Australian Birth Stories

In today’s episode, Kelsey shares her three birth stories which detail her evolution as a birthing mother. In her first birth she requested an induction which led to the cascade of intervention; an epidural, instrumental birth, PPH and retained placenta. She found her first postpartum particularly challenging and when she felt ready to conceive again, she experienced three miscarriages, including the loss of identical twins at 11 weeks. In her final two pregnancies, she embraced birth education and midwifery care to prepare for physiological births which left her feeling on top of the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Faecal incontinence affects one in 25 women in postpartum and today, Claire shares her experience. She takes us briefly through her labour and birth and details the confronting realisation that she had no control of her anal sphincter. Thanks to a women’s health physiotherapist who demanded horizontal rest - essential for all new mothers! - pelvic floor exercises and dietary changes, Claire recovered by six weeks. She emphasises how important it is to share her story because she had never heard of it happening before and wondered if it was her new reality; a challenging prospect at a very vulnerable time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today Renee shares her three physiological birth stories so consider this a wonderfully positive episode in honour of Homebirth Awareness Week. She was living in New York with her partner when she fell pregnant at 21 so they hightailed it home to Queensland and had a really positive birth at their local public hospital. Renee admits that the first year of motherhood was lonely; she didn’t have any friends who were also mothers and she had really high expectations of herself that prompted postnatal anxiety. By the time her second was born she had a community of friends supporting her homebirth and conscious postpartum and she trained as a birth doula soon after. Her third pregnancy was her most challenging but the birth was very quick. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katie Rose, a yoga teacher, doula and mother of five discusses her postpartum experiences and the joy and chaos of having a big family. Her eldest is 17 and her youngest is two so she brings a beautiful wisdom to her story, reflecting on her perfectionist early parenting years and the ease and joy she has found by letting go of control and simply being present. If you’re in the depths of early motherhood you will glean so much from Katie’s story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I chat to comedian Celia Pacquola about her pregnancy and birth experience. Motherhood was never a top priority for Celia but when she met her partner, it only took a few months for them to conceive. She chose continuity of care with a private obstetrician, used hypnotism to recover from her phobia of needles and opted for an induction at 39 weeks. She’s frank about the challenges of breastfeeding, the stigma of formula feeding and her postpartum anxiety which was exacerbated by everything she didn’t know about motherhood. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, and in honour of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, Kirby shares her story. After her first two pregnancies and births, she experienced her first miscarriage but knew it was a common experience and wasn’t perturbed by it. However, what followed was a period of infertility and the devastating loss of her two boys, Walt and Alby. Kirby worked with a fertility specialist and reproductive immunologist to prepare for her next pregnancy and after one round of IVF and the transfer of her only viable embryo, she conceived baby June who is now four months old. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Elizabeth shares her first pregnancy and birth experience. She had bloods done before her copper IUD was removed as she has coeliac disease and wanted to ensure her iron levels were adequate before she conceived. Having been a listener of the podcast, she was interested in her local MGP programme and ensured her GP referral was sent early. Elizabeth prepared for birth with The Birth Class and went into spontaneous labour at 41 weeks. Her labour was textbook and she explains in detail the tools she used to navigate contractions. This is a wonderful episode if you’re after a positive, physiological birth story to inform and inspire you. You can listen to Elizabeth’s early postpartum journey in episode 420. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, Samantha details her postpartum journey with her second baby and explains why switching off social media was the best option for her. As a postpartum doula she knew exactly how to prepare for postpartum and prioritised filling her freezer with nutritious food. Yet she was still floored by the intensity of it, challenged by the gap between expectations and reality and discovered the detriment of socials on a vulnerable postpartum mindset. Samantha speaks beautifully about her experience and doesn’t shy away from the hard reality of life with a new baby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, Bridie (one half of the witty/hilarious new podcast Cool Story that will undoubtedly make you smarter at dinner parties) shares her two birth stories. Bridie’s mum is a midwife so she had the utmost faith in her knowledge and expertise and felt supported and safe throughout her entire pregnancy and birth. Her first labour was long and hard and Bridie admits that she was floored by the intensity of the pushing stage and the way her body felt afterwards. Her second birth was quick and calm; she birthed in the water and was discharged hours later. Bridie’s story is both informative and incredibly entertaining; you’ll learn a lot and laugh out loud. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Almost 1 in 5 babies spend time in the Special Care Nursery (SCN) or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Australia. For the mothers of these babies, postpartum is very different to what they planned or hoped for and there’s often a distinct grief that accompanies the stress of having an unwell or premature baby. We can encourage new mothers to organise meal trains and lie down at every opportunity but we also need to make space for those who are sitting for hours on end in hard hospital chairs, heart aching for their baby and juggling hospital and family life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode Leonie shares her experience with perinatal anxiety and depression which manifested as a profound sense of defeat in pregnancy and visceral rage in postpartum. She opted for talking therapy with a psychologist and managed her symptoms but she was still overwhelmed at birth when the love for her baby wasn’t immediate. It’s so important to talk about these experiences because studies show that up to 40 percent of mothers don’t feel love for their baby at birth (instead, it grows and develops over time). Leonie had two positive vaginal births with a private obstetrician who encouraged her despite her requests for planned caesareans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following on from her birth story in episode 419, Leila shares her early postpartum experience with twins. She organised a foundation of strong and trustworthy support including private midwifery care, a postpartum doula and a meal train involving her closest friends. Despite her preparation she still had moments of overwhelm; the sheer amount of hours required to feed and settle twins is significant and it left very little space for anything else. She takes us through the importance of ready-made meals, her breastfeeding challenges, the upheaval of an unexpected hospital admission and the discovery of a prolapse at four months postpartum. Leila also shares her twin-mum must-haves so if you’re pregnant with multiples, you’ll love this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Shelley who shares her two pregnancies and births. Shelley has herpes simplex virus (HSV) and experienced considerable stress throughout pregnancy which led to an outbreak. Despite planning a vaginal birth, Shelley consulted with her care provider and made the informed decision to have a caesarean birth (there are significant risks to the baby if the mother births vaginally with an active HSV outbreak). In her second pregnancy, Shelley was proactive in preventing an outbreak and had a successful VBAC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.