Hypnotherapist Sophie Burch opens up about the intense struggles she faced after the births of her first two sons. These included a traumatic delivery with shoulder dystocia, and the challenges of colic and silent reflux. With little support, she reached a breaking point where she nearly harmed her baby in a moment of despair. Her deeply personal and courageous story highlights the urgent need for emotional support and better preparation for new mothers. Sophie found healing through helping others, and has dedicated her life to supporting maternal mental health with tools like the Beyond Birth Guide.

* Trigger Warning: Birth Trauma, Resuscitation and Neonatal Intensive Care (N I C U)*

In This Episode We Discuss:

[00:00] Teaser quote.

[01:36] Introduction to Nurture You's Sophie Burch.

[03:28] A difficult pregnancy - antenatal depression and work stress. Polycistic ovarian syndrome (P C O S).

[07:01] A traumatic shoulder dystocia delivery and resuscitation of her baby. No follow-ups or support.

[10:10] Full throes of postnatal depression. Terrified her son would be taken away from her if she admitted how she was feeling.

[14:38] Healing through helping others. C B T (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). Support from her husband and friends.

[19:01] Sophie's second pregnancy - hypnobirthing and a healing home birth.

[21:30] Driven to the edge through her baby's silent reflux - a call for help in a moment of desperation.

[25:35] Healing through talking, journalling, breathwork and nurturing yourself as well as your baby. Developing her 'Beyond Birth' guide.

Key Takeaways:

1. Shoulder dystocia is a childbirth emergency that happens when a baby's shoulders get stuck behind the mother's pelvic bones, after the head has been delivered. It can make delivery difficult and dangerous for both the baby and the mother. R C O G information on Shoulder Dystocia.

2. Blue MumDays S1 Ep17: When Birth Leads to Trauma – listen to my conversation with Make Birth Better’s Dr. Rebecca Moore to learn more about birth trauma.

3. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder affecting people with ovaries, often during their reproductive years. It can cause a range of symptoms and impact fertility. N H S information on P C O S.

4. Colic is frequent, prolonged and intense crying or fussiness in a healthy infant, specifically if they cry more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week for at least 1 week. Colic can be particularly frustrating for parents because the baby's distress occurs for no apparent reason and no amount of consoling seems to bring any relief. N H S advice on colic.

5. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors are a common class of antidepressants used for treating depression, anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions. Specifically they increase the levels of serotonin, a ‘feel good’ neurotransmitter in the brain. N H S overview of S S R I anti-depressants.

6. Hypnobirthing is a childbirth method using relaxation, breathing techniques, visualisation and self-hypnosis to help women feel calm, confident and in control during labour and birth. Tommys guide on hypnobirthing.

7. Silent reflux (also called laryngopharyngeal reflux, or L P R) occurs when stomach acid or digestive juices flow back up into the throat and voice box without causing the usual symptoms of heartburn or indigestion. NHS advice on reflux and silent reflux.

8. Blue MumDays Episode 27 - Justin Eade: It's Good To Walk.

9. Find out more about Sophie Burch’s coaching and hypnotherapy work through her 'Nurture You' website. The ‘Beyond Birth Guide’ is Sophie’s supportive and practical guide for parents and parents to be. It shows you how to reconnect and rediscover yourself, deepen your awareness, feel calm and confident in managing all the tasks and feelings that parenting brings.

10. Suzy Reading's instagram page. Suzy is a chartered psychologist offering tips on wellbeing and mindfulness.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share, rate and subscribe. It really does make the difference in helping others find it – which means helping more parents in need.

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Taking A Pause:

Due to some sad family news, Blue MumDays is going on hiatus, so thank you for your patience while I take some time out. In the meantime, please feel free to listen to the many fantastic conversations I've had in the archive.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share, rate and subscribe. It really does make the difference in helping others find it – which means helping more parents in need.

You are not alone and will not feel this way forever.

Links to Support: (please note we do not check or monitor them individually).

1. Acacia Family Support Pre and postnatal depression support for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic mums and dads. 0121 301 5990, [email protected].

2. Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) Moderated Forum, click here to find out more. Email: [email protected] / Tel: 020 3322 9900

3. AIMS for better birthing. [email protected]. This email will go to a group of AIMS volunteers and someone will respond as soon as possible. / Telephone: +44 (0) 300 365 0663 (leave message)

4. Andys Man Club A non-judgmental talking group for men. [email protected]

5. Association of Postnatal Illness Helpline: 10am – 2pm – 0207 386 0868 / Email: [email protected] (Live chat online facility)

6. Best Beginnings. Free NHS-accredited Baby Buddy app offering 24/7 App support for new parents

7. Birth Trauma Association Email: [email protected]

8. CALM. National helpline: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-midnight)

9. Cedar House Support Group for mums with postnatal depression. Email: [email protected] (Liz Wise) / Mobile: 07773 283556.

