Australian Birth Stories

602 | Building Breastfeeding Confidence with IBCLC Dr Amber Hart

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 01:31:17 GMT

Today I sit down with Dr. Amber Hart, a Melbourne-based GP and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Dr. Hart shares her expertise on the realities of breastfeeding, the importance of antenatal education, and addresses the controversial rise in tongue tie diagnoses. Amber offers a refreshing perspective on supporting new mothers through their feeding journeys whilst prioritising mental wellbeing and realistic expectations.

Get our how-to Breastfeeding Guide HERE

Today’s sponsor is iLTutto

iL Tutto is celebrating Easter with something special.

For a limited time, you can enjoy up to 50% off their beautiful range of nursery furniture — including Electric Recliners, Glider Nursery Chairs, Cots, Chests with removable changers, plus Boba Carriers and their cosy Grow Kindly Natural Fibre Sleepwear.

And here’s something just for you — as a listener of Australian Birth Stories, you’ll receive an extra 5% off. Simply use the code ABS5 at checkout to save even more on top of these amazing sale prices.

But be quick — the Easter Sale ends April 6, and the ABS5 code is valid across all reduced items.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

601 | Lucy's Story of an Emergency Caesarean, Twin birth, Redefining Body Image After Birth

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 05:31:04 GMT

Lucy shares her contrasting birth experiences - from an emergency caesarean with her first daughter Ocean at 42+2 weeks, to a planned caesarean with twins Koa and Maddox that took a frightening turn when Maddox was born unresponsive.

Today's episode is brought to you by Bare Mum. Explore the full range of birth, recovery and breastfeeding essentials and enjoy 15% off at baremum.com using the code ABS2025

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

600 | Postpartum - Ruby, breastfeeding, sleep challenges, normal infant biology, low sleep needs

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:34:18 GMT

In today’s episode Ruby shares her journey with infant sleep. We all come to postpartum with a predisposed understanding of baby sleep which usually involves the mindset that it’s the parent’s ‘job’ to ‘teach’ the baby to sleep. But as you will hear in this episode, babies have a primal drive to sleep and their sleep needs are ultimately influenced by their temperament. Ruby sought advice from two sleep training experts (which she admits felt counterintuitive), before she found a sleep consultant who specialises in normal infant biology. From here, Ruby grew to understand her baby’s low sleep needs and subsequently surrendered to a sleep journey that looks very different to her initial presumptions of sleep and settling.

Today’s sponsor is iLTutto

iL Tutto is celebrating Easter with something special.

But be quick — the Easter Sale ends April 6, and the ABS5 code is valid across all reduced items.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

599 | Ellie, Navigating Pregnancy and Birth as an Autistic Mother, Hospital Birth, and Early Motherhood realities

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 04:09:23 GMT

In this raw and honest episode, Ellie shares her journey from home insemination to navigating pregnancy and birth as an autistic woman in a same-sex relationship. Living in Melbourne with her partner Moo, Ellie takes us through their successful home insemination, her surprisingly positive pregnancy experience, and a challenging hospital birth that ended with forceps and episiotomy. Her candid discussion about autism in pregnancy, the realities of neurodivergent motherhood, and her difficult recovery offers invaluable insights for other neurodivergent parents. Ellie's story highlights the importance of advocating for yourself in the healthcare system and finding what works for your family.

Sponsor:

My friends at ergoPouch are gifting you a 20% off discount code. Use the CODE AUBS20 for 20% off sitewide* T&Cs apply.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

598 | Estelle, unexplained infertility, two positive birth experiences, postpartum anxiety, feeding challenges

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 07:35:54 GMT

Estelle shares her complete journey to motherhood - from unexplained infertility and IVF to an unexpected natural conception with her second child. Estelle opens up about the emotional challenges of fertility treatment, her positive experiences with induction and epidural, and her very different postpartum experiences with each baby. She discusses her struggles with breastfeeding anxiety, her decision to formula feed her second child, and how she's learning to trust her instincts as a mother. This episode beautifully illustrates how subsequent pregnancies and births can offer completely different experiences, and highlights the importance of making feeding choices that support maternal mental health.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

597 | Michelle & Michelle IVF journey, reciprocal IVF, miscarriage, emergency caesarean, induced lactation

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 05:19:55 GMT

Today I chat with Michelle and Michelle (yes, two Michelles!), a couple who fell in love at work and knew immediately they wanted to build a family together. Their journey to parenthood was anything but straightforward - spanning over a year of IVF treatments, reciprocal IVF attempts, pregnancy loss, and ultimately a beautiful emergency caesarean birth of their daughter Sage. What makes their story particularly special is how they navigated the complexities of being a same-sex couple in the fertility system, supported each other through multiple embryo transfers, and both pursued breastfeeding through induced lactation. Their honesty about the emotional and financial toll of IVF, combined with their unwavering support for each other, makes this an incredibly powerful listen for anyone on their own fertility journey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

596 | Leila Two Sets of Twins, Two Different Journeys: Leila's Christmas Day Birth Story & Postpartum Village

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 02:53:47 GMT

Leila returns to share her incredible second twin birth story - a Christmas Day birth that began at home and culminated in a powerful breech water birth at hospital. As the founder of Village for Mama and mother to five children (including two sets of DCDA fraternal twins), Leila takes us through her unexpected pregnancy discovery at 21 weeks, her journey of informed choice-making, and the profound difference that building your village can make during pregnancy and postpartum.

From dancing with a glass of non-alcoholic bubbles on Christmas morning to birthing her daughter Elka at home and then transferring to hospital for a footling breech birth of baby Finn in the birth pool, Leila's story is one of trust, intuition, and the incredible power of water birth for twins. She also shares invaluable insights about postpartum planning, the reality of caring for five children, and how she honoured her final 40-day lying-in period.

Today's episode is brought to you by iLTutto

iL Tutto is known for beautifully designed nursery furniture that combines comfort, functionality and timeless style. They’ve just introduced a brand-new Soft Tweed fabric in two gorgeous colours, designed to complement their much-loved Teddy Fleece and Corduroy Frankie and Louie recliners.

You can enjoy 20% off iL Tutto’s range for a limited time. Simply visit iltutto.com.au and use the code ABS20 at checkout.

This offer ends 25 March 2026. Conditions apply.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

595 | Jazz Two precipitous births, hyperemesis gravidarum, navigating motherhood as a midwife

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 03:17:59 GMT

In today's episode, Jazz a midwife, maternal and child health nurse, and sleep consultant, takes us through her remarkable journey to motherhood. From her first precipitous birth during the height of COVID-19 to navigating severe hyperemesis gravidarum whilst living in Far North Queensland, Jazz's story is one of resilience, professional insight, and the reality that being a healthcare professional doesn't make your own birth and parenting journey any easier. Jazz shares candidly about her postpartum anxiety, the pressure she placed on herself as a professional in the field, and how she learned to be kinder to herself the second time around. Her story beautifully illustrates how each pregnancy and birth is unique, even for the same woman, and offers valuable insights for both parents and birth professionals alike.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special Announcement from Sophie

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 03:29:38 GMT

I wanted to share something important with you — especially if you’re currently pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or supporting someone who is. Over the past seven years of Australian Birth Stories, I’ve had the privilege of sitting down with more than 600 women and their families to hear their pregnancy and birth stories. And alongside that, I’ve also birthed my own three boys — each pregnancy, each labour, and each birth teaching me something different about preparation, trust, and the importance of feeling informed and supported.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned — both through my own births and through hundreds of conversations — it’s this:

Birth rarely unfolds exactly how we imagine it will.

But the women who feel calm, confident and empowered aren’t the ones who had a specific type of birth…

They’re the ones who understood their options.
They’re the ones who knew how their body worked.
They’re the ones who had practical tools, trusted support, and evidence-based education behind them.

That’s exactly why I created The Birth Class.

I wanted to bring together everything I’ve learned — from my own experiences, from the stories shared on this podcast, and from Australia’s leading midwives, obstetricians, physiotherapists, lactation consultants, and birth educators — into one calm, clear, comprehensive course.

Because when you understand birth, fear naturally begins to dissolve.

You stop feeling like birth is something happening to you…

And instead, you feel like an active participant in the experience.

You understand how labour works.

You understand your choices.

And you trust yourself to navigate whatever unfolds.

Since launching The Birth Class, more than 7,000 women and their partners have taken the course.

And the feedback I hear again and again is:

“I felt calm.”

“I felt prepared.”

“I felt confident — even when my birth didn’t go to plan.”

Because this isn’t about promising a perfect birth.

It’s about preparing you for a positive experience — whatever that looks like for you.

And for the next few days, all of our online courses are available at 25% off.

You can access the sale using the code BIRTH25.

If you’ve been thinking about preparing for birth…

If you’ve been meaning to enrol…

Or if you’ve been listening to these stories and wondering how to prepare yourself…

This is a beautiful time to begin.

Because birth education doesn’t just change how you give birth.

It changes how you feel walking into it.

You deserve to feel calm.

You deserve to feel informed.

You deserve to feel confident in your choices.

And most importantly, you deserve to feel supported.

You can find all the course details HERE and use the code BIRTH25 to access 25% off.

I’m so honoured to support you in your preparation for birth.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

594 | Fatuma, Hemiplegic migraines, toxoplasmosis, medical advocacy, African birth traditions

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 02:25:02 GMT

Fatuma shares her transformative journey through a high-risk pregnancy that challenged everything she thought she knew about birth, motherhood, and her own strength. What began as an unexpected pregnancy during her honeymoon period quickly became a complex medical journey involving hemiplegic migraines and a toxoplasmosis diagnosis that led to recommendations for termination at 22 weeks. Fatuma's story is one of profound cultural reconnection, medical advocacy, and the power of trusting your instincts as a mother. Her experience highlights the importance of having strong advocates in the birthing room and the beautiful intersection between Western medicine and traditional African birthing practices. This episode will resonate deeply with anyone who has faced difficult decisions during pregnancy or felt the need to advocate for themselves in medical settings.

Brought to you by UKOO. At UKOO, they understand that family isn't just parents and children – it's the aunties, uncles, nannies, friends, and wider community that makes up our village. That's why their gentle, clinically tested range is designed for everyone, from toddlers and teenagers to parents and grandparents. Each thoughtfully crafted product features pre and postbiotics to support healthy, balanced skin across all ages. Made right here in Melbourne, UKOO believes that caring rituals, like the stories we share, are meant to be passed down through generations.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

593 | Serrin- brain bleed in pregnancy, AVM rupture, Gold Coast University Hospital, caesarean

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 03:26:24 GMT

In today's episode, I chat with Serrin a graphic designer from Byron Bayabout her extraordinary pregnancy journey involving a life-threatening arteriovenous malformation (AVM). What began as severe headaches that were initially dismissed as normal pregnancy symptoms escalated into a major brain haemorrhage at 22 weeks. Serrin takes us through her weeks in ICU at Gold Coast University Hospital, living in Airbnbs throughout her pregnancy due to medical restrictions, and ultimately welcoming her daughter Bobby via caesarean at 38 weeks. She also shares her challenging recovery journey, including a second brain bleed following post-birth surgery when Bobby was six months old. This is a powerful story of medical complexity, community support, and finding strength through vulnerability - with important lessons about trusting your instincts and advocating for proper care when something doesn't feel right during pregnancy.

Proudly brought to you by iL Tutto.

To celebrate the release of iL Tutto’s newest award-winning Frankie Electric Recliner, listeners of Australian Birth Stories can enjoy an exclusive 20% off the iL Tutto Trend Collection for a limited time. iL Tutto creates beautifully designed nursery furniture that supports parents through every stage, from those first days at home to life beyond the nursery.

Their ever-growing premium Trend Collection brings together thoughtfully designed, sustainable timber cots and chests, alongside award-winning nursing chairs, including the much-loved Frankie and Louie in Teddy-Fleece and Corduroy.

And now, iL Tutto has welcomed the newest addition to the collection, the award-winning Frankie Chair in Soft Teddy-Fleece, available in two stylish, trend-led colours designed to elevate your nursery and live beautifully in your home long after the baby years.

To celebrate, enjoy 20% off iL Tutto’s Trend Collection for a limited time.

Simply use the code ABS20 at iltutto.com.au.

This offer ends 25 March, 2026.Conditions apply.

iL Tutto, designed for comfort, made to last.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

592 | Josey - Midwife, Home Birth, Third-Degree Tear, Positive Birth Experience

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 06:55:38 GMT

Josey, a midwife from the Central Coast of New South Wales, shares her remarkable birth story that beautifully illustrates how positive birth experiences can unfold even when plans change. Working at Gosford Hospital and living with her husband Fergus (a paramedic) and their golden retriever Maggie, Josey takes us through her journey from conception to welcoming seven-month-old Murphy.

Today's episode is brought to you by Mini + Me's revolutionary new Mama Bites – the world's first 6-in-1 functional snack designed specifically for the incredible demands of motherhood. As any new mum knows, nourishing yourself while caring for your little one can feel impossible. That's where Mama Bites comes in – thoughtfully formulated to support you through every aspect of your postpartum journey.

Each delicious bite delivers six essential benefits: feeding support with galactagogue foods like flaxseeds and almonds, duct function support with sunflower lecithin, gut and vaginal health through maternal probiotics, immune support with clinically researched Wellmune beta-glucan, structural support with collagen peptides for your hair, skin and nails, and energy support through a maternal vitamin complex – all without stimulants or added sugar.

Whether you're breastfeeding, pumping, or simply recovering from birth and navigating sleep deprivation, Mama Bites provides the nutritional support your body craves as part of a balanced diet.

Ready to nourish yourself the way you deserve? Visit Mini + Me today and use code "ABS15" for 15% off sitewide.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

591 | Kim - Two births, from isolation in London to building Australia's largest mum walking movement after two very different births

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 06:37:32 GMT

Kim shares her contrasting birth experiences between the UK and Australia, her journey through postpartum depression, and how she transformed her challenging early motherhood into a national movement supporting mothers. From a medicalised first birth during COVID lockdowns to an empowering second birth that nearly happened at home, Kim's story illustrates how different experiences can shape us and how we can use our struggles to help others. Now the founder of Mum Walk a national charity connecting mothers across Australia, Kim demonstrates how community and connection are vital for maternal mental health and postpartum wellbeing.

Feeling overwhelmed in your pregnancy? Looking to learn how to connect with your breath? Introducing The Birth Meditations.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

590 | Maddy - Three vaginal births, MGP care, third-degree tear recovery

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 04:08:22 GMT

Maddy, a registered nurse and mother of three from the Central Coast of New South Wales, takes us through her complete birth journey. Her story beautifully illustrates how subsequent births can offer profound healing opportunities, especially with the right support team and birth education. Maddy's first birth was an induction which resulted in significant perineal trauma, and postpartum haemorrhage. However, her second and third births through Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) care demonstrate the transformative power of continuity of care, informed choice, and trusting your body's ability to birth.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

589 | Beth, three vaginal births, blended family, returning to motherhood with a 13-year age gap

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 03:50:09 GMT

Beth shares her remarkable journey of welcoming baby Milo – her third child and first with partner Dean. After a 13-year gap since her last birth, Beth navigated the unique challenges of pregnancy in her thirties whilst parenting teenagers Tyler (13) and Ivy (11) from a previous relationship. Her story beautifully illustrates how birth experiences can evolve and how different life circumstances shape our approach to pregnancy and labour. From dealing with a low-lying placenta that was leading to a caesarean birth to ultimately achieving the vaginal birth she desperately wanted, Beth's journey is one of resilience, preparation, and the profound love that binds blended families together.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

588 | Shannon – A Midwife's Journey: Perinatal Anxiety, Miscarriage, Two Empowering Birth Stories

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 04:44:26 GMT

As a midwife with a graduate certificate in perinatal mental health, Shannon thought she was prepared for pregnancy and birth. However, her experience taught her that professional knowledge doesn't shield you from the profound emotional and physical challenges of becoming a mother. Her candid discussion about perinatal anxiety, the impact of her eating disorder history, and her breastfeeding journey with breast implants and suspected insufficient glandular tissue makes this episode essential listening for anyone supporting women through pregnancy and early motherhood.

Shannon's two birth stories - both beautiful home births in her converted studio space - showcase the power of trusting your body, excellent midwifery care, and the importance of mental health support throughout the perinatal period.

Today's episode is brought to you by Bare Mum and their thoughtfully curated Breast Care Kit.

Every breastfeeding journey comes with its unique challenges - from those tender early days with sore nipples to managing unexpected leakage. That's where Bare Mum's midwife-approved Breast Care Kit becomes your trusted companion.

This comprehensive kit offers practical and effective solutions to the common discomforts that come with breastfeeding. Whether you're preparing for your little one's arrival or supporting a new mum in your life, this care kit has all the essentials to nurture and protect during this precious time.

What makes it even better? It's ready to go straight into your hospital bag, taking one thing off your preparation list. And if you're looking for the perfect gift for a new mum, this kit shows you truly understand what she needs during those early breastfeeding days.

As a special treat for our listeners, you can enjoy 15% off your Breast Care Kit with the code ABS2025 at checkout.

Because every mother deserves comfort and support on her breastfeeding journey - Bare Mum's Breast Care Kit, midwife approved and mother tested.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

587 | Zan & Indi - Two births, queer family, home insemination, IVF, surprise breech home birth, induced lactation

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 06:02:15 GMT

In this episode I chat to Zan and Indi, a queer couple from Adelaide who share their remarkable journey through fertility challenges, pregnancy loss, and ultimately both carrying a pregnancy and welcoming two beautiful children. Their story encompasses home insemination, IVF, a surprise breach home birth, termination for medical reasons following a twin pregnancy, and the unique experience of a trans pregnancy. This episode offers invaluable insights into the realities of fertility treatment and the profound strength required to navigate pregnancy loss whilst building the family you've always dreamed of.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Moonpig. Remember the excitement of finding a beautiful card in your mailbox? Moonpig has brought that special feeling back to over 4 million Aussies.

As parents, we know how important it is to celebrate life’s milestones. Speaking of birthdays, it’s actually my son Nik’s 12th birthday this week, so we’ve jumped on Moonpig, like we always do, to create some personalised cards for him. We’ve also made a beautiful mug with a family picture on it, and we really hope that he enjoys it.

With over 33,000 personalised cards for every occasion, you can create something truly special from home. Add your own photos, scan in your handwriting, or even include QR codes for video messages. It’s so much more than a basic supermarket card – it’s a keepsake they’ll treasure.

Starting from just $9.99, you can create something beautiful through their website or the Moonpig app.

And here’s something special for our Australian Birth Stories community – enjoy 50% off your first card plus free standard shipping when you use the code ABS at checkout.

Shop Moonpig today.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

586 | Brittany, 28-week birth, IUGR, preeclampsia, emergency caesarean, NICU journey, heart surgery

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 04:04:53 GMT

Brittany shares her extraordinary journey from a challenging conception to a life-changing premature birth experience. After 18 months of trying to conceive with low AMH levels, Brittany and her husband Braden welcomed their son Tulla at just 28 weeks following a dramatic turn of events. What began as routine monitoring for IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) quickly escalated into preeclampsia, emergency caesarean, and a four-month NICU journey that included heart surgery in Melbourne. Brittany's story is one of resilience, advocacy, and the incredible strength of the parent-baby bond formed in the most challenging circumstances.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

585 | Em Shared care,induction, Postnatal Depression, Perinatal Mental Health Unit

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 02:24:22 GMT

In this week’s episode I interview Em about her pregnancy during lockdown. She was induced at 41 weeks and laboured for a long time alone in the maternity ward before she was transferred to the birthing suite where she experienced the cascade of intervention and birthed her baby boy via vacuum delivery. Em was four months postpartum when she disclosed her sadness to her GP and was subsequently diagnosed with PND and PTSD. Three days later she walked into the Perinatal Mental Health Unit at Mitcham Private Hospital. It was a life changing experience for her and she shares her story in the hope that she can spread the word about the essential postpartum support resources that are available (even if they are notoriously difficult to find).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

584 | Jo, two vaginal births, midwifery care, public hospital, GP, co-sleeping, extended breastfeed

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 09:30:37 GMT

Today I interview Jo, a mother of two and GP who brings so much knowledge and advice to her story. She says that being a mother has definitely made her a better GP although she admits that so many of her expectations of parenthood were thrown out the window when she became a mum. She feels strongly about safe co-sleeping (she shares a lot of evidence around this) as well as extended breastfeeding and the societal pressures that often prompt early weaning. Lighthearted and joyful, Jo shares all the details of her two physiological births and the skills she embraced from to actively relax while her body actively birthed.

You can learn more about The Birth Class here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

583 | Amy's Story of Placenta Previa, PMDD Discovery, and Home VBAC

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 07:21:54 GMT

In this episode, mother of two Amy takes us through her contrasting birth experiences and her profound journey with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). From an unexpected COVID pregnancy in Melbourne to a transformative home VBAC in Adelaide, Amy's story illuminates the challenges many women face but rarely discuss openly. Her candid account of navigating major placenta praevia, the isolation of pandemic motherhood, and the life-changing discovery of PMDD offers hope and validation for countless mothers experiencing similar struggles.

This episode of Australian Birth Stories is brought to you by iL Tutto, the brand loved by parents for creating beautiful, functional, and comfortable nursery furniture and essentials.

Their Black Friday Sale is now live, from November 18 through to December 1, with up to 50% off sitewide.

You’ll find amazing offers like 50% off Felix Gliders and Ottomans in Egg Shell, 50% off Felix Electric and Manual Chairs in Sea Shell, 40% off selected cots and chests including Misha, Kuba, and Hallee, and 20% off Grow Kindly Sleepwear.

Plus, as an exclusive offer for Australian Birth Stories listeners, you’ll get an extra 5% off when you use the code ABS5 at checkout.

Hurry — these offers end Monday, December 1 at 11:59pm.

Shop now at iltutto.com.au

T&Cs apply. Excludes the Trend Collection and furniture packs.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

582 | Jessie Khoo's Second Birth Story of Preparation and Healing

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:32:33 GMT

Mother of two Jessie returns to share her second pregnancy and birth story - one that beautifully illustrates the power of processing previous birth experiences and the importance of comprehensive preparation for subsequent labours. After what appeared to be a "textbook" first birth with daughter Bronte, Jessie discovered she was carrying unprocessed trauma that was creating anxiety about her upcoming second labour. Through the support of a birth trauma counsellor, her trusted doula, and extensive mental preparation, Jessie transformed her relationship with birth and welcomed son Leonis in a profoundly different and healing experience.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

581 | Tori, Nutritionist turned midwife, breastfeeding challenges, EMDR, pregnancy anxiety, emergency caesarean, home VBAC

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:43:09 GMT

Tori shares her transformative journey through pregnancy loss, anxiety, and ultimately triumph. After experiencing a missed miscarriage at 10 weeks, Tori conceived her son Sol but faced a pregnancy filled with complications including fibroids, subchorionic haematoma, and ultimately placental insufficiency requiring an emergency caesarean at 40 weeks. Her second pregnancy with daughter Juno was a complete surprise that led to the healing VBAC home water birth she'd always dreamed of. Tori's story beautifully illustrates how subsequent pregnancies can offer opportunities for healing, especially with the right support and preparation. She also shares her challenging breastfeeding journey with her first child and the EMDR therapy that helped her process the grief, ultimately leading to a successful breastfeeding relationship with her second baby.

Sponsor:

Today's episode is brought to you by Moonpig. Remember the excitement of finding a beautiful card in your mailbox? Moonpig has brought that special feeling back to over 4 million Aussies.

As parents, we know how important it is to celebrate life's milestones. Speaking of birthdays, it's actually my son Nik's 12th birthday this week, so we've jumped on Moonpig, like we always do, to create some personalised cards for him. We've also made a beautiful mug with a family picture on it, and we really hope that he enjoys it.

With over 33,000 personalised cards for every occasion, you can create something truly special from home. Add your own photos, scan in your handwriting, or even include QR codes for video messages. It's so much more than a basic supermarket card – it's a keepsake they'll treasure.

Starting from just $9.99, you can create something beautiful through their website or the Moonpig app. And here's something special for our Australian Birth Stories community – enjoy 50% off your first card plus free standard shipping when you use the code ABS at checkout.

Visit Moonpig.com today. Moonpig – Making life's moments magical, one card at a time.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

580 | Katherine, planned caesarean, unexpected diagnosis, craniosynostosis journey, surgical planning, parent advocacy

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 05:34:35 GMT

Katherine shares her postpartum journey after discovering her son Finn was born with craniosynostosis - a condition where skull sutures fuse prematurely. What began as a planned caesarean birth for her transverse baby quickly became a complex medical journey involving specialists, testing, and preparing for major skull surgery. Katherine's story highlights the importance of early detection, finding the right medical team, and connecting with other families facing similar challenges. Her honest account of navigating unexpected medical complexities whilst managing new motherhood offers invaluable insight for parents facing similar situations.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

579| Melanie Jackson Two home births, 36-hour labour, midwife, acupuncture in labour

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 05:09:42 GMT

Mel is an experienced private midwife and academic researcher who shares her two contrasting home birth experiences - from a 36-hour labour with her first baby born at 36 weeks weighing just 2.3kg, to a euphoric second birth that had her laughing with joy. Her story beautifully illustrates how subsequent births can offer completely different experiences, and how trusting your intuition and having the right support can make all the difference.

The Birth Class our empowering, evidence-based online birth education program that will help you confidently prepare for a positive birth experience. Preparing for your baby's arrival should be as comfortable as possible. With our online childbirth course, you and your partner can learn everything you need to know about birth from the cozy comfort of your own home. Curl up on the couch together, grab your favorite snacks, and join our comprehensive birth classes whenever it fits your schedule. No need to rush to in-person meetings – simply pause, rewind, and review the material as often as you like while you nest and prepare for your little one's arrival.

Our expert-led sessions cover everything from early labour to postpartum care, helping you feel confident and prepared for your birthing journey. Start learning today The Birth Class

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

578 | Maddie - Homebirth, private midwife, cleft lip and palate diagnosis, exclusive pumping journey

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 03:46:53 GMT

Maddie shares her transformative journey from receiving an unexpected cleft lip and palate diagnosis at 22 weeks to achieving her dream home birth despite numerous challenges. As a 36-year-old first-time mother living in Melbourne's Bayside area, Maddie's story beautifully illustrates the power of informed choice, trusting your body, and finding the right support team. Her experience navigating the complexities of birthing a baby with additional needs whilst maintaining her vision for a physiological home birth offers invaluable insights for expectant parents facing similar circumstances.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

577 | Annabel Bower, Stillbirth, Grief After Loss, NICU, Placental Insufficiency

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 21:43:19 GMT

For this week’s episode and in honour of Infant Loss Week, I interview Annabel Bower who takes us through her experience of stillbirth and the immense, layered grief that followed. Two weeks after her fourth child – a boy named Miles – was born still, she started writing about her experience so she could record all the little details that she knew would eventually fade. As she journeyed through a grief that stripped all colour from her world, she documented the days and weeks of life after loss and went on to interview women who had experienced miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss. The finished project is her book, Miles Apart, a heartfelt offering of support for those who have lost a baby and are enduring the incomprehensible grief. Annabel hopes that her words break the stigma and the silence of miscarriage and stillbirth and open a vital conversation for us all to have.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

576 | Lauren Perrett Posterior baby, postnatal anxiety, healing second birth

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 01:18:01 GMT

Lauren shares her contrasting birth experiences with her two boys, Charles and Harvey, whilst navigating the challenges of building two innovative businesses for parents. From her anxiety-filled first pregnancy during COVID to her blissfully calm second experience, Lauren's story highlights the profound difference that continuity of care and mental preparation can make. She opens up about her struggle with postnatal anxiety, the healing power of a positive second birth, and how her experiences as a mother directly inspired her to create BubbaDesk (co-working spaces with childcare) and Wombee (a purpose-built app for mothers). This episode is particularly valuable for expectant mothers dealing with anxiety, those considering epidurals, and anyone interested in how birth experiences can shape entrepreneurial ventures.

Today's episode is brought to you by Wombee. We all know that finding your village as a new mum can feel overwhelming. Traditional mothers groups don't start until 6-8 weeks after birth, but what about all those questions and moments of uncertainty before then? That's where Wombee comes in. Whether you're looking for a group or already have one and want a better way to stay organised, Wombee makes it easy.

Wombee - helping you build your village and take the pressure off finding support, because every mum deserves her people.

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575 | Osteopathy in pregnancy, pain management, pelvic girdle pain, postpartum

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 06:35:43 GMT

In today's episode I chat with Dr Daniela Aiello, a registered osteopath specialising in pregnancy and postpartum care at Bulleen Osteopathy in Melbourne's northern suburbs. Daniela brings over two decades of experience treating pregnant and postpartum women, combined with her personal journey as a mother of two (aged 14 and 11) and founder of Continuall, a compression wear brand designed specifically for women during pregnancy and postpartum recovery. This episode serves as an essential guide for expectant mothers, doulas, and midwives seeking to understand the most common musculoskeletal complaints during pregnancy and the fourth trimester.

Today's sponsor - iL Tutto

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To celebrate, we’re giving Australian Birth Stories listeners an exclusive discount:

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

574 | Liza Three births, VBAC after two caesareans, birth trauma recovery, mental health support

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 01:57:20 GMT

Liza takes us through her transformative journey across three very different birth experiences in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. From an unexpected first pregnancy at 24 whilst her husband was deployed, through a traumatic second birth that led to essential mental health support, to finally achieving her dream VBAC after two caesareans - Liza's story is one of resilience, growth, and the power of therapeutic healing. Her candid discussion about birth trauma, the importance of mental health care, and how changing her mindset completely transformed her final birth experience offers invaluable insights for anyone navigating challenging birth experiences or considering a VBAC.

If you'd like to prepare for birth with our courses, you can find them here:

The Birth Class

The Caesarean Birth Class

Welcome to the First Trimester

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573 | Claire's first birth, home to hospital transfer, asynclitic baby, emergency caesarean

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 02:11:50 GMT

Claire - a midwife and nurse from south of Sydney - shares her first birth experience with baby Maeve. Despite her professional background, Claire's journey from planned home water birth to emergency caesarean beautifully illustrates that birth often doesn’t goes to plan, but can still be incredibly empowering. Her story offers invaluable insights for birth workers and expectant parents alike, showing how informed decision-making, trusted care providers, and a positive mindset can transform any birth experience into something beautiful.

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572 | Nonny pre-conception testing, spontaneous labour, private hospital birth

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 13:18:03 GMT

Nonny Naitanui shares her journey from fertility concerns to an unexpectedly early but beautiful birth experience. After receiving concerning AMH results that initially sparked fears about her fertility, Nonny conceived within three months of trying.

Today's sponsor - iL Tutto

To celebrate, we’re giving Australian Birth Stories listeners an exclusive discount:

Use the code BIRTHSTORIES20 at checkout to receive 20% off your iL Tutto order, but hurry — this offer ends 12th October 2025.

Shop the collection now at iltutto.com.au

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

571 | Sophie - Clinical Psychologist, Two Physiological Births, “Big Baby”, Home Birth

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 04:35:34 GMT

Today I chat with Sophie, a clinical psychologist and mother of two who runs her own practice, Nimble Minds Clinical Psychology, in Sydney's Sutherland Shire. Sophie shares her journey from a 10-month conception period during COVID lockdowns to two incredibly positive birth experiences at the Royal Hospital for Women. Her first birth with daughter Charlotte (Lottie) was a beautifully managed hospital birth, whilst her second pregnancy brought the surprise of a 4.6kg baby boy, Henry, and initial plans for a home birth that ultimately led to another wonderful hospital experience. Sophie's story is particularly valuable for expectant mothers as she navigates the mental preparation for birth through her professional lens whilst experiencing the raw emotions of becoming a mother herself.

Connect with us:

Instagram @australianbirthstories

TikTok @australianbirthstories

Website australianbirthstories.com

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570 | Tamsyn - 2 Births, DCDA twins, vaginal twin birth, birth advocacy, midwifery support, physiological labour

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 01:36:38 GMT

Tamsyn shares her journey from first-time mum to birthing fraternal twins vaginaly at 40+6 weeks. After experiencing a medicalised first birth with Maya during COVID lockdowns, Tamsyn was determined to achieve the physiological birth she envisaged for her twins. Despite facing significant pressure from hospital staff to accept routine interventions, Tamsyn's story demonstrates the importance of having strong support people and trusting your body's ability to birth. With the guidance of her private midwife Helen and support person Shelly (a midwife and family friend), Tamsyn navigated challenging conversations with obstetricians and ultimately achieved her dream birth - birthing both babies naturally within 10 minutes of each other after just 90 minutes in hospital.

Prepare for your birth with our courses and products,

The Birth Class

The Caesarean Birth Class

Welcome to the First Trimester

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

569 | Ruby - Midwife, low-lying placenta, Royal Women's homebirth program, positive induction experience

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 02:13:32 GMT

In this episode, Ruby - a registered nurse turned midwife and maternal child health nurse - shares her positive birth experience through the Royal Women's Hospital homebirth program in Melbourne. After initially planning a homebirth, Ruby's journey took several turns including a low-lying placenta scare that kept her in limbo for months, waters breaking early, and ultimately birthing her daughter Clementine in hospital with syntocinon induction. Ruby's story beautifully illustrates how birth can unfold differently than planned whilst still being incredibly positive and empowering.

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568 | Gen - PT, three babies, prolapse recovery, 44-year-old home birth

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 05:04:11 GMT

In this episode, personal trainer and mother of three Gen takes us through her complete motherhood journey from Richmond to the Victorian coast. Her first pregnancy was unplanned but led to a powerful physiological birth at the Royal Women's Hospital. After moving through various challenges including COVID lockdowns, job redundancy, and relocating interstate, Gen welcomed her second daughter in a beautiful water birth. Her third pregnancy at 44 brought unexpected challenges with ageist comments from healthcare providers, but culminated in an incredible one-hour home birth in the shower. Gen's story beautifully illustrates how birth experiences can evolve and how trusting your body's wisdom leads to empowering outcomes.

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567 | How to donate and receive donor breastmilk with Chris from Australian Red Cross Lifeblood

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 06:15:31 GMT

Today I chat with Chris, a registered nurse and midwife who has been working with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood's milk program for eight years. Chris takes us through the fascinating world of donor breast milk - from the rigorous screening process for donors to how this precious resource supports the tiniest and most vulnerable babies in neonatal intensive care units across Australia. Whether you're curious about donating your excess breast milk or want to understand how donor milk could support your premature baby, this conversation is packed with essential information that every parent, midwife, and doula should know.

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I rarely talk about supplements on here - mostly because so many aren't backed by real evidence, and as someone who's always reading the fine print, I'm pretty selective about what I'll share with you. But every now and then, something stands out. Mother Dose by Land Lab is one of those rare finds that cuts through all the confusion. What has really impressed me is that it's been formulated by doctors, dietitians, and naturopaths - every single ingredient is there for a reason, backed by evidence and aligned with current prenatal guidelines.

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566 | Jordan - Midwife births with colleagues, 31-hour first labour, quick second birth, rural South Australia

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 05:50:20 GMT

In this episode, Jordan, a 28-year-old midwife from rural South Australia, shares her two incredibly positive birth experiences at the hospital where she works. Living 600 kilometres from Adelaide in the tiny farming town of Port Neill, Jordan navigated the unique experience of birthing alongside her colleagues whilst balancing her partner's demanding harvest schedule. Her first labour was a marathon 31-hour journey that tested her resolve, whilst her second was beautifully swift and powerful. Jordan's story beautifully illustrates the mind-body connection in birth, the invaluable support of the TENS machine, and how subsequent births can offer completely different but equally empowering experiences.

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And here's what I love even more - through their charity arm, they provide completely free prenatals to women with an Australian healthcare card.

Whether you're pregnant, trying to conceive, Mother Dose takes the overwhelm out of choosing a prenatal.

Check out Mother Dose at land-lab.co - thoughtfully dosed, high quality prenatal care when you need it most.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

565 | Steph Claire Smith – second baby, breech presentation, spontaneous labour, drug-free birth

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 03:34:01 GMT

Today Steph Claire Smith returns to share her second birth experience with daughter Billie. After Harvey's induction at 41 weeks, Steph was determined to experience spontaneous labour this time around. Her journey included navigating a breech presentation, trying every trick in the book to encourage baby to turn, and ultimately achieving the birth she'd always dreamed of.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

564 | Celeste - Three very different births, Multiple sclerosis, induction, precipitous labour, mastitis

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 03:32:37 GMT

Celeste's three births showcase dramatically different experiences within the same hospital system. Her first birth involved an induction that led to forceps delivery and NICU admission, her second was a precipitous labour where she dilated from 3cm to fully dilated in just 30 minutes, and her third was a planned induction that resulted in her dream water birth. Throughout all three experiences, managing her multiple sclerosis added an extra layer of complexity to her care.

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563 | Hannah - two births, Vaginal Breech Birth, NICU Journey, and Raising Awareness About CMV in Pregnancy, infant loss.

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 08:22:21 GMT

In this deeply moving episode, we speak with Hannah, a midwife and lactation consultant from the Southern Highlands, who shares her profound journey through two very different birth experiences. Hannah takes us through her first pregnancy with daughter Beatrix, including the unexpected discovery of a breech presentation, her decision to pursue vaginal breech birth at Westmead Hospital, and the challenging NICU journey that followed. She then courageously shares the story of her son Albie, whose life was tragically cut short at 17 months due to complications from congenital CMV - a preventable condition that Hannah is now passionate about raising awareness for. This episode is both heartbreaking and educational, highlighting the importance of CMV screening in pregnancy and the incredible strength of families navigating complex medical journeys.
__________

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562 | Dr. Amber Hart on Building Breastfeeding Confidence and Holistic Postpartum Care

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 03:46:43 GMT

In honour of World Breastfeeding Week today I sit down with Dr. Amber Hart, a Melbourne-based GP and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Dr. Hart shares her expertise on the realities of breastfeeding, the importance of antenatal education, and addresses the controversial rise in tongue tie diagnoses. Amber offers a refreshing perspective on supporting new mothers through their feeding journeys whilst prioritising mental wellbeing and realistic expectations.

Get our how-to Breastfeeding Guide HERE

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561 | Tessa - Two births, Darwin private hospital closures, advocating for birthing mothers

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 05:04:54 GMT

In this powerful episode, lawyer and mother-of-two Tessa shares her contrasting birth experiences in Darwin, Northern Territory. Her first birth with daughter Frankie was everything she'd hoped for - a quick, low-intervention delivery at a private hospital with excellent postnatal care. But when she fell pregnant with her second daughter Millie, everything changed. Healthscope announced without warning that they were closing the maternity ward at Darwin Private Hospital, leaving 61 women - including Tessa at 28 weeks pregnant - scrambling to find alternative care.

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Whether you're in Melbourne or down the coast, Little Company and About Time are here to nurture you — and your baby — through it all. You can enjoy 15% off all pregnancy treatments for the year of 2025. Put ‘ABSxLTCO' in appointment notes and the discount will be applied when payment is taken post treatment.

Book your moment of care at littlecompany.com.au or atthebathhouse.com.au

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

560 | Sophie Pearce - HG across three pregnancies, PUPPs, doctor to podcaster, positive birth experiences

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 05:00:54 GMT

In this episode, Sophie Pearce shares her transformative journey through three pregnancies complicated by severe hyperemesis gravidarum. Sophie opens up about her early miscarriage, the challenge of PUPPs during her first pregnancy, and how she navigated the transition from medicine to motherhood whilst dealing with significant pregnancy-related mental health challenges. Her story beautifully illustrates the reality of hyperemesis gravidarum and how preparation, support, and self-advocacy can transform your birth experience, even when pregnancy itself is incredibly difficult.

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Sleep Safety Special with Loren Rushton - Sponsored by Bonds

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:11:42 GMT

In this episode, we chat with Loren, a registered midwife turned sleep safety educator at Red Nose Australia. Loren shares her comprehensive journey from supporting families through pregnancy and birth to becoming a leading voice in SIDS prevention and safe sleep practices. This conversation is packed with practical, evidence-based guidance that every new parent, midwife, and doula needs to know about creating the safest possible sleep environment for babies.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

558 | Lisa - two births, hyperemesis gravidarum, COVID lockdown, induction, egg donation, physiological birth

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 04:49:02 GMT

Lisa shares her profound journey through two vastly different birth experiences that ultimately shaped her perspective on motherhood and advocacy. From battling severe hyperemesis gravidarum during COVID lockdowns to experiencing a challenging induction and difficult postpartum period, Lisa's first birth was marked by isolation and trauma. However, her second pregnancy brought healing, empowerment, and the water birth she'd dreamed of. Between these experiences, Lisa made the extraordinary decision to donate eggs to her sister, adding another layer to her remarkable story of family, sacrifice, and love.

To learn more about The Birth Class, our evidence based online birth education program, and our other birth and postpartum courses, head to the shop here.

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557 | Katie 2 Births, Endometriosis, Inductions, Third-Degree Tear & Finding the Right Care Provider

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 07:55:03 GMT

Katie takes us through her two contrasting birth experiences in Brisbane. After struggling with undiagnosed endometriosis for over a decade, Katie's journey to motherhood began with conception on just the second cycle. Her first birth at 41+4 weeks resulted in a rapid, intense labour following induction, culminating in a forceps delivery and third-degree tear that she wasn't fully informed about at the time.

Three years later, armed with better knowledge and a different care provider, Katie's second birth was the drug-free, empowering experience she'd always hoped for. She shares invaluable insights about advocating for yourself, the importance of informed consent, and how the right care provider can transform your birth experience. This episode is essential listening for anyone preparing for birth, particularly those with endometriosis or previous birth trauma.

This episode is proudly brought to you by iLTutto.

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556 | Corinne, Four births, intuitive birthing, pregnancy termination, Dr Lionel Steinberg

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 11:42:18 GMT

In episode 556 Corinne shares her complete journey to motherhood - from a difficult early pregnancy loss overseas to welcoming four beautiful children. Coming from a family of seven, Corinne always knew she wanted multiple children and to start young. Her story encompasses the complexity of early relationships, making difficult decisions, and ultimately finding joy and confidence in birth. With her partner Jake, she's experienced four very different labours - from her first birth with an epidural to quick, intense vaginal births. Corinne's honesty about the realities of pregnancy sickness, her intuitive approach to birth, and her philosophy of trusting your body whilst remaining flexible makes this an incredibly valuable listen for anyone preparing for birth or supporting others through their journey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

555 | Tarrah Jordan, IVF Journey, velamentous cord insertion (VCI), caesarean

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 07:13:59 GMT

Tarrah shares her remarkable three-year journey from trying to conceive naturally to welcoming her miracle IVF baby, Aspen. After starting to try for a family in September 2021, Tarrah and her husband Alexander faced the heartbreak of unexplained infertility, leading them through 10 rounds of IVF, pregnancy loss, and ultimately to their beautiful son born at 37 weeks via planned caesarean. Tarrah's openness about sharing her fertility journey on social media created a supportive community whilst helping others feel less alone in their struggles. This episode offers hope, practical insights, and honest conversation about the realities of fertility treatment, pregnancy after loss, and the overwhelming joy of finally holding your long-awaited baby.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

554 | Ria regional midwife, two births, microcephaly, diagnostic journey, postpartum depression, resilience

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 10:29:27 GMT

In this deeply moving episode, midwife and mother Ria shares her journey through motherhood with her daughter Olive, who has a rare genetic condition. Ria's story is one of resilience, advocacy and the profound love that comes with parenting a child with additional needs.

If you're preparing your nursery or planning for a new arrival, here's a little heads-up you won't want to miss. iL Tutto's End of Financial Year Sale starts Monday 17th June and runs through to 11:59pm on 1st July – and it's their biggest one yet.

You'll find up to 50% off their most-loved pieces – like the Felix Glider & Ottoman, the Como Cot Set, and the beautiful Lulu Vanilla Bouclé Chair. There's also 30% off the Leo Electric Recliner and Glider, 20% off the sleek Maya Chair from their new Trend Collection, plus savings on Grow Kindly natural fibre sleepwear, Boba Baby Carriers, and Snuggle Me Organic Feeding Pillows.

And just for Australian Birth Stories listeners, you'll get an extra 5% off everything – even sale items – with the code ABS5 at checkout.

Shop the sale from June 17th at iltutto.com.au and don't forget to use code ABS5 at checkout.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

553 | Rebecca's Three Positive MGP births, Mercy Hospital

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 03:43:43 GMT

In this episode, Rebecca shares her journey of having three children in quick succession, all with positive hospital birth experiences. As a high school teacher and mother to Theo (3), Reuben (18 months), and Josie (6 weeks), Rebecca's story highlights how knowledge, preparation, and the right care provider can make all the difference in birth experiences.

Rebecca's path to motherhood began shortly after marrying Brendan, a paediatrician, in late 2020. Her first pregnancy came with unique challenges - she had a rare condition called exercise-induced anaphylaxis, which initially placed her in a high-risk category at the Mercy Hospital in Melbourne.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

552| Ali's Birth Stories Preeclampsia, Maternal Assisted Caesareans, and Breastfeeding Journeys

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 02:30:49 GMT

Ali shares her journey of having two daughters via maternal-assisted caesarean births due to preeclampsia. Ali lives in Melbourne's inner west with her husband Brad and their daughters Evie (3.5) and Iris (9.5 months). Ali conceived Evie quickly and had a relatively smooth pregnancy until around 30-32 weeks when her blood pressure began rising. "My blood pressure wasn't like super duper high, like it was very much up from the 140 over 90 and it was starting to creep up to the 150s and 160 over 90," Ali explains. She had a family history of preeclampsia - both her grandmother and mother had experienced it, with Ali herself being born at 30 weeks weighing under a kilo.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

551 | Claire – Two births, MGP care, ulcerative colitis, big baby, physiological birth

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 05:52:09 GMT

In this week's episode, I chat with Claire about her two very different birth experiences at public hospitals in Melbourne. Claire's journey began with meticulous preparation - she and her partner Aaron spent six months optimising their health with a naturopath before trying to conceive. Her first pregnancy was textbook perfect, leading to a beautiful physiological birth with her daughter Amelia. However, her second pregnancy brought new challenges when growth scans indicated a "big baby," leading to discussions about potential induction that Claire navigated with confidence and research. Both births were supported through the Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) model, though Claire's experiences highlight the importance of advocating for the care you want. Her story beautifully demonstrates how preparation, knowledge, and trusting your body can lead to positive birth outcomes, even when circumstances change.

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A birth support partner offers physical and emotional support throughout labour and birth. Your birth partner should be mentioned in your birth plan, particularly in regards to how they will advocate for you to your midwife or doctor.

Download our free guide: Labour tips for birth partners

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

550 | Mel's Journey: Same-Sex Conception, IVF, and Navigating Birth Plans

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 07:24:25 GMT

In this episode, Mel shares her comprehensive journey to motherhood with her partner Peta in Melbourne. As a same-sex couple, their path to parenthood required careful planning, patience, and resilience through the assisted reproductive treatment system. Mel's story beautifully illustrates the unique challenges and joys of same-sex conception while highlighting the importance of flexible birth planning and supportive care providers.

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549 | Anthea - Three Births, Bed Rest, and Finding Strength in Unexpected Challenges

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 05:33:58 GMT

In this deeply moving episode, I chat with Anthea about her three very different birth experiences, including a challenging third pregnancy that required months of strict bed rest during COVID lockdowns with two toddlers at home. After experiencing an ectopic pregnancy and a nine-month journey to conceive, Anthea went on to have two hospital births - Harriet via induction at 38 weeks and Florence after spontaneous labor at 37 weeks. Her third pregnancy took an unexpected turn at 12 weeks when she was diagnosed with a subchorionic hematoma, leading to complete bed rest until Oliver's early arrival at 34 weeks and 6 days. Anthea's story beautifully illustrates how we can find resilience we never knew we had when faced with extraordinary circumstances, and offers hope to anyone navigating pregnancy complications.

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Download our free guide: Labour tips for birth partners

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

548 | Natalia - En Caul Birth, Two Home Waterbirths, Indigenous Birth Rituals, Birthing On Country

Thu, 29 May 2025 03:16:36 GMT

In this week's episode I chat to Natalia @wildearthexpeditions about her two home water births with her daughters Estelle and Coco. Natalia's story encapsulates her connection with her Indigenous family, the Ngarrindjeri people of South Australia. During her first visit to country she learnt to weave with her elders, a traditional ritual to welcome a woman into motherhood and only three months later she was pregnant. She embraced Indigenous rituals for her births and later buried the placentas on country in the same place her ancestors had buried theirs. Natalia tells a rich, beautiful story of birth and culture and speaks so eloquently about the mind body connection during labour that it's honestly hard to capture it in words. Go listen, there's so much learn from her.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

547 | Katherine - IVF, Azoospermia, Pregnancy After Loss, Royal Women's Hospital

Mon, 26 May 2025 05:42:33 GMT

In this episode, I chat with Katherine about her journey to motherhood through IVF and her birth experience with daughter Zendaya. Katherine shares her story of discovering her partner Aaron's rare diagnosis of azoospermia (where there is sperm in the body but none in the ejaculate), their IVF journey, and her eventual birth at the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne.

Check out Katherine's business People Haircare here and connect with her on Instagram here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

546 | Gemma: Three births, placenta previa, VBA2C, planned caesarean.

Mon, 19 May 2025 07:28:25 GMT

In this week's episode, I chat with Gemma, a writer and Pilates instructor living on the lands of the Awabakal and Wurrumi people in Newcastle, NSW. Gemma shares her three distinctly experiences, culminating in a healing VBAC after two caesarean births.

Are you preparing for birth and looking for a natural way to manage labour pain? Discover the difference with a TENS machine from Bliss Birth.

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545 | Sarah - three births, induction, ectopic pregnancy, healing water birth

Mon, 12 May 2025 06:04:08 GMT

In this week's episode, I chat to Sarah about her three very different birth experiences spanning five years. Sarah lives in Sydney with her partner Jad and their three children – Remy (5), Navy (3), and newborn Hugo (just two weeks old). Her story beautifully illustrates how birth experiences can evolve with knowledge, preparation and support, taking us from a highly medicalised first birth to an empowering water birth with her third baby.

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544 | Prue Craven: A Groundbreaking Journey to Motherhood Through Uterus Transplantation

Thu, 08 May 2025 03:24:05 GMT

In this extraordinary episode, Prue shares her remarkable 11-year journey to motherhood, culminating in becoming the third woman in Australia to give birth following a uterus transplant. Her story is one of incredible perseverance, medical innovation, and the profound desire to become a mother against seemingly impossible odds.

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543 | Bonnie - Two Births, Hospital Induction to Empowered Water Birth

Mon, 05 May 2025 05:59:53 GMT

In this week's episode, I chat with Bonnie about her two positive birth experiences. Bonnie lives on Sydney's Northern Beaches with her husband Ben and their two-and-a-half-year-old son Will, and three-week-old Oscar. Her story beautifully illustrates how knowledge, confidence and the right support can lead to empowering birth experiences, even when things don't go exactly to plan.

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542 | Laura's IVF Journey and Surprise Identical Twins

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 03:49:22 GMT

Mother of three Laura shares her journey through IVF, a physiological first birth, and the unexpected arrival of identical twins. After marriage in early 2019, Laura and her husband Yanni embarked on their path to parenthood, facing challenges with irregular periods that made conception difficult. "I was getting very irregular periods. And so it was really hard to time your cycle and figure out when to conceive," Laura explains of this period.

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541 | Allison – Pregnancy with Autism and ADHD

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 22:30:00 GMT

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.

Pre-order our new book: The Complete Guide to Postpartum: A mother-focused companion for life after birth

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540 | Emily's Birth Story: Managing Type 1 Diabetes Through Pregnancy, OCD diagnosis

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 03:59:24 GMT

In this episode, teacher and first-time mother Emily shares her experience of managing type 1 diabetes during pregnancy and her challenging birth at King Edward Memorial Hospital in Perth. Emily has lived with diabetes since she was just 14 months old, bringing a unique perspective to her journey to motherhood.

If you'd like to listen to more birth stories involving type 1 diabetes, check out episode 488 (another Emily) and episode 227 (Sarah Leverton).

For more support, explore our free resources on Labour Tips For Birth Partners, Mastitis, Postpartum Fatigue and much more HERE

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539 | Carla Hackett: Three Births, Three Different Journeys

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 04:44:17 GMT

In this episode, Carla Hackett shares her three very different birth experiences - from a hospital birth with her first son Raph, to an unexpectedly rapid home birth with her second son Noah, and finally a beautiful water birth with her daughter Maeve.

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Download our free guide: Labour tips for birth partners

What is a birth support partner? A birth support partner offers physical and emotional support throughout labour and birth. Your birth partner should be mentioned in your birth plan, particularly in regards to how they will advocate for you to your midwife or doctor.
If you are a birth partner, don't forget that she will be relying on you throughout all stages of labour and birth to offer words of encouragement, hold her hand, guide her through breathing techniques and remind her, most importantly, that she is safe.

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538 | Dr. Rebecca Dekker from Evidence-Based Birth, and Creating Change

Sun, 06 Apr 2025 22:00:00 GMT

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Rebecca Dekker, founder of Evidence-Based Birth®, about her three very different birth experiences and how they led her to create a global resource for evidence-based information on pregnancy and childbirth.

EPISODE SPONSOR:

ergoPouch (the beloved sleepwear brand) is thrilled to offer an exclusive 30% off sitewide* sale. Ideal as winter is coming. At Australian Birth Stories, we love ergoPouch because they simplify how to safely dress your child for sleep with their ultra-handy What to Wear guide and thermometer, which is precisely what tired parents need.

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537 | Madi’s Third Birth Story: A Home Birth After Caesarean

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 22:30:00 GMT

In this week's episode I chat to Madi about her third birth - a planned home water birth after cesarean. Madi's story is particularly interesting as she navigated this birth both as a mother and as a newly qualified midwife. After experiencing a relatively quick vaginal birth with her first daughter Oakley and then a caesarean under general anaesthetic with Harlow due to her Chiari malformation (where her brain herniates into her spinal column), Madi was surprised to find herself pregnant with a third baby while completing her midwifery studies.

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536 | Jess - endometriosis, miscarriage, en caul birth, sterile water injections, acid reflux

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 05:14:36 GMT

Today I chat to Jess about her two very different birth experiences with her children Ruby and Vincent. After experiencing an induced birth with her first baby during COVID, Jess shares how she approached her second pregnancy with intention and preparation, ultimately achieving the birth she hoped for.

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535 | Kaylee Bell - Managing DVT in Pregnancy, high risk pregnancy, planned caesarean

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 05:21:51 GMT

In this episode, country music artist Kaylee Bell shares her remarkable journey to motherhood - from managing chronic health conditions to an unexpected pregnancy while touring, and navigating a challenging birth due to a DVT diagnosis. Her story beautifully illustrates how life's biggest surprises can lead to the most meaningful experiences.

Subscribe to Kaylee's newsletter on kayleighbellmusic.com for upcoming tour dates and new music releases.

You can follow Kaylee's journey on Insta here

Listen to Kaylee's music on Spotify
Listen on Apple Music
Watch on YouTube

For more birth stories, follow us on Instagram here

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534 | Candice - Long fertility journey, pregnancy loss, low AMH, and IVF

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 04:36:20 GMT

In this week's episode, I chat to Candice about her challenging journey to motherhood. After experiencing two miscarriages and discovering she had low ovarian reserve at just 32, Candice and her husband Tom turned to IVF with PGT-A testing. She shares the emotional rollercoaster of fertility treatments, the isolation of pregnancy loss, and the joy of finally welcoming her daughter Adelaide. Candice tells a story that will resonate with anyone who has experienced infertility or pregnancy loss, offering hope and solidarity to those still on their journey.

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533 | A GP's Personal Journey Through Birth & Breastfeeding with Dr. Eliza Hannam

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 03:34:14 GMT

In this deeply personal episode, GP and IBCLC Dr. Eliza Hannam shares her varied experiences with birth and breastfeeding across her three children. Her story beautifully illustrates how even healthcare professionals can face unexpected challenges in their own journeys to parenthood, and how these experiences can shape both personal growth and professional practice.

