Who we are

When Push Comes To Shove was founded in 2021 by Nickita Starck.

Who We Are

Welcome to “When Push Comes To Shove” (WPCTS), where we transcend traditional maternity care to embrace a holistic approach, education, and advocacy. At the heart of our mission lies the commitment to empower expectant mothers and families with knowledge, support, and care that honours the natural process of childbirth and respects individual choices.

Our Approach

Rooted in a philosophy that views childbirth not a medical event but as a profound life experience, WPCTS offers a sanctuary where women can learn, grow, and feel supported in their journey. We believe in the power of informed consent, the importance of understanding human rights in birth, and the vital role of holistic care in ensuring positive birth experiences.

Our services include a wide array of accredited courses designed for those seeking comprehensive knowledge in holistic maternity care, whether to enrich their own birthing experience or to pursue a path as birth professionals. We provide robust training programs, community support, and one-on-one guidance, all aimed at nurturing a new era of empowered, informed mothers and caregivers.

Our Advocacy and Support

At WPCTS, advocacy is at our core. We strive to illuminate and challenge the over-medicalisation of childbirth, advocating for practices that respect the natural capabilities of women’s bodies. Our voice in this arena is amplified by the support and collaboration with renowned organisations and individuals who share our vision for a transformative approach to health. This includes alliances with NOTONTHEBEEB, Jaclyn Dunne, The PHA, Dr Ahmed Malik, Maajid Nawaz, Dr. Sam White, Dr. Tess Lawrie, The Children’s Health Defence, The World Doctors Alliance, and Dr. Sherri Tenpenny.

Join Our Movement

WPCTS is more than an organisation – it’s a movement. We invite you to join us in this journey of empowerment, education, and change. Whether you are an expectant mother, a healthcare professional, or someone passionate about changing the landscape of maternity care, there is a place for you here. Together, we can advocate for better practices, educate for informed choices, and support families in experiencing the transformative power of birth.

Medical Disclaimer

Please note that we do not provide medical advice. The information and guidance we offer are based on our experience in advocacy, natural/holistic birth support for maternity care and postnatal issues. Your pregnancy is your responsibility, and it is crucial to seek suitable medical care from qualified healthcare professionals. Always consult with your healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns or decisions about your pregnancy and childbirth. Our advice is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Nickita started her birth journey in 2008 when she gave birth to her first daughter. After a very traumatic birth she started asking questions. Her grandmother explained to her that was she had experienced was ‘common’ NOT ‘normal’. This gave Nickita a thirst for birth knowledge and so her journey began. She briefly studied midwifery but quickly decided that was not for her.

Since then she has learned her skills through a rather an unconventional methods. Although she trained to be a doula, she has also gained knowledge from granny midwives and ancient traditional practice.

Nickita is a mother to two daughters, an author, birth activist, teacher, traditional birth attendant and singer / songwriter.

Nickita has been bestowed with a remarkable honour of carrying forward the legacy of Beverley Beech, the renowned author of the book ‘Am I Allowed?’, which highlights the crucial topic of childbirth rights. Beverley has been a mentor to Nickita and has imparted all her knowledge and experience in the domain to her. In December 2022, Beverley received the devastating news of being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Knowing the significance of her book and the impact it has had on countless lives, Beverley selflessly decided to transfer the copyright of her book to Nickita. This gesture signifies the trust and admiration that Beverley has for Nickita, who has been instrumental in bringing Beverley’s life’s work to fruition. Moving forward, Nickita will bear the responsibility of overseeing any further editions of the book and its sales. This is a testament to Nickita’s profound understanding of the subject matter and her relentless efforts towards implementing Beverley’s vision. The book ‘Am I Allowed’ has transformed the lives of many, and Nickita’s stewardship will ensure that its profound message reaches even more individuals in need. The funds from the sale of ‘Am I Allowed?’ will be used for The When Push Comes To Shove Access Fund.

Empowering you to make informed decisions and help other women

Empowering women by providing them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make informed choices about their childbirth experiences. We are passionate about advocating for the right of expectant mothers to receive comprehensive information to make well-informed decisions about their maternity care.

Medical Disclaimer

Please note that we do not provide medical advice. The information and guidance we offer are based on our experience in advocacy, natural/holistic birth support for maternity care and postnatal issues. Your pregnancy is your responsibility, and it is crucial to seek suitable medical care from qualified healthcare professionals. Always consult with your healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns or decisions about your pregnancy and childbirth. Our advice is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

WPCTS Freebirth Ethos

At WPCTS, we advocate for the principle of informed choice in childbirth, recognising freebirth, or unassisted birth, as a legitimate option for expectant mothers. Freebirth is the act of giving birth without the presence or assistance of medical professionals such as midwives or doctors. It’s a deeply personal decision, legally permissible, and one that a woman has the right to make without coercion, bullying, or manipulation from anyone.

