Episode 60: Navigating the Maternity System in 2025

In this episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Anna from @HackneyHypnobirthing, and we’re digging deep into the realities of giving birth in today’s NHS. We talk about the systemic challenges in maternity care, the rise in trauma and inequality, and how you can advocate for yourself in a system that often isn’t set up to support individualised care. We also explore the impact of media, institutional pressure, and why understanding birth physiology and your rights is more crucial than ever. We discuss: 👉 The worsening state of maternity services and rising birth trauma 👉 Why personalised care is essential and often missing 👉 What your rights are as an NHS service user 👉 How media and hospital culture shape our expectations 👉 Why preparation, confidence, and the right support can change your experience 👉 The importance of understanding risk and what it actually means This is the episode to listen to if you want to feel empowered, informed, and ready to take control of your birth experience in 2025. You can follow Anna on Instagram at: @hackneyhypnobirthing Or check out her website here: https://www.hackneyhypnobirthing.com Resources recommended by Anna: Book: In Your Own Time by Sara Wickham Book: Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage by Rachel Reed Kirsten Small at @birthsmalltalk And check out Anna's brilliant post on risk here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DHnW1e2oOL4/?hl=en 💡 If you’re pregnant and want to know more about The Birth Uprising and what we do, join us for one of our free sessions: https://thebirthuprising.com/free-hypnobirthing-sessions 🎓 Ready to prepare for your birth with us? Check out our No Nonsense Hypnobirthing Course and use code PODCAST for 15% off: www.thebirthuprising.com/the-digital-hypnobirthing-pack 📩 Want some free downloadables straight to your inbox? Get yours here: https://thebirthuprising.com/free-downloadables 📱 Watch us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebirthuprising 📷 Join us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thebirthuprising Are you a birth worker wanting more freedom in your work? Join our amazing gang as a hypnobirthing instructor or doula at Riot Birth Network: www.riotbirthnetwork.com Find RBN on Instagram: www.instagram.com/riotbirthnetwork