The Baby Born in a Bus Stop (and Other Home Birth Stories) |Life of a Midwife Ep. 9

The Baby Born in a Bus Stop (and Other Home Birth Stories) |Life of a Midwife Ep. 9

Author: Giovanna Fletcher July 2, 2026 Duration: 19:17

Was home birth different in the 1970s compared to today?


This week, two midwives take us inside the world of birth beyond the hospital: from pioneering one of the earliest home water births to facing the realities, risks, and unexpected moments that come with bringing a baby into the world at home — even when the carpet is cream!


If you’re interested in being part of the Life of a Midwife series, we’d love to hear from you — just drop us an email midwives@pixiu.co.uk


Links from our midwives:


All4Maternity is the go to place for education and support if you’re a midwife or student midwife.

And All4Birth is the home for expectant and new parents - free, non-biased, evidence-based information! Curated by a midwife ❤️


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Giovanna Fletcher’s Happy Mum Happy Baby picks up the threads of her bestselling book, creating a space where the polished facade of parenting is gently set aside. Each episode unfolds through candid, comforting conversations with well-known mothers and fathers, though the focus is less on their fame and more on their shared, human experience. Giovanna, or Gi as she’s often known, guides these discussions through every facet of raising children-the unexpected joys, the exhausting lows, the personal challenges, and the quiet rewards. The core idea that resonates throughout this podcast is the liberating notion that perfection is a myth; everyone is simply navigating parenthood as best they can. Listening feels like being part of a supportive, honest chat among friends who understand that the journey is messy and beautiful in equal measure. You’ll hear real stories that validate your own, offering both solace and a much-needed laugh. It’s a warm, inclusive audio journal that celebrates the collective reality of family life, making it a deeply relatable listen for anyone in the thick of it.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Happy Mum
Podcast Episodes
Making a Midwife  | Life of a Midwife Ep. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:32
To celebrate the international day of the midwife we’ve got something very special for you — the very first episode of our brand-new miniseries!Every Thursday, we’ll be sharing powerful stories from midwives, past and pr…
Life of a Midwife: Due 5th May! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45
We’ve got a special delivery coming your way… a brand-new miniseries! Life of a Midwife brings you raw, honest, and deeply personal stories from midwives — past and present — as they share the moments that shaped not jus…
Hannah Witton on Pregnancy with a Stoma: What It’s Really Like [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:36
This week Giovanna sits down with creator and OG YouTuber Hannah Witton!Hannah opens up about navigating motherhood while living with long-term chronic illness.She also shares her journey with secondary infertility and t…
'I Was Told the Problem Was Me’: Raising My Autistic Daughter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:43
Catherine Simpson thought she was failing as a mother throughout the first 10 years of her daughter Nina's life. After a decade of misdiagnosis, blame, and searching for answers, she finally discovered the truth: Nina is…
Comedian Emma Doran: Pregnant at 18 in a Convent School [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:37
In this episode Giovanna sits down with comedian, author, and podcaster Emma Doran. Emma reflects on becoming pregnant as a teenager while attending an all-girls convent school, and the challenges that followed.She also…
Vicky Pattison: What If I’m Not a Good Mum? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:01
When it comes to having children, what happens when you’re just not sure?This week, Vicky Pattison and husband Ercan Ramadan join Gi for a chat about the pressure to decide, the different paths available—from having chil…
Why Hannah East Talks About Her Loss on Stage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:14
In this episode, Gi sits down with comedian Hannah East to talk about the chaos of parenting three children.Hannah shares her unique career journey, from competing on Gladiators (where she met her husband) to presenting…
Inside Debbie Bright’s Life as a Foster Carer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:43
In this episode, Giovanna sits down with Debbie Bright for an eye-opening conversation about what it’s really like to be a foster carer. Best known to many from TOWIE, Debbie is also one of the UK’s longest-serving foste…