Download our FREE guide on perineal massage here.

To learn more about The Birth Class, my online childbirth education course head to the shop here.

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532 | Lila three very different birth experiences, shared care, home birth, Hirschsprung disease

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 02:56:13 GMT

In episode 532 Lila shares her three distinctly different birth experiences, from a hospital induction to a dramatic roadside almost-birth, and finally achieving her dream homebirth. Her story takes an unexpected turn when her third baby is diagnosed with a rare condition Hirschsprung disease.

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531 | Naomi's Birth & Postpartum story – homebirth, gestational diabetes, postpartum doula

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 03:23:40 GMT

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.

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530 | Taylah's Quadruplet Journey - IVF, High-Risk Pregnancy, Caesarean Birth

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 05:47:46 GMT

Today we welcome Taylah Tudehope-Glachan who shares her extraordinary journey of conceiving and birthing quadruplets. Taylah and her husband Sean's path to parenthood was complicated by PCOS diagnosed at age 21 and she later discovered she also suffers from stage four endometriosis.

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To learn more about The Birth Class and all our other fabulous courses, head to the shop here.

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529 | Tayla - MGP, unmedicated, physiological, unplanned Home Birth

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 05:22:13 GMT

In this episode Tayla shares her empowering journey to motherhood, culminating in an unexpected but beautiful home birth. Her story highlights the power of preparation, surrender, and trusting your body's innate wisdom.

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To learn more about The Birth Class and all our other fabulous courses, head to the shop here.

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528 | Elizabeth - second positive physiological birth, MGP, tens machine, 4.58Kg baby

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 06:02:28 GMT

In this episode, we welcome Elizabeth back to share her second birth story. You can listen to her first birth experience in episode 427. Elizabeth lives in Brisbane with her husband Lindsay and their two children - Margaret (2) and Wesley (4 months).
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The empowering, evidence-based online birth education programs that will help you confidently prepare for your best birth possible are now 20% off until February 28th 2025!

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527 | Hanna, Homebirth transfer, autoimmune disease, psoriatic arthritis, prolapse, breastfeeding challenges

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 22:00:00 GMT

Today we welcome Hanna, who shares her journey through pregnancy, birth, and a particularly challenging postpartum period complicated by autoimmune disease. Originally from Poland and now living on the Bellarine Peninsula with her husband Zach and their seven-month-old daughter Runo, Hanna's story highlights the complex intersection of chronic illness and new motherhood.

Download our FREE guide on perineal massage here.

To learn more about The Birth Class, my online childbirth education course head to the shop here.

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526 | [Replay] Paige - Positive birth, Intervention free, MGP, CAPS, the birth class, spontaneous labour, fetal ejection reflex

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 04:36:16 GMT

In this episode Paige shares her incredibly positive first birth experience. If you are new to the podcast or feel like you want an encouraging story to inspire you, this is it. After conceiving easily, she started listening to the podcast and knew she wanted a continuity model of care. She contacted Canterbury Antenatal and Postnatal Services (CAPS) and was accepted into their programme. From there she listened to @the.birth.class on repeat and armed herself with knowledge and skills. Her labour started spontaneously and she stayed home till her waters broke. As she says: “Knowledge is power and the more you understand your options, feel like you can make choices and know that you're involved in the process, the more confident you'll be.”

Check out our FREE guide on perineal massage here.

To learn more about The Birth Class, my online childbirth education course head to the shop here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

525 | Cassie - Three Births, Postnatal Anxiety, Identical Twins, Mental Health Journey

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 04:50:10 GMT

In today's episode, Cassie shares her profound journey into motherhood as an early years teacher who experienced three births and navigated postnatal anxiety. After carefully planning their family with husband James, they welcomed three daughters - Nara (6) and identical twins (5) - through experiences that would challenge and transform her understanding of mental health and motherhood.

Connect with us on Instagram for more birth stories and heaps more.

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524 | Kristy - Second Birth, TGA Heart Condition, newborn Heart Surgery, MS

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 05:43:10 GMT

In today's episode, we welcome Kristy back to share her second birth story. You can hear her fist birth experience in episode 373. After having her first son Kylo, Kristy and her fiancé Clint experienced a miscarriage before conceiving their daughter Ren. At their 20-week scan, they received the news that their baby had Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA), meaning she would need open-heart surgery within the first week of life.

Today's episode is proudly brought to Welcome to the First Trimester — an online course that will guide you through these next few months and provide the comfort you need.

I have gathered a range of perinatal specialists who each share their tips, advice and knowledge on a variety of topics including:

Your GP visit
Choosing a care provider and student midwife
Early pregnancy nutrition and supplements
Mental health
Physical changes and concerns

Learn more here.

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523 | Heather - PCOS, Water Birth, Third Degree Tear, Hospital Transfer, FIFO

Sun, 26 Jan 2025 22:00:00 GMT

Heather lives just outside Mareeba in Far North Queensland with her husband Jack and their 15-week-old daughter Paige. After being diagnosed with PCOS, Heather's journey to conception took 15 months, involving lifestyle changes and medication to help regulate her cycles.

_________

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522 | [Replay] Steph Claire Smith, Vaginal Birth, Private Obstetrician, PCOS, Induction, Antenatal Expressing

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 04:49:23 GMT

In today's episode I interview Steph Claire Smith who was first diagnosed with PCOS at the age of 21. She managed to regulate her menstrual cycles by focusing on health, wellness and regular acupuncture treatments and years later, fell pregnant easily. She timed her exhausting first trimester with stage four lockdown in Melbourne and sailed through the rest of her pregnancy, choosing to practise gratitude for all she experienced, despite the inevitable discomfort and challenges that arose in the third trimester. Steph admits that well-meaning messages from friends and followers regarding natural methods for induction definitely affected her mental health and she subsequently chose to be induced at 41 weeks.

Check out our FREE guide on perineal massage here.

To learn more about The Birth Class, my online childbirth education course head to the shop here.

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521 | [Replay] Oceane, Same-Sex Marriage, IVF, Donor Sperm, Homebirth, Midwife

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 22:00:00 GMT

Today we are re-releasing one of our most popular episodes back from 2020, so there's a chance you haven't heard it yet! In this episode I chat to Oceane, a midwife and mother of three who so generously shares the beautiful, intricate details of her two homebirths. She also tells the story of her wife's birth and the journey they have taken to become parents with donor sperm and IVF, the logic involved in deciding who will be pregnant and the joy of breastfeeding at the same time. Oceane's story is inspiring, informative and heartwarming and the video of baby Emmeline's arrival captures the euphoria of supported and trusted family-centred birth.

Check out our FREE guide on perineal massage here.

To learn more about The Birth Class, my online childbirth education course head to the shop here.

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520 | Monica, two births, homebirth, carpal tunnel syndrome, eczema, hospital transfer

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 05:07:39 GMT

In this episode, we meet Monica, a registered nurse at the Children's Hospital of Westmead with a deep passion for paediatrics. She shares her journey through two very different births, highlighting how even the most carefully laid birth plans sometimes need to change. Her story beautifully illustrates the delicate balance between pursuing natural birth preferences and responding to medical necessities when they arise.

Connect with us on Instagram for more birth stories and heaps more.

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519 | Sam, three births, MGP, private and public care, 4kg+ babies

Sun, 05 Jan 2025 22:00:00 GMT

Sam shares her journey through early pregnancy losses to becoming a mother of three beautiful children. Living in the Tweed region on the NSW/QLD border with her husband Scott, Sam opens up about navigating pregnancy after loss, birthing “big” babies, and finding her voice to advocate for her birth preferences.

For more photos and birth stories, follow us on Instagram here.

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518 | Bec, induction birth, MGP, water birth, GBS positive, breathing techniques, second birth

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 22:00:00 GMT

In this episode, interior designer and mother of two Bec shares her contrasting birth experiences at Sandringham Hospital in Melbourne. Her journey to motherhood began after marriage, taking six to eight months to conceive Ava. "I was one of those people testing like five days before you can test and just thinking I was pregnant every time," Bec recalls of this period. They welcomed a puppy during this time, which she reflects may have added to the journey: "I think that caused like it was a bit stressful, of course, getting a new puppy. So I think that's also part of it. Once we kind of settled into having little Archie, then it kind of happened after that."

For more photos and birth stories, follow us on Instagram here.

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517 | Sophie Delezio: From Childhood Burn Survivor to Motherhood - A Story of Strength, Adaptation, and a Peaceful Caesarean Birth at 37 Weeks

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 22:00:00 GMT

In this weeks episode I speak with Sophie Delezio, whose story of survival and resilience has long captured Australian hearts. Now embarking on a new chapter as mother to 10-week-old Frankie, Sophie shares her journey through pregnancy and birth, offering insights into navigating motherhood with a disability while challenging common misconceptions.
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516 | Josie, secondary infertility, fertility treatment, pregnancy loss, water birth, student midwives

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 06:11:44 GMT

In this episode, we meet Josie, a qualified teacher living in the Albury-Wodonga region who shares her journey to motherhood and her two unique birth experiences. Her story highlights the complexities of navigating healthcare across state borders and the resilience required through pregnancy loss, renovation chaos, and building a family.

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515 | Alysha, Birth Trauma and the Mother-Infant Bond: A Psychologist's Postpartum Journey

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 23:48:05 GMT

In this episode, we speak with Alysha, a psychologist and PhD candidate whose research into traumatic birth and mother-infant relationships stems from her own profound experiences. As both a mental health professional and mother of two boys, her story offers unique insights into the complexities of birth trauma and its lasting impact on early bonding.

For more photos and birth stories, follow us on Instagram here.

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514 | Stacey, second birth experience, infertility, pregnancy loss, IVF, natural killer cells, home birth

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 01:26:14 GMT

It’s such a pleasure to welcome Stacey back onto the show. You can listen to her first birth in episode 181. Today, she shares the journey to conceiving her second child. It is a story of profound resilience through multiple losses, IVF challenges, and eventually, a beautiful home birth. After experiencing a relatively straightforward path to conceiving her first son Bryn through IUI, Stacey opens up about the unexpected three-and-a-half-year journey to welcome her rainbow baby, Sunny.

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513 | Chloe Grayling, TTC journey, pregnancy loss, physiological birth, home water birth

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 02:10:00 GMT

In this beautiful episode, Chloe Grayling @lovechloejane shares her journey into motherhood, from an emotional year of trying to conceive to achieving a beautiful and empowering home water birth. Living in a 140-year-old cottage on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula with her husband Patrick and their menagerie of animals (including Highland cows!), Chloe opens up about how her experience with early pregnancy losses shaped her approach to pregnancy and birth preparation.

Today's episode is brought to you by our empowering, evidence based online birth education program that will help you confidently prepare for a positive birth experience - The Birth Class.

Featuring 10 audio lessons with perinatal health specialists, you can listen from the comfort of your home when you’re relaxed and receptive to new information. The Birth Class is a conversation starter between you and your birth partner that informs, encourages and empowers you to journey towards labour with knowledge and confidence.

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512 | Hashini, Emergency caesarean, hydronephrosis, planned caesarean, pediatric surgery

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 01:31:46 GMT

In today’s episode, Hashini takes us through her two very different births and the medical journey that followed with her second son. After experiencing a very straightforward first pregnancy, Hashini opens up about the emotional complexity of trying to conceive her second baby. Her second son’s pregnancy brought unexpected challenges when at his 20-week scan it was revealed that he had hydronephrosis.
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511 | Maddie, Emergency caesarean, twin VBAC, ICU, perinatal mental health

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 02:15:24 GMT

Today I'm joined by Maddie who lives in Queensland with her husband Nicholas and their three beautiful boys - Oscar (who they affectionately call Ozzy) and five-month-old twins, Angus and Archie.

In this episode, Maddie shares her remarkable journey from a traumatic emergency cesarean with her first son to achieving a successful twin VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). She opens up about navigating a challenging first pregnancy while working in the Northern Territory away from her husband, dealing with high blood pressure, and experiencing a car accident at 28 weeks that led to a partial placental abruption.

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Looking for an engaging and educational way to entertain your little one? You need to check out Kiwi Co. Kiwi.Co offer bi-monthly subscription boxes designed for babies ages 0 right up to teens. Offering open-ended, research-backed projects that encourage curiosity and hands-on play. Each crate is packed with high-quality, safe activities that help build essential skills while creating special bonding moments. With projects designed for repeat use, KiwiCo provides a wonderful alternative to screen time and makes learning fun for you and your child.

Give KiwiCo’s Panda Crate a try and inspire your little one’s creativity, confidence, and love for learning.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

510 | Julie, PANDA CEO, perinatal anxiety and depression, postpartum mental health

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 02:43:25 GMT

It’s Perinatal Mental Health Week and in this episode, I chat with Julie Birkendorf, the CEO of PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia). One in five new mums, and one in 10 new dads will experience a mental health challenge in postpartum so conversations like this one are vital to raising awareness and minimising stigma. Julie nods to the importance of realistic expectations in parenthood and explains how important it is to pay attention to any new symptom or feeling and reach out for support without delay. If you’re pregnant or in postpartum, you’ll feel comforted by this conversation. It’s also always nice to know that if you need someone to talk to, they’re only a phone call away.
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If you’ve been eyeing a beautiful nursery update, now is the time to make it happen!
We’ve partnered with iL Tutto for an exclusive Black Friday offer for our Australian
Birth Stories listeners.

Starting now, you can access a pre-sale 20% off iL Tutto's luxurious Trend
Collection—including their iconic Electric Nursery Chairs in super-stylish Teddy
Fleece fabric. These are the same cosy, premium chairs loved by none other than
influencer Sarah’s Day! Just use the code Presale20 at checkout, but act fast—the
offer ends 11:59 PM on Tuesday, November 19th.

And here’s the kicker: If you’re looking at something beyond their Trend Collection, iL
Tutto’s full Black Friday sale kicks off on Wednesday, November 20th, with savings
of up to 40% off across their entire nursery range! We’re talking chairs, cots, chests,
CoZee Co-Sleeping Bassinets, and even natural fibre Grow Kindly baby sleepwear.
This sale ends on Sunday, December 1st.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

509 | Sonja, two babies, shared care, syntocinon, vaginal birth, painful periods, pelvic pain, pelvic congestion syndrome, endometriosis

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 03:53:18 GMT

In today’s episode Sonja takes us through her two pregnancies and births but also talks at length about her pelvic pain. She’s been diagnosed with pelvic congestion syndrome which was exacerbated after birth and especially when her menstrual cycle returned. Her symptoms were very similar to a prolapse - a heaviness and dragging sensation in her rectum - but she also experiences sharp, debilitating pain that can last for up to an hour and significantly affects her day to day life. She is planning for a laparoscopy to investigate endometriosis and talks about the importance of specialist care and the comfort she finds in the stories of other women.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

508 | Heidi Sze, third birth story, preconception testing, nausea, early pregnancy bleeding, subchorionic haematoma, cholestasis, castor oil

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 02:23:30 GMT

It’s such a pleasure to welcome Heidi back onto the show. You can listen to Heidi’s first two births in episode 126. Today, she shares the journey of her third pregnancy and birth, offering a unique perspective as a nutritionist and dietitian. Heidi opens up about the long road to conceiving her son, Philip, emphasising how important it was for her to feel both emotionally and physically prepared to welcome a new life into her family.

We’re celebrating Spring with a spring time sale!

Enjoy 20% off our online courses:

The Birth Class was $249 now $199

The Birth Bundle was $349 now $279

Discovering Motherhood was $119 now $95

Welcome to the First Trimester was $67 now $53

Just use code ‘SPRING24‘ at checkout.

Hurry – this offer is only valid until 31 October 2024.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

507 | Beth, two babies, midwifery care, ‘big baby’, spontaneous labour, The Birth Class

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 00:54:37 GMT

You can listen to Beth’s first birth story in episode 254 and today she shares her second pregnancy and birth story - from the perspective of a midwife and a mother. After moving interstate, Beth had two hospitals to choose from and halfway through her pregnancy, intuition dictated she change from one to the other. While she had beautiful care through the midwifery clinic, she talks about the consistent conversations about her ‘big baby’ and she takes us through the process of trusting herself, tuning out of doubtful comments and declining suggestions for growth scans and induction. Her labour was a mental game and Beth details it beautifully, especially the mother/midwife tussle and the profound difference a reassuring, trusting care provider can make to labour progression and a woman-centred birth.
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We’re celebrating Spring with a spring time sale!

Enjoy 20% off our online courses for a limited time.

The Birth Class was $249 now $199

The Birth Bundle was $349 now $279

Discovering Motherhood was $119 now $95

Welcome to the First Trimester was $67 now $53

Just use code 'SPRING24' at checkout.

Hurry - this offer is only valid until 31 October 2024.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

506 | Emily, three babies, miscarriage, private midwife, marginal cord insertion, short cervix, physiological birth, MCDA twins, NICU, postpartum preeclampsia

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 06:31:32 GMT

Sometimes we hear so much about birth - all kinds of births - that we can forget it is a normal, biological process. In today’s episode, Emily’s experience reiterates the ease of physiological birth - both at home with a single baby, and in hospital with twins. She is honest from the get-go when she admits that she wasn’t even sure she wanted to be a parent but we follow her journey of acceptance, the grief of misscarriage, the trust in her body and the preparation she did to lean into her intuition and birth all three babies with a profound sense of faith in her breath and body. If you’re currently in a period of doubt and fear (both very normal experiences in pregnancy), you’ll find so much comfort in this episode.

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What makes The Birth Class so unique?

Instead of learning from one person with one perspective, we’ve gathered nine perinatal health specialists to take you through everything you need to know about labour and birth.

Evidence based information is key to thorough preparation. In The Birth Class you’ll learn from:
5 midwives and an obstetrician, a women’s health physiotherapist, yoga teacher and birth doula.
Listen in your own time and as many times as you like so you understand:

the process of labour and the hormones involved
the benefits and risks of interventions
your pain-relief options
what happens in an emergency caesarean
what to expect in the hours after birth
active preparation for a VBAC

Plus, you’ll be taught practical birth skills that will help you navigate the twists and turns of labour.

The Birth Class is accessible birth education that’s both conversational and wise. Best of all, it will start a conversation with you and your support person so you can both feel prepared and confident to make informed choices; the foundation of a positive birth experience.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

505 | Maude, breech, planned caesarean, breastfeeding, pelvic floor physiotherapist, spontaneous labour, VBAC

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 00:52:53 GMT

In today’s episode Maude takes us through her two pregnancies and births. She moved interstate in her first pregnancy, registered with her local public hospital and had a planned caesarean because her baby was breech. She talks at length about her positive birth experience and the challenges of breastfeeding and being a stay at home mum. When she fell pregnant with her second baby, she accessed psychological support to assist with the transition from one to two babies and it really set her up for a smooth pregnancy. She knew she wanted a VBAC so she takes us through what she did to prepare and how the birth unfolded.

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New Beginnings is an Australian maternity brand dedicated to quality and care, offering thoughtfully designed products that cater to the unique challenges of motherhood and supporting mothers at every step of the journey - from pregnancy to postpartum and beyond.

Tried, tested, and loved by mums, New Beginnings offers a comprehensive range of essentials and is now expanding its range with some new and exciting products to deliver a complete solution for mums.

New Beginnings is offering 15% off for Australian Birth Stories listeners. You can purchase any of their maternity essentials today at newbeginnings.com.au using the promo code ABS15 for 15% off.

You can also find New Beginnings at Baby Bunting, Chemist Warehouse, and other local pharmacies and baby stores. Embrace the beautiful journey of motherhood with New Beginnings.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

504 | Genevieve, one baby, PCOS, private obstetrician, hematoma, induction, epidural, episiotomy, postpartum haemorrhage

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 23:00:00 GMT

In today's episode, Genevieve shares her first pregnancy and birth and details her postpartum joys and challenges. She embraced her ‘goddess energy’ in her second trimester but by the third trimester, she really felt the physical limitations of carrying a big baby and only being quite small herself. Her waters broke at home and once she arrived at hospital she was hooked up to syntocinon which is when her contractions intensified so significantly that she requested an epidural. It was only once she’d been discharged and was reading her notes that she discovered she’d had an episiotomy and a postpartum haemorrhage and she talks about how this made her feel.

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If you’re pregnant, we encourage you to start thinking about your birth recovery now. You need more support in the fourth trimester (the 12 weeks after birth) than you do in pregnancy which can be surprising to many new mothers. It’s for this reason that Bare Mum began and now they offer a beautiful collection of practical and supportive products to assist your postpartum healing.

All new mums need lower back, abdominal and pelvic floor support after birth. Bare Mum’s Postpartum Briefs gently hold you in the first days and weeks, helping you feel confident. Endorsed by the Australian College of Midwives and the Australian Physiotherapy Association, they offer a unique pocket design so you can insert a warm or cold pack to offer soothing relief and assist with caesarean wound or perineal healing.

Ideal for caesarean and vaginal birth recovery, Bare Mum Postpartum Briefs are soft, stretchy, and supportive, offering you essential post-birth care. They’re a must-have for your hospital bag.

Bare Mum is offering you 15% off storewide with the discount code ABS2024

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

503 | Bron, endometriosis, triplet-pregnancy, miscarriage, induction, TENS, positive induction

Sun, 22 Sep 2024 23:00:00 GMT

At her first dating scan, Bron found out she was pregnant with triplets; one singleton, and MCDA twins who shared a placenta. A few weeks later she attended her first appointment with the head doctor of the specialist multiple birth team, who outlined the risks and complications of her pregnancy and suggested selective reduction of the twins. Bron and her husband, Ryan, were completely blindsided by the pessimistic perspective of the doctor but their overwhelm soon turned to grief when an ultrasound showed the twins had already died. Bron takes us through the remainder of her pregnancy, the coexistence of grief and joy, and her positive induction.

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iL Tutto understands that creating the perfect sleep environment for your baby is essential for their comfort, safety and your peace of mind. That’s why they offer a broad range of high-quality products designed to meet all your baby sleep needs from rocking to calm and comfort your baby with their signature and award-winning Nursery Chairs, their range of CoZee Co-Sleeping Bassinets and the ZiZee Bassinet.

You can experience the joy of safe co-sleeping with their versatile CoZee Co-Sleeping bassinets. They’re designed to keep your baby close while ensuring they have their own safe sleep space. To be able to reach out and pick your baby up for those middle of the night feeds without leaving your bed will be a game-changer.

Style your CoZee with iL Tutto’s Grow Kindly’s natural fibre and sustainable sleepwear. Made from eco-friendly materials, Grow Kindly sleepwear including bassinet & cot fitted sheets, Swaddles and Sleepings Bag ensures a gentle touch on your baby's delicate skin while also caring for the environment

Use code ‘newbornsleep20’ for 20% off their entire range, applying to all full priced items on iltutto.com.au. Code expires 11:59pm 26 October 2024.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

502 | Agustina, two babies, private obstetrician, physiological birth, breastfeeding, lactation consultant

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 01:35:03 GMT

This is a really lovely episode, where Agustina shares her two pregnancies and births, alongside her experiences as a Canadian living far away from her family. She opted for private obstetric care because she wanted extended follow-up care in the days after birth. She stayed really active in pregnancy, moved with the contractions and laboured relatively quickly, birthing both her babies with ease. Breastfeeding was a different story and if you’ve ever wondered exactly how profound and helpful a one-on-one session with a lactation consultant is, listen to Agustina’s experience - it speaks volumes!

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Hilary Walker documents people and places with an informal documentary style, capturing mood and authenticity. Once a month she shoots maternity, newborn and family mini sessions in her cosy bedroom style studio in Brunswick East at affordable rates. Sessions are 20 minutes and they are a breeze. The result is a collection of beautiful images capturing your family as they are in that moment. Hilary also offers shoots at home and around people’s neighbourhoods and she loves documenting families in their natural habitat. She’s really good at making people feel comfortable and bringing out the best in everyone. I should let you know that Hilary is my sister, so she’s paying me to say all this. But if you don’t believe me, you can take a look at her work at www.hilarywalker.com.au and let her pictures speak for themselves. I have been lucky to have Hilary photographing our family all through my kids lives, but I also choose to have her photograph me for my business too. Most of the images you see of me throughout ABS have been taken by Hilary. She shoots portraits, still life, product, interiors and architecture too. Check out her website and see how you could make use of her skills!

www.hilarywalker.com.au

She’s offering listeners 15% off for those that make a booking for a shoot at home before the 30th of November 2024, just use the code ABS15 at checkout.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

501 | Sarah, PPROM, NICU, antenatal expressing, nipple shield, triple-feeding, lactation consultant

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 03:40:02 GMT

If you need to hear a positive NICU breastfeeding story, this is it! Sarah shares her experience with premature prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) and the NICU journey that followed the birth of her baby at 32 weeks. She started antenatal expressing in labour and continued hand-expressing in the days after before switching to a hospital-grade pump. She had plenty of milk, triple-fed and used a nipple-shield alongside navigating an oversupply (she could pump 400ml in a single session!). She saw a variety of lactation consultants in the first few months and emphasises how important it is to find the right person for you who also has the right level of expertise for your situation.

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Today’s episode is brought to you by Kiwi.co.

I must confess I’m not much of a crafty mum but Kiwi Co’s panda crate has been the best educational investment for Ottie. KiwiCo Panda Crate is a bimonthly subscription for babies ages 0-24 months. We receive a subscription box filled with playful, open-ended activities backed by research and designed especially for naturally curious and creative babies and toddlers.

KiwiCo Panda Crate products are not only safe and of high quality, but also age-appropriate and supportive of your baby’s growth. I’m a big fan of quality activities that create the opportunity for play-based learning and Kiwi Co delivers hands-on projects that get the whole family involved. Whether you have a brand-new baby or a trailblazing toddler, the Panda Crate is perfect for your little one’s developing brain. Unlock brain-building play with KiwiCo Panda Crate!

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

500 | Celebrating 500 episodes with a recap of the last 7 years building Australian Birth Stories!

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 01:21:17 GMT

Welcome back to the show for Episode 500. This one's a little bit different.
I'm not interviewing anyone today, I thought I would instead recap the last few years and share with you a little bit more about the journey.

Whether you're here for the first time, or you've been here since the beginning over 7 years ago, thank you for listening. I look forward to continuing to bring you birth stories for another 7 years and beyond.

Want to celebrate with us?
Please leave the show a rating or review in your podcast app, it means so much to me.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

499 | Roisin, three babies, miscarriage, IVF, HG, MGP, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, induction, emergency caesarean, MCDA twins

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 04:17:29 GMT

Today Roisin shares her journey of infertility, IVF experience and her two births - both emergency caesareans. When she fell pregnant with her son, she knew she wanted MGP care in the public system after hearing so many wonderful things about it on the podcast. She intended to have a low-intervention birth but as soon as she was diagnosed with gestational hypertension which escalated to preeclampsia in her third trimester, she accepted that an induction was likely.

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Today’s episode of the show is brought to you by my online childbirth education course, The Birth Class.

What makes The Birth Class so unique?

Well, instead of learning from one person with one perspective, we’ve gathered nine perinatal health specialists to take you through everything you need to know about labor and birth.

Realistic information is key to thorough preparation. Learn more here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

498 | Katelyn, three babies, private obstetrician, vaginal birth, fraternal twins, cholestasis, IUGR, physiological twin birth, breastfeeding

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 00:26:58 GMT

Katelyn’s first birth was relatively quick - a low-intervention vaginal birth in a private hospital. When she discovered she was pregnant again, she booked in with the same obstetrician but at her eight week scan, she found out she was pregnant with twins, and her obstetrician refused to support a vaginal birth. So began Katelyn’s informed pregnancy and birth journey, which led to changing care providers at 25 weeks. She takes us through this experience - the fear and doubt - but mostly the thorough understanding of twin birth, the faith she had in her own body and her determination to birth intuitively. She also discusses her challenging breastfeeding experiences in detail and really highlights the importance of having a lactation consultant by your side. This is a brilliant episode that’s both informative and empowering.

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Today’s episode is brought to you by Bliss Birth. Bliss Birth is founded on the belief that women’s bodies are incredible things, and that when it’s safe, choosing natural options makes for the best outcomes for mums and babies. That’s why Ariel has developed a range of products to support your natural birth experience. Introducing the most advanced natural pain management device for labour available in Australia – The Elle TENS Plus. TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and it is the ultimate birth tool as it maximizes your body’s natural pain-fighting abilities.

Bliss Birth offer both 4 and 8 week hire periods, Pre-addressed, prepaid return (No printer needed). The ‘Mama Bag’ valued at $10.95 is yours to keep!

You can enjoy 10% off Bliss Birth with the code ABS24.

Head over to BlissBirth.com.au

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

497 | Erika, Pre-Eclampsia, HELLP Syndrome, CMV, missed miscarriage, emergency caesarean

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 02:51:15 GMT

In today’s heartfelt episode, Erika shares her challenging and inspiring journey into motherhood with her two little boys. Erika opens up about conceiving after a short period of trying, only to face the heartbreaking loss of her first pregnancy due to a missed miscarriage at 10 weeks. She candidly shares her emotional and physical experiences of conceiving again after this loss.

During her second pregnancy at 35 weeks and 2 days, shortly after her baby shower, Erika started to feel unwell. She had been experiencing uncomfortable swelling of her feet and felt generally off and uncomfortable. With just eight days left of work, she decided to go in, but as the sharp pain under her ribs continued, she left work to get checked at the hospital. Erika had developed pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome and had an emergency caesarean to deliver Lauchlan that day.

During her third pregnancy, Erika encountered another significant health scare when she contracted the Cytomegalovirus (CMV) during the first trimester. Erika’s doctor prescribed a course of antiretrovirals to help prevent the spread of the virus to her unborn baby. Thankfully, the treatment was successful, and the virus did not spread.

Today’s episode of the show is brought to you by my online childbirth education course, The Birth Class.

What makes The Birth Class so unique? Well, instead of learning from one person with one perspective, we’ve gathered nine perinatal health specialists to take you through everything you need to know about labour and birth.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

496 | Tanya, four babies, epidural, vaginal birth, vacuum, molar pregnancy, IVF, breech, planned caesarean, down’s syndrome, TFMR, VBAC

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 00:08:29 GMT

In today’s episode, Tanya takes us through her four birth experiences. Her first two babies are now teenagers and her second two are very little, so she speaks from the perspective of a mother in her 20s and her 40s and comments on how the maternity system has changed over the years to ultimately become more risk-averse. She conceived via IVF for her third baby and after two previous vaginal births, had a planned caesarean because of breech positioning. Two years later she conceived naturally, a little boy named Ollie who had a life-limiting health diagnosis and was terminated for medical reasons. Tanya speaks openly about that experience and the trust she found in her intuition. She says her heart was ready for one more baby so after another IVF conception and a healthy pregnancy, she achieved an incredible VBAC; empowered by knowledge and supported by her private obstetrician.

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Today’s episode is brought to you by an Australian brand I really love, The Sleepybelly Pregnancy Pillow.

Worried about rolling onto your back during the night? Or maybe you’re tired from tossing and turning?

Experience a deeper and more restful sleep for mum and bub with Sleepybelly. The Sleepybelly is a three piece, adjustable pregnancy pillow designed to encourage safe side sleeping. Made from a super soft, air layer outer material and premium latex internally provides great support for your belly and back. Sleepybelly is Australian owned, has free shipping and comes with a 30-night trial.
Take $10 off using the Australian Birthing Stories exclusive promo code ABS10

You can purchase the Sleepybelly online today at sleepybelly.com.au

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

495 | Sarah, Breastfeeding, triple feeding, oversupply, cracked nipples, mastitis, tongue tie

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 01:25:15 GMT

Sarah has a family history of breast cancer and is very aware of the protective benefits of breastfeeding so she was determined to persist despite the challenges. She only realised she had flat nipples after the birth of her first baby so she used nipple shields for four months and fed without them for an extra 11 months. Her second baby was born with a tongue tie which has led to a slew of challenges including a shallow, painful latch subsequently causing cracked nipples and three rounds of mastitis. She talks about the difficulty in accessing consistent lactation support and the expert care of Dr Nicole Gale at Juno Specialists who released her baby’s tongue tie.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

494 | Andrea, insufficient glandular tissue, IGT, breastfeeding hypoplasia, triple-feeding, tongue tie, lactation consultant, formula feeding, maternal mental health

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 06:03:14 GMT

You can listen to Andrea’s birth stories in episode 312 and today, she shares her incredibly informed story about breastfeeding hypoplasia, also known as Insufficient Glandular Tissue (IGT). As she says, it’s a story about what happens when breastfeeding doesn’t happen. Her journey highlights the polarity between breastfeeding and formula feeding, the judgement when you choose not to breastfeed (or can’t breastfeed) and the lack of lactation and social support for all mothers in postpartum and how this informs and influences feeding choices. Her experience also reflects the data: there is a strong link between inability to breastfeed and perinatal anxiety and depression. Andrea is also the editor of our postpartum book and has been a vital part of ensuring we talk about infant feeding objectively and with awareness of all experiences.

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Today’s episode is brought to you by Kiwi.co.

KiwiCo Panda Crate products are not only safe and of high quality, but also age-appropriate and supportive of your baby’s growth.

I’m a big fan of quality activities that create the opportunity for play-based learning and Kiwi Co delivers hands-on projects that get the whole family involved. Whether you have a brand-new baby or a trailblazing toddler, the Panda Crate is perfect for your little one’s developing brain.

Unlock brain-building play with KiwiCo Panda Crate!

Get 20% off your first crate with code BIRTHSTORIES at kiwico.com/panda

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

493 | Sophie, premature birth, NICU, tube-feeding, triple-feeding, mastitis, exclusive breastfeeding

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 22:30:00 GMT

Sophie’s first baby was diagnosed with Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) because of placental insufficiency at 25 weeks. Little Tilly was born at 29 weeks and weighed only 534 grams so she was tube-fed for 10 weeks in NICU before being discharged. Sophie takes us through her breastfeeding journey - controlling the controllable, triple-feeding and eventually an exclusive breastfeeding journey that ended at 22 months. When asked if she would triple-feed again to ensure she could breastfeed, she admits she would 1000 percent do it. “It’s so worth it!”

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Medela has worked with generations of mothers to create innovative breast pumps that are practical and intuitive.

Their Freestyle Hands-Free Breast Pump is a game-changer for postpartum because it gives mothers some fantastic options they have not had before. The benefits are impressive. The ultra light-weight collection cups are designed to sit discreetly in-side your bra. There’s no fuss and it’s easy to clean and assemble with 3 dishwasher safe parts. The transparent design makes it easy to align your nipple and ensure the milk is flowing. For a superior hands-free pumping experience, The Freestyle Hands-Free Breast Pump is recommended for its simplicity and ease of use.

Medela blends decades of scientific research with insights from mothers to create practical pumps that lighten the load – quite literally – in early motherhood. Medela – the Science of Care.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

492 | Sheree, three vaginal births, private obstetrician, TFMR, physiological birth, en caul, The Birth Class

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 04:54:39 GMT

Sheree takes us through her first pregnancy, her choice to have a termination for medical reasons (TFMR) at 20 weeks and the grief that followed. She admits that she has always been in denial when discovering that she’s pregnant, a response that’s actually quite common for so many women who experience more overwhelm and doubt than they do immediate joy. She opted for private obstetric care, educated herself and was intent on avoiding the cascade of intervention. Her second birth was incredibly positive, so much so that when she was preparing for her third, she doubted whether it could be as empowering. She decided to go right back to the beginning and embraced all the birth education to better understand labour and get herself in a strong and stable mindset. And it worked; her third birth left her feeling on top of the world because she could identify the stages of labour, she knew how to breathe and she was confident in her choice to avoid intervention and let her body birth her baby.

Today’s episode of the show is brought to you by my online childbirth education course, The Birth Class.

What makes The Birth Class so unique?

Well, instead of learning from one person with one perspective, we’ve gathered nine perinatal health specialists to take you through everything you need to know about labor and birth.

Realistic information is key to thorough preparation.

Learn more here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

491 | Louise, three babies, public hospital, spontaneous labour, induction, 3C perineal tear, planned caesarean

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 01:05:44 GMT

Today’s episode is a beautiful example of doing your research and making an informed choice, even if it’s not your first birth preference. Louise works as an osteopath and opted for public hospital midwifery care.. Her first birth was very straightforward and her second labour was incredibly quick, resulting in a 3C tear that she recovered from without symptoms, thanks in part to regular pelvic floor exercises and guidance from a physio and colo-rectal surgeon. In her third pregnancy she sought the opinion of five different health professionals who all agreed that a caesarean birth was the best option to avoid further perineal trauma. She takes us through this process, along with her caesarean recovery and the scar massage that has assisted her physical and emotional recovery.
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Bare mum have just released their Silicone Gel Scar Strips. Designed to hydrate and protect scars to improve their appearance and reduce any associated discomfort. Made from the highest quality medical-grade silicone, this scar treatment is safe and effective in preventing, softening, flattening and fading, red and raised scars - both new and existing. The Bare Mum Silicone Gel Scar Strips form a protective barrier that maintains an optimal level of moisture to aid cell turnover and healthy collagen production, keeping the scar hydrated and assisting with skin regeneration. It reduces tension around the scar tissue, minimising the risk of widening or hypertrophy.

Bare Mum is offering you 15% off storewide with the discount code ABS2024

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

490 | Emily, surrogate, twin pregnancy, identical twins, vaginal birth, antenatal expressing

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 03:13:26 GMT

In today’s episode, Emily - a mum of three - shares her journey as a surrogate (or an ‘oven’ as she refers to it). When her youngest was three she started to miss the pregnancy and birth journey so she began researching surrogacy in Australia. She joined the facebook group and reached out to two intended dads. They hit it off immediately and within a year, the embryo was transferred and Emily conceived on the first attempt. Everyone’s joy doubled when they discovered she was carrying twins and much like her singleton pregnancies, her entire journey was smooth and straightforward. Emily (and Rory and Bob’s) story is a beautiful example of supported surrogacy and in sharing, she hopes to raise awareness and advocate for the hundreds of intended parents who are currently looking for a surrogate.

Sleepybelly is Australian owned, has free shipping and comes with a 30-night trial.
Take $10 off using the Australian Birthing Stories exclusive promo code ABS10

You can purchase the Sleepybelly online today at sleepybelly.com.au

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

489 Postpartum | Helen, sleep support, Early Parenting Unit, pregnancy after loss, postpartum after loss

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 06:36:00 GMT

This is a profoundly important episode for any new parent navigating sleep challenges with their baby. Helen is a mother of three and trauma-informed midwife who shares her experience of baby loss and PTSD. She acknowledges that her trauma has coloured her postpartum experience with her third baby and while the initial months were quite textbook when it came to sleep, it was the 4-month stage (a developmental ‘progression’ that is often reflected in unsettled sleep) when her challenges began. She talks at length about her own mental health journey alongside her baby’s persistent wakings and her choice to stay at an early parenting unit for sleep support. Helen received expert care in line with her family values and reiterates that it was an incredibly supportive and positive step in her parenting journey.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Kiwi.co.

Unlock brain-building play with KiwiCo Panda Crate!

Get 20% off your first crate with code BIRTHSTORIES

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

488 | Emily, three babies, type 1 diabetes, private obstetrician, induction, spontaneous labour, breastfeeding, antenatal expressing

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 00:18:43 GMT

In this episode Emily details her diagnosis and experience with Type 1 diabetes. It has significantly informed her three pregnancies and births because she’s deemed high risk (diabetes increases the risk of placental deterioration, stillbirth and hypertension). She takes us through her different models of care in the private and public hospital system as she navigated inductions, extra scans and monitoring as well as antenatal expressing (colostrum helps raise the baby’s blood sugar levels).

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487 | Amelia, three babies, twins, PROM, induction, emergency caesarean, twin VBAC, breastfeeding, Dr Bisits, breech vaginal birth

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 23:00:00 GMT

In today’s episode Amelia shares her first birth which was a challenging induced labour that ended in an emergency caesarean. She always knew she wanted a VBAC so when she discovered she was pregnant with twins, she made it her mission to find a care provider to support her. Thankfully, she discovered Dr Andrew Bisits at the Royal Hospital for Women who accepted her immediately. Amelia takes us through her labour step by step as she navigated CTG monitoring challenges, advocated for her preferences and achieved an empowering twin VBAC - our very first for the podcast. Amelia speaks so highly of Dr Bisits and so do I. He came to the Sydney launch of our book and spoke to the whole room about the importance of woman centred care. If you want a breech vaginal birth - he’s your guy.

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Today’s episode is brought to you by an Australian brand I really love, The Sleepybelly Pregnancy Pillow.

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486 | Suze, one baby, MGP, induction, syntocinon, epidural, forceps-assisted birth, breastfeeding, nipple shields

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 01:05:26 GMT

If you’re in the mood for a birth story full of truths and just as many laughs, this one’s for you. Suze started listening to the podcast years before she conceived so in early pregnancy, she started an evening ritual of going for a walk and listening to every episode from #1 (the very rustic eps!). She takes us through her MGP care, birth preparation and induced labour where she felt empowered to make informed decisions every step of the way.

Today’s episode is brought to you by an Australian brand I really love, The Sleepybelly Pregnancy Pillow.

Worried about rolling onto your back during the night? Or maybe you’re tired from tossing and turning?

Take $10 off using the Australian Birthing Stories exclusive promo code ABS10 You can purchase the Sleepybelly online today at sleepybelly.com.au

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

485 Postpartum | Eliza, two babies, disabled parent, medical stigma, disability advocate

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 00:29:56 GMT

In today’s episode I chat to Eliza Hull - a musician, author and disability advocate who lives with a neurological condition called charcot marie tooth. When she started considering and discussing her plans to have children, she was met with stigma from friends and medical professionals, an experience that is common for people living with disability. She takes us through her lessons in parenting, the work she’s done to amplify the voice of disabled parents and the importance of perinatal medical professionals embracing and supporting parents with disability.

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Our friends at iL Tutto have launched their EOFY sale, with some amazing offers, up to 50% off a range of Glider Nursery Chairs and 20% off their signature Recliner styles. The sale also includes their range of award-winning CoZee Co-sleepers with up to 30% off! The exciting part is that they’re offering our audience an ADDITIONAL 5% off these discounted prices, using the code birth5 at checkout.

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Shop now at iltutto.com.au their sale ends at 11:59pm Sunday 30 June, however our exclusive 5% off code (birth5) will continue on, expiring Monday 15th July. See their terms and conditions page for more details.

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484 | Hannah, three babies, PROM, induction, gas+air, MGP, waterbirth, breastfeeding, epidural

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 03:13:10 GMT

Hannah’s three vaginal births are so different but they all started with pre-labour rupture of membranes (PROM). Her first was induced and she explains the intensity of contractions and how she navigated them. In her second birth she waited days after the trickle of her waters began, was guided by an obstetrician willing to wait and she went into spontaneous labour and had a physiological waterbirth. With her third, her baby was posterior and while her waters broke labour never started. She made the informed choice to have an epidural before the syntocinon started and really enjoyed her labour. As she says: “A positive birth is when mum and bub are fine, and mum comes away thinking ‘that was really good’. I was involved in all the decisions and I felt supported every step of the way.’

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483 Postpartum | Jen, one vaginal birth, GD, induction, episiotomy, postpartum confinement

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 02:34:06 GMT

In today’s episode, I talk to Jen about her pregnancy, birth and traditional Chinese confinement during postpartum. Jen is a second-generation Chinese-Australian and while she was at first hesitant to embrace the confinement period after birth, when she left the hospital feeling frail, “like a creature born trembling, without fur or feathers” she accepted all the teas, soups and rest her mother and mother-in-law offered her. Jen considers her birth a really positive experience and she reflects on her golden month of healing with immense gratitude. Jen’s mother is an OB/GYN and acupuncturist who encouraged her to track her cycle by taking her temperature. She conceived within two months and opted for shared care with her GP as she didn’t have any health concerns.

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482 | Bee, one baby, MGP, spontaneous labour, The Birth Class, sterile water injections, episiotomy, vacuum assisted birth, breastfeeding

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 00:35:06 GMT

Bee came to her first pregnancy like most women do; with the understanding that birth is incredibly hard and painful - something to be endured. Understandably, she was terrified and not interested in hearing anyone’s birth story. Thankfully, she was accepted into MGP early on and had a beautiful, supportive midwife on her side. She also started listening to the podcast and soon realised she had the opportunity to learn a whole new vocabulary and get educated about birth, an experience that can be positive and empowering. She went into spontaneous labour and spent most of her labour at home before transferring to the birth centre. She pushed for a few hours before making the decision to move to the birthing suite for assistance. Bee’s story is a beautiful example of the power of education to make informed decisions every step of the way.

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If you’re considering The Birth Class, now is the time to buy. It just got bigger and better thanks to new content that enhances your birth education and preparation experience, including:

A cheat sheet for your birth partner. This simple outline takes your support person through early and active labour – what to expect, how to support and what to say when challenges arise
Images of birth positions – the ideal addition for visual learners 3 meditations to release tension, foster trust and navigate a change of plans.
An illustrated guide to antenatal expressing – everything you need to know about collecting and storing colostrum.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

481 Postpartum | Ruby, breastfeeding, sleep challenges, normal infant biology, low sleep needs

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 05:43:55 GMT

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If you’re considering The Birth Class, now is the time to buy. It just got bigger and better thanks to new content that enhances your birth education and preparation experience, including:

A cheat sheet for your birth partner. This simple outline takes your support person through early and active labour – what to expect, how to support and what to say when challenges arise
Images of birth positions – the ideal addition for visual learners 3 meditations to release tension, foster trust and navigate a change of plans.
An illustrated guide to antenatal expressing – everything you need to know about collecting and storing colostrum.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

480 | Sea, MGP, physiological birth, positive birth story, Indigenous, planned postpartum

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 01:15:48 GMT

Sea shared her first three physiological births in episode 304 and today she returns to tell us all about her fourth pregnancy and birth. Little Leia was a big surprise but Sea took it in her stride - as most mums of four do - and managed to get in the MGP program at Cairns Hospital which gave her access to the spacious rooms in the birthing suite. She stayed active throughout her pregnancy, consciously planned for postpartum so she had the support to stay home for six weeks after birth and experienced a beautiful waterbirth. This episode is a powerful reminder that birth can be quiet, calm, gentle and positive.

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Today’s episode is brought to you by Kiwi.co.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

479 Postpartum | Ariane, postpartum psychosis, psychologist, hallucinations, postpartum depression, psychotic depression

Thu, 30 May 2024 00:29:03 GMT

In today’s episode, Ariane shares her experience with postpartum psychosis. As a psychologist working in child and family services, Ariane was aware of perinatal mental illness but her anxiety prevented her from disclosing her symptoms which included disillusions, hallucinations and suicidal ideation. After a stay in a mother and baby unit, she started seeing a perinatal psychiatrist who saw past her well-presented exterior and diagnosed her with psychotic depression. Ariane speaks candidly about her mental health, her work with the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) and her new memoir, ‘Because I’m Not Myself, You See’.

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If you’re considering The Birth Class, now is the time to buy. It just got bigger and better thanks to new content that enhances your birth education and preparation experience, including:

A cheat sheet for your birth partner. This simple outline takes your support person through early and active labour – what to expect, how to support and what to say when challenges arise
Images of birth positions – the ideal addition for visual learners 3 meditations to release tension, foster trust and navigate a change of plans.
An illustrated guide to antenatal expressing – everything you need to know about collecting and storing colostrum.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

478 | Katie, one baby, plus-size, doula, induction, vaginal birth, PPH

Mon, 27 May 2024 02:36:42 GMT

In this episode 478 Katie shares her pregnancy and birth experience as a plus-size woman. She was denied access to midwifery group practice because of her weight and was immediately placed in a high risk model of care. She reflects on the inherent stress of this and admits that there were frequent suggestions of induction from her second trimester onwards. After employing a doula to support her pregnancy and birth journey, she informed herself and considers her experience positive because she understood her options and advocated for her preferences. Despite pelvic girdle pain she had a normal pregnancy until 39 weeks when tests revealed very early signs of preeclampsia. She opted for an induction, used remifentanil for pain relief and birthed her baby girl after six hours of labour.

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Today’s episode of the show is proudly brought to you by Once Upon. You all know how much I love making our photo books and prints on the Once Upon app and guess what, you can create your book today and save 25%. Just use the code books25 at checkout. This offer is valid from May 26th until end of day on June 2nd 2024 Head to Once Upon.

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477 | Angela, physiological home birth, private midwife, water birth

Mon, 20 May 2024 01:35:57 GMT

In this episode Angela shares her incredibly positive first birth - a water birth at home, supported by private midwives. Before she had conceived, Angela spent years learning about birth and discovered that a physiological birth in water was her preference. She came to this pregnancy - her second - with a strong awareness of body and mind and continued nurturing a confident mindset throughout each trimester. She had enormous trust in the birth process, in her body and her baby and whilst that wavered towards the end of labour - as it’s wont to do - she continued to listen to her body, breathe deep and experienced an ecstatic birth.

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476 | Georgie, four babies, MGP, physiological birth, breastfeeding, surprise breech, breech vaginal birth, DCDA twins, twin vaginal birth without epidural

Mon, 13 May 2024 05:13:08 GMT

I know I say it a lot, but you’re really going to love this episode. Georgie details her positive physiological first birth, her second that was a surprise breech (birthed vaginally!) and a DCDA twin pregnancy with confronting fragmented obstetric care. Georgie’s three births emphasise how vital education and advocacy really is, especially when confronted with coercive care providers. In her three births she was surrounded by supportive and strong midwives who really backed her when she needed it most. If you’re pregnant with twins and you’re planning a vaginal birth without epidural, consider this a must-listen.

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If you’re considering The Birth Class, now is the time to buy. It just got bigger and better thanks to new content that enhances your birth education and preparation experience, including:

A cheat sheet for your birth partner. This simple outline takes your support person through early and active labour – what to expect, how to support and what to say when challenges arise
Images of birth positions – the ideal addition for visual learners 3 meditations to release tension, foster trust and navigate a change of plans.
An illustrated guide to antenatal expressing – everything you need to know about collecting and storing colostrum.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

475 Postpartum | Arnikka, postpartum, IBCLC, neurodivergence, autism, ADHD, sensory overwhelm

Wed, 08 May 2024 22:23:27 GMT

In this absolutely brilliant episode, Arnikka - @sucklebubs - takes us through her life-changing diagnosis of autism and ADHD in her second postpartum. Postpartum is a common time for women to consider their neurotype and for Arnikka, the overwhelm of the mental load was quickly becoming debilitating even though she didn’t feel particularly depressed or anxious. She found a neuro-affirming psychologist who gave her the language to define her brain, helped her understand her unique sensory needs and encouraged her to embrace her neurodivergence. She admits it was the best moment of her life and as she reflects on her childhood, describes her challenges and explains how research lights her up, she also touches on her work as an IBCLC, the sensory overwhelm of breastfeeding and the importance of breastfeeding manners for older babies. I absolutely loved listening to Arnikka and I came away with a profound gratitude for everything she shared with me. #nothingaboutuswithoutus #actuallyautistic

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Today’s episode of the show is proudly brought to you by Once Upon.

I’m not sure about your kids but mine love looking at old photos of themselves. I recently made Ottie a photo book with the help of @onceuponapp It was so quick and easy to make I just selected photos in my phone and the @onceuponapp suggested the layout and offered lots of choices at the click of a button. I’ve ordered an extra copy to gift to my mum for Mother’s Day too.

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474 | Chantal endometriosis, IVF, anxiety, private obstetrician, HG, amniocentesis, spontaneous labour, vaginal birth

Sun, 05 May 2024 23:49:41 GMT

The gender pain gap has been in the news cycle recently with the Victorian government announcing an inquiry into women’s pain. Chantal’s story mirrors the experience of thousands of Australian women; a history of painful periods that had been dismissed. She was diagnosed with stage three endometriosis when she had trouble conceiving naturally. After a laparoscopy and no success with natural conception, she started the IVF journey and talks at length about the emotional and mental challenges she faced during four failed embryo transfers. She conceived on the fifth cycle and was bedridden for the first trimester with HG which was dismissed by her obstetrician. After a week-long hospital stay for fluids she chose a new obstetrician and despite his support throughout pregnancy, in the third trimester suggestions of a planned caesarean or induction to prevent stillbirth prompted Chantal to avoid her appointments. She went into spontaneous labour at 41+1 and after a quick and intense labour she birthed her baby girl without intervention.

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If you’re considering The Birth Class, now is the time to buy. It just got bigger and better thanks to new content that enhances your birth education and preparation experience, including:

A cheat sheet for your birth partner. This simple outline takes your support person through early and active labour – what to expect, how to support and what to say when challenges arise
Images of birth positions – the ideal addition for visual learners 3 meditations to release tension, foster trust and navigate a change of plans.
An illustrated guide to antenatal expressing – everything you need to know about collecting and storing colostrum.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

473 | Ash, three babies, induction, vaginal birth, homebirth, waterbirth, microcephaly,

Thu, 02 May 2024 04:37:21 GMT

Ash has been listening to the podcast since episode 40 so I’ve been in her ears every week for six years. Today she takes us through her three pregnancies and births, nodding to the importance of being prepared - listening to all kinds of births - and also accepting intervention when necessary. She navigated postnatal depression in her first postpartum but reconnected with her psychologist and went into her second pregnancy feeling grounded. She planned a homebirth and embraced spontaneous contractions, leaning into the pain. Her birth was straightforward but she immediately noticed that baby Oliver’s head was a bit small and 12 weeks later they began a long series of tests and medical appointments that eventually led to the diagnosis of a rare variant of microcephaly. Ash details her grief and shock, her self-blame and the eventual acceptance that life would look very different for the whole family. Her third birth was an incredibly healing experience and as she gets into the groove of raising three boys, she admits that social media has been such a blessing as she’s connected with parents of children with disabilities, helping her feel less alone and emotionally supported.

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What makes The Birth Class so unique?

Instead of learning from one person with one perspective, we’ve gathered nine perinatal health specialists to take you through everything you need to know about labour and birth.

the process of labour and the hormones involved
the benefits and risks of interventions
your pain-relief options
what happens in an emergency caesarean
what to expect in the hours after birth
active preparation for a VBAC

Plus, you’ll be taught practical birth skills that will help you navigate the twists and turns of labour.

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472 | Sarah Davidson, one baby, private obstetrician, miscarriage, ovulation induction, gestational diabetes, footling breech, planned caesarean

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 04:35:04 GMT

In today’s episode, Sarah takes us through her fertility experience as an adoptee which prompted her to do a series of tests early in her journey. After a missed miscarriage, she embarked on ovulation induction but then spontaneously conceived while on an overseas holiday. She opted for private obstetric care alongside support from a doula and at 37 weeks, when baby Teddy remained in a footling breech position, she booked a planned caesarean. But, Teddy had other plans and Sarah’s waters broke in dramatic fashion while standing outside the hospital. His surprise early arrival allowed them to stay in an uninterrupted bubble for five days and Sarah takes us right through her initial postpartum including her caesarean recovery and breastfeeding. A joyful episode brimming with considered advice and unbridled truths, I think you’ll really enjoy this one.

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471 | Ashlee, one baby, gastric sleeve surgery, IVF, placenta previa, private obstetrician, student midwife, iron infusion, PPH, breastfeeding

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 21:30:00 GMT

In today’s episode Ashlee details her long fertility journey including her choice to have gastric sleeve surgery. She conceived baby Luca on her first IVF transfer and chose private obstetric care alongside the support of a student midwife. Placenta previa dictated a caesarean birth so Ashlee purchased The Caesarean Birth Class and listened to each episode multiple times so she understood the process and didn’t feel overwhelmed about the surgery. Despite a PPH, Ashlee considers her birth a really positive experience because she was informed and supported by a wonderful team of specialists.

