Goodbirth with Emma Goodburn

22/08/2026

PLEASE SHARE OR GET IN TOUCH IF YOU ARE INTERESTED ⭐️
Thank you

The next breastfeeding training starts in just a few weeks and we have a couple of spaces left
It is all online (but don’t worry we have some great discussions and the time goes quickly!)
You will receive an NOCN certificate

This is a great course for mothers that want to learn more about infant feeding
Those wanting to volunteer, run groups or support friends and family
If you’re wanting to work in maternity or the health visiting service and gain more knowledge/CV (or perhaps you already do work in maternity and want an opportunity to ask questions and discuss cases).

Please message or email if you’re interested or want to find out about the next course in 2027

17/08/2026

I’m excited to be an exhibitor at this event in Torbay 12th September.
Thanks to for hosting.

“Hi I’m Emma, I am Birth and Postnatal Doula, offering unbiased, evidence based information, along with practical, nurturing support, presence and continuity.
My Doula practice and private courses, weave in traditional birthing wisdom, with science. I include information about active birthing positions, birth partner support, breathing and relaxation techniques, Biomechanics and Rebozo. I believe you should feel safe, respected and in control of your decisions during pregnancy, birth and as a new parent, whatever your circumstances.
Look forward to talking all things birth with you at this exciting event

16/08/2026

Free tickets available for this event on Sat 12 September!
Pleased to be exhibiting, see you there, it’s going to be a lovely day.
Lots of local exhibitors, plus information for parents to be and new families.
Come early for a free Goody bag!
💜

15/06/2026

So lucky to have had the most nourishing experience
attending a wonderful workshop

‘Nurturing the first 40 days’
🌿honouring the postpartum.
Such wisdom was shared.

We spent time in the stunning Medicine garden, learned more about the
importance of nutrition, tasted some delicious foods and tea, and shared moxi techniques. We also made a postpartum bath blend to bring home.

I learned so much and I feel inspired to find out more about Chinese medicine.
Thank you to Mim and Charlotte 🌿

Highly recommend anyone to visit.

So good to meet new people and see familiar faces there too!
co

11/06/2026

The refurbished birth pool at Torbay is open! 💦

Did you know it is possible to have a water birth in hospital, not just at Whitelake (local) and not just in an inflatable birth pool at home?

The room and bathroom have been redesigned and are spacious and freshly decorated.

Ask your Midwife if the birth pool could be an option for you. (See resources below for more info).

There are a few minor teething things, such as the bathroom light is on a sensor, so it’s extremely bright when the door is opened. Not possible to turn off this light (yet) but I’m sure this will be resolved soon. Perhaps take an eye mask or a shawl for over your head to minimise the light!
There is ambient lighting in the pool, and a ‘starlight’ lamp if wanted.

The pool is such an asset to the labour ward and for our local families who may be able to choose to use it.

Waterbirth resources :garlandmidwife


GOODBIRTH with Emma Goodburn, birth preparation for all births.

Water birth
South Devon
Pregnant
Labour
Active birth
Birth preparation

13/04/2026

This is typical labour ward equipment.
Do you know what it is for?
How does it make you feel looking at this?

If you are planning to avoid anything technical or clinical, are planning a home or birth centre birth, or it fills you with anxiety or a “hell no”. This post is for you.

If there’s anything that makes you uncomfortable or anxious, it can be helpful to know more about it, even if we never intend to be near to one of these! Knowledge gives confidence.

This is a CTG machine for monitoring.
There are two discs that are strapped to your bump, one is recording your baby’s heartbeat, the other is recording any uterine activity (contractions).

Often a little hand held button is given for you to ‘click’ if you feel baby moving.

The information is printed out in a graph, and your Midwife or doctor will interpret the results, and explain to you what they mean.
They may recommend further monitoring, or they may say that all looks well.

The information is often also monitored at the midwives station, so they can see what is happening even if they are not in the room with you.

Some people have a CTG during pregnancy, to assess baby’s wellbeing. It is a very common procedure that is pain free, but sitting can be uncomfortable.
You can try different positions, like standing, or sitting on a birth ball, especially during labour.

In labour, it is not a routine procedure, but is very often offered, or it may be recommended in some situations. As with everything, you can ask questions, and choose to have it or not. ⭐️ see lack of evidence in resources below.

There is also a wireless option which gives more freedom of movement, although this doesn’t always work as well.

Alternative ways to listen to baby’s heartbeat if you wish to have this checked are the hand held Doppler, or the traditional Pinard. A much more invasive way is the FSE (fetal scalp electrode).

It is important to understand that this information from a CTG is only giving a snapshot ‘in the moment’ result whist monitoring is in progress.

More information and evidence⬇️


Recommendations | Fetal monitoring in labour | Guidance | NICE

26/03/2026

When I was meeting a client at a hospital antenatal appointment, I saw this poster.

In BIG letters. Right in the entrance

💕MY BODY
💕MY BABY
💕MY CHOICE

▪️Always remember that▪️

〰️It’s on an NHS poster, so it’s expected that you will have opportunities to make choices.

〰️To be able to make choices for yourself, you need to know what the real options are.

〰️You then need to get reliable evidence to help you make your decisions.

〰️Ask questions 💕

Doula
Labour
Birth
Hypnobirthing
Maternity
Antenatal
Home birth
Hospital birth
Obstetric
South Devon

26/03/2026

26/02/2026

Thank you to Devon Matenity and neonatal voices partnership for this focus group. It was so welcoming and relaxed, with babies joining too. Anyone who wanted to, talked about their experiences of being discharged from hospital, what worked well, what didn’t.
I would encourage anyone to join these groups, it’s a really valuable way to share your thoughts or experiences, and influence change.

20/02/2026

Share your experience or thoughts to help make a difference to the process of discharge from hospital after birth. 💜