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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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. 

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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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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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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