In today’s episode, I sit down with Maida Macdonald from Victoria, British Columbia, who shares the birth story of her child, Malin.

Living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), other chronic illnesses and mental health challenges, Maida had some anxiety around accessing medical care but planned to give birth in hospital with plenty of support from medical professionals. Instead, at 35 weeks, she got quite the surprise when she realized she was in labour only after her baby’s head had already emerged. Moments later, Malin was born unexpectedly on her bathroom floor.

Maida also opens up about the trauma and postpartum depression she experienced following the birth, and the resources and support that helped her through that time.

This is an incredible and unexpected birth story that may particularly resonate with those navigating pregnancy and new motherhood alongside chronic illness, mental health challenges or postpartum depression.

About Maida:

Maida Macdonald, RTCc, is a counsellor based in Victoria, British Columbia. You can learn more about Maida and her counselling practice here: https://www.facebook.com/revive.maida

Resources shared in this episode:

Baby Academy

Best Babies (Victoria, BC)

Follow along and connect:

📷 @canadianbirthjourneyspodcast

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/canadianbirthjourneyspodcast/⁠⁠

If you enjoy the show, please consider following, sharing with a friend, or leaving a rating and review. I'm also always looking for guests from across Canada who would like to share their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences.

In this episode, I talk with Erin from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, who shares the birth stories of welcoming her two children, Kasperi and Fox.

Erin's first birth took place in Southwestern Ontario and ended in an unexpected C-section after an induction. Before becoming pregnant again, she used EMDR therapy to process and heal from her birth experience.

During her second pregnancy, Erin became deeply interested in understanding birth interventions and preparing both her mind and body for a home birth VBAC.

In this episode, we discuss birth trauma, EMDR, nervous system regulation, home birth after C-section, spirituality, faith, and matrescence—the transition into motherhood and the restructuring of identity and personal values that often accompanies it.

This is a thoughtful and insightful conversation filled with practical wisdom for anyone preparing for birth, navigating motherhood, or healing after a difficult birth experience.

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Bridget Teyler videos

VBAC link

Follow along and connect:

📷 @canadianbirthjourneyspodcast

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/canadianbirthjourneyspodcast/⁠⁠

If you enjoy the show, please consider following, sharing with a friend, or leaving a rating and review. I'm also always looking for guests from across Canada who would like to share their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences.

In this episode, I talk with Bethany from Woodstock, Ontario, who shares the birth stories of her two children, her daughter Eloise and her son Henrik. 

For her first birth, Bethany chose midwifery care and planned a hospital birth. She went 10 days past her due date and was advised to have an induction after an ultrasound showed low amniotic fluid. Although she had done a lot of preparation for labour, she found it difficult to use the pain management techniques she had learned because her contractions came one after another with very little break in between.

For her second birth, Bethany decided to hire a doula to help advocate for her birth preferences and remind her to use those same coping techniques during labour. Partway through that pregnancy, she learned at her anatomy scan that she had a partial placenta previa and had to wait until 34 weeks before it resolved and she could begin envisioning another vaginal birth. Once again, she went past her due date, and another ultrasound showed low amniotic fluid, leading to a second induction.

Bethany also shares her experience navigating breastfeeding challenges with both of her children. With her first, she was advised to triple feed to help increase her milk supply, and she ended up pumping for nine months. She reflects on what she learned from that experience, how she approached feeding differently with her second baby, and how she ultimately found peace with her decision.

Follow along and connect:

📷 @canadianbirthjourneyspodcast

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/canadianbirthjourneyspodcast/⁠⁠

If you enjoy the show, please consider following, sharing with a friend, or leaving a rating and review. I'm also always looking for guests from across Canada who would like to share their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences.

Resources shared in this episode:

Guide to Childbirth - Ina May Gaskin 

Expecting Better - Emily Oster 

Hypnobirthing: Practical Ways to Make Your Birth Better - Siobhan Miller

Hypnobirthing The Mongan Method - Marie Mongan

Tummies to Toes Prenatal class

Gentle Birth app

In this episode, I talk with Lauren from Victoria, BC to hear the stories of welcoming her two children, Harper and Rory.

Lauren's first pregnancy began just as the world shut down during COVID-19, which meant much of her prenatal care with her midwives happened over the phone. After going past her Christmas Day due date, she went into labour on December 29th and laboured for nearly two days before meeting Harper by C-section. Her story includes a surprising twist that neither of us saw coming.

