In this Episode Shellie and Kemi begin the journey of following the red thread through time, from mitochondrial Eve to the present day. We explore what has always and still does make childbirth safe, what we can be grateful for from the advances in social healthcare and medication and changes in practice. We explore the figures of death rates around birth for mothers and babies, how they have never been 50/50 in history but for mothers have always been around or below 1%, even in prehistoric estimates! This is part one of two, don't worry we won't make you wait too long for the next episode!Website:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntetheredJoin our mailing list:https://birthuntethered.kit.comPatreon:https://www.patreon.com/14193903/joinSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1kKvf6pjLGDJ5nDBMKPCjBApple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@birthuntetheredInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/Support us by buying our merch:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merchBuy us a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie
In this raw and compassionate conversation, Shellie, Kemi and Simon explore birth through the eyes of Simon. A father who's thoughts and reactions were shaped by two frightening, medicalised births, and how that trauma followed him into a third, deeply different experience. We talk about fear, responsibility, and the pressure partners feel to “hold it together,” even when their nervous system is bracing for disaster.
Together, we reflect on how trauma affects decision-making in birth, how couples can process difficult moments without blame, and what helps rebuild trust after fear has taken over. We also explore the contrast between emergency-led care and respectful midwifery presence, the role doulas can play in supporting partners, and what years of learning has taught Simon about physiological birth, women’s bodies, and trust.An honest, powerful episode for fathers, partners, and couples navigating birth and birth after trauma and anyone who wants a deeper understanding of how birth shapes us.Join the Mailing List:https://birthuntethered.kit.comWebsite:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntetheredPatreon:https://www.patreon.com/14193903/joinSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1kKvf6pjLGDJ5nDBMKPCjBApple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@birthuntetheredInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/Support us by buying our merch:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merchBuy us a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie
In this episode Shellie and Kemi welcome Maha Al Musa. We delve into a deep discussion about the healing potential of embodying birth, the challenges of being an authentic heart led birthworker and Maha shares her birth stories, life journey and wisdom with us.Maha Al Musa is a mother of three beautiful children (now 29, 26 and 17) and is of Palestinian/Lebanese origin raised in Australia. She is a doula, birth mentor, international educator and the founder of EmbodyBirth and Bellydance For Birth® since 1997. She has released two award-winning resources—a world first book on Bellydance for birth, entitled Dance of the Womb, endorsed by Sheila Kitzinger, Dr. Michel Odent, Dr. Sarah Buckley and NACE (Aust.) and a follow on video series voted by about.com readers choice award for Best Pregnancy Fitness Product. She was presented with the One World Birth Hero National Award in 2011. She also has on offer her online 4 modules/ 21 chapters, wise conscious birth preparation program and her highly acclaimed EmbodyBirth mentored certification educator training as well as other powerful resources. Maha has been a keynote speaker at many birth conferences worldwide including the Shandong Midwifery Conference China, Human Rights In Childbirth Conference India and Birth Keepers Summit USA. She has also travelled extensively to many countries globally teaching her program including Japan, China, Taiwan, India, USA, NZ, Europe, and Maha has trained many teachers online post covid including in Vietnam and other countries.All of Maha's teachings are supported by the Universal truth that birth is a sacred portal that has the potential to raise human consciousness and that every woman and baby has the freedom to choose and the right to be supported and born into the hands and arms of Love. www.mahaalmusa.comInsta @embodybirthinternationalEmbodyBirth 2026 online mentored certified eductor training container with MahaMarch - October 2026https://www.mahaalmusa.com/embodybirth-educator-online-training-certificationEmbodyBirth Pregnancy And Birth Prep Program4 modules/ 21 chapterhttps://www.mahaalmusa.com/embodybirth-pregnancy-birth-preparation-online-courseBellydanceBirth Bundle includes the award winning BellydanceBirth dance videos, Maha's homebirth at 46 and bonuseshttps://embodybirth-academy.thinkific.com/Award winning world first book on Bellydance For Birth - Dance Of The Wombhttps://www.mahaalmusa.com/dance-of-the-womb-bookJoin the Mailing list:https://birthuntethered.kit.comWebsite:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntetheredPatreon:https://www.patreon.com/14193903/joinSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1kKvf6pjLGDJ5nDBMKPCjBApple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@birthuntetheredInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/Support us by buying our merch:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merchBuy us a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie
Shellie and Kemi chat to Alex and Becca about their wild pregnancy and freebirth. Becca and Alex share their thought processes through the pregnancy and birth, ideas of things that were helpful for them both throughout. An honest deep dive into what stepping outside of the status quo felt like for both of them. This is an excellent episode for birth partners to listen to.Website:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntethered
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In this episode, Kemi and Shellie speak with Anna and Max about her decision to freebirth her first baby at home with her partner Ben and her doula Shellie. Anna discusses the things that happened throughout her pregnancy that brought her to the realisation that she felt that birthing at home with her chosen support felt like the safest and most sensible option for her. Anna describes a number of things that happened during her pregnancy that made her reevaluate the value she had initially thought interactions with the NHS brought to her pregnancy. We discuss blood pressure, aspirin, fundal height measurment, growth restriction and small for gestational age, dopler studies, rythm and ritual in labour and the amazing power of physiological birth. We delve into what birthing untethered in an informed way really looks like and the safety and peace that it brought for Anna, Ben and Max. If you are thinking about birthing untethered and want more information and support, you can contact Shellie or Kemi for more information. We both offer power hours to help discuss any questions that are coming up for you. Shellie also offers remote and in person support for birth.If you want to freebirth in the UK this is a legal and reasonable option. You have a legal obligation to notify your birth. For more information you can go here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/guidance-on-birth-notification-process-for-unassisted-births/
Website:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntethered
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In this Episode Shellie and Kemi are joined by Amelia. They explore art, blood, life, death, the times it is helpful to reach out to people to hold space for you and when that may not be useful. Finding your power of no. Taking what you need from the system whilst holding boundaries for what you don't want or need. We explore spirit, ceremony and ritual in integrating loss, life, death, birth and growth. We also touch on some of the unethical practices of the formula industry as well as the sacred nature of breastfeeding.
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Website: https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntethered
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Support us by buying our merch: https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merch
Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie
In this episode Shellie and Kemi dive into the anatomy of the umbilical cord, speak about the blood flow through placentas and how the levels in babies blood change due to the transition to live outside of the uterus and what this can mean. We debunk some cord myths, highlight the increased safety for mothers and babies in leaving the cord the F alone to do what it needs to do.
Let's stop the ritual blood letting and focus on the whole health of parents and babies.
We speak about some things that you may or may not want to do with your baby's placenta and cord after birth.
Website: https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntethered
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Support us by buying our merch: https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merch
Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie
In this Episode, Shellie and Kemi discuss avocado gate - the transfusion of blood from the placenta to the baby, waiting for a baby to have all of their blood, that they need for transitioning and for their whole health for life. We muse about maintaining an intact cord for helping transition and hear Christina's amazing story of her heroic efforts to help her daughter's transition Earth side to be as safe and smooth as possible. Please be aware that this episode contains discussion about the birth of Christina's daughter, who was struggling to transition and needed assistance, so viewer discretion is advised. We are so in awe of Christina and what she did and how what she did changed practice for the better for many other families.
To engage with us further and to support Shellie and Kemi to make the podcast and keep sharing the unfiltered truths and collective wisdom you can use the following links:Website:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntetheredPatreon:https://www.patreon.com/14193903/joinSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1kKvf6pjLGDJ5nDBMKPCjBApple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/birth-untethered/id1836371735Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@birthuntetheredInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theserenitydoula/https://www.instagram.com/birth.untethered/https://www.instagram.com/kemibirthjoyjohnson/Support us by buying our merch:https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/merchBuy us a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/shellie
In this episode, Shellie and Kemi discuss the physiology of the immediate time after birth, the benefits of skin to skin and breastfeeding, protecting the birthing dyad in these precious and vitally important moments. We talk about placentas, umbilical cords and blood in both mothers and babies. What causes haemorrhage, what can we do naturally to help prevent it, manage if it does happen. We explore medical lack of logic in determining what a haemorrhage is in and out of the birth space, how keeping cords intact saves babies lives and promotes their long term health.If you would like to explore the further resources that we have available for deeper learning, join us over on patreon.https://www.patreon.com/c/birthuntethered/membershiphttps://www.patreon.com/c/birthuntethered/membership
Alongside this episode, you get the following benefits with patreon membership:Simple Truths - PDF of resources and links, research used in the episodeCollective Wisdom - PDF of resources and links, research used in the episode, physiology of immediate postpartum information booklet for parentsUntethered Rebels - - PDF of resources and links, research used in the episode, physiology of immediate postpartum information booklet for parents, untethered rebel version of the immediate postpartum information booklet, video tutorials on how to make butterfly and heart shaped cord ties. An invitation to the monthly zoom session with Shellie and Kemi for discussion, community forming, learning and questions. We hope to see you there!Find out more about the podcast and link to where else to find us https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntethered
You can also find us on Instagram:
@theserenitydoula
@kemibirthjoyjohnson
@birth.unthethered
In this Episode Shellie and Kemi discuss deeper into the oxytocin spiral of labour, the Ferguson and Foetal Ejection Reflex, the wonders of champagne and the amazing design of the human body for safety during childbirth.
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast with the added bonus of further resources. We have three tiers:
1. Simple Truths - £2 per month - video episode, PDF with links to the research used to create the episode and further resource information
2. Collective Wisdom - £4 per month - Video episode, PDF with links to research used to create the episode and further resource information and a PDF booklet with relevant information to the episode designed for parents.
3. Untethered Rebels - £10 per month - Video episode, PDF with links to research used to create the episode and further resource information and a PDF booklet with relevant information to the episode designed for parents and a PDF for birth nerds with more information. Also an invitation to a monthly zoom with Kemi and Shellie and private chat space with the other rebels.
To find further information about the podcast, head to https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntethered
You can also find us on all major podcast platforms and on instagram:
@birth.untethered
@theserenitydoula
@kemibirthjoyjohnson
In this episode Shellie and Kemi sink further into the initiation of physiological labour. We speak about oxytocin, the brown fat your baby is accumulating ready for birth, the protection of supporting physiology rather than removing safety with intervention.This is essential listening for everyone in the lead up to birth to understand the amazing things happening in your body and your baby's body and what the consequences of supporting that compared to interrupting that may be.
Shellie and Kemi discuss the physiology of the birth giver and baby in the lead up to the start of labour and what the potential consequences of choosing to interrupt that with induction and/or cesarean are. This will continue in episode 2 where we flow, much like birth from the initiation of labour into the potential beginning of labour.Join us on Patreon for the following benefits:Simple Truths: Video EpisodeReference list for papers mentioned in the podcast episode and used to make the resources for collective wisdom and untethered rebels bonus materialCollective Wisdom:Video EpisodeReference list for papers mentioned in the podcast episode and used to make the resources for collective wisdom and untethered rebels bonus materialParent pdf ebook about the physiological initiation of labour. Learn about some of the mechanisms that are happening in the baby's and maternal body in greater detail and what the consequences of disturbing these are in easy to understand language and with helpful graphs and diagramsUntethered Rebels:Video EpisodeReference list for papers mentioned in the podcast episode and used to make the resources for collective wisdom and untethered rebels bonus materialParent pdf ebook about the physiological initiation of labour. Learn about some of the mechanisms that are happening in the baby's and maternal body in greater detail and what the consequences of disturbing these are in easy to understand language and with helpful graphs and diagrams.Birth Nerd deep dive pdf ebook about the physiological initiation of labour. It goes into more detail in places than the parent ebook.
Invitation to this months zoom session with Shellie and KemiJoin us on patreon: https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntethered
The Pilot Episode of the Birth Untethered Podcast with Shellie Poulter and Kemi Johnson.
Shellie and Kemi discuss their motivation for creating the podcast and share their number one tips for parents, birth partners and birthworkers.
Join us at birth untethered on patreon for extra resources, a growing community of birth rebels, connection, learning, unfiltered truths and collective wisdom.
With this episode:
What you really need for birth PDF
Video Episode
What you really need for birth PDF
Video Episode
Downloadable Pregnancy Relaxation MP3
What you really need for birth PDF
Video Episode
Downloadable Pregnancy Relaxation MP3
Birth Plan Template (canva link)
Invitation to zoom gathering 11th September at 10am GMT
Find us on Patreon
Find us on Instagram:
@birth.untethered
@theserenitydoula
@kemibirthjoyjohnson
Find us online:
https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntethered
If you enjoy the podcast and would like to fuel our nerdy habits, you can buy us a book/coffee/wine here:
Join Shellie Poulter and Kemi Johnson for the trailer for their brand new Birth Untethered Podcast. Filled with unfiltered truths and collective wisdom around pre-conception, pregnancy, birth parenthood and beyond.
Join us at birth untethered on patreon for extra resources, a growing community of birth rebels, connection, learning, unfiltered truths and collective wisdom.
With the first episode coming to you on 1st September:
What you really need for birth PDF
Video Episode
What you really need for birth PDF
Video Episode
Downloadable Pregnancy Relaxation MP3
What you really need for birth PDF
Video Episode
Downloadable Pregnancy Relaxation MP3
Birth Plan Template (canva link)
Invitation to zoom gathering 11th September at 10am GMT
Find us on Patreon
Find us on Instagram:
@birth.untethered
@theserenitydoula
@kemibirthjoyjohnson
Find us online:
https://www.theserenitydoula.co.uk/birthuntethered
If you enjoy the podcast and would like to fuel our nerdy habits, you can buy us a book/coffee/wine here: