BBC Radio 5 Live to air new strand on pregnancy and childbirth
The Bump Club will follow expectant parents through the ups and downs of pregnancy and offer expert advice
By David Crawford
Tuesday, 5th March 2013 at 5:28 pm
Tony Livesey is set to launch BBC Radio 5 Live's new strand Bump Club in his show tonight. Every Tuesday at 10:30pm he will host a half-hour feature in which he follows Bump Club members through their pregnancies and talks to experts who will offer their advice and insight.
Livesey will also be hearing from mum-to-be comedian Shappi Khorsandi and new dad Danny Robbins about their experiences. Beverley Turner – who is on an advisory panel at King's Hospital about natural pain management techniques and has had two homebirths – will be reporting on pregnancy and birth issues, closely following the Bump Club women and presenting a Bump Club Easter special.
Talking about the launch of Bump Club, Livesey says, "It's going to be fascinating. There's nothing on Earth like becoming a mum or dad and I'm going to enjoy sharing the moment with our listeners. As a dad of two I've been there, done that and mopped the sick off the T-shirt."
As well as the feature in Livesey's regular Tuesday night programme, from 26 May Edith Bowman, who has just given birth to her second son, and Radio Times columnist Colin Murray, who hasn't, will present a weekly Sunday morning Bump Club show, following the expectant mums as they approach their due dates.
The launch will introduce four Bump Club members — Lorna, Holly, Mercy and Laura — who will share their stories so far. Talking about taking part, Lorna says "I can't wait to get involved. Everyone's experience of pregnancy is different and this is a great opportunity to reassure others that there is no such thing as a textbook pregnancy – or if there is, I've never met anyone who has had one."
As well as the on-air programming, the conversation will continue on the 5 Live Twitter feed @bbc5Live and Facebook page, with extra content and updates from the mums. There will also be a weekly Bump Club podcast to download after each Tuesday programme, available via the 5 Live Bump Club homepage.
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