Story guidelines

Why we publish personal stories

The women who find Fear Free Childbirth are often in the middle of something frightening and lonely. They've been told they'll be fine, that everyone feels this way, that it will pass. They don't yet know that what they're experiencing has a name, that other women have been through it, and that things can change.

Your story can be the one that reaches someone at exactly that moment.

We publish stories about tokophobia, pregnancy anxiety, birth fear, birth trauma, and reproductive trauma – what it felt like, what helped, what you wish you'd known. We are not looking for polished writing or a tidy ending. We are looking for honesty.

What we ask of you

You don't need to be a writer. Some contributors write a full draft; others send us notes, voice memos or bullet points and we help shape it into a piece together. Tell us what works for you.

You can change your mind. If you want to pause or pull out before publication, you can. After publication, you can ask us to take your story down at any time.

You decide how much to share. You can use your full name, a first name only, or a pseudonym. Choose carefully: once your story is published, the name stays as it is. You can be as specific or as general as you like about the details of your experience.

What to include

There is no fixed formula, but the stories that resonate most tend to cover:

• What your fear or anxiety felt like – the reality of it, not a summary of it
• When you first realised something was wrong, or that what you were feeling had a name
• What you tried, what helped and what didn't
• Where you are now – this doesn't need to be a full recovery story; even "I'm still in it but I understand it better" is a valid and valuable place to be
• What you wish someone had said to you when you were at your worst

Length is flexible – most stories run between 600 and 1,200 words, but we'll work with what your story needs.

Privacy and anonymity

We take this seriously.

• You choose your name before publication: full name, first name only, or a pseudonym. Once your story is live, it stays as it is
• Any identifying details – location, workplace, names of partners, family members or healthcare providers – can be changed or removed at your request
• Photographs are entirely optional. If you share one, it will only be used with your explicit approval and only in your story, never in social promotion without separate permission
• If you share details about other people (a partner, a healthcare provider, a previous loss), we will handle those with care and discuss with you before including them
• Before publication, we'll ask you to confirm in writing that the story is your own, and that anyone in it who hasn't agreed to be named has been anonymised

The process

1. Get in touch. Email hello@fearfreechildbirth.com with a few lines about your experience and whether you'd like to write it yourself or work with us to shape it. There is no pitch to perfect – just tell us roughly what you've been through.

2. We'll have a conversation. We'll reply within 5 working days. If your story feels like a fit for FFC, we'll have a short email exchange (or a call if you prefer) to understand your experience and talk through how you'd like to approach it.

3. Write or talk – your choice. Write a draft in your own words, or send us notes and we'll draft something for you to review. Either way, we shape it together.

4. You see it before it goes live. We'll show you the edited piece before publication, so you can check it and tell us about anything that's wrong or feels too identifying. As with everything we publish, Fear Free Childbirth has the final say on the edit, including the headline.

5. Publication. We'll let you know when it goes live and send you the link. You're welcome to share it – but there's no obligation to. Some contributors share widely; others prefer it to exist quietly. Both are fine.

6. After publication. You can ask us to remove your story at any time, for any reason. We will act on removal requests promptly.

Rights and terms

Your story stays yours: you keep the copyright in what you send us, and you can ask us to remove it at any time. As with every piece we publish, Fear Free Childbirth has final editorial control, and we'll show you the edited version before it goes live. While it's live, it's exclusive to Fear Free Childbirth. The full story terms, including what removal can and can't reach, are on our contributor terms page.

What we won't do

• Publish your story without showing you the edited version first
• Use your photograph without separate permission for each use
• Sensationalise your experience or use it for shock value
• Include details you've asked us to remove
• Contact you repeatedly if you decide not to proceed

A note on difficult content

Some stories involve pregnancy loss, birth trauma, experiences with healthcare providers, or decisions that weren't straightforward. We are experienced in handling all of these with care. If your story touches on any of these areas, please mention it when you first get in touch so we can make sure we approach it appropriately.

Questions

Email us at hello@fearfreechildbirth.com – we read everything and will always reply.

Fear Free Childbirth is published by Blossoming Limited. Founded by Alexia Leachman.