Australian Birth Stories

Elizabeth’s newborn baby was readmitted to hospital to treat jaundice which is one of the primary reasons a baby will need to return to hospital after discharge. She had to navigate conflicting medical advice and opinions on the ward which isn’t an uncommon experience in the postpartum health space. I encourage you to listen to this episode because it really highlights the importance of breastfeeding education and having support people to advocate for you. Elizabeth will be back in a few weeks time to share her pregnancy journey and incredibly positive birth under the care of MGP midwives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode Leila shares her beautiful birth stories; her first at home, and her second which was a twin birth in hospital at 41+2. Leila thoroughly educated herself about birth and postpartum in her first pregnancy so when it came to her twin pregnancy, she was well aware of how she wanted to be supported and opted for a private midwife to help her navigate the hospital system. Despite going well beyond her estimated due date, she achieved what she calls “homebirth in the hospital” with her twins. She’ll be back in a few weeks time to tell us all about her postpartum experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode Naomi takes us through her first pregnancy and admits that she was so focussed on her birth preparation that she didn’t once think about her postpartum journey. Her birth was challenging and the newborn days were full of anxiety, severe sleep deprivation and a lot of not-knowing. Four months later she learnt about traditional postpartum care which inspired her to become a postpartum doula. Her knowledge and experience informed her next pregnancy and birth; she opted for an independent midwife and a doula, planned a homebirth, filled her freezer with nutrient-dense food and employed a postpartum doula to mother her as she mothered her baby. Naomi is wise, warm and a wonderful source of information for anyone who is pregnant and hoping to plan and prepare for postpartum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode Dara discusses her choice to have a private obstetrician and the steps she took to educate herself and plan a vaginal birth. Towards the end of her pregnancy she decided that being focussed on one birth option didn’t feel right so she started exploring what an induction, emergency caesarean and planned caesarean may look like. It proved to be a worthwhile practice because at 41 weeks her baby wasn’t engaged and her cervix was long and firm; instead of opting for an induction, she chose to have a planned caesarean which was an incredibly positive experience for her. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I interviewed Alice about her births in episode 18 and episode 110 but today she talks about her varicose veins in postpartum which are hereditary but got increasingly worse with each of her pregnancies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, Jessie shares her first birth story. Her pregnancy was a surprise and she admits the shock of it definitely informed her experience. With a history of anxiety and depression she worked closely with her psychiatrist and psychologist to navigate changes to her medication and her fears around birth. She also had regular appointments with a pelvic floor physiotherapist who helped relieve her vaginismus and prepare for labour and birth. She made the choice to have an epidural as soon as she felt like the labour pain was becoming too much for her but it was light - she could still feel her legs and was aware of the urge to push - which helped with a quick second stage. Jessie speaks honestly about her mental health and breastfeeding challenges but also emphasises the pure joy of being a mother and the deep love she has for baby Luna. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Billi discusses what it was like to discover she was pregnant at 14 weeks, subsequently missing her entire first trimester. She hired a private midwife for her birth and planned a homebirth that required a hospital transfer after her baby was born. Billie’s postpartum plans had to pivot, an experience that she found really mentally challenging despite being a clinical psychologist. She goes on to share the highs and lows of postpartum, the imposing nature of the mental load and the inevitable relationship challenges as she and her partner adjusted to parenthood. She also sings the praises of being in a mother’s group because of the diversity of preferences and the perspective-shifts and realisations that come from having conversations with other mums. ----------- Enjoy a free wooden ABS birth comb with any purchase of The Birth Class, The Caesarean Birth Class or The Birth Bundle. Valued at $19.95 *while stocks last Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonus episode to say Thankyou. FREE Gift with purchase Enjoy a free wooden ABS birth comb with any purchase of The Birth Class, The Caesarean Birth Class or The Birth Bundle. Valued at $19.95 *while stocks last Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Larissa takes us through her three births across 14 years. She fell pregnant for the first time when she was 18 and followed her doctor's advice to have a caesarean. In her second pregnancy - six years later - she attempted a VBAC but had to be induced and an emergency caesarean was recommended. Her third and fourth