worst of times ❤️

Posted @withregram • @nhsorgandonor Save this post to remind yourself how special organ donation is. 💗

This is a snapshot of the last 12 months. The lives of more than 4,500 people were saved or improved, thanks to the precious gift of life.

Behind all of these numbers are the stories of brave and kind individuals - donors, families, recipients, people waiting for a transplant, NHS staff. Are you or a loved one represented in them?

Follow the link in our bio to learn more about organ donation, including what you can donate and how to confirm your decision.

#OrganDonation #GiftOfLife #SaveLives #nhs

One of the BEST (and most delicious) parts of my job 😉

Happiest of birthdays, Beautiful Boy. And Happy Becoming a Mum Day to one of the most brilliant women I know ❤️

#firstbirthday #cakesofinstagram #onetriparoundthesun☀️ #doula

Is it possible that I have too many cookery books? I don’t care if it is. I adore the modern classics from @hughfearnleywhittingstall @nigellalawson and the incomparable @dianahenryfood. I relish my grandmothers WI beauties from the 80s. I love that I inherited the habit of collecting recipes and writing them in my own books. And look how lucky I am to have books from the 1950s and all the way back to my great grandmothers school
prize from 1907 ❤️

#booksofinstagram #cookbook #familyfavourites #homecook #kitchenclassics #inheritance #foodie

@mermaidalleypz , you are indeed Hot Stuff.

Thank you, again, for attention-seekingly good food, an easy atmosphere and an all-round knock-out evening. You never disappoint

#localfood #familyrun #foodporn #mauritiancuisine #placestoeat #lovelocal #penzance #hiddengem #britishfood #foodheroes #mermaidsofinstagram #lovecornwall

Massive thanks to @canterburyccuni for an absolutely brilliant Health Simulation Suite open day yesterday. There were Mannikins and Stethoscopes (and learning how to take pulses and listen in to chests - and where I heard the incredible phrase ‘…we trust the patient not the machine…’), Lurking Germs, Organs & Bones & Ears & Eyes (where Thing#2 finally got to look inside an ear, rather than being on the receiving end), a Home Challenge (giving an idea of how frustrating with sight, hearing and physical impairments can be) and an Escape Room!! I saw fascinated children and committed soon-to-be-HCPs. We were so invested I failed to take proper photos 🤦🏽‍♀️

#midwivesmatter #nursesmatter #healthcare #socialcare #kentcareers

@purplebadger you are completely magical ✨

#musicnight #camping #shepherdshut #magicalplaces #familyrunbusiness #livemusic #serendipity #beautifulmoments #makingmemories

Hedgerows, happiness, hydrangeas and glorious brickwork on an early morning cycle

#themiddlechild #summerholidays #onyerbike #peaceandlove

A whole century under her belt - and she remains elegant and vibrant. You wouldn’t believe how much she’s seen and done ❤️

#100yearsyoung #centenarian #happybirthday #strongwomen

Oh London, you great big beautiful filthy Goddess. How I’ve missed you.

#london #nofilter #doula #britishsummerisfinallyhere #backinthewild

Birth Trauma Awareness Week

Lots of fantastic activity from @birth_trauma_association_uk - and a new blog from me:
https://bit.ly/3Wod4md

#birthtrauma #BTAW2024 #becomingamum #antenatal #doula #positivebirth #knowledgeispower #mothersmatter #midwivesmatter

A impromptu selfie taken just before I chaired Q2's Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP) Committee meeting.

I'm the lead for the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) MNVP. MNVP’s are independent groups of mothers and fathers, midwives, birth workers and obstetricians who work together to improve maternity care at grassroots level.

MNVPs can only function successfully with your input. Your experience can influence improvements to maternity services at MTW, so we want to hear about it. Tell me what about what happened during your pregnancy and birth that you think other mothers should see more or less of by contacting me at mtw.mvp@gmail.com or follow us at @BirthVoices or on IG @mtw_mvp. Your feedback will be treated in confidence. We’ll work with the Trust to group feedback into themes, and then turn those themes into improvement projects. The process can be slow, but I truly believe that when we work together, have faith in each other, are ambitious about what we’re capable of, then we can make important things happen.

Your other MNVPs in the area are @MNVPEastKent Medway Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership- MNVP @NKMNVP @PRUHMVP

What’s an MNVP? The National Maternity Voices association says;
“An MNVP listens to the experiences of women and families, and brings together service users, staff and other stakeholders to plan, review and improve maternity and neonatal care. MNVPs ensure that service users’ voices are at the heart of decision-making in maternity and neonatal services by being embedded within the leadership of provider trusts and feeding into the LMNS (which in turn feeds into ICB decision-making). This influences improvements in the safety, quality, and experience of maternity and neonatal care.”

#maternityandneonatalvoicespartnership
#maternityimprovement
#threeyeardeliveryplan
#midwivesmatters
#mothersmatter
#workingtogether
#strengthinnumbers
#antenatalcare
#postnatalcare
#goodbirth
#positivebirth #doula

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@charliegoodbirth

Ask for more info

Read some blogs inspired by my time as an antenatal and hypnobirthing teacher and doula. Thoughts arising from my research at the Centre for Women's Studies at the University of York and as Research Assistant at Coventry University. Insights from my time as Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP) Lead