The Obs Pod

5 Episodes
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By: Florence

I am an NHS obstetrician hoping to share some thoughts and experiences about my working life. Maybe you enjoy call the midwife, perhaps birth fascinates, or you are simply curious about what exactly an obstetrician is? You might be pregnant and preparing for birth right now. Perhaps you work in maternity care and want to know what makes your obstetric colleagues tick, or you want some fresh ideas and inspiration. Whichever of these is the case TheObsPod is for you. Each episode contains 'the zesty bit' the essence of what I hope you will take away from listening. I do...

Episode 167 Consent
03/16/2024

This week follows directly on from Episode 166 Personalised care this time talking about the issue of consent. In this episode I reflect on the introduction of electronic consent in maternity care, scrutinizing its benefits and the unforeseen complexities it introduces. I discuss theĀ  General Medical Council's 2020 guidance on consent, spotlighting the critical need for inclusive language and the eradication of personal bias.Ā  I consider the need for antenatal education as a bedrock for preparing expectant mothers to navigate the decision-making labyrinth of labour, fostering an environment where every voice is heard and every choice is informed.

Together, we...


Episode 166 Personalised Care
03/02/2024

As we navigate the intricate journey of childbirth, there is aĀ  balance between a mother's autonomy and stringent clinical guidelines.Ā  Step into the world of Personalised Care in maternity services, where my discussion sheds light on the emotional complexities of honouring the unique birth plans of expectant mothers. This episode is a clarion call for healthcare providers to listen deeply, advocate for informed consent, and partner with pregnant women to create empowering birth experiences that resonate with their individual wishes.

Join us for an engaging exploration of the challenges and triumphs in the quest for Personalised Care. Fr...


Episode 165 Oxytocin Use
02/17/2024

DiscoverĀ  the hormone oxytocin and its role in the birthing processĀ  in the latest ObsPod episode. We unravel the dual nature of this potent hormone, once an unquestioned staple in Active Management of Labour.Ā  Listen as we share an engaging conversation about its physiological impacts, the delicate balancing act required for its use in inducing labor, and the critical examination of its application in natural labor progression.

We discuss use of oxytocin over time,Ā  We tackle the tough questions about its contribution to caesarean birth rates and dissect the role that confirmation bias has played in obstetric inte...


Episode 164 Intermittent Auscultation
02/03/2024

Join me & my guest Dr. Kirsten Small as we build on our previous joint episode 157 Fetal heart monitoring in labour. This time we discuss the world of intermittent auscultation, you'll be enlightened by the evolution from the hands-on Pinard stethoscope to the advanced Doppler device. Dr. Small shares her expertise on the intimate connection care providers once had with this practice and how it's changing in today's clinical settings. We also examine the remarkable methods midwives employ in various care environments to monitor fetal well-being, revealing the depth and diversity of approaches.

Listen as we discuss cardiotocograph...


Episode 163 Overweight
01/20/2024

Embark on a poignant exploration of a topic that's often cloaked in stigma yet crucial to maternal health: obesity and BMI during pregnancy. Join me, Florence, on the ObsPod, as we unravel the intertwined issues of weight management and prenatal care, delving into the NHS classifications that inform how expectant mothers with a BMI over 30 navigate their unique journey. This episode promises insightful discussions and a deeper understanding of the practical applications and limitations of BMI as a standard of health, particularly during such a life-changing period for women.

This candid discussion also brings to light the...