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In this episode, I’m joined by Fenja, who shares her freebirth story with honesty, depth, and clarity.
At a time when freebirth is being widely discussed — and often misunderstood — Fenja’s experience offers a grounded and much-needed perspective on what informed, conscious birth preparation can look like.
Fenja speaks openly about the extensive work she did during pregnancy: building physiological understanding, engaging in emotional and mental preparation, and developing a deep trust in her body and decision-making. Her choices were not made lightly. They were rooted in knowledge, reflection, and personal responsibility.
During her pregnancy, Fenja chose to hire a doula — not as someone to direct her birth, but as optional, woman-led support. When labour unfolded, she recognised that what she needed most was solitude and privacy, and she chose not to call her doula to the birth. This decision was hers alone, made in the moment, based on what felt right in her body and nervous system.
With recent media coverage and coroner’s reports attempting to suggest that doulas are influencing women to make unsafe decisions, Fenja’s story provides an important counterpoint. It clearly demonstrates that women are capable of making informed, autonomous decisions about their own births, and that doulas do not make decisions for women — they support them, when and if that support is wanted.
This episode is not about persuading anyone to freebirth.
It is about respecting women’s capacity to prepare deeply, think critically, and choose consciously.
Fenja’s story is thoughtful, grounded, and a deep reminder that birth choices cannot be reduced to headlines or assumptions.
You can find Fenja and her work at helikraft.co.uk
On Instagram @heilkraftosteopathy
If you love the podcast and would like to support it, then please use the link to 'buy me a coffee' - https://bmc.link/sallyannberesford
If you would like to buy a copy of either of the books that accompany this podcast please go to your online bookseller or visit Amazon:-
Labour of Love - The Ultimate Guide to Being a Birth Partner - click here:-https://bit.ly/Labouroflove
The Art of Giving Birth - Five Key Physiological Principles - https://amzn.to/3EGh9df
Pregnancy Journal for 'The Art of Giving Birth'
- Black and White version https://amzn.to/3CvJXmO
Pregnancy Journal for 'The Art of Giving Birth'
- Colour version https://amzn.to/3GknbPF
You can find all my classes and courses on my website - www.sallyannberesford.co.uk
Follow me on Instagram @theultimatebirthpartner
Book a 1-2-1 session with Sallyann - https://linktr.ee/SallyannBeresford
Please remember that the information shared with you in this episode is solely based on my own personal experiences as a doula and the private opinions of my guests, based on their own experiences. Any recommendations made may not be suitable for ...
Ireland