10. Contact - for families with disabled children. Helpline: 0808 808 3555.

11. Dad Matters. Support dads to have successful relationships with their families, with mental health and accessing services through peer support and signposting. [email protected] / 0161 344 0669

12. DadsNet offers support and knowledge through a community of dads on practical parenting and fatherhood.

13. Dope Black Dads - A digital safe space for fathers who wish to discuss their experiences of being black, a parent and masculinity in the modern world. [email protected]

14. Family Lives provides immediate help from volunteer parent support workers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Helpline: 0808 800 2222.

15. Family Rights Group. Support for parents and other family members whose children are involved with or need social care services. Helpline: 0808 801 0366.

16. Fathers Mental Health UK is a UK-based community interest company dedicated to enhancing the mental health of fathers and their families, especially during the perinatal period. Run by paternal mental health pioneer Mark Williams, offering support to dads.

17. Fatherhood Solutions. Scott Mair is a consultant in paternal mental health and parent education, Peer support trainer. Dad, Husband, Army veteran.

18. FiveXMore. A grassroots organisation committed to changing Black women and birthing people’s maternal health outcomes in the UK. Email: [email protected]

19. Gingerbread offer help and advice on the issues that matter to single parents. Helpline 0808 802 0925.

20. The Hub of Hope - A directory of mental health support around the UK.

21. Lactation Consultants of Great Britain – for support with breastfeeding.

22. LGBT Mummies support LGBT+ women & people globally on the path to motherhood or parenthood. Email: [email protected]

23. Make Birth Better (Birth Trauma Support) Email: [email protected]

24. The Maternal Mental Health Alliance is a UK charity and network of 130 organisations, dedicated to ensuring women and families affected by perinatal mental health problems have access to high-quality, compassionate care.

25. Maternal OCD Peer support available, email [email protected] to arrange.

26. Mayah's Legacy support and empower anyone who has experienced pregnancy loss to advocate for themselves. Email: [email protected] / 0300 102 1596.

27. The Motherhood Group are dedicated to sharing and supporting the black maternal experience through peer support, projects and advocacy. [email protected]

28. Motivational Mums Club offer trauma, mindfulness and meditation sessions for mothers and mums-to-be with an NHS Mental Health Specialist, who’s also a mother. [email protected]

29. Music Football Fatherhood offer open conversations around fatherhood, including blogs, peer support and podcasts. [email protected]

30. Muslim Women’s Network Helpline: 0800 999 5786, open Mon-Fri 10am–4pm with support offered in English, Urdu, Punjabi, Mirpuri, Putwari, Hindko and Bengali. Email: [email protected] Text: 07415 206 936.

31. National Autistic Society for support and advice for parents and carers of autistic children, including support to develop a greater understanding of their child’s needs and accessing services that meet the family's needs.

32. Netmums offer peer support via their Maternal Mental Health Drop-InClinic.

33. NHS Services for Mental Health Issues Contact your local GP surgery. Call the NHS on 111 and press 2 for Mental Health Team or contact a local NHS urgent mental health helplineIf you are in crisis, visit Accident & Emergency at your nearest hospital.

34. PANDAS Helpline open from 9am-8pm every day – 0843 2898 401 [email protected]

35. Perinatal Wellbeing Ontario offer pre-natal, pregnancy and postpartum support and connection in Canada. [email protected]

36. Petals Baby Loss Charity offers free-of-charge specialist counselling to anyone who has experienced pregnancy or baby loss. Tel: 0300 688 0068 [email protected]

37. The Samaritans Tel: 116 123 (this is a free telephone number and will not appear on the phone bill) Email: [email protected]

38. Sands Charity offer emotional and practical support for anyone affected by the death of a baby. 0808 164 3332 /Email: [email protected]

39. SHOUT text support service for anyone struggling to cope. Text SHOUT to 85258 to start a confidential conversation with a trained volunteer.

40. Twins Trust. Twinline is a listening service for parents of twins, triplets and more. 0800 138 0509 / email [email protected].

41. Tommy’s has a team of in-house midwives who offer free support and information for women and their families at any stage of pregnancy and after the birth....