Kiwi Birth Tales

This episode of Kiwi Birth Tales is proudly sponsored by Woolworths NZ in support of the Little Miracles Trust.

In this episode I speak with Lucy about her spontaneous triplet pregnancy and the journey to welcoming her babies, Lainey, Archer and Morgan, at 30 weeks gestation.

Lucy shares what it was like finding out she was expecting triplets at her first ultrasound, navigating a high-risk pregnancy with Maternal Fetal Medicine, and the emotional weight of carrying three babies while facing serious medical complications including twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

We talk through:

• Finding out she was pregnant with spontaneous triplets
• A high-risk multiple pregnancy
• Identical twins sharing a placenta
• Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS)
• Severe pregnancy sickness and fatigue
• Being admitted to hospital at 29 weeks
• Emergency caesarean birth
• Premature babies born at 29 weeks
• NICU and SCBU life with triplets
• Kangaroo care and bonding with premature babies
• Ronald McDonald House
• Exclusive pumping and feeding premature babies
• Navigating maternal mental health during a NICU stay
• Lainey’s pneumothorax and serious infection
• Bringing triplets home
• The reality of life with newborn triplets

Lucy also shares honestly about the emotional impact of NICU life, feeling disconnected after birth, and the lack of postpartum support for mothers once their babies are admitted to intensive care.

I'm incredibly grateful to Woolworths NZ and Little Miracles Trust for supporting this month’s episodes focused on NICU and SCBU journeys.

Your Birth Project Online Hypnobirthing Course

https://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/book-a-free-nurse-consult

Please seek support for any mental health concerns. Some helpful links are below:

Mental Health in Pregnancy

Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Aotearoa

Plunket - Dads Mental Health

Little Shadow - Private Counselling NZ

Find me @kiwibirthtales and @yourbirthproject

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

This episode of Kiwi Birth Tales is proudly sponsored by Woolworths NZ in support of the Little Miracles Trust.

This