S2 Ep4: Ask me anything on birth trauma

This week our host Theo is joined by Dr Kim Thomas, CEO of the Birth Trauma Association, and campaigner and affected mum Gill Castle to answer listener questions on birth trauma. They share information for expectant mothers and families who've experienced a traumatic birth, including recovery from mental and physical health issues after childbirth, and provide some practical advice to help affected families. Topics that we discuss on the show include: birth plans; advocating for yourself and rights in childbirth; what is a prolapse; challenges with breastfeeding after a traumatic birth; accessing maternal mental health services; dads support for mothers with birth trauma and impact on wider family; postpartum psychosis; babies suffering from brain damage; medical negligence; contraception post birth; premature babies in NICU and difficulties with bonding. Dr Kim Thomas is CEO of the Birth Trauma Association, a charity that supports parents experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder after birth. She was also the secretariat for the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) inquiry into birth trauma, and wrote the inquiry report, published in May 2024. She has published two books about birth trauma: Birth Trauma: A Guide for You, Your Friends and Family to Coping with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Following Birth; and Postnatal PTSD: a Guide for Health Professionals. Her book Broadmoor Women looked at the lives of women committed to Broadmoor in the nineteenth century. She also worked as a freelance journalist for more than 20 years, writing for national newspapers and magazines, with a specialist focus on health and medicine. Gill Castle is Chief Executive of Chameleon Buddies and a former police officer who suffered a missed 4th degree tear, recto-vaginal fistula and perineal abcess during the birth of her only child in 2011. This led to a permanent colostomy, and medical retirement from the police force due to extensive mental health problems resulting from the birth, including PTSD and severe anxiety. Gill has campaigned for changes to the maternity system in the UK for many years, and has featured extensively in the national media for her work.  In 2022 Gill set up an international charity, Chameleon Buddies, to support women in Kenya and the UK to adjust to life with an ostomy after fistula. In 2023 Gill became the first person to swim the English Channel solo with a stoma. Don't suffer in silence! Listen in and let's break the final taboo in women's health #breakingthetaboo. Birth Trauma Association: https://www.birthtraumaassociation.org/ Chameleon Buddies: https://chameleonbuddies.org.uk/ This podcast is sponsored by the law firm Irwin Mitchell. DISCLAIMER: This show is not intended to be medical advice please seek advice from a GP or Doctor. Website: http://www.theo-clarke.org.uk/podcast Instagram: @theoclarkemp Breaking The Taboo production team: Producer: Natasha Feroze Researcher: Max Austin and Elliott Malik Designer: Emily Ryder Social media: Bella Carter Studio manager: Adam Woodward Studio: Studio 55 part of Wolfe Power Club