Her Herd

In this episode, we sit down with Shara, a rural mum who shares the extraordinary journey of her four births - each one completely different, each shaped by its own set of challenges, decisions, and lessons. From a hospital birth during the peak of COVID-19 restrictions at just 21, to the calm of a water birth, the chaos of an unplanned roadside delivery, and finally, a planned home birth supported by family - Shara’s story is full of grit, self-trust, and quiet determination.

She reflects on what it was like navigating a system with limited midwifery options and no continuity of care, and how that shaped her choices along the way. With every birth, Shara grew more confident in listening to her body, asking questions, and making informed decisions - even when they went against what others expected.

This is a story about learning as you go, finding your voice, and doing birth your own way - four times over. We’re so grateful to Shara for sharing her story with us. It’s one that reminds us just how strong women are, and how every birth deserves to be seen and heard.

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In this episode, we sit down with Jordan, a mum of three from regional NSW, who shares her story of welcoming her son River into the world - born with a cleft lip and palate.

Jordan speaks with openness and heart about the shock of receiving River’s diagnosis at the 20-week scan, and the uncertainty that followed. From a planned caesarean at 36 weeks to feeding challenges, early surgeries, and the many moments in between - this is a story about strength, love, and learning to parent through the unexpected.

She reflects on the emotional toll, the anxiety about what lay ahead, and the deep bond that grew between them despite the complexities of care. There’s honesty here about the grief, but also so much joy and pride. Jordan also shares beautiful advice for other parents navigating similar paths - reminding us that even when things don’t go to plan, there is still room for connection, beauty, and hope.

This is an episode about finding your feet while the ground is shifting. About advocacy, adjustment, and showing up for your baby in every way you can.

We’re so grateful to Jordan for sharing River’s story with us.

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In this episode, we sit down with Leah, a mum of three living in Narrabri, who shares the raw, beautiful, and at times deeply challenging journey of becoming a parent in regional Australia.

Leah’s story spans fertility struggles, an ectopic pregnancy, IVF, and the surprise of naturally conceiving identical twins. With honesty and grace, she talks us through what it was like to face medical emergencies far from major hospitals, to drive hours for basic care, and to navigate high-risk pregnancies and diagnoses with limited local resources.

From emergency surgery and IVF in Sydney, to a twin pregnancy complicated by talipes (club foot) and preterm labour at 33 weeks, Leah and her husband Pat have weathered it all with resilience and love. Their twins were born at 36 weeks via c-section and required follow-up treatment far from home - adding another layer to an already complex postpartum experience.

Leah also speaks to the emotional toll - the quiet grief of pregnancy loss, the mental load of parenting under pressure, and the importance of protecting your mental health when the system isn’t built for families like yours.

This is a story about trust, distance, diagnosis, and sheer determination. We’re so grateful to Leah for sharing it with us. It’s one that will stay with you.

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Tylia shares the story of her first pregnancy with her son Harvey, now almost four - a pregnancy marked by placenta previa, a short cervix, leaking fluids and a birth that ended in a fast labour, significant blood loss, and later, complications that went undetected for six weeks.

Her second pregnancy, after a heartbreaking miscarriage, was shadowed by anxiety and uncertainty. From an ovarian cyst to worrying scans, and finally, early induction at 37 weeks due to low fluid and a calcifying placenta - every step required Tylia to dig deep for faith, trust, and connection. She speaks candidly about the emotional toll of pregnancy after loss - how difficult it is to bond, to hope, to believe your baby will make it here safely. And she opens up about the challenges of accessing maternity care from her rural community, an hour from the nearest hospital, and the strain that distance can place on decision-making, reassurance, and basic monitoring.

Tylia’s story is one of deep love, lingering fear, and incredible resilience. We are so grateful to her, and to her family, for trusting us with her story.

We hope this episode helps other rural families navigating pregnancy after loss feel a little more seen, a little more supported, and a little less alone.

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In this episode, we sit down with Kylie, a certified pregnancy, birth, and postpartum doula from Griffith, NSW. Kylie shares her personal journey into motherhood, a journey filled with unexpected twists, deep resilience, and the kind of hard-earned wisdom that now shapes the beautiful support she offers to other families.

Kylie takes us through both of her births: from being hospitalised at the end of her first pregnancy with a severe respiratory infection, to an emergency caesarean where she lost consciousness and woke up alone in recovery. Her story doesn’t stop there. Kylie developed a rare nerve condition, Parsonage Turner syndrome, leading to the loss of function in her arm and two years of intense physiotherapy. Add to that postnatal anxiety, and you get a raw, real, and incredibly brave insight into the hidden layers of early motherhood.

With her second pregnancy, Kylie faced gestational diabetes, another caesarean, and again, complications with spinal anesthesia and the return of nerve pain and anxiety. But through it all, her strength, humour, and fierce love for her boys; Spencer and Miles shine through. Now, as a working doula, Kylie channels her lived experience into her practice, offering calm, continuous, and deeply compassionate care to families across rural NSW. She speaks candidly about the importance of birth education, postpartum planning, and supporting not just the birthing person, but their partners too.

This conversation is raw, heartfelt, and full of moments that will stay with you long after you’ve listened. There’s laughter, deep emotion, and so much insight. Kylie’s story is a powerful reminder of why support in birth and postpartum truly matters.

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This episode is one of those rare, unforgettable conversations—equal parts hilarious, heartbreaking, and deeply human. Georgie, a beautiful soul from Narromine, NSW (and an incredibly talented baby photographer), joins us to share her deeply personal journey through love, pregnancy, and unimaginable loss.

From the laugh-out-loud stories of life on the road with her husband during their 15-month Aussie lap, to the moments that made us hold our breath and wipe away tears—this one has it all. Georgie’s pregnancy with mono-mono twins, Ella and Eden, came with huge risks and even bigger emotions. It’s not often you hear about these kinds of pregnancies, and Georgie speaks with such honesty, grace, and strength.

We talk about everything—gestational diabetes, navigating rural healthcare, the surreal experience of stillbirth at 20 weeks, and what it means to be held by community when your world falls apart. There’s also raw insight into the hospital experience, birth and death certificates, epidurals, and the need for better postnatal care—especially in the bush.

Recording this episode was an emotional rollercoaster in the best way. It was one of the funniest, most fun, and yet saddest chats we’ve had—and honestly, we could’ve talked to Georgie all day. We hope you find connection, compassion, and courage in her story.

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What happens when maternity services start disappearing from rural towns? For Alecia, it wasn’t a question, it was her reality. In this episode, Jen Laurie chats with Alecia from the Maternity Consumers Network (MCN), whose passion for improving maternity care started close to home and quickly turned into a statewide movement.

Back in 2020, MCN launched the Bush Babies campaign in Queensland, an 18-month push to protect and restore maternity services in rural communities. What started as a local fight became a catalyst for real change, helping to reopen facilities and bring national attention to the growing gaps in rural care.

Alecia shares what it’s like to raise your voice from a small town, and how she’s helped build MCN into the largest maternity consumer organisation in the country. From the challenges of accessing respectful care to the emotional impact of birthing far from home, this conversation is real, raw, and full of heart.

She also talks about the groundbreaking Respect for Maternity Care training that MCN created, now delivered in over 50 maternity services around Australia. Backed by the federal government, it’s helping change the way providers support women during birth and beyond, with a focus on reducing trauma and increasing informed consent.

Alecia’s story is proof that big change can start in small places, and that women’s voices, when amplified, can reshape systems.

In this episode, we cover:

• How the 2020 Bush Babies campaign helped spark statewide change
• The real-life impact of losing local birth services
• Why respectful, trauma-informed care matters—and how it’s being taught across the country
• The importance of community-driven advocacy
• Alecia’s role in launching a publicly funded home birth pilot on the Sunshine Coast

This one’s for anyone who cares about birth, equity, and making sure rural families aren’t left behind. Don’t miss it.

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This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Jemimah - mother of three, passionate advocate for intentional movement, and the founder of Moved, a beautiful studio based in Armidale, Northern NSW. Jemimah isn’t just a guest - she’s also a listener of the podcast, and I absolutely love when our community becomes part of the conversation.