Taking responsibility for your choices

We encourage every woman to carefully consider their reasons for choosing freebirth or a wild pregnancy. It’s crucial to understand the motivations behind this decision. If your choice stems from a fear of hospitals or dissatisfaction with available options, it may not be a true choice but rather one made under duress. Freebirth should be a decision made from a place of love, trust, and responsibility, not taken lightly or simply because of external influences like a podcast.

This is a deeply personal decision that requires thorough research and self-reflection. Connect deeply with yourself to understand your feelings. This level of consideration should apply to any birthing choice, including hospital births. Birth is not just a physical experience but an energetic and spiritual one as well.

Birth workers & vulnerable freebirthers

For birth workers, if you encounter a vulnerable woman choosing to freebirth and you believe she may be unsafe, lacks mental capacity, or is in a situation of domestic abuse, please recognise that this may not be an informed choice. In such cases, additional support and resources should be sought to ensure the safety and well-being of both the mother and the baby.

Our role is not to encourage or discourage freebirth but to support and empower women in whatever birthing decision they feel safest with. We believe that empowerment comes from being fully informed, connected to your divine wisdom and understanding one’s rights. To facilitate this, we provide resources and information, including guidance from reputable organisations like The Royal College Of Midwives and Birthrights, to ensure women understand how the NHS approaches freebirth and their rights in this regard.

Understanding Freebirth/Unassisted Birth

Freebirth, also known as unassisted birth, refers to the process of giving birth without medical assistance. This choice is often made by women who wish to experience childbirth in its most natural form, within the comfort of their chosen environment, and without medical intervention. The decision to freebirth is rooted in the belief in the body’s natural ability to give birth and the desire for a deeply personal and autonomous birthing experience.

In the UK, while freebirth is legal, only a qualified midwife or doctor can legally ‘attend’ a birth to provide clinical care. For birth workers like doulas or birth keepers, their presence at a freebirth is legal, but they cannot perform clinical tasks or interventions. Their role is solely to provide emotional, informational, and practical support.

For former midwives acting as birth keepers, it’s crucial to note that without current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, they cannot legally practise as midwives or provide any form of clinical care. Their role, like that of a doula, would be limited to non-clinical support.

Our Commitment

At WPCTS, we are committed to respecting and supporting the choices of expectant mothers, advocating for a safe, respectful, and empowering birthing experience, whatever form it may take.

Know your rights

Below is The Royal College Of Midwives briefing sheet so you know how the NHS approaches freebirth. This also states no woman should be referred to social services just on the grounds of freebirthing

RCM

https://www.rcm.org.uk/media/3904/freebirth_draft_23-april-v5-002-mrd-1.pdf

Birthrights

https://www.birthrights.org.uk/factsheets/unassisted-birth/

For birth workers

Only a qualified midwife or doctor can “attend” a birth and provide clinical care in the UK. There exists a singular level of engagement as a midwife during the process of childbirth. This role is safeguarded by Article 45 of the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001. Consequently, it is considered an infringement for anyone other than a duly registered midwife or a registered medical practitioner to be present with a woman during childbirth. Exceptions to this rule are made only for emergency situations or when it is an element of sanctioned training within those professional domains. Please see: (NMC 2017, updated 2021).

Definition of “attending” a birth

In the Nursing and Midwifery Council (Midwives) Rules Order of Council 2012 (SI 2012 No. 3025), the following definitions are listed:

‘Attendance upon’ – providing care or advice to a woman or care to a baby whether or not the midwife providing the care or advice is physically present; ‘baby’ includes an unborn

baby during the antenatal and intranatal periods; ‘childbirth’ includes the antenatal, intranatal and postnatal periods.

Can a doula/birth keeper be present at a freebirth?

Yes, doulas can be present at medically unassisted births in the UK. A medically unassisted birth, also known as a “freebirth” or “unassisted home birth,” refers to a birth that takes place without the presence or assistance of medical professionals such as midwives or doctors.

Doulas, as non-clinical birth support professionals, can provide emotional, informational, and practical support to individuals who choose to have an unassisted birth. Doulas can help create a comfortable and supportive environment, offer relaxation techniques, provide encouragement, and assist with non-medical aspects of the birthing process.

It’s important to note that while doulas can provide valuable emotional support and comfort during unassisted births, they are not qualified to provide medical care, interventions, or assessments. Doulas should not engage in clinical tasks such as monitoring vital signs, conducting medical assessments, or performing medical procedures. If any medical complications arise during an unassisted birth, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical assistance from qualified healthcare professionals.

In the UK, individuals have the right to make informed choices about their birthing experience, including the option to have an unassisted birth with the support of a doula.

I want to engage a former midwife as a birth keeper, can she legally attend?

If a former midwife is no longer governed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), they do not have the legal authority to practise as a midwife or provide clinical care, even if they were previously registered as a midwife. Once a midwife’s registration with the NMC has lapsed or if they are no longer actively practising within the scope of midwifery, they should not perform clinical tasks or interventions associated with midwifery. This includes attending births and providing medical care