pregnancies ended in second-trimester miscarriages and Larissa takes us through her choice to have medical management and birth her babies vaginally. Her next pregnancy continued to full term and as well as being educated about achieving a VBAC2, she surrounded herself with a supportive team and birthed her baby in “the best moment of her life.” _____________________ Check out - our empowering, evidence based online birth education program that will help you confidently prepare for a positive birth experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today Kate and Dylan are incredibly generous with sharing the birth of their first child and the significant challenges of postpartum. Dylan has lived with anxiety his whole life but in the first few months of parenthood his anxiety was debilitating and was only amplified by his baby’s cries. He was eventually admitted to the mother and baby psychiatric unit; a supportive space where he could receive psychiatric treatment and support while learning to bond with his baby. _________ Gain the knowledge and skills to navigate labour, birth and postpartum with confidence through our . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode Jessie shares her incredibly positive physiological birth which was so rare in the private hospital she birthed in, that five midwives came to watch. With the support of her doula and the midwife on staff, Jessie navigated her labour with the TENS machine, the shower, bath and a bit of gas. She admits that it was difficult for her to ‘get’ pushing but when her midwife suggested she sit on the toilet - because it’s just like doing a poo! - Jessie’s baby was born soon after. This is a wonderful episode that will inform and inspire you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Eleanor Pendleton takes us through the challenges of her first postpartum and the lessons learned from her breastfeeding experience with engorgement, oversupply and persistent mastitis. When it came time to plan her second postpartum, she did so with a deep understanding of Eastern philosophy and the intention to carve out a dedicated period of rest and recovery. As she prepares to return to work, she’s brimming with gratitude for the choices she made and the support she enlisted. ____________ Get support through our 8-part audio program guiding your empowered and confident transition into motherhood, . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode Steph takes us through her early pregnancy journey and explains her choice to have a private obstetrician. She prepared for labour and birth and the possibility of an emergency caesarean with The Birth Class and after her waters broke at 35 weeks, she was induced and opted for an epidural. Her baby’s heart rate was a concern and Steph’s obstetrician recommended an emergency caesarean which she agreed to. Her experience was incredibly positive and she wanted to share in the hope that she could inform and comfort other mothers in the same situation. She also details her breastfeeding challenges and her choice to formula feed for her own health and happiness. _____________________ Check out - our empowering, evidence based online birth education program that will help you confidently prepare for a positive birth experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following on from her birth story in Amber shares her breastfeeding challenges which were complicated by her long labour, traumatic birth and significant blood loss. Regardless of her professional knowledge as a midwife and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), she had to navigate profound hurdles including delayed onset of milk supply, infant weight loss, engorgement and fast letdown. This episode blends personal experience with professional knowledge and is a must-listen if you’re currently pregnant and planning on breastfeeding. ____________ Get support through our 8-part audio program guiding your empowered and confident transition into motherhood, . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode Georgia shares her two positive birth experiences; her first an induction with epidural, her second a physiological birth seven minutes after she arrived at the hospital. She admits that she’d not a big reader but was determined to finish ‘The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth’ and 24 hours after reading the last page her waters broke. She chose Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) at her local public hospital for both pregnancies and second-time around, credits education and active preparation for her positive, empowering birth and postpartum experience. _____________________ Check out - our empowering, evidence based online birth education program that will help you confidently prepare for a positive birth experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, Chloe explains her choice to have public hospital pregnancy care so she could spend money on allied health services in postpartum. It was a choice that served her incredibly well as she had significant breastfeeding challenges and opted for at-home support from a GP + IBCLC specialising in perinatal health. Towards the end of her pregnancy, Chloe had multiple scans to check her baby’s growth and when an induction was suggested, she used the BRAIN decision-making model to assist her. Despite the fact that her labour and birth wasn’t what she planned, she felt like she had agency every step of the way and looks back with fondness on her experience because she felt heard, respected and supported (the foundations of a positive birth). ____________________________________ Check out - our empowering, evidence based online birth education program that will help you confidently prepare for a positive birth experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keira shared her first birth story in and today she takes us through her second pregnancy, detailing the head game of IVF, the daily challenge of severe hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and the positive birth of her daughter, Goldie. Keira was vomiting between 30 and 40 times a day in this pregnancy, she had suicidal thoughts, was bedbound and literally counted down the days till birth. She describes it as a horrific pregnancy but was also strong and capable enough to advocate for herself in the hospital system, seek the support of and is now sharing her story to educate others. ____________________________________ ____________________________________ Thanks to today's sponsor, a three-piece adjustable pillow designed to provide peace of mind by encouraging safe side sleeping all while giving your belly some much needed relief. Sleepy Belly don’t normally discount their products but have provided a 10% off promo code for Australian Birth Stories listeners. You can purchase a Sleepy Belly today at using the promo code ABS10 for 10% off head to Sleepy Belly Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Natasha discusses her fraternal twin pregnancy and her choice to have a planned caesarean. She opted for private obstetric care with a doctor who specialised in high risk and twin pregnancies and experienced a relatively smooth pregnancy aside from severe nausea in the first trimester and back pain in the third. When she started developing symptoms of pre-eclampsia, her caesarean was brought forward. She talks in detail about the highs and lows of early postpartum and what it’s really like to care for two babies at once. _______________________________________ Prepare for a positive birth experience with my new book . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all know babies are expensive but how much does pregnancy, birth and parenthood actually cost? I’ve joined forces with , a customer-owned ethical bank and a certified B Corp, to make pregnancy finances less overwhelming. In this 5-part mini series I take you from preconception to postpartum with health and finance professionals who outline everything you need to know about fertility treatment, maternity leave, birth options, childcare and budgeting for a baby. Breastfeeding and sleep concerns are common in early parenthood but unfortunately, many GP’s aren’t qualified to support you through these challenges. So where do you go for professional advice? In this episode, Dr Eliza Hannam discusses her early motherhood experiences alongside her role as a GP, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and a Neuroprotective Development Care practitioner. What does all this mean? She’s the gold standard when it comes to perinatal care. Eliza explains how she supports new parents, the rebates available for allied health services including mental health plans, and how you can access free breastfeeding support. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode Hannah - an endorsed midwife and IBCLC specialising in postpartum care - shares her incredibly positive story of birthing her 5.1kg baby at home (with an intact perineum to boot!). Hannah expected her conception journey to take time as she has endometriosis and PCOS but she actually conceived unexpectedly, much to her surprise and delight. She knew she wanted a homebirth but she was also aware that a homebirth through the public system had strict policies and as a tall woman, she presumed she would have a big baby which could become a hurdle. With this in mind she opted for private midwifery care and the support of a doula. If you’re after an uplifting story to inspire you, this is it. _______________________________________ Prepare for a positive birth experience with my new book . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all know babies are expensive but how much does pregnancy, birth and parenthood actually cost? I’ve joined forces with , a customer-owned ethical bank and a certified B Corp, to make pregnancy finances less overwhelming. In this 5-part mini series I take you from preconception to postpartum with health and finance professionals who outline everything you need to know about fertility treatment, maternity leave, birth options, childcare and budgeting for a baby. Navigating centrelink, nutting out your maternity leave rights and child care subsidies can be a logistical nightmare. In the current climate with rising costs and an increasing number of childcare deserts across the country, financial planning for parenthood is overwhelming. In this episode Georgie Dent, writer, journalist and executive director of , takes us step-by-step through all the financial support systems available to parents, including the upcoming changes to paid parental leave. Georgie is a tireless campaigner for parental support and rights, hence she’s the very best person to speak on this topic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Allison takes us through her journey to motherhood and subsequently, her empowering and