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THE CAESAREAN BIRTH CLASS, is an informative and empowering online childbirth course that offers you education and guidance for caesarean preparation, birth and recovery. You may already know what day your baby will be born but no doubt you have many questions about the operating theatre, pain relief and your recovery. This online course includes four audio modules with perinatal health specialists and three caesarean-specific breathing and relaxation practices, The Caesarean Birth Class takes you through every aspect of birth and recovery, including:

Writing a caesarean birth plan and advocating for your preferences
Relaxation and rest in pregnancy
What happens before you go to theatre
The caesarean birth process, including Maternal Assisted Caesarean (MAC)
Skin-to-skin and optimal cord clamping in theatre
What to expect in recovery * Pain relief options and side-effects
Mobility in the first 24/48/72 hours
Wound care and healing
Recovery at home

Enjoy life time access with the incredible course, learn more here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

470 | Abby, three vaginal births, gp shared care, public hospital, pain-free birth, physiological birth, breastfeeding

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 05:55:04 GMT

In this episode Abby shares her third pregnancy and birth story. She opted for shared care with her GP, a decision that really suited her busy family life and offered her continuity of care with someone she trusted. Her third trimester was challenging - she had significant pelvic pain which prevented her from exercising, she moved house and her iron levels were really low so each day was punctuated with significant fatigue. Her first two births were relatively quick so she knew she'd have to get to hospital without delay. She went into spontaneous labour at home on a Saturday morning when contractions came frequently. But one thing was different - the contractions weren’t painful and her labour felt easy. The whole family made their way to the hospital and two minutes after they walked through the door of the birth suite, baby Remy was born in what Abby describes as a completely pain-free birth.

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469 Postpartum | Gen, breastfeeding, unsettled sleep, mother and baby unit, sleep consultant, sleep training, sleep school

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 00:23:57 GMT

Following on from her birth story in episode 468, Gen shares her significant challenges with baby sleep. Sleep is one of the most political and polarising aspects of parenthood; there’s a plethora of differing opinions and it can get very overwhelming, fast. For Gen and her baby Robbie, a variety of challenges created the perfect storm of unsettled sleep habits. She takes us through her first year and the three different sleep supports she used. She admits that she still feels conflicted about the choices she made but she’s also comforted by the fact that she’s got a healthy baby and she’s now a physically and mentally healthy mum.

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If you’re considering The Birth Class, now is the time to buy. It just got bigger and better thanks to new content that enhances your birth education and preparation experience, including:

A cheat sheet for your birth partner. This simple outline takes your support person through early and active labour – what to expect, how to support and what to say when challenges arise
Images of birth positions – the ideal addition for visual learners 3 meditations to release tension, foster trust and navigate a change of plans.
An illustrated guide to antenatal expressing – everything you need to know about collecting and storing colostrum.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

468 | Gen, infertility, miscarriage, IVF, hyperstimulation, private obstetrician, induction, epidural, vacuum-assisted birth, episiotomy

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 01:13:23 GMT

Gen shares every aspect of her fertility, pregnancy and birth experience in this honest and hilarious episode. She tried to conceive for two years and experienced a devastating miscarriage before deciding to start IVF with her husband, Michael. Gen is a type-A personality and admits she loved the structure of fertility treatment. She opted for private obstetric care alongside support from a psychologist who helped her navigate the anxiety of her first trimester and the inherent challenges of a pregnancy after infertility and loss. Gen refers to her birth preference list as a ‘choose your own adventure’ but nothing could have prepared her for the intensity of an induction and a failed epidural. She admits that while her labour was incredibly challenging, her birth was very positive but even so, it took her days to feel any love for her newborn.

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Today’s episode is brought to you by Kiwi.co.

I must confess I’m not much of a crafty mum but Kiwi Co's panda crate has been the best educational investment for Ottie. KiwiCo Panda Crate is a bimonthly subscription for babies ages 0-24 months. We receive a subscription box filled with playful, open-ended activities backed by research and designed especially for naturally curious and creative babies and toddlers.KiwiCo Panda Crate products are not only safe and of high quality, but also age-appropriate and supportive of your baby's growth.

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467 | Gemma Fraternal Twins, MGP, Sunshine Coast Hospital, CMV

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 22:33:51 GMT

In episode 467 Gemma shares her unexpected pregnancy with twins. She shares the emotional rollercoaster of disbelief and excitement and the impact of the twins on her planned model of care for the pregnancy. Gemma went through the Midwifery Group Program at Sunshine Coast University Hospital, expressing gratitude for the exceptional care provided by her main midwife and the program's support throughout her twin pregnancy.

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iL Tutto Glider nursery chairs offer a smooth motion that’s gentle on your body, without needing you to engage your core to create the movement. iL Tutto glider chairs feature either electric – like their new luxe Frankie Electric Glider Recliners – or spring-loaded recline – such as the Chelsea Glider Recliner Chairs available in a range of premium fabrics.

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Explore the complete range and discover the perfect glider for your nursery using code GLIDER20 at checkout for 20% off any full price Nursery Chair, available at iltutto.com.au, code ends 30th April 2024.

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466 | Dee, two vaginal births, induction, TENS Machine, miscarriage, continuity of care

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 03:40:47 GMT

In episode 466 Dee shares her emotional and challenging pregnancy journeys. She was shocked to learn she’d conceived quickly but her elation soon turned to grief when she miscarried; an experience that was long and traumatic. For her subsequent pregnancy she details the isolation and uncertainty that comes with fragmented care which exacerbated her anxiety. Her first birth was hard, resulting in a postpartum hemorrhage and a challenging physical recovery. For her second birth, Dee was determined to do things differently. She opted for private continuity of care and takes us through her induction that led into a calm and beautiful vaginal birth.

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Today’s episode is brought to you by the Tinybeans app. As parents, we’re constantly seeking the best for our little ones, especially when it comes to capturing and sharing every unforgettable moment.

That’s why I recommend Tinybeans to all new parents.

Tinybeans offers a seamless way to document your child’s journey from pregnancy to preschool and beyond and allows your closest family and friends to follow along with every gummy smile, milestone birthday, and special family vacation. With features like unlimited photo and video uploads, customizable photo books, and journal prompts, Tinybeans simplifies the way you record, relive, and privately share your family’s everyday moments, turning them into cherished memories.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

465 | Georgie, vaginal birth, pre-eclampsia, induction, breastfeeding and mixed feeding

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 00:39:32 GMT

In episode 265 Georgie shares with us the birth of her first child Sadie. Georgie lives in Gunning in rural NSW and went through the local public hospital for her care. Georgie was having her blood pressure carefully monitored throughout her pregnancy however, it wasn't until after Sadie was born that she became very sick with pre-eclampsia.

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That’s why I recommend Tinybeans to all new parents.

Download the Tinybeans app and create your free account to start sharing all your silliest and sweetest memories, easily, all in one place.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

464 | Alice, Doula and Midwife, private obstetrician, home birth, planned postpartum

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 01:01:47 GMT

In this episode Alice shares her birth experiences in light of everything she’s learned as a mother, doula and midwife-in-training. In her first pregnancy she chose private obstetric care because at the time, she thought it was the best option available. She details the natural onset of labour, the decision-making process when planning her transfer to the hospital and her choice to use gas and morphine for pain relief. She also takes us through transition, the choices that were made for her and the impact of those choices on her mind and body. After experiencing two miscarriages, Alice conceived again and in preparation for her second birth, she was accepted into a publicly-funded homebirth programme. Determined and encouraged to birth her way, she was supported by two midwives and doula who were strongly aligned with her birth and care philosophies.

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That’s why I recommend Tinybeans to all new parents.

Download the Tinybeans app and create your free account to start sharing all your silliest and sweetest memories, easily, all in one place.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

463 | Courtney, two births, GP shared care, NIPT, Maternal assisted caesarean, Down Syndrome, heart surgery

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 00:34:45 GMT

In episode 463 Midwife Courtney shares with us her two pregnancy and birth experiences. Courtney lives in rural Victoria and chose to go through GP-shared care for her first pregnancy. Courtney admits that she found her midwifery knowledge contributed to her anxiety during both her pregnancies. Her first pregnancy was relatively smooth and she expected her second to be much the same. Despite several risk factors showing up in her second pregnancy with Maggie, it wasn't until Maggie was 5 days old that it was confirmed she has Down Syndrome.

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Today’s episode is brought to you by an Australian brand I really love, The Sleepybelly Pregnancy Pillow.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

462 | Briony Benjamin, Natural conception post chemotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 01:51:27 GMT

In episode 462 Briony shares with us her pregnancy and birth of her little boy Charlie. Briony was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma at the age of 31 and her doctors recommended she do one cycle of IVF prior to starting her chemotherapy treatment. Briony shares that doing the IVF cycle brought her a two week reprieve from the thoughts of treatment and she was surrounded by friends and family who supported her immensely during this time.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

461 | Sophie Two births, fraternal twins, shared care, positive induction, vaginal breech birth twin B

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 03:27:18 GMT

Sophie shares with us the birth of her son Liam and her twins Hannah and Louis. After getting married in 2020 Sophie and her husband felt ready to try and grow their family and they were fortunate to conceive shortly after beginning to try. They were living on the Mornington Peninsular in Victoria during Liam's pregnancy and they went under shared care with her GP and saw a midwife for his birth through the local public hospital in Frankston.

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Today’s episode is brought to you by ergoPouch.

ErgoPouch has recently launched their new AW24 collection. Featuring two BEARY new prints, and I must admit, these are some of their best! In case you are not familiar with ergoPouch, they are a premium sleepwear brand from Australia that uses certified organic cotton and natural fibres to create TOG-rated sleepwear and sleep solutions for newborns up to six years of age.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

460 | Gemma - two births, endometriosis, Sotos Syndrome, in utero blood transfusion, caesarean, private care

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 02:46:27 GMT

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Gemma who shares with us her two very different and uniquely challenging pregnancies of her son Max and her daughter Ava. During Max’s pregnancy, everything appeared to be running smoothly in his growth and development however the Obstetrician did note that Max’s head was measuring slightly larger than average. It wasn't until Max was born that they were able to diagnose him as having Soto’s Syndrome. Gemma shares her initial shock of learning about this very rare syndrome whilst she was pregnant with her second child. Gemma’s second pregnancy became more complex when she was 20 weeks pregnant with Ava and they discovered in her routine blood test that she had a very high reading of antibodies. Ava required two blood transfusions in utero during the pregnancy however she has since made a full recovery.

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Today's episode of the show is brought to you by my online childbirth education course, The Birth Class. What makes The Birth Class so unique?

Well, instead of learning from one person with one perspective, we've gathered nine perinatal health specialists to take you through everything you need to know about labor and birth.

Realistic information is key to thorough preparation.

Learn more about The Birth Class here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

459 | Chantelle Stanton, private Obstetrician, Cabrini Hospital, Induction, TENS machine

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 04:25:17 GMT

In today’s episode, Chantelle shares her experience of her first pregnancy and birth. Chantelle was very gratefulll to conceive shortly after deciding she was ready to try. She asked around to get recommendations to choose her care provider and she decided to go through the private model and saw an obstetrician at Cabrini Private hospital in Melbourne. Chantelle loved her birth experience and is thrilled to share it with us today.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

458 Postpartum | Jodi, four babies, MGP, public hospital, planned postpartum, breastfeeding, identity shift, postpartum book

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 01:06:38 GMT

You’re going to love this episode with Jodi; mother of four, yoga teacher, postpartum doula and co-author of The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth. Jodi and I chat all about our postpartum book - what we’ve learnt, the confronting reality of the lack of health services, and how she has reflected on her own postpartum experiences with newfound knowledge and awareness. It’s an emotional and informative episode where we discuss how much the health system has changed in the past 16 years, the far-reaching benefits of adequate support, being a young mum, the brain changes in pregnancy and the uncertainty and not-knowing of postpartum. If you want to listen to Jodi’s first episode, where she details her four very different vaginal birth experiences and breathing and sound practises for labour, tune into episode 163.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

457 | Tylah, Midwife, Home birth, Alice Springs, jaundice, breastfeeding challenges

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:31:48 GMT

In today’s episode, Tylah shares her experience as a midwife alongside her first pregnancy and birth. Tylah had spent many years supporting women in pregnancy and labour so she had plenty of time to consider what she wanted for her own birth experience. She knew from the outset that she wanted a homebirth but her partner, a doctor, took some convincing. Tylah admits that pregnancy was humbling from the start and the persistent challenge of unexplained rib pain encouraged her to surrender from early on. She takes us step by step through her homebirth preparation including hiring a private midwife, planning a water birth and the shock of an unexpected but necessary NICU stay.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

456 Postpartum | Sasha one baby, planned postpartum, PND, medication, breastfeeding, returning to work, race, childcare

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 23:58:29 GMT

You can listen to Sasha’s birth story in episode 331 and today she takes us through her early motherhood experience including discussions on race, mental health and the work/motherhood juggle. Sasha and her husband, Jem, planned an intentionally slow postpartum which was the ideal introduction to parenthood. Sasha talks openly about the challenges that arose after the newborn bubble, including her postnatal depression, her choice to take medication and the inner-conflict between expectations and reality. She also talks at length about race and genetics and what it’s like to have a different skin tone to her baby.

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If you’re considering The Birth Class, now is the time to buy.
It just got bigger and better thanks to new content that enhances your birth education and preparation experience, including:

A cheat sheet for your birth partner. This simple outline takes your support person through early and active labour - what to expect, how to support and what to say when challenges arise
Images of birth positions - the ideal addition for visual learners
3 meditations to release tension, foster trust and navigate a change of plans
An illustrated guide to antenatal expressing - everything you need to know about collecting and storing colostrum

For a limited time only, get 20% off with the code: ABS2024

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

455 | Larke, one baby, MGP, fibroid, maternal assisted caesarean (MAC), cleft palate

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 03:41:48 GMT

Larke is a midwife and she talks about her primal desire to experience labour and birth. But as she reiterates, there is so much about pregnancy and birth that is beyond our control. She was only 4 weeks pregnant when a scan revealed a significant fibroid at the back of her cervix which dictated her mode of delivery so from very early on she was grieving the loss of the vaginal birth she may never have. Her 20 week scan revealed her baby had a cleft palate and she is transparent with her rollercoaster of emotions following the diagnosis, normalising the confronting thoughts that come up in challenging times. With the support of her beloved midwife and obstetrician, Larke had an empowering maternal assisted caesarean and within minutes of Dolly being born it was confirmed that her palate was intact which meant she could breastfeed.

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If you’re considering The Birth Class, now is the time to buy.
It just got bigger and better thanks to new content that enhances your birth education and preparation experience, including:

A cheat sheet for your birth partner. This simple outline takes your support person through early and active labour - what to expect, how to support and what to say when challenges arise
Images of birth positions - the ideal addition for visual learners
3 meditations to release tension, foster trust and navigate a change of plans
An illustrated guide to antenatal expressing - everything you need to know about collecting and storing colostrum

For a limited time only, get 20% off with the code: ABS2024

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

454 | Kirsty, two babies, hysterectomy, uterus transplant, IVF, planned caesarean, mastitis

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 00:58:11 GMT

You may have seen Kirsty in the news recently. She’s the recipient of Australia’s first uterus transplant and birthed her miracle baby a few months ago. Today she takes us through the grief of a hysterectomy following her first birth, her options for growing her family, the transplant clinical trial and her pregnancy.

At the time of recording, four Australian women have received uterus transplants in Australia, three of whom were born without a uterus (MRKH syndrome). It’s so exciting to see such significant advancements in women’s reproductive health and I’ll always be grateful to be in the position to interview mothers and share their stories. Enjoy Kirsty’s story, it’s definitely a memorable one.

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If you’re considering The Birth Class, now is the time to buy.
It just got bigger and better thanks to new content that enhances your birth education and preparation experience, including:

A cheat sheet for your birth partner. This simple outline takes your support person through early and active labour - what to expect, how to support and what to say when challenges arise
Images of birth positions - the ideal addition for visual learners
3 meditations to release tension, foster trust and navigate a change of plans
An illustrated guide to antenatal expressing - everything you need to know about collecting and storing colostrum

For a limited time only, get 20% off with the code: ABS2024

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

453 | Niki, Two Physiological Home Births, Yoga Teacher, Breathing Techniques

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 04:41:38 GMT

In today’s episode, Niki shares her two incredibly positive home birth stories of her daughter Elsa and her son Nils. Niki is Swedish and Thai and lives with her Australian husband in Kho Samui where they teach Yoga to both practitioners and Yogis. Niki always knew she wanted to have her babies at home. In Thailand, it is illegal to have a home birth. This prompted Niki and her husband to decide to return to their family in Melbourne to pursue her home-birth dream.

Nik shares the challenges of morning sickness in both pregnancies, the changes in her yoga practice, and the impact of pregnancy on her physical and emotional well-being.

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Today's episode of the show is brought to you by my online childbirth education course, The Birth Class. What makes The Birth Class so unique?

Well, instead of learning from one person with one perspective, we've gathered nine perinatal health specialists to take you through everything you need to know about labor and birth.

Realistic information is key to thorough preparation.

Learn more about The Birth Class here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

452 Postpartum | Ellie, postpartum lethargy, brain fog, postpartum thyroiditis

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 01:38:03 GMT

Today, Ellie shares her experience with postpartum thyroiditis after experiencing the tell-tale signs and advocating for the appropriate blood tests at her six week check.

There are many symptoms in postpartum that can be excused as side-effects of birth recovery and sleep deprivation. However, what’s ‘common’ isn’t always ‘normal’. Postpartum Thyroiditis is a thyroid condition that prompts a range of symptoms including lethargy, brain fog, low mood, anxiety and weight changes. It can also contribute to changes in bowel habits and low milk production. In the general population it affects 5-10 percent of people but it’s not routinely tested in postpartum. Today, Ellie shares her experience with postpartum thyroiditis after experiencing the tell-tale signs and advocating for the appropriate blood tests at her six week check.

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Today’s episode is brought to you by my postpartum course Discovering Motherhood. This 8 part audio course has been designed to support you through an empowered and confident transition into motherhood.

Learn more here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

451 | Jordy endometriosis, fragmented care, excess amniotic fluid, tachycardia, planned caesarean, breastfeeding, missed miscarriage, secondary infertility

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 03:30:45 GMT

Jordy has always had long, painful and heavy periods so when she fell pregnant without trying, no one was more shocked than her. Excess amniotic fluid prevented her from monitoring her baby’s movements so she presented to the hospital multiple times and opted for a planned caesarean at 38 weeks. Her birth experience was incredibly positive and after breastfeeding for the first time in recovery, she went on to feed baby Evie for three years. Since being diagnosed with adenomyosis, endometriosis and cysts on her ovaries, Jordy is navigating secondary infertility alongside medication and persistent pain. She speaks candidly about the daily challenges of her pain as well as the heartache of failed pregnancies.

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Today's episode of the show is brought to you by my online childbirth education course, The Birth Class. What makes The Birth Class so unique?

Well, instead of learning from one person with one perspective, we've gathered nine perinatal health specialists to take you through everything you need to know about labor and birth.

Realistic information is key to thorough preparation.

Learn more about The Birth Class here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

450 | Joelleen, midwife, IBCLC, pregnancy loss, publicly-funded homebirth, physiological birth, waterbirth, breastfeeding, NICU

Sun, 28 Jan 2024 22:00:00 GMT

Joelleen is a midwife, naturopath and IBCLC who takes us through her pregnancy and homebirth experience. Her journey into motherhood began with the birth of her daughter at 16 weeks and she details the shock and grief of her loss. When she conceived again she was accepted into Sunshine Hospital’s publicly-funded homebirth programme and was really proactive with her birth preparation. She had a physiological water birth at home followed by an unexpected but short NICU stay. Joelleen reflects on her knowledge as a midwife and IBCLC and agrees that every new mother - despite how much she knows - needs reassurance from health professionals and care providers in the first few weeks of postpartum.

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Today's episode of the show is brought to you by my online childbirth education course, The Birth Class. What makes The Birth Class so unique?

Well, instead of learning from one person with one perspective, we've gathered nine perinatal health specialists to take you through everything you need to know about labor and birth.

Realistic information is key to thorough preparation.

Learn more about The Birth Class here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

449 Postpartum | Emma, two babies, bicornuate uterus, planned caesarean, placenta previa, placenta accreta, hysterectomy

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 20:45:00 GMT

In today’s episode Emma details her life-changing second pregnancy. At her 20 week scan she was diagnosed with major placenta previa (the placenta covers the cervix) as well as placenta accreta (where the placenta grows deeply into the uterine wall). In that moment her hopes for a VBAC and a homebirth vanished and she shifted her care to the high risk team at her local hospital. Emma required a hysterectomy immediately following the birth of her baby and she shares the many layers of grief that have come from losing her uterus and her menstrual cycle. Emma’s story emphasises how imperative compassionate, woman-centred care is during both pregnancy and postpartum.

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Today's episode of the show is brought to you by my online childbirth education course, The Birth Class. What makes The Birth Class so unique?

Well, instead of learning from one person with one perspective, we've gathered nine perinatal health specialists to take you through everything you need to know about labor and birth.

Realistic information is key to thorough preparation.

Learn more about The Birth Class here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

448 | Olivia, fraternal twins, DCDA twins, multiple birth team, public hospital, induction, vaginal birth, breastfeeding

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 01:38:32 GMT

In this episode Olivia details her shock upon discovering she was pregnant with fraternal twins after fertility challenges. She takes us through the experiences of having fragmented care with a multiple birth team at her local public hospital and the recommendations made for a twin labour and birth. She started seeing a perinatal psychologist in the third trimester to process her anxiety and she admits it was one of the best decisions she made for her postpartum, too. Olivia opted for an induction at 37+3 and despite foetal monitoring concerns and the suggestion of a caesarean, she utilised an epidural and a side-lying position to get to 10cm and birth her babies vaginally. She’s still exclusively breastfeeding at nine months but is honest about the time and effort it took to establish her milk supply and position both babies optimally.

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Today's episode of the show is brought to you by my online childbirth education course, The Birth Class. What makes The Birth Class so unique?

Well, instead of learning from one person with one perspective, we've gathered nine perinatal health specialists to take you through everything you need to know about labor and birth.

Realistic information is key to thorough preparation.

Learn more about The Birth Class here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

447 Postpartum | Jayne, three babies, homebirth, breech, planned caesarean, NICU, posterior urethral valves, organ donation

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 21:00:00 GMT

In today’s episode, Jayne details the contrast between homebirth and caesarean, a slow postpartum and an NICU stay. Towards the end of her third pregnancy Jayne discovered that her breech baby had kidney issues so she travelled to Hobart from her home in rural Tasmania for a planned caesarean and a month-long NICU stay. She takes us through the emotional upheaval of learning that her baby was sick and the almighty changes his diagnosis has brought to their family life. Supported by a loving village of neighbours and friends, Jayne and her husband are savouring life with their three boys and navigating many health appointments, hospital stays and a possible kidney transplant in the future.

Whilst many people think that organ donation is dependent on the information on your driver’s licence, you actually need to officially register as an organ donor. You can do that at donatelife.gov.au

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Today's episode of the show is brought to you by my online childbirth education course, The Birth Class. What makes The Birth Class so unique?

Well, instead of learning from one person with one perspective, we've gathered nine perinatal health specialists to take you through everything you need to know about labor and birth.

Realistic information is key to thorough preparation. Learn more about The Birth Class here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

446 | Jess, long first labour followed by a speedy second birth in the ambulance on the way to hospital

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 22:00:00 GMT

When Jess found out she was pregnant she assumed she would have a caesarean as her mum had had caesareans with all three of her children. It wasn't until Jess started listening to the Australian Birth Stories podcast that she started to explore the idea of having a vaginal birth. When she experienced pre-labour rupture of membranes (PROM) and was later given oxytocin to help bring her labour on she drew on her birthing class knowledge and had a birth she found empowering. When Jess was preparing for her second birth she thought she would have a long labour like her first and was shocked to find herself birthing in the back of an ambulance on the way to the hospital.

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Today’s episode is brought to you by Kiwi.co.

I must confess I’m not much of a crafty mum but Kiwi Co’s panda crate has been the best educational investment for Ottie. Every month we receive a subscription box filled with playful, open-ended activities backed by research and designed especially for naturally curious and creative babies and toddlers. It makes the perfect Christmas gift that keeps giving well beyond the festive season.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

445 | Kate two babies, private obstetrician, elective caesarean, breastfeeding, miscarriage

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 22:00:00 GMT

In this episode Kate takes us through her journey to motherhood with her two daughters. In her first pregnancy she opted for care with a private obstetrician and after navigating a very tight pelvic floor from early on, she planned an elective caesarean. Her second and third pregnancies ended in miscarriage and she talks at length about how that made her feel. Her anxiety peaked at the beginning of her fourth pregnancy but thanks to her beautiful, reassuring obstetrician she felt held and supported. At her 13 week scan an anatomical difference in her baby’s heart was detected and over the following 10 weeks, Kate and her husband navigated the possibility of a chromosomal abnormality alongside an amniocentesis, genetic counselling and termination for medical reasons (TFMR). At 24 weeks baby Ruby was given the all-clear and Kate finally felt like she could embrace the pregnancy she so dearly wanted.

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It’s no surprise that restful sleep is hard to come by. Pregnancy pillows are a great way to get comfortable at night and if you find one that prevents back sleeping it will take away the stress of waking up on your back.

That’s why I recommend the Sleepybelly pregnancy pillow.

Sleepybelly is 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. It’s made from a super light air layer outer material and inside is a premium latex that feels soft and comforting while providing optimal support for your belly and your back throughout your pregnancy. They offer free shipping and it also comes with a thirty-night ‘sleeping mums’ guarantee or your money back so you can try it risk free.

Sleepybelly don’t normally discount their products but have provided a 10% off promo code for Australian Birth Stories listeners. You can purchase a sleepybelly today at sleepybelly.com.au using the promo code ABS10 for $10 off.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

444 Postpartum | Shannen one baby, GBS positive, epidural complications, post dural puncture headache, PDPH, PDA

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 21:26:17 GMT

In today’s episode Shannen details her long labour which involved a complicated epidural. Her anaesthetist told her she may experience a headache the day after birth but nothing could have prepared her for the intensity of her post dural puncture headache (often compared to a severe migraine), the helplessness of not being able to look after her newborn and the complex feelings about her birth. Post dural puncture headaches can result in hospital admission and may require strong painkillers or a procedure called an epidural blood patch to reverse the symptoms.

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Today's episode is brought to you by BabyLove nappies.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

443 | Rachael, spinal muscular atrophy, TFMR, genetic carrier screening, IVF, NIPT, CVS, maternal-assisted caesarean

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 23:51:16 GMT

You can listen to Rachel share her first birth and postpartum story in episode #51 where she details her daughter Mackenzie’s terminal diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Today she talks about Mackenzie’s Mission and the genetic carrier screening that’s now covered under Medicare for all couples planning a pregnancy. If you are planning to conceive soon, I highly recommend listening to Rachael’s story and request the screening via your GP or Lumi Health. She also talks about her journey to conceiving her two boys, her decision to have an empowering maternal assisted caesarean and the grief and joy, anxiety and hope, love and gratitude of motherhood. Rachael is an incredible woman with a big heart. Her greatest hope is that we are all aware of genetic carrier screening so she has one request: tell everyone about it!

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Today's episode is proudly brought to you by Kin.

If you haven’t heard of Kin already, they’re a revolutionary women’s healthcare brand, devoted to helping you take control of your reproductive health.

Whether you’re trying to conceive, already pregnant or going through postpartum, Kin’s got you covered with a range of products that are evidence-based and recommended by dietitians.

Like The Essential Protein to help you meet your protein requirements during pregnancy, and The Postnatal Vitamin to replenish nutrients after giving birth, so you can feel like yourself again.

Visit Kin today and use the code ABSKIN15 at the checkout for 15% off the entire fertility product range today.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

442 Postpartum | Lisa, two babies, two under two, MGP, posterior labour, women’s health physio, spinning babies, physiological birth

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 04:54:52 GMT

In today’s episode Lisa takes us through her two very different labours - her first was posterior and 67 hours long, her second was anterior and very quick. As a women’s health physiotherapist, Lisa knew the positive outcomes associated with MGP so she advocated to get in that programme and whilst her labour was long, it was also very supported. She also talks at length about caring for her swollen and sore perineum after birth and the shock of just how weak her pelvic floor muscles were. Seven months later she was pregnant again (her period hadn’t even returned) and she got straight into the MGP programme again. With her midwife’s guidance she embraced all the techniques, movements and positions to ensure her baby wasn’t posterior and experienced a swift yet intense second birth.

Today's episode is sponsored by Bare Mum.

All new mums need lower back, abdominal and pelvic floor support after birth. Bare Mum’s Postpartum Briefs gently hold you in the first days and weeks, helping you feel confident. Endorsed by the Australian College of Midwives, they offer a unique pocket design so you can insert a warm or cold pack to offer soothing relief and assist with caesarean wound or perineal healing.

Ideal for caesarean and vaginal birth recovery, Bare Mum Postpartum Briefs are soft, stretchy, and supportive, offering you essential post-birth care. They’re a must-have for your hospital bag.

Bare Mum is offering you 15% off storewide with the discount code ABS15

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

441 | Maria, fraternal twins, ovulation induction, cervical stitch, bed rest, IUGR, caesarean birth, NICU

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 06:08:43 GMT

In today’s episode Maria shares her fraternal twin pregnancy which required her to spend 14 weeks on bedrest. Her pregnancy was considered normal until 20 weeks when a routine scan showed her cervix was shortening, exacerbated by the pressure of excess amniotic fluid. The following day a cervix stitch was inserted and Maria spent the next 10 weeks in hospital. She talks about the power of meditation and the practises she embraced to stay present and positive. Her boys were born at 33 weeks and are now healthy, happy four-year-olds who speak three languages.

Today's episode is brought to you by my online birth education course The Birth Class.

Featuring 10 audio lessons with perinatal health specialists, you can listen from the comfort of your home when you’re relaxed and receptive to new information. The Birth Class is a conversation starter between you and your birth partner that informs, encourages and empowers you to journey towards labour with knowledge and confidence.

Learn more here.

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440 Postpartum | Sarah, three babies, vaginal birth, third-degree tear, OASI, internal massage, hypertonic pelvic floor, women’s health physiotherapist

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 04:57:48 GMT

In this episode Sarah shares her experience with two third-degree perineal tears, also known as Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury (OASI). The general understanding of birth recovery - even when it comes to perineal trauma - is six weeks yet the reality is much different. For some women it can take two years to heal and strengthen and as Sarah says, we need more conversations about this and ultimately, more health support. If you have experienced an OASI or you know someone who has, this episode will offer comfort and guidance, especially in regards to follow-up care.

Today episode is brought to you by our library of free resources.

Download our free pregnancy and labour tips guides on Mastitis, Perineal Massage, Postpartum Fatigue and many more to assist you in the journey towards birth.

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439 | Shuana, two babies, unplanned pregnancy, vulva varicosities, MGP, the birth class, unplanned homebirth

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 00:43:14 GMT

You can listen to Shuana’s first birth in episode 296 where she details her really positive physiological birth under midwifery care. Today she takes us through her unplanned second pregnancy which took her months to embrace considering she’d just returned to work and didn’t feel prepared for two under two. She was allocated the same midwife through the MGP programme and listened to the yoga nidra meditation in The Birth Class everyday of her pregnancy. She woke at 41+5 to mild cramps and later that evening light contractions began which she welcomed with the utmost excitement. A mere two hours later she birthed her baby girl in her loungeroom, her midwife on the phone and four paramedics by her side. Shuana also discusses the new public hospital home birth programme that has just launched on the Central Coast of NSW; a really positive step forward that makes home birth much more accessible.

Download our many free pregnancy and labour tips guides here

Today’s episode is proudly brought to you by Bliss Birth. TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and it's a fantastic pain relief device with no side effects unlike pharmaceuticals. I used the Elle tens in all three of my labours.

Ariel from Bliss Birth has been supporting the podcast for years and has offered a discount for you to hire a tens for 8 or 4 weeks and it comes with everything you would need, as well as the option for really fast postage if women are booking at the last minute

You can enjoy 10% off your Tens hire at Bliss Birth use code ABS23 at checkout

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438 Postpartum | Alex, one baby, solo parenthood, donor-conceived, MGP, IUGR, physiological birth, donor milk

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 00:10:21 GMT

In this episode Alex shares his pregnancy and birth journey as a trans man, including his choice to embark on solo parenthood. He sought guidance from an IVF clinic and embarked on a number of tests to ensure his egg quality and reserve were favourable before deciding on a sperm donor. Once pregnant, he opted for MGP care through his local public hospital and was induced at 38 weeks due to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Alex shares the challenge and joy of labour and birth, his choice to access donor milk and his body dysphoria in postpartum.

Download our many free pregnancy and labour tips guides here

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437 | Julie two babies, pregnant at 42, emergency caesarean, HG, IVF, Down Syndrome

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 05:56:53 GMT

In today’s episode, Julie shares her journey and all the beautiful lessons she’s learnt along the way. At once ambivalent about motherhood, her first pregnancy ended in miscarriage and proved that she did have a yearning to have a baby. Two failed rounds of IVF followed and then she fell pregnant naturally at 42. The NIPT results showed high risk of Down Syndrome and Julie was advised to terminate the pregnancy. Together with her partner Tom, they opted to continue with the pregnancy and welcomed baby Woody via emergency caesarean. Only fifteen months later she birthed baby Alfie. Julie talks at length about mothering a child with Down Syndrome, the dreaded daycare germs, physical therapy and the precious bond between her two boys.

Download our many free pregnancy and labour tips guides here

Today’s episode is brought to you by iL Tutto.

For Black Friday, starting from Tuesday 21st of November at 6pm until Wednesday 29th November, iL Tutto are offering HUGE savings across iltutto.com.au where you’ll find their biggest range of Australian-designed Nursery Chairs and complementary Nursery furniture. Save up to 30% storewide including their range of Cots, Chests, CoZee Breeze Co-Sleeping Bassinets.

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436 Postpartum | Dom, Indigenous, birthing on country model of care, waterbirth, PAD, panic attacks, mother + baby unit, psychiatric unit, ECT

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 05:06:25 GMT

In honour of Perinatal Mental Health Week, Dom shares her experience of perinatal anxiety and depression (PAD) and details her three-month stay in a mother and baby psychiatric unit. At six weeks postpartum her anxiety became debilitating; she was having panic attacks, pulling out her hair and thought her husband and baby would be better off without her. She was admitted to a mother + baby unit in a private hospital and received a range of treatments including electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) which affected her short term memory (her mum kept a 300-page journal so she would have a record to fill in her lost memories). Dom has since had a second baby and thanks to realistic expectations, culturally-safe care and professional and family support, she has stayed really well despite being at high-risk of a postpartum mental health disorder.

Download our many free pregnancy and labour tips guides here

Today’s episode is brought to you by Kiwi.co. I must confess I’m not much of a crafty mum but Kiwi Co's panda crate has been the best educational investment for Ottie. Every month we receive a subscription box filled with playful, open-ended activities backed by research and designed especially for naturally curious and creative babies and toddlers. It makes the perfect Christmas gift that keeps giving well beyond the festive season.

Unwrap more than a gift. Discover hands-on fun with KiwiCo.

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435 | Caitlin, two babies, posterior, induction, epidural, prodromal labour, doula, unplanned homebirth

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 04:21:08 GMT

In today’s episode Caitlin details her two very different labours - her first was 40 hours long, her second only two hours. She was accepted into an MGP programme and while she did a hypnobirthing course for preparation, she admits she wasn’t prepared for the intensity of labour. Her early labour stage was long and painful because of her baby’s posterior position and she admits she went to hospital too early. After opting for an induction she later requested an epidural which was a really positive experience for it; it allowed her to sleep, relax and dilate to 10cm. In her second pregnancy she embraced all the education and preparation, hired a doula and planned to birth at her small local low–risk hospital. But….her baby had other plans.

Download our free pregnancy and labour tips guides here

Today’s episode of the show is proudly brought to you by Once Upon.

I’m not sure about your kids but mine love looking at old photos of themselves. I recently made Ottie a photo book with the help of @onceuponapp It was so quick and easy to make I just selected photos in my phone and the @onceuponapp suggests the layout and offers lots of choice and the click of a button. I’ve ordered an extra copy to gift to the grandparents for Christmas.

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434 Postpartum | Tess, PPH, triple-feeding, EBM, PND, private obstetrician, postpartum day-stay

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 02:02:36 GMT

In today’s episode Tess shares her two very different breastfeeding experiences. She starts by detailing her traumatic birth experience which ended in a postpartum haemorrhage and left her depleted and anxious. Her baby lost 11 percent of her birthweight so triple-feeding was recommended and after a few challenging weeks, Tess made the decision to feed her baby expressed breastmilk (EBM) which she continued for a year as she navigated the grief and guilt of not being able to latch her baby. In her second pregnancy, she was proactive with her care and support from the start. She opted for private obstetric care with Dr Scott Shemer and booked in with Dr Amber Hart from Maternal and Infant Wellbeing in Melbourne who offers day stays for new mothers (the future of postpartum care is looking bright!). Tess’ second postpartum has been incredibly healing and really proves the benefit of continuity of care right into postpartum, especially for lactation support.

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433 | Kelsey three babies, induction, epidural, vacuum-assisted birth, PPH, miscarriage, progesterone, retained placenta, the birth class

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 01:39:58 GMT

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.

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432 Postpartum | Claire, one baby, vaginal birth, midwifery care, faecal incontinence, women’s health physiotherapy

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 02:23:50 GMT

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.

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431 | Renee, three babies, spontaneous labour, physiological births, water birth, homebirth, doula

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 01:57:39 GMT

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.

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430 Postpartum | Katie Rose, yoga teacher, Ayurveda, five babies, blended family

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 02:00:32 GMT

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.

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429 | Celia Pacquola, needle phobia, hypnotherapy, private obstetrician, pelvic girdle pain, induction, anxiety, breastfeeding, formula

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 02:01:33 GMT

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.

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428 | Kirby five babies, septate uterus, breech, emergency caesarean, tongue tie, VBAC, miscarriage, second trimester pregnancy loss, IVF

Sun, 15 Oct 2023 23:10:23 GMT

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.

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427 | Elizabeth, physiological birth with MGP, The Birth Class, spontaneous labour, TENS machine

Sun, 08 Oct 2023 22:44:51 GMT

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.

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426 Postpartum | Samantha, postpartum preparation, postpartum doula, social media, matrescence

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 01:49:31 GMT

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.

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425 | Bridie, two births, endometriosis, MGP, pubis symphysis dysfunction, posterior labour, induction, epidural, water birth

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 03:45:43 GMT

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.

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424 Postpartum | Brylee, hydrops fetalis, foetal medicine team, amniocentesis, thoracentesis, caesarean birth, NICU

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 00:58:29 GMT

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.

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423 | Leonie, two babies, perinatal anxiety and depression (PAD), psychology, episiotomy, postpartum depression, mother rage, private obstetrician

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 04:46:00 GMT

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.

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422 Postpartum | Leila, fraternal twins, breastfeeding twins, postpartum doula

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 06:41:41 GMT

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.

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421 | Shelley, Herpes virus, planned caesarean, VBAC, Breastfeeding challenges

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 03:16:15 GMT

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.

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420 Postpartum | Elizabeth, one baby, MGP, jaundice, hospital readmission, light therapy, biliblanket

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 11:08:08 GMT

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.

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419 | Leila, two births, homebirth, fraternal twin vaginal birth without epidural, private midwife, planned postpartum

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 02:55:30 GMT

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.

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418 Postpartum | Naomi, two births, birth trauma, postpartum doula, postpartum preparation, homebirth, postpartum cookbook

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 23:53:49 GMT

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.

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417 | Dara, one baby, miscarriage, thyroid, private obstetrician, birth education, planned caesarean, mother’s group

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 04:31:43 GMT

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.

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416 Postpartum | Alice, hereditary varicose veins, clexane, vein removal

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 08:10:06 GMT

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.

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415 | Jessie, one baby, anxiety and depression, private obstetrician, vaginismus, pelvic floor physiotherapist, pregnancy insomnia, TENS, epidural, breastfeeding challenges, postpartum joy

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 04:47:00 GMT

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.

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414 Postpartum | Billi homebirth and hospital transfer, NICU

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 01:41:00 GMT

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

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Thank you for 14 Million downloads

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 02:47:00 GMT

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

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413 | Larissa, three births, VBAC2, PCOS, second-trimester miscarriage, caesarean, induction, weight-loss surgery

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 04:19:00 GMT

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.

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412 Postpartum | Kate + Dylan discuss their journey into parenthood and Dylan’s escalating mental health concerns that resulted in his admission to a mother and baby psychiatric unit (now called a parent + baby unit)

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 09:22:00 GMT

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 .

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411 | Jessie, physiological birth, private obstetrician, doula, acupuncture, miscarriage breastfeeding

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 03:33:00 GMT

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.

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410 Postpartum | Eleanor Pendleton waterbirth shares her two postpartum experiences and details the choices she made to ensure her second postpartum was a slow and sacred season of rest and recovery

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 06:13:00 GMT

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, .

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409 | Steph one baby, miscarriage, private obstetrician, PROM, induction, epidural, emergency caesarean, breastfeeding challenges

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 02:38:00 GMT

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.

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408 Postpartum | Amber shares her personal breastfeeding challenges after a traumatic birth and her professional knowledge as a midwife and IBCLC

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 09:56:00 GMT

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, .

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407 | Georgia, two babies, MGP, physiological birth, breastfeeding, IBCLC

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 04:37:00 GMT

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.

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406 | Chloe, one baby, postpartum care, birth centre, BRAIN, induction, epidural, forceps, episiotomy, triple-feeding

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 01:03:00 GMT

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.

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405 | Keira, endometriosis, IVF, hyperemesis gravidarum, positive induction, baby blues

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 03:55:00 GMT

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

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404 | Natasha, fraternal twins, PCOS, private obstetrician, planned caesarean, pre-eclampsia

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 07:52:00 GMT

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 .

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403 | Postpartum Care Options + Costs with Dr Eliza Hannam, GP, Possums NDC, IBCLC

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 11:24:00 GMT

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.

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402 | Hannah Willsmore, positive homebirth, private midwife, doula, 5kg baby, intact perineum, water birth

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 07:28:00 GMT

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 .

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401 | Maternity Leave Rights, Paid Parental Leave + Childcare Subsidies with Georgie Dent

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 07:49:00 GMT

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.

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400 | Allison, two babies, autistic, adhd, endometriosis, MGP, doula, miscarriage, postpartum

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 00:12:00 GMT

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 .

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399 | Public and Private Care Options + Costs with Dr Natalie Elphinstone, Obstetrician and Liz Wilkes, Independent Midwife

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 03:43:00 GMT

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.

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398 | Jo, two babies, unexplained infertility, IVF, private obstetrician, placenta previa, planned caesarean, miscarriage, vulva varicosities, vacuum, VBAC

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 04:34:00 GMT

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 .

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397 | The Cost of Fertility Treatment with gynaecologist Dr Violet Kieu

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 11:45:00 GMT

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.

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396 | Marian, two babies, TFMR, amniocentesis, CVS,, private obstetrician, doula, vaginal birth, pregnancy after loss

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 00:23:00 GMT

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 .

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395 | Budgeting for a Baby with financial advisor Canna Campbell

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 23:01:00 GMT

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.

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394 | Bec, two babies, private obstetrician, private midwife, induction, 3C tear, miscarriage, homebirth

Sun, 04 Jun 2023 23:29:00 GMT

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 .

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393 | Carla, three babies, emergency caesarean, VBAC, private OB, private midwife, forceps, NICU, homebirth

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 05:16:00 GMT

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 .

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392 | Isabelle, two babies, miscarriage, private obstetrician, planned caesarean, GD, NIPT, TFMR

Mon, 29 May 2023 03:50:00 GMT

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 .

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391 | Amber, one baby, MGP, hindwater leak, induction, epidural, swollen cervix, forceps, PPH

Mon, 22 May 2023 01:25:00 GMT

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 .

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390 | Brigid, one baby, planned caesarean, bipolar, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, continuity of care

Thu, 18 May 2023 07:31:00 GMT

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 .

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389 | Elise, two babies, prolapse, pregnancy insomnia, low iron, MGP, homebirth, waterbirth, afterbirth pains

Mon, 15 May 2023 00:48:00 GMT

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 .

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388 | Yara, two babies, homebirth, doula, birth preparation, relationship challenges in postpartum, breastfeeding, perinatal psychology

Mon, 08 May 2023 00:15:00 GMT

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 .

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387 | Alexandra, solo mum by choice, donor-conceived, doula, student midwife, positive birth, supported postpartum

Tue, 02 May 2023 04:40:00 GMT

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 .

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386 | Postpartum Uncovered Mini Series - Dr Sarah McKay

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 22:13:00 GMT

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 .

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385 | Elle, stillbirth, PROM, secondary infertility, IVF, endometriosis, incompetent cervix, cervical stitch, NICU, surrogacy

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMT

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 .

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384 | Postpartum Uncovered Mini Series - Dr Sophie Brock

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 10:21:00 GMT

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

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383 | Sarah, five babies, spontaneous labour, GP shared care, public hospital, surrogacy, IUI, breastfeeding

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 01:10:00 GMT

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 .

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382 | Postpartum Uncovered Mini Series - Yara Heary

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 11:21:00 GMT

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

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381 | Hollie, three vaginal births, midwifery care, hypertension, induction, epidural, incompetent cervix, cervical stitch, breech, ECV, unplanned breech homebirth

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 01:36:00 GMT

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 .

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380 | Postpartum Uncovered Mini Series - Sue Croft

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 22:22:00 GMT

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

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379 | Jessica, one baby, CF, chronic illness, private obstetrician, private midwife, CF-related diabetes, spontaneous labour, induction, emergency caesarean

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 06:42:00 GMT

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.

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378 | Postpartum Uncovered Mini Series - Julia Jones

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 09:09:00 GMT

“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 .

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377 | Kaitlin, two babies, MGP, spontaneous labour, grade four placenta previa, The Birth Class, private midwife

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 03:26:00 GMT

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.

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376 | Meg, two babies, advanced maternal age, MGP, student midwife, induction, The Birth Class

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 04:02:00 GMT

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.

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375 | Laura, one baby, eating disorder, anxiety, PTSD, sexual abuse, MGP, spontaneous labour, The Birth Class, physiological birth

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 03:49:00 GMT

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.

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374 | Diana, two babies, spontaneous labour, epidural, fourth-degree tear, fistula, doula, MGP, physiological birth, second-degree tear

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 04:29:00 GMT

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.

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373 | Kristy, one baby, MS, chronic illness, private obstetrician, induction, epidural, breastfeeding, formula feeding

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 05:12:00 GMT

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.

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372 | Catherine, two babies, induction, epidural, emergency caesarean, postpartum, missed miscarriage, acupuncture, private midwife, VBAC, HBAC

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 06:28:00 GMT

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.

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371 | Paige, two babies, MGP, hyperthyroidism, epidural, gestational diabetes, insulin, spontaneous labour, Gladstone, maternity crisis, PPH

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 04:15:00 GMT

In today’s episode Paige shares her birth experiences in Gladstone (population 60,000+) where the hospital is currently on bypass for all maternity patients. It’s a huge issue and a prime example of the maternity system crisis (we’re seeing similar situations in Geelong, Victoria and Burnie, Tasmania). She takes us through her two pregnancies and births, including her second where she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes but was educated enough to request a different treatment plan and avoid an induction. At 39 weeks she didn’t know where she would birth - an unsettling feeling - and when her labour progressed quickly, she was supported to birth at Gladstone but knew she couldn’t have pharmacological pain relief. Her birth was positive and empowering but five hours later she started haemorrhaging and was transferred via ambulance to Rockhampton hospital where she stayed for three days. -------------------------- It's here! My new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is available for purchase now. 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.

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370 | Paige, Positive birth, Intervention free, MGP, CAPS, the birth class, spontaneous labour, fetal ejection reflex

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 02:00:00 GMT

In this episode Paige shares her incredibly positive first birth experience. If you are new to the podcast or feel like you want an encouraging story to inspire you, this is it. After conceiving easily, she started listening to the podcast and knew she wanted a continuity model of care. She contacted Canterbury Antenatal and Postnatal Services (CAPS) and was accepted into their programme. From there she listened to @the.birth.class on repeat and armed herself with knowledge and skills. Her labour started spontaneously and she stayed home till her waters broke. As she says: “Knowledge is power and the more you understand your options, feel like you can make choices and know that you’re involved in the process, the more confident you’ll be.” -------------------------- It's here! My new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is available for purchase now. 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.

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369 | Phoebe, one baby, cervical stitch, private obstetrician, induction, epidural, instrumental birth

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 01:19:00 GMT

In today’s episode Phoebe from @thememo shares her pregnancy and birth experience. The first-half of her pregnancy was relatively smooth but at her 20 week scan the sonographer noticed that her cervix had shortened significantly and she was promptly taken to the maternity unit in a wheelchair. She was officially diagnosed with an insufficient (also known as incompetent) cervix and a week later she had a cervical stitch put in and was on strict bedrest till 28 weeks. Under the care of a private obstetrician, she opted to be induced at 38 weeks and after labour began she chose to have an epidural. She talks in detail about the unexpected elements of the pushing phase and chats about the highs and lows of early postpartum. -------------------------- It's here! My new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is available for purchase now. 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.

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368 | Dani, two vaginal births, induction, private obstetrician, epidural, labial tear, hip dysplasia, uterine infection, prolapse, spontaneous labour.

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 01:22:00 GMT

In this episode Dani shares her two birth experiences and compares induced labour to a spontaneous one. She admits that when we went in for an induction with her first baby, she had no idea that it can often result in a more painful labour and intervention. In her second pregnancy she decided to do everything she could to inform herself and prepare for a physiological birth. As well as talking in detail about the skills she used in her births, she also shares her experience with hip dysplasia as both her babies were diagnosed days after birth. It's here! My new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is available for purchase now. 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.

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367 | Mel, two babies, emergency caesarean, general anaesthetic, postpartum depression, identity crisis, planned caesarean, single motherhood

Sun, 05 Feb 2023 23:43:00 GMT

In this episode I chat to Mel Wilson who shares her two birth experiences alongside her challenging postpartum periods. Her first birth was an emergency caesarean under general anaesthetic which left her with lots of unanswered questions. She talks in detail about the lack of connection she experienced with her firstborn and the subsequent dismay and guilt she carried throughout postpartum. She opted for a planned caesarean with her second baby despite being persistently encouraged to attempt a VBAC. When her baby was five months old her marriage broke down and she shares the overwhelm and silver linings of being a working single mother with two little ones. It's here! My new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is available for purchase now. 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.

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366 | Madelyn, two babies, surprise pregnancy, midwifery group practice, physiological birth, episiotomy, postnatal depression, identity crisis, colic

Sun, 29 Jan 2023 23:04:00 GMT

You can listen to Madelyn’s first birth experience in episode 151 but today she takes us through her surprise second pregnancy and the emotional turmoil of feeling disconnected from her baby. Her labour was powerful, intense and positive but the real challenge began in postpartum where she juggled a toddler, an unsettled newborn and her own dark thoughts. Madelyn details her most vulnerable moments with acute honesty and takes us through the choices she made to acknowledge her challenges and prioritise her mental health in motherhood. Tomorrow, my new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is published! It covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Order it now.

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Bonus Episode: How we wrote The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth

Sun, 29 Jan 2023 04:15:00 GMT

In this special bonus episode, Jodi and I chat all about our new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth. It’s available in all bookstores and department stores from January 31st and today we take you behind the scenes of the writing process where we laugh, cry and discuss the enormous responsibility we felt as writers. We were determined to create an educational, informative, encouraging and kind companion to pregnancy and birth and this is how we did it….

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365 | Alethea, one vaginal birth, the birth class, shared care, episiotomy, bruised coccyx, PND

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 00:47:00 GMT

In today’s episode I chat to Alethea about her first pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience. Armed with knowledge from the podcast and The Birth Class, she experienced an empowering and positive birth with the support of midwives and a student doula. Despite her birth experience, she admits that the whirlwind of postpartum has been incredibly challenging. Her physical recovery from an episiotomy and bruised coccyx has been hard and resulted in a readmission to the hospital. While there, a midwife encouraged her to reach out to PANDA and her GP for a mental health plan and she has since been diagnosed with postnatal depression. Just 1 week left until my new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is published. It covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Pre-order it now.

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364 | Ariel, two vaginal births, MGP, TENS machine, disordered eating, high BMI, nipple shield, physiological birth, PPH

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 23:12:00 GMT

In this episode I chat to Ariel from @blissbirth about her two birth experiences. A passionate advocate for TENS machines (she now has 1000 in circulation through her business), she explains how popular they are and how they help women navigate labour to achieve the births they want. In her first pregnancy she opted for continuity of care with her beloved midwife who advocated for her every step of the way. After a very long posterior labour, Ariel birthed her baby boy vaginally and despite a rocky start to breastfeeding, the nipple shield really worked for her. In her second birth she was introduced to the TENS machine and used it throughout to achieve a joyous physiological birth. Just 2 weeks left until my new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is published. It covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Pre-order it now.

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239 | Clare, Maternally Assisted Caesarean, Baby hearing loss, Endometriosis

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 03:31:00 GMT

In this week’s episode, I chat to Clare about her two planned caesarean births. Despite severe endometriosis, Clare fell pregnant easily and sailed through the first half of her pregnancy. However, at her 20 week scan she discovered that her baby had ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJ) and shortly afterwards, she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Her planned caesarean was straightforward but her recovery was not; extensive adhesions in her uterus caused a long and painful postpartum. She chose a private obstetrician for her second birth and jumped at the chance to have a maternal assisted caesarean but nothing could prepare her for the shock of her baby’s hearing loss diagnosis at six weeks.

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363 | Mel, two babies, private obstetrician, induction, emergency caesarean, partial molar pregnancy, HBAC, VBAC, private midwife, doula

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 00:13:00 GMT

In this beautiful episode Mel compares her emergency caesarean with her homebirth after caesarean (HBAC) and sees the beauty, hope and healing in both experiences. She admits that she would never trade her birth journeys for the world, despite the trauma she experienced as a result of an induced labour and the cascade of intervention. Determined to do things differently for her second birth, she informed herself, advocated for what she wanted and had continuity of care with a private midwife alongside the physical and emotional support of a doula. She also embraced psychological support to process her birth trauma which she describes as a gift to herself as a woman and a mother. Just days left until my new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is published. It covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Pre-order it now.

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362 | Jessica, two vaginal births, PCOS, clomid, gestational diabetes, induction, epidural, episiotomy, vacuum, spontaneous labour, the birth class

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 05:23:00 GMT

In episode 362 Jessica describes her two very different vaginal birth experiences. After a gestational diabetes diagnosis, induction was advised in line with hospital policy and Jess experienced the cascade of intervention including epidural, vacuum-assisted birth and episiotomy. For her second birth she had a lot of conversations about avoiding induction with her obstetrician, she did her research, got informed and embraced the lessons shared in The Birth Class. She went into spontaneous labour and experienced a physiological birth which left her feeling incredible. Jess’ story is a beautiful example of how powerful birth education really is. Just weeks left until my new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is published. It covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Pre-order it now.

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361 | Alicia, one vaginal birth, pelvic floor osteopath, episiotomy, postpartum hemorrhage, postnatal anxiety

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 01:08:00 GMT

In episode 361 Alicia explains the overwhelm of not knowing where to go for information or guidance when she first discovered she was pregnant. She opted for midwifery care in the public hospital system and despite her fears around labour and birth, she laboured at home and in the hospital using breathing and sound practises and subsequently experienced a low-intervention birth. Shortly after her baby girl was born Alicia had a postpartum haemorrhage and she admits she still feels traumatised from the experience. She is very honest about her anxiety and overwhelm in the fourth trimester and the way it has affected her transition into motherhood. Only a few weeks left until my new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is published. It covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Pre-order it now.

