Australian Birth Stories

In today’s episode, I interview Jayde Couldwell. Jayde shares her pregnancy and childbirth experiences with all three of her girls. Jayde suffered from Hyperemesis Gravidarum in all three of her pregnancies. Jayde had her second daughter through Tweed hospital and decided to have her third daughter there as well. After Yumi’s birth, Jayde started to experience heightened anxiety and mood swings. She went to her GP and explained her feelings; however it wasn’t until she went away with friends for the weekend that things escalated. Jayde suffered a series of panic attacks which lead her to ask her friends to take her to the Emergency Room. Jadye was diagnosed with acute anxiety and postal depression. She takes us through her journey and how she sought help to move through this challenging period. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After struggling to conceive for four years, Gemma conceived her first child Flynn through IVF. Her second son Arti was also conceived with the help of IVF so it was a complete surprise and shock when Gemma fell pregnant with her daughter naturally. Gemma suffered from Hyperemesis Gravidarum in her previous pregnancies; however, this time, it was much worse. She found it incredibly difficult to care for her 2 and 4-year-olds and her husband had to take over their care while she was forced to stay in bed. Despite her HG Gemma went on to have a magical water birth under the care of midwives. She used Hypnobirth Australia tracks to remain calm and focused, and she loved her birth. To hear Gemma’s story tune into this week’s show. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kiah fell pregnant very quickly with her first child, her daughter Luna. She elected to go through shared care with her local GP and went on to have her baby through the local public hospital. To Kiah’s complete surprise, she found out she had gestational diabetes at 28 weeks. Thankfully, Kiah was able to manage her diabetes through diet control. To hear how her births unfolded, tune into this week’s show. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s podcast episode, I interview Megan Gale. Megan shares the births of her son River and her daughter Rosie. She delivered both her babies under the care of Private Obstetrician Dr. Len Kilman at the Epworth Hospital. Megan tried for several months to conceive her first baby. She admitted that busy work schedules between both her and her husband restricted their opportunity to try so after a few months they got serious about prioritising their fertile window and conceived their little boy River. Megan generally felt well during her pregnancy despite morning sickness in the first trimester. She had a private class with the well-renowned birth educator Juju Sundin (author of the Birth Skills), and she felt prepared to have an active labour. To hear more about Megan’s pregnancies, her miscarriage and life juggling work and two beautiful babies tune into this week’s episode. Brought to you by If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Hypnobirthing Australia Practioner Shari Lyon. Shari shares her two pregnancies and births of her son Harley and Taleah. After hearing only negative birth experiences, Shari found her self quite fearful of birth when she found her self unexpectedly pregnant. Her mother delivered Shari under general anesthetic due to complications, and Shari was anxious about the entire process. She then decided to scrape together the money she had left over after living overseas with her partner to attend a Hypnobirth Australia course. Everything change from that point on, not only in her birth plans but also for her new career path. To hear more about Shari’s story tune into this weeks show. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Rachel Burke. Rachel shares her first pregnancy and birth of her little boy Hugo. Very early on in her pregnancy, she experienced some bleeding while working on a fashion shoot interstate. Panicked, she called her GP and then made her way to the hospital to try and determine if she was having a miscarriage. Thankfully the bleeding began to ease up over the next 24hours, and it was later determined that she was experiencing an implantation bleed. Rachel went on to carry her baby to full term and was induced. To hear her full story, tune into this weeks episode. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nat Kringoudis is a Dr in Chinese Medicine and acupuncturist who has worked in women's fertility health for many years. When it came to conceiving Nat was very fortunate to fall pregnant relatively quickly. She took a calm birth course and was due to deliver her first child at the Family Birth center at the Mercy Hospital for Women in Melbourne. At 30 weeks, when Nat was away for work, she went into labour and needed to be airlifted back to Melbourne. To find out what unfolded tune into this weeks episode. Topics covered: bed rest, irritable uterus, cystic fibrosis, acupuncture, breastfeeding challenges, calm birth, emergency caesarean. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Laura. Laura suffered from endometriosis and spent the few months leading up to trying to conceive is very mindful of her diet and lifestyle to regulate her cycles. She went on to conceive her first baby Link shortly after actively trying to conceive. Throughout her pregnancy, Laura became increasingly anxious about her birth and her diet. Devastatingly Laura’s first son suffered a stroke in utero, and she delivered him sleeping. To hear more about Laura’s journey tune into this week’s episode. Today's episode is sponsored by women’s health physio Shira Kramer. Shira has helped thousands of women through pregnancy, postpartum and beyond, and has recently launched her 8-week online program, Restore Your Core, designed to help busy mums return to exercise safely post-bub with a focus on core and pelvic floor recovery. It includes daily exercises, interviews, and videos, all completed in the comfort of your own home for less than $20 per week. Shira would like to offer Australian Birth Stories listeners 10% off the full price of her program, using the code RYCABS. To find out more about the Restore Your Core program head over to If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Heidi had been on the pill for ten years, and a friend had said it could take months to regulate your cycle after the contraceptive pill, so Heidi decided to come off the pill to prepare herself to hopefully conceive in a year or two. After waiting eighteen months, seeing an acupuncturist and modifying her diet, Heidi’s cycle still had not returned. She decided to go and see an Obgyn who ran several tests and explained that she was most likely suffering from hypothalamic amenorrhea. Heidi continued to see her acupuncturist, and she began taking Clomid to help regulate her cycle. To hear more about Heidi’s journey, tune into this week's show. Today’s episode is brought to you by DockATot. Many mums have called this product their ‘Sleep Saviour’ and attributed their survival of early-motherhood to the DockATot! The DockATot is an multi-award winning baby lounger that has been specially shaped to reinvent the womb. With over 1000 verified 5-star reviews, the DockATot has successfully soothed and settled babies the world over. The DockATot is lightweight and portable making it the perfect baby bed either at home, at grandma’s house or on family holidays. They are handmade in Europe from premium materials featuring both solid colours and on-trend prints. ABS listeners can enjoy 15% off at by using the code ‘BIRTHSTORIES’. So take a look and see how your baby can sleep, lounge and snuggle in style with DockATot. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Teresa Palmer about her third pregnancy and birth of her little girl Poet. If you would like to hear Teresa births of Forest and Bodhi head over to Episode 65. Teresa is a self-proclaimed serial pregnancy test taker, and she took several tests daily to confirm her pregnancy from a few days after conception. During the early stages of her pregnancy, Teresa discovered that her 12-week blood results showed that she had antibodies present. Her husband is a carrier of the Duffy Y gene which her body was making antibodies towards. A side effect is that the baby can become more anemic. To hear more about Teresa’s story tune into this week’s show. Topics include private midwife, vaginal delivery, family entered birth, water birth, cervical lip. Oakie Baby sponsors Today's episode. Oakie Baby offers a beautifully curated selection of clothing and gifts for babies and children, with a particular emphasis on essential items for the first year of your baby's life. They stock brands from all over the world, including Jamie Kay, Snuggle Me Organic, L'oved Baby, BIBs pacifiers, Jellycat, Snuggle Hunny Kids and Quincy Mae and all of the brands they stock are ethically produced, with many being made with organic fabrics. Make sure you check out this beautiful boutique at www.oakiebaby.com.au and until 14th July use the code AUBS15 for 15% off storewide. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, I interview Tammi Keirl. Tammi shares the births of her two daughters, who were both born vaginally through the care of midwives at her local public hospital in Adelaide. After months of trying to conceive, Tammi used an ovulation app to conceive her first daughter Ruby. Tammi had relatively straight forward pregnancies and delivered both her babies with the epidurals. To hear more about Tammi's births tune into this week's podcast episode. Topics include midwifery care, epidural, TENS machine, ovulation, breastfeeding, breastfeeding wear, nursing friendly activewear. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Natalie had both her children through midwifery care in Melbourne. Her first pregnancy was quite straight forward and she delivered her first son at 36 weeks without pain medication. Reuben had a severe tongue tie and she was unable to get him to latch. Natalie expressed around the clock and bottle-fed her little boy. He wasn’t sleeping well and she wasn’t able to enjoy him as she was constantly pumping, feeding and resettling. It wasn’t until Reuben was one-year old that Natalie realised that she had post natal depression. To hear more about Natalie’s story and how she developed cholestasis tune into this weeks episode. Topics include: postnatal depression, midwifery care, tongue tie, cholestasis If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Brigette Warne. After getting married Brigette came off the pill, which she had been taking for many years in an effort to try and conceive. Shortly after coming off the contraceptive pill she began to feel extremely unwell and suffered from cystic acne, had hair loss and a generally felt shocking. After seeing her GP several times to try and work out what was wrong, Brigette eventually discovered she had PCOS. She immediately began researching PCOS and she made a number of different food and lifestyle choices to try and balance her hormones as best she could. To hear more about how Brigette got her periods back and then conceived Flynn after coming to terms with the fact that she may not carry a child, tune into this weeks show. Topics covered: PCOS, the pill, breastfeeding, midwifery care, breastfeeding, nipple shields. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I share with you my third birth. Although Jonathan and I had discussed having a third child, we had not made a final decision so it was a bit of a surprise when we discovered that I was pregnant. I was a bit nervous to tell Jono and I took some home pregnancy tests and watched as the lines got darker each day and it took a while to process. Ottie was conceived while we were on holiday in Fiji which is a nice thought as that’s where Jono is from. The running joke was that we bought an extra coconut home from the homeland. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jess was 24 years old when she fell pregnant with her first child Levi. She and her partner Phil had decided to try and fell pregnant in their first month of trying. Jess went through the public system and had midwifery care. When she reached 40 +10 Jess was induced. Jess fell pregnant with her second son when Levi was just 4 months old. To hear more about how Jess’ births went tune into this weeks episode. Topics covered: induction, vacuum delivery, epidural, birth photography, Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), postpartum bleed, cervical tear, jaundice, postpartum haemorrhage , breech, ECV. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Lou. Lou shares her four pregnancies and births. Three out of her four babies had Intrauterine Growth Restriction IUGR. Lou had her first baby in Perth and at her 20 week scan they realised her baby wasn’t growing as expected. She was induced at 34 weeks as the baby wasn’t growing as they had hoped and the growth started to become uneven. Lou’s second pregnancy went quite routinely and she ended up going over on her expected due date. She went on to have two more premie babies due to IUGR and she also developed Preeclampsia in her fourth pregnancy. To hear more about Lou’s story tune into this weeks show. Topics covered: Intrauterine growth restriction, preeclampsia, NICU, Breastfeeding, breast milk donation Today’s episode is brought to you by my Postpartum Life After Birth audio series. Enjoy $10 off with code mothers day for the month of May 2019. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Rachel March. Rachel shares the birth of her little boy and her twin girls. Falling pregnant at 21 Rachel admired she knew very little about pregnancy and birth she just knew she wanted to have a baby. None of her friend’s had had kids it was all very unknown. Rachel’s pregnancy was considered high risk due to the fact that she was born with a condition called Long QT syndrome. This condition affects Rachel’s heart and hearing. Rachel lost her job at 25 week due to unfair dismissal due to her pregnancy, a case she fought and won, however, it was a very stressful time. After having her little boy Rachel developed postnatal depression which she took medication for and saw a psychologist. To hear more about Rachel’s story tune into this weeks episode. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Kyree Harvey. Kyree tried for twelve months to conceive her first child. She believes stress play a major roll in her struggles to conceive coupled with the challenges of synchronizing her cycles with her husband’s FIFO roster. Kyree found her birth with Alaska very traumatic. She was induced and had an episiotomy that took many months to heal. Going into her second pregnancy Kyree knew she wanted to have a different experience and she sought out Hypnobirth Australia. Kyree connected with Renne from The Birth Space and she used the skills she learned to guide her through her birth. To hear more about Kyree’s pregnancies and births tune into this weeks show. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pip is from Sydney but is currently living in Singapore. Pip spoke to her GP in the lead up to her wedding about falling pregnant. The doctor suggested she come off the pill as it can take a few months to begin ovulating again. Pip fell pregnant in the first month of coming off the pill. She was 20 weeks pregnant at her wedding. For her first pregnancy she went through shared care with her GP and she had the same midwife for all her hospital appointments. To hear more about Pip’s story tune into this weeks show. Sponsored by BodyIce Woman. Enjoy 30% off with code AUSBIRTH Topics include: midwifery care, doula, Singapore midwifery, shared care, nipple thrush, strep B positive. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Michelle. Michelle has two children of her own and she recently carried a baby as a surrogate. Michelle carried a baby Jack for intended parents Kate and Chris. Kate was born without a uterus and new from the age of 13 that she wouldn’t be able to carry her own child. The couples were connected through a surrogate information session and after they were approved through Surrogacy Australia to go ahead with the surrogacy. Kate and Chris began IVF to create an embryo that Michelle would carry. On their third embryo transfer, Michele fell pregnant with baby Jack. After having two straight forward vaginal births with her own children, Michelle had planned a home birth with her husband, doula, birth photographer and the intended parents all present. At 37 weeks Michelle started to notice blood and went into the hospital to have herself and the baby checked out. To find out more tune into this weeks show. Save $10 off Postpartum Life After Birth with code Mothers Day valid for the month of May 2019 Topics included: Surrogacy, IVF, doula, retained placenta, postpartum haemorrhage, expressed breast milk. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Nikki. Nikki is a Paediatric physiotherapist living in Adelaide. Nikki and her husband conceived their first daughter through the assistance of IVF due to her husband’s previous history of treatment for testicular cancer. During her first pregnancy, Nikki suffered from an irritable uterus and an incompetent cervix requiring her to take it very easy and take bed rest at various intervals in the pregnancy. To hear more about Nikki’s births tune into this weeks show. Topics covered: IVF, incompetent cervix, shoulder dystocia, irritable uterus, ECV, breech, retained placenta, nasal gastric tube feeding, testicular cancer. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Sam about her two pregnancies and births. Sam went through the public health care system under the care of her mother, who was a midwife working at the Mater Hospital for her first pregnancy. At 38 weeks one of her midwives questioned whether the baby was in a breech position. Sam had a quick scan in the hospital to check and they confirmed they believed the baby was head down. The next day Sam’s waters had broken. During Sam’s labour they discovered there was meconium in the waters and her baby was in fact breech. Sam was waiting around half an hour as the operating rooms were being used so they couldn’t do a caesarean. They then decided she could deliver vaginally. Very sadly Jack was born still and they were unable to revive him. When Sam was due to have her second baby she decided she wanted an elective maternal assisted caesarean. To hear how Sam advocated for herself and got the maternal assisted birth she wanted with her daughter, tune into this weeks episode. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Jenna and Paul. Jenna is a physiotherapist and Paul is an intensive care nurse. They decided late into their pregnancy that they wanted to opt for a home birth. At 32 weeks they hired a private midwife and had their first daughter at home. They took Rhea Dempsey ’s birth preparation course 'Embracing the intensity'. When they fell pregnant the second time around they had a publicly funded home birth through the Sunshine Home Birth Program. To hear more about their births tune into this week's show. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I welcome back to the show Alice Bingham. Alice shared her first two birth stories in Episode 18 on the podcast. Today she is sharing her third birth of little Lottie. Lottie’s pregnancy was quite different for Alice as the pregnancy was considered high risk for several reasons including the fact that she was in a breech position. To hear more tune into this weeks show. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode Interview Kerrie. Kerrie was diagnosed with a complex cyst on her ovary and she was told it would be more challenging for her to fall pregnant. She was completely surprised to fall pregnant and be told her cyst had disappeared when she saw her doctor. Kerrie had planned to have a drug free vaginal birth and she was completely caught off guard when her first pregnancy ended in an emergency caesarean. To hear more about Kerrie’s birth tune into this weeks show. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Catherine Mack. Catherine fell pregnant on the first try which was quite a shock. She’d anticipated it taking a while and felt unprepared. Morning sickness came on quite fast and she was nauseous up until 32 weeks. Catherine booked in with an Obstetrician a friend had recommended and in her third trimester, she took She Births course. It was at this stage that Catherine began to question whether she had made the right choice for her birth by going private, however she decided to stay in the model of care she had chosen. To hear more about Catherine’s birth tune into this weeks show. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Rosie. Rosie fell pregnant quickly after starting to try to conceive, which was quite a surprise as she had a history of inconsistent periods due to eating disorders. As a physiotherapist, yoga and pilates instructor, Rosie kept very active during her pregnancy despite suffering all day sickness throughout her pregnancy. Rosie booked into a private obstetrician however she also hired her own private midwife and took a Calm birth course. To hear more of Rosie’s story tune into this week's show. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Libby Trickett. Libby fell pregnant quite quickly after deciding to try. At 7 weeks she had a dating scan to check where she heard the heartbeat. She saw her Obstetrician for her initial intake appointment at 9 weeks and sadly the baby had passed away at 8 weeks. When she discovered she was pregnant for the second time with Poppy she decided to announce the pregnancy to friends and family much earlier. She hadn’t told anyone she was pregnant the first time around and she found it very challenging having to announce she had been pregnant but she was now having a miscarriage so she wanted to do things differently this time around. Libby shares she “doesn’t do pregnancy well” She had morning sickness and a myriad of other ailments such as fluid retention and carpal tunnel syndrome which made both her pregnancies very uncomfortable. At 37 weeks Libby began to experience flashing lights and stars in her vision and she went into the hospital and she was induced at 38 weeks due to gestational hypertension. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Jodi Wilson. Jodi shares the pregnancies and births of her four children. As a yoga teacher and childbirth educator, Jodi brings a beautiful perspective to her interview. She even shares some breathing techniques and tools she used in her births. Whilst each of Jodi’s births was drug-free and under the care of midwives, they were all quite unique in their own way. Her third and most challenging birth almost ended in an emergency caesarean section and this traumatic experience left her quite anxious going into her fourth birth. To hear more about Jodi’s experiences tune into this weeks show. Today’s episode of the show is brought to you by my new Service directory on the Australian Birth Stories webpage. The directory showcases some fantastic birth photographers, doulas, physiotherapists and birth education classes right across Australia. If you’re pregnant jump on over and take a look at . If your in the birth service industry and would like to have your business listed please email me at and I can send through some more information. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Ariane. Ariane shares how she conceived quite quickly after years of being on the pill. She was fortunate to find a spot at the Royal Womens Hospital in Randwick through their Midwifery Group Practice. Ariane took a Calm Birth course, read Ina May Gaskin’s books on natural child birth and prepared herself as best she could for a drug and intervention free birth. To find out more about how Ariane’s birth tune into this weeks show. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Stacey Morlang Sullivan. Stacey was diagnosed with Polly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome PCOS at the age of 25. As a keen athlete, Stacey originally put down her lack of regular periods to her intense sports training. When she decided to start trying for a baby with her husband they tried for nearly 4 years. After booking in for IVF treatment, a week before her first appointment was due, Stacy found out she had infant conceived naturally. To find out more about Stacey’s three births tune into this week's show. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Amberley Harris. Amberley is a midwife and lactation consultant and she brings her knowledge and experience to today’s show. At 34 weeks at her baby shower Amberley’s friend, who is also a midwife discovered that her baby was breech. Amberley tried everything she could think of to turn her baby. She had an ECV done at 37 weeks which was unsuccessful. She then found a doctor who was very experienced in vaginal breech deliveries and she prepared herself for a vaginal delivery. To hear how Amberley’s birth went tune into this week's show. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tarryn developed preeclampsia very early at just 19 weeks. Her symptoms began with severe swelling. She continued to brush her symptoms aside as most of her symptoms were listed as standard in pregnancy. She had a blood test done and her blood pressure checked and she came back clear. At 23 weeks Tarryn developed a strong muscular pain between her shoulder blades. She also put on 5kgs of fluid over two days and felt incredibly uncomfortable. She tried to drive herself to the hospital and after having to stop several times along the way she called an ambulance and was taken to the Gold Coast hospital. On arrival, she was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and HELP syndrome and she was transferred to the Mater hospital as they said she would need to deliver at 24 weeks. To hear more about what unfolded for Tarryn and how she went on to have three more little girls tune into this weeks episode. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode I interview Elayna Carausu and Riley Whitelum. Elayna and Riley have been sailing around the world on their yacht La Vagabonde and decided to try for a baby whilst they were sailing in the Caribbean. They were very fortunate to fall pregnant in their first month of trying to conceive. Living aboard the boat meant that they had ultrasounds and blood tests at a variety of different places throughout the Caribbean and the US. The decided they would return to Australia to have the little boy and they hired a private midwife in Adelaide to oversee their care. Elayna shares how she had Skype consultations with her midwife Claire and she felt very comfortable with her choice to have a home birth when they returned. Flying home at 32 weeks pregnant, Elayna took a Hypnobirthing course and bought a birth pool in preparation to have their baby in the Airbnb they were staying in. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Georgia. Georgia shares her pregnancy and birth of her little girl Frida. She had a relatively straight forward pregnancy. As an indigenous woman, she was offered a place Midwifery Group Ngarrama Program through the Royal Brisbane Hospital. To hear more about Georgia’s experience with Calm Birth and to hear how she was able to achieve a drug-free water birth in the birth center, tune into this weeks show. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode I interview Courtney Thornton. Courtney shares with us her two births and her challenges with postnatal depression and breastfeeding. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode I interview Krissy Ropiha. Krissy shares her three pregnancies and births. She initially struggled to conceive due to Polly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and she sought out fertility treatment. With the help of Clomid Krissy was able to conceive her first son. Krissy had both her first two children through the private system and then decided to change things up for her third birth. She took a Hypnobirthing Australian class - Belly2Birth and had a lovely relaxed water birth. To hear more and to learn how Krissy’s youngest was rushed to hospital with a Urinary Tract infection at 7 weeks, tune into this weeks show. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode, I interview Ariel. It took Ariel and her husband over 8 months of trying to conceive until she was able to fall pregnant with their little boy. Her pregnancy was very routine until her 20 week scan when she was advised that her baby had suspected heart and cleft pallet issues. This took Ariel and her husband completely by surprise. They suddenly were asked to have more tests done and they would need to have their baby in a different hospital that had better facilities to help care for her baby when he was born. To hear more of Ariel’s story tune into this week’s show. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Steph. Steph shares her two pregnancies and births through the birth center at the Mercy Hospital in Melbourne. Steph fell pregnant very quickly after deciding to try after getting married. Knowing she was keen to have a natural, drug-free birth she decided to book into the Mercy Birth Centre and she was assigned her own midwife. Steph and her partner took a Calm Birth course and read several books to get themselves in the best position they could go into the birth of their daughter. Steph was quite shocked when she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes in her first pregnancy. To hear more about how Steph’s births unfolded tune into this week’s show. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Amy Wishart. Amy takes us through her three pregnancies and births. She suffered from PCOS so found it hard to navigate her cycles initially. She compares the differences between all three fast deliveries. In her third birth, she hired birth photographer Bree Downes who took these incredible images. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode I interview Sarah. Sarah had her first pregnancy and birth with her son Arthur in Sept 2013. It was a low risk mostly easy pregnancy but after a quick and intense labour he was birthed via ventouse. The birth was traumatic and left its mark, physically in the form of a 3rd grade “c” tear and mentally with years of undiagnosed postnatal depression. Sarah waited years in the hope that the mental and physical trauma would heal so she could add to her family. After the start of the healing journey just shy of 3years later, she surprisingly found out she was having another baby boy. This unfortunately got turned upside down when Aksel was stillborn at 33weeks due to severe brain malformations and after a long and traumatic pregnancy, they had no choice but to let their baby boy go, so he would not need to ever suffer anymore pain. Sarah described the birth of Aksel as so beautiful, peaceful and yet so heartbreaking. Hearing those newborns cries down the hallway when she knew her baby won’t come out breathing let alone crying. It was another trauma her family sadly had endured. Sarah is now pregnant again with not only baby no.3 but their third boy. Everything is crossed that this little guy’s journey helps rewrite over both traumas and she will get to talk about that another time I’m happier light. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode, I interview Eleesha Quinn. Eleesha was incredibly lucky to conceive on her first attempt with her first daughter. Her husband was working a job of fly in and fly out so they had limited opportunities to ‘try’ and they were incredibly thankful to have success straight away. Living somewhat remotely Eleesha went through shared care with her GP and gave birth in Bundaberg Hospital closer to her family. Eleesha was induced and her husband was sent home by the midwives as they felt it would be a long wait. Eleesha actually progressed very quickly and spent the night labouring on her own.To hear more about her births tune into this week’s show For show notes and pics click If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Cait. Cait fell pregnant relatively quickly and went on to suffer from HG up until 22 weeks. Going through the maternity group practice at her local hospital she felt supported and excited to try and have a drug free vaginal delivery. Cait’s first labour was very ’stop-start’ which they later learned was due to the baby being posterior. 52 hours of labour and with a bit of assistance her first daughter was born. Cait’s second delivery could not have been more different. After labouring at home for as long as possible, she unexpectedly delivered her second daughter at midnight on her front lawn as she was trying to make her way to the hospital. Show notes and details: If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Annaliese. Annaliese shares her two births. She suffered terribly from insomnia from as early as the first trimester in both pregnancies. Eventually, she needed to take medication to aid with her sleep as it was becoming impossible for her to carry out her daily tasks and remain sane. Despite admitting she is usually a terrible sick person, in labour Annalise was very calm and quiet. So much so that when she went into the hospital in labour with her first the staff through she was in the very early staged and they left her waiting in the waiting room for a long time only to find she was already at 8cm. To hear more about her story tune into this weeks episode. Shownotes If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode I speak with Elle Rampling. At the age of 28, Elle was having issues with the contraception she was on and her doctor suggested she come off it. Elle and her husband were thinking it would take them six to twelve months to conceive with her history of endometriosis. They were incredibly fortunate to fall pregnant very quickly. Topics: endometriosis, burst ovarian cysts, postnatal depression, home birth, miscarriage, DNC, induction, home birth, private birth, floppy larynx. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode I interview Stacey. Stacey took quite a while to get her periods back after going off the pill. She sought out acupuncture and Chinese herbs to try and regulate her cycles. She found this very effective and was able to conceive her first daughter. She went into labour prematurely after losing her mucus plug at 29 weeks. Shownotes If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Libby struggled for four years to conceive her daughter Izzy. She was so shocked to discover she was pregnant after a holiday away in Hawaii. Due to previous health concerns related to blood pressure, Libby wasn’t able to birth through a birth center or do a home birth which is something she would have loved to have done. Instead, she decided to go Private and she trained in hypnobirthing through the help of her mother who is a trained midwife. Today’s episode is proudly sponsored by Tooshies by TOM. Tooshies, gentle on bottoms and the planet. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steph didn’t plan to fall pregnant. She had just moved to Byron Baby and was doing long distance with her partner when she found out. At the age of 38, she had assumed she perhaps wouldn’t have a child however she was thrilled once the pregnancy progressed. Shortly into her pregnancy, she decided to end her tumultuous, long-distance relationship as she felt she couldn’t be the best mother she wanted to be for her child under the strain of her relationship which involved domestic violence. Steph deliberated for some time whether she should move back to Melbourne to be closer to her closest girlfriends or to stay in her new town of Byron Bay where her parents lived. She decided to stay in Byron and booked in with a private midwife through the Lismore Birth House to have her baby. To hear more tune into this weeks episode. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Gabrielle. Gabrielle takes us through the difficulty of having a miscarriage at 10 weeks whilst living in New York. She didn’t share her loss with those around her at the time and found it a very challenging and isolating time. Gabrielle went on to conceive and deliver her first daughter whilst living in New York. After a drug-free active labour, she suffered an unexplained and traumatic post part haemorrhage. To hear more of Gabrielle's story and how she returned to Melbourne and became a doula, tune into this week's show. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class my online childbirth education course head to the shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.