PODCAST · health
Sprogcast
by Pinter & Martin Radio
Sprogcast was an independent podcast about birth, pregnancy and early parenthood, hosted by Karen Hall and Mark Harris, and sponsored by Pinter & Martin. It ran from 2015 to 2020.
Episodes
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Birthrights & Secret Midwife
In Episode 60 of Sprogcast, Rebecca Brione explains the Holding It All Together research carried out last year by Birthrights and Birth Companions. Karen also chats with the Secret Midwife about her revelatory book.
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Homo in the birth room
We're calling this episode 'Homo in the birth room,' and we're very pleased to have an interview with the great Michel Odent (unfortunately on a rather patchy line). Karen is down with a cold, but Mark is upbeat enough for both of them.
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Pelvic Health
Mark and Karen awake from post-festivities slumber to record the first episode of the 2020s, in which there are many and varied digressions, so it seems that nothing much has changed. Our interview this month is with pelvic health specialist Grainne Donnelly, and we discuss the latest news and...
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Festive Q&A
Our festive Q&A ranging from culture change to hedgehogs in audis.
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Informed is Best
We promised Helen Ball but delivered Amy Brown. With a full interview about her new book 'Informed is Best', as well as some feedback on episode 55, and comments about the recent issues of racism in midwifery.
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IVF and Surrogacy
This is one of those lovely episodes where Mark and Karen get along harmoniously throughout (at least in the final edit!). Highlights include the bit where BBC Journalist David Gregory Kumar describes Sprogcast as "surprisingly intellectually intense," and Karen apologising to Mark for cutting…
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Feminism and Birth
In Sprogcast 54, there are some small feminist moments and some big moments of feminism. We talk to Milli Hill about her new book, and explore some of our responses to it.
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Non-binary birth
In Episode 53, Mark interviews AJ Silver about non-binary birth, we have the latest news from One To One Midwives, and we're still just about keeping it together in the summer holidays.
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Models of midwifery care
Episode 52 on models of midwifery care rises from the ashes of various hardware and software issues, to bring you an interview with midwife and researcher Phoebe Pallotti, expounding her idea for a co-operative model of midwifery. Mark and Karen disagree about summer holiday parenting. Leah…
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Maternity services and birth trauma
In this episode of Sprogcast, Mark interviews Maureen Treadwell of the Birth Trauma Association, and Karen chats with author Emma Svanberg, whose new book Why Birth Trauma Matters is out now from Pinter & Martin.
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Baby Brains
In this episode we valiantly try to settle the difference of opinions with regard to gendered brains, by talking to Gina Rippon. Lively discussion and deep philosophy ensue... Sprogcast is sponsored by Pinter & Martin, publishers of pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding books…
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Cultural Context of Breastfeeding
Even though we mention breastfeeding in every episode, it's a while since we've dedicated a whole show to Karen's Favourite Subject - so here we are with Cecilia Tomori, Despatches, Tigers and more. Full show notes will be at patreon.com/sprogcast Sprogcast is sponsored by Pinter & Martin,...
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Paternal Mental Health
Sprogcast 48 is about paternal mental health, featuring an interview with Dr Andrew Mayers and discussion of an article from Science Weekly. Louise Oliver also talks about her work on Diversity in Infant Feeding. Mark and Karen disagree on whether the brain is gendered at birth, but have reached...
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Parenting
Sprogcast - Episode 47 - Parenting (March 2019) by Pinter & Martin
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Motherhood
Sprogcast 46 sets out to be about motherhood, and evolves to include discussion of language and culture, and an interview about running. Tune in to listen to Maddie McMahon talking about her book, and Sally Golightly on running 52.6 miles.
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Q&A
For episode 45, Mark and Karen invite listener questions, and end up trying to figure out how to change the world, one knitted uterus at a time.
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Brains
In episode 44, we come back to post-birth PTSD with a story from Laura Wood. Mark and Karen have a good chat about lots of recent research, including a thorough analysis of One Born Every Minute. Karen over-uses the word 'fascinating'. Send us your questions for episode 45!