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360 | Fiona, two vaginal births, social infertilty, same-sex couple, donor sperm, IVF, private obstetrician, pubic symphysis, induction, epidural, tongue tie

Sun, 11 Dec 2022 09:42:00 GMT

In this episode, I chat to Fiona about her experience with two boys under two. Together with her wife, Hayley, she embarked on IVF to conceive their first son with donor sperm. Fiona is honest about the challenges of social infertility, the long wait times and the importance of a positive mindset throughout the experience. Her pregnancy was challenging due to debilitating pubic symphysis but with support from her private obstetrician she had a really positive induced birth. Her breastfeeding journey was complicated by her baby’s tongue tie and she admits that at four months - after weeks of feeding, pumping and top-up formula feeds - she felt it best to prioritise her mental health and wean him. Fiona also takes us through Hayley’s pregnancy and birth and discusses what it was like to be the birth support parent. Not long now until my new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is published. It covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Pre-order it now.

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359 | Shehani, one vaginal birth, private obstetrician, student midwife, epidural, episiotomy, breast crawl, breastfeeding, ulcerative colitis

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 21:31:00 GMT

In this episode Shehani takes us through her first pregnancy and birth. She chose continuity of care with a private obstetrician and embraced the opportunity to have a student midwife who was a welcomed familiar face in the birthing suite. After a night of early labour at home, Shehani was admitted to hospital and agreed to have her waters broken before she opted for an epidural. She used the mirror to help guide her pushing and she placed her baby girl on her belly and watched her crawl up to the breast before she latched for the first time. A devout podcast listener and fan of The Birth Class, Shehani admits that she felt confident going into labour and considers her birth experience to be really positive. Not long now until my new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is published. It covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Pre-order it now.

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358 | Jessica Urlichs, birth fear, MGP, private obstetrician, instrumental birth, breastfeeding challenges, perinatal anxiety, epidural

Sun, 04 Dec 2022 09:45:00 GMT

In this episode I chat to well-known author Jessica Urlichs @jessurlichs_writer about her three pregnancies and births. In her first pregnancy she was a magnet for grief-filled stories which exacerbated her fear and anxiety around birth. During labour she felt unsupported and unheard and she consequently experienced birth trauma and postnatal anxiety. Jess talks at length about her significant breastfeeding challenges and her choice to bottle feed to sustain her physical and mental health. Her second and third births were both healing and positive and she consciously chose to have epidurals to ensure she was in a calm and grounded mindset so she could make informed choices.

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357 | Kellee, one homebirth, postnatal depletion, low iron, iron infusion, planned postpartum, waterbirth, breastfeeding

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 00:53:00 GMT

In this episode I chat to Kellee @littlehumanlinens about her fourth pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Kellee’s first three waterbirths were really positive experiences and you can hear her discuss them in . When I first interviewed her she was deep in her third postpartum and experiencing severe postnatal depletion which affected every aspect of her life. Today she talks in detail about that time, the day she discovered she was pregnant again and the depth of her despair as she wrestled with what life would be like with four children. She chose to be proactive with her health and wellbeing by prioritising simple self-care habits every single day throughout pregnancy. She also planned a six-week postpartum and is now reaping the physical, emotional and energetic benefits. I’m counting down the weeks till my new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is published. It covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Pre-order it now.

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356 | Annabelle, physiological birth, private midwife, student midwife, TENS, physiological third stage, traditional Chinese confinement

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 03:52:00 GMT

Annabelle has been tracking her menstrual cycle since high school so when it was time to conceive her baby, she knew exactly when she was ovulating. A self-confessed wannabe midwife, she knew from the start that she wanted continuity of care with midwives. When she missed out on the MGP programme, she opted to hire a private midwife for antenatal and postnatal care through Mama Midwives. Alongside her pregnancy and incredibly beautiful birth experience, Annabelle talks in detail about the full circle experience of losing her mother to leukaemia and welcoming her baby within the same week. Her grandmother stepped into the traditional Chinese role of caregiver for postpartum confinement which was an incredible comfort to Annabelle as she grieved. I’m counting down the weeks till my new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is published. It covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Pre-order it now.

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355 | Steph, emergency caesarean, surprise pregnancy, MGP, regional hospital, covid, tertiary hospital, induction, informed consent, cord prolapse, general anaesthetic, NICU

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 00:28:00 GMT

If you are currently pregnant and feel like you’re more sensitive to traumatic stories, you may want to listen to this episode at a later date. However, if you are a midwife, student midwife or care provider, consider Steph’s story essential listening because it highlights the importance of woman-centred care - even the power of a simple hand hold - in one of the most traumatic birth experiences. After an induction, Steph experienced a cord prolapse and had an emergency caesarean under general anaesthetic. She talks at length about the spectrum of care she received, the importance of support and debriefing with your birth team and her mental health in postpartum. I’m counting down the weeks till my new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is published. It covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Pre-order it now.

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354 | Matilda, one vaginal waterbirth, hospital homebirth programme, same-sex couple, known sperm donor, IUI, IVF, physiological third stage

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 22:21:00 GMT

In today’s episode I chat to Matilda who is a midwife in Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) and a first-time mum to baby Roma. When she and her wife, Al, started talking about having a baby, they presumed Matilda would carry the pregnancy using Al’s egg and anonymous donor sperm. However, Al’s brother agreed to donate his sperm so they began their conception journey doing home insemination. After five months with no success, they opted to go through an IVF clinic and started with IUI before moving onto IVF. Matilda talks at length about her expectations of labour through a midwifery lens and the reality of contractions, birthing and breastfeeding. This is a beautiful, inspiring episode that details an intuitive and positive physiological water birth. I’m counting down the weeks till my new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, is published. It covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Pre-order it now.

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353 | Penny, two vaginal births, HG, thyroid, physiological birth, breastfeeding, counselling

Sun, 13 Nov 2022 10:07:00 GMT

In this episode I chat to Penny from about her experience with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) - severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. She explains the depth of her physical and mental challenge and how she cautiously approached her second pregnancy knowing that she would spend the following nine months severely sick. Penny is really open about the effect that her traumatic pregnancies had on her marriage and she sings the praises of couples therapy which she did with her husband for two years following the birth of their second baby. Did you know I wrote a book? 'The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth' covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Pre-order it now.

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352 | Laura, two vaginal births, gender disappointment, private obstetrician, placenta previa, shortened cervix, cervical insufficiency, bed rest, progesterone pessaries, induction

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 07:19:00 GMT

In episode 342 Laura details her experience with gender disappointment, a confronting experience that she never anticipated but one that she shares without reservation. After being diagnosed with placenta previa, a scan at 32 weeks revealed that she had a shortened cervix. Bed rest and progesterone pessaries definitely helped and she was induced at 37 weeks and experienced a quick and positive vaginal birth. She fell pregnant with her daughter two years later and regular scans showed that her cervix was shortening quite quickly so she went on strict bed rest at 23 weeks. Thankfully she remained pregnant till 39 weeks and used the TENS machine and breathing practises to navigate a quick labour. Did you know I wrote a book? 'The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth' covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Pre-order it now.

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351 | Megan, one vaginal birth, gastric bypass surgery, GTT, private obstetrician, induction, epidural, breastfeeding

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 00:43:00 GMT

In today’s episode Megan shares her pregnancy and birth experience following gastric bypass surgery. Despite this she wasn’t deemed high risk but her obstetrician chose to do a few extra blood tests during pregnancy to ensure she was absorbing enough minerals. The major pregnancy concerns following weight loss surgery are low birth weight and early labour but Megan didn’t experience either of them. She admits that she was worried about whether her pregnant belly would show and how she would be treated as a bigger woman but despite a negative GP experience at 6 weeks, she had a smooth and enjoyable pregnancy. Did you know I wrote a book? 'The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth' covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Pre-order it now.

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350 | Melissa, three births, induction, emergency caesarean, private midwife, HBAC, miscarriage, homebirth transfer to hospital, shoulder dystocia

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 00:45:00 GMT

In this episode, Melissa highlights the importance of being informed, advocating for yourself and finding a supportive and respectful care provider. Her first pregnancy was unplanned and she describes herself as a naive 25-year-old who presumed labour was out of her control. After an induction and emergency caesarean she was left feeling defeated and unheard. She was halfway through her second pregnancy and preparing for a VBAC when her private obstetrician became less supportive of her plans so she went home, chatted at length with her doula and hired a private midwife. Her Home Birth After Caesarean (HBAC) was joyous and empowering and while she planned a similar birth with her third child, a hospital transfer was necessary but didn’t detract from a really positive birth experience. Did you know I wrote a book? 'The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth' covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Pre-order it now.

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349 | Renee, two vaginal births, MGP, doula, waterbirth, breastfeeding, miscarriage, homebirth, ectopic heartbeat, traditional postpartum

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 04:25:00 GMT

In this episode Renee discusses her surprise first pregnancy and the fact that she had no knowledge whatsoever of her birth options. She missed out on the MGP programme at her local hospital but requested to stay on their waitlist and managed to get a place at 30 weeks. From then on she felt deeply supported by her midwives and she actively prepared for a physiological birth. Her first labour was long but she birthed in the water and returned home the next day. As soon as she fell pregnant with her second daughter she requested to have a homebirth through the Royal Women’s Hospital in Randwick. There were a few obstacles in late-pregnancy that she navigated with informed and respectful conversation and despite a very swift labour she experienced a joyful birth at home. Did you know I wrote a book? 'The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth' covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Pre-order it now.

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348 | Sarah, two births, missed miscarriage, induction, forceps, episiotomy, secondary infertility, breast cancer, caesarean birth

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 23:47:00 GMT

In honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Sarah shares her experience with breast cancer diagnosis in her second pregnancy. She urges everyone to check their breasts regularly because it was only when she was massaging stretch mark cream into her breast at 28 weeks that she felt a lump. An ultrasound showed a tumour and a biopsy confirmed she had stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma; a triple positive cancer that feeds off hormones. She birthed her baby at 35 weeks and one week later, she started chemotherapy. Sarah is currently halfway through six rounds of chemotherapy and her baby, Pearl, is eight weeks old. She is particularly optimistic despite her fear and feels a responsibility to share her story and raise awareness.

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347 | Teagan, covid, induction, emergency caesarean, birth trauma, birth debrief, MGP, private midwife, The Birth Class, HVBAC, Home vaginal birth after a caesarean

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 00:24:00 GMT

In this episode, Teagan articulates the heartache of not being able to feel or see her baby being born, a moment she’ll never get back and one that still prompts a lot of sadness and regret. She had an emergency caesarean after an induction and this followed a covid pregnancy where she didn’t see a midwife till 37 weeks. Her story really highlights how imperative woman-centred care in the operating theatre is. After a birth debrief with an independent midwife, Teagan fell pregnant again and had done all the research on how to achieve a VBAC. She knew continuity of care with a known midwife was essential so she advocated for herself, got into an MGP programme and then at 20 weeks, found out she was moving interstate. So began her journey with a private midwife to prepare for a Home Birth After a Caesarean (HBAC). This is one of those episodes that covers so much ground and is absolutely brimming with pregnancy and birth wisdom. An absolute must-listen!

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346 | Mikaela, two babies, eating disorder, public hospital, vaginal birth, breastfeeding, omphalocele, amniocentesis, caesarean birth

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 21:38:00 GMT

In episode 346 Mikaela discusses her eating disorder and tendency to over exercise which prompted her body to stop menstruating. She was intent on conceiving so she stopped exercising, ate well and then fell pregnant within six months. Her first birth was positive and after feeling indifferent to breastfeeding, she was surprised to discover that she really enjoyed it and went on to feed for two years. Her second baby was diagnosed with omphalocele (when the bowel grows outside the abdomen) at her 20-week scan and after an amniocentesis and many specialist appointments, baby Macy was born via caesarean and had successful surgery soon after.

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345 | Phoebe, two vaginal births, endometriosis, PCOS, Natural Killer (NK) Cells, IVF, ovarian hyperstimulation, hip dysplasia, private obstetrician, epidural

Sun, 16 Oct 2022 12:32:00 GMT

In this episode Phoebe from @sageandclare details her long journey to pregnancy and her two very different vaginal births. After close to three years of trying to conceive unsuccessfully, she was diagnosed with PCOS, endometriosis and Natural Killer (NK) cells. She began her IVF journey and fell pregnant on her second cycle but unfortunately, this coincided with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome which took weeks to resolve. It was in her first pregnancy that she started experiencing severe hip pain and years later she was diagnosed with hip dysplasia, torn ligaments, arthritis and pelvic instability. She has made the conscious decision to grow her family before she has both hips replaced.

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344 | Emily, one emergency caesarean, ectopic pregnancy, methotrexate, anxiety, psychologist, private obstetrician, induction, epidural, The Birth Class

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 10:41:00 GMT

In this episode Emily shares the details of her challenging ectopic pregnancy which was treated with a strong medication called methotrexate. Unfortunately the pregnancy hormone levels stayed in her body for five months which extended her grief and contributed to an anxiety diagnosis. She immediately sought professional help from a psychologist and psychiatrist and went into her second pregnancy with tangible skills to navigate her OCD and overwhelm. She was induced at 39 weeks and after opting for the epidural she required an emergency caesarean. Emily admits she felt really prepared for the birth and recovery thanks to the caesarean module in .

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343 | Alana, social infertility, same-sex couple, IUI, IVF, miscarriage, chemical pregnancy, anxiety, private obstetrician, physiological birth, jaundice

Sun, 09 Oct 2022 23:23:00 GMT

In this episode, Alana details her long and challenging fertility journey. After years of IVF using her own eggs and donor sperm, she navigated the loss and grief of multiple chemical pregnancies and miscarriages. Alana and her partner, Amanda, made the decision to use Amanda’s eggs because the quality of Alana’s weren’t genetically viable. After the first transfer Alana fell pregnant and, despite a scary bleed at six weeks, her pregnancy was a relatively smooth experience. A self-confessed researcher and planner, she opted for continuity of care with a private obstetrician and when her waters broke at 36 weeks, she laboured beautifully and experienced a physiological birth and third stage.

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342 | Casey, three caesarean births, general anaesthetic, preeclampsia, HELLP, breech, private midwife, continuity of care

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 09:11:00 GMT

In episode 342 I talk to Casey about her three caesarean births. Casey’s story really highlights the importance of listening to your intuition, advocating for yourself and seeking continuity of care. In her first pregnancy, she entered the third trimester with migraines and persistent vomiting. After presenting to hospital for the second time, she was insistent on staying overnight before being discharged and she subsequently saved her baby’s life. Within hours Casey was given a general anaesthetic, birthed her baby via caesarean and was diagnosed with preeclampsia and Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelets Syndrome (HELLP) syndrome. It was a traumatic experience and it informed her next two pregnancies where she prioritised continuity of care, sought the guidance of high risk obstetricians and experienced positive caesarean births.

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341 | Eliza, two vaginal births, miscarriage, spontaneous labour, epidural, MGP, continuity of care, waterbirth, the birth class

Sun, 02 Oct 2022 09:38:00 GMT

In episode 341 Eliza shares her pregnancy and birth experience as a mother and a student midwife. Her first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage and she takes us through her grief and loneliness as well as her choice to miscarry naturally at home. Her next pregnancy was smooth and straightforward right up till 39 weeks when a late scan showed that her baby’s head was small and she was advised to have an induction. She went into spontaneous labour but after 28 hours she opted for an epidural that worked really well for her; she relaxed, dilated quickly and birthed her baby girl with ease. She had continuity of care with a known midwife for her second birth and she loved the lessons in The Birth Class which prepared her dream waterbirth.

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340 | Cammie, two vaginal births, private obstetrician, induction, epidural, vacuum, stroke, missed miscarriage, BMI, private midwife, high blood pressure, homebirth

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 03:56:00 GMT

In today’s episode, Cammie shares her two wildly different birth experiences and emphasises a little known but important fact: if you don’t feel supported or respected, you can change care providers at any stage of pregnancy. For her first pregnancy she opted for private obstetric care and while she intended to have a low-intervention birth, she was induced and had an epidural and vacuum-assisted birth. After choosing public hospital care for her second birth, she was 22 weeks when she was told she would need to birth at a tertiary hospital far from home because of high BMI. Regardless of her health and wellness, the hospital policy dictated that she was high-risk because of her larger body. Disappointed and disheartened, she started looking into her options for homebirth. She worked through her fears, embraced care from Mama Services in Kensington, accessed her hospital records from her first birth and actively prepared for a physiological birth at home.

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339 | Madi, one vaginal birth, PCOS, miscarriage, birth centre, independent midwife, rural Tasmania, breastfeeding challenges, mastitis

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 00:50:28 GMT

In this episode Madi shares her experience with PCOS which was diagnosed when she was seventeen. She was warned that she may have fertility issues so when she was 21 she conceived her baby girl, Flow. Living in rural Tasmania, she opted for independent midwifery care through Launceston Birth Centre, despite the two-hour drive from her hometown. Her birth experience was quick and joyous but as she explains in detail, her breastfeeding journey has been nothing short of challenging and resulted in a hospital stay due to severe mastitis.

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338 | Kate two vaginal births, remote NT, spontaneous labour, epidural, midwifery care, physiological birth, spinal cord injury

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 04:43:05 GMT

When Kate was seven months pregnant with her second son, her husband, Nathan, was injured while playing a game of football. Their whole world turned upside down when doctors informed them that he had fractured his C3 vertebrae and was a quadriplegic. Kate admits that she totally forgot about her pregnancy as soon as she learnt of Nathan’s accident but thankfully his nurses stepped in and coordinated midwifery care for her. The Prince of Wales and Royal Women’s hospitals worked together to ensure Nathan could be with Kate for the birth. It was a fast and joyful birth and for those that have watched the video, it’s an unforgettable glimpse into an incredibly precious experience. Kate and Nathan have a long and expensive road ahead of them so if you have watched their birth film and want to support them, you can make a donation on their GoFundMe page .

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337 | Paige, one emergency caesarean, VBAC, induction, oligohydramnios, PND, birth trauma, doula, epidural

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 10:00:12 GMT

In this episode I interview Paige, a midwife and mother who takes us through her two pregnancy and birth experiences. Her first baby was diagnosed with oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid) at 41 weeks and Paige was induced the next day. After a few hours of labour a code green emergency caesarean was called and despite knowing what was going to happen, Paige went into shock and doesn’t remember a lot about her daughter’s birth. Five days later she started haemorrhaging and was taken to hospital by ambulance. She chats at length about her birth trauma and the work she did in her second pregnancy to process and let go of her fear. Paige shares so much wise advice in this episode and takes us step by step through her preparation for a successful VBAC.

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336 | Emma, three vaginal births, birth centre, midwife, fetal ejection reflex, termination, uterine fibroid

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 01:35:08 GMT

If there’s one word to describe this episode with Emma, it’s joyful. She takes us through her three pregnancies and births in between nomadic living in a bus and on a sailing boat. Her first two births were really smooth but in her third pregnancy a fibroid was discovered on an early ultrasound and it created persistent issues around where she would birth because she was at risk of postpartum haemorrhage. She talks at length about navigating uncertainty in her third pregnancy and then giving birth on the worst night of the Northern Rivers floods. Emma had three physiological births and was really well informed about her options. Consider this a very inspiring episode!

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335 | Eloise, identical twins, surprise pregnancy, TTTTS, blood clot, general anaesthetic, caesarean birth, NICU, breastfeeding

Sun, 11 Sep 2022 22:43:48 GMT

In today’s episode Eloise takes us through her eventful pregnancy journey. Her pregnancy was a surprise and at eight weeks she learned she was pregnant with twins (two sacs, one placenta). She opted to take things day by day instead of getting too concerned about what life would look like with two babies. Her calm and grounded nature definitely helped when she was diagnosed with a blood clot in the artery leading to her cervix at 30 weeks. Later that day, her twins were diagnosed with twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTTS) and at 31 weeks she birthed her babies via caesarean while under general anaesthetic. Eloise talks at length about her NICU experience, bringing her baby girls home after nine weeks in hospital and how she juggles breastfeeding twins.

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334 | Laura, one vaginal birth, waterbirth, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, birth centre, MGP, the birth class, gestational diabetes, PPH

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 00:13:58 GMT

In today’s episode Laura talks at length about the layers of loss she experienced with her ectopic pregnancy; the loss of her pregnancy, her fallopian tube and the knowledge that in future pregnancies, she wouldn’t have the blissful naivete of early pregnancy. She also talks in detail about her gestational diabetes diagnosis and the hospital policy surrounding it, her knowledge as a dietitian and the importance of advocating for herself along the way. Laura was incredibly well educated about her pregnancy and birth options and throughout her long physiological labour she embraced many breathing and sound techniques, as well as active birth positions, to ensure she experienced a waterbirth This episode is brimming with wisdom from an educated and informed first time mum. You’ll love it!

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333 | Silje, Triplets, two planned caesareans, NICU, breastfeeding triplets

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 02:56:19 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Silje about her pregnancy and birth with fraternal triplets and what life’s like with four children under three. After a caesarean with her first baby and a relatively smooth postpartum experience, Silje was so excited to be pregnant for the second time. She admits she walked so confidently into her dating scan but she never expected the sonographer to count three babies, three amniotic sacs and three placentas. She takes us through the joy and challenge of her triplet pregnancy, the emotions on the day of the birth and the difficulty of being discharged while the babies remained in the NICU. Now the babies are six months old and Silje talks about routines, sleep and the delightful busyness of life.

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332 | Alannah, two vaginal births, acupuncture induction, private obstetrician, retained placenta, dermoid ovarian cyst, miscarriage, accidental homebirth

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 03:55:01 GMT

After preparing for a physiological first birth with midwives in her local birth centre, Alannah’s plans changed at 35 weeks when an ultrasound revealed a persistent right umbilical vein which can be associated with birth defects. She sought the guidance of a private obstetrician in her local public hospital and at 41 weeks, after a long, hard labour, she birthed her baby boy. A postpartum haemorrhage and retained placenta resulted in her needing to have surgery under general anaesthetic which significantly affected her postpartum experience. A few years later a blood test revealed unusual hormone levels and after further investigation, a 15cm ovarian cyst was found and later removed. Alannah fell pregnant with baby Alex easily and after a smooth pregnancy and a gradual start to labour, she birthed him at home while waiting for the paramedics to arrive.

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331 | Sasha, one emergency caesarean, IUD, woman of colour, continuity of care, private obstetrician, doula

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 06:25:16 GMT

In today’s episode Sasha articulates the challenge of navigating the healthcare system as a woman of colour. The prejudices she has experienced in life and her knowledge of the disparities in maternal outcomes for black women informed her decision to choose continuity of care with a private obstetrician alongside the gentle, maternal support of a doula. She speaks so beautifully about her pregnancy journey, her birth preparation and her informed choice to seek a second opinion when her obstetrician suggested an induction at 40 weeks.

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330 | Avril, two vaginal births, private obstetrician, IUGR, induction, epidural, forceps, prolapse, hypertonic pelvic floor, pessary, gestational diabetes

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 05:35:30 GMT

In episode 330 I interview Avril about her two birth experiences under private obstetric care. Her first baby was diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and after weekly ultrasounds from 30 weeks, she opted to be induced at 38 weeks. Following hours of posterior labour, she chose to have an epidural and because of her baby’s posterior position and deflexed head, a forceps-assisted birth was necessary. Avril had a postpartum haemorrhage and was diagnosed with a prolapse, both of which contributed to birth trauma. Her second birth was a positive induction where she advocated for what she wanted; a slow release syntocinon drip and a light epidural so she had more awareness and control while birthing.

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329 | Sophie - Nik’s story - birth centre, GBS positive, epidural, forceps, postpartum hemorrhage, prolapse

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 03:28:41 GMT

Today’s episode is a little different in that my friend, Jodi, interviews me about my first pregnancy and birth. My pregnancy was really straightforward and I chose midwifery care in a birth centre. I had every intention of experiencing an intervention-free vaginal birth but in retrospect, I can see that I didn’t do enough mental or physical preparation, hence why I created The Birth Class.

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328 | Rachel, one caesarean birth, unexplained infertility, IUI, IVF, miscarriage

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 04:40:30 GMT

In episode 328 Rachel talks in depth about her ten rounds of IVF over seven years. She discloses the emotional toll of 15 embryo transfers, the challenge of seeing friends and family members fall pregnant with ease, and the simultaneous joy and fear of growing and birthing her miracle baby, Sigrid. Seventeen months after giving birth, Rachel admits that she still cries when she thinks about that day when she finally met her daughter.

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327 | Brigitte one emergency caesarean, miscarriage, acupuncture, private obstetrician, public hospital, induction, epidural

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 00:33:27 GMT

In episode 327 Brigitte shares her miscarriage experiences and how they affected her care choices in her next pregnancy. Despite not having private obstetric healthcare, she opted for continuity of care with a private obstetrician but chose to give birth in the public hospital. It’s not a common model of care but it's definitely more affordable and ideal for those coming into pregnancy with health concerns or a history of pregnancy loss. After Brigitte’s waters broke, she was induced and laboured well before she opted for an epidural. She birthed her baby via emergency caesarean and knew what to expect after listening to the caesarean module in .

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326 | Hayley, one breech vaginal birth, PCOS, amenorrhea, ECV, NICU

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 01:44:30 GMT

In episode 326 Hayley takes us through her first pregnancy where her baby was in a frank breech position (bottom down) at 36 weeks. She listened to the breech episode with Dr Andrew Bisits that features in The Birth Class and promptly arranged to see him for a consultation. After an ECV to turn her baby was unsuccessful, Hayley confidently prepared for a vaginal breech birth with the support of her partner and her midwife-in-training sister. Baby Pippa needed breathing support in the NICU for five days after birth but has made a full recovery.

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325 | Caitlyn, PCOS, ovulation induction, IVF, TFMR, anencephaly, induction, emergency caesarean, breastfeeding

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 01:31:46 GMT

In episode 325 Caitlyn @missmaysmoments shares the story of her two pregnancies. After navigating the challenges of PCOS, ovulation induction and IVF, Caitlyn was lucky enough to get 17 embryos and fell pregnant on the first transfer. At her 13 week scan her baby boy - Teddy - was given a terminal diagnosis of anencephaly meaning he would only survive minutes outside the womb. Caitlyn and her husband made the decision to have a termination for medical reasons (TFMR). Exactly one year later, after an anxious pregnancy, Caitlyn welcomed her rainbow baby, Rudie in an emergency caesarean. Caitlyn’s story is one of patience, heartache and hope and she articulates all the emotions of infertility, pregnancy, loss and joy with clarity and wisdom.

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324 | Claire, one vaginal birth, private obstetrician, migraines, iron infusion, positive induction, active birth, mixed feeding

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 01:32:54 GMT

In episode 324 I chat to Claire @thelifeofclaire_ who shares her first pregnancy and birth experience. After discovering that fertility rates fall dramatically after the age of 35, she organised a preconception blood test with her GP, got her mirena removed, tracked her cycle and promptly fell pregnant. She chats about her lifelong experience with migraines, the welcome relief of an iron infusion and her choice to change obstetricians halfway through her pregnancy. She had a really positive induction experience and was intent on staying active and working with her body to bring her baby into the world.

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323 | Nas Campanella, caesarean birth, vision impairment, charcot-marie-tooth disease, breech, lactation consultant, formula feeding, disability discrimination, postpartum doula

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 06:49:12 GMT

In this episode I interview Nas Campanella, new mum to baby Lachlan and a disability affairs reporter for the ABC. Nas is visually impaired and has a neurological condition that affects her dexterity and balance, so her journey to motherhood has required a lot of active preparation and planning. She talks in detail about the discussions she had with obstetricians pre-conception, her exemplary care during pregnancy and birth, the guidance she received from occupational therapists and the practices she’s embraced in postpartum to adjust to new motherhood. As well as sharing a list of practical products that have helped her navigate day to day life with a baby, she discusses the warm and welcoming support she’s received from her family, postpartum doula, mothers groups and friends. You’ll love this episode. Thank you, Nas!

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322 | Julie, one vaginal birth, MGP, birth centre, The Birth Class, labial tear, afterpains

Sun, 24 Jul 2022 10:46:03 GMT

In today’s episode Julie shares her incredibly positive first birth experience. She had listened to the podcast for years before she conceived so she knew she wanted continuity of care with a midwife in a birth centre, ideally one attached to a hospital in case she needed medical support. As soon as she found out she was pregnant she was proactive with organising her care; she saw a GP, requested a referral and made the right phone calls. She laboured at home till her waters broke and once she was at the birth centre, she used active birth positions as labour progressed and birthed her baby boy in the water.

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321 | Amy, two births, forceps, pelvic floor injury, prolapse, birth trauma, women’s health physio, postnatal depression, caesarean birth

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 21:02:44 GMT

I interview Amy, the founder of the Australiasian Birth Trauma Association. In honour of her experience and Birth Trauma Awareness Week, Amy talks about the physical trauma that resulted from an instrumental (forceps) birth. She goes into detail about her pelvic floor injury and prolapse and because her story shares so many parallels with mine, I also talk about my experience with prolapse and the way I’ve managed for the past nine years.

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320 | Luka, three vaginal births, Midwife, unassisted homebirth, 42 weeks, irritable uterus, breastfeeding

Sun, 17 Jul 2022 23:51:47 GMT

In today’s episode I chat to midwife and mum, Luka @boobtofood for the second time. You can listen to Luka’’s first two birth stories in episode 140 but today she takes us through her third birth which was an unassisted homebirth. She talks at length about her past birth challenges and the way she was feeling in the days leading up to this birth as well as the anxiety and concerns that naturally creep in as you approach 42 weeks. It may be a short birth story but it’s also full of midwifery and motherhood wisdom.

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319 | Sonia, Vaginal Birth, Adopted, Shared Care, Ulcerative Colitis, Epidural

Sun, 10 Jul 2022 06:30:47 GMT

I chat to Sonia who shares her first pregnancy and birth story. Sonia was adopted from India when she was four-years-old so pregnancy was particularly poignant for her as she thought a lot about her birth mother’s experience and wondered about her medical history (of which there are no records). She opted for shared care with her GP and chose to do genetic testing via Noninvasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) considering she has ulcerative colitis and her partner has MS, both of which are genetic conditions. Her labour started spontaneously but was augmented using syntocinon when she developed a fever.

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318 | Laura, two vaginal births, varicose veins, OB, low amniotic fluid, epidural, low milk supply

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 09:32:40 GMT

Laura talks about her two births and the difference between private obstetric care and midwifery group practice (MGP) in the public system. If you are trying to conceive or you’re in early pregnancy and you’re interested in learning more about your care options, this episode is a must-listen. As well as discussing her two very different vaginal birth experiences, Laura talks at length about her challenging breastfeeding journey including her choice to use donor milk and a supply line.

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317 | Kate, vaginal water birth, bicornuate uterus, birth trauma, PND, birth centre, cervical lip

Mon, 04 Jul 2022 02:53:02 GMT

Kate about her second birth. You can listen to her first birth story in episode 155 where she discusses her bicornuate uterus and her challenging induced labour. She admits that in retrospect, she was traumatised from her first birth experience; the pain of an induced labour and the lack of both consent and privacy culminated and led to postnatal depression. As soon as she discovered she was pregnant with her second baby, she saw her psychologist and actively worked through her fear of birth. She laboured in the midst of the Northern Rivers floods and while her experience was love-filled and positive, she talks at length about her unusual postpartum bleeding and the symptoms of a retained placenta.

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316 | Madi, two births, miscarriage, MGP, vaginal birth, PND, chiari malformation type 1, caesarean

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 02:37:33 GMT

Madi shares her very interesting story and talks at length about her experience with postnatal depression. After her first positive vaginal birth, she was diagnosed with chiari malformation type 1 where part of the brain at the back of her skull bulges and puts pressure on the spinal column. Her neurologist confirmed that she could birth vaginally but she wouldn’t be able to have an epidural or spinal block if an emergency situation arose. Madi accessed all the evidence she could relating to chiari malformation and vaginal birth yet she couldn’t find any information on the ongoing effects after birth. Subsequently, she made the informed choice to plan a caesarean birth under general anaesthetic.

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315 | Jess, one vaginal birth, endometriosis, PUPPS, induction, epidural, peanut ball

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 07:10:03 GMT

I In today’s episode Jess shares her pregnancy and birth story. A history of mental illness gave her access to a continuity of care midwifery program at John Hunter Hospital where she was cared for by one midwife throughout pregnancy and postpartum. This invaluable support allowed her to navigate pregnancy and covid without overwhelm or anxiety. Together with her husband, Bryce, she prepared for labour and birth with The Birth Class and experienced a positive induction and epidural because she knew what to expect and felt confident to make informed decisions.

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314 | Lizzie, one vaginal birth, MGP, ambulance transfer, cleft lip and palate, 3C tear

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 21:15:36 GMT

Lizzie shares the story of her pregnancy and birth with baby Bill. At a 35 week scan, she learnt that Bill had a cleft lip. Lizzie and her husband, Liam, allowed themselves two weeks to process their shock and do their research…after that they were counting down the days till they could meet their new baby. Lizzie takes us step by step through her eventful labour and every stage is punctuated by lots of laughs. You’ll love this informative and entertaining episode.

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313 | Gemm, Uterus Didelphys, two planned caesareans, low amniotic fuid, postnatal anxiety

Sun, 19 Jun 2022 10:53:45 GMT

Gemma shares her experience with uterus didelphys; she has two uteruses, two cervix’ and a vaginal septum. Most women with her condition have caesarean births before full term because it's common for their babies to have growth restriction or present breech and there’s often doubts about how the uterus will contract and whether the cervix will dilate. In both pregnancies Gemma had planned caesareans at 37 weeks because her amniotic fluid levels were low. She talks at length about her breastfeeding challenges and successes as well as her postnatal anxiety.

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312 | Andrea, two vaginal births, same sex couple, sperm donor, IVF, prenatal anxiety, induction, postnatal anxiety, breast hypoplasia, formula feeding

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 00:38:59 GMT

Andrea opens up about so many aspects of pregnancy and parenthood that often go undiscussed and she does so with such eloquence you could listen to her all day. She’s in a same-sex relationship so as well as sharing her IVF fertility journey she discusses the often dated language and expectations that sometimes still exist in contemporary maternity care. Her anxiety fuelled persistent concerns about her babies’ movements in both pregnancies and was a contributing factor to her choice to be induced both times. She also shares her experience with breast hypoplasia (insufficient breast tissue) and the stigma surrounding bottle feeding that weighed so heavily on her in postpartum.

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311 | Jamie one vaginal birth, blended family, arthritis, HG, student midwife, stretch and sweep, episiotomy

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 02:11:06 GMT

In today’s episode Jamie talks at length about her arthritis and her choices regarding medication in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Considering her health condition and the added complication of a broken back, she was labelled high risk and could access midwifery group practice care. She opted instead for continuity of care with a student midwife and had a positive experience in the public hospital system even though she saw a different midwife at every appointment. She listened to the podcast obsessively once she conceived, prepared for birth with a detailed birth plan and felt confident in her ability to make informed decisions.

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310 | Lewarna, two births, breech presentation, ECV, caesarean birth, VBAC, third-degree tear

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 03:57:13 GMT

Today Lewarna shares the story of her first baby who stayed in a breech position despite embracing all the turning and spinning techniques. She talks about her birth preparation and her fear, and while her caesarean was planned, she actually went into spontaneous labour and felt comforted by the fact that her baby chose her birth date. Her caesarean experience was incredibly positive yet she admits she started planning a VBAC while she was still in hospital. In her second pregnancy she talks at length about her informed choices regarding a VBAC, induction or planned caesarean as she weighed up the benefits and risks of each. “I didn’t want to push the boundaries of risk but I also didn’t want to have unnecessary intervention,” she says.

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309 | Cara, two vaginal births, missed miscarriage, ovulation testing, episiotomy, 3C vaginal tear

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 02:26:05 GMT

In today’s episode Cara shares her experience of a missed miscarriage followed by 11 months of trying to conceive. After blood tests revealed she ovulates on day 18 of her cycle (not day 14 as her fertility app suggested) she fell pregnant the following month. Following an epidural and episiotomy in her first labour, she experienced a 3C vaginal tear. She had significant fear and concern about birthing vaginally again but after much discussion with her midwives and proactive preparation techniques, she birthed a bigger baby with an episiotomy but no extended tearing. I know so many women want to hear stories like this because preparing for a vaginal birth after a third or fourth-degree tear definitely requires active preparation in pregnancy and both physical and mental support in labour.

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308 | Jo, two vaginal births, midwifery care, public hospital, GP, co-sleeping, extended breastfeed

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 03:02:46 GMT

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307 | Erin, three births, one emergency caesarean, VBAC, early infant loss

Sun, 29 May 2022 02:10:07 GMT

Erin shares the story of her firstborn, Aiden. At her 20 week morphology scan the sonographer noted that there was an issue with Aiden’s kidneys and because they weren’t producing enough amniotic fluid, Aiden’s lung development was affected. Two days later, under the care of the maternal foetal medicine team, Aiden was given a terminal diagnosis. Erin and her husband, Mike, chose to continue with the pregnancy and held onto hope despite the inevitable challenges of such uncertainty. Erin takes us right back to the day of Aiden’s birth and the surreal 25 hours afterward as they learnt the full extent of Aiden’s diagnosis, opted to cease intervention and said goodbye. Erin shares all the details of Aiden’s life and death and explains the unique grief of babyloss which she describes as a physical ache and visceral emptiness.

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306 | Rebekah, two vaginal births, breech, ECV, episiotomy, distended bladder, incontinence, PROM, breech vaginal birth

Wed, 25 May 2022 11:13:04 GMT

In today’s episode I interview Rebekah about her experience with two breech-presenting babies. She had a successful External Cephalic Rotation (ECV) in her first pregnancy and experienced a posterior labour with a vacuum-assisted birth. She suffered a distended bladder after the catheter was removed before the episiotomy wore off and she lost the ability to urinate, hence she was discharged under the care of the incontinence team who supported her to use an in-out catheter at home. With guidance from a women’s health physio she made a full recovery. In her second pregnancy she did a lot of birth preparation and when her waters broke at 36+5 and baby Astrid was presenting breech, she listened to her intuition, adjusted her birth preferences and worked closely with her supportive midwives to birth her baby without intervention.

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305 | Serena, two homebirths, miscarriage, midwife, pelvic instability

Mon, 23 May 2022 03:56:32 GMT

In today’s episode I interview Serena, a midwife who shares her two homebirth experiences. I always love chatting to midwives because they’re so generous with their knowledge and advice and Serena is no different. After supporting women through the MGP programme at the Mercy Hospital till 38 weeks, she consciously had to switch off her midwife mindset and actively prepare for labour. She takes us step by step through the days of early labour, her expectations of contractions versus the reality, and the practical skills she embraced to navigate a two-hour second stage. Her second birth was swift and intense and she admits that she found it all quite hilarious, hence her laughing uncontrollably while cuddling her brand new baby.

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304 | Sea, three physiological births, Indigenous, MGP, breastfeeding, postpartum

Thu, 19 May 2022 02:16:36 GMT

In today’s episode I chat to Sea who shares her three glorious physiological births. Supported by her husband and her two sisters during labour and birth, she did active preparation in each pregnancy and experienced culturally-appropriate care through Indigenous midwifery group practice. If you want to listen to an incredibly positive story that’s brimming with advice, tips and skills for birth and an intuitive postpartum, Sea’s episode is a must-listen.

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303 | Chantelle, one emergency caesarean, three ectopic pregnancies, ruptured fallopian tubes, IVF

Mon, 16 May 2022 02:52:24 GMT

In today’s episode Chantelle shares her very rare experience with three ectopic pregnancies. It was an incredibly distressing year for her and her partner, Rowan, as they navigated the grief of multiple pregnancy losses while also dealing with medical complications. Chantelle lost both fallopian tubes but admits she felt relieved to have the opportunity to try IVF. She conceived baby Lucy on her first attempt. Her pregnancy was straightforward and after induction at 39 weeks and a long labour she opted for an emergency caesarean which was a really positive and joyful experience.

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302 | Rachel Single Mum, 42 weeks, Waterbirth

Wed, 11 May 2022 10:57:51 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Rachel. Rachel was living in Bali when she fell pregnant unexpectedly. While considering significant cultural differences with her Balinese partner and what that would mean for her baby, she opted to return to Australia for the remainder of her pregnancy and birth. In her final weeks of pregnancy her relationship broke down, she navigated her hospital’s induction policies and she laboured and birthed with the support of her mother, doula and midwife.

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301 | Nicole one vaginal birth, low sperm count, IVF, blighted ovum, midwifery group practise, rural hospital, breastfeeding challenges

Mon, 09 May 2022 00:11:46 GMT

In today’s episode I interview Nicole who shares her complicated experience with IVF. Her partner, Ash, has a low sperm count and they knew from the outset that conception would be difficult. After one blighted ovum and two unsuccessful transfers, they were overwhelmed by the process. They decided to change specialists and Nicole’s blood tests showed extremely high blood sugar levels which can affect her egg quality. Within two weeks of taking medication she fell pregnant naturally and went on to have a very straightforward pregnancy and a positive birth in a rural hospital. When I spoke to Nicole her baby was only seven weeks old so she talks at length about her significant breastfeeding challenges and the advice she received from a lactation consultant.

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The Birth Class - Taste

Fri, 06 May 2022 06:12:27 GMT

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300 | Gemma, two vaginal births, regional hospital, public obstetrician

Sun, 01 May 2022 23:46:03 GMT

In episode 300 I interview Gemma who shares her experience of birthing in a small, rural hospital. In her first pregnancy she opted for public obstetric care at a regional hospital in the nearest large town. The day before her scheduled induction she went into spontaneous labour and found comfort in breathing practices, the shower and sitting on the toilet which allowed her to open her hips. She invested in The Birth Class in her second pregnancy and with a greater understanding of the physiology of birth and newfound breathing skills she felt confident to birth at her local rural hospital with midwives. She birthed baby Elsie in the water and returned home six hours later.

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299 | Anna, Positive Induction, VBAC, Midwifery Care

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 06:57:14 GMT

In today’s episode I talk to Anna about her beautiful VBAC in the midst of Covid-19. She describes her second birth, with daughter Juniper, as a birth of juxtapositions: an induced, drug-free, hospitalised, hypnobirth VBAC. It’s a birth story complete with an incredibly positive induction, strong midwife support, unwavering faith in body and mind and the immense healing of redemptive birth after trauma.

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298 | Steph, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, gestational diabetes, induction, epidural, emergency caesarean, PPROM, VBAC, NICU, PPD

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 07:52:13 GMT

In today’s episode I chat to Steph who takes us through the heartbreaking experience of an ectopic pregnancy, something she knew nothing about at the time. After the loss of her baby and subsequent PTSD, she fell pregnant again and opted for continuity of care with a midwife in her local public hospital. After navigating postnatal anxiety and a gestational diabetes diagnosis, her waters broke at 37+6 weeks and after a long labour, she birthed via emergency caesarean. Nine months later, still breastfeeding baby Sunny, she fell pregnant again and was prepared to do everything in her power to have a Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC). She achieved it a little earlier than expected, when baby Otis decided he was ready to meet the world at 32 weeks.

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297 | Kate, three caesarean births, ectopic pregnancy, maternally assisted caesarean

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 03:58:09 GMT

I interview Kate founder of Mere Botanicals about her three emergency caesareans, her third being the very first maternally assisted emergency caesarean birth in the Northern Territory. As a naturopath working in women’s health and fertility, she brings a holistic perspective to her story as she shares her experience with ectopic pregnancy, probiotics and vaginal seeding (transferring vaginal flora to her baby’s face and mouth post-caesarean). In honour of Caesarean Awareness Month, Kate’s births are testament to the power of planning for the possibility of a caesarean birth and finding a care provider who will encourage and support your birth preferences.

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296 | Shuana, one baby, The Birth Class, vaginal birth, physiological birth, continuity of care, MGP, active birth

Sun, 10 Apr 2022 14:47:17 GMT

In today’s episode I interview first-time mum, Shuana, about her proactive approach to pregnancy and birth. When she found out she was pregnant she booked in with her local public hospital and was assigned continuity of care with a known midwife who fast became a precious support right through to postpartum. Shuana and her husband, Dan, did The Birth Class for birth preparation and felt incredibly confident and excited about the possibility of a physiological birth. Shuana takes us through her labour, from the moment her waters broke till when she birthed her 4.49kg baby boy, Teddy, in a moment of pure joy. This is such a positive and inspiring episode that’s brimming with birth tips.

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295 | Alana Wilkinson, Micropremie, bleeding in pregnancy, micro-preemie, vaginal birth, NICU, music therapy

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 01:30:06 GMT

In today’s episode I interview singer songwriter @alana.wilkinson about her pregnancy, birth and NICU experience. Her baby boy, Rafferty, was born at 24 weeks and surprised the neonatal staff with his strength despite his size (704 grams). Alana talks at length about her birth trauma, her NICU experience and the way music helped carry them through the long days and nights. Rafferty was discharged from hospital still reliant on oxygen and after three weeks at their home in the northern rivers, they had to be airlifted out because landslides had compromised their home and threatened their safety. Despite the upheaval of the past six months, Alana is so buoyant and optimistic and has the most beautiful plans to make music for other NICU parents and their babies. What a gift that would be.

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294 | Olivia, MGP, PCOS, endometriosis, eating disorder, postnatal anxiety, clomid

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 10:02:11 GMT

It’s estimated that one million Australians have an eating disorder with pregnancy and postpartum being high risk times for both the re-emergence or beginning of disordered eating habits. In today’s episode I chat to Olivia about how her history of disordered eating affected her pregnancy and postpartum experience, particularly the way she handled the drastic changes to her body after birth and the effects of social media on her mindset. She bravely shares her story which includes initial challenges to conceive (thanks in part to PCOS and endometriosis) and a positive induction and epidural experience. Consider this one a must listen!

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293 | Sara, two vaginal births, family violence, donor sperm, DCDA twins, PAPPS, epidural, footling breech, retained placenta

Sun, 27 Mar 2022 10:01:38 GMT

Pregnancy is one of the highest risk times for family violence and in today’s episode, Sara bravely shares her experience. After years of physical, emotional and verbal abuse, Sara got an intervention order and was under an alias in hospital when she birthed her first son. She then navigated years of court orders and visitations while receiving support from a family violence psychologist. Sara always knew she wanted a sibling for her son but she wasn’t ready to be in another relationship so she accepted donor sperm and conceived via home insemination. At her twelve week scan she was speechless when she discovered she was pregnant with twins. If Sara’s story triggers concerns for yourself or your children, please contact 1800RESPECT- 1800 737 732 (24 hours, 7 days a week)

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Bonus | Taste of Welcome to the First Trimester

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 03:28:08 GMT

In my new online course, Welcome to the First Trimester, I talk with five perinatal specialists about everything you need to know about the first trimester, including: - seeing your GP - choosing a care provider - navigating mental health concerns - physical changes and concerns - early pregnancy nutrition and supplements Enter the code:save10 to pick up the course for $57

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292 | Jen, one vaginal birth, GD, induction, episiotomy, postpartum confinement

Sun, 20 Mar 2022 09:59:09 GMT

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201 | Sarah Midwife, Two Births, Water Birth, Micro-Preemie, NICU Journey.

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 08:05:29 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to Sarah, a mother of two and midwife who cherishes the work she does with pregnant women. When it came time to birth her first baby, she experienced a truly beautiful water birth in the birth centre surrounded by her fellow midwives. Her second pregnancy was symptom-free until her waters broke at 25weeks. She takes us through her experience, from the denial of what was happening to the frightening realisation that she would be delivering her baby at 25weeks via classical cesarean and then the stress, grief and elation of NICU life. Sarah offers heartfelt, practical advice for NICU parents, discusses the beauty and challenge of breastfeeding a premature baby and lists the practical things she did everyday to work through her worry and grief. Her micro-preemie, Chloe, is now an energetic, inquisitive two-year-old and Sarah is more passionate than ever about supporting new mothers.

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290 | Chantel three births, placenta previa, planned caesarean, gentle caesarean, induction

Sun, 13 Mar 2022 21:03:28 GMT

In today’s episode I talk to Chantel about her three births. She suffered Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) in every pregnancy and was medicated early on to stop the vomiting. Her severe symptoms eased by 20 weeks but she still had to navigate intense nausea till the end of pregnancy. After two vaginal births in the hospital, she accessed continuity of care in a birth centre for her third. At 34 weeks she was diagnosed with placenta previa (where the placenta covers all or part of the cervix) and after grieving the waterbirth she couldn’t have, she planned a gentle caesarean birth with her priority being skin-to-skin in theatre and recovery.

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289 | Jess and Manda, Queer couple, two vaginal births, home insemination, IUI, vacuum delivery, prolapse, breastfeeding, postpartum care

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 06:57:25 GMT

In today’s interview I chat to Queer couple Jess and Manda about the steps they took to create their family and the experience of being a gender non-conforming human while pregnant. We have a joyous and enlightening conversation about home insemination, pregnancy challenges, navigating the suggestion of induction when you’re an older mother, long labours, postpartum and the blessing of the village. Jess and Manda have two children and they’ve both experienced pregnancy and birth so consider this episode abundant in wisdom, advice and hilarity.

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287 | Emily Skye, two vaginal births, epidural, vacuum, episiotomy, breastfeeding, PND, diastasis recti, hypertonic pelvic floor, hypnobirth, accidental homebirth

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 02:23:32 GMT

Emily Skye shares her first traumatic birth and her second accidental home birth. Emily doesn’t hold back on sharing the details of her birth experiences, including her challenging physical recovery and postpartum depression. A strong advocate for embracing and loving your body at every stage, Emily talks at length about her severe diastasis recti and hypertonic pelvic floor and the steps she took to strengthen and heal. When she fell pregnant for the second time, she got serious about birth preparation and used hypnobirth and breathwork techniques to navigate a very fast and intense labour.

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286 | Ashleigh one vaginal birth, pelvic girdle pain, covid, vontouse, forceps, episiotomy, panic attack

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 00:53:33 GMT

In this week’s episode I interview Ash who caught covid at 39 weeks. Her symptoms were mild and by the time she went into labour a week later, she was negative. Unfortunately, her partner, Tim, was positive and still had one more day in isolation. Ash takes us through her birthing day and details the moments she had to consciously surrender, accept the uncontrollable and turn inward to bring her baby into the world. Her sister-in-law stepped in as a loving and knowledgeable doula and Tim watched his son being born via facetime (from the hospital carpark). Ash describes the sense of panic and anxiety that washed over her in the early hours of the next day, a response to the intensity of her labour and birth. While her experience isn’t common, it is normal and I’m grateful Ash had the courage to share her story here.

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285 | Nikki, three vaginal births, shoulder dystocia, PPH, MGP, student midwife, Mcroberts Maneuver

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 21:12:47 GMT

In today’s episode I chat to Nikki about her life in East Arnhem Land, her unexpected third pregnancy and the steps she took to actively prepare for her birth. You can hear the story of Nikki’s first two births in episode #113 but she also briefly talks about her second birth in this episode and details the challenge of shoulder dystocia, retained placenta and a postpartum hemorrhage. Her experience definitely dictated her pregnancy care and birth plans but she was also fiercely proactive in getting informed, advocating for herself and rallying a supportive care team. Nikki is incredibly articulate and her story will give you the encouragement to prepare and plan, regardless of your fears.

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284 | Ahlam, three vaginal births, breech, ECV, GBS, episiotomy, vacuum, water birth

Sun, 13 Feb 2022 21:56:53 GMT

Today I chat to Ahlam, The Veiled Speechie, about her three births. She was under the care of the midwifery clinic at Bankstown Hospital for her pregnancies and admits that she did no preparation at all for her first birth which ended with an episiotomy and a vacuum delivery and led into a painful and challenging postpartum. As soon as she discovered she was pregnant with her second she started researching and preparing as she was determined to experience a positive water birth, which she did. Her third labour was fast and intense but she felt confident in her choices and her ability to advocate for herself.

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283 | Amy two vaginal births, HG, midwife, breastfeeding, tongue-tie, EBM, formula

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 23:37:41 GMT

If you need a laugh (don’t we all?!) make sure you listen to today’s chat with Amy @pickwick_and_sprout who shares her two birth stories with a good dose of hilarity. Amy admits that as soon as sperm met egg she started vomiting and she was eventually diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). Her pregnancy was not the glowing kind; she was exhausted, riddled with anxiety and constantly sick. She didn’t do any birth preparation so when she turned up to the hospital and felt the need to poo, she had no idea that her baby was minutes from being born. Her breastfeeding experience was challenging and Amy’s honesty about her journey - her persistence, emotional turmoil and eventual acceptance - is empowering for those on the same path.

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282 | Melanie, two vaginal births, IVF, endometriosis, PCOS, MGP, Accidental Home Birth, Emergency

Sun, 06 Feb 2022 10:44:36 GMT

Mel’s story made headlines a few weeks ago when she had an unplanned homebirth and her baby was born unresponsive. NSW Ambulance was inundated and couldn’t assist so Mel and her husband, Alex, drove to hospital while she administered CPR to baby Ethan. Despite her harrowing ordeal, Mel shares her experience with clarity and it’s comforting to hear Ethan cry, squark and burp his way through the interview. As a midwife, she brings really valuable knowledge to her story and shares some great tips for breastfeeding and pelvic floor health. I’m so grateful to Mel for making the time to chat with me; her experience is rare but I think it’s one we can all learn from.

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281 | Emma, one vaginal birth, preconception health, pelvic floor, Indigenous midwifery group practice, physiological birth, water birth, breastfeeding, mastitis

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 00:35:55 GMT

In today’s episode I chat to Emma who shares her preconception journey in detail (a great tip for those of you planning to conceive soon!). She approached her pregnancy and birth preparation similarly by immersing herself in research and birth stories and The Birth Class. She was cared for by the Ngarrama Midwifery Group Practice in Brisbane and continued her high intensity training program right up until the day she went into labour. Emma’s story is testament to the power of consciously choosing your care provider, getting informed and physically and mentally preparing for the birth you most want. Her little girl, Gracie, was only two weeks old when we spoke so Emma recalls her story with lots of detail; there’s some really wonderful advice in her story.

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280 | Millie, identical twins, MCDA twins, high risk, scheduled caesarean, preemie, NICU

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 20:45:16 GMT

In today’s episode I chat to Millie who shares her preemie twin birth story. After a quick conception journey, she was looking forward to her 7 week dating scan after the fright of two incidents of implantation bleeding. Nothing could have prepared her for the news that she was pregnant with MCDA twins (one placenta, two sacs). Initially, in their own sacs, an ultrasound at 23 weeks confirmed that the membrane separating the twins had split which placed them at high risk for developing Stuck Twin Syndrome. Millie lived at Ronald McDonald House at Townsville Hospital before birthing the boys at 34 weeks and flying home to Cairns soon after, thanks to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

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279 | Brigitte, two babies, miscarriage, PCOS, the birth class, covid lockdown, optimal maternal positioning, homebirth

Sun, 23 Jan 2022 20:37:47 GMT

Today Brigitte goes to her most vulnerable place when she details the miscarriage she experienced before discovering she was pregnant with baby Willa, an experience made all the more difficult because of covid lockdown. Intent on birthing Willa at home with a private midwife, Brigitte prepared by listening to The Birth Class multiple times to make sure she was absorbing the information shared. She was deep in active labour when she noticed a distinct pain separate to contraction pain; her baby’s chin was tilted up and pressing into her pelvis so Brigitte embraced everything she had learned about Optimal Maternal Positioning and together with her midwives, she managed to shift position and Willa was born soon after.

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278 | Kate, three babies, fraternal twins, vaginal twin birth, hyperemesis, breast reduction, continuity of care, postpartum doula

Sun, 16 Jan 2022 07:10:05 GMT

In this first episode of the year, I chat to Kate @katebloomdoula who shares the beautiful story of her two pregnancies, including her recent twin vaginal birth. Her first pregnancy ignited her passion for pregnancy and birth and after a positive and empowered experience, she trained as a birth and postpartum doula. Her intuition was undeniably strong when she discovered she was pregnant for the second time and her 12-week scan confirmed what she already knew; she was pregnant with boy/girl fraternal twins. Kate shares lots of wonderful resources and tips; just the inspiration you need to get informed, advocate for yourself and actively prepare for your birth.

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Jodi Wilson Yoga Teacher and Birth Educators Four Births

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 04:52:26 GMT

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 week’s show.

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277 | Lauren and Donna, Family Surrogacy, MRKH, IVF, Caesarean, Induced Lactation

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 01:48:54 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Lauren and her mother-in-law, Donna. Lauren has MRKH syndrome and was born without a uterus so she knew from a young age that her fertility journey would be challenging. After going through IVF to retrieve and fertilise her eggs, Lauren handed her pregnancy journey over to Donna who, at the age of 50, carried Lauren’s baby. Surrogacy stories aren’t always straightforward but this episode is a testament to Lauren and Donna’s love and gratitude for each other.

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276 | Leah, three vaginal births, infertility, IVF, birth trauma, EMDR, unplanned homebirth

Sun, 05 Dec 2021 22:43:03 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Leah about her third birth; an unplanned homebirth. Leah shared her first two births in episode 162 and I highly recommend listening as she details her infertility and IVF experience as well as her traumatic second birth which led to a PTSD diagnosis. For her third pregnancy, she consciously immersed herself in birth preparation, embraced lessons from The Birth Class and repeated the word ‘surrender’ whenever she felt doubt. She was also enrolled in Canterbury Hospital’s brilliant new care model, Canterbury Antenatal and Postnatal Services (CAPS) where all of her appointments were at home with a known midwife. Leah speaks at length about the mental strategies and proactive steps she took to prepare for birth after birth trauma.

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275 | Theresa, Three Births, Emergency Caesarean, VBAC, Traditional Chinese Confinement

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 01:03:20 GMT

In today’s episode I chat to Theresa who speaks at length about the traditional Chinese period of confinement after birth, often referred to as the golden month. She had a private obstetrician for her first pregnancy and after induction of labour, she birthed via emergency caesarean. In her second and third pregnancies she chose midwifery care in the public system and actively prepared for vaginal births. For all three of her pregnancies her Chinese mother flew in from Singapore to care for her during postpartum and guide her gently into new motherhood. During this time Theresa wasn’t allowed to do anything but rest with her baby, an opportunity she regards as a very precious gift.

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274 | Zoë Foster Blake shares the births of Sonny and Rudy, osteitis pubis, gestational diabetes, breastfeeding challenges and more

Sun, 21 Nov 2021 10:25:54 GMT

Today Zoë Foster Blake shares with us her two pregnancies and births of her son Sonny and daughter Rudy. Zoë openly details all the uncomfortable and confronting parts of her pregnancy and early parenting experiences, including having osteitis pubis (a fractured and inflamed pubis), gestational diabetes and nine excruciating bouts of mastitis. I know you’re going to love hearing Zoë’s birth stories.

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273 | Libby, one vaginal birth, termination, homebirth, marginal cord insertion, postpartum preparation

Sun, 14 Nov 2021 20:28:15 GMT

In today’s episode I chat to Libby who shares her homebirth story. Based in Governors Bay in New Zealand, Libby introduces herself in Maori and English and talks about her choice to have a termination. At the time termination was still listed under the crimes act and her treatment in the hospital system reflected that. A profound period of grief followed which ultimately inspired her to plan a homebirth for her next pregnancy. Well-read and with a strong understanding of physiological birth and the role of hormones in labour, Libby was supported by a team of women as she laboured through the night, roaring through contractions until she finally met her baby, Taika, just as the sun was rising. Libby’s episode is like a mini birth education course, I think you’ll love it.

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272 | Sammi and Lachlan Midwifery Group Practice, Physiological Vaginal Birth, Breastfeeding, Prolapse

Thu, 11 Nov 2021 06:56:19 GMT

In today’s episode, I chat to Sammi and her partner, Lachlan, about their first pregnancy and birth. They immersed themselves in preparation and even though they planned for an intervention-free birth, they attended both hospital and hypnobirthing classes as well as a breastfeeding course so they were across all possible birth and postpartum experiences. Sammi laboured for a long time at home and Lachlan talks about the support he offered, his nerves when labour intensified and the practical things he did once they got to the hospital. Get your partner to tune into this episode as it’s really lovely and informative to hear about labour from both perspectives.

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271 | Maggie, Vaginal Birth, Homebirth, Breech, Spinning Babies, Induction, Epidural, PPD

Sun, 07 Nov 2021 10:15:11 GMT

In today’s episode I chat to writer and new mum, Maggie Kelly who shares her home-turned- hospital birth story. She was 30 weeks when she decided to plan a homebirth and found support and wisdom in her local independent midwives. At 41+3 she lost her mucous plus but also noticed that her baby’s movements had significantly slowed - an immediate red flag. She talks us through the next few days; mourning the homebirth she wouldn’t experience, being admitted to hospital, the induction process and her thoughts and feelings during labour and after birth. Maggie isn’t afraid to share the most confronting aspects of new motherhood but in doing so she offers reassurance for all of us who have felt exhausted, defeated and disappointed after birth.

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270 | Jerusha Sutton, Two Homebirths, Doula, Heartfelt, Birth Time

Sun, 31 Oct 2021 21:43:14 GMT

In today’s episode and in honour of #HomebirthAwarenessWeek, I chat to Jerusha Sutton about her two home births and her work as a doula and birth photographer. Eloquent and educated, Jerusha tells a beautiful story of pregnancy and birth and emphasises the importance of trusted and supportive midwives and doulas in the birth space. She also talks at length about her recent documentary, Birth Time, which has won a slew of international awards and is now available to stream online. It’s essential viewing for everyone but especially for those currently pregnant and preparing for birth.

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269 | Ash London, One Birth, Anxiety, Preeclampsia, Planned Caesarean Birth, Breastfeeding, Postpartum

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 03:06:11 GMT

Ash London speaks really openly as a first time mum about her fears and anxieties in pregnancy and postpartum. Ash had to go off anxiety medication when she conceived and she was expecting her symptoms to exacerbate with pregnancy hormones but the opposite was true; she enjoyed a very calm and instinctual pregnancy. She practised yoga and meditation to settle her mind and read all she could about birth which allowed her to focus on the wonder of the experience instead of getting caught up in the fear of the unknown. Open, honest and laugh out loud funny, Ash’s story will make your day (and will no doubt encourage you to plan for postpartum support, too!).

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268 | Paige, Two Vaginal Births, Induction, BRCA1, Breast Cancer, Mastectomy, Donor Breast Milk

Sun, 24 Oct 2021 02:48:30 GMT

In today’s episode and in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I talk to Paige who was diagnosed with breast cancer when her first baby was nine months old. Paige has the BRCA1 gene and following six months of chemotherapy she chose to have a double mastectomy without reconstruction. Upon completing three rounds of radiation, Paige’s pathology results confirmed that she had a complete recovery. It was the best news, made even sweeter by a positive pregnancy test shortly afterwards.

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267 | My Sister Hilary’s Birth, MGP, Secondary Infertility, Missed miscarriage, Advanced Maternal Age, Induction, Cervical Lip

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 07:18:10 GMT

Join me today for a conversation with my sister, Hilary. She recently gave birth to her daughter, Rhoda, and I was in the birth centre from the moment her waters broke. It was the first birth I’ve ever attended and such a precious experience (although I think it confirmed that I wouldn’t be the best doula). I had a few roles on the day: support sister, photographer and baby catcher. Needless to say, it was unforgettable. We chat about Hilary’s first birth (you can hear it at length if you scroll right back to episode 2), her missed miscarriage and secondary infertility and we take you step by step through her labour. We had a lot of fun recording it so we hope you enjoy listening to our sisterly banter.

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266 | Abby 8 years of Infertility, Caesarean Birth, Endometriosis, IVF, miscarriage, ovarian hyperstimulation, pleural effusion, myomectomy, subchorionic hemorrage, rainbow baby

Sun, 17 Oct 2021 03:13:10 GMT

In today’s episode Abby bravely shares her journey with infertility. Abby was diagnosed with endometriosis at 17 but it wasn’t until she was in her early thirties that she started actively trying to fall pregnant. Her egg count and quality was excellent but her endometriosis posed significant complications. Abby takes us through the physical and emotional pain of her journey, the comfort in talking to other women on the same path and the light that came with her very last embryo, baby Remielle.

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265 | Emma Isaacs, Six vaginal births, Miscarriage, Homebirth, Covid, En Caul

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 01:03:23 GMT

In today’s episode, I chat to Emma @emmaisaacs for the second time (you can hear all about her first five births in episode 73). Today she shares the story of her home birth in LA when the pandemic was at its peak and the Black Lives Matter riots could be heard from her house. She made the decision to live stream the final hours of her labour on Instagram in the hope that it would shift the perception of birth for her viewers. She didn’t know it at the time, but 60,000 people tuned in, sent heartfelt messages of love and awe, and watched her give birth to her baby boy, Louis.

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264 | Em, Undiagnosed Pregnancy, PCOS, 3rd Degree Tear, Postpartum Haemorrhage, PND

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 07:48:42 GMT

Today’s episode is different from most because Em didn’t realise she was pregnant until she birthed her baby. After going to her GP in January complaining of abdominal bloating, she was encouraged to limit fast foods and take a multivitamin. A month later she was told that she was experiencing bloating due to stress. In early April, after working all day and experiencing severe pains, she started bleeding and went to the hospital. The doctor in Emergency presumed she had a heavy period but less than twenty minutes later she had birthed her baby boy who was born en caul.

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263 | Hollie, three vaginal births, same sex relationship, MCDA twins, sperm donor, IVF, Gestational Diabetes

Sun, 03 Oct 2021 22:39:22 GMT

In today’s episode I interview Hollie who shares her inspiring twin birth story. She speaks beautifully about her pregnancy and birth experiences, which includes gestational diabetes, continuity of care with midwives and the valuable role of passionate student midwives. Hollie’s partner, Hayley, carried their first baby and experienced a straightforward induced labour and birth. Ten months later, Hollie gave birth to their daughter. Hollie never expected for her next round of IVF to be a successful first go, she also never expected to fall pregnant with identical MCDA (one placenta, two sacs) twins.

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262 | Tara, two vaginal births, homebirth, family-centred birth, breast implant removal.

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 01:59:00 GMT

In today’s episode Tara shares her intuitive journey to motherhood and the power of family-centred birth. She was working in the air force during her first pregnancy and was denied the opportunity to have a home birth as the Defense Force policy dictated care from a private obstetrician. Her pregnancy was stressful; she experienced workplace bullying and harassment which led to an official medical discharge during maternity leave. Her second pregnancy was a completely different experience and she planned and experienced a glorious family-centred homebirth supported by midwives. At three months postpartum after suffering low milk supply, she made the decision to have her breast implants removed. She fed her baby four hours post-op and her milk supply immediately increased, so much so that she could express 100ml from each breast.

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261 | Meg, Two Births, Missed Miscarriage, Vaginismus, GPPPD, Home Insemination, Induction,

Mon, 20 Sep 2021 00:52:17 GMT

In today’s episode, Meg bravely shares her experience with vaginismus, also known as genito pelvic pain penetration disorder (GPPPD); an involuntary spasm of the vaginal muscles which makes penetration of any kind incredibly painful. Conceiving was always going to involve extra hurdles for Meg and Steve and while it did take conscious planning and preparation, it was possible. Throughout her pregnancy she presumed she would need to have a caesarean birth but she was encouraged by her obstetrician to deliver vaginally and she did so successfully - twice!

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260 | Erin, four births, shared care, student midwife, succenturiate lobe, continuity of care, homebirth, rural and region pregnancy care

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 05:06:45 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to Erin who lives in country ACT and discusses the difficulty in accessing continuity of care for rural and regional women. After a quick hospital birth with her first child, Erin had a very real fear of birthing on the side of the road with her second baby. She was late in her second trimester when she started researching homebirths and promptly found a private midwife to support her. She went on to have two more homebirths, a choice that came with a significant financial sacrifice although it’s not one she’s ever regretted.

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259 | Kelly-Anne, Two Births, Spontaneous Labour, Meconium, Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy

Sun, 12 Sep 2021 08:37:00 GMT

In today’s two-hour episode I interview Kelly-Anne who shares her experience with the very rare pregnancy condition known as Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy (AFLP). Before you listen I want to let you know that it is a traumatic episode. If you are pregnant or in your postpartum and feeling vulnerable, it may not be the best time to listen. If you are a care provider or a student midwife, I would consider this episode essential listening. Please, share it with your colleagues and peers.

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258 | Amy, Two Vaginal births, MGP, Prodromal Labour, Gestational Thrombocytopenia, Water Birth

Sun, 05 Sep 2021 23:49:58 GMT

In this week’s episode, I interview Amy about her two birth experiences. Her first pregnancy ended in an early miscarriage so she navigated her first trimester with profound anxiety, recalling the relief she felt after the first scan, then the second and finally, when she felt her baby’s first kicks. Not one to think or prepare for birth till the third trimester, she enrolled in an online birth course and was inspired by the physiology of birth; once she knew how the muscles actually work in labour she was excited for what was to come. Her first birth was long and challenging but her second was a joyous water birth that left her empowered and ecstatic.

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257 | Juliet Allen, two vaginal births, hospital birth, miscarriage, conscious conception, homebirth, lotus birth

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 01:40:28 GMT

In today’s episode I chat to Juliet Allen about her recent homebirth. There’s a fifteen-year gap between her children so she came to her second pregnancy and birth with a profound sense of preparation and purpose. Juliet and her partner, Nick, consciously conceived and then birthed at home; they used touch and kissing to bring on surges and Juliet self-pleasured to ride the intensity of each wave. Once their baby was born, they embraced a traditional lotus birth where the baby stays connected to the placenta till the cord naturally falls off. This episode is rich with inspiration but Juliet also shares some incredibly practical tips; you’ll want to take notes!

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256 | Zion, Home Water Birth, Doula, Private Midwife, Breastfeeding, Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex

Sun, 29 Aug 2021 07:03:53 GMT

In this week’s episode I interview Zion, a young mum who birthed her first baby at home with the support of a private midwife and doula. She fell pregnant after a miscarriage and shares her experience of multiple early scans and her subsequent grief in discovering that her once twin-pregnancy was now a singleton. She spent much of her first trimester doing birth research before she leapt into the second trimester with a renewed sense of energy and purpose. She laboured for 16 hours in the comfort of her home and birthed baby Kaya in the water as evening fell.

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255 | Fizz, Three Vaginal Births, Micro-Preemie, Spontaneous Premature Delivery, NICU, Progesterone, Induction, ADHD, Ritalin

Sun, 22 Aug 2021 23:25:01 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to Fizz about her three births, her NICU experience and her recent ADHD diagnosis. She was 23 weeks and 6 days when her little boy was born which, at the time, was considered pre-viability age. Little Ernie was a fighter who spent 96 days in the NICU before graduating to special care and eventually going home. Despite the stress and overwhelm, Fizz established a great milk supply and ended up feeding him till 18months. Her second pregnancy was straightforward and after birth, while navigating postpartum, she went on mirena contraception that exacerbated a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including sensitivity to sound and light. Upon seeing her psychologist, she was eventually diagnosed with ADHD which was life changing in the best possible way. With a renewed sense of self-awareness, Fiz fell pregnant again, went off her medication and prepared for a positive birth with no induction or epidural. Baby Sid arrived on a stormy Melbourne night, an experience that Fiz describes as “really lovely.”

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254 | Beth Ryan, Vaginal Physiological Birth, Midwife, Birth Educator, MGP

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 06:17:28 GMT

You may already know Beth from her page Birth with Beth which is a wonderful resource for pregnant women and their support people. Today, Beth shares her story and details the challenge of the first trimester, the difficulty of Covid restrictions and the joy and hard work of bringing her daughter into the world. Based in Melbourne and accustomed to coming in and out of lockdown, Beth didn’t see her care provider face-to-face till 28 weeks. It was an experience she had guided many women through as a midwife but she admits that being on the other side offered a new perspective. "It was funny because I had been doing phone appointments and I was the one reassuring families and then to be on the other side of it and realise how much you crave that reassurance of face-to-face care was really interesting.” Beth was assigned a midwife who is also a co-worker; one she has an immense respect for in regards to her birth philosophy. That said, she did most of the first trimester alone, like most women, and vomited continuously throughout the day till 18 weeks. The physical toll began to affect her mental health but she was also focused on staying calm and taking a watch and wait approach.

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253 | Jacqueline Alwill, Three Vaginal Births, Vaginal Breech, Water Birth, Cycle Tracking

Sun, 15 Aug 2021 04:55:00 GMT

In this week’s episode I interview Jacqueline about her three birth experiences. She describes her first pregnancy as the best curveball of her life and she went on to experience a beautiful water birth after 30 hours of labour. A decade later she was with a new partner and opted to track her cycle through Monash IVF because she was having trouble conceiving. After two rounds she fell pregnant and had a straightforward induction and delivery. A mere eight months after birth she was pregnant again and with her baby in a frank breech position, she began preparing for a breech vaginal birth with Dr Bisits at the Royal Women’s in Randwick. Jacqueline’s story really highlights the importance of having a care provider who empowers and supports you, regardless of your birth complications.

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252 | Hannah, three vaginal births, pre-term labour, incompetent cervix, cervical stitch.

Sun, 08 Aug 2021 11:40:19 GMT

In this week’s episode, I chat to Hannah who shared her first two birth stories in . In her third pregnancy, she was immediately categorised as high risk because of her history of preterm labour so she opted for a cervical stitch at 18weeks to prevent the onset of contractions. Intent on labouring without induction, Hannah focused on hypnobirthing practices and, after getting her stitch removed at 36 weeks, she embraced every natural induction technique imaginable. After two weeks of prodromal labour she got to the hospital with only seconds to spare. Hannah tells an informative and, at times, hilarious story that is both entertaining and inspiring.

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251 | Nat Solo Parent by Choice, Endometriosis, IVF, NIPT, Trisomy 13, Amniocentesis, Preterm Labour

Sun, 01 Aug 2021 23:42:16 GMT

In this week’s episode I interview Nat, a solo mum by choice. After having an ovarian tumour removed at 17, she knew that fertility issues would be something she needed to consider in the future. When she turned 30, she started investigating her options and by 32 she was seeing a fertility specialist at Monash IVF. Her first round of IVF resulted in a heterotopic pregnancy but her second was successful. When baby Harry turned one, she fell pregnant with Hudson and began a challenging journey involving a possible trisomy 13 diagnosis, genetic counselling, amniocentesis and preeclampsia.

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250 | Kylie, Two Births, Vaginal Breech, Accidental Homebirth, PCOS, Clomid, En Caul

Thu, 29 Jul 2021 02:31:06 GMT

In this week’s episode I interview Kylie who shares the story of her two eventful births; a surprise footling breech and an accidental homebirth. After coming off the pill and not having a period for a year, Kylie went to her GP for blood tests and an internal ultrasound. She was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries and referred to a fertility specialist who recommended clomid to assist with ovulation. On the first round that she ovulated she fell pregnant.

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249 | Lou, three vaginal births, breech birth, epidural, vaginal birth, PND, water birth, birth trauma

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 03:44:47 GMT

In this week’s episode, I chat to Lou about her three births. She discovered at 34weeks that her first baby was breech. After a failed ECV she sought a hospital that supported vaginal breech births and subsequently changed caregivers at 39 weeks to achieve the birth she wanted. Her second birth, under the care of midwives, was smooth and straightforward but afterwards, with two babies under 18months, Lou struggled with undiagnosed postnatal depression. She booked into a midwifery program at her local regional hospital with her third baby and after a very quick water birth and low Apgar scores, baby Astrid fed and settled well. However, the midwives and obstetricians were concerned about low blood sugar levels so they did blood tests every two hours before transferring to a larger hospital. In honour of Birth Trauma Awareness Week, Lou shares the trauma of the first few days of Astrid’s life and the challenge she faced as a mother up against a particularly condescending doctor.

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248 | Keira Rumble, miscarriage, heterotopic pregnancy, endometriosis, Factor 5 Leiden, IVF, HG,

Sun, 18 Jul 2021 11:34:49 GMT

In this week’s episode I interview Keira Rumble about her long, challenging road to motherhood. After multiple miscarriages, a traumatic heterotopic pregnancy and a subsequent PTSD diagnosis, Keira discovered she had stage 4 endometriosis. She sought a new fertility specialist, was diagnosed with a rare blood clotting disorder and embarked on her first round of IVF which led to her pregnancy with baby Hunter. She birthed him only two weeks ago and recalls every detail, from when her waters broke at 36 weeks to the confronting reality of the NICU.

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247 | Emily, one baby, vaginal birth, the birth class, birth centre, threatened preterm labour

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 00:28:46 GMT

In this week’s bonus episode I interview Emily - the first of The Birth Class students to have a baby. From conceiving during the lockdown in Melbourne to birthing her baby boy in Sydney’s current lockdown, Emily shares the highs and lows of her pregnancy, including her experience learning from the midwives, doulas and birth educators featured in The Birth Class. As an informed first-time mum she was prepared to go well past her due date so when she started contracting at 35+5 weeks she was in shock.

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246 | Elodie three babies, VBAC2, breech baby, emergency caesarean, lactation consultant, hemochromatosis, GBS, low platelets, attempted VBAC

Sun, 11 Jul 2021 11:00:42 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to Elodie about her three births. As a first-time mum she was happy to let her birth unfold without doing much preparation. By the time she was pregnant with her third baby and preparing for a VBAC2 (Vaginal Birth After 2 Caesareans) she understood the power of knowledge, embraced months of mental and physical preparation and surrounded herself with educated, informed and encouraging support people who could advocate for her during labour and delivery. If you are currently preparing for a VBAC or you’re considering one in the future, this episode is for you.

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245 | Nerque, missed miscarriage, D+C, fertility treatment, sonohysterogram, letrozole, MGP, induction, vaginal birth, nipple shield

Thu, 08 Jul 2021 01:19:48 GMT

In this episode I interview Nerique about her missed miscarriage. It was an experience that completely blindsided her but thanks to overwhelming support from online groups, she navigated her loss and started planning her next baby. A long cycle and painful periods prompted her to see a fertility specialist who discovered that scar tissue from her D+C had caused a blockage in her cervix. Once that was rectified, Nerique started taking medication to stimulate ovulation and she fell pregnant two months later. She chose midwifery group practice for her pregnancy care and had an incredibly positive induction experience followed by a smooth and swift vaginal birth.

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244 | Melanie one baby BRCA1, double mastectomy, shared care, epidural, episiotomy, student midwife

Mon, 05 Jul 2021 01:58:44 GMT

In this week’s episode I interview Melanie who shares her experience as a BRCA1 gene carrier. With a strong family history of breast and ovarian cancer, Melanie made the decision to have a double mastectomy five years ago. Despite a link between BRCA1 and low egg count, Melanie fell pregnant naturally and takes us through her pregnancy from first trimester morning sickness to hospital classes via zoom. She delivered naturally and admits that the reassurance and support she received from a student midwife is something she’ll never forget.

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243 | Em, one baby, shared care, student midwife, induction, epidural, vacuum delivery, PND, PTSD, Perinatal Mental Health Unit

Sun, 27 Jun 2021 12:41:33 GMT

In this week’s episode I interview Em about her pregnancy during lockdown. She was induced at 41 weeks and laboured for a long time alone in the maternity ward before she was transferred to the birthing suite where she experienced the cascade of intervention and birthed her baby boy via vacuum delivery. Em was four months postpartum when she disclosed her sadness to her GP and was subsequently diagnosed with PND and PTSD. Three days later she walked into the Perinatal Mental Health Unit at Mitcham Private Hospital. It was a life-changing experience for her and she shares her story in the hope that she can spread the word about the essential postpartum support resources that are available (even if they are notoriously difficult to find).

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242 | AmyTaylor-Kabbaz - Three vaginal births, severe congenital torticollis, postnatal thyroiditis, Hashimotos, breech vaginal birth, premature labour, bedrest, Matrescence

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 22:49:01 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to Amy Taylor-Kabbaz about her three births and her journey through matrescence. Amy speaks beautifully about the divided heart of motherhood; the pull to be the woman you were before birth and the desire to fully embrace the joy and challenge of being a mother. As she tells her birth stories she simultaneously shares her own transition into motherhood; the physical and mental struggles, her acceptance of it and, eventually, her ability to embrace her new self.

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241 | Claire and Luke, Positive Induction Experience, Vaginal Birth, Miscarriage, Clexane, Subchorionic Hematoma, Induction

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 05:20:35 GMT

In this week’s episode, I chat to Claire and Luke who are new parents to baby Beau. They talk in detail about Claire’s two miscarriages, specifically the lack of awareness surrounding the physical pain of the process. Before she fell pregnant for a third time, Claire discovered that she carries a blood clotting gene and her fertility specialist recommended blood thinning medication as soon as she conceived. A subchorionic hematoma was discovered at her 12 week ultrasound but after resolving itself, Claire felt like she could relax into the pregnancy and spent a lot of time practising hypnobirth techniques which proved invaluable for her very positive induction.

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240 | Alicia Lucas, Tokyo Birth, Breech, Caesarean, Covid

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 00:57:31 GMT

In this week’s episode, I interview Olympic Athlete Alicia Lukas who gave birth in Tokyo during Covid. Despite every effort, Alicia accepted that no amount of spinning was going to turn her breech baby so she booked in for a planned caesarean with her private obstetrician. Covid rules dictated a lot of the experience - her husband watched the birth over facetime and was only allowed at the hospital for thirty minutes afterwards. Despite the cultural differences, Alicia relished the way the Japanese care for mothers post-birth but as she says, there’s no place like home when you’re a new mum.

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239 | Clare Endometriosis, Gestational Diabetes, Maternally Assisted Caesarean, Newborn Hearing Test, Baby Hearing Loss

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 02:54:13 GMT

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238 | Tess Struber, Vaginal Birth, MGP, birth centre, spontaneous labour, breastfeeding, nipple shield

Mon, 31 May 2021 02:22:42 GMT

In this week’s episode, I chat to Tess who rang her local birth centre when she was six weeks pregnant to make sure she got in (hot tip for those of you hoping for continuity of care with midwives!). Like many first time mums, Tess was convinced she would go into labour early. No matter how many natural induction techniques she tried, nothing worked and she was left feeling defeated and unsure. She was booked to be induced at 41+6 but she woke that day with mild cramps and by 11am she was labouring in the bath at the birth centre. Tess takes us step by step through her labour, her long second stage and her mental and physical challenges. Despite everything, it was a strong and focused mindset that guided her to a wonderful birth. Tess went off the pill in late 2019 and fell pregnant in June 2020. She admits that she didn’t love being pregnant; her’s was not a gorgeous and glamorous instagram pregnancy.

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237 | Alannah three babies, vaginal birth, retained placenta, miscarriage, PPROM, premature labour, NICU, subchorionic hematoma, vasa previa, caesarean birth

Wed, 26 May 2021 12:55:11 GMT

In this week's episode I chat to Alannah about her challenging pregnancies, NICU experiences and her sheer determination to breastfeed despite the hurdles. Her first pregnancy and birth was smooth sailing so when her waters broke at 19weeks with her second baby, she felt like her world had turned upside down. A long hospital stay ensued and she delivered baby Maisey at 29 weeks before enduring the rollercoaster of NICU for 60 days. A surprise pregnancy a year later came with concerns, including the increased risk of Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM) and early bleeding from a subchorionic hematoma, but it was vasa previa, where blood vessels extend from one lobe of the placenta to another and cover the opening of the cervix - that placed her in a high-risk category and prompted a caesarean birth at 33 weeks.

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236 | Yahna Vaginal Birth, Adoption, Shared Care, Spurious Labour, Induction, Episiotomy, Breastfeed

Mon, 24 May 2021 00:25:09 GMT

In this week’s episode, I chat to Yahna about her experience with shared care (pregnancy care shared between a GP and the hospital). As she explains, she believed that shared care offered continuity of care when in actual fact, she was seen by many different midwives in her third trimester and treated as a number on the maternity ward. After days of spurious (false) labour she was induced but due to a bed shortage, laboured in multiple rooms before she was given a birthing suite. Despite the upheaval of her experience, Yahna reflects on the joy of breastfeeding and the deep bond with baby Sunday, the first biological family member she has ever known. As an adoptee, Yahna admits that when she gave birth, she also gained a newfound love and respect for her birth mother. Baby Sunday was a happy accident. Yahna had been on the pill for 16 years when she decided to take a break after seeing a Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor.

“When you’re not planning to conceive a baby, there’s a long thought process...can we afford this? Can we do this? Are we ready? With time we eased into the idea of it and became really excited.

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235 | Steph Claire Smith, Vaginal Birth, Private Obstetrician, PCOS, Induction, Antenatal Expressing,

Wed, 19 May 2021 09:25:26 GMT

In today’s episode I interview Steph Claire Smith who was first diagnosed with PCOS at the age of 21. She managed to regulate her menstrual cycles by focussing on health, wellness and regular acupuncture treatments and years later, fell pregnant easily. She timed her exhausting first trimester with stage four lockdown in Melbourne and sailed through the rest of her pregnancy, choosing to practise gratitude for all she experienced, despite the inevitable discomfort and challenges that arose in the third trimester. Steph admits that well-meaning messages from friends and followers regarding natural methods for induction definitely affected her mental health and she subsequently chose to be induced at 41weeks.

Today's episode is brought to you by The Birth Class. After listening to hundreds of birth stories, pregnancy and birth experiences over the years (and birthing my own three beautiful boys) I have created my dream online childbirth education course. The Birth Class. Inside The Birth Class you will enjoy 9 incredibly insightful audio interviews with some of Australia’s favourite midwives, doulas, childbirth educators and yoga teachers Together we unpack: every aspect of birth, including the stages of labour, the role of the body's naturally occurring hormones in birth, how to prepare your body during pregnancy for birth through optimal maternal positioning and how to harness your breath and sound and use active birthing techniques, how to prepare for a VBAC, What to expect in a Caesarean and lots more.

The Birth Class also includes an 80-page colour illustrated workbook with transcripts of the audio interviews and a hospital bag checklist, birth preferences checklist for you to print and customise. In order to ensure you have mastered the breathing and relaxation techniques we discuss in the course, I have also included a 25minute Yoga Nidra meditation and a 5-minute breathing exercise you can practice throughout your pregnancy. .

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234 | Teigan McKinnon, Identical Twins MCDA, Vaginal Birth, IVF, Induction, Epidural, Antenatal Expressing, Tandem Breastfeeding

Mon, 17 May 2021 00:43:07 GMT

Due to many requests, I’m delighted to chat to Teigan McKinnon in this week’s episode. You can hear Teigan’s first birth story in episode 100 but today we talk about her recent twin birth with babies Violet and Audrey. Conceived via IVF, Teigan’s embryo split in two and at her first dating scan she discovered she was pregnant with twins. After being warned of the complications of identical MCDA twins (two amniotic sacs but a shared placenta), her pregnancy was relatively straight-forward and after being induced at 36weeks, she delivered both girls vaginally with an epidural.

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233 | Elise, Surrogate Pregnancy, IVF, GBS, Covid lockdown, Vaginal Delivery

Thu, 13 May 2021 11:56:22 GMT

I first interviewed Elise about the births of her three children in episode 42 Since then she has spent two years on a unique journey as a surrogate mum. She talks us through her initial calling to be a surrogate, the first meeting with the intended parents and the psychological screening required before the IVF process began. As Elise explains, it was not always a smooth, joyful experience and the challenges she faced towards the end of her pregnancy were stressful, especially surrounding Covid lockdown laws and the number of support people allowed in the birth centre. Despite the tense anticipation and the stress of the unknown, Elise’s birth was very straightforward and the moment she handed baby Archie to his mum made it all worthwhile.

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232 | Fiona Killackey, Two Caeesarean births, Miscarriage, Secondary Infertility

Mon, 10 May 2021 00:18:16 GMT

In this week’s episode I interview Fiona @mydailybusinesscoach who shares her confronting experience of an emergency caesarean in London. She was discharged 24hours after birth and while she spent much of her first week at home anxious and sore, a visit from a gentle and wise lactation consultant was exactly what she needed to settle into new motherhood. After returning to Australia and setting up their life in Melbourne, Fiona and her husband spent two years trying to conceive before they explored their options with IUI and IVF. Fiona made the conscious decision to have a planned caesarean with baby Elio and under the care of her beloved obstetrician she experienced a joyful birth that she fondly remembers as one of the best days of her life.

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231 | Georgia, two vaginal births, midwifery group practice, breastfeeding, placenta encapsulation

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 01:15:00 GMT

In this week’s bonus episode I chat to the delightful Georgia who takes us through her two pregnancies and births. Her surprise first pregnancy was a life-changing shock but she took it in her stride and delivered little Tex with the support of the midwifery team at Geelong Hospital. Her second pregnancy was as smooth as the first but she went into labour at the height of the national Covid lockdown. Despite extra precautions at the hospital, her labour was speedy and she delivered baby Ivy with ease. I adore Georgia’s honesty and her detailed discussion of placenta encapsulation is a great listen for anyone considering doing it for themselves.

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230 | Marley three vaginal births, Indigenous Australian, antenatal depression, appendicitis.

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 00:52:20 GMT

In this week’s episode, I chat to Marley Morgan an Indigenous woman who is raising her three children on Gumbaynggirr land. After a surprise pregnancy at the age of 26, Marley was confronted by a variety of health concerns that took a toll on her mental health and led to an ante-natal depression diagnosis. Her journey into motherhood was challenging but when she reached out to her local mother’s group she recognised the importance of a supportive village. She’s birthed three boys in four years and has consciously worked on her mental and physical health, has grown a successful business that celebrates women and motherhood and has experienced the joy of intervention-free birth with the support of midwives.

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229 | Emma PCOS, Breast Implant Removal, Emergency Caesarean, Prodromal Labour

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 04:44:24 GMT

In honour of caesarean awareness month, I chat to Emma about her pregnancy and birth. Despite her intention to have a birth with minimal intervention, days of prodromal labour coupled with exhaustion, dehydration and obstructed labour due to baby’s position, led her to an emergency cesarean. Despite everything, Emma admits that she felt empowered and supported every step of the way, particularly in the depths of her labour when she felt like she was losing control and was debilitated with exhaustion. “I honestly believe that it’s not about how you birth but how you’re treated in birth,” she says.

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228 | Kristin three births, vacuum delivery, miscarriage, homebirth, waterbirth, doula

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 02:29:44 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to Kristin; a mother of three who let her intuition guide her throughout her pregnancies and subsequently experienced three beautiful, empowering births (albeit not without their challenges). Five miscarriages in a fifteen-month period left her anxious and fearful but once she passed the 12 week mark with her son, Toby, she settled into her pregnancy and refused to let her obstetrician class her as high risk. She took responsibility for her birth, hired a private midwife and birthed in the water at home. Kristin talks confidently and clearly about her pregnancy and birth experiences and is incredibly inspiring, especially in regards to owning her birth journey and surrounding herself with people who supported and guided her.

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227 | Sarah Type 1 Diabetic, Caesarean Birth, Special Care Nursery, High Blood Pressure

Sun, 11 Apr 2021 16:00:00 GMT

Sarah shares about her life with Type 1 Diabetes and the effect her diagnosis had on her conception and pregnancy. Sarah admits that she did minimal preparation for her labour and birth and while she went in with limited skills, she also experienced a severe lack of communication from the obstetricians and midwives caring for her, both during birth and postpartum. Her story is a really important one, especially for first-time mums who are questioning the significance of birth preparation and want to advocate for themselves in the hospital system.

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226 | Sonia Covid pregnancy, home birth, water birth, postpartum doula, tail of spence.

Sun, 28 Mar 2021 23:26:24 GMT

In this week’s episode, I chat to Sonia who discovered she was pregnant at the very start of the pandemic. She spent the following eight months immersed in birth documentaries and positive birth stories, intent on creating a birth space where she could be supported by her partner and her closest friends as she laboured. She speaks softly and with heart about her home water birth, the way she roared her daughter into the world and the bliss-filled days that followed. It’s so important to hear stories like Sonia’s and to remind ourselves that with mindful preparation and a supportive caregiver, birth can be a joyous and powerful experience.

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225 | Dani two vaginal births, PCOS, endometriosis, fertility treatment, twins, inverted nipples

Sun, 21 Mar 2021 23:31:37 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to @daniloxton about her fertility issues and the journey to conceiving her daughter and her twins. As a yoga teacher and a doula-in-training, Dani knows what it’s like to balance a natural lifestyle with the reality of a PCOS and endometriosis diagnosis. She required fertility treatment for her pregnancies and medication for nausea but then experienced quick and smooth deliveries for all three babies. We chat a lot about her twin pregnancy, the shock of discovering she was pregnant with twins, antenatal depression and her empowered delivery despite the unwelcome presence of an obstetrician demanding a cesarean.

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224 | Ellesse Hawkins, Placenta Previa, Pilates Instructor, Private Obstetrician, Emergency Caesarean

Thu, 18 Mar 2021 03:06:49 GMT

In today’s episode I interview Ellesse who shares the birth of her son Bowie. Ellesse is a pilates instructor who runs her own business at Fleur Wellbeing Pilates Studio. The Covid lockdown started just as Ellesse discovered she was pregnant. She found this a blessing initially as she suffered from intense morning sickness and working from home allowed her to be sick and rest in between Zoom pilates classes. At her 20 week scan, Ellesse discovered she had placenta previa, her placenta was completely covering her cervix. This diagnosis meant that she had to stop doing all forms of exercise which was very challenging as a very active person. It also impacted her work as she couldn’t demonstrate in her classes. It was at this time that Ellesse started to mentally prepare for a caesarean birth. To find out how things unfolded for Ellesse tune into this week’s episode.

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223 | Yumi two vaginal births, doula, public hospital, racism, birth trauma, PTSD, retained placenta, homebirth, private midwife, waterbirth

Sun, 14 Mar 2021 12:05:19 GMT

In this week’s episode, I interview Yumi Takahashi who is featured in the recent Birth Time documentary. I aim to share a variety of stories in this space and I believe that Yumi’s experience is essential listening for birthing mothers and, perhaps more importantly, for the midwives and obstetricians who care for them. In her first pregnancy, she chose her local public hospital and had unwavering faith in the system. But it was the system that failed her; she received racist remarks throughout her pregnancy, abusive treatment during her birth and was left with trauma that still exists today. When she fell pregnant with her second child, she chose a private midwife and homebirth. As she says: “My fear came from the system, from the people trying to control my body. I had no fear of birth.”

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222 | Claire Same Sex Couple, Home Birth, co-feeding, Induced Lactation

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 11:00:28 GMT

In today’s episode, Claire shares how she and her partner Steph had a home birth with their little girl LJ. As a same-sex couple, Claire and Steph used a home insemination process with sperm given to them from a very good friend. As a naturopath, Claire carefully monitored her cycles and use acupuncture to help make the process as smooth as possible. They were lucky enough to conceive on their first home transfer.

Despite starting with GP Shared care Claire knew that she wanted a low intervention home birth. Claire decided to start interviewing private midwives to have a home birth and she found a lovely midwife who she and Steph connected with and they hired her for their pregnancy and home birth care.

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221 | Melissa Ayling Unassisted Car Birth, Hypnobirthing

Sun, 07 Mar 2021 22:14:27 GMT

This week I revisit one of my very first interviews where I chat with Melissa a hypnobirthing practitioner based in Geraldton, WA. Melissa’s story really encompasses the power of developing faith and trust in the body and its ability to birth. She talks us through her smooth first birth but it’s the arrival of her second baby that takes up most of our conversation. She discusses the techniques she used to actively prepare for labour and she talks us through the stages of birth, from first contractions to the way she let her intuition guide her through a side-of-the-road car birth, a calm, empowering and overwhelmingly ecstatic experience.

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220 | Ellen, solo parenthood, sperm donor, IVF, GD, vaginal hematoma, low breastmilk supply

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 02:34:31 GMT

In this week’s bonus episode I chat to Ellen, a solo mum who navigated four years of IVF to conceive her daughter, Lola. She takes us through ten rounds of IVF, her experience with Gestational Diabetes and the end of her pregnancy where she was faced with two options: and induction at 38weeks or a cesarean at 39weeks. After much thought and soul searching, she opted for a planned cesarean because it gave her more time to allow labour to commence naturally. And it did! Her joyful birth was everything she dreamed of. However, her postpartum experience was challenging and she admits that the pain, struggle and vulnerability was confronting, especially in regards to breastfeeding. Ellen’s story really clarifies the lengths some women go to conceive their babies and the importance of listening to the intuitive voice within.

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219 | Rachael Rose two births, HG, shared care, doula, PPH, homebirth, birth rights

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 06:34:40 GMT

In this week’s episode I interview Rachel - a women’s circle facilitator, pregnancy and birth doula and mother of two. Rachael is incredibly well educated in the birth space and offers an insightful glimpse into the hospital system and the protocols that can often stand in stark contrast to the natural progression of labour and birth. She highlights the fragmentation of the Australian birth system, the inevitable challenges that can arise from having multiple care providers and the trauma of Hyperemesis Provardum (HG) and Postpartum Hemorrhaging (PPH). Throughout our interview she speaks from a passionate, open heart about birthing as a sexual abuse survivor, embracing birth as a rite of passage and roaring through a glorious redemptive homebirth supported by a trusted midwife and doula. This episode is brimming with facts, stats, information and inspiration. Once you start listening you won’t want to stop.

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218 | Maha Corbett, IVF, Egg Freezing, Over 40, Overstimulation, IUGR, Pre-eclampsia

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 02:39:54 GMT

In this week’s episode I interview Maha who talks about her experience with egg freezing as a single woman in her late thirties. It’s a pertinent topic for our times yet one that’s rarely discussed, hence Maha’s desire to share her story in the hope that it informs and empowers other women in a similar situation. A year later she started considering sperm donors yet life had a different plan; she reconnected with a long-term friend, they fell in love and started trying for a family. Maha fell pregnant through IVF on her first attempt yet her pregnancy was difficult; her placenta wasn’t the optimal size and baby Joshua was diagnosed with Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR). Maha takes us right through her special journey that spans three years; it’s a beautiful story that isn’t without its challenges but is inspiring nonetheless.

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216 | Turia Pitt Two Vaginal Births, OB, Induction, Breastfeeding Exercise for Mothers

Sun, 07 Feb 2021 23:14:08 GMT

In this week’s episode, I interview Turia Pitt who talks about her life-changing accident and her journey to motherhood. Resilient, funny and incredibly sweet, Turia shares the details of her pregnancies and labours as well as the challenges of the postpartum period. Most poignant of all is the way she eased into motherhood with her second son, Rahiti, having learnt that lots of visitors are not conducive to a relaxed and restful fourth trimester. She’s just launched her new running program for mums, aptly called Run With Turia and she’s incredibly passionate about encouraging women to ease into running regardless of their mental or physical limitations.

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215 | Jana Pittman four babies, exercise in pregnancy, breastfeeding and implants, IVF, sperm donor, varicose veins

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 03:45:02 GMT

In this week’s bonus episode I chat to retired Olympic athlete, doctor and mother of four, Jana Pittman. Her story is a colourful one and honestly, we could have talked for hours! She generously takes us through her motherhood journey which began when she was at the peak of her athletic career. After her marriage breakup she opted to have two more children with a sperm donor and navigated medical school with solo parenthood. Most recently, she shares her experience as a junior doctor, her hopes to become an OBGYN and the very quick birth of her fourth baby. But most importantly, she shares her advice and experience as a doctor and a mum and discusses so many common issues for pregnant and postpartum women; incontinence, holistic birth, exercise after birth, IVF, varicose veins, breastfeeding challenges (including breastfeeding with implants). You will learn so much from Doctor Jana!

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214 | Blair Two Births, IVF, ICSI, Pelvic Girdle Pain, Induction, Epidural, Forceps, Incontinence

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 02:59:31 GMT

In this week’s episode I interview Blair who tells the story of her traumatic first birth where a quick forceps delivery left her with significant internal damage and incontinence issues. “I felt like birth happened to me, I didn’t contribute at all,” she says. Her introduction to motherhood was challenging as she dealt with an infected hematoma, had difficulty bonding with her baby and navigated the sudden onset of postnatal anxiety. She fell pregnant unexpectedly the following year and actively prepared for an intervention-free birth which was quick, joyous and wonderfully healing, both physically and emotionally. Blair admits that she sought out stories of women who had experienced a redemptive second birth after a challenging first and now she’s delighted to be sharing her own.

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213 | Bianca Two Births, Down Syndrome, NICU, IUGR, VBAC

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 00:21:09 GMT

In this week’s episode I interview Bianca who, at the age of 22, fell pregnant unexpectedly and navigated the complex reality of a Downs Syndrome diagnosis. Despite multiple health professionals advising her to terminate, she chose to keep her baby, journeyed through a tumultuous pregnancy and delivered him at 34weeks via caesarean. Baby Oliver was born with a heart condition and spent 12 weeks in NICU before being transferred to Melbourne Children’s Hospital for life-saving surgery. During her second pregnancy, Bianca was determined to actively prepare for a VBAC and with the support of her caregivers, she delivered another beautiful boy.

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212 | Bella same sex marriage, sperm donor, IVF, retained placenta

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 03:37:04 GMT

In this week’s episode, I chat to Bella about her journey to motherhood with her wife Moana Hope. After choosing a sperm donor and attempting a few rounds of IUI, Bella started IVF and fell pregnant on her first attempt. She takes us through the elation, nausea and worry of her pregnancy, most of which she spent in Melbourne’s long winter lockdown. Baby Svea was born after a beautiful natural birth and while the postpartum period was relatively smooth for Bella, she grew concerned when she started bleeding heavily at six weeks. An ultrasound confirmed her OB’s suspicions; she had retained 5cm of placenta and needed to have it removed. Despite the shock of having to go into hospital and be separated from Svea, Bella has recovered well and is determined to share her story to encourage other new mums to listen intently to their postpartum body and speak up if something doesn’t feel right.

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211 | Bernadette Lack, Midwife, two births, incontinence, prolapse, pelvic floor, GBS, homebirth

Sun, 10 Jan 2021 12:10:16 GMT

In my first interview of the year, I chat with Bernadette of @coreandfloorrestore - a midwife, personal trainer and mother of two boys. Bernadette’s unique story involves incontinence before pregnancy and she details the debilitating experience of consistently wetting herself as her pregnancy progressed. Her empowering first birth encouraged a new sense of self-belief so she delved into research and reminded herself of one basic fact: the pelvic floor is a muscle and like all muscles, it can heal.

Subsequently, she created her own program which has helped women with prolapse and incontinence issues and continues to be a fabulous resource for those dealing with the shame and discomfort of a weakened pelvic floor. Aside from Bernadette's abundance of knowledge, she talks in detail about her two beautiful homebirths, what it’s like to labour as a midwife and the shift in family dynamics as the firstborn tentatively welcomes the new baby. An absolute must-listen for all women, but especially those who suffer incontinence in silence. Please know that you’re not alone!

Bernadette’s newborn, Aloysius, is only two weeks old when I chat to her so she’s very much in the bliss and exhaustion of the fourth trimester. However, she has a wealth of knowledge and I can’t quite believe how much we covered in this episode.

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210 | Kyree Harvey Induction, Failed Epidural, Episiotomy, Vaginal Delivery After 3CT

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 02:55:22 GMT

In the final episode of the year, I interview Kyree Harvey about her intense third birth with baby Denver. She made the informed decision to be induced and after a slow build up she fought her way through 40minutes of incredibly painful active labour and delivered Denver amidst the panic of his heart rate plummeting. Kyree bares all in this interview and she shares some really wonderful knowledge and advice about opting for birth preferences over a birth plan, recovering from an episiotomy and severe tear and the importance of seeing a women’s health physiotherapist post-birth, no matter what kind of birth you have (I agree, Kyree!).

You can hear Kyree talk about her first two births in . Her first birth with baby Alaska involved two weeks of false labour, an induction at 39weeks and an episiotomy that took months to heal. In preparation for her second birth, she did a Hypnobirthing Australia course that shifted her mindset around birth and she journeyed into her induction with an incredibly positive and determined perspective. She delivered an 11pound baby boy and suffered a severe 3C tear, an experience that she shares in detail.

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209 | Lauren teenage pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, vacuum delivery, breastfeeding, endometriosis

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 11:18:46 GMT

In this week’s bonus episode I chat to student-midwife and mother of two (almost three), Lauren. Half-way through her final year of high school, Lauren fell pregnant at the age of 16. She shares her teen pregnancy journey, her traumatic first birth and redemptive second. Now she’s come full circle as she works towards finishing her midwifery degree and looks forward to supporting pregnant women and especially teen mums as they journey towards birth and motherhood.

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208 | Elise Cook, Midwifery care, birth centre, IUGR, positive induction experience.

Sun, 29 Nov 2020 12:15:56 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to Elise Cook about womanhood, pregnancy and the dichotomy of birth; the immense pain and immeasurable love. She tells a beautiful story of listening to her intuition and consciously choosing to conceive, letting go of her fear and placing her energy in trust. She spent most of her pregnancy in the quiet of covid lockdown but as she journeyed closer to her due date doctors started to show concerns about her baby’s growth in utero and she was diagnosed with IUGR. Elise kindly shares all the intimate details of her positive induction birth and the joy and challenge of the days and weeks that followed. In my opinion, it’s a must-listen.

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207 | Ashe Davenport Two Births, 42 weeks, Induction, Epidural, Postnatal Depression.

Sun, 22 Nov 2020 10:32:06 GMT

After a gloriously indulgent holiday in Mexico, Ashe and her husband, Sam, returned to Melbourne and fell pregnant soon after. Her easy conception was misleading; she expected the rest of the journey to be smooth and it wasn’t like that at all. Physically it was a straightforward, textbook pregnancy but her emotional journey was tumultuous. She enrolled in the midwifery programme at the Royal Womens in Melbourne where she saw a different midwife at every appointment, an experience that didn’t allow her to connect with or open up to her caregivers.

“I wish I had hired a doula or had a dedicated midwife; I didn’t feel a connection to the hospital nor did I have a solid team to fall back on and find comfort in.”

In the lead up to her due date and the weeks that followed, Ashe encountered a number of fear-inducing obstetricians who warned her of the worst case scenarios if she refused an induction. Thankfully, there was one midwife who offered a different perspective.

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206 | Nadia Three Births, Chromosomal Abnormality, Stillbirth, Caesarean, Maternal-Assisted Caesarean

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 20:22:30 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to Nadia about her three births including her most recent; a maternal-assisted cesarean. Nadia’s first son, a boy named Pio, was diagnosed with a rare chromosomal abnormality and was born via cesarean at 20weeks. She discusses her disbelief at the diagnosis and the subsequent grief of her loss followed by the healing arrival of her rainbow baby, Riviera.

Nadia found her mothering groove when Riviera was six-months-old so the last thing she expected was to fall pregnant again. Her second daughter, Florencia, was born in the middle of Melbourne’s Covid lockdown but despite restrictions, she was delighted to have the opportunity to experience a natural cesarean and admits that the bond and connection was instant.

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204 | Fran PANDA, caesarean birth, PPH, DMER, mental health, PPD, antenatal anxiety

Sun, 08 Nov 2020 23:29:23 GMT

In honour of Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA) Week, I chat to Fran of Franjos Kitchen who shares the intricacies of her mental health and motherhood journey. She admits that it took two births and a miscarriage for her to see the very distinct connection between her hormones and her brain. She recalls the depths of her despair with unflinching honesty and talks in detail about the thoughts she was having and the way she was feeling. She fell into a dark place after her miscarriage and consequently sought professional help from a psychologist and a psychiatrist and was subsequently diagnosed with bipolar-vulnerability to hormones.

She experienced antenatal depression during the first trimester of her first pregnancy. She was physically and mentally unwell, so much so that she was sobbing in the shower and wishing for the pregnancy to end. However, a week later, as she headed into the second trimester, she felt like a different person.

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205 | April PCOS, Teenage Pregnancy, Gestational Diabetes, Postnatal Anxiety and Depression, Clomid, Premature baby

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 02:21:10 GMT

In this week’s episode, I chat to April who suffers from PCOS and was 19 when she found out she was pregnant with her first baby. After a series of tests to work out why she was suffering recurrent dizzy spells, April was told she was 17 weeks pregnant. Ten weeks later she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and after she welcomed her son into the world, she suffered from postnatal anxiety and undiagnosed postnatal depression. Nine years later she birthed her daughter seven weeks early in the midst of the NSW bushfires and takes us through her NICU journey. Frank and from the heart, April discusses the importance of clinical and community support for young mums and encourages all women to be honest about their mental health concerns from the very beginning of their pregnancy.

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203 | Kellee Three Births, Birth Centre, Home Birth, Hip Dysplasia, Tongue Tie

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 22:16:59 GMT

In this week’s bonus episode I chat to Kellee from @littlehumanlinens about her three births. As an emergency nurse, she had to consciously let go of the need to manage her own pregnancy and birth and instead place her trust in her midwife. She speaks candidly about her emotional response to becoming a mother and the identity crisis that followed; the inevitable ups and downs of postpartum that all mums experience to some extent. She also navigated the tricky reality of a baby with hip dysplasia and severe tongue tie.

She decided to birth at home with her third after experiencing a very speedy second birth. “Homebirth felt like the safest option for me because as soon as labour began a midwife would come to my house to look after me. It just felt right. Good, solid, safe home birth is a really amazing option and for us it was just perfect. It took away a lot of anxiety for me.”

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202 | Liana Breast Cancer During Pregnancy , Chemotherapy, Caesarean, Mastectomy

Sun, 25 Oct 2020 22:30:37 GMT

In this week’s episode I interview Liana who, at 9 weeks pregnant, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. She admits that she went into survival mode when her doctor delivered the news and from then on was determined to do everything she could to deliver a healthy baby. Regardless of surgery and six months of chemotherapy, Liana remained positive and nurtured a positive mindset so she could embrace her pregnancy despite the almighty upheavals. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Liana’s story highlights the importance of breast checks and breast awareness. For more information about breast screening, visit bcna.org.au

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201 | Bannie Yoga in Pregnancy, Private Obstetrician, Episiotomy, Breastfeeding Oversupply

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 10:50:56 GMT

Bannie shares suffered terrible morning sickness during her pregnancy which she had under the care of a private Obstetrician. Bannie, a yoga teacher and owner of @fortgreen yoga studio in Melbourne’s north. Crippled with nausea and vomiting in her first trimester, she was physically and mentally challenged by the rapid changes to her body and was relieved when her second trimester gave her renewed energy and strength. She practised yoga throughout her pregnancy, flowing through asanas with newfound flexibility (thanks to a burst of relaxin), bonding with her baby and creating mental space and awareness that she would utilise in her labour. She birthed in the private hospital under the care of her obstetrician and went home after four days with a deep appreciation for her body and its innate power. Inspired to support pregnant women and new mothers, she is currently training to be a pre and postnatal yoga teacher.

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200 | Johanna Nicholson Unexplained Infertility, IVF Journey, Caesarean Delivery

Sun, 18 Oct 2020 09:00:02 GMT

In this week’s episode I interview ABC journalist, Johanna Nicholson who details the highs and lows of her five year journey to conceive and birth her baby boy, Henry. Unexplained infertility affects up 15% of Australian couples and for Jo and her husband James, it was a long and sometimes frustrating road. They eventually opted for IVF and after the heartbreaking loss of their first pregnancy, Jo conceived Henry and carried him to full term. She recalls her birth experience with reverence, detailing every step of the journey from induction and cesarean birth to the trip home from hospital and the sleepy, beautiful, challenging first few weeks.

