Louise Thompson (Part One) on Happy Mum Happy Baby: The Podcast 

Giovanna, props to you for handling this whole interview (I watched both parts in one sitting) with such grace and sympathy - seeing Lorraine’s clunky and insensitive interview to such a sensitive topic highlights the importance of interview tact. You can tell Louise felt safe and comfortable to share. An inspiring listen. Thank you.

Oh my gosh, I literally thought the other day it would be incredible if Louise came on your podcast. So brave of her ❤

I was lucky enough to have very straight forward births of my children but I have been ignored, put down, offended and even laughed at, at times through my pregnancy and birth journeys. Louise is right you do feel like it’s hard to speak your mind when they are the “experts”. Woman need to have more credit about their own instincts and how their bodies feel. I also felt that if you have other children, after the birth they are less likely to give you encouragement because you’ve “done it all before “. Oh I could go on for ever with this subject. Great podcast ❤

Thank you so much for giving your platform to such an important story. I had a really traumatic birth with my now 18 month old daughter resulting in high functioning PTSD and intense postnatal depression/ anxiety. Hearing her story has helped me feel much less alone 🫶🏼

This is one of the most powerful podcasts I’ve ever listened to. What an amazingly strong woman Louise is for telling her story, I’m sure this will help so many other people! The way this was conducted by Gi was just incredible and so empathetic. Thank you Giovanna and Louise for this! Sending Louise lots of love and healing❤️‍🩹

Giovanna, I am not a celebrity mum, but I am a mum who had a horrific birth during Covid lockdown. I would love to talk to u about my birth on ur podcast and I would love to here stories from regular mums like me……there are so many stories that need to be told, I’m ready x

Jesus Christ this is a tough listen. My heart goes out to Louise. It’s such an under discussed issue - how traumatic childbirth can be - but it’s important to know this before you choose to have children or not. It’s absolutely part of the risk of pregnancy and women need to be informed about all of it.

Gosh poor girl- just shows no matter how privileged you are mums to be still go through the same things - so sorry this happened to you xx

G is literally such a good listener! This is literally like a therapy session. And Louise is so so strong ❤️❤️❤️

Wow this has taken me back 21 years when I had a similar experience with delivering my son. I can feel her anxiety and I had PTSD for years after and physically shook for months. I was an ITU nurse myself and every concern I raised was ignored until 6 hours post birth I lost consciousness as I was bleeding out inside! I was rushed to theatre and had to be awake as they had forced me to eat when I was feeling so ill after the delivery. They also made me go for a bath on my own and the water was like Sweeny Todd! I kept saying I was in pain but no one cared and like Louise I was very fit and well so my body was compromising with adrenaline up to the point my blood pressure bottomed out. I had to have surgery and packing to stem the bleeding while awake and they were all panicking. I even had an out of body experience! It was horrible and after I could not stop shaking as so shocked. I was also convinced my son had an issue but they brushed me off. I discharged myself after 5 days as they made me feel so embarrassed and got a psychiatrist to see me as they said I was paranoid!!!! They almost killed me and at age 7 my son was finally diagnosed with a rare genetic condition and Autism that is a life long disability and I fully care for him still at 21. I was right and they gas lit me to death following their failing. I never trust the NHS as they are generally shit, and I even worked for them for 12 years! I left nursing a few years after that as was so upset not to be cared for by the organisation I was in. 😢

What Louise went through is just unfathomable. Negligent doesn’t begin to cover it!

I had a traumatic birth so this was a difficult watch, but so so important, I'm heartbroken for Louise and Ryan. She's so brave, they both are❤❤❤❤

outstanding podcast there Giovanna with Louise Thompson. I have read Louise's book and I was shocked as to what she went through regarding her traumatic birth. Those surgeons need another anatomy lesson on how to do C sections because clearly they don't have a clue. I'm proud of Louise of sharing her story along with making parliament aware of how awful maternity care. Every women knows her own body and has a right to choose and things need to change now!! If in the future Louise goes through another pregnancy I hope she goes to the Portland Hospital where she will get full support.

I had a lockdown birth and feel like I've pushed it to the back of my mind but when I think back it was a very stressful time. I went into the check-in part of the hospital and partners were not allowed in at this point but I was put in a room for 45 minutes and just left in lots of pain, a nurse eventually came in and asked me to do a urine test, which I couldn't do, then a doctor came in and checked me and I was 9cm so had to be rushed in! Feels like a crazy time!

The most incredible podcast I ever heard and watched! Louise is the most incredible woman and I really appreciate the sensitive way of Giovanna’s Interview Style, all the warmth, love, joy and laughs that come from it and radiate outwards ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

So brave of Louise to talk about this. What a terrible experience. I too went through a terrible birth. Unfortunately, my little boy didn't make it. He would now be 37.

I follow Louise on Instagram and I've read all her posts abour her birth etc so I'm looking forwards to this one xx

What an ordeal Louise has been through bless her.

its refreshing to see somebody with a privileged upbringing/lifestyle etc... to talk about such mental hardship/ mental illness/ ptsd/ physical trauma instead of covering it up.

Are we really surprised about the treatment that most women go through at these hospitals. I've heard of so many horrific stories that it begs the question why some of these nurses choose to become midwives, when their attitudes are revolting. I can't even begin to imagine the fear, confusion, and emotions that Louise went through. Giving birth should be a safe space, and not a hellish experience.

I can totally relate to this- a lot of the feelings Louise had was how I felt 7 months ago when having my emergency c-section with my first baby. Prior to this I was told I was 7cm naturally dilated - no pain relief and ignored almost to then be told I wasn’t at all and having to go back to square one when staff shifts changed. I felt I was in the hands of people who just didn’t have a clue what they was doing. My aftercare in the hospital was shocking too- Sending love to Louise.

Goodness me but my birth experience was similar to this, except I didn't bleed that way; and thankfully for me I was put under general for my emergency CS, but that was not to do with me or my condition - it's because the baby was in distress, and they needed him out in five minutes flat. Poor Louise. What a dreadful experience and truly shabby, inadequate level of care from start to finish.

I am from Costa Rica (centroamerican ) ... And if you pay a pravite hospital you can choose if you want a cesarea or natural birth. And it's not that expensive...

I really wish people would actually listen to this deeply upsetting podcast before leaving comments with "laughing faces" (!!?) Shame on you.

A fire is very disorientating that's why many people don't make it out alive.