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In the Birth Room
In Sprogcast 43, Mark and Karen compete for who has the most stereotypical household set up, and have crammed the episode with interviews: Lauren Parker explains doulas; Jo Robertson tells us what a birth photographer does; and Ellie Durant talks to Mark about writing her novel, New Walk.
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Baby Loss
In Sprogcast episode 42, Mark and Karen mark Baby Loss Awareness week, including interviews with author Mel Scott, and psychologist and agony aunt Petra Boynton, about their forthcoming books.
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Induction of Labour
In Episode 41, Karen interviews midwife Rachel Reed about induction of labour, Mark has a revealing conversation with his daughter, and both discuss how much they like The Mentalist TV show.
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Health Messages
In Episode 40 of Sprogcast, Mark and Karen take a long hard look at their own prejudices, and narrowly manage to avoid insulting the people of Slough. Heather Trickey talks about her research into health messages around alcohol in pregnancy, and we also discuss the recent articles about giving...
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Cultural Competence
Mark and Karen keep it brief in episode 39, with a quick chat about Sara Wickham's new book on induction, and Maddie McMahon's Doulavation course, and then hand over to Mars Lord who has something to say about cultural competence.
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Working Together
In Sprogcast 38, entitled Working Together, Mark and Karen make a supreme effort to do just that, despite badmouthing each other's professions for a few minutes at the start of the show. They go on to interview maternity advocate Paul Golden, several members of Reading's Maternity Voices...
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Miscellany
In Sprogcast 37, Mark mansplains breastfeeding guilt to Karen. Karen claims to be married when she isn't. Rebecca Schiller tells us why the world needs another book about birth; and Maddie McMahon drives off into the sunset on her Boobie Bus.
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Continuity of Carer
In Episode 36, Karen and Mark explore continuity of carer, one of the principles of Better Births. Michala Marling discusses how this can work within the NHS, and Rebecca Doyle tells of seven births where continuity of carer made a difference
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Birth Trauma Postpartum Psychosis
In episode 35, Mark and Karen have a proper falling out over the importance of evidence. Mark interviews Alex Heath about the 3-step rewind technique for birth trauma; and Karen listens to Kat Grant's moving story of postpartum psychosis.
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Maternal Request Caesarean
In Sprogcast 34, we're discussing maternal request for caesarean with Maria Booker from Birthrights, and Professor of Women's Health Dr Susan Bewley. We have a report from the Birth Trauma Conference, and Mark puts Karen on the spot about which birth book she would most recommend. Tune in to hear...
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Deep Midwinter
In Episode 33, Mark and Karen try really hard to be inclusive of all the different midwinter celebrations. Scott Kirschenbaum tells us about making the documentary film Of Woman Born. Laura James tells a heartwarming seasonal birth story.
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Live in Leeds
Sprogcast 32 was recorded live in Leeds, with a panel of special guests. Sheena Byrom, Fran Bailey, Rineke Schram, Claire Harbottle and Mia Scotland chat with our studio audience about midwifery, with some great tips and encouragement for student midwives; and the state of birth and parenting today.
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Feeding Babies
In Sprogcast 31, Karen and Mark are happily reunited but both under the weather, but their croaky voices don't stop them getting into a scrap about research evidence. Amy Brown chats about her Why It Matters book on Introducing Solids, and Alison Thewliss MP explains how a bill goes through...
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Karen Goes Solo
Episode 30 is a change from our usual format, as September is proving such a busy month. Karen goes solo, and we revive one of our favourite interviews from episode 4: Rebecca Schiller of Birthrights, talking about risk in childbirth, a topic as relevant now as it was two years ago. Karen also...
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Breech Birth
In episode 29, Mark and Karen have a good chat about why Karen is standing for election as president of NCT, and then get into the furore around the "normal birth" campaign. Research Midwife Shawn Walker talks about her important research into supporting breech birth, and we finish with a...
