Davina McCall: “Empowering women to get the birth that they would like”

Out now, BIRTHING is Davina McCall’s most personal project yet - a guide that takes parents from conception through to six months postpartum, with the trademark honesty and warmth that has made her one of the UK’s most trusted voices. 

For Davina, the journey to writing BIRTHING began many years ago. “I probably would have written BIRTHING a long time ago, but until I'd written Menopausing, I didn't have a place of recognition in women's health at that point.

“So, I wanted to write about BIRTHING when I was in-between my second and third child, because I'd had such a good experience and I thought ‘I really want to share this with people and try and get a book out there that will help other women enjoy their experience of giving birth, but I just didn't have the kudos’. I was in the middle of presenting Big Brother, and I was more known for reality TV than women's health.

“Menopausing was really the book that has allowed me to do this book, and I'm so pleased I've been able to write it, because I do believe that empowering women to get the birth that they would like – with absolutely no judgment whatsoever – is really important for the woman giving birth, for her partner and very, very importantly, for their baby.”

Giving women back their voices

One of Davina’s key aims with BIRTHING is to break down the idea that parents must simply hand over their choices to others during labour.

“One of the things that I wanted to demystify was this idea that you just have to hand the power all over to somebody else. 

“You can have opinions on what you would like to have, and how you would like to have it, how you'd like the lighting to be in your birthing room, whether you want to be on the bed, if you can bring things to your birthing room, and how you’d like your birth to be. 

“That’s such a huge part of the book, giving parents the confidence to have the birth that is right for them, and giving them a voice in what can be a very overwhelming, as well as magical, time.”

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Power and vulnerability during pregnancy

Davina has always been open about her own experiences, and with BIRTHING she wants expectant mothers to feel seen and supported in every way.

“I really believe that pregnant women feel both at their most powerful and their most strong, because you can't believe that you are actually creating life inside your body. But you are also at your most vulnerable, and you deserve a lot of attention and care. We owe it to pregnant women to do that for them. 

“We really, really must look after them, and I really want them to feel loved, appreciated, empowered, taken care of and safe. That's what I hope they’ll feel and what I most want women to take away from BIRTHING.”

Tackling the overwhelm

The book spans the full journey - from conception to the early months of parenthood - and Davina is keen to acknowledge just how difficult parts of that journey can be.

“I think one of the hardest things in the journey is getting pregnant. For some women, this is a very difficult, emotional, painful time. I really wanted to dedicate quite a lot of the book, a big chunk, not just [a] couple of pages to that, and also have lots of resources in the back for women who are struggling more. 

“There are a lot of resources in the back of the book for any kind of groups or clubs or people that you can talk to, or for whatever the outcome, for anything that happens during your attempts to get pregnant, being pregnant and right through to six months after giving birth. So, I think it's feeling supported on whatever part of your journey you are on."

Davina’s advice to her younger self

When asked what she would tell her younger self about giving birth, Davina’s answer is simple.

“Relax. I was trying so hard to be the perfect first-time mum with my daughter and I was so tense about it all. 

“By the time I got to my third child, I really felt like I knew what I was doing, and I was just so much more laissez faire about it. So yeah, just chill out!”

Changing the conversation

Ultimately, Davina hopes BIRTHING helps women feel more confident about the conversations they can have – and less afraid of judgement.

“I really hope that women will be able to start to talk about the kind of labour that they would like to have without feeling any risk of judgment. 

“Being judged for something that you would like is revolting. It is a really terrible thing that shouldn't happen, and we need to be nicer to each other, and in particular women. We go through enough in life as it is, don't judge other women's decisions! Let’s look out for each other and support each other, and let's change the way we view how other people do things, even if it's different to how we personally might approach it. 

“This is your journey and it’s so uniquely personal, you should feel empowered to do what you feel is right for you and your baby.”

About the author

Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she creates content that’s designed to make life easier for parents. Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a PTA meeting, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking her two dogs up and down country lanes.