A little over two years later, Lauren was pregnant again and hoped for a VBAC (vaginal birth after Caesarean). As her due date came and went, and after weighing several factors—including concerns about baby's size—she ultimately chose to have a planned repeat C-section to welcome her son, Rory.

We also talk about Lauren's postpartum journey with both of her children, including having to triple feed for a time with her first and navigating challenging sleep with her second.

Follow along and connect:

📷 @canadianbirthjourneyspodcast

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/canadianbirthjourneyspodcast/⁠⁠

If you enjoy the show, please consider following, sharing with a friend, or leaving a rating and review. I'm also always looking for guests from across Canada who would like to share their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences.

In today’s episode, I share the birth story of my second son, Jake.

After Sam’s birth, there were a few things I hoped would be different this time. I was hoping to give birth in the water, experience the urge to push, all while surrendering to the unique birth that this journey would surely be.

I also talk about the pressure I felt as I went past my due date, as well as the unexpected guilt and grief that came with the transition from one child to two.

I was fortunate to have another positive birth experience, and I’m excited to share it with you.

Follow along and connect:

📷 @canadianbirthjourneyspodcast

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/canadianbirthjourneyspodcast/⁠⁠

If you enjoy the show, please consider following, sharing with a friend, or leaving a rating and review. I'm also always looking for guests from across Canada who would like to share their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences.

In today's episode, I interview Kayla, who shares the story of her physiological hospital birth. She talks about choosing midwifery care and hiring a doula to support her throughout pregnancy and birth. During pregnancy, Kayla experienced symptoms including reflux, sciatica pain, and varicose veins.

Labor began one morning at 39 weeks, and after spending most of her labor at home, Kayla arrived at the hospital and welcomed her son just an hour and a half later — much faster than she had expected. Kayla also shares about experiencing a third-degree tear and what her healing and recovery looked like postpartum.

This episode is especially helpful for expectant first-time moms, as Kayla provides thoughtful and detailed descriptions of her pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum experience.

Follow along and connect:

📷 @canadianbirthjourneyspodcast

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/canadianbirthjourneyspodcast/⁠⁠

If you enjoy the show, please consider following, sharing with a friend, or leaving a rating and review. I'm also always looking for guests from across Canada who would like to share their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences.

In this episode, Samantha shares how she came to the decision to have children and move back to her hometown in Southwestern Ontario to be closer to family. She always knew she wanted midwifery care, and after attending an information session at her local clinic, decided to plan for a home birth as well.

Her pregnancy took an unexpected turn when she discovered her baby was breech at 36 weeks. She chose to try an ECV, which was successful. After a stretch and sweep, she went into labor at 41 weeks, and her daughter Josephina was born in the birth pool the following morning.

Samantha also opens up about her experience with postpartum rage and how she sought help after being encouraged by a friend’s vulnerability in sharing similar struggles. She later welcomed her second daughter at the beginning of COVID—another successful home birth.

Follow along and connect:

📷 @canadianbirthjourneyspodcast

⁠https://www.instagram.com/canadianbirthjourneyspodcast/⁠

If you enjoy the show, please consider following, sharing with a friend, or leaving a rating and review. I'm also always looking for guests from across Canada who would like to share their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences.

*Note: This episode was recorded when I was 39 weeks pregnant with my second son, Jake, and Sam was 20 months old. By the time this episode was published, Jake had already been born.

In this episode, I’m sharing the birth story of my first baby, Sam. After about a year and a half of trying to conceive, I reflect on that journey and the challenges of infertility.

My pregnancy was relatively smooth, with a few bumps along the way—including a scare during the Enhanced First Trimester Screening and failing my first gestational diabetes test. I did a lot of birth prep through a local clinic in Woodstock and was under midwifery care, planning a home water birth.

At 39 weeks and 4 days, I went into labor and 25 hours later, Sam was born on our couch.

Follow along and connect:

📷 @canadianbirthjourneyspodcast
https://www.instagram.com/canadianbirthjourneyspodcast/

If you enjoy the show, please consider following, sharing with a friend, or leaving a rating and review. I'm also always looking for guests from across Canada who would like to share their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences.