Month: April 2026

How to Build a Railway | Episode Two, Unearthing History

How to Build… a Railway is a twelve-part podcast series exploring the story behind the construction of the UK’s new high speed rail line. This episode explores everything archaeology. HS2’s archaeology programme is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that will reveal over 10,000 years of British history. As Europe’s biggest dig, HS2’s archaeology programme has provided fascinating…

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How to Build a Railway | Episode One, The What and the Why of HS2

How to Build… a Railway is a twelve-part podcast series exploring the story behind the construction of the UK’s new high speed rail line.This episode focusses on why HS2 is needed, the historical context of our country’s railways, project progress so far and upcoming goals. Featuring Bob Gwynne, National Railway Museum Associate Curator. Andrew McNaughton,…

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Episode Six: Birth

In the final episode of Life Before Birth Rhian decides on whether she is going to try for a VBAC birth or planned cesarean section. We hear from a midwife about what happens when you are admitted to hospital in labour, and Rhian goes to Watford General Hospital to have her baby.  Featuring Sarah Puntis,…

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Episode Five: A Watermelon-sized Baby

In this episode, Rhian reaches the third trimester of pregnancy. She attends physiotherapy sessions for pelvic girdle pain, and becomes increasingly more uncomfortable. We also hear from a paediatric consultant who specialises in neonatology, about what happens if your baby is born prematurely. Featuring Nadia Perez, senior physiotherapist, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust Damon Marriott, head…

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Episode Four: Baby MOT

At 20 weeks gestation, you’re half-way through your pregnancy. A real milestone. Rhian gets excited about the 20 week anomaly scan where the baby can be seen in a lot more detail than at the 12 week ultrasound, but also comes to realise that the scan is so much more than a gender reveal.  Featuring…

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Episode Three: The “Golden Period” of Pregnancy

In this episode, Rhian looks forward to the “golden period” of pregnancy where many of the unpleasant aspects of early pregnancy start to disappear. Rhian also finds out more about perinatal mental health, and asks how common is it to develop a mental health problem during pregnancy? Featuring Antonio Sierra, consultant midwife, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS…

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Episode Two: A Flicker of a Heartbeat

Symptoms of early pregnancy can include an increased need to urinate, tender breasts, fatigue, and morning sickness. Rhian contends with the hormonal and physiological changes that come with pregnancy, and attends her first midwife appointment and the combined first trimester screening test. Featuring Antonio Sierra, consultant midwife, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust Hannah Alderson, nutritionist, Carmenta…

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Episode One: Am I Pregnant?

What can you do to improve your odds of having a baby? In this episode, we meet Rhian and her husband, who decide it’s the right time to try for baby number three. Through interviews with a fertility specialist, a nutritionist, and an NHS gynaecologist, Rhian gets the scoop on how you can prepare your…

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