Jemimah’s story is deeply rooted in themes that will resonate with so many of you: consent, autonomy, trusting your intuition, and the powerful reminder that your voice matters—especially in birth spaces. She takes us through her three unique birth journeys and shares how the book Birth Skills by Juju Sundin helped equip her with movement tools that supported her through labor—from gripping a hairbrush for sensory focus to using her voice as a powerful release.

But Jemimah’s story doesn’t stop at birth. Her journey from teaching aerobic-style classes to founding Moved was inspired by biomechanist Katie Bowman’s philosophy that movement is not just exercise - it’s nourishment. In this episode, Jemimah shares how she helps women integrate quality, functional movement into their everyday lives and why it matters so deeply—especially in postpartum recovery. We also explore the quieter, more tender sides of motherhood: what it means to surrender, to hold boundaries, and to advocate for yourself in a system that often makes that difficult. One of the most powerful messages Jemimah shares is this: you are allowed to say “no thank you.” That’s your right. Movement is nourishment. Your body, your choices.

Stay tuned to the end for a beautiful offering: a special online postnatal movement class available to all listeners—including those who have experienced loss. It’s a gentle, welcoming invitation to reconnect with your body, wherever you are in your journey.

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This is a truly fascinating story—one that offers a rare glimpse into life in one of the most remote corners of Australia. It’s not often that I get the opportunity to speak with someone who has lived as remotely as today’s guest. Claire’s journey is remarkable: after leaving her career in the wine-making regions of Canada, she and her husband made the bold decision to move to Groote Eylandt, a secluded island in the Northern Territory, to start their family.

Life on Groote is both breathtaking and challenging. The landscapes are stunning—untamed wilderness, endless blue horizons, and a deep connection to the land. But with such beauty comes isolation. Most forms of medical care require a flight to the mainland, raising profound questions about how one prepares for birth in such a remote location.

Claire’s story is also one of contrast. Her first baby was conceived and born on Groote, surrounded by its wild, remote beauty. Her second, however, was born in Tasmania—an entirely different environment, yet just as significant in its own way. Both births were beautiful, yet starkly different, highlighting how place, access to care, and personal experience can profoundly shape the journey into motherhood.

This is an incredible testament to the power of intuition, resilience, and trust in one’s body. Claire speaks beautifully about how women are often “forged in the fire” of their experiences, with each challenge shaping the way they navigate future ones. Her reflections on pregnancy and birth offer deep insight into what it means to listen to yourself, embrace uncertainty, and find strength in the unknown.

Stay tuned until the very end—Claire shares some of the most profound and empowering advice I’ve heard on the podcast so far. And if her story resonates with you, you’re in luck! Claire runs Your Brighter Beginnings, offering a suite of resources and support for mothers during pregnancy and postpartum.

This is a conversation you won’t want to miss—one that will transport you to the vast and remote beauty of Groote Eylandt while exploring how the experience of birth can be shaped by the places we call home.

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Welcome to today's episode! If you love scrolling through warm, beautiful corners of the internet, chances are you’ve come across Sara’s world—StoneyCreek Flower Farm. It’s one of those peaceful, inspiring spaces that might even have you planning your own trip to a nursery.

But today, we’re stepping beyond the flowers and into an incredible birth story—one that highlights the challenges of giving birth in a rural town where maternity services can be put on bypass at any time. Sara, a mother of two beautiful boys, Archie and Freddie, experienced this firsthand when she went into labor with Freddie, only to find that the local maternity ward wasn’t available.

If you’re a rural woman navigating a similar reality—where services can suddenly be unavailable, and you’re left wondering how to plan for your own birth—this episode is for you. Sara’s story is powerful, eye-opening, and one that every expecting mother in a rural community needs to hear.

A huge thank you to Sara for sharing her story with such raw, beautiful honesty—layered with the practicality and strength we’ve come to know and love from women of the bush. Your openness and courage in telling this story will no doubt resonate with so many, offering both insight and support to those facing similar challenges. We’re so grateful to have had you on to share this journey.

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