Raising with the village
Raising with the Village
Because it really does take a village to raise a child — and most of us don’t have one anymore.
Raising with the Village is a podcast about the real stories of parenthood — from pregnancy to the early school years and everything in between. Each episode shares an honest, unfiltered conversation with a parent who’s been there: through the highs, the lows, the unexpected turns and the moments that change everything.
No experts. No judgement. Just real people sharing their experiences — because when we talk openly about what we’ve been through, we help someone else feel less alone.
Whether you’re preparing for your first baby, navigating the chaos of toddlerhood, or simply figuring it out one day at a time, this is your virtual village — a place to listen, relate, and remind yourself that you’re doing better than you think.
🎧 Hosted by Maeva,
Parent, storyteller, and believer that there’s power — and comfort — in sharing our stories.
Raising with the village
#2- Louisa - First Pregnancy After 40: IVF, Unexpected Challenges and a NICU Baby - Part 1
In this two-part episode, Louisa shares her experience of becoming a first-time mum in her forties — from waiting to feel “ready,” to navigating IVF, and facing an unexpected diagnosis during pregnancy.
It’s a story about time, choice, uncertainty, and courage — and about how sometimes, motherhood unfolds in ways we could never plan.
💬 In this episode:
- What it’s like to start trying for a baby in your late 30s and early 40s
- The emotional and medical journey through fertility treatment and IVF
- Discovering that her baby had exomphalos (omphalocele) — what that means, and what came next
- Finding support and strength in uncertainty
- Reflections on what “being ready” for motherhood really means
🩺 Useful Resources:
- NHS: Exomphalos (Omphalocele)
- Tommy’s – Having a baby over 40
- Fertility Network UK
- NHS – IVF and fertility treatment
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/omphalocele/
💛 Raising with the Village
This podcast is about real parents sharing real stories — because no one should feel alone in parenthood.
New episodes every Thursday!
🌐 Website: https://raisingwith.co.uk/
📸 Instagram: @raisingwiththevillage
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and all major platforms.
If you’d like to share your own story — about birth, parenting, or family life — get in touch via the website or Instagram DMs.