enlightening autism and adhd diagnosis. She weaves in and out of her pregnancies to share information about music therapy and the brain and how music - rhythm, tempo, mantra - is one of the best soothing tools we can teach our children and use for ourselves. Allison details the sensory overwhelm of pregnancy and breastfeeding, her experience with endometriosis, parenting an autistic child and her recent miscarriage which she honoured with a distinct period of rest and reflection. If you are neurodivergent or you think that you may be, this episode will be the comfort and guidance you need. I consider it essential listening, especially for perinatal health specialists caring for neurodivergent people in pregnancy and postpartum. _______________________________________ Prepare for a positive birth experience with my new book . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all know babies are expensive but how much does pregnancy, birth and parenthood actually cost? I’ve joined forces with , a customer-owned ethical bank and a certified B Corp, to make pregnancy finances less overwhelming. In this 5-part mini series I take you from preconception to postpartum with health and finance professionals who outline everything you need to know about fertility treatment, maternity leave, birth options, childcare and budgeting for a baby. Understanding your care options and working out what you want in pregnancy can be tricky, especially if you’re in the first trimester and overwhelmed with fatigue and nausea. In this episode I delve into your private maternity care options by exploring the costs of obstetric care in a private hospital and private midwifery care in either a public hospital, birth centre or in your home. Dr Natalie Elphinstone (along with her Practice Manager and husband, Michael) discusses the often complex health insurance rebates while Liz Wilkes, Managing Director at My Midwives, explains all the options and costs of private midwifery care. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Jo takes us through her experience with unexplained fertility and her shock at conceiving on her first embryo transfer. She opted for private obstetric care and had a planned caesarean because of placenta previa. She conceived naturally with her second baby and her Geelong-based obstetrician was supportive of a VBAC from the get-go. Unfortunately Jo’s pregnancy was overshadowed by a hospital crisis but her obstetrician guided her through the experience and despite the upheaval, she achieved her VBAC. _______________________________________ Prepare for a positive birth experience with my new book . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Part 2 of my mini series in partnership with , a customer-owned ethical bank and a certified B Corp, to make pregnancy finances less overwhelming. In today's episode we cover the cost of Fertility Treatment with Dr Violet Kieu, consultant gynaecologist specialising in fertility, reproductive endocrinology, and fertility preservation Planning a pregnancy is one thing, successfully conceiving is another. One in six Australian couples will seek fertility treatment, for both medical and/or social infertility. In this episode I chat to highly regarded fertility specialist, Dr Violet Kieu about infertility, recommended lifestyle changes and what you can expect from the intrauterine insemination (IUI) and invitro fertilisation (IVF) process. The financial costs are significant, especially if treatment is ongoing. However, it’s really difficult to give exact figures considering every person’s infertility experience is different, as are the investigations, tests and procedures that are recommended. If we’re talking ballpark figures, you can expect to pay $1500 for IUI after a Medicare rebate and roughly $5500 for each round of IVF. There are also publicly-funded fertility clinics and while the waitlists are long (and often time is something you don’t want to waste), they do make both IUI and IVF significantly more affordable. Consider this episode a thorough guide to your fertility treatment options. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thousands of families every year experience Termination for Medical Reasons (TFMR). We know that women’s stories can offer information, guidance and immense comfort to those currently navigating their unborn baby’s diagnosis and it’s for this reason that Marian wanted to share her story. She takes us step by step through her first pregnancy with baby Emmy who had a rare genetic disorder, confirmed at 29 weeks gestation after weeks of tests and investigations. Marian and her husband chose to terminate for medical reasons with the support of the hospital’s ethics team and Emmy was born days later. Marian’s postpartum experience was grief-filled but she was also motivated to take care of herself so she could honour Emmy. When she fell pregnant again she embraced everything about her pregnancy and experienced a joyful and redeeming birth with her rainbow baby, Leni. _______________________________________ Prepare for a positive birth experience with my new book . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to my new 5-part mini-series where I take you from preconception to postpartum with health and finance professionals who outline everything you need to know about fertility treatment, maternity leave, birth options, childcare and budgeting for a baby. We all know babies are expensive but how much does pregnancy, birth and early parenthood actually cost? I’ve joined forces with , a customer-owned ethical bank and a certified B Corp, to make pregnancy finances less overwhelming. ------- Budgeting for a Baby with financial advisor Canna Campbell While half of all pregnancies in Australia are unplanned, for those considering starting a family, money is often a significant deciding factor. We know that financial stress affects our physical and mental wellbeing and that’s particularly pertinent in pregnancy, it’s just that no one really talks about it. In this episode I chat to Canna Campbell, a financial advisor who also shares financial education, tips and tricks at @sugarmummatv. If you want to know more about budgeting for a baby, understanding the benefits of a financial counsellor or financial planner and the best way to prepare your finances for one less income, this episode is a must-listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode Bec shares her experience with a third-degree tear and the shock, grief and recovery that came afterwards. Her second and third pregnancies ended in miscarriage and she details the emotional toll it took on her and the way it affected her ability to connect with her next baby in pregnancy. Despite being told that she would need a caesarean birth after her 3C tear, she hired a private midwife, planned a homebirth and worked closely with a women’s health physio to actively prepare her pelvic floor and perineum for birth. She birthed baby Nyah in the pool and her perineum was completely intact; not even a graze! This is the inspiring story for all those women preparing for a vaginal birth after severe perineal trauma. --------------------- Prepare for a positive birth experience with my new book . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You can hear Carla’s first birth in episode 188 which was a long labour and an emergency caesarean. Determined to achieve a VBAC for her second birth, she had a private obstetrician (known as the ‘VBAC queen’) and a private midwife to ensure she had support at home and advocacy in the hospital. She laboured beautifully but her second stage was long and challenging and ended in a forceps-assisted birth and a week in hospital as her baby boy developed sepsis. For her third birth, Carla knew from the outset that she wanted the healing experience of a homebirth so she rallied her support system and achieved a dream labour, birth and postpartum experience. --------------------- Prepare for a positive birth experience with my new book . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Miscarriage affects over 150,000 families each year in Australia yet it’s still often silenced in the media and community. In this episode Isabelle Oderberg takes us through her multiple pregnancy losses, two births and her determination to discuss the silence and science of misscarriage in her new book, Hard to Bear. As well as detailing her heartache and frustration, she also brings to light some of the medical data around miscarriage, the deep silence of termination for medical reasons (TFMR) and the importance of a trusted and hopeful care provider. --------------------- Prepare for a positive birth experience with my new book . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Amber takes us through her first pregnancy with the professional insight of ten years experience as a midwife. Determined to access continuity of care in a public hospital, she developed a beautiful sense of trust with her midwife, embraced birth preparation and actively planned her postpartum. When her hind waters started leaking she was devastated because she knew an induction was likely. Three days later her forewaters broke, induction began and she laboured beautifully all day but with the urge to push, her cervix became swollen and she requested an epidural. She was in theatre preparing for an emergency caesarean when the obstetrician confirmed she was fully dilated and baby Winter was born with forceps assistance. Unfortunately Amber knew she was at high risk for a postpartum haemorrhage but the severity of it left her very traumatised and significantly impacted her early breastfeeding experience. --------------------- Prepare for a positive birth experience with my new book . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, Brigid shares her experience with bipolar disorder and the challenges she faced in planning her first pregnancy. Brigid and her partner met with her psychiatrist to create an action plan regarding her medication before conception. Unfortunately her change in medication led to a hospital admission and months later, still determined to have a baby, she conceived while knowing that her medication may affect her baby’s heart. From preconception to postpartum, Brigid was supported and cared for by an exemplary healthcare team who guided her through an early labour scare at 28 weeks, gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Sleep was a priority for her mental wellbeing in the first six weeks postpartum so a long hospital stay and family support ensured Brigid didn’t relapse in that high-risk period. We need to hear more stories like Brigid’s to reduce the stigma of mental health and medication and I have no doubt this episode will comfort those women currently navigating a mental health diagnosis and pregnancy. --------------------- Prepare for a positive birth experience with my new book . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following on from Elise’s first birth story in episode 208, today she shares her second pregnancy and birth with baby Bobby. Before she conceived, she experienced a prolapse for the first time and talks about the shock of it and the fear instilled by incorrect information. She finally sought professional guidance from a women’s health physiotherapist who helped her realise that she’s been doing her pelvic floor exercises incorrectly her entire life. Much like her first pregnancy, Elise intuitively knew when she would conceive and although her pregnancy was challenging - nausea, vomiting, insomnia and low immunity - she enjoyed the final weeks of the third trimester and decided at the last minute to have a home waterbirth. Elise is so generous in sharing her most vulnerable moments and reiterates the importance of trusted midwives to encourage and support you. --------------------- Prepare for a positive birth experience with my new book . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Perinatal psychologist Yara Heary shares her two birth stories and interweaves her professional insights to form a rich (and extra long) episode. In her first pregnancy she attended an education class about birth options and, after choosing community midwives for her care, she birthed at home. She talks at length about her challenging breastfeeding experience, relationship challenges in new parenthood and the importance of a safe space to talk through her thoughts and feelings in postpartum. Her second pregnancy was unplanned, hence she had to do a lot of therapy to come to a place of acceptance and excitement. This episode is brimming with honesty about the inherent challenges of motherhood and the fact that joy and grief coexist - in pregnancy, postpartum and parenthood. --------------------- Prepare for a positive birth experience with my new book . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I chat to Alexandra about the day she woke up with a sudden longing to have a baby. Her partner at the time didn’t have the same desire so she left New York and returned home to Melbourne to live with her parents, heartbroken but hopeful. She dated with dedication but didn’t meet anyone who she felt could be the father of her child or a life partner. Under pressure to beat her reproductive timeline, she pursued the path of solo-motherhood, had a really positive birth experience and was incredibly supported in early postpartum. --------------------- Prepare for a positive birth experience with my new book . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first study on pregnant women’s brains was published in 2017. While the research may be new, it’s also profound; pregnancy prompts the greatest structural brain change in response to any life experience which can help you better understand yourself in the fourth trimester and early postpartum. In this episode, I chat to neuroscientist Dr Sarah McKay, who explains how the new mother’s brain goes into a state of plasticity which makes it very easy to learn. She also discusses changes to the non-birthing parents brain, oestrogen as a cognitive enhancer and the importance of prescribing sleep. It’s time to let go of the derogatory colloquial term baby brain so we can be empowered by the brain changes after birth. Learn more . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following on from episode 383 where Sarah shared her surrogacy journey, this week we hear Elle’s side of the story. Elle and her husband Luke have four boys - Sonny born at 25 weeks, Alfie born via surrogacy and Taj and Lenny who were both stillborn. Elle takes us through her deepest grief and greatest hope including her three-year long IVF journey, NICU experience and the serendipity of finding Sarah and watching her grow baby Alfie. This story will stay with you long after you’ve listened. --------------------- Prepare for a positive birth experience with my new book . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Motherhood sociology isn’t a common career but for Dr Sophie Brock, it’s an area of study that provides so many answers to the modern motherhood experience. Sophie really breaks down the difference between being a mother, the act of mothering, and the culture of motherhood which allows us to separate our personal experience from the expectations of the society we live in. She also dives into the perfect mother myth, the care/career conundrum and maternal guilt. This is a brilliant episode to unpack the world in which we mother in and a rousing encouragement to figure out what you care about, let go of your guilt and foster compassion for ourselves and other mothers in our community. Learn more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah is the mother of four children and always loved being pregnant. After her fourth baby was born, she started looking into what the surrogacy journey could look like for her. Months later an instagram post from Ellie, a woman she’d met at a wedding, changed everything. They met for coffee and so began a life-changing journey. Once the legalities were in place, Ellie and Luke’s embryo was placed in Sarah via IUI and she carried baby Alfie to full term, birthed him in the bath and then handed him to his mum. This story is a must-listen and a testament to Sarah’s generosity of spirit and big, big heart. As for Ellie’s side of the story? It’s coming soon! --------------------- Prepare for a positive birth experience with my new book . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you feel like you need practical mindset tools to navigate the challenges of motherhood, you’ll love this episode with psychologist Yara Heary. She emphasises the fact that we can always repair the ruptures we’ve created - whether that’s in our relationships or our mothering - and reiterates that there’s a profound power, for us and our children, when we say sorry. She also highlights the importance of recognising and fulfilling your hierarchy of needs, creating boundaries for yourself and embracing a beginner mindset. I gained so many insights from Yara and felt so confident moving forward in my mothering and my marriage after chatting with her. I feel like this is an episode you’ll want to return to every few months for guidance. Learn more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode Hollie shares her three very different vaginal birth experiences. Her first baby was measuring big on third trimester scans so while a few obstetricians told her a planned caesarean was the safest option, she chose to be induced. She opted for an epidural and birthed her baby within six hours of the syntocinon drip starting. Four months later she discovered she was pregnant again and at her 19 week scan the sonographer noticed that her cervix was shortening. Hollie had a cervical stitch inserted and later had it removed at 37 weeks. She went into spontaneous labour a week afterwards and noticed a significant difference to the induced labour with her first baby. Her third pregnancy was planned and her labour was fast; she birthed her breech baby at home before the paramedics arrived. --------------------- Prepare for a positive birth experience with my new book . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is a must-listen for all mothers, regardless of when and how you birthed. I chat to highly regarded women’s health physiotherapist, Sue Croft, who explains what happens to the pelvic floor in pregnancy and how we can best navigate weakness and prolapse after birth. She reiterates that prolapse is not a devastating diagnosis and encourages us to access guidance from a women’s health physio, find perspective and actively separate our anxiety from our physical symptoms. I also speak openly about my own prolapse and the physical and emotional journey I’ve been on for the past nine years. I gained so much comfort and knowledge from Sue and I hope the information shared provides you with more pelvic floor awareness. Learn more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Jessica shares her experience with cystic fibrosis (CF), an inherited disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system. At 21 she was told she would need a double-lung transplant but a few years ago she was accepted onto a clinical trial that changed her life. The therapy was eventually available on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS) and after many conversations with her husband, she decided she wanted to try for a baby. Inspired by the many mothers in the CF community, she armed herself with support in pregnancy and had a private obstetrician and a private midwife alongside her CF healthcare team. Jessica’s story is a brave and beautiful one and she reiterates the importance of informed choice every step of the way. ___________ Have you heard the news? My new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is now available for purchase. This book covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Get yours today. I hope you love it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“The dread of going into the night alone with a baby is very normal because it’s not how we were designed. In many traditional societies, and even societies today, like Indigenous communities, babies would have multiple adult carers - sometimes 8-14 - every single day. Doing this job of raising a baby at home alone, with not a lot of friendship or professional support, informational support or support with basic chores like cooking and cleaning, is exhausting. I hope this understanding can help you be more forgiving and compassionate towards yourself, to lower your standards. It’s hard, but understanding that it takes a village to raise a child - in a very literal sense - can help you in early postpartum and encourage you to reach out for support whether that’s childcare, meal deliveries, help from family and friends or guidance from a health professional.” - Julia Jones in today's episode for our Postpartum Uncovered Mini Series brought to you by Boody. Read more . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Kaitlin shares her experience with placenta previa. Her first pregnancy and birth was an incredibly positive experience and she birthed with the support of hospital midwives at her local birth centre. As soon as she discovered she was pregnant for the second time, she booked a private midwife but her plans for a homebirth changed at 20 weeks when an ultrasound showed her placenta was on the edge of her cervix. Kaitlin admits she was deeply disappointed but she informed herself, looked at all her options, prepared with The Birth Class and spoke to obstetricians to gain their advice. At 37 weeks when the placenta hadn’t moved, she booked in at her local hospital. She went into spontaneous labour but when she started bleeding she went straight to hospital and had a very surprising birth experience. ___________ Have you heard the news? My new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is now available for purchase. This book covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Get yours today. I hope you love it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, Meg shares her two positive inductions. She fell pregnant at 39 with her first baby yet her advanced maternal age (AMA) didn’t affect her care options or her birth choices. She knew she wanted continuity of care and accessed the MGP programme at her local hospital alongside the support of a student midwife. Her induced labour was relatively quick but she admits that the second (pushing) stage was her greatest challenge. In her second pregnancy she embraced the lessons shared in The Birth Class and loved the guidance and direction of her midwife while birthing her baby. Meg’s story is beautifully told and incredibly positive; a really great starting point if you’re new to pregnancy and the podcast. ___________ Have you heard the news? My new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is now available for purchase. This book covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Get yours today. I hope you love it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura’s story is unforgettable as she describes the healing power of birth with honesty and grace. She came to pregnancy with a history of mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, PTSD and eating disorders that stemmed from childhood and adolescent sexual abuse. She has worked closely with her psychologist to work through her trauma but she admits that the final part of her journey was labour and birth; she considered it a powerful way to heal and connect with her body. She surrounded herself with supportive care providers, embraced birth education via The Birth Class and laboured beautifully at home before going to hospital and birthing her baby boy. As she says with immense gratitude: “It was a birth and a rebirth for me.” ___________ Have you heard the news? My new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is now available for purchase. This book covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Get yours today. I hope you love it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is for all the women who have messaged me begging for a positive story about vaginal birth after a severe perineal tear. Here is all the inspiration (and information) you’ll need! Diana shares her experience with a fourth-degree tear and details her shock when she was told that she had a recto-vaginal fistula. She admits that she did very little birth preparation and was happy to go with the flow but when it was time to birth her baby, she couldn’t feel anything because of the epidural. Furthermore, her baby was born in one push. Diana’s complications made for a physically and mentally challenging postpartum and motivated her to do things differently for her subsequent birth. Determined to embrace support and preparation, she worked closely with her doula and MGP midwife and had a physiological labour with perineal support that resulted in a small second-degree tear. ___________ Have you heard the news? My new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is now available for purchase. This book covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Get yours today. I hope you love it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Kristy shares her journey with MS alongside her first pregnancy. She opted for continuity of care with a private obstetrician and admits she was happy to go with the flow for her birth options. At 37 weeks, when protein was detected in her urine and her blood pressure was elevated, her obstetrician recommended an induction because she had concerns about preeclampsia. Kristy’s birth experience was incredibly positive but in the days afterward, when new MS symptoms arose and her baby lost over 10 percent of his birth weight, she started to feel overwhelmed by the challenges facing her. She takes us through her postpartum and talks honestly about her experience, especially regarding her decision to stop expressing at 4 weeks so she could go back on her MS medication. ___________ Have you heard the news? My new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is now available for purchase. This book covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Get yours today. I hope you love it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Catherine shares her two very different birth experiences. Her first baby didn’t engage and at 41+4, she opted for an induction. After a long labour and an epidural, she wasn’t progressing and felt it best to have a caesarean. While her postpartum was beautiful, she navigated feelings of failure and a significant lack of self-confidence. Following two devastating missed miscarriages, Catherine conceived again and opted for private midwifery care. Informed, prepared and surrounded by a supportive and protective birth team, she experienced an empowering Homebirth After Caesarean (HBAC). ___________ Have you heard the news? My new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is now available for purchase. This book covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Get yours today. I hope you love it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.