Like so many things in life, it started with a joke. Then came a piece of viral marketing. Followed by a dull thud as a sack of cultural truth plonked itself down in my consciousness. I'll start with the joke. It's about poo. During my Wise Hippo class on Saturday morning we talked about the processes of birth. This inevitably includes a quick discussion about why some women poo during the second stage of labour, and then, chronologically, about how the placenta is passed and

OK. I know hypnobirthing isn't for everyone. And I've heard plenty of friends tell me they didn't prepare for birth because 'on the day it all goes out of the window, so why bother?'. But - I know, there's always a 'but' - taking that position doesn't recognise the impact & effect of culture. Culture - by definition - informs our attitudes, expectations and experiences of events. And the prevailing culture around childbirth at this time in history, is one of fear. Look at fil