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199 | Jessica Prescott, Two Fast Homebirths, in Berlin and Melbourne, Postpartum Care, Breastfeeding Journey

Sun, 11 Oct 2020 10:58:30 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to Jessica Prescott who is the author of three vegan cookbooks including the newly released Vegan One-Pot Wonders and co-founder of Melbourne-based Mama Goodness an organic food delivery service for new mums. She talks us through her two homebirths - one in Berlin and one in Melbourne - and compares her labour, delivery and postpartum experiences. It was the stark contrast between her births and breastfeeding experiences, which she discusses in detail, that have encouraged her to pursue a career as a postpartum doula. Jess’ story is heartwarming, funny and informative and it really emphasises the importance of community and support during the postpartum period.

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198 | Annabel Bower Stillbirth, Miscarriage, Grief After Loss, NICU, Placental Insufficiency

Sun, 04 Oct 2020 10:29:49 GMT

For this week's episode and in honour of Infant Loss Week, I interview Annabel Bower who takes us through her experience of stillbirth and the immense, layered grief that followed. Two weeks after her fourth child - a boy named Miles - was born still, she started writing about her experience so she could record all the little details that she knew would eventually fade. As she journeyed through grief that stripped all colour from her world, she documented the days and weeks of life after loss and went on to interview women who had experienced miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss. The finished project is her book, Miles Apart, a heartfelt offering of support for those who have lost a baby and are enduring the incomprehensible grief. Annabel hopes that her words break the stigma and the silence of miscarriage and stillbirth and open a vital conversation for us all to have.

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197 | Ellie Bullen, Hypnobirth, Private Obstetrician, Epidural, Covid.

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 12:07:02 GMT

In today’s episode I interview Ellie Bullen about the birth of her baby boy Bowie. Ellie discovered she was pregnant sooner than she had expected however he was a very welcomed surprise. As she was a first time mum, Ellie decided to book in with a private Obstetrician so that she could have continuity of care through a private hospital near by to her home. Ellie and her husband Alex took a private Hypnobirthing Australia course to prepare for a low intervention and relaxed water birth.

Ellie’s identical twin sister made the journey back to the Gold Coast from Bali during Covid and was required to isolate in a hotel for 14days when she arrived. Ellie was able to drop off parcels and wave to her from outside and they both crossed their fingers that Ellie wouldn't go into labour early.

To hear more about how Elli’s birth unfolded, tune into this week’s episode.

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196 | Sarah Midwife, Two Births, Water Birth, Micro-Preemie, NICU Journey.

Sun, 27 Sep 2020 11:35:28 GMT

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195 | Jodie Two Births, Planned Caesareans, Private Obstetrician, Fistula

Sun, 20 Sep 2020 10:16:33 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to Jodie about her two planned cesarean births. When she was 18-months-old, she was diagnosed with a fistula which was repaired shortly afterwards. The issue arose again when she was 11 and after surgery she was told she would never be able to birth naturally. She remembers feeling sad that her choice had been taken away from her but when it came time to prepare for her first birth, she felt empowered by her knowledge and was comforted by her supportive obstetrician.

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194 | Stevie Dillon, Hyperthyroidism, Endometriosis, Epidural, Caesarean, Breastfeeding Challenges

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 03:25:10 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to Stevie about her pregnancy and birth with baby Jimmy. After struggling to conceive and experiencing painful periods for as long as she can remember, Stevie saw a fertility specialist and was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries, hyperthyroidism and endometriosis. A few months after a laparoscopy she fell pregnant and had a smooth and symptom-free pregnancy. She recalls the details of her labour and cesarean birth as well as the challenge of those first few days when she was exhausted, in pain and struggling to breastfeed.

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193 | Dad's Edition: Five Dad's Share Their Experiences and Advice

Mon, 07 Sep 2020 02:59:00 GMT

In honour of Father’s Day, I took the opportunity to interview five dads about their experience of pregnancy and birth. They each talk candidly about birth preparation and the highs and lows of the labour ward, in particular the mental and emotional challenges of seeing their wives labour through pain and intervention. Throughout their stories they share advice and top tips for dads-to-be which are beautifully relevant for the birth day and the postpartum period. I really enjoyed gleaning a different perspective for this episode and I’m so grateful for the humour and insight that each of the men shared with me.

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192 | Oceane Same-Sex Marriage, IVF, Donor Sperm, Homebirth, Midwife.

Sun, 30 Aug 2020 09:12:57 GMT

In this week’s episode, I chat to Oceane, a midwife and mother of three who so generously shares the beautiful, intricate details of her two homebirths. She also tells the story of her wife’s birth and the journey they have taken to become parents with donor sperm and IVF, the logic involved in deciding who will be pregnant and the joy of breastfeeding at the same time. Oceane’s story is inspiring, informative and heartwarming and the video of baby Emmeline’s arrival captures the euphoria of supported and trusted family-centred birth.

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191 | Mel Dimmitt Emergency Caesarean, Special Needs Child, Cerebral Palsy

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 02:16:31 GMT

In this week’s episode, I interview Melanie Dimmitt about her two births and her experience as a special needs mum. Mel talks us through the moment she was in the hospital with her first baby, Arlo, awaiting an induction. She was watching the fetal heart rate monitor when she noticed a dramatic fall in Arlo’s heartbeat. Ten minutes later he was born via emergency cesarean and once awake, Mel was wheeled into NICU to meet her baby boy. Mel and her husband Rohan stayed positive in the months that followed but when Arlo was six-month-old he was given a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy and they started a daily treatment plan with a variety of specialists. Overwhelmed by their new reality, Mel used her journalism skills to reach out to a variety of special needs parents. The result is @the_special_book; an uplifting companion for parents who are navigating their child’s diagnosis in an often overwhelming (and initially terrifying) special needs world.

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190 | Julia Busuttil Nishimura, Two Vaginal Births, Midwifery Care, Postnatal Anxiety

Sun, 16 Aug 2020 10:19:33 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to Julia Busuttil Nishimura @juliaostro about her journey into motherhood and the obstacles she faced in her first year with both her boys, Haruki and Yukito. She chose midwifery care for her pregnancies and ventured into each labour feeling prepared and supported. Her births were challenging albeit positive experiences yet her postpartum experience with breastfeeding and anxiety has been difficult. Julia shares her breast and bottle feeding experience and discusses the importance of psychological support for new mums, particularly in the first year when overwhelm and loneliness can outweigh the beauty and joy. Breaking down the stigmas attached to mental health and postpartum is essential and it starts right here, in the sharing of honest and heartfelt stories.

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189 | Kate Homebirth Waterbirth Stillbirth Miscarriage Placenta Encapsulation

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 06:17:08 GMT

In this week’s episode I interview Kate, one third of the @kipandco team. Kate birthed three of her boys at home with the support of her midwife and she used hip-opening practises and active birth techniques during labour to help her achieve a water birth every time. She’s always been grateful for the opportunity to create a homebirth space, one where she envisioned her happiest moments occurring. So when she discovered, at 29 weeks in her second pregnancy, that her baby had died, she opted to birth in hospital with the unwavering support of her husband, her midwife and a team of empathetic nurses. Kate shares her grief of those days with profound vulnerability and talks about her healing journey in the years that followed. It was an honour to hear your story, Kate. Thank you so much for sharing.

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188 | Carla Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, Emergency Cesarean Miscarriage

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 10:49:15 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to Carla, a Doctor of Chinese Medicine and the co-founder of @thegoldenmonth, a traditional postnatal care service for modern mothers. Carla works closely with women at all stages of their fertility journey so when she discovered she was pregnant, she knew a lot about the highs and lows of pregnancy. However, nothing could prepare her for the debilitating reflux, the lack of sleep and a labour that progressed slowly and painfully over three long days. Carla is open and honest about the relief of an emergency cesarean, the despair and regret that arose weeks afterward and the grief of miscarriage, an experience she couldn’t imagine until she was in the midst of it.

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187 | Jody Giardina Midwifery Care Vaginal Births, Covid-19

Sun, 26 Jul 2020 12:29:23 GMT

In this week's episode I chat to Jody Mustang about her two natural births with midwifery care. Intent on experiencing a non-medicated birth with her first baby, Jody embraced a variety of preparation techniques that she used during pregnancy and labour (affirmations, visualisations and breathing skills) and they gave her the confidence to trust her body despite the concerns of the obstetricians on the ward. Her second pregnancy took an unexpected turn in her third trimester when her husband made the call to move from LA back to NSW at the start of the pandemic. Jody shifted her mindset to embrace a new birth plan and she subsequently experienced an empowering and quick delivery. Informative and inspiring, Jody’s story is proof that knowledge is most definitely power.

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186 | Alex Parker lives with Cystic Fibrosis, Gestational Diabetes, Induced Vaginal Birth

Thu, 23 Jul 2020 02:48:51 GMT

In this week’s bonus episode I chat to Alex - @alexandrenaparker - who lives with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a genetic disease that affects her lung and digestive function. Alex, her husband Mike and their three-year-old daughter, Ruby, have been in strict isolation for 136 days as she is incredibly vulnerable. As masks become mandatory in Melbourne, I urge you to listen to Alex’s insightful story and learn a bit about her life (and her pregnancy) with chronic illness. At this stage, Alex anticipates that she’ll be in lockdown for the remainder of the year. However, if we as a community can wear masks, stay home and limit the spread, she’ll hopefully be able to reintegrate sooner rather than later. I’m so inspired by her story, her strength and perseverance and mostly, her gratitude and perspective in these uncertain times.

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185 | Heidi Anderson Gestational Diabetes, Emergency Caesarean

Sun, 19 Jul 2020 08:06:54 GMT

In this week’s episode I interview Heidi Anderson about her journey into motherhood and the challenge of the days and weeks post-birth. After being told by her GP that it would be a miracle to fall pregnant naturally, Heidi fell on her first attempt. She was so shocked that she admits to feeling ungrateful for the first few weeks as she grappled with the inevitable and sudden change to her career and lifestyle. Once the doubt and first trimester nausea had passed, she embraced her pregnancy despite a Gestational Diabetes diagnosis and actively prepared for her labour with hypnobirth techniques. She was induced at 39.5 weeks, she birthed via cesarean and her baby boy, Memphis, spent his first few days in NICU with low blood sugar levels. Heidi is brutally honest about her experience as a new mum and she emphasises the importance of preparing not only for your birth but for the fourth trimester, too.

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184 | Amanda Callan Three Births, Unexpected Twins Discovered at 26 Weeks

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 23:11:14 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to Amanda Callan who shares the unique and somewhat overwhelming experience of discovering she was pregnant with twins at 26 weeks. Having experienced a hospital and homebirth previously, she opted to keep her community midwife on for the postpartum period and sought the care and guidance of a private obstetrician who supported her plans for a natural twin birth without epidural. Amanda talks candidly about the emotional journey of bringing the twins into the world and the mental and physical challenge of birthing one baby, bonding with him and then preparing to birth the second. She offers a refreshing insight into the complexities of twin birth whilst also reflecting on the births of her older children. Consider it a must-listen.

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183 | Jame Telfer Two Caesareans and VBA2C On Country

Mon, 13 Jul 2020 02:18:57 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to Jame, a mother of three and the owner of @earth.blended. Jame lives on Gumbaynggirr country, is a proud Gumbaynggirr Nyami (woman) and she talks from the heart about her three births, including the trauma of emergency cesarean and the anxiety and grief of having a sick child with a life-threatening condition. While she had always longed for a natural birth, it wasn’t until she fell pregnant with her third son that she listened to her intuition and consciously prepared for a VBAC2, an experience that filled her with immense pride and left her in complete awe. Jame’s story goes full circle, from the shock of hearing she needed an emergency cesarean with her first to the redemptive and healing experience of birthing and delivering her third and then having the opportunity to bask in an uninterrupted golden hour with her newborn.

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182 | Anna Davies Midwife, 5 Babies, Twins Vaginal Delivery, Footling Breech

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 00:00:42 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to midwife and mother of five, Anna Davies. While her first and second pregnancies were big surprises she went on to experience smooth and straightforward deliveries. Her third birth was a dream water birth that left her wanting just one more baby so no one was more surprised than her when she discovered she was pregnant with twins. She sought a private midwife and an OB for her twin birth and declined the recommendation for a precautionary epidural, successfully delivering naturally with her second twin being a footling breech. Anna brings a wealth of knowledge to her stories and discusses a range of common labour and birth experiences.

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181 | Stacey June IUI Home Water Birth

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 09:26:34 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to Stacey June about her fertility journey and homebirth. When Stacey first met her husband, Ben, he was open about his experience with pancreatic cancer and his wishes to become a father. Stacey knew that their journey to parenthood would be assisted but it was a non-issue for her; she knew Ben was the one and they started their first IUI treatment within nine months of meeting. Stacey talks from the heart about assisted conception, conscious birth preparation and her empowering birth experience.

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180 | Natalia Two Home Waterbirths, Indigenous Birth Rituals, Birthing On Country

Sun, 21 Jun 2020 13:03:07 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to Natalia @wildearthexpeditions about her two home water births with her daughters Estelle and Coco. Natalia’s story encapsulates her connection with her Indigenous family, the Ngarrindjeri people of South Australia. During her first visit to country she learnt to weave with her elders, a traditional ritual to welcome a woman into motherhood and only three months later she was pregnant. She embraced Indigenous rituals for her births and later buried the placentas on country in the same place her ancestors had buried theirs. Natalia tells a rich, beautiful story of birth and culture and speaks so eloquently about the mind body connection during labour that it’s honestly hard to capture it in words. Go listen, there’s so much learn from her.

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179 | Kat O'Connor Home Birth, Slow Postpartum

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 04:04:24 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to Kat about her dreamy homebirth with baby Rafi. As the eldest of seven children, Kat always knew she wanted to be a young mum and she approached the start of her pregnancy with as much preparation as she did her birth; adjusting her diet, connecting with her baby and practising conscious conception with her partner, Tully. Their home among the gumtrees was an idyllic space to bring their firstborn into the world and they did so with the support of their midwife, doula and birth photographer. Kat talks at length about her postpartum period, the benefits of rest and her choice to slowly and gently re-enter the world after giving birth.

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178 | Aimee Morrisby, IVF, Sister Surrogacy Birth Story

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 04:05:33 GMT

In this week’s episode I talk to Aimee who was born with Hirschsprung's disease, a congenital bowel disease that led to over 50 operations and procedures by the time she was 7. In her early twenties, she was advised to start trying for a baby as her reproductive organs were ageing at a rapid rate and after failing to fall pregnant naturally, she started a challenging, long and deflating IVF journey. Years later, after 8 attempts and the conscious decision to stop trying, Aimee’s sister offered to be a surrogate. Aimee’s experience is unique and achingly beautiful; a story of resilience, sisterhood and the ultimate, most magical gift.

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177 | Jas Summerfield Family Centered Home Water Birth

Mon, 25 May 2020 10:00:15 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to midwife and mum of four, Jas Summerfield After a quick 45minute labour with her third baby which resulted in a car birth, Jas always knew that her fourth baby would be born at home, surrounded by family. She also knew that her mindset would dictate how she coped during labour so essential oils and reiki got her in the zone and once in the birth pool she laboured without pain and delivered her baby into the hands of her eldest daughter, Quinn. Jas’ story is both informative and inspiring, I think you’ll really love it.

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175 | Bridget High Risk Pregnacy Blood Clots, Clexane

Thu, 14 May 2020 00:35:03 GMT

In this week’s episode I interview Bridget from @midnightmums about her third pregnancy and postpartum experience. Bridget had been so excited about having another baby and yet for the first half of her pregnancy she was absolutely floored by nausea, exhaustion and breathlessness. She came up with a myriad of excuses for herself and simply put it down to tiredness and the reality of growing a baby and looking after two busy boys. However, when she mentioned her breathing troubles to her OB, alarms bells rang and he sent her for a myriad of tests. She was diagnosed with blood clots on the lungs and had to endure twice-daily injections of blood thinning medication for the rest of her pregnancy and till three-months postpartum.

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174 | Flick IVF Journey, Covid-19, VBAC

Mon, 11 May 2020 07:26:48 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to Flick about the births of her two children, Arnie (4) and April (4 weeks). It’s been seven years since she first went off the pill with the intention of starting a family and throughout that time she has endured the heartache of infertility, PCOS diagnosis, multiple miscarriages and failed IVF attempts. Her first birth was an induction that ended in an emergency cesarean and her second a successful and joyous VBAC. However, despite achieving her dream birth, Flick did so during coronoavirus and has subsequently experienced expectational grief; grieving what she thought her birth and postpartum period would be like.

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173 | Holly McCauley Two Vaginal Calm Births, Midwifery Care

Mon, 04 May 2020 02:36:51 GMT

In this week’s episode I chat to Holly about her two natural births that were, in almost every way, polar opposites. She journeyed towards her first birth, with daughter Della, believing that her body would do the job and relying on relating breathing techniques. Subsequently, she experienced a smooth and joyous water birth. Three years on and she was told by almost everyone that her second birth would be quick and easy, especially considering her experience the first time around. However, Holly endured a long, challenging labour that pushed her to her limits and proved that birth expectations can be deceiving.

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BONUS Episode Mindfulness with Elise Bialylew

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 04:46:21 GMT

Today I chat to Elise Bialylew about how pregnant women and new mothers can use Mindfulness practices to reduce stress and calm ourselves, so we can tackle the challenges of motherhood. Elise is a mindfulness meditation expert trained in psychiatry, author of The Happiness Plan and mother. She is the founder of Mindful in May the worlds largest annual online mindfulness fundraising campaign. Mindful in May supports its members through 10minutes of mindful meditation a day and provides access to the world's best experts who focus on building metal resilience. Over the last 8 years Mindful in May has taught over 40,000 people how to meditate whilst also raising nearly 1million dollars to bring clean drinking water to the developing world. Learn more about Mindful In May here: https://www.mindfulinmay.org

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172 | Montana Lower Spiritual Vaginal Delivery Midwifery Care

Sun, 26 Apr 2020 21:23:03 GMT

In this week’s episode I have a beautiful chat with Montana Lower. If you know Montana, you’ll know her smile and you can hear it throughout her birth story as she recalls the spiritual journey of bringing her daughter, Blue, earthside. She talks in detail about her deep connection to her body, breath and unborn baby and her ability to listen to her intuition, use her birth skills and subsequently experience a gentle, love-filled water birth. Montana’s story is an incredibly positive and inspiring one despite the challenge of birthing amidst bushfires and navigating new motherhood during the isolation of coronavirus.

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171 | Bonnie Covid 19 Birth Antenatal Depression

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 01:12:43 GMT

In today’s episode I talk to Bonnie, a mother of two and midwifery student who guides us through her experience with antenatal anxiety and depression. With unflinching honesty, she recalls the confusing grief of miscarriage, her battle with exhaustion and nausea in early pregnancy and the subsequent motherguilt of not being able to care for her toddler. As her pregnancy progressed her mental health declined and in the middle of her third trimester her irrational mindset turned to suicidal thoughts. She courageously reached out to her husband, her psychologist and her OB and together they created a plan to carry her safely to her birth which just so happened to take place in the midst of Covid-19.

Bonnie’s story is essential listening for us all and a potent reminder that mental health and wellbeing is an integral part of pregnancy, birth and motherhood. Now, more than ever, we must bolster our online community of mothers with support, empathy and kindness because in this age of coronavirus, with limited antenatal and postpartum support, we’re all a little more vulnerable. If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to PANDA 1300 726 306

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170 | Aleisha Covid 19 Two Birth Stories

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 02:16:39 GMT

In today’s episode I chat to Aleysha about her two births and, in particular, her drama-filled second birth with baby Jude in the midst of Covid-19. In the days leading up to Jude’s arrival, Aleysha’s husband, a paramedic, had possible exposure to Covid-19 when he transferred a patient. It was only two hours before they had to go to the hospital that they got the all clear for him to attend although there were very strict rules in place. So began a positive and incredibly healing birth experience that was as exciting as it was overwhelming.

Topics include: Reduced foetal movement, placenta, induction, balloon catheter, afterbirth, haemorrhage, PPH, manual removal of placenta, missed miscarriage, Covid-19, coronavirus, hypnobirth

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169 | Anna McGahan Covid-19 VBAC Induced Midwifery Care

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 01:10:07 GMT

In today’s episode I talk to Anna @annamcgahan about her beautiful VBAC in the midst of Covid-19. She describes her second birth, with daughter Juniper, as a birth of juxtapositions: an induced, drug-free, hospitalised, hypnobirth VBAC. It’s a birth story complete with an incredibly positive induction, strong midwife support, unwavering faith in body and mind and the immense healing of redemptive birth after trauma.

I interviewed Anna about her first birth in episode #61. She talks in detail about her very rare placental abruption at 33weeks which was only discovered when she stopped feeling foetal movements (primary symptoms are pain and bleeding but Anna had neither). Mercy was born via emergency cesarean and stayed in the NICU for weeks before Anna and husband Jonathan took her home.

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168 | Samantha Covid-19 Birth Story

Thu, 09 Apr 2020 00:46:34 GMT

In today’s special Covid-19 episode, I chat to Samantha who birthed her second daughter 12 days ago. On the day before her waters broke, Samantha took her toddler to the GP as she was showing signs of coronavirus (fever, cough, wheezing) and they opted to play it safe and get tested. Subsequently, Samantha was assigned extra precaution at every step of her birthing journey; she was in a pressurised room at Sunshine Coast University Hospital, all her caregivers wore full personal protective equipment (PPE) and both she and her husband had to wear masks. Despite the extra level of protection, Samantha was supported and cared for in the best possible way and her story is encouraging and comforting, especially for those women due to give birth in the next few weeks and months.

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167 | Gemma Pranita PUPPP, Placental abruption, Caesarean

Mon, 06 Apr 2020 01:07:18 GMT

In today’s episode I chat to Gemma Pranita about her second pregnancy and birth with her baby boy, Iggy. Gemma is the first to admit that pregnancy is not her friend and while she had a challenging time in her first pregnancy (listen to the story in ) her most recent experience brought her to her knees. She was overwhelmed with severe nausea and vomiting till 18 weeks, she then developed early onset PUPPPs rash which resulted in weeks and weeks of severe itching and subsequent sleeplessness and in her third trimester pubic symphysis and pelvic separation made walking very painful.

The start of Gemma’s pregnancy was an entirely different story. With her daughter, Raffaella, she spent close to two years trying to conceive, before she resorted to Intrauterine Insemination IUI (she describes it as a beautiful stepping stone to IVF). Gemma admits that unexplained infertility is a very frustrating journey and not one she would wish upon anyone: “You want to know what the problem is so you can find the solution and when you’re told there’s nothing wrong and you’re just in the waiting zone…you just want to bang your head against the wall.”

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165 | Jessica Smith Hyperemisis, Dubai, Hypnobirthing Waterbirth

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 08:47:35 GMT

In today’s episode I chat to Jessica Smith - @jessicasmith27 - about her third birth with baby Idris. Jessica is a former Paralympic swimmer, motivational speaker, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant and author. You can listen to her talk about her first two vaginal births on episode 33 of the podcast.

Jessica and her husband moved to Dubai with their children Ayla (3) and Reza (1) in January 2019. Not long after settling into their new home, Jessica woke up one morning and was craving foods she hadn’t eaten in a long time and she knew, in that very moment, that she was pregnant. She hadn’t had a period in 16months as she was still breastfeeding Reza so the discovery came as a huge surprise. She was also in a new country and had to navigate the maternity system with very little information or guidance. After discussing the option to travel back to Australia to birth or temporarily visit Glasgow in the UK (her husband’s hometown), Jessica decided to stay in Dubai and seek the advice of the expat community.

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163 | Jodi Wilson Yoga Teacher and Birth Educators Four Births

Sun, 22 Mar 2020 11:11:18 GMT

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162 | Leah Williams Endometriosis, IVF, Two Births, Antenatal Anxiety and PTSD

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 04:22:05 GMT

In today’s episode I talk to Leah about her two IVF pregnancies and, in particular, her second birth that resulted in a PTSD diagnosis at six-months postpartum. It’s a pertinent discussion about women’s birth rights and the imperative role of educated and supportive caregivers. As a long-time sufferer of endometriosis, Leah and her husband tried to fall pregnant for two years before they sought the assistance of IVF

"After trying for so long, I knew when I was ovulating. I did temp tests, cheap tests and expensive tests. I did everything, including acupuncture, but it just didn’t work….I don’t feel like there’s a lot of information that explains why it’s harder to fall pregnant. I’ve had five surgeries and they did the final one three months before the IVF cycle, if there’s adhesions I know that they can prevent conception,” she says.

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161 | Simone Haag Three Births, Breech, VBAC at 42 weeks Midwifery care, second VBAC with shared care

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 03:35:40 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Simone Haag. Simone shares her six pregnancies and three births. Sadly Simone’s first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage and she went on to fall pregnant soon after. She asked around and decided to book in with a private OBGYN her friend had seen working out of Epworth. During her third trimester, they discovered that Simone’s little girl was in the breech position. Her Obgyn explained that she was not comfortable performing a breech delivery and if she was unable to get her to turn then Simone would need to have a casarean. Despite seeing an acupuncturist and trying a multitude of recommended techniques, she didn’t turn and Simone had a planned caesarean. To hear how Simone went on to have two more babies delivered vaginally as VBACs tune into this weeks episode.

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160 | Claire Holt shares her Missed Miscarriage, Vaginal Delivery of James and her Challenges with Breastfeeding

Sat, 07 Mar 2020 20:48:13 GMT

In today’s special episode for International Women’s Day, I chat to Australian actress Claire Holt. Claire lives in LA with her husband, Andrew and their baby boy, James.

After spending close to 15 years on birth control, it took Claire’s body six months to establish a regular period once she went off the pill. On her second cycle, much to her shock and delight, she conceived.

At her 10week scan she discovered that she’d experience a missed miscarriage (a miscarriage with no symptoms) and she admits that the experience was incredibly traumatic.

"I don’t know how to describe it; it was such an overwhelming sense of loss and it was so much more significant than I had ever realised. I knew that 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage but…It almost diminishes the weight of it because it’s so common…I just didn’t realise how quickly you become attached to the baby,” she says.

Claire had a D+C and talks about the importance of grieving and healing. She wasn’t ready to fall pregnant straight away so she took a few months to get her body and mind back before she decided to try again.

James was conceived 5 months later and whilst Claire was elated, she was also fraught with anxiety. “I took pregnancy tests everyday, I got a blood test and was desperate for an early ultrasound. Each time I had a scan I was so panicked that I’d see a baby without a heartbeat. I was anxious until the moment he was in my arms.”

Claire experienced a relatively smooth pregnancy although she showed early and James measured big, hence she was overwhelmed by the comments from people remarking on her size. Never perturbed, she continued to see her OBGYB and doula, who both guided her through her anxieties and fears.

She scheduled an induction at 39weeks to fit with her OBGYN’s schedule and to give herself the best opportunity to have a natural birth (considering James’ size). After experiencing a week of false labour, she had a stretch and sweep and lost her mucus plug mere hours later.

Topics include: miscarriage, missed miscarriage, birth control, natural birth, OBGYN, foley balloon, induction, walking epidural, natural birth, shoulder dystocia, postpartum anxiety.

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159 | Sarah Harris, Six Vaginal Deliveries, Rural NSW, Midwifery Care

Mon, 02 Mar 2020 03:22:20 GMT

In today’s episode I interview Sarah Harris - @6.little.wildflowers. Sarah and her husband Rhys live on a sheep station in far west NSW and they have travelled a 200km dirt road to Mildura, the closest large town, for all six of Sarah’s births.

For women who live in rural and remote Australia, it’s not uncommon to move to the closest town in the weeks leading up to their due date so they can access midwifery or obstetric care. Sarah’s body always gave her a sign that labour was imminent and so she stayed at home for her six pregnancies and made it to the hospital with plenty of time to spare.

She’s spent the past 10 years growing, birthing and feeding babies and regardless of the fact that baby number five and six were surprises, she’s adamant that there’s no more. After losing her first pregnancy in an early miscarriage, she went on to conceive Isabelle and admits that she was very blasé when it came to birth preparation and awareness.

“I had no idea what I was doing and to be honest, the only thing I read about birth was from a magazine,” she says. After having a show and mild contractions, Sarah and Rhys made their way to Mildura Hospital and were largely left on their own. “I was an absolute mess, really. I was yelling and crying and it was only when Rhys went out to get someone that they came in and noticed that Isabelle was crowning. I just remember thinking that I needed to get her out and stop the pain and so I pushed without breathing and that resulted in a second degree tear.”

In the days that followed they had a steady stream of visitors and Sarah struggled with breastfeeding because of oversupply and flat nipples. It was only when Sharon, a well-known Mildura-based midwife came in on day four that everything changed for her. “She basically said we needed to go back to the beginning so she drained my breasts with the pump - I never knew a breast pump even existed - and then gave me nipple shields to use and thankfully, they made all the difference.”

Isabelle was a very settled baby and Sarah fell pregnant again when she was only 8months old. She enjoyed a very smooth, easy pregnancy and despite being heavily pregnant in summer (with temperatures often in the high 40s) she has only fond memories of the last trimester. Her labour started with aches in the right hip and down the leg and once they got to hospital, labour was very quick.

“Ruby’s birth was one of my easiest with quite short, sharp and irregular contractions to begin with. It was only 2 hours long and I felt absolutely amazing afterwards,” she says. Once again, she had trouble with feeding and used nipple shields to feed. Whilst Ruby is now 8, a recent trip to the dentist confirmed that she has a tongue and lip tie and Sarah is certain this was the cause of her difficult latch as a baby.

Sarah loved having two babies under two and only waited to have a third because she was maid of honour at her best friend’s wedding. The gap between Ruby and Ava is her biggest and coincidentally, Ava’s pregnancy and birth was Sarah’s hardest (another example of a tricky third birth!). At 39weeks she went out in the ute with friends and after bouncing about in the paddock she noticed her water’s breaking that night during dinner. The next day she went to hospital in early labour - thinking that it would be a quick progression - and yet labour dragged on. After the birth she had a postpartum hemorrhage and lost 600ML of blood. “I was wrecked! I couldn’t get off the bed of even move and Rhys just held Ava while I recovered.”

Ava self-weaned at nine months old and Sarah admits that she was devastated. “I expressed for a few months and bottle fed her but once I realised that it was just in her personality, I accepted it. She did everything early - walked, talked - it’s just who she is.”

Regardless of Ava’s challenging delivery, Sarah was excited to add a fourth baby to the family and she experienced a smooth and joyful delivery with Poppy. It was the first time that Sarah had the opportunity to give birth in the public hospital and have postnatal care in the private hospital and she relished the 5-day holiday she had with Rhys by her side.

Thinking that her baby days were over, Sarah sought treatment for her painful varicose veins that had gotten progressively worse with each pregnancy. She had laser treatment followed by injections and it was before one of her treatments that she realised her period was late. She knew she couldn’t have the injection if she was pregnant so she drove 200km to buy a pregnancy test, did it on the side of the road and when she got home, told Rhys they were expecting baby number 5.

Regardless of the fact that a psychic had told her she would have lots of children, Sarah took a long time to get her head around the fact that she was pregnant. “I found it really hard to cope with the sickness considering it wasn’t planned but as soon as sickness went away I was fine. I saw an obstetrician this time around because it was the only way I could have the postpartum care in the private hospital and labour was gentle and easy. A friend had given me a bottle of clary sage so we used it to get the contractions going and literally ten minutes after it was applied, Clementine was born (after only 30minutes of active labour!).”

They left hospital thinking it would be the last time and yet 16months later, as she was preparing to have another injection for her varicose veins, Sarah felt the familiar symptoms of early pregnancy nausea. They waited till she was 18weeks to announce the pregnancy to family and friends as they were a little concerned about how people would react. Thankfully they were only met with happiness.

Sarah embraced planned a babymoon to Noosa and booked a birth photographer for the first time. She was under the care of the midwives in Mildura who were very laid back and let Sarah guide them in her labour. She resumed her default birthing position (on her knees on the bed) and birthed baby Posie after 45minutes of active labour.

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158 | Hannah Vasicek Caesarean Delivery, Amniotic Band Syndrome

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 02:39:16 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Hannah Vasicek. Hannah shares her pregnancy and birth of her little girl Vienna. At 10 weeks Hannah found out she was having a little girl and she had the name Vienna picked for her girl's name for years so they immediately began calling her by her name. At 12 weeks gestation when they went in for their ultrasound, Hannah noticed the sonographer was taking a long time and she then left the room to get someone else to come and have a look. Hannah’s heart sank fearing the worst. The doctor explained that Vienna had a very rare condition called Amniotic Band Syndrome. Amniotic band syndrome is a rare condition caused by strands of the amniotic sac that separate and entangle digits, limbs, or other parts of the fetus. It is believed that amniotic band syndrome occurs when the inner membrane (amnion) ruptures, or tears, without injury to the outer membrane (chorion).

They were unable to be certain however they believed that the band had attached on Vienna’s right arm. They wouldn’t know exactly until the 20 weeks scan where about the band had attached and how much of Vienna’s right arm would be affected. To hear how Vienna’s birth unfolded tune into this week’s episode.

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157 | Amy Gerard, Three Vaginal Births, Polyhydramnios, Cholestasis, Midwifery Care

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 23:38:38 GMT

In today’s episode I chat to Amy Gerard who discusses her three pregnancies and births with the honesty and humour that she’s so well known for on instagram. Amy and Ryan had only been dating for seven months when they unexpectedly fell pregnant with their daughter, Charli. Amy suffered severe nausea, migraines and nosebleeds and later into the pregnancy developed Polyhydramnios; a condition that creates excess amniotic fluid. As a result, Amy gained 30kg and when her waters broke at 37weeks, she lost 15kg in fluid overnight.

After going into the birth centre for a stretch and sweep, Amy returned home to labour but whenever she called the hospital to update them on her progress, they encouraged her to stay at home and come in the following day. She admits she felt really unsupported and was understandably upset. Eventually she heeded the advice of her mum who encouraged her to present to the birthing suite. At this stage she was stressed and anxious and not coping with the growing intensity of her contractions. “I had no idea what to expect…I had no idea what was happening and where I was at. I had fear of the unknown and it had gripped me,” she says.

After requesting an epidural, the anaesthetist had to administer it three times before it worked as Amy’s excess fluid made it very difficult to find the exact spot. Once she was pain-free she happily laboured for a few hours till she reached full dilation and when the epidural started wearing off she began pushing. Second stage took roughly 40minutes and Amy admits that she dug deep to access energy that she never knew she had. Charli fed well from the start and whilst Amy felt like she had been hit by a freight train, she returned home after two nights and settled well into new motherhood. However, she admits that the emotional rollercoaster of the first few weeks took her by surprise; she was teary, anxious and exhausted and perplexed by the fact that her new baby didn’t come with a how-to guide.

Eleven months later Amy and Ryan got married and she fell pregnant soon after with baby Bobby. Bobby’s pregnancy was a very smooth ride and apart from six weeks of antenatal depression during her second trimester, Amy enjoyed the whole experience. However, late in her third trimester she started to get itchy hands and feet, so much so that she would scratch at her palms with a hairbrush and brush her hands against brick walls. She casually mentioned it to her midwife at her 37weeks appointment who sent her straight for a blood test. The results came back the following day and her bile acid levels were incredibly high; she was diagnosed with Cholestasis and induced a few days afterward.

“The drip was administered and my waters broke and then I closed my eyes and lay there, listening to my music and focusing on my breathing. Ryan was rubbing the bottom of my leg and as the contractions were building I completely zoned out and thought about the lady in my calm birth classes who taught me about breathing techniques,” she says. Her midwife encouraged her to focus on opening her bottom with each exhalation and before long she felt like she was ready to push. “I was like: Yes, I did it! I pushed him out in 14 minutes! From when the drip went in to holding him in my arms was 90 minutes. I honestly felt great!”

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156 | Chloe Mackie is a midwife who shares her two vaginal births

Mon, 17 Feb 2020 10:38:54 GMT

In today’s episode I chat with Chloe Mackie. Chloe has two children - Sunny (3) and Maya (2 weeks) - and is a midwife with a passion for antenatal care. “I want to empower women with knowledge and education. Ultimately I want to work in Midwife Group Practice or private midwifery because I believe that every woman should have the opportunity to have a known care provider through pregnancy and birth,” she says.

Chloe was working at the Gold Coast University Hospital when she and husband, Jason, started trying for a baby. After two years and a few miscarriages, they sought the advice of a fertility specialist who told them they had unexplained infertility. In the months following they did three rounds of intrauterine insemination (IUI) but to no avail. Chloe found the experience to be emotionally taxing so on the fourth month she opted to have a break. She decided to go back to the basics - yoga, acupuncture and improving her holistic health - and she fell pregnant naturally on her next cycle.

Topics include: Hyperemesis, infertility, posterior, sterile water injections, acupuncture, side-lying release, asynclitism, group a strep, septicemia,

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155 | Kate Dalton, Bicornuate Uterus Vaginal Birth, Induction

Mon, 10 Feb 2020 03:34:46 GMT

In today’s episode I chat to naturopath and nutritionist, Kate Dalton of Mayde Tea. Kate lives in Byron Bay with her partner, Ryan and their baby girl, Alfie May.

As soon as Kate fell pregnant - within the first month of trying - she sought the advice of her GP and fellow naturopath. Kate has a Bicornuate Uterus (where the top of the uterus is shaped like a love heart instead of being round) which prompted her to book in with an OB at Lismore Hospital.

The severity of a Bicornuate Uterus is only known when you’re pregnant and the risks can be that the baby is stuck on one side of the uterus and essentially outgrows the space and prompts premature labour. Breech position is also common because once the baby gets into position, there’s no space for it to turn. Kate’s family has a history of breech births and because she wanted to attempt a vaginal delivery - regardless of whether the baby was head or bum down - she chose an OB who specialises in vaginal breech delivery.

Kate’s pregnancy symptoms were relatively mild although she admits that the vicious cycle of anxiety and insomnia was ever present during her first trimester. She embraced herbs, pregnancy multivitamins, fish oil and probiotics to keep her body in its best state and religiously drank her own blend of sleepy tea, Serenity.

After seeking recommendations from friends, Kate and Ryan did a calm birth course in preparation for Alfie’s birth. “Ryan loved the course; he was getting into it and answering all the questions. It made him excited and subsequently it made me really confident,” she says.

Despite a relatively smooth pregnancy, Kate became quite anxious in the third trimester. She was carrying small and when the midwives measured her fundal height, she was always measuring five weeks behind, hence she required extra monitoring and ultrasounds. “I know women get offended when people remark on how big they are but it’s equally offensive when people comment on how small you are…you can’t help but take it all on board,” she says.

After thinking that she would go into labour early, Kate was 40 weeks + 10 days when she first started to feel a bit over the pregnancy. She had a massage that evening and a few hours later her waters broke. After one trip to hospital and a drive home, they were admitted hours later after it was discovered that there were traces of meconium in her waters. Her OB suggested induction and whilst Kate was confronted by the decision (she hadn’t heard many positive induction stories and was understandably anxious) she believed that it was the best choice for her and Alfie.

Once she was hooked up to the syntocin drip and heart rate monitor, she stayed mobile to encourage the progression of contractions. She laboured well for the following hours and went from being on all fours with Ryan squeezing her hips during contractions to getting in the shower for the relief of hot water. At 4pm her OB checked her and discovered that she was 1cm with a cervical lip which he removed and stretched her to 4cm. Afterwards, with an increase of syntocin the contractions grew in intensity and Kate felt like she was losing control of her breathing.

“I got on all fours on the bed and I started using the gas which helped me slow down my breathing. Throughout my whole labour I used the calm birth technique of breathing in for six counts and out for six counts. I started getting really bad back pain and a new midwife came in and she just knew what to do. I was at the stage where I was overwhelmed and couldn’t make decisions so having someone direct and guide me was so welcome,” says Kate. She was given water injections in her back - four needles at pressure points - to help relieve the back pain and it worked instantly and lasted for about an hour.

“I was asking for every pain relief under the sun even though my birth plan was to have no pain relief and an all natural experience. But at that point I didn’t care about my birth plan...obviously this was me going through transition,” says Kate. She admits that she felt quite exposed being on the bed but once she got into the bath she felt safe and calm and before long she could feel her body pushing, despite the midwives’ warnings that she had to wait for the OB to return.

Topics include: Bicornuate Uterus, peri-natal anxiety, induction, meconium, water injections, water birth, calm birth

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154 | Libby Trickett's Third Birth, Breech, ECV, Emergency Caesarean

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 01:21:24 GMT

In today’s episode, I talk to Libby Trickett about her third birth with baby Bronte. You can hear her first and second birth stories including details of high blood pressure, induction and post-natal depression in episode 106.

After taking a year to fall pregnant with her second daughter, Edwina, Libby and husband Luke decided to start trying for their third baby sooner rather than later. Libby has PCOS and knows how difficult conception can be so no-one was more shocked than her when she fell pregnant within the first cycle. With a history of difficult pregnancies, including constant nausea and vomiting, Libby was grateful to experience a relatively easy pregnancy although she now admits that a smooth pregnancy definitely doesn’t make for an easy birth experience. She was under the care of Obstetrician Rob Butler and opted to birth at Mater Mothers’ Hospital in Brisbane.

In her 34th week, Libby was diagnosed with high-blood pressure, the earliest she had ever developed it during her three pregnancies. For the first time she had to be medicated and was required to stay overnight for monitoring during her 35th week. Thankfully, she made it to 38weeks and opted to be induced to minimise the chance of developing pre-eclampsia.

At 6am on the morning of induction, gel was applied to Libby’s cervix and so began a day of waiting. In the early afternoon, she made her way down to the birthing suite so her OB could check her. Her body usually takes a while to move into labour so she wasn’t surprised when she discovered that she hadn’t dilated but everyone was shocked to learn that baby Bronte had flipped from head down to breech. To hear how Bronte’s birth unfolds tune into this great episode.

PCOS, post-natal depression, high-blood pressure, induction, ECV, ARM, breech, emergency cesarean, hand presentation

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153 | Mel, Same Sex Couple, Partner IVF, Emergency Caesarean

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 10:16:26 GMT

On today’s show I interview Mel and she shares the birth of her little girl Navy. After being together for seven years and shortly after they got married, Mel and her wife Yasmin decided they wanted to have a baby and they been to explored some possible options for conceiving. As they were a same sex couple there were a few different paths they could explore. While Yasmin wanted to have children, she wasn’t particularly interested in actually carrying a baby, whilst Mel really wanted to carry a baby. So they decided to go down the path of partner IVF. Partner IVF involved Yasmin’s eggs being collected, a third party donor being selected for fertilisation and Mel then carrying their baby.

During the IVF process Yasmin developed hyperstimulation syndrome and became quite unwell. To hear how Mel and Jasmine took Hypnobirthing Australia course through Belly2Birth with Shari Lyon and how their birth unfolded, tune into this week’s episode

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152 | Justine Zampogna Three Hypnobirths, Stillbirth, Rainbow Baby

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 09:15:20 GMT

On this week’s episode I talk to Justine Zampogna - @justinezappa - who used hypnobirthing skills in her three natural births - one in a birth centre, one in hospital and one at home. Whilst her two births with her boys are empowering and inspiring for any woman to hear, it’s her experience with her second baby - a girl named Gigi - that will stay with you long after you listen.

In 2015, shortly after getting married, Justine fell pregnant and experienced a very smooth and joyful pregnancy. She admits that a fear of hospitals and anything medical prompted her to book in with her local birth centre. She found solace in hypnobirthing and after taking part in a course, she discovered the power of visualisation to prepare her for a positive birth experience.

“It’s very hard for the mind to differentiate between reality and visualisation. So if you haven’t had a baby before, the only thing you can depend upon is the positive visualisation you create for yourself,” she says. Interestingly, her birth was very similar to the birth she visualised whilst pregnant, proof that it really is a powerful tool for women to use in preparation. Whilst she experienced a long second stage, her labour with baby Chase was relatively quick for a first birth and once he was born and the placenta delivered, she enjoyed uninterrupted golden hours, soaking him in.

It was shortly after Chase’s third birthday that Justine fell pregnant with Gigi. She was severely sick during the first trimester and discovered at the 10 week Harmony test that she was having a girl and yet she admits that she felt like there was something not quite right.

During the standard 12-14 week ultrasound she noticed (only in retrospect) that the sonographer was taking a long time. Two days later she received a call from the doctor who requested an immediate appointment. Justine and her husband were told that their baby had a neural tube defect and that they needed to terminate.

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151 | Madelyn Carafa Shared Care, Vaginal Vacuum Assisted Delivery

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 00:11:29 GMT

On this week’s episode, I talk to Madelyn who recently birthed her first baby, a girl named Georgia. Madelyn enjoyed a very smooth pregnancy, so smooth in fact that she didn’t really think about where she was going to birth until she was 20weeks pregnant. “In retrospect, I would have organised that earlier. I didn’t put enough emphasis on who to see, what to do, and the birth experience I wanted.” That said, she enjoyed the experience of shared care with her GP and the midwives at Sandringham Hospital who were, as she admits, the ideal support throughout her long labour.

Madelyn admits that she’s always wanted to be a mum and yet she had never really considered the option of a natural birth. “My mum had cesarean births and I just presumed I would have one too. When I mentioned this to my GP she informed me that I had a low-risk pregnancy and therefore needed to prepare for a natural birth,” she says.

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149 | Bridget French, PPROM Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes 36 Weeks

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 07:33:12 GMT

In today’s episode I chat to one of my Patreon supporters, Bridget French. Bridget used IVF in both her pregnancies and has experienced the highs and lows of fertility treatment. Her GP was the first to recommend a fertility specialist after running blood tests and discovering that Bridget had low AMH levels (the level of AMH in the blood can help doctors estimate the number of follicles inside the ovaries, and therefore, the woman's egg count) and an iron overload disorder called Haemochromatosis.

Bridget and husband Rich always wanted a big family so they started IVF treatment straight away and after six rounds they fell pregnant. Bridget admits that she hates taking pregnancy tests so she always relies on the definitive blood test to give her the results and when the clinic called she was, understandably, ecstatic. She experienced a bleed at six weeks and sought the advice of the IVF clinic who encouraged her to rest and explained there wasn’t much anyone could do. At the 9week mark, she bled again and went to the ED to request an emergency ultrasound which showed a strong heartbeat. The bleeds could never be explained and thankfully, they stopped at the 13-week mark.

Bridget had only completed two hospital birth classes and active birth classes before her waters broke and yet she laboured beautifully and stayed in her zone. By 11:30 am she was 5cm and regardless of her disappointment at having to lie on the bed for constant monitoring, she happily listened to Aretha Franklin and breathed deep through contractions. “I found it pretty manageable in my zone, I never got fatigued by pain and I was pushing my 2 pm. Within 4-5 pushes Molly was born and she came out breathing which was such a relief, especially for a premmie baby.”

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148 | Liz Two Births, Accidental Home Birth in Garage En Route to Hospital

Fri, 06 Dec 2019 06:42:07 GMT

In today’s episode of the show I interview Liz Lim. Liz shares her two vaginal deliveries which she planned to be as water births at the Belmont Birth Centre. Liz saw a team of midwives for her care through Belmont, however when she went into labour, the centre had been closed for asbestos removal. She was sent to the John Hunter hospital where she saw a team of midwives she had not met before. Liz found her first birth quite traumatic and she did quite a lot of self study to try and prepare herself for an intervention free second birth. To her complete surprise, her labour progressed very quickly and she ended up delivering her second son in the garage with the help of her husband. They were trying to get to the birth centre however they ran out of time. To hear more of Liz’s story tune into this weeks episode.

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147 | Hannah Baby Moon Early Labour, NICU

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 04:21:48 GMT

In today’s episode I interview Hannah aka The Sleep Nurse. After birthing her second son she recognised a gap in support when new parents come home from the hospital. She was in the throes of exhaustion and anxiety triggered from sleep deprivation when she resolved to become a sleep support for new parents. She now works with families of newborns to 5-year-olds and admits that she loves helping frustrated, tired, overwhelmed families through the newborn period that she found incredibly challenging.

Hannah’s transition from hospital to home was a unique experience with her first son, Cliff. He had spent the first four weeks of his life in NICU and Special Care after being born at 32weeks so those first days at home were actually the very first time Hannah and husband Phil had been alone with their baby. “The day that we went home...that was the day that felt like he was born. It was the best day of my life,” she says.

Eight weeks prior she had left home with a suitcase and jumped on a plane to Bali with Phil. They had been together for a year when they unexpectedly fell pregnant, embraced the surprise and moved out of a share house and into an abode of their own. Hannah had nausea and dreadful heartburn but apart from that she was gliding through a trouble-free pregnancy. Phil planned their Balinese babymoon as a surprise and they spent the first week in a remote part of the island before heading to Seminyak to shop and eat. It was during dinner with friends that Hannah first started to experience period pain cramps that came every half an hour. She didn’t think much of it, put it down to the heat and went to bed that night to sleep it off. She was 29weeks and 4 days pregnant. The next day she woke with a sore lower back, went out to shop and when it was time to have lunch she couldn’t get comfortable enough to sit down so she went back to the villa with Phil. By evening she was in the hospital; her mucous plug had come away and she was regularly contracting.

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146 | Amy Osmanhodzic Home Water Birth, Hypnobith

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 04:11:56 GMT

In today’s episode I interview Amy Osmanhodzic, a hypnobirthing practitioner, birth doula and mother of four. You can listen to Amy’s firth three birth stories in episode 11 but today she chats about her fourth and final birth - a water birth in the presence of her older children.

After moving from Perth to Byron Bay and settling into their new community, Amy started working in a law firm in Lismore. Within weeks she found out she was pregnant with Daisy and while she has always wanted four children, she was shocked at first. “It took us a good few weeks to process and chat through it as it really was quite unexpected but we got there and when it came time to tell the kids, we took them to our eight-week ultrasound to find out why I’d been feeling so sick,” says Amy.

The pregnancy was smooth and uneventful even though everyday life for Amy, Kamal and the kids was busy as they started a new pizza business. Amy had always planned to have homebirths and this time was no different, in fact she was adamant that her final birth experience would be a calm and beautiful homebirth; a significant ending to this stage of her life. At 14weeks she enlisted the support of her chosen midwife, Bronwyn from Lismore Birth House, and immediately knew that she was the right caregiver. Towards the end of her pregnancy Amy met with Alex from Zandra Warland Photograph and planned to have her birth filmed. “It’s always so daunting sharing a personal birthing moment on social media but I want to continue to spread the message that birth can be beautiful and that it’s a normal and natural experience,” she says.

Her first three labours started in her 39th week of pregnancy and Daisy’s was much the same. One hour after the last pizza was served on a Friday night, Amy started to experience period pain and gentle surges that were about 10 minutes apart and lasting for 20 seconds (Hypnobirth refers to contractions as surges and Amy uses this term throughout our interview). At around midnight she got into bed but couldn’t sleep till 4am as the surges, while sporadic, were strong enough to keep her awake. She slept soundly for a few hours in the early morning and when she woke to announce that she was in labour the surges petered out almost immediately. “I knew it was because everyone was there and that it was crazy and loud. Thankfully mum and dad picked up on that and took the kids out of the house.”

She used the time when she was alone in the house to set up her birth space. She cleaned and organised, put on her birth playlist and lit some candles. “I went back within myself and then the surges ramped up, coming every 7minutes and lasting for 30secs. I knew that having the big kids present at the birth was a priority for me but it did change the experience a lot. I learnt how connected the birth environment is to the process of labour,” she says.

When the kids returned her labour stalled again so after a big cry, Kamal took her for a drive and, with the help of lemon tarts from her favourite cafe, labour got well underway. They returned home and called their photographer and, within the hour, her birth team was in the home and supporting her with their gentle presence.

Amy has never had a vaginal examination in any of her pregnancies or births and while she admits that they’re sometimes necessary, she has also witnessed the loss of confidence when a labouring woman is told that she’s not as far along as she presumed. “Midwives know what stage you’re at just by looking at you and I know that if I can’t sit still in a surge and that if I’m making noise then I’m close to 9-10cm,” she says.

With the kids settled in bed and her birth team beside her, Amy got in the birth pool. Soon after, Kamal joined her and, as she had done in all her labours, she used touch and kissing to stimulate oxytocin and bring her baby earthside. “It comes naturally, we’re quite affectionate and there’s nothing like bringing a baby into the world to make your love even stronger.”

While her surges were strong Amy noticed that they were only lasting about 20 seconds. Instead of worrying about it, she felt the instinctual urge to change position so she flipped over onto her back and leaned against the side of the pool. This immediately changed everything; she experienced an almighty contraction, her waters broke, she yelled for her parents to get the sleeping children and they all made it back to the pool to see Daisy crowning. The cord was wrapped around her neck a few times and it didn’t have the strongest pulse so the midwife needed to rub Daisy to get her breathing on her own. Amy stayed in the pool to feed her and forty minutes later delivered the placenta naturally before she settled onto the couch and into newborn bliss.

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145 | Hannah Polites Two Births Healing Hypnobirthing Australia Birth

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 00:20:54 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Hannah Polites. Hannah is a midwife who worked in the hospital system for five years before she fell pregnant with her daughter, Avaliah. She speaks candidly about the pressure and the privilege of being a midwife giving birth and admits that during her first birth, she was acutely aware of the birth process and yet somewhat unprepared for the emotional and mental challenges.

“I felt like I knew everything about the physiological birth process and what to expect but I didn’t know how I was going to personally handle it. I also knew that you can have all of these plans and it can all change so quickly,” she says.

After 24hours of niggling, unproductive contractions following her waters breaking, Hannah and her husband Garth, a Paediatric Registrar, went to the hospital to check on the baby. Instead of being induced she opted for expected management yet it took three days of period pain cramps and acupuncture treatment to kick start labour. “I was over analysing everything because I’m a midwife and I was acting transitional so when I got to the hospital to discover I was 2cm I just lost it.” She agreed that it was best to have an epidural so she could relax but unfortunately her baby’s heart rate plummeted then spiked and it was decided that an emergency cesarean was required. Thankfully she could feel the deep pressure of the contractions despite the epidural and she asked her midwife to assess her. She was 10cm so the Obstetrician agreed to do a vacuum delivery. “I said: No, I don’t give you permission to give me an episiotomy and my midwife advocated for me. I was ok with tearing but unless absolutely necessary I didn't want an episiotomy,” she says. Hannah admits that coming so close to receiving an episiotomy - a birth injury - and then not tearing was a major part of her story. “That was huge for me and it took me a long time to get past it. I became scared of the birth process because it was an emergency situation in the end. Ultimately I felt so much pressure that as a midwife, I should have coped better.” She admits that she started questioning her personal and professional ability.

This guilt plagued Hannah when she fell pregnant with her second baby and she had terrible nightmares from the outset. She sought the help of a one-on-one hypnobirthing practitioner Shari Lyon from Belly 2 Birth, who helped her and Garth move through the birth trauma and actively prepare for her second birth.

“The first class was really about identifying my fears and how they made us feel and after that we debriefing and started building a tool kit of skills to take with us into birth. It was amazing how connected Garth and I were during Arlo’s pregnancy; we were doing regular meditations, breathing techniques and listening to tracks together. We opened up and talked about our issues...hypnobirthing helped us establish a very strong birth partnership.”

Within three weeks of starting her hypnobirthing practice, Hannah started to get excited about giving birth and embraced her pregnancy despite nausea, low blood pressure, bleeding and early labour symptoms. She went into Arlo’s birth with a positive mindset and a skillset that literally carried her through the entire labour and to an ecstatic delivery.

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144 | Bianca Triplets Delivered Vaginally

Sun, 17 Nov 2019 23:34:09 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Bianca Aiono. Bianca has been an elite athlete since she was a teenager and has always had irregular cycles. When she and her husband decided to start trying, they thought it might take a little while, and after two years they sought some assistance from a specialist. After having intrauterine insemination (IUI), Bianca conceived her first son Maverick. When Bianca began trying for a second, she discussed the possibility of having multiples with her doctor due to the follicle-stimulating hormones she was taking. While she knew this was a possibility she never actually thought she would conceive triplets. Bianca shares openly the discussions she had with her doctors about the risks of multiples. The doctor gave her the option of selectively reducing, and she shares how she was sure she couldn’t intervene in this way. She and her husband were happy to see how the babies progressed on their own. The triplets tracked along very well, and Bianca delivered them vaginally. To hear the details tune into this week’s episode.

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143 | Renee Three Births IVF, Breech, Caesarean, VBAC, Still Born Baby

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 12:10:22 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Renee. After trying to conceive for two years Renee and her husband went through IVF to conceive their first son. After a stressful two years of trying to conceive Renee felt nervous throughout her pregnancy. Her son Beau was in a breech position and Renee’s doctor recommended she have an elective caesarean. When Renee was being prepped for her caesarean they discovered that the spinal block had filed and she could still feel everything. Eventually, they were able to give her a high dose of epidural. Renee shares with us how she went on to conceive her second son naturally without the need for IVF assistance and she went on to deliver him vaginally. Devastatingly, earlier this year Renee’s daughter was Still Born and she opens up about Elodie’s birth and how she and her boys are all working through their grief.

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142 | Aimee Winchester Five Caesarean Births, Antenatal Anxiety

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 00:27:02 GMT

In today’s episode I interview Aimee Winchester. Aimee shares the births of all five of her girls who were all born via caesarean section. Aimee gave birth to her first daughter at the age of 20. She knew very little about birth at the time and went in to be induced when she was over her dates. Aimee was fully dilated with an epidural when they discovered her little girl was in a posterior position and despite the doctors trying to manually turn her she needed to have an emergency caesarean. In her second birth, Aimee hired and doula and was all prepared to attempt a VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean) To hear how Aimee’s labours unfolded tune into this week’s show.

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141 | Theresa Emergency Caesaren and Two Vaginal Births (VBACs)

Sun, 27 Oct 2019 07:07:25 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Theresa. Theresa conceived her first son at the age of 22 while she was living with her husband in Perth. She had private health insurance, so she called around and booked in with an Obgyn who was available. In her third trimester, they sold their home and moved over to NSW. She quickly found a new Obgyn who indicated he probably wouldn’t be at her birth, but he was willing to take her on. Theresa was induced and as her labour unfolded, she ended up having an emergency caesarean section. Theresa was born in Singapore and as part of her family traditions, her mother came over and stayed with them for the first 40 days. She nurtured her daughter with very specific warming foods and teas and took over all the household task so Theresa was free to breastfeed and connect with her baby. Theresa describes this confinement period as heavenly. To hear Theresa’s story and how she went on to have two VBACs tune into this week’s episode.

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140 | Luka Boob to Food, two births, 42 weeks, 3rd degree tear, midwife

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 04:02:59 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Luka, who is a midwife and registered nurse. Luka decided to give birth to her first child through her local birth center under the care of a private midwife whom she had worked within the past. Luka’s labour began when she was 40 weeks and 12 days. She used the TENS machine and stayed active throughout her labour. Her baby presented with his hand near his face, which resulted in Luka receiving a third-degree tear. After his safe delivery, she required transferring to the hospital where she worked to have surgery to repair the tear. To hear Luka’s full story tune into this week’s show.

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139 | Laura Two Births, Emergency Caesarean, VBAC Attempt, Spurious Labour

Sun, 13 Oct 2019 10:21:53 GMT

In this week’s episode, I interview Laura Callea a women’s health physiotherapist. Laura shares her two birth experiences. With a wealth of experience behind her working with pregnant and postnatal women, Laura went into her first birth open minded. After being induced in her first labour, Laura’s cervix did not respond to the induction process and she ended up having an emergency caesarean. Second time around Laura spent her second pregnancy preparing for a Vaginal birth after a Caesarean or a term she prefers, TOLAC ,Trial of labor after cesarean. To hear what unfolded in Laura’s second labour, tune into this week’s show.

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138 | Hana Taninaka Vaginal Twin Birth, Breech Delivery, Drug Free

Sun, 06 Oct 2019 09:28:18 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Hana. Hana shares her most recent birth of her twin girls, Mika and Bobby. While camping and traveling up the coast with her sister, Hana discovered she was pregnant. At the time, she didn’t feel quite ready for a third child having a 4-year-old and 2 year old, and she worried about how she would cope. It wasn’t until Hana was 13 weeks pregnant, and she had her first ultrasound that she discovered she was, in fact, having twins. When the shock of twins settled down, Hana began seeing a private obstetrician who worked out of Lismore Hospital. After having a home birth with her first son in Sydney and her second a home birth in Byron, Hana was determined to have a low intervention birth with her girls.

Hana was able to successfully give birth to both her girls vaginally without an epidural. To hear Hana’s full story including how she had her sister Mia Taninaka and her best friend Aimee Winchester present at her birth with their babies and how they expressed milk for Bobby, tune into this week's beautiful episode.

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137 | Trishna Active Pregnancy, Midwifery Care, Calmbirth

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 04:54:55 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Trishna. Trishna gave birth to her first baby under the care of midwives through the Royal North Shore Hospital. As an avid gym enthusiast, Trishna stayed very active throughout her pregnancy and labour. She continued her F45 workouts, took pregnancy yoga classes and reformer pilates. Together with her partner Trishna took a Calmbirth course to help equip her for the low intervention water birth she hoped for. To hear her full story tune into this week’s episode.

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136 | Lou, Perinatal Anxiety, Elective Induction Private Obstetrician

Sun, 22 Sep 2019 22:06:41 GMT

Lou and her husband were very career-driven and didn’t think they would ever have children. When they reached their mid-thirties, they had a conversation and decided they wanted to give it a try. After doing genetic testing and coming off contraception, Lou fell pregnant in the first month of trying. Lou had a history of anxiety, and this began to increase during her pregnancy. She had to modify the medication she was taking for her anxiety when she began trying to conceive, and she started seeing a psychologist who specializes in perinatal and postnatal anxiety and depression. Lou elected to be induced and shares her experience of going through a private Obstetrician, choosing not to breastfeed and sleeping challenges. To find out more tune into this week’s show.

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135 | Rachel Water Birth, Midwifery Care, 42 weeks Single Mum

Mon, 16 Sep 2019 04:23:30 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Rachel. Rachel fell pregnant whilst living in Bali. She hadn’t planned to conceive, and suddenly she was forced to navigate cultural differences and expectations of her partner’s family. At 12 weeks pregnant Rachel came back to Adelaide to see her friends and family and try and have some space to think about where she’d like to give birth. She decided to stay and have the baby in Australia and wanted to wait and see if she would want to return to Bali with her new baby. In this interview, Rachel opens up about how she and her boyfriend broke up when she was 39 weeks pregnant. She went on to have a beautiful water birth at 42 weeks with the support of her mum, her midwife, and her doula.

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134 | Jayde Couldwell Postnatal Depression and Anxiety, Three Births, HG

Sun, 08 Sep 2019 12:05:38 GMT

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.

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133 | Gemma Taylor, Hyperemesis Gravidarum, Hypnobirth, Waterbirth

Sun, 01 Sep 2019 23:18:37 GMT

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.

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132 | Kiah Two Births Gestational Diabetes, Induction, Hashimotos

Mon, 26 Aug 2019 01:21:58 GMT

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.

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131 | Megan Gale, Two Vaginal Births with Private Obstetrician in Melbourne

Mon, 19 Aug 2019 01:55:33 GMT

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.

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130 | Shari Two Hypnobirths Home Water Birth

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 03:15:40 GMT

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.

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129 | Rachel Burke Fast Induction Implantation Bleeding, Vaginal Delivery

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 03:53:04 GMT

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.

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128 | Nat Kringoudis Two Births, Premature Labour, Cystic Fibrosis

Sun, 28 Jul 2019 23:00:00 GMT

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.

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127 | Laura Grzelak Still Born, Grief, Loss, Anxiety and Rainbow Baby

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 04:47:08 GMT

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

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126 | Heidi Sze Vaginal Breech Delivery, Hip Dysplasia, Miscarriage

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 00:47:23 GMT

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.

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125 | Teresa Palmer Private Midwife, Vaginal Delivery Poet's Birth

Sun, 07 Jul 2019 07:30:18 GMT

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.

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124 | Tammi Keirl Two Vaginal Deliveries Public Hospital Epidurals

Sun, 30 Jun 2019 22:00:50 GMT

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.

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123 | Natalie Lyon Two Births Midwifery Care, Postnatal Depression, Cholestasis

Mon, 24 Jun 2019 22:04:24 GMT

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

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122 | Brigitte Warne PCOS, Calm Birth, Fast Vaginal Delivery

Mon, 17 Jun 2019 03:36:58 GMT

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.

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121 | Sophie Walker, Third Birth, Midwifery Care, Pain medication free, TENS

Sun, 09 Jun 2019 22:16:02 GMT

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.

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120 | Jessiika Wilson, three induced vaginal deliveries, breech, ECV, postpartum bleed

Sun, 02 Jun 2019 12:56:59 GMT

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.

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119 | Lou ,Four Births, IUGR, Pre-eclampsia, NICU

Mon, 27 May 2019 04:43:36 GMT

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.

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118 | Rachel March Two High Risk Pregnancies, Twins, Donor Breast Milk, PND

Mon, 20 May 2019 03:04:34 GMT

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.

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116 | Kyree Harvey Two Births, Hypnobirth Induction

Sun, 12 May 2019 11:28:44 GMT

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.

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115 | Pip Three Drug Free Vaginal Births

Mon, 06 May 2019 01:29:16 GMT

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.

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Topics include: midwifery care, doula, Singapore midwifery, shared care, nipple thrush, strep B positive.

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114 | Michelle Surrogacy Story, Vaginal Delivery, Retained Placenta, Postpartum Haemorrhage.

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 02:14:10 GMT

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.

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113 | Nikki Two Births, IVF, Incompetent cervix, Shoulder Dystocia

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 05:50:43 GMT

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.

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112 | Sam Two Births, Still Born Breech Delivery, Maternal Assisted Caesarean

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 04:35:20 GMT

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.

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111 | Jenna and Paul Two Home Births Private Midwife Sunshine Home Birth Program

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 01:27:06 GMT

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.

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110 | Alice Bingham Preterm Third Birth Breech Emergency Caesarean

Mon, 25 Mar 2019 01:32:28 GMT

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.

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109 | Kerrie Emergency Caesarean and VBAC Attempt

Sat, 16 Mar 2019 11:04:21 GMT

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.

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108 | Catherine Mack Vaginal Delivery, Epidural, Private Hospital

Sun, 10 Mar 2019 05:44:03 GMT

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.

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107 | Rosie Dumbrell Two Very Fast Births, Private Hospital with Private Midwife

Mon, 04 Mar 2019 00:06:40 GMT

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.

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106 | Libby Trickett Two Induced Births,, Gestational Hypertension, PND

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 02:32:41 GMT

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.

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105 | Jodi Wilson Four Vaginal Deliveries Midwifery Care

Mon, 18 Feb 2019 00:56:12 GMT

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.

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104 | Ariane Midwifery Care Drug Free Waterbirth

Sun, 10 Feb 2019 10:00:34 GMT

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.

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103 | Stacey Morlang Sullivan, PCOS Three Caesarean Sections, Reflux

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 02:08:51 GMT

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.

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102 | Amberley Breech Birth, Successful VBAC

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 01:40:58 GMT

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.

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101 | Four Births, Preeclampsia HELP Syndrome, Twins

Mon, 21 Jan 2019 01:39:31 GMT

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.

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100 | Teigan McKinnon IVF Journey Vaginal Delivery

Sun, 13 Jan 2019 22:43:36 GMT

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99 | Elayna and Riley Pregnancy on a Yacht, Hypnobirth, Homebirth

Sun, 06 Jan 2019 23:33:33 GMT

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.

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98 | Georgia Walsh Calm Water Birth Indigenous Midwifery Program Brisbane

Sun, 30 Dec 2018 06:15:26 GMT

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.

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97 | Courtney Thornton Two Birth Stories Breastfeeding Challenges

Sun, 23 Dec 2018 05:17:45 GMT

In today’s episode I interview Courtney Thornton. Courtney shares with us her two births and her challenges with postnatal depression and breastfeeding.

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96 | Krissy Ropiha Three Births PCOS Hypnobirth

Sun, 16 Dec 2018 22:29:45 GMT

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.

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95 | Ariel Curtis Induced Labour Cleft Lip

Sun, 09 Dec 2018 23:27:28 GMT

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.

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94 | Steph Two Birth Center Births, Gestational Diabetes, Calm Birth

Mon, 03 Dec 2018 01:16:53 GMT

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.

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93 | Amy Wishart Three Fast Vaginal Deliveries PCOS

Sun, 25 Nov 2018 20:58:30 GMT

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.

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92 | Sarah Jade Traumatic First Birth and Still Born Baby

Wed, 21 Nov 2018 11:20:09 GMT

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.

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91 | Eleesha Quinn Three Vaginal Births, Private Midwife, Two Inductions

Sun, 18 Nov 2018 23:16:14 GMT

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

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90 | Cait Long Posterior First Labour and Unexpected Second Birth En Route to the Hospital

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 02:56:57 GMT

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:

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89 | Annaliese Dent Two Births, Pregnancy Insomnia, Fast Labour

Sun, 04 Nov 2018 02:05:10 GMT

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

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88 | Elle Rampling Three Births, Midwifery Care, Homebirth, Private Obstetrician

Sun, 28 Oct 2018 09:49:12 GMT

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.

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87 | Stacey Ring Two Births, Preterm Delivery Miscarriage

Mon, 22 Oct 2018 06:36:02 GMT

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

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86 | Libby Babet Hypnobirth Long Labour Emergency Caesarean

Thu, 18 Oct 2018 00:49:04 GMT

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.

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85 | Stephanie Ashford Single Parent Private Midwife

Mon, 15 Oct 2018 01:30:46 GMT

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.

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84 | Gabrielle Nancarrow Two Vaginal Deliveries, Postpartum Haemorrhage, Doula

Thu, 11 Oct 2018 01:17:22 GMT

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.

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83 | Penny Johnston Elective Caesarean Breastfeeding Challenges

Sun, 07 Oct 2018 23:09:12 GMT

Penny started trying for a baby later in life when she met her partner. After struggling to conceive for sometime she decided to go on a planned overseas trip and happily she discovered she was pregnant whilst away. Due to a history of cervical health concerns and surgery, Penny’s obstetrician advised that if she were to try for a vaginal delivery, there was a high chance or uterine rupture. With this knowledge in hand Penny scheduled an elective caesarean. To hear more about today’s show tune into Penny’s episode.

To find out more check out Penny's show notes on the Australian Birth Stories web page here:

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82 | Chelsea Thomas Emergency Caesarean and Elective Caesarean Birth

Thu, 04 Oct 2018 10:09:06 GMT

In today’s show, I interview Chelsea Thomas. Chelsea shares her two pregnancies and births through St Vincents Private hospital with Dr. Lionel Steinberg. Chelsea was lucky to conceive very easily stayed very healthy throughout her first pregnancy. She took Calm Birth classes and meditated regularly. She confesses that she wrapped up work a little too soon by taking 6 weeks off prior to her due date, so when Jude was 8 days late she was definably ready for him to come out. She had labour inducing acupuncture through the Pagoda Tree in Melbourne and later that day her contractions began.

Topics covered: calm birth, acupuncture, private obstetrician, The Pagoda Tree, emergency caesarean, elective caesarean, mothers groups.

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81 | Lizzy Williams Accidental Homebirth, Postnatal Depression

Sat, 29 Sep 2018 11:16:12 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Lizzy Williamson. Lizzy fell pregnant really quickly after deciding to try and found out she was pregnant when holidaying in Paris. Lizzy enjoyed embracing her changing body after years of being body conscious as a dancer. She embraced yoga and really enjoyed her pregnancy.

Lizzy joined the birth center in Randwick and envisaged a water birth for her first birth experience. Lizzy was nearly 42 weeks when her labour started and she managed her contractions at home for most of the day. When her husband left the room to call the midwife, Lizzy suddenly felt the urge to push and she delivered her own baby completely unexpectedly onto some towels she had thrown under herself at the last minute. To hear more of Lizzy’s story tune into this weeks episode.

Topics covered: mastitis, accidental home birth, postnatal depression, exercise for mental health.

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80 | Lilly Scullie Elective Caesarean, VBAC, Birth Trauma and Recovery

Mon, 24 Sep 2018 00:34:25 GMT

In today’s episode, I interviewed Lilly. Lilly takes us through the births of her two boys Lenny and Bobby. After trying to conceive for 11 months, Lilly was thrilled to find out she was pregnant with identical twins. After nearly a year of trying, sadly they lost their twins at 10 weeks. Lilly went on to try to conceive naturally for another 6 months when her Obstetrician recommend they try Clomid. After their first round of Clomid they conceived Lenny.

At 26 weeks Lenny was diagnosed as being Breech and they booked in for an elective caesarean. At the time Lilly was happy with her decision to have a c-section, her sister had had one and recovered well and she felt happy with their decision. Lilly’s caesarean did no go to plan as shortly after delivery she fainted and it was discovered she was bleeding internally.

To hear more about how Lilly was determined to try for a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) tune into this weeks episode.

Topics covered: breech birth, elective caesarean, VBAC, birth trauma, mastitis, nipple thrush, post-traumatic stress, nerve damage, iron infusion.

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79 | Brooke Smith Two Births, Secondary Infertility

Sun, 16 Sep 2018 21:01:06 GMT

Brooke was very surprised when she found out she was pregnant the first time. A few weeks earlier she had had the Nuva Ring inserted as a method of contraception. After she had discussed the pregnancy with her partner of 7mths and the shock began to settle Brooke became excited about the pregnancy. Brooke's baby was breech at 38 weeks and she had an ECV performed to turn him successfully. Brooke had prodromal labour for days preventing her from sleeping and she was eventually induced to bring on labour. To hear more about Brooke’s delivery, her breastfeeding challenges with vasospasm and thrush, her battle with secondary infertility and threatened molar pregnancy tune into this weeks show.

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78 | Peta Tuck Traumatic First Birth, Followed by Two Homebirths

Sun, 09 Sep 2018 11:06:07 GMT

Peta fell pregnant at the age 23 shortly after getting married. Shortly after discovering she was pregnant Peta began experiencing some bleeding from a subchronic hematoma. After several ultrasounds and blood tests at the 12-week mark, Peta began to feel much better and she went on to have a great pregnancy. With little knowledge of birth options at the time, Peta was comfortable putting her trust in the midwives at the hospital and she spent the end stages of her pregnancy researching breastfeeding. To hear more about Peta’s challenging first birth and her subsequent second and third births at home. Tune into this weeks show.

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77 | Emm Engelman IVF Natural conception, Kidney stones, Pancreatitis

Mon, 03 Sep 2018 05:24:07 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Emma Engelman. Em started trying to conceive shortly after getting married at the age of 23. With no friends who had had kids or were trying to conceive she felt she had very little understanding of menstral cycles or tips or tricks in trying to conceive. She had been on the pill Depo-Provera for 3 years and hadn’t had a period during that time. After a year of trying and being unsuccessful, Emm saw an obstetrician who prescribed Clomid. She went on Clomid for 5 months to try and regulate her cycles. She found the hormonal surges and other side effects very challenging. She decided to come off the drugs and try naturally again. Her husband who is a little bit spiritual said: “We need to visualize the baby coming and prepare a nursery”. So Emm went and bought a fancy nappy bag and pram and found out she had conceived her first child naturally shortly after.

To hear more about Emm’s first pregnancy in which she got both Pancreatitis and kidney stones, tune into this weeks show.

Topics covered: IVF, Clomid, egg transfers, kidney stones, pancreatitis, natural conception.

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76 | Kirsty Farrugia Two Vaginal Deliveries Private and Public 3rd Degree Tear

Mon, 27 Aug 2018 03:43:30 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Kirsty Farrugia. Kirsty shares her two birth experiences with us. She had her first child through the Public system at the Mercy Birth Centre in Melbourne. She had Oliver with the support of her doula and husband. Kirsty then had her second child in Sydney through a Private Hospital with an Obstetrician. To hear more tune into this week's show.

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75 | Kara Demmrich Two Vaginal Hypnobirths

Sun, 19 Aug 2018 21:49:14 GMT

In today's episode, I interview Kara. Kyal and Kara have been together since they were both 16 years old. Kara explains that while Kyal was ready to have kids for quite a while, she just didn’t feel quite ready. She woke up one day and out of the blue she just felt a sense of readiness. She fell pregnant straight away more or less and began to feel nauseous quite early on this lasted until she was 16 weeks. They decided to go through the Private system despite their private health not covering them yet. They booked into a new clinic with Dr. Peta Skilbeck.

For the last few weeks, Kara felt she was going to go early. She found those days dragged. She tried everything, walking stairs, castor oil, and acupuncture. To hear more about Kara’s births tune into this weeks show.

Topics covered: acupuncture, delayed cord clamping, breastfeeding, an oversupply of milk, nipple shields, hypnobirthing, active labour.

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74 | Anna Thurlow Two Induced Labours, Premature Membrane Rupture, Breastfeeding Journey

Mon, 13 Aug 2018 02:27:46 GMT

In today's episode, I’m interviewing Anna Thurlow. Anna takes us through her two induced vaginal deliveries. In both Anna’s pregnancies, her membranes ruptured prematurely at 35 weeks. Anna also shares her challenges with managing an oversupply of breastmilk and making the difficult decision to have her son’s tongue tie cut. To hear more of Anna’s story tune into this week's show.

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73 | Emma Isaacs Five. Homebirths

Sun, 05 Aug 2018 22:59:38 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Emma Isaacs. Emma takes us through her five home water births with a private midwife. It wasn’t until Emma was 32 weeks in her first pregnancy that she decided she’s like have a home birth. She found it quite challenging to find a private midwife who would take her on so late in her pregnancy, particularly as it was her first birth.

Up until 30 weeks, Emma was terrified of childbirth. Her mum started a ritual that they’d blow out their birthday candles and then she would tell their birth story in great detail including having 32 stitches. She knew she needed to change that narrative for herself ignorer to go into her own births with a more positive mindset. She read every book available, she went to Calm Birth and she did a course through Marie Burrows (from Birthing Rites Australia ) Her first birth was a water birth at home, the most empowering experience of her life.

To hear more tune into this weeks interview.

Also sponsoring this week episode is Tooshies by TOM. Tooshies, gentle on bottoms and the planet.

To find out more about Emma's Book Winging it click here:

Topics covered: Home Birth, private midwife, Marie Burrows (Birthing Rites Australia), Calmbirth, Business Chicks.

To see more pictures and a video of Emma's with birth click HERE

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72 | Anna Abbott Elective Caesarean, VBAC Missed Miscarriage

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 11:14:40 GMT

When Anna and her partner decided to have a child she began watching One Born Every Minute religiously. After they got married and they moved into their own place she began tracking her cycles. When they were ready she joined a" trying to conceive" online forum. After trying for two months, Anna planned a holiday to Thailand surrounding her window of ovulation and she successfully fell pregnant on her well planned trip Anna booked in with private obstetrician who she felt had an unusual bedside manner however she initially felt she could trust him. When Anna was 30 weeks her Obstetrician said she had high blood pressure and he prescribed her some blood pressure medication which she reacted to. He was quite vague about if she needed to take them or not. She then went in to see him at 39+5. He was adamant that she needed to a caesarean at 40 weeks and he said he was not prepared to care for her beyond 40 weeks. Having paid all the fees they felt they had no other option but to follow his guidance and have a caesarean section. To hear more about Anna’s journey tune into this weeks show.

Topics covered: Private Obstetrician, breastfeeding challenges, missed miscarriage, depression, gastric sleeve surgery, successful VBAC, DNC, grief, and loss, Ngala

Today’s episode is sponsored by The best time to sort out your superannuation is before kids come along. Super doesn’t have to be a headache and GROW understands this. That’s why GROW lets you consolidate online, with zero paperwork, in under two minutes. They’ll even find your lost super for you.

GROW Super is offering Fee Free superannuation for new parents because your super shouldn’t take a hit when you’ve got a newborn. Download GROW Super now on iPhone or Android or visit for more info and t&cs.

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71 | Nicola Cross Vaginal Delivery Epidural

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 03:47:14 GMT

In today’s episode I interview Nicola Cross. Shortly after getting engaged, Nicola went and saw her doctor as she was having some issues with breakthrough bleeding and pain whilst taking the pill. Both Nicola and her partner Pat always intended to have children in the future so Nicola decided to go off the pill. To their surprise, a short time later they found out Nicola was pregnant. With a history of fertility challenges on both her and her partner’s side, Nicola was expecting to have a long journey to falling pregnant. Thankfully they were very lucky. They went through shared care with her public hospital and her local GP. To hear more of Nicola’s pregnancy and birth tune into this weeks show.

Topics covered: Induction, waters breaking, epidural, afterbirth pains, acupuncture, engorged breasts, acupuncture.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Pip and Lenny is a small online boutique created by two Australian mums, midwives and friends, who both found it difficult to source thoughtful and practical clothing for their young children. After falling in love with handmade products and vintage styling, Bec and Justine created Pip and Lenny with a dream to stock all the brands they love and adore in the one place.

The Pip and Lenny collection is thoughtfully selected, by the girls in their homes, surrounded by the splendid chaos that is their beautiful children. Pip and Lenny seek ethically made products designed with a focus on children's comfort and a classic, clean aesthetic with vintage-contemporary style. Pip and Lenny offer Afterpay, International shipping and local pick up for their fellow Adelaide buyers. Pip and Lenny would love to offer Australian Birth Stories listeners 10% off STOREWIDE with the code AUSTRALIANBIRTHSTORIES at the checkout. Follow on Instagram: Website:

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70 | Caitlin Four Vaginal Deliveries Postpartum Haemorrhage

Mon, 23 Jul 2018 07:20:39 GMT

In this week’s episode, I interview Caitlin Langford about her four pregnancies and births. Caitlin fell pregnant shortly after losing her mother. She and her husband had decided to wait to try and conceive as Caitlin was grieving and they had planned an overseas trip. Shortly after running a marathon, Caitlin found that she was struggling to recover and felt lethargic and as if she was coming down with something. To her complete surprise, she was intact 7 weeks pregnant. To hear Caitlins pregnancy and birth stories tune into this weeks show.

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69 | Danielle Symes Two Vaginal Births, Postnatal Depression and Anxiety, Third Degree Tear

Sun, 15 Jul 2018 20:57:50 GMT

Danielle had decided with her partner that they would start trying for a baby at 27 and they fell pregnant literally on their first attempt. Danielle’s reaction was not what she had expected at all. She was freaking out. Even though her pregnancy was planned, she realized she wasn’t 100% ready. She read over a million books and never really came to terms with her pregnancy. Danielle became so preoccupied and anxious with how she would come when the baby came that she didn’t really focus on the birth itself. To hear more of Danielle’s story tune into this week's show.

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I’ve been nominated for the Ausmumpreneur Awards. Its a huge honour to be nominated and the people’s choice voting has just opened. So if you feel like this podcast is making a difference to you and you enjoy listing to my show each week it would be amazing if you could give me your vote. It literally takes 1minutes. I’m listed in the first categories Making a Difference Award, you can just scroll down to Sophie Walker to vote for me. And I’ll let you know how I go.

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68 | Sarah Bell Burch Three Births, 4Year Old Son Present

Sun, 08 Jul 2018 18:51:07 GMT

68 | Sarah Bell Burch Three Births, 4 Year Old Son Present

In today’s episode I interview Sarah Bell Burch who shares three pregnancies and vaginal deliveries. Sarah was 25 when she fell pregnant with her first son Remi. After living overseas for several years she had come home to settle in Australia in her husband’s home town of Cootamundra. Sarah woke at 830am on the morning of her due date with a contraction and labour unfolded from there. In this episode Sarah shares having a retained placenta in two of her births, mastitis the challenges of breastfeeding and toddler weaning, and the joy of having her little boy Remi present for his sister's birth.

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67 | Felicity Cook Pelvic Instability, Vaginal Delivery

Sun, 01 Jul 2018 08:05:22 GMT

In this week’s episode, Felicity Cook shares her challenging pregnancy with her little girl Tilly. One year prior to trying to conceive Felicity saw her gynaecologist and kinesiologist to make sure her hormones and cycles were balanced. Her husband also had his sperm count checked. They then fell pregnant very easily in her second month of trying. On the recommendation of a close friend, Felicity booked in with a private obstetrician at the Mater Hospital in Sydney. Felicity suffered from a lot of physical pain during her pregnancy. From 20 weeks her pelvis became quite unstable. To hear more about Felicity's journey tune into this weeks show.

Today's episode is brought to you by Bree Downes Birth Support & Photography. Bree is a Melbourne based doula and birth photographer. Having worked as a doula for 10 years Bree supports women to have the births they envisage for themselves by providing emotional, physical and informational support throughout their pregnancy and birth.

Bree is offering a 10% discount off her doula and birth photography packages for any women due before December 2018. Just mention Australian Birth Stories when enquiring with Bree. For more information please visit or check her out on instagram @breedownes_doula_photographer

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66 | Gemma Pranita Infertility, IUI, Antenatal Depression positive Induction Experience

Sun, 24 Jun 2018 21:18:12 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Gemma who takes us through her struggles with unexplained infertility. Gemma was able to conceive her daughter Raffaella with the help of one round of intrauterine insemination (IUI). Gemma was surprised to find that shortly after she conceived Raffa she began to feel unexpectedly depressed. To hear Gemma share her struggles with antenatal depression and the way Raffa’s birth unfolded tune into this weeks episode.

Today’s show is brought to you by Bimby and Roy. Bimby and Roy are versatile, maternity friendly undergarments which are soft, stretchy, quick dry and wireless. Apart from everyday wear, Bimbys can also be worn as swimmers for impromptu dips, as birthing and breastfeeding b ras, yoga and sleep wear. Designed in Australia, and made at a solar-powered facility in Fiji. Bimby and Roy products are sustainable, comfortable and come in some gorgeous prints and patternes To check out the full range of Bimby and Roy pieces head over to

I just want to thank the new Patreon members who have signed up to help support the making of the show: Amy Small, Jessica Cassidy, Courtney Thornton, Emma Egleman, Adrian McDonnell and Leoni. If you’d like to become a member head over to .

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65 | Teresa Palmer Two Vaginal Deliveries, Retained Placenta Manual Removal

Sun, 17 Jun 2018 09:56:10 GMT

In this week’s episode, I interview Teresa Palmer. Teresa and Mark tried for about 5 months to conceive and were unsuccessful. Teresa then found out that she ovulates later in her cycle that she had thought. With this knowledge in hand, she was able to fall pregnant the following month.

Teresa felt her pregnancy with Bodhi Rain was pretty uneventful. She had wanted to be a mother her whole life and so to be pregnant was the most exciting thing she had ever navigated. She loved every moment of it. She felt very well with minimal pregnancy symptoms. She found out her baby’s gender at her 11-week scan.

She had planned to have a home birth in America. She had witnessed a home birth of one of her best friends when she was 11 weeks and she ended up hiring the same midwife she had seen navigate a very challenging birth. She read all of Ina May Gaskin’s books and watched her documentary.

Teresa and Mark got married when she was 6 weeks pregnant. At 36 weeks she started a hypnobirthing course. At 38+6 Teresa’s waters broke while she was in bed and they began to get really excited and called their midwife. The midwife said to rest and come in the morning. She went in at 11 am and it was confirmed that her waters had infant broken.

To hear more about Bodhi’s birth and Forrest’s tune into this weeks show.

Topics covered: waters breaking, castor oil, hypnobirthing, acupuncture, birth pool, home birth, hospital transfer, breastfeeding, posterior baby, fever during labour, Dr. Paul Crane, manual extraction of the placenta, tandem breastfeeding,

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64 | Bonnie Antenatal Depression, Induced Labour

Mon, 11 Jun 2018 00:03:54 GMT

In this week’s episode, I interview Bonnie. Bonnie suffered terribly with morning sickness and then antenatal depression throughout her pregnancy. Living in the UK at the time with her husband, Bonnie had planned for them to return to Australia when she found out she was pregnant. Bonnie shares very openly about suicidal thoughts and regularly discussed with her husband her feelings that she couldn’t be a mother and that he would need to raise the baby himself after the baby was born.

To hear more about Bonnie’s very difficult pregnancy and how she connected with some very supportive staff through St John of God Hospital in Perth, tune into this weeks episode.

This week’s show is brought to you by Mrs Heemskerk’s cookbook . To check out Food for the ones I love head over to at just $39.95 this book is a must-have.

Topics covered: Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction, antenatal depression, migration, morning sickness, arrhythmia, exercise in pregnancy, psychologist, induction, postnatal anxiety.

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63 | Kristy Joyce Triplets Born via Caesarean Section

Thu, 07 Jun 2018 02:19:59 GMT

In this week’s episode, I interview Kristy Joyce. Kristy had trouble conceiving after having her first son Mason and sought the help of fertility specialists. She began the process by taking Clomid to help assist in egg stimulation. Just before Kristy was about to have IVF she discovered she was pregnant with triplets. Despite being advised that Clomid can lead to the possibility of having multiples, Kristy and her husband never dreamed it would actually happen to them. To hear how Kristy managed her high-risk pregnancy and the safe delivery of all three beautiful babies tune into this week's show.

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62 | Lacey Barratt Four Birth Stories, Doula and Birth Photographer

Sun, 03 Jun 2018 09:29:23 GMT

In this weeks episode, I interview mother, Doula and Birth Photographer Lacey Barratt. Lacey fell pregnant quite unexpectedly at the age of 22 whilst backpacking in Darwin. Lacey describes herself as feeling violently ill and was throwing up multiple times a day throughout her first pregnancy. Lacey connected with her local GP and she delivered through the birth center in Darwin. Lacey was unsure of what was deemed ‘normal’ for morning sickness however she was concerned about her weight and she felt very run down and dehydrated. Lacey delivered her first baby at 41 and a half weeks after days of prodromal labour with a posterior baby.

There is a just 15mths difference in age between Lacey’s first and second children so it came as quite a surprise when she fell pregnant again. To hear how Lacey went on to have a home birth and private midwifery care in her subsequent births tune into this week's show.

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Topics covered: Hyperemesis gravidarum, posterior position, prodromal labour, anterior lip, birth stole, methadone, lounge tie, prolapse, anemic, free birth, gestational diabetes, placenta prints.

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61 | Anna McGahan 33 week Premature Emergency Caesarean Delivery

Mon, 28 May 2018 02:07:36 GMT

In this weeks episode, I interview Anna. Anna fell pregnant just six weeks after getting married catching both her and her partner by surprise. Despite having a couple of scares early on in her pregnancy with a car accident at 5 weeks and a small bleed after a fall in a recreational sports game, Anna said she had a beautiful pregnancy. She had read books such as Birth Skills by Juju Sundin and she was preparing for a drug-free natural delivery through the Mercy Public Hospital in Melbourne.

To hear more of Anna’s story tune into this week's show.

Topics covered: concealed abruption, NICU, Emergency Caesarean section, breastfeeding, Mercy Hosptial for Women, reduced fetal movement.

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60 | Kristie Simpson, Vaginal Breech Delivery Public Hospial, Hip Dysplasia

Mon, 21 May 2018 01:39:49 GMT

Kristie had been on the pill for 10 years and thought it might take her a little while to conceive. She came off the pill in December and fell pregnant quite quickly. Kristie is a very active gym goer and she found going to the gym each morning really helped with her early morning sickness. Kristie was keen to have a natural delivery and she booked into her local Family Birth Center which was associated with King Edward Hospital. Kristie undertook the She Births birth course online to help her prepare for her pregnancy and delivery. She did the course in conjunction with the Family Birth Center. Kirstie is a Type A personality and felt confident to take the She Births course as it has been proven to reduce rates of Caesarean Section and birth intervention.

At 32 weeks Kristie discovered that her baby was a frank breech presentation, bottom first instead of head first. Kristie was still very keen to avoid a caesarean section and looked into the possibility of a natural vaginal breech delivery.

To hear more about Kristie’s breech delivery tune into this weeks show.

Topics covered: She Births, Hip Dysplasia, Breech birth, private midwife, King Edward Hospital, Family Birth Center, active pregnancy, prolapse, second-degree tear, acupuncture, ECV.

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59 | Kirsty Chandler Positive Hypnobirth in Water, Private Midwife

Mon, 14 May 2018 04:39:27 GMT

In this week’s episode, I interview Kirsty Chandler. Kirsty fell pregnant in her second month of actively trying to conceive. She spent the lead up preparing her body by cutting out alcohol and caffeine and saw a variety of healthcare providers such as acupuncturists and chiropractors to prepare her body for pregnancy. Kirsty was very careful in searching for the right care provider for her pregnancy and birth. She interviewed both the midwives at her local Gold Coast hospital as well as the private midwives which worked a short distance from her house. She decided to employ a private midwife for her care. Kirsty also took Hypnobithing classes to prepare for the drug-free water birth she intended to have.

Topics covered: Breast crawl, hypnobirth, homeopathics, private midwife, yoga, meditation, acupuncture, delayed cord clamping, perineal massage, labia graze.

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58 | Sarah Hocking Legally Blind Two Caesarean Births, Miscarriage, Brain Surgery.

Mon, 07 May 2018 02:15:17 GMT

Nine weeks prior to the wedding Sarah found out she was pregnant. Thrilled to be pregnant Sarah went through the care at the Mercy Hospital in Melbourne. Sarah had had a stroke at the age of 24 which meant she was categorized as high risk during her pregnancy.

Sarah was diagnosed as having placenta previa and as she was on blood thinning medication from her stroke, she had to watch out for any bleeding. Due to the placenta’s positioning Sarah was booked in for a caesarean section. A week before her scheduled Caesarean section Sarah’s vision began to deteriorate and she initially thought it was due to tiredness. She went to see the doctor and she said if it gets worse come back in for more tests.

Topics covered: stroke, legally blind, clean, brain surgery, downs syndrome, DNC, meningiomas, placenta previa, disability, grief, loss, VBAC.

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57 | Jules Coffey Two Vaginal Deliveries, Hyperemsis Gravidarum, Doula, Breastfeeding Challenges

Mon, 30 Apr 2018 02:40:48 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Jules Coffey. Jules shares her two pregnancies and births from the perspective of a trained doula.

Topics covered: Hashimotos, thyroid conditions, doula training, induction, epidural, breastfeeding, breast aversion, formula feeding, private obstetrician, hypnobirthing, irritable uterus, costochondritis essential oils, placenta encapsulation, breast crawl, oral and nipple thrush, mastitis.

All images by Ashleigh Jane Birth Photography

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56 | Suzie Blake Two Vaginal Deliveries, Artist and Breastfeeding Advocate

Thu, 26 Apr 2018 08:51:49 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Suzie Blake. Suzie shares her two pregnancies and births as well as her beautiful photography work as a breastfeeding advocate. Suzie fell pregnant unexpectedly whilst living in London with her partner. They were overjoyed but somewhat isolated being away from family and having no immediate friends who were having children. Suzie shares her birth in London under the care of midwives and she then compares the system to that of Australia. Halfway through her second pregnancy Suzie returned home to Australia and gave birth to her second child at the Royal Women’s Hospital.

Today’s episode of the show is brought to you by the Medela Asia Pacific Breastfeeding and Lactation Symposium 2018. This event is the ideal platform for health professionals to enhance their knowledge and clinical practice through presentations of the latest research in breastfeeding and human milk. Together with an audience of breastfeeding champions, the Symposium offers a valuable exchange of thoughts and ideas as well as networking opportunities. The Medela Asia Pacific Breastfeeding and Lactation Symposium is a two-day event with a world class line up of speakers, will take place in the Pullman Melbourne On The Park Hotel on 3rd & 4th of May 2018.

To purchase your ticket head over

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Topics covered: midwifery, NHS, Royal Women’s Hospital Melbourne, Photography, hind water leak, fast delivery, breastfeeding, breastfeeding photography, censorship, feminism, Medela, hole in the heart, Tweddle

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55 | Nikki Jurcutz Emergency Caesarean Reduced Foetal Movements Gestational Diabetes

Mon, 23 Apr 2018 03:47:02 GMT

In this week’s episode, I interview Nikki. Nikki is the CEO of Tiny Hearts first Aid and a qualified paramedic. Nikki conceived quite quickly when she and her partner finally agreed to try for a baby. Unfortunately, they lost their first baby at 10 weeks. They decided very quickly to try again once they were given the all-clear from their doctor and they went on to conceive their daughter Nahla Fox. Nikki explains feeling very anxious throughout the pregnancy due to their previous loss and combined with morning sickness, hyperthyroidism and gestational diabetes Nikki said she did not enjoy her pregnancy.

At 36 weeks gestation Nikki went to bed and both her and her husband were marveling at how active Nahla had been. She was all over the place and then she suddenly stopped moving. Nikki went to the bathroom, which usually leads to Nahla moving around and still nothing. Knowing she had an ultrasound booked for the morning Nikki decided to wait until the morning. After a restless and anxious night of little sleep, they made their way to the hospital. The doctors discover that she was in fact not moving as much as they would have liked to see. The baby had also not grown since her previous scan and they decided it would be best to try and induce Nikki.

Topics included: miscarriage, gestational diabetes, hypothyroidism, reduced foetal movement, emergency caesarean, NICU, low blood sugar, transfusion

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54 | Bohannah Gerritsen Three Births, Hospital Birth and Two Home Water Births

Mon, 16 Apr 2018 00:02:34 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Bo Gerritsen. Bo was busy planning her wedding at the age of twenty-four when she found out she was unexpectedly pregnant with her daughter Indiana. Despite being a strong believer in home births, Bo felt unprepared so she decided to have her first daughter through the public hospital in Perth. Bo suffered morning sickness for her entire pregnancy with Indiana and got quite used to the routine of throwing up each morning and then feeling better by the afternoon.

Bo went into labour the morning after her birthday. She’d felt upset and emotional throughout her birthday so in hindsight she thinks it was a sign that labour was about to start. Her labour began with cramping however as it was five days until her due date she didn't think it was the early signs of labour. She spent the best part of that day labouring in her bath at home and she accepted that she was having contractions when they became more regular and were timeable. At 6 pm she made her way to the hospital to find out she was 3cm dilated…..

Tune into this weeks episode to hear more about Indian’s labour and how Bo’s partner passed out in the hospital room heat and due to the pressure of holding Bo up while she was pushing on the birth stool.

Topics include public hospital healthcare, unplanned pregnancy, morning sickness, breastfeeding, NICU, home birth, water birth, tongue tie, The Simple Folk.

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53 | Bec Douros Two Births, Emergency Caesarean, Elective Caesarean

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 02:58:20 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Bec Douros. After getting engaged quite young at 21 and married at age 23, Bec knew she wanted to try for a baby right away. With a history of Endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome, Bec journey into motherhood was long and challenging. After four years of actively trying to conceive and after several miscarriages Bec fell pregnant with her first son Archie. She suffered from debilitating morning sickness throughout Archie’s pregnancy which required her to be hospitalized on more than one occasion. Thankfully this sickness passed at about 20 weeks.

Bec was seeing a private obstetrician through the Epworth Hosptial in Melbourne and she undertook the hospital offered birthing classes. She said she went into the birth hoping for a natural delivery however she was open to seeing how it went on the day. Bec went over on her dates and she was booked in to be induced however she went into labour naturally the morning of her scheduled induction. Making her way to the hospital at 8 am, Bec laboured all day with help of Gas and Air and her TENS machine. When she was checked and confirmed to be 8cm’s dilated, she started to have intense back pain. Archie was in a posterior position and despite efforts to turn him they couldn’t. It was at that moment that Bec started bleeding profusely and both her and Archies heart rates suddenly dropped. Bec explains that it got very intense very quickly and after 18hrs of labour she was rushed away for an emergency caesarean.

To hear the rest of Archie’s birth in more detail and Bec pregnancy and birth of her second son Lenny, tune into this weeks episode of the show.

Topics covered: Endometriosis, Polly Cystic Ovarian Syndrom, caesarean section, hemorrhage, postpartum recovery, blood transfusion, pelvic girdle pain, pelvic instability, SRC Recovery shorts, physio, breastfeeding.

All images by : Kelly Jordan Photography

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52 | Kate Vincent Twins, IVF and Spontaneous Conception Vaginal Delivery

Sun, 01 Apr 2018 23:13:51 GMT

52 | Kate Vincent Twins, IVF and Spontaneous Conception Vaginal Delivery

In today’s episode, I interview Kate Vincent. It took just over four years for Kate and her partner to conceive their twin boys. Kate was in her mid-twenties when they first started and they expected it to happen very quickly. After a year of trying Kate had some tests to investigate if she may have had endometriosis. Her results came back all clear. The next step was to speak to a fertility specialist. The fertility tests came back fine and Kate and her husband had what is often referred to as ‘unexplained infertility’. Kate experienced a few chemical pregnancies after their fertility treatments but it wasn’t until the 6th transfer that she fell pregnant. Remarkably Kate fell pregnant naturally a couple of days before her embryo transfer and went on to have twins.

Topics: calm birth, induction, IVF, unexplained infertility, spontaneous pregnancy, twins, twin pregnancy, tandem feeding, silent reflux, express feeding, mastitis.

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51 | Rachael Casella Emergency Caesarean After Long Labour Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Mon, 26 Mar 2018 01:39:48 GMT

In this week’s episode, I interview Rachael Casella. Rachael refers to herself as a Type A personality, so when thinking about trying to conceive, she spent six months preparing. She saw a Chinese herbalist and acupuncturist and also had her husband Johnny tested for fertility. Rachael started trying on her honeymoon and when she didn't fall pregnant in the first 2 months of trying she went and saw Genea in Sydney. She discovered that she ovulates on day 8 instead of day 14 of her cycle. With this info in hand, she fell pregnant the next month of trying.

Despite having private health insurance, Rachael and her husband decided to use the midwifery lead care program through the Royal Hospital for Women in Sydney. At 39 weeks Rachel had a stretch and sweep however her cervix hadn't dilated as yet. She began to experience reduced foetal movement at this time so her midwifery team decided it would be best to induce her at 40 weeks. After a difficult labour and 2 hours of pushing Mackenzie were delivered by caesarean section.

At 10 weeks of age, Rachael took Mackenzie to see a lactation consultant because she found Mackenzie was pulling off crying during feeds. The lactation consultant initially thought that Mackenzie she was a bit floppier than he should be for her age. Panicked Rachael rushed her to a doctor who said that she would need to go and see a pediatrician. They got to see a pediatrician in 2 days later. When seeing the pediatrician They were in the office with the pediatrician for about 4 minutes before he turned to them and said: “I think your baby has got Spinal Muscular Atrophy”. They had never heard of SMA before so they asked what the cure was and he said it was terminal. To hear the rest of Mackenzie’s journey please tune into this week's show.

To find out more about Rachael’s blog:

This weeks episode is proudly sponsored by . Bouncing Back From Birth is dedicated to helping mums thrive after birth. From Vaginal Birth to Belly Birth and Breastfeeding support Bouncing Back From Birth offers everything you need for healing, strength, and confidence in the one place. are offering 15% with the code BIRTHSTORIES offer available until April 30. ($2 from every sale made using this code will be donated towards SMA research).

Topic: miscarriage, fertility tracking, private health insurance, Royal Hospital for Women, Midwifery care program, Genea, continuity of care, birth plan, delayed cord clamping, reduced foetal movement, TENS, posterior position, Mackenzie’s Mission.

To find out more about Rachael’s blog:

Additional Reading:

The Conversation: .

The Conversation:

To see the ABC 730 report covering Mackenzie’s Mission: and

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50 | Adrienne Biscontin Three Fast Vaginal Deliveries

Thu, 22 Mar 2018 00:58:11 GMT

In this weeks episode, I interview Adrienne Biscontin. Adrienne started trying for a baby shortly after she had gotten married bought a house. Several of her friends had fallen pregnant quickly so she assumed she would conceive quickly too. After 8mths of actively trying to conceive she fell pregnant. Unfortunately, Adrienne miscarried quite early in this pregnancy. Completely devastated after her loss, she decided to overturn her life and she concentrated heavily on her health, moving her diet to organic produce and swapping many staples in her diet to try and create the most favorable environment to conceive. Six months later she fell pregnant with her first daughter Ava.

Adrienne delivered all three of her daughters at St Vincent’s Private in Melbourne. Collectively she laboured for 8.5 hours she had 3 super fast deliveries. To hear Adrienne’s very fast deliveries in more detail tune into this week’s episode.

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Topics covered: pilates, fertility, fast births, irritable uterus, miscarriage, silent reflux.

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49 | Beccy Cloke Emergency Caesarean, Planned Hypno Birth

Mon, 19 Mar 2018 03:02:56 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Beccy Cloke. Beccy was diagnosed as having a tilted cervix by her gynaecologist at a young age and she was advised that it may take her a little longer to conceive. With that in mind, she and Travis started trying for a baby shortly after their honeymoon. To their complete surprise, they conceived very quickly and then had to adjust quickly to the idea that a baby was on the way.

Beccy went through private obstetric care through Mitcham Private Hospital in Melbourne. After an initial hiccup, she changed obstetricians to find a recommended doctor they had complete trust in. Beccy took both a Hypno Birth course and an online course called Birth Beat. Wanting to have a drug free, natural delivery, Beccy shares how she became very upset when she underwent an emergency caesarean after her labour didn’t progress. Overjoyed to have a happy and healthy baby, Beccy still feels disappointed with some components of her birth. To hear more about how Beccy struggled with some of the decisions she made during her pregnancy and her labour and some things she wished she had done differently tune into this wee

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48 | Lisa Wipfli Two Under Two, Emergency Caesarean, Elective Caesarean

Thu, 15 Mar 2018 02:43:03 GMT

48 | Lisa Wipfli Two Under Two, Emergency Caesarean, Elective Caesarean

In this weeks episode, I interview Lisa Wipfli. Lisa shares her pregnancy with Ted and her unexpected emergency caesarean. She then discusses falling pregnant some 7months later with her second little boy Jack and life with two under two.

Lisa conceived Ted during her second month of trying to conceive and after watching many friends struggle to fall pregnant, she was incredibly grateful. Ted’s pregnancy went quite smoothly until the final weeks when Lisa began to feel very uncomfortable and she suffered pelvic and back pain. Lisa had weekly and sometimes twice weekly appointments with her Osteopath to assist with the discomfort. She went two weeks over her due date in the middle of summer and had gained approximately 22kgs so she was more than ready to be induced at 42 weeks. To hear more about Lisa deliveries, her husbands GoPro and virtual reality filming of the births and lots more tune into this weeks episode.

Topics included: pelvic pain, breastfeeding, breastfeeding challenges, reduced milk production, emergency caesarean, cracked nipples, nipple shields, pilates, Body beyond birth, abdominal separation, mixed feeding, pumping, virtual reality filming.

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46 | Alex Tabet, Two vaginal births, Hypnobirthing After a Traumatic First Birth

Mon, 05 Mar 2018 07:26:26 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Alex Tabet. Alex conceived her first daughter quite easily by tracking her ovulation and listening carefully to her body. During her pregnancy, Alex went six days over due. She admits thinking “how hard could labour be?” She woke at 330am with mild contractions

She left for hospital at 930am when her contractions 3 minutes apart. She was calling everyone she new, was very vocal and felt less focused. Alex shares she felt like she resisted her contractions and didn’t work with her body in the way in which she did in her second labour.

To hear how Alex went on to conceive her second daughter 3 years later and how she attended Hypnobirthing classes and achieved a much calmer birth.

Topics Covered: moon cycles, ovulation awearness, breastfeeding, birth trauma, pregnancy insomnia, hypnobirth, Hypnobirthing Australia, gas and air, pethadine.

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45 | Tulsi McLean Two Fast Natural Deliveries, with her Three Year Old Present and Assisting Delivery of his Sister.

Mon, 26 Feb 2018 00:52:20 GMT

Tulsi was trying for about 6 months to conceive Henry. After being on the pill for a long time it took a little while for her cycles to return to normal and regulate. Tusli was regularly testing each month but she feels as if she knew the moment after she had conceived Henry. During her pregnancy, Tulsi’s husband was offered a job in a small country town 700km west of Brisbane. The only facilities available was a small hospital that didn't offer epidurals or caesareans so she was focusing on having a natural drug free birth.

At 39 plus 3, Tusli was very scared of needing to be induced and going overdue. She woke in the night to go to the toilet and as she was on the toilet her waters wet. Her husband shot out of bed, adrenaline pumping. They called the midwife who was going to need to go in and open the hospital, as she was the only staff member on duty. She told them to make their way in. Tulsi laughs as she remembers taking a long time deciding what to wear to the hospital. After her first contraction came Tusli’s contractions came on hard and fast. She labored most of the time leaning over a sink swaying with a heat pack on her back. At 7 am Tusli said she felt pressure and wanted to go to the toilet. The midwife thought it was very unlikely she would be ready to push as it was her first baby and she had only been in the hospital for 4 hours. Tulsi husband pleaded with the midwife to check her again and they were all surprised to find she was ready. She was 8cm and by 730am Henry was born.

When Tusli was 40weeks plus 5 with her second baby Pippy, her son’s kinder called and said he was complaining of terrible stomach pains. She picked him up and took him straight to the hospital to get him checked over. Curled up in pain they made a number of checks and after two hours he suddenly went straight back to normal. As they packed up to head home Tusli’s made a quick stop to go to the toilet and her waters broke. She walked herself up the stairs to the maternity ward and began contracting with strong contractions with her son Henry still present. To hear how Pippi’s delivery went tune into this weeks episode.

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44 | Katrina Ferguson 3 Vaginal Births, Water Birth, COSMOS Midwifery Program

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 01:06:35 GMT

Katrina went through the Cosmos program at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne for all three of her deliveries. Despite suffering severe nausea up until 14 weeks, Katrina found her first pregnancy was quite routine.

On Katrina’s due date, she was woken up with period like cramping at 1 am. Katrina’s family found it quite amusing she would deliver on her due date because she is quite a pragmatic and organized person. She went on to labour at home with the support of her partner and her heavily pregnant sister. Katrina was quite unlucky as she was constantly vomiting throughout her labour. After labouring at home for most of the day, She made her way into the Royal Women’s Hospital with her support team. In triage, Katrina had a huge contraction and substantial vomit and then her babies heart rate dropped and her midwife became quite concerned that there was something worth monitoring. She was moved into the birthing suite and monitored. She had a mobile monitor on which allowed her to still move around the room. Despite envisaging an active delivery Katrina ended up pushing on the bed on her back with her sister holding one leg and her friend who was a midwife holding the other. After 30 minutes of pushing she delivered her daughter.

Topics covered: postpartum bleed, COSMOS Midwifery Program, Royal Women’s Hospital, 2nd degree tear, TENS machine, water birth.

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43 | Amber Spears Twins with Donated Eggs from her Sister IVF

Mon, 19 Feb 2018 05:42:37 GMT

In today’s episode I interview Amber. At 23 years of age, Amber started having hot flushes and she went to the doctors who said it was most probably a viral infection. It could be pre-menopause. A few weeks later Amber was continuing to get up to 20 hot flushes a day. The doctors ran blood tests her SFH levels were at 75 extremely high. The sent her to a gynecologist who found she had cysts on her ovaries then she started on Clomid for 6mths. In that 6mths she only ovulated once. The side effects - depressed and upset wanted to leave her partner. She came off Clomid and she started acupuncture. Her Acupuncturist was able to get Amber to ovulate once, however, she was then referred to Lynn Bermister the head specialist at Monash IVF. She went into to find her cysts had grown back and her eggs were no longer function.

The first 2 IVF cycles she didn't produce any of her own follicles. After 6 mths of going back and forth, she decided to use her sister's eggs. Her sister underwent counseling and began taking hormones to help her ovulate and regulate her cycles. Her sister was 23 and passed all the intense counseling so they began the process.

After the first failed IVF transfer using Amber’s sister’s donated egg, Amber took three months break from trying to regroup mentally and emotionally. The weekend of her sister’s egg collection was near Easter so she did an easter egg hunt around the house and it turned out Amber collected 13 chocolate easter eggs. To hear how Ambers pregnancy went and her delivery tune into this weeks episode.

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42 | Elise Raquel Three Vaginal Births, Trisomy 13 Risk, Midwifery Care

Mon, 12 Feb 2018 01:09:02 GMT

Today’s episode of the show I interview Elise Raquel. Elise takes us through her three vaginal births. Elise’s first daughter Peyton was born in a private hospital in Perth under the care of her private obstetrician. Elise did little birth preparation, however she knew she wanted to try for a natural drug-free delivery. At 37 weeks, Elise went in for an antenatal appointment and they discovered that her blood pressure was elevated. At this time the doctor began discussing the possibility of induction. Elise did everything she could to bring on labour naturally and she went into labour spontaneously at 38 weeks. After a long labour, Elise was given an epidural and she pushed out her daughter with the help of a vacuum delivery.

Topics covered: flat nipples, posterior, nipple shield, gas and air, episiotomy, baby blues, jaundice, The Natural parent Facebook group, hypnosis, midwifery care, waterbirth, postpartum bleeding, tandem breastfeeding, trisomy13, Harmony testing, curb walking, nipple stimulation, natural induction method.

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41 | Emma Four Caesarean Births, Gentle Caesarean Birth, Crohn's Disease

Mon, 05 Feb 2018 05:07:41 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Emma. At the age of 14, Emma was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and she underwent surgery for a fistula. During this surgery, Emma was advised that if she was to go on and have a family in the future, it was most likely she would need to have a caesarean section.

At 21 she had a bad a relapse of her Crohn’s Disease and she underwent a bowel resection and they removed 30cm of her small intestine. After several more repairs on her fistula, Emma was also diagnosed with an autoimmune arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The AS effected her pelvis and spine making pregnancy more challenging however, it was ultimately the Crohn’s disease and her previous surgeries which meant she needed to have caesarean deliveries.

After having two caesareans with the same obstetrician, in Emma’s third pregnancy she felt very emotional about the fact that she was going to have to have another caesarean section. What affected Emma the most was the fact that she had to have them delivered in this way due to her own health. Emma raised her concerns with her obstetrician during her third pregnancy, however she felt quite unheard by her obstetrician. She wasn’t getting the birth she was hoping for and she felt that the emotional component of her birth was not being acknowledged and supported.

Four years after having her first child Emma decided to try and makes some changes in her fourth birth. Going with the same obstetrician but asking for changes. Emma asked for changes such as delayed cord clamping, an attempt to not use forceps in the delivery, the use of her own music in the delivery room and she had her husband videotaping the birth. After watching the video back Emma said she felt completely robbed and taken advantage of as her obstetrician hadn't made any of the changes she had requested. Forceps were used, the cord wasn't left to pulsate and what’s more, the obstetrician swore that he hated the song playing on Emma’s playlist whilst delivering their baby.

For her fifth and final birth, Emma was not going to have the same obstetrician. To hear how Emma made a variety of changes to get the gentle caesarean she had dreamed of, tune into this Emma’s episode on the show.

Topics covered: Crohn's Disease, Rheumatoid arthritis: ankylosing spondylitis, birth trauma, caesarean section, back labour, tongue tie, breastfeeding challenges, vaginal seeding, placenta encapsulation, birth plan.

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40 | Eliza Curby, Three Babies in One Year, Twins, Caesarean Sections

Mon, 29 Jan 2018 06:01:50 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Eliza Curby. Eliza shares how she fell pregnant for the first time after being with her partner for just three months. Eliza and Ben were thrilled as they had wanted to start a family quickly. Despite not being covered for Private Hospital care in pregnancy, Eliza wanted to go to the hospital where her mother worked as a midwife. After a healthy pregnancy, Eliza began her labour at home and was 5cm dilated when she went to see her doctor. Things took a turn when her baby became distressed and Charlie was delivered by caesarean section.

A few months after Charlie’s arrival Eliza discovered she was pregnant with twins. Although a complete surprise Eliza and her partner were overjoyed to hear they would be adding identical twin boys to their family. To hear the challenges of carrying twins and chasing another baby around tune into this weeks episode.

Topics Included: Caesarean, Diastasis Symphysis Pubis, steroid injections, identical twins, reduced foetal moment, North Shore Private Hospital, jaundice, weaning, TENS machine, Rite Aid Hydrogel breast pads, Hypnobirthing.

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39 | Beth Johnson, Two Births, High Risk Pregnancy, Piere Robin Sequence, Soft Cleft

Mon, 22 Jan 2018 06:47:57 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Beth Johnson. Beth shares her two pregnancies and births with us. Beth recalls her first pregnancy as beautiful and uneventful which resulted in a lovely water birth through the midwifery program at Sydney’s Royal Hospital for Women. Seven years after having her first daughter, Beth married her partner Jonathan and they conceived their second daughter on their honeymoon. Beth was terribly sick with ‘all day’ morning sickness. At 20 weeks when they went to have their routine ultrasound the doctors discovered some abnormalities in Marley’s facial structure.

During this incredibly stressful time, Beth underwent countless ultrasounds. She also had an amniocentesis test administered which all failed to determine why her baby’s lower jaw seemed hard to detect in the scans. It wasn’t until Beth met with the midwife Kate Dwyer (who’s a Clinical Midwife Consultant High-Risk Pregnancy, Coordinator Midwifery Group Practice/Maternal-Fetal Medicine), at Sydney’s Royal Hospital for Women. Kate quickly diagnosed Beth’s baby girl with Piere Robin Sequence.

To hear more about Piere Robin Sequence and how Beth’s high-risk pregnancy unfolded tune into this week's show.

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Topics covered: high-risk pregnancy, Piere Robin Sequence, Sydney’s Royal Children’s Hospital, nasal gastric tube (NG Tube), soft cleft palate, NICU, sleep apnoea, sleeping prone, reflux, amniocentesis.

To connect with Beth Johnson through her Blog Modern Mother click here:

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37 | Karla Rose Two Birth Centre Water Births Byron Bay

Mon, 08 Jan 2018 09:03:54 GMT

37 | Karla Rose Two Birth Center Water Births

In today’s episode, I interview Karla Rose. Karla shares her pregnancies and births with her daughter Mini and her son Ruko. At 42 weeks Karla woke at 1 am and her waters went as she went to the bathroom. Contractions began quite quickly after her waters broke and she made her way to the birth center. After an intense contraction at the center, she got into the bath while she was transitioning. Mini was born into the water and her husband Ben delivered her. When she was born they were cuddling Mini for nearly 40minutes before they thought to check to see the sex of the baby. To hear more about Karla’s pregnancy with her son Ru and his birth tune into the podcast episode here.

Topics covered: birth center birth, Byron Bay, water birth, postpartum bleed, Mullumbimby, rupture of membranes prior to contractions, castor oil, Tweed hospital, retained placenta, breastfeeding, engorgement, nipple shields.

Today’s episode is sponsored by The Hug App. is available nationally and free to download and use, The Hug App is a secure, private online community that connects parents, family members and friends in need of transport or care for their little ones:

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36 | Rozalia Russian, Two Births Gestational Diabetes, Caesarean Births, Blood Transfusion

Mon, 01 Jan 2018 01:41:05 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Rozalia Russian. Rozalia takes us through her pregnancy and birth with both Willow and Kingston. After a very happy and healthy pregnancy with Willow Rozalia went 10 days overdue and was induced to help start her labour. After labouring all day Roza was unable to get past 3cm so her obstetrician Guy Skinner advised an emergency caesarean was the best way forward. After Willow’s delivery Roza haemorrhaged and required a blood transfusion. To hear more about Willow’s birth and how gestational diabetes in Kingston’s pregnancy caught her by surprised tune into this weeks show.

Topics cover: gestational diabetes, blood transfusion, haemorrhage elective caesarean, emergency caesarean, breastfeeding, young mum, St Vincents Private Hospital, Dr. Guy Skinner, mastitis.

Todays episode is sponsored by Palmaira Sandals Australia is run by the gorgeous sister in law duo two sister-in-laws (Jenn & Gem).To check out the full range of these beautiful Avarca sandals head over to:

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35 | Nat Harris, Homebirth, Waterbirth, Hind Water Leak, Retained Placenta

Thu, 21 Dec 2017 09:34:49 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Nat. Nat takes us through her home water birth. Nat’s story is quite unique in that she had a hind water leak at 40 weeks, however, her contractions did not start. She was originally under the care of the team midwives through the local birth center however they were unable to continue to be her care provider once she had gone past 72 hours without contractions. Nat decided to hire her own private midwife to have the waterbirth she had planned for at home. To hear Nat’s birth story in more detail please tune into this weeks episode.

Topics included: hind water leak, water birth, private midwife, hemorrhage, retained placenta, nuchal cord, Tresillian, placenta encapsulation, cervical scar tissue, home birth.

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34 | Adele Barbaro, Induced Labour, Emergency Caesarean, IVF, VBAC, Clitoral Tear

Mon, 18 Dec 2017 06:57:49 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Adele Barbaro (The Real Mumma). Adele shares her struggles in falling pregnant with her first child Harvey. Adele suffers from endometriosis and had a procedure to remove scar tissue to help create a more favorable environment for an embryonic transfer through IVF. Adele’s labour failed to progress despite induction medication being given and she delivered Harvey via a caesarean section.

Adele went on to conceive Chloe naturally to her and Paul’s great surprise. Adele wanted to try for a VBAC with Chloe and she shares that although she was able to have the VBAC she had wished for she suffered a clitoral tear from her vaginal delivery. She recalls talking to her doctor a few weeks after Chloe’s delivery and saying she wishes she had just booked in for another cesarean. To hear more of Adele’s story tune in this week's show.

Topics covered: IVF, low amniotic fluid, induction, caesarean section, vaginal birth after caesarean VBAC, clitoral tear, prodromal labour, vacuum delivery, hind water leak, general anesthetic, expressed colostrum, endometriosis.

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33 | Jessica Smith, Two Births, Epworth Freemasons, Epidural and Medication free

Mon, 11 Dec 2017 06:16:25 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Paralympian, Diversity and Disability Activist, author and mother of two Jessica Smith. Jessica shares her births with both Ayla and Reza. She takes us through the struggles with suffering severe morning sickness, (hyperemesis gravidarum) low iron and anxiety surrounding labour. Jessica also touches on how she felt about her changing body and body image after suffering from eating disorders for many years.

Jessica was living in Perth when she fell pregnant with Ayla. Expecting to be met with fertility challenges due to battling eating disorders in her past, Jessica was thrilled to conceive easily in her first month of trying. Unfortunately, she immediately began to suffer from hyperemesis gravidarum. Jessica wasn't able to keep anything down including water. Under the careful watch of her obstetrician, Jessica later needed an iron transfusion. Thanfully by 17 weeks the morning sickness passed.

Jessica felt very fearful about the delivery of Ayla and was quite sure she would like an epidural on the day. During the lead up she was also quite concerned about logistically how she would manage the baby with one hand. For example, she was concerned about day to day managing of tasks where she would be holding the baby and wouldn’t have a free hand to pick up car keys if she dropped them or if she was breastfeeding in public and wanted to cover herself with a wrap, she wouldn't have a free hand to assist herself.

To hear Ayla's birth story, Jessica’s devastating miscarriage after Ayla, and her pregnancy journey and birth with Reza listen now.

Topics included: hyperemesis gravidarum, bulimia, low iron, Epworth Freemason’s Hospital, miscarriage, epidural, anxiety, natural birth.

Little Miss Jessica Goes to School by Jessica Smith

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32 | Marcia Leone, Two births, Miscarriage, Malrotated Bowel, IVF, Calmbirth

Mon, 04 Dec 2017 07:50:41 GMT

In Today’s episode, I interview Marcia Leone from the Not So Mumsy blog. Marcia takes us through her two pregnancies and births with both Archie and Poppy. Marcia also discusses the two difficult miscarriages she had in between having Archie and Poppy and discusses the challenges of having unexpected secondary infertility.

After undergoing a cleanse with her Naturopath, Marcia was able to regulate her cycles and fall pregnant quite quickly with Archie. Marcia took a weekend couples Calmbirth course to prepare for the labour which she felt really helped to ease her anxiety and get her ready for labour. At 39 weeks and 5 days, Marcia got up in the night to discover she lost her mucus plug after some light cramping. As she had tested positive to group B Step, her obstetrician recommended she come in to begin her antibiotic treatment. After having her waters broken to help progress her labour, Marcia went on to have an induction, epidural and episiotomy to assist the delivery of little Archie.

Several hours after delivery the midwives were monitoring Archie whilst Marcia had a rest and they noticed he had spewed up some bright green bile. Archie was immediately taken away for surgery to have his malrotated bowel corrected. This was a completely unexpected condition and left Marcia and her partner shell-shocked. After one intensive month in the hospital, Archie was discharged. Marcia pumped around the clock during this time and established a fantastic supply. She was able to go on to have a successful breastfeeding relationship with Archie despite his severe reflux.

To hear how it took several years, two miscarriages, a terrible bout of Dengue Fever and a round of IVF to conceive Poppy, tune in to Marcia’s interview.

Topics included: PCOS, Hypnosis, Calmbirth, IVF, Spontaneous miscarriage, DNC, induction, epidural, Group B Strep, malrotated bowel, NICU, Special Care Nursery, secondary infertility, Dengue Fever.

To connect with Marcia and her blog and label, Not So Mumsy click here

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31 | Tash Strudwick, Three Birth Stories, Stillbirth, Rainbow Baby

Thu, 30 Nov 2017 03:17:43 GMT

In Today’s episode I interview Tash about her three pregnancies and births. Tash had her first baby at Wangaratta hospital in rural Victoria. After a long posterior labour her first birth ended in an emergency C-Section. After the birth of her daughter Dempsey, Tash went on to fall pregnant with her second daughter when Dempsey was 9 months old. She had moved to Eltham from the county during this time and began seeing a GP through shared care with the Mercy Hospital in Heidelberg. Despite having healthy test results and scans at 20 weeks, Tash began to feel very unwell at 23 weeks and she went into premature labour. Her baby was born sleeping a few hours later. Tash shares very courageously her journey of delivering her stillborn daughter and how she processed her grief after such a tragic unexpected loss. Tash went on to try for another baby a couple of years later and takes us through the stress and anxiety of her third pregnancy. After much deliberation Tash decided, with the support of the Mercy staff, that she would have her little boy via elective c-section. This is a very powerful and emotional episode and I am incredibly grateful that Tash approached me wanting to share her stories.

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30 | Amelia Lamont, Midwife, Two Births, Breech, Induction, Vacuum Delivery

Mon, 27 Nov 2017 07:56:43 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Amelia Lamont, a Midwife and Sleep Consultant. Amelia shares the story of her son Alfie and daughter Essie’s pregnancies and births. After suffering two early miscarriages, Amelia fell pregnant with Alfie and had a relatively easy pregnancy up until 20 weeks when she started to experience an irritable uterus. This involved the uterus contracting regularly in a similar way to Braxton Hicks, with no cervical change. By 30 weeks these contractions became more regular and Amelia was advised by her obstetrician to stop working and rest until the baby was due to arrive. At 40 weeks Amelia went to see her obstetrician again as she hadn't been gaining any weight and they wanted to ensure the baby was still growing correctly. It was discovered at this appointment that Amelia had reduced fluid.

After having a stretch and sweep by both her doctor and later that day by a close friend who was also a midwife, Amelia’s labour failed to begin. The next day she had her waters broken by her doctor and her contractions came on hard and fast. Amelia had an epidural when she reached 6cm and then ended up having an episiotomy and vacuum delivery as both her and Alfie became distressed and unwell towards the end of the labour.

During her second pregnancy with daughter Essie, Amelia discovered Essie was breech at 28 weeks. Despite trying every recommended trick to turn her, acupuncture, moxibustion, and osteopathy, Essie failed to move. At 36 weeks Amelia had an External Cephalic Version (ECV) which managed to finally rotate Essie. It was during this procedure that they discovered that once again Amelia had reduced fluid surrounding the baby.

To hear more about Essie’s delivery including how Amelia's husband crashed their new car before delivery, tune into the show….

Topics covered in today’s show: irritable uterus, reduced fetal movement, reduced fluid, episiotomy, acupuncture, moxibustion, external cephalic version, epidural, vacuum delivery, midwife, sleep school, breastfeeding, retained placenta, manual placenta removal.

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29 | Kayleigh McGlynn, Two Births, Kidney Stones, Postpartum Bleed

Mon, 20 Nov 2017 09:33:08 GMT

In today’s episode, Kayleigh takes us through her two births. At the age of twenty, Kayleigh went off the contraceptive pill and found that her period didn’t return for over 12mths. She turned to acupuncture to try and regulate her cycle and was able to menstruate again and fell pregnant the following month.

During her first pregnancy, Kayleigh experienced morning sickness and later developed tachycardia ( a heart rate that exceeds the normal resting heart rate). Kayleigh’s labour began with her waters leaking in the evening at 39 weeks. After a prolonged second stage, three hours of pushing Kayleigh had a big bleed and was rushed away to theatre leaving her husband behind holding their new son.

During Kayleigh’s second pregnancy she developed kidney stones at 28 weeks. Initially, she thought she was going into early labour. She was just about to get a steroid injection in preparation for a premature delivery when tests showed that she, in fact, had kidney stones. Kayleigh’s kidney stones passed after several days in the hospital where she was monitored and given IV fluids.

At 38 weeks Kayleigh noticed she had reduced baby movement one morning. Midwives came over and found her baby’s heart rate quite easily, however, the baby wasn’t moving as much as the midwives would expect. The doctors decided to induce Kayleigh based on the reduced baby moment. Nervous she would have another bleed Kayleigh had an epidural put in place but asked them not to give her the actual drugs unless there was a sudden emergency. To hear more of Kayleigh’s story tune into the show.

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Topics included: PCOS, tachycardia, kidney stones, epidural, retained placenta, acupuncture, reduced fetal movement.

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28 | Louise Bannister Three Births, Perinatal Depression, Water Birth

Mon, 13 Nov 2017 07:42:25 GMT

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27 | Simone Burstow Two sets of Identical Twins

Mon, 06 Nov 2017 08:36:06 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Simone Burstow. Simone has two sets of identical twins and she takes us through both her pregnancies and births. Simone went in to have an early ultrasound in her first pregnancy after she had experienced some spotting at around 6 weeks. Expecting bad news Simone was shocked to hear that she was, in fact, carrying two healthy babies.

Several years after the boys were born Simone and her husband decided to try again and Simone suffered an ectopic pregnancy which resulted in her losing one fallopian tube. After this sad experience and after effectively halving her chances of falling pregnant again, Simone was incredibly surprised when she fell pregnant again with another set of identical twins.

To hear how Simone was able to deliver both sets of twins vaginally and how she has navigated all things twin related tune into this week's show.

Topics covered: Identical twins, twin to twin transfer, monoamniotic twins, ectopic pregnancy, fallopian tube removed, vaginal twin delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, tandem feeding

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26 | Courtney Adamo

Mon, 30 Oct 2017 06:28:36 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Courtney Adamo, co-founder of Babyccino Kids and author of the children’s book 9 months: A month by month guide to pregnancy for the family to share. Courtney takes us through the journeys of her five pregnancies and births. Courtney shares how her experiences with each of her previous birth journeys lead her to have the most idyllic home birth with her fifth baby Wilkie.

Courtney fell pregnant for the first time at the age of 23, whilst living with her then-boyfriend Michael. At this time they had been dating for a year and a half and living in London. Despite the pregnancy coming as a bit of a shock, Courtney describes Easton’s pregnancy as a ‘welcomed surprise’. Courtney found it quite overwhelming in the early stages of her pregnancy as she had only been living in London for a year and the midwifery system in London was quite different from what she knew of the American Obstetric lead birthing system. Courtney decided to hire a private midwife because she liked the idea of seeing the same midwife throughout her pregnancy. All of her antenatal appointments were conducted in her London flat in a comfortable and relaxing environment. She was given the option with her private midwife to birth at home or at the local birthing center.

Easton’s labour was long and quite overwhelming and when his labour began to slow, and Courtney was becoming increasingly fatigued, she was transferred from the birth center to the local hospital. She then ended up having an epidural and 40 hours later Easton was born. Courtney explains it was not at all what she had envisioned for her birth.

Twenty-Two months after Easton’s birth Courtney gave birth to her second son Quin. After Easton’s birth experience, Courtney had decided to hire the same private midwife and try and have a natural home birth. Courtney went into labour with Quin a few days before her due date and had another long drawn out and painful labour. After labouring at home for quite some time, Courtney was surprised to hear her midwife suggest that maybe she should transfer to the hospital. Courtney’s midwife felt there was something holding her back from birthing at home. Courtney made the frightening 2 am journey to the hospital and she gave birth quite dramatically on arrival at the hospital.

Despite the dramatic transfer and quick delivery, Courtney found her recovery after Quin’s birth quite remarkable and she ended up walking home three hours after delivery. She and Michael sat in the sun in Hampstead Heath with their three hour newborn and savored the rare English sunshine.

Courtney fell pregnant with Ivy when she was away on a child-free holiday in New York. Another welcomed surprise as Courtney conceived at the end of her period and must have ovulated earlier than usual. Despite being quite nauseous in the first 12 weeks, Ivy’s pregnancy was very similar to that of the boys, leading Courtney to believe she was carrying another boy.

After experiencing an epidural birth with Easton, and then a drug-free, but dramatic transfer birth with Quin, courtney knew she wanted to do thins differently for her third birth. When the day came, Courtney made the decision to go straight to the hospital and she had a much quicker birth with an epidural. The epidiural actually only worked for one side of her body. Courtney’s found with Ivy’s birth she was able to be more present. She remembers details vividly such as her sister’s face when ivy was born and the sounds and smells in the room, which she attributes to one of the benefits of having an epidural.

When Courtney’s fourth child, Marlow was conceived there was a shift in Courtney’s view and understanding of birth. She took up Yoga for the first time in her life and she read Ina May Gaskin’s book Guide to Childbirth. Courtney also gave Ina May’s book to Michael to read and she felt that the two of them were on the same page and were incredibly well prepared both physically and emotionally for Marlow’s birth. To the great surprise of the staff at the NHS hospital staff, Courtney presented herself at 38 weeks to register for her birth. Courtney had no antenatal appointments during this pregnancy (despite having the twelve and twenty-week scans).

Marlow was delivered in the water in the local Birth Center with a beautiful midwife who completely trusted Courtney to have a physiological birth. Courtney remembers how her midwife sat quietly in the corner and told her to reach down and catch her baby when the time came.

Because of Marlow’s beautiful birth and the experiences she had has with her other births, Courtney felt she was now ready to have her home birth. A home birth with her four children present. She felt that Marlow’s birth has built her confidence. She felt that she and Michael had had that intimate moment with Marlow’s delivery and she was ready to share this experience with her other four children.

To hear how Courtney was able to have an idyllic home birth with her fifth child Wilkie, tune into Courtney’s episode.

Topics covered: epidural, private midwife, birth center, water birth, home birth, Courtney Adamo, Babyccino Kids, 9mths, breastfeeding, Byron Bay, Ina May Gaskin’s “Guide to Childbirth”.

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25 | Carla Mahony

Mon, 23 Oct 2017 09:42:56 GMT

InVision Photography Australia

In Today’s episode, I interview Carla. Carla shares the stories of her three pregnancies and births. At 21 years of age, Carla had a benign tumour removed from her ovary and she was told at the time she had PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). The doctor informed her at this time that she would likely have difficulty conceiving. This turned out to be the case, as it took Carla three years of trying to fall pregnant with her first child. Carla worked with a fertility specialist out of Epworth Freemasons Hospital and tried a number of techniques such as weight loss, diet changes and then moved on to taking Clomid. After trying with Clomid for several months and having no success, Carla’s husband was deployed in the Army to the Solomon Islands and she took a full 6 months of taking any medications and had a complete break. When he returned she had one dose of Clomid and conceived Cate.

Carla shares how she loved her first pregnancy. She had wanted to be a mother all her life and she already knew that she wanted to have her child through the local caseload midwifery program near her house.

Carla went into labour naturally at home with Cate. She lost her mucus plug and then 2hours later her waters went. After labouring at home with her husband and sister for support, Carla made her way into the birth center in the evening when the contractions ramped up. On arrival, she was checked and shocked to find out she was fully effaced. After only 12 minutes of pushing Kate was delivered onto a mat while Carla was on all fours. Caral’s husband announced that they had a little girl and Carla was certain she was carrying a boy so she questioned this and after a nurse double checked they were thrilled to welcome little Cate into the world.

InVision Photography Australia

To hear more about Carla’s recovery and the births of her other two children tune into the podcast.

Topics covered in this weeks episode: polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), Clomid, Fertility specialist, midwifery caseload care, natural childbirth, vaginal tearing, breastfeeding, benign ovarian tumor

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24 | Alys Gagnon, Breech Elective Caesarean, VBAC

Wed, 18 Oct 2017 21:38:25 GMT

Today, Alys takes us through her decision to have an elective caesarean section with her first son William due to his breech position and then going on to have a VBAC. Alys describes William's conception as a ‘deliberate surprise” after a few jokes around the table on a family New Zealand holiday with her partner’s family. Alys laughs about the fact that the first thing she did after taking a home pregnancy test was to go straight to the Good Guys to buy a clothes drier.

Living in Canberra at the time Alys went through Canberra’s Public Hospital for her care. At 32 weeks she discovered her baby was breech. Alys’ doctor said she could decide on how she wanted to move forward. She shares how she made the decision to have a caesarean based on her readings and understandings that in a caesarean birth more of the risk is held by the mother and with a breech vaginal delivery the risk is held more with the baby. She said she probably wouldn’t make the same decision now, however, she was confident with her elective caesarean section choice at the time.

When Alys found out she was pregnant for the second time she began to explore her delivery options. A girlfriend of Alys’ had recently had a Calm Birth, and another friend had had a VBAC home water birth. Having never had a contraction in her first pregnancy, Alys decided she'd like to give a VBAC a try. Alys shares how she went back and forth with the idea and it wasn't until she took her midwifery lead VBAC birth education class at Box Hill Public Hospital. that she felt confident in her decision. The midwife who lead the class convinced Alys that the benefits of a VBAC outweighed the risks. She walked away knowing that she wanted to go for a VBAC.

To hear more about how Alys’ successful VBAC went tune into the show.

Topics covered: Breech baby, elective caesarean, chemical pregnancy, VBAC, low milk supply, formula feeding, retained placenta.

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23 | Gemma Taylor, IVF Journey, Gestational Diabetes, Unplanned Home Birth

Mon, 16 Oct 2017 10:02:28 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Gemma Taylor. Gemma takes us through her difficult four-year journey trying to conceive her first child Flynn. Gemma suffered from mild endometriosis and a low egg count and conceived Flynn after a stimulated IVF Cycle. Gemma shares openly the heartache in miscarrying her first transferred embryo and the joy in going on to conceive Flynn. Flynn’s pregnancy began with severe morning sickness which didn’t subside until 24 weeks. Then at 27 weeks, Gemma was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes.

Gemma’s labor with Flynn began at around 39 weeks after a week of pre-labor. When she went in for a stretch and sweep her midwife was surprised to find how favourable Gemma seemed and said she thought that she was going to deliver in the coming day. Several days later contractions began to ramp up on a Friday night. Gemma laboured at home until 2 pm the following day when she transferred to Randwick Women's Hospital hospital feeling exhausted after a long and trying week of on and off contractions. The midwife on duty suggested an epidural to give Gemma the chance to have some rest and they started an indiction drip to help progress her labour.

With her second pregnancy, after having gone through such a long a painful journey trying to conceive Flynn, Gemma and her partner decided to try quite quickly to try and conceive again. They began the process by having the frozen embryo (which was taken at the same time as Flynn) implanted. Unfortunately, this transfer ended in a missed miscarriage which Gemma had a DNC for at 7 weeks.

The next stimulated cycle for Gemma and her partner was somewhat different as the technology for IFV was continuing to evolve. There was now a new test available Pre-Implantation Genetic Testing. According to IVF Australia :

“Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) is a sophisticated scientific technique which can be used to test embryos for either a specific known genetic condition or chromosome abnormality. This enables only chromosomally normal embryos or those unaffected by a specific disorder to be selected for transfer during an IVF cycle, maximising the chance of a healthy baby. Up to 70% of embryos created, either via natural conception or IVF don’t survive the first 3 months of pregnancy and many don’t achieve implantation because of those two reasons.” ()

To hear more about how Gemma went on to have the first mosaic embryo transferred in Australia and how she ended up delivering her second son at home with the assistance of her sister in law and business partnerJenny tune into the show.

Topics covered: endometriosis, IFV, stimulated cycles, misses miscarriage, DNC, gestational diabetes, Mozaic embryo transfer, unexpected home birth, asthma, pre-labour.

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22 | Georgie Abay, Two Premature Births, Post-Partum Haemorrhage, Strict Bed rest

Mon, 09 Oct 2017 10:12:36 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Georgie Abay the founder of The Grace Tales. Georgie takes us through her pregnancies and premature births of her little girl Arabella at 34 weeks and Lottie at 33 weeks. After trying to conceive for 6 months Georgie fell pregnant with her first daughter Arabella. Georgie experienced terrible morning sickness up until 19 weeks with Arabella. After completing her Calm Birth course at 34 weeks, Georgie went into labour the next day prematurely. After going in for a routine ultrasound the staff discovered that she was going into labour. Her doctor sent her straight to the hospital to have a steroid injection and sent her home on bed rest. Georgie was due to be a bridesmaid for her best friend later that week and had a nail appointment that day in preparation for the day. Her mum said she could take her to her nail appointment and as she would be laying down in the chair she would therefore be resting. Georgie’s waters went in the nail salon in a comical movie style fashion. She ended up borrowing a towel from the salon and put that under her dress and she and her mother made their way to the hospital, via the supermarket to pack a last minute supply bag of essentials for the very early birth.

Despite her waters going contractions didn’t start so, Georgie was induced to progress the labour. After labouring for 17 hours with the assistance of an epidural and forceps, Arabella was delivered 6 weeks early. Arabella was checked by a paediatrician and was then wheeled off to the special care nursery. Georgie explains that Arabella’s emotional birth and the separation she experienced was the hardest thing she had experienced. Arabella was formula fed in the special nursery and Georgie went home without her little girl. Georgie shares the heart ache she experienced in leaving the hospital without her baby. When home Georgie pumped tirelessly through the night to bring her milk supply in and was able to successfully bring in a great milk supply which enabled her to start breastfeeding Arabella when she was stronger. After two weeks of care in the special care nursery, Arabella was discharged and came home.

When Arabella was 10mths old Georgie fell pregnant again unexpectedly while they were renovating their house and living at her mum’s place. At 23 weeks into Georgie’s second pregnancy she had a scan and it was discovered she had a short cervix and she had started to dilate. She was put on strict bedrest as she was at risk of early labour again. This was incredibly challenging as she had a toddler to take care of. She was only allowed to get up to shower and eat. Georgie had to insert progesterone daily and shealso had steroid shots to help prepare her body and the baby for another early arrival. She moved back to her Mum’s house and hired a full-time nanny to care for Arabella. At 33 weeks Georgie felt she was about to go into labour so she quickly moved back into her family home and her the next morning her waters went. Georgie had the support of a lovely midwife and she felt this made a huge difference to her mental strength in this labour. As contractions didn’t immediately start, she had induction medication to progress things. To hear more about Georgie’s recovery and her 6-week postpartum haemorrhage, and Lottie’s birth journey tune into the podcast………

Topics covered: premature birth, special care nursery, epidural, forceps, breastfeeding, yoga, calm birth, blood clots, post-partum haemorrhage, bed rest, blood transfusions, retained placenta, Dilation (or dilatation) and curettage (D&C)

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21 | Claire, Home Birth, Same-sex Couple, Induced Lactation, Co-feeding

Mon, 02 Oct 2017 09:08:11 GMT

Claire takes us through how she and Steph prepared themselves to co-feed LJ. Steph has never been pregnant before however, she was able to induce lactation through pumping regularly and taking natural medicines and Domperidone. Both Steph and Claire now breastfeed little LJ. To hear more listen now…

Topics covered: induced lactation, home insemination, home birth, water birth, private midwife, acupuncture, naturopath, breastfeeding, placenta encapsulation, same-sex couple.

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20 | Elise Three Births, Inductions, Postnatal Anxiety, Third Degree Tear

Mon, 25 Sep 2017 10:50:43 GMT

In this weeks episode, Elise Knowles shares the births of her three children. During Elise's first labour she was dilated to 5cm without even realising she was in early labour. This pre-labor went on for several days and she ended up having some acupuncture and a stretch and sweep. Elise was admitted later that day and was induced to help progress her labour. 3.5 hours later Raffety was born and despite having an episiotomy she suffered a third-degree tear. Elise’s recovery was slow and difficult as she was physically and emotionally drained from the delivery. She found breastfeeding Raffety very challenging which she wasn’t expecting and felt unprepared for this challenge. She shares how there is very little discussion about how difficult the initial stages of breastfeeding can be and it can lead to feelings of guilt and failure when it doesn't all go to plan.

Raffety was a very unsettled baby who was later diagnosed with severe reflux and readmitted to hospital at 6 weeks of age. During this time in the hospital, while Raff recovered from a burnt oesophagus, it became clear to the staff that Elise was struggling emotionally and they advised her that they suspected she had postnatal depression. With the support and encouragement of her husband and mother, Elise was able to seek help and was connected with Better Beginnings. Her therapist diagnosed her with postnatal anxiety.

Elise openly discusses the slow recovery she experienced with her tear and it was at 3mths that she got the courage to try sex again. After trying for 9mths she fell pregnant again with Tabitha. Unlike her first pregnancy Elise shares she felt much sicker with morning sickness with Tabitha and it was a very different pregnancy overall. To hear more about Tabitha’s birth and Delilah’s tune into the podcast…….

Topics covered: 3rd-degree tear, postnatal depression, pelvic floor exercises, obstetrician, breastfeeding, induction, jaundice, prolapse, placenta encapsulation,

Elise Knowles

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19 | Harrison & Mitchell Obstetrician Induced Labour, Burst Blood Vessel of the Eye.

Mon, 18 Sep 2017 10:13:57 GMT

In this weeks episode Bridget discusses the births of her two boys. Bridget had both her children under the care of a private Obstetrician. She discusses how she came to this decision based on a family history of Preeclampsia. Bridget shares how her mum died and was resuscitated in the end stages of her first pregnancy due to preeclampsia and her baby was delivered by caesarian whilst she was in a coma. Bridget thankfully showed no signs of pre eclampsia in both pregnancies.

Bridget’s first labour started with her waters breaking at home in bed and she later delivered after over two hours of intense pushing. This pushing phase resulted in Bridget ‘seeing stars’ in her left eye. This raised immediate concerns with the nurses and her doctor and she was rushed off for an emergency MRI to rule out the possibility of a small stroke during her labour. Thankfully it was, in fact, a burst blood vessel from the strain of pushing.

In Bridget's second labour she was induced at 40 weeks as the baby was very low and she was in quite a bit of pain in her hips and was finding walking very difficult. Her doctor agreed that inducing her at full term was the best course of action and her labour progresses very quickly and resulted in a much shorter pushing phase and she was blessed with another very healthy baby boy.

Bridget also shares with us the conception of Midnight Mums Facebook group which she is the founder of. The group was started when Bridget was living interstate and away from her family with a new baby. She was contacting a school friend online in the middle of the night and they were supporting each other through this often lonely journey of night feeds. Five years later the group now has over 80,000 members from right across Australian and the world. Tune in to the podcast to hear more details.

Topics covered in this weeks episode: preeclampsia, burst blood vessel of the eye, induction, epidural, obstetrician.

Midnight Mums

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18 | Cruz & Winter Rose Public Hospital Midwifery Care

Mon, 11 Sep 2017 09:29:18 GMT

In this week’s episode, Alice Bingham discusses the births of her son Cruse and daughter Winter Rose. Alice is a registered nurse. After struggling to conceive for 9 months Alice was over joyed when she became pregnant. Alice’s labour with Cruse began with her waters going and then an unexplained bleed which was very traumatic. As contractions hadn’t started and her water’s had gone, Alice was induced to progress the labour. Alice had an epidural and pushed for 30 minutes and had her healthy baby boy. On day three Cruse was admitted back into the hospital to have 24hours of phototherapy to treat jaundice. Alice was admitted back into the Pediatric Ward for Cruse's treatment and she was able to have some one on one assistance with a lactation consultant which really helped her gain confidence with breastfeeding.

With Alice’s second pregnancy she only tried for one month and she was able to successfully fall pregnant with Winter. She discusses how she became quite anxious towards the end of her pregnancy as she was nervous that she might have another big unexplained bleed and need to be on constantly monitored. At 37 weeks after a very long labour of walking and another unexplained bleed Alice was admitted. Alice had an epidural but she went from 6cm to 10cm very quickly in 45minutes so there wasn’t enough time to get the epidural completed. She was able to birth her baby with the assistance of her husband, midwife and a mirror.

lice also shares the challenges of bringing a second child home. She shares how her toddler ignored her for most of the first week when he brought her daughter home. We discuss the feelings of maternal guilt and readjusting to life with two children.

Topics covered in this weeks episode: placenta abrasion, jaundice, phototherapy, induction epidural, toddler jealously, lactation consultants, sciatic pain.

Alice In Healthy Land

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17 | Polly & Theo nurse midwife, Epidural, Induction, Childbirth Educator

Mon, 04 Sep 2017 09:36:44 GMT

In today’s episode Edwina shares the births of her two children Polly and Theodore. Edwina is a registered nurse and Midwife. Edwina let her confidence of being a midwife take over and she and her partner did not do any child birth education classes in the lead up to her first birth of Polly, a decision she regretted terribly on the day. After a long labour, Edwina had an epidural from a colleague who was crying cause she was so sad seeing her friend in so much pain. Eventually the epidural was in and Edwina was able to sleep. She also had induction medication to speed up her labour.

Edwina discusses using the Epi-no to stretch her perineal muscles to prevent tears. She thinks this contributed to the fact that she didn’t tear in either of her births.

Birthing in the hospital where Edwina works also posed added complications as her colleagues all knew she was in birth suits and a couple even dropped in to see how she was going.

With her second pregnancy, Edwina was determined to do things differently and she and her husband both attended independent child birth education classes. She jokes about the fact that her sons head came out and she didn’t have another contraction for quite some time and she was chatting to her midwife while her husband was quite concerned that half his child had been born.

Since having her children Edwina has started her own Child Birth Education classes teaching child birth education and Baby and Child first aide.

Topics covered in todays episode include; Breech baby, Epi-no, perineal massage, child birth education classes, epidural, baby and child first aide, midwifery care.

Birth Beats

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16 | Sophie Cachia: Two Births, Induced Labour, PCOS, Episiotomy, Epidural

Mon, 28 Aug 2017 09:55:16 GMT

In today’s episode, I interview Sophie Cachia, The Young Mummy about her two births. Sophie was diagnosed with the poly cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) at the age of 17 and she was told it was likely she would have a lot of trouble conceiving. Sophie started acupuncture to try and regulate her menstrual cycle when she decided she wanted to try for a baby and she was successful in her first few months of trying.

She suffered chronic morning sickness in Bobby’s pregnancy and ended up taking prescription medication to help ease the discomfort. Throughout the pregnancy, Bobby measured weeks ahead in fondul height measurements. Sophie’s obstetrician at Frances Perry House in Melbourne advised her he wanted to induce her at 38 weeks to ensure the baby didn’t get too big. Sophie was given gell to induce her however they discovered she was already 3cm dilated so labour began quickly. After 26 hours of labour Sophie’s waters were broken and she pushed for over 4 hours. The prolonged pushing stage and the fact that Bobby’s shoulders got stuck resulted in Sophie needing an episiotomy and she also got an anal fissure. The fissure was so significant that Sophie had to under go surgery to repair it 6 months after the birth.

Falling pregnant with Florence proved to be quite difficult for Sophie and after eight disappointing months of trying Sophie’s obstetrician decided it would be best for her to start Clomid to help her ovulate more regularly. Luckily for Sophie, she fell pregnant before the IVF process was needed. Sophie discusses announcing her pregnancy to her social media fans at 9 weeks, the differences between public and private care, challenges in epidural placement and much more. Tune in to hear the full story.

Topics covered in this episode: Poly cystic ovarian syndrome PCOS, morning sickness, epidural, episiotomy, anal fissure, infertility, induction, acupuncture, Clomid, clary sage oil, Royal Women's Hospital, Frances Perry House.

Cachia

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15 | Tegan En Caul Birth Midwifery Care PCOS

Wed, 23 Aug 2017 11:05:32 GMT

In today’s episode, Tegan shares the stories of her three births of Bridget, Charlotte, and her newest addition Billy. Tegan married her high school sweetheart and got pregnant with Bridget at 20. Tegan’s pregnancy with Bridget was smooth and she had midwifery care through her local public hospital. Bridget’s labour went for over 30 hours as she was in a posterior position. Bridget was eventually delivered with the assistance of an episiotomy and the vacuum and after over two hours of pushing, she was delivered. Charlotte's pregnancy gave Tegan quite a lot of back ache which she saw a chiropractor for regular treatment. Charlotte was a very unsettled baby and it wasn’t until she was 11 months old that she was finally diagnosed with a dairy allergy.

After falling pregnant very quickly with both Bridget and Charlotte, Tegan was surprised to find that she was struggling to conceive for the third time. After trying for12months, Tegan was diagnosed for the first time with PCOS Polly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. After being diagnosed with PCOS and after trying for a year Tegan was about to start Metformin to try and help her ovulate more regularly when she conceived naturally.

For Billy’s pregnancy, Tegan had a student midwife who was a friend follow her through the pregnancy and she also had a birth photographer booked for the birth. Billy was delivered in the local hospital with the assistance of midwives. Billy’s head presented in the amniotic sac otherwise know as en caul. The midwives cut the sac as he was delivered with the assistance of gas and air.

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14 | Tenzin Birth Center Birth, Breech, ECV, Water Birth

Mon, 21 Aug 2017 12:27:04 GMT

In this week's episode, I interview Fiona Harrison a Doula, Naturopath and Massage Therapist who works at Fertile Ground Health Group in East Melbourne. Fiona shares the birth story of her second son Tenzin at the Mercy Birth Centre. Fiona went through the team midwifery group practice at the birth center. After finding out her baby was breech at 37 weeks, Fiona describes how she under went an ECV (External cephalic version) to successfully turn the baby into a more optimal position for birth. ECV is a procedure where an obstetrician manually encourages the baby to change position while the mother lies in a tilted bed. This procedure is carefully monitored to make sure that the baby is not under stress.

With a successful ECV, Fiona was able to birth her baby at the birth center with the assistance of a close friend, her husband, and her midwife. She discusses utilising the various treatments offered by her colleagues at Fertile Ground such as Mother roasting as well as taking homeopathic, having acupuncture administered and eating a variety of easily digestible foods.

Topics covered in this episode: external cephalic version, breech babies, pregnancy induction massage, mother roasting, acupuncture, birth centre birth.

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13 | Bree Dunbar Antenatal Depression Elective Caesarean Section

Wed, 16 Aug 2017 10:01:53 GMT

In today’s episode, Breeana gives a very open and honest account of her struggles with severe antenatal depression in her pregnancy with her son. Breeana’s pregnancy began with severe morning sickness and emotionally she became quite unwell. Supported through the mental health unit at the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne, Bree saw a physiatrist throughout the pregnancy and together they decided that the best option to support her mental health was to have an elective caesarean. The Women’s were supportive of Bree’s decision and allowed her to book in her delivery.

Thankfully immediately after baby Ari’s delivery Bree said she felt immediately better. Although Bree is extremely grateful that her recovery was quite quick, she wants to reiterate that post natal depression often follows antenatal depression.

Bree also shares with us her decision to have a tubal ligation after Ari was born. She knew that she didn’t want to have any more children and that she didn’t feel she could possibly go through pregnancy again. Bree touches on issues of guild and shame at some of her choices she made in her pregnancy but wants to share her experience to help others support and understand antenatal depression in more detail.

Issues touched upon in this episode:

Depression, pregnancy termination, mental health, suicide, antenatal depression, severe morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum), tubal ligation, elective caesarean section, anti depressants.

Resources:

Pregnancy Counselling Australia

ph: 1300 737 732

Life line

ph: 13 11 14

PANDA

Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia

ph:1300 726 306

Australian Birth Stories

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12 | Lael Three Births, Induced Labour, Home Water Birth, Footling Breech

Mon, 14 Aug 2017 10:23:40 GMT

In today’s episode I had the privilege of speaking with Lael Stone. Lael has worked in the birth community for over 14 years. She has worked as a doula, childbirth educator and Calmbirth practitioner. Lael is also an Aware Parenting instructor who has worked with women who have had birth trauma. Further to this she also teaches Sex Education to teenagers. Lael has interviewed and collected birth experience data from hundreds of Australian women throughout her career. This data provided insight and motivation to develop the About Birth Online Education Program.

Today she shares with us the births of her three children who are now 17, 14 and 9 years old. Lael beautifully recounts the journey of her first pregnancy and labour where she had little to no birth knowledge and experience. This lead to a long, intervention filled, traumatic birth. This experience lead to her to explore alternative birthing options for her second birth. She decided to hire an independent midwife and doctor for a home birth. For her third pregnancy Lael explains that she wanted to draw on all her birth experience and knowledge from having worked in the field to have the best possible birth. Her third and most challenging birth unfolded very differently and challenged her in the most profound way. Tune in to hear what happened in more detail.

Topics covered in today’s show: Hospital birth, epidural, episiotomy, birth trauma, home birth, water birth, footling breech baby, emergency section, neonatal care, breastfeeding, midwifery care, calmbirth.

Here are a list of resources mentioned in this episode:

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11 | Mabel, Two Home Births and a Hospital Hallway Birth, Hypnobirthing Practitioner and Doula

Mon, 07 Aug 2017 09:22:01 GMT

In today’s episode Amy Ozmanhodzic shares three very different and beautiful birth stories. During Amy’s first pregnancy she discovered hypnobirthing and she credits the skills she learnt from her hypnobirthing training for the three unmedicated beautiful births she was able to achieve. Amy was so blown away by hypnobirthing, that after her second child she trained as a hypnobirth practitioner and she now also works as a birthing Doula in the Byron Bay Hinterlands.

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After seeing her sister in law have a home birth, Amy decided at 31 weeks that she wanted to change her birth plans and have a home birth herself. She moved on to the community midwifery care program and didn't look back. During her second pregnancy at 39 weeks Amy’s fundal measurement (the measure of the size of the uterus used to assess fetal growth) showed that there had been little change in growth over three weeks. The midwife was concerned that the baby wasn’t growing so Amy was sent to have an ultrasound at King Edward Memorial Hospital to check on the baby's development and amniotic fluid levels. The doctor advised that her amniotic fluid was on the lower side of normal. She was advised there was 5% chance her baby would become stressed in labour. She was then advised that she would have to deliver her second baby in hospital. Amy's waters then broke as she left the hospital. to hear more tune into episode 11 of the podcast.

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10 | Avery Tinder Surprise Baby, Single Parent, Pre Eclampsia, Emergency Caesarean Section

Tue, 01 Aug 2017 01:13:47 GMT

In today’s episode Renae openly shares going through pregnancy and raising her little ‘Tinder Surprise’ baby Avery as a single parent. Renae had hyperemesis gravidarum (sever morning sickness) throughout the pregnancy which required medication. She also discovered at 37 weeks that she had pre eclampsia. The swelling symptoms of pre eclampsia coupled with living in another state from her immediate family made for an uncomfortable pregnancy which Renae didn't enjoy. After receiving test results back from the lab Renae’s private obstetrician rang her when she was 37 weeks and told her to leave work and come into the hospital as soon as possible. Avery was born by caesarean section the next day after her pre eclampsia became dangerous for both Renae and her baby.

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9 | Lockie Unassisted Car Birth Hypnobirthing Practitioner

Tue, 25 Jul 2017 05:26:08 GMT

In this week’s episode Melissa Ayling from Hypnobirthing Geraldton shares with us the beautiful and remarkable birth of her son Lockie who was born on the way to hospital in her car. Melissa drew on her training as a hypnobirthing practitioner to trust in her body’s ability to birth her baby unassisted with her husband receiving her little boy on the side of the road. This story is not to be missed.

Melissa chose to deliver her placenta physiologically, that is without the use of the drug syntocinon. Commonly the third stage of labour is ‘actively managed’ in Australian hospitals in the management of the third stage of labour (placenta delivery).

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8 | Phoebe Induced Labour with Midwives Mercy Public Hospital for Women, Team Midwifery Care

Tue, 18 Jul 2017 12:54:04 GMT

In today’s episode Phoebe tells the story of the birth of her first child Alex. Phoebe had midwifery care through her local public hospital which has a birth centre attached. She had a healthy pregnancy with no major health concerns. When Phoebe went in for her stress test at 41 weeks, the midwives discovered that there were some irregularities with the foetal monitoring of her little boy. As a precaution Phoebe was kept in for monitoring and it turns out she wasn't able to go home until she had delivered a couple of days later.

Phoebe discusses the challenges of using a balloon catheter to induce labour. She also shares how she chose to use the clip, (also known as a foetal scalp electrode which is inserted into the baby while still in utero) for monitoring her baby's heart rate. By using the clip Phoebe was not restricted by the monitoring tape that often slips and is uncomfortable for many women during labour. Phoebe drew on the skills she had gained through her reading of Juju Sundin’s Birth Skills to help her reframe the pain of her contractions to assist her through having an induced labour.

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7 | Kate Phillips VBAC Attempt Second Birth Frances Perry Private Hospital

Tue, 11 Jul 2017 01:54:24 GMT

In today's episode, Kate shares the story of the birth of her second son Jude. Kate had planned a VBAC for Jude's birth after having an emergency caesarean after a long posterior labour with her first child Archie.

Kate discusses the challenges in falling pregnant a second time around and suffering a miscarriage. She sought help on an acupuncturist and decided to go through the private hospital system at Frances Perry House Instead of going through midwifery care at the Royal Women's.

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06 | Cara Webber Long Posterior Labour, Caesarean Section Frances Perry Private Hospital

Tue, 04 Jul 2017 00:42:24 GMT

In this week's epidode Cara shares the story of her son Banjo's birth at Frances Perry Private Hospital in Melbourne. After labouring at home for two days Cara went into hospital to find that the baby was in a posterior position. Cara had her waters broken by her midwife in an attempt to help progress the labour however the baby failed to rotate. After using Gas and Air and then having an epidural, Cara's baby boy was delivered by an emergency caesarean section.

Cara discusses taking Calm Birth classes as well as Preggie Bellies exercise classes and how she kept very healthy drinking fruit and vegetable drinks throughout her pregnancy. Cara also discusses the challenges of breastfeeding, post part blues and sever constipation that required her to return to hospital on day five after delivering Banjo. This episode will make you cry for all the right reasons. A must listen.

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05 | Emma Vaughn Posterior Labour with Shared Care in a Royal Women's Public Hospital

Tue, 27 Jun 2017 00:38:56 GMT

In this episode Emma tells the story of her prolonged posterior labour with her little boy Raphael. Emma had a relatively easy pregnancy, overseen by her local GP and the midwives at the local public hospital. Her labour began with her waters rupturing in the middle of the night and contractions started a few hours later. After labouring at home for quite a few hours Emma transferred to the hospital to find she was in fact only dilated 1cm.

After morphine and several more hours of difficult contractions, Emma’s labour failed to progress due to the baby’s positioning. After induction medication, two epidurals and an episiotomy Raphael was born and Emma was able to reach down and bring him to her chest.

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04 | Edie and Willem IVF, Home Birth Transfers Public Hospital

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 05:52:00 GMT

In this episode, Katie shares the story of the birth of Edie and then her son Willem. Edie was conceived through IVF after 5 years of actively trying to conceive ‘naturally’. Willem was conceived naturally as a complete and welcomed surprise two years later. After very careful research and consideration, Katie planned to birth both her babies at home with private midwives.

After labouring for 24 hours at home under the care of her private midwives, Katie transferred to hospital after the labour was slow to progress and exhaustion was setting in. Edie was delivered in a public hospital with the assistance of induction medication and an epidural.

Willem's home birth took a turn when Katie passed a large blood clot early on in the labour. Katie's midwife advised her to go into hospital to ensure everything was ok and she delivered him later that day with the support of her husband and private midwife.

Katie’s Recommended resources:

Birth with Confidence: Savvy choices for normal birth - Rhea Dempsey

Active Birth - Janet Balaskas

Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth - Ina May Gaskin

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03 | Lucy Stanhope IVF Induced Birth Mitcham Private Hospital

Tue, 13 Jun 2017 01:09:05 GMT

In this weeks episode, Lucy tells the story of the birth of her second child Holly. Both Lucy’s pregnancies were achieved with the assistance of IVF. Lucy discusses the challenges IVF, having Hyperemesis Gravidarum (server morning sickness) and gestational diabetes.

Lucy was very pleased to have achieved an unmedicated vaginal delivery after having undergone an epidural, episiotomy and forceps with her first delivery of her son Dan. Lucy describes her labour as a positive induction story as she felt like it was carefully monitored by a midwife she quickly built a good rapport with.

Topics Covered: IVF, Low sperm count, morning sickness, private obsetricain, induced labour, breastfeeding.

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02 | Hilary Walker Induced Labour Royal Women's Hospital COSMOS Program with Midwives

Mon, 05 Jun 2017 03:29:07 GMT

Hilary's waters went at home the day before Sonny's due date. As she had tested Strep B positive, her midwife asked her to come into the hospital to be induced immediately. Sonny's labour was incredibly intense and Hilary found little to no relief in between contractions. She recalls that her husband only left her side for a one minute toilet break during the 8.5 hour labour, and even that was duly noted as being too long. Despite practicing yoga and active birth techniques from Juju Sundin's book 'Birth Skills' , Hilary found the pain overwhelming and cried out for a c-section after 5 hours. She then attempted Gas and Air which she loved. She discusses her birth plan (which stated to offer no pain relief) and doesn't recommend detailing your birth plan in this way - she wishes she had been offered Gas and Air earlier.

Sonny was mal positioned and Hilary was on all fours for part of her birth, trying to turn him into a better position for delivery. She ended up delivering on her back, which was not what she had envisioned for herself. After 35 minutes of pushing, Sonny arrived. These beautiful images are the very few she has of her labour, which she'd hoped to have been able to document in more detail (being a photographer). Hilary looks forward to a second attempt at putting Juju Sundin's techniques in an unmedicated birth if she decides to try for a second baby.

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01 | Sophie Walker Unmedicated Birth Centre Birth, Case Load Midwife

Mon, 29 May 2017 10:46:01 GMT

After a long 36 hour first birth with my son Niko, (which included an epidural, an episiotomy, forceps and then a postpartum haemorrhage) I was determined to have another attempt at an unmedicated birth centre birth. Louis' birth came right as planned the day before his due date allowing for his Dad to help out during his school holidays. Louis' labour started quickly at home in the middle of the night and resulted in the birth centre birth I had planned for. Arriving at the birth centre at 5am Louis was born at 7am and we were all home for dinner at 7pm. I used hypnobirthing techniques, yoga, pilates, massage and acupuncture to assist in the preparation for the second birth I had dreamt of.

Louis dropped very little weight after his birth and I attribute this to his voracious appetite. I supplemented his first feeds with colostrum that I had pumped and frozen prior to his birth. I used the frozen colostrum and fed him through a syringe so as to avoid any early possible nipple confusion. The photo above shows me and my sister Hilary (see episode 2 for Sonny's birth story) breastfeeding together in my birth centre room just 2 hours after Louis' birth.

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