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Language
We didn't know what it was going to be about until we started recording, and it turned out to be about language! We interview journalist and founder of the Happy Birth Club, Beverley Turner, and there is a short but interesting chat between midwives Ellie Durant and Nabila Fowles-Gutierrez. Enjoy!
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Birth Activism
In which Mark and Karen talk about the dance of birth activism. Interviews with Secret Midwife Ellie Durant, and doula and activist Alana Apfel.
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Sprogcast Live!
A live episode recorded at effraspace with Vanessa Olorenshaw, Becky Reed, and Denis Walsh, chatting with an audience on the subject of maternal autonomy
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Birth in Books
In this episode, Mark and Karen get stuck into the representation of birth in fiction, and chat to author Alice Allen. We have a short report from Doula UK Conference, as well as ten minutes with independent midwife Claire Harbottle on ways of working within the NMC constraints.
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Miscarriage & Abortion
In Sprogcast 24, Mark and Karen get stuck into some sensitive and controversial topics, and very nearly fall out. Fascinating interviews with Aileen White from Birthing From Within Kent who supports women after miscarriage, and Abi Fitzgibbon of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service.
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Health Policy and Midwifery
This topical episode looks at the state of the NHS in general, and the current crisis in midwifery, with an interview from NCT Senior Policy Advisor Elizabeth Duff, discussing the Support Overdue Report. Mark and Karen mention breastfeeding once or twice, and review the new book on LGBT…
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Women-centred epidurals
In Sprogcast 22, Dr Attila Jonas talks about his woman-centred epidurals, and Johanna Rhys-Davies gives a great insight into her work for Birthrights. Mark and Karen discuss the IMUK insurance issue, and get a bit philosophical, as usual.
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Festive edition with Wendy Jones
Sprogcast - Episode 21 (January 2017) by Pinter & Martin
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Air & Smoking
This episode is about the air we breathe, particularly during pregnancy. Bex Bolland from Global Action Plan has some great tips for avoiding air pollution, and Mark chats with Francine Bates, CEO of the Lullaby Trust, about the risks of smoking.
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Motherhood in the media
This episode is about motherhood in the media, we chatted about the influence of new and old media on feelings around childbirth, and we interviewed Emma Culley-Morgan who talked about Hollywood representations of childbirth.
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Caesarean Birth
Sprogcast 18 includes a chat with Clare Goggin about gentle caesarean birth, a discussion of some of the interesting things that have been in the news, and Mark and Karen get into a fight over terminology.
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Sprogcast live!
Sprogcast - Episode 17 - Sprogcast live! (September 2016) by Pinter & Martin
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Interviews with midwives
Karen and Hall and Mark harris talk to midwives Denis Walsh and Natalie Corden, and chat about the latest news and research.
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Infant Feeding and the Future of Public Health
Presented by Karen Hall. This episode features discussion of infant feeding, and breastfeeding support. We talk to Maureen Minchin, Karen reports back from the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers conference, and we have a bonus interview from there with Heather Trickey.
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Sex and Relationships
In Sprogcast 14 we're talking Sex and Relationships, a bit of orgasmic birth, and an interview with agony aunt Petra Boynton.
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Microbiome
In this episode we look at emerging research about the human microbiome, and talk to author Toni Harman, and student midwife Natalie Corden. Mark and Karen also discuss women's right to request a caesarean birth, and new guidance to reduce stillbirth.
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Attachment Parenting
Hosted by Karen Hall and Mark Harris, features Attachment Parenting, interviews from the Doula UK conference, and Kangaroo Care.
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Twins
Hosted by Karen Hall and Mark Harris, with midwife Virginia Howes and doula Mars Lord
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Sprogcast have?
Sprogcast currently has 60 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Sprogcast about?
Sprogcast was an independent podcast about birth, pregnancy and early parenthood, hosted by Karen Hall and Mark Harris, and sponsored by Pinter & Martin. It ran from 2015 to 2020.
How often does Sprogcast release new episodes?
Sprogcast has 60 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Sprogcast?
You can listen to Sprogcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Sprogcast?
Sprogcast is created and hosted by Pinter & Martin Radio.
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