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
#5- Melissa - Three babies, three water births
In this powerful episode, Melissa walks us through her three water births — two of which resulted in rare “mermaid babies,” born entirely in their amniotic sac. She also shares how she discovered she had a heart-shaped uterus, her anxiety during pregnancy, and how each labour unfolded.
From a dramatic early pregnancy scare to three medication-free water births, Melissa’s story is filled with surprise, humour, and extraordinary moments (including her first baby swimming to the surface still in her sac!).
✨ Key Topics Covered
- Discovering a heart-shaped (bicornuate) uterus at 8 weeks
- Two babies born en caul (in the sac) — “mermaid babies”
- Why water birth felt right for Melissa
- Anxiety during pregnancy & navigating unexpected bleeding
- The difference between her first, second, and third water births
- The role of midwives, her mum, and her partner
- Gas & air, pain management, and what really happens in the pool
- Going past her due date for the first time with baby #3
- A sweep that triggered labour
- Recovering between births and leaving the hospital within hours
- The emotional side of birth stories and trusting your body
💬 Memorable Moments
- “Half of my uterus knew I was pregnant… the other half didn’t.”
- “My firstborn literally swam to the top in her little alien sack.”
- “I know it sounds like I made my birth stories up — but I swear it all happened!”
- “Gas & air? I’m taking that if they let me!”
- “With my second, I gave birth at 4:45 AM and was walking around Sainsbury’s by lunchtime.”
📚 Resources Mentioned / Related Helpful Links
These links provide accurate, medically reviewed information related to topics in the episode.
Water Birth
- NHS Guidance — Water Birth
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/what-happens-at-the-hospital-or-birth-centre/
En Caul Birth (“Mermaid Baby”)
- Parents — En Caul Birth Overview
https://www.parents.com/baby/all-about-babies/you-have-to-see-this-video-of-a-baby-born-in-an-amniotic-sac/
Bicornuate / Heart-Shaped Uterus
- Cleveland Clinic — Bicornuate uterus
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22798-bicornuate-uterus
Signs of Labour & What to Expect
- NHS — Stages of Labour
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/the-stages-of-labour-and-birth/
Mucus Plug (“The Show”)
- NHS — What Is the Mucus Plug?
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/signs-that-labour-has-begun/
Gas & Air (Entonox)
- NHS — Pain Relief in Labour
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birt
💛 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.