My Blog

The Beautiful Hospital Birth Of Sophie Wallace

The decision to move from home birth to positive induction at Peterborough City Hospital meant that Sophie and her partner were able to share a magical waterbirth together.

By Samantha, 2 weeks2 weeks ago

Coercion And Reasons Not To Home Birth

This was supposed to be a light hearted look at the reasons women are given not to homebirth – instead it paints a very sad, emotive, coercive picture in the words of the women these things were said to.

By Samantha, 3 weeks3 weeks ago

Ecclectic Posts

Creative Writing – What Is This Doubt That Bites Me

Having just returned from 3 weeks at camp, I thought I would share the autobiographical poems I wrote at Samantha Pearse’s wonderful, creative writing workshop at Druid Camp. Tears On Strangers Yesterday I cried on strangers Today friends cried on Read more…

By Samantha, 2 months2 months ago

Positive Birth

Big Baby Links

I’ll edit this later but while I’m sat in a field my Home Birth Support Group UK shows me induction and caesarean for big baby pressure is rising.This is despite NICE and RCOG (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and The Royal College of Obstetrians and Gynaecologists) both clearly stated this is not advised with NICE going further and stating that scanning the general population for big baby is also not advised.

By Samantha, 2 months2 weeks ago

Homebirth

Home Birth Transfer Is NOT A Failure

If you need intervention at home, that necessitates transfer, you can be sure you would have needed that intervention if you had been in hospital for the whole birth.

By Samantha, 7 months4 weeks ago

Homebirth

VBAC Home Birth Turned Positive Induction Hospital Birth

These birth stories are so important to share. Induction is not always positive and that is because it comes from a lack of informed consent. Cara* had the support of our Home Birth Support Group UK and her doula and knew and understood the induction process and her rights to informed choice and to wait. She also had the full support of her husband which is vital.Stories of empowered women and families, who have remained in control of their own births and made their own decisions carry such weight. This is the story of Cara’s* birth, not a medical procedure.

By Samantha, 7 months2 weeks ago

Breast Feeding

Home Birth Support Group UK

I have with a friend, set up the Home Birth Support Group UK on Facebook. It is a busy, lively group for anyone who has had, or is interested in having a home birth. All of our members births are Read more…

By Samantha, 8 months8 months ago

Positive Birth

National and Local Birth Pool And Tens Machine Hire

National and local birth pool and tens machine hire. I am thrilled to be a representative of the Birth Partnership – https://www.thebirthpartnership.co.uk/ a national birth pool hire company with local representatives. Supplying birth pool and tens machine hire throughout the UK, Read more…

By Samantha, 8 months5 days ago

Breech Birth

Post Date, Home Birth, Water Birth Twins – Scotland.

This is the birth story of Laura Jane and her twin girls – Caitlyn and Evelyn, Laura joined our Home Birth Support Group UK to share her story. Post date, home birthed, twins. I literally held my breathe when I read Read more…

By Samantha, 9 months8 months ago

Homebirth

Home Birth Turned Positive Induction – Hertfordshire

The birth story of Scarlett Hana and Baby Atlas – 7lb 2oz, born on the 19th Jan Scarlett is a member of my Home Birth Support Group UK – she was looking forward to her home birth, however her contractions Read more…

By Samantha, 9 months2 weeks ago

Blog Categories

Testimonials

Birth Trauma, Reframing, Cardiff, South Wales.

Sam is non judgemental, open, honest, passionate, very well educated in all things pregnancy, childbirth & beyond and I would highly recommend her to anyone having any worries, doubts, anxiety or stress about giving birth.

Amy Burrage, Cardiff.

Vaginal Birth After Caerarean Turned Elective Caesarean, Caerphilly, South Wales

I really felt that Sam was a safe pair of hands for all of us and she helped make the pregnancy, birth and the initial time with the newborn more comfortable and relaxed

Marc Issacs

First Time Mum, Natural Homebirth, South Wales

I could feel her joy during the whole process and this made labour feel as celebratory as the moment my baby was born.

anya szura

Beautiful Home Birth After Previous Trauma

Samantha provided me with all the information I needed to make informed decisions during my pregnancy and empowered me to be confident with making my voice heard.

Natasha Bold

42 weeks plus homebirth, Rhondda, South Wales.

During labour and the 3rd stage I unfortunately had midwives who weren’t au fait with homebirth or physiological third stage and Sam was there, championing my rights and supporting my partner through some of the tougher parts. I love that she so fully respected my choices and demanded everyone else present to as well.

Kate B

Vaginal Birth After Caesarean, Caerphilly, South Wales

Sam gave me the support and courage to write a birth plan that would help me get the birth I wanted.

Fran Thomson

Home Birth, Caerphilly, South Wales.

Her work as a doula goes beyond what you expect with her constant care and consideration for your personal circumstances.

Emma Burns

My Daughter’s Caesarean Birth, Cardiff South Wales.

I can’t thank you enough Sam. …… she was able to have some control in a very clinical environment.

Linda

Home Birth, Newport.

She was massively helpful and at the birth it was fantastic to have a calm presence to hold my hand, provide assistance and general be a fantastic pillar of support amongst the bedlam.

Consultant Led Birth (In The Snow) – Royal Gwent Hospital

I couldn’t have gotten through the birth of my second child without Sam. She came out during terrible weather in the snow, when I needed her most, pitching up on my sofa overnight not really knowing if he were to arrive that night but just in case

Lauren Edwards

Preparing for Pregnancy and Online Post Natal Support, Penarth

Such a knowledgeable and lovely lady, has provided me with invaluable knowledge, confidence and belief. Wonderful!

Fauvette Lillie

Belly Casting and Birth Chat – Aberdare, South Wales

Never had a belly cast done before, and was so glad I did. I would wholeheartedly recommend Samantha, a warm, friendly, non judgemental lady, who listens and is there for you. Well worth all the services she provides and more.

Bethan O Sullian

Sam – a mentor just right for me.

She is warm hearted without being sentimental, practical and real.

PJ McGivern

Vaginal Birth After Caesarean, Merthyr Tydfil.

I can honestly say that since meeting Sam and the lovely women at the Positive Birth Meeting, I have been much more in control of my anxiety and have enjoyed the pregnancy more.

Lisa Barry

Simple Birth Pool Hire.

Luckily it (the birth pool) was easy to put up and take down afterwards and came with everything I needed. Would use again!

Jenny

Belly Cast and “Picking Sams Birthy Brains” – Cardiff, South Wales

At the end of the session I felt like I’d made the right decisions during my pregnancy and it gave me confidence for my birth plans.
Sam’s confidence and relaxed, down to earth approach reaffirmed my belief that I can do this and I have done everything I can to ensure I have my positive birth.

Hannah Maggie

Homebirth After Miscarriage, Neath, Abertawe Bro Morganwwyg University Health Board

I can’t thank Sam enough for answering questions and giving support and just providing a listening ear.

Kirsty Smart

Solo Parent Birth and Post Natal Support

It felt as though I had my mother there and that was really important.

Anonymous

Post Natal Support, Wenvoe, Near Cardiff, South Wales

That evening, in bed, feeling calmer, I felt the milk come in. As I was able to sleep more soundly, knowing that Sam was watching the baby.

LC.

The Doulas Doula – Freebirth, Pontypridd South Wales

Sam was actually my doula and you can’t really get a recommendation than that! …… She is amazing.

Ellie Horrigan

Sam has a clear passion for all things birth.

I am so grateful to her for inviting me to her various groups and meet-ups, and in particular, for allowing me the use of her birth pool.

Gem

Post Natal, Twin Support, Bridgend, South Wales

I don’t think we would have survived the early days and weeks with twins without her. She was a really good fit for our family and was really easy to have around at a time when we were vulnerable.

Bethan and Peter Cole

Home Birth, Cardiff, South Wales

Sam has a knack for being able to recognise the needs of the mother and unobtrusively meet those needs.

Kristina Young, Cardiff

Freebirth, Pontypridd, South Wales

There was nothing Sam would not do to help, she was an amazing support to us, a great photographer and like an old friend as we all sat in front of the fire after Honor’s birth, sharing tea and softly chatting until the sun came up.

Zoe K

I always knew I wanted Sam to be my mentor.

I knew before I did my Doula training I would ask Sam if she would be my mentor when I completed my course.

Kate Thompson

Vaginal Birth After Caesarean, Caerphilly, South Wales

Samantha Gadsden, I now have the birth plan in place I wanted but did not have the confidence or knowledge to fight for on my own. Thank you so much xxxx

Rachel Elizabeth

Midwife Led Unit, Neville Hall

Thank you Sam for your support on both my children, you were wonderful 🙂

Lauren Edwards

Creating Your Positive Birth Workshop/VBAC

Samantha has an approachable and easy way; which is relaxing, comfortable and grounding. Her in-depth and up-to-date knowledge is very reassuring.

Lynn Gazal

Post Natal Support, Bridgend

All I can say is thank you!

Tania Leanne Trebble

Amazing Women Centred Support

As a mentee it instantly felt right, she is laid back, grounded and knowledgable and I’m so excited to walk the beginnings of my Doula journey beside her.

Phyllida Warmington

Amazing Online Support

I recommend you to everyone – mother, grandmother, aunt who is going through what should be a beautiful event but so often becomes difficult. Even straight forward births are frightening the first time.

Teri Browett

Mother Blessing, Cardiff, South Wales

Sam facilitated my Mother Blessing and it was an amazing day. I had a lot of ideas and Sam took the time to listen and talk though them all with me and help me create a really magical day.

RR Cardiff

Caesarean Under General Anesthetic Post Miscarriage.

Sam is an honest, caring lady. She is very passionate about her love of life and birth.

Rhian Gregory

Perfect Birth Pool Hire.

We hired a birthing pool through Samantha. My pregnancy was longer than expected and I contacted the company to explain I couldn’t return the pool in the time frame we had agreed. This was not a problem at all and I had the pool for an extra week free of charge. The quality was excellent and it was so easy – I would definitely recommend.

Natasha Bold

Waterbirth, Freebirth, Pontyclun, South Wales

Samantha was like a guardian angel – constantly there but rarely seen. Her presence was very reassuring, a calm, wise presence at the periphery of the action.

Pollyana and Alistair Leaver

Positive Birth, Cardiff.

Sam’s support and advice covered both ‘natural’ birth and planned c section as options, emphasising that both can be positive, and even healing.

Bethan Collins

Creating Your Positive Birth Day, Cardiff, South Wales.

Love Samantha. Love her work. Highly recommended for all pregnant mammas!

Amy Burrage

Samantha Gadsden walks with women on their journey's through life. She is a feminist, a birth educator, a doula, a believer in and supporter of women and birth photographer living just outside Caerphilly in the South Wales Valleys with her husband Eddie and her 3 younger children.

Please contact her to guest blog and share your life and birth stories.

"Your Journey, Your Body, Your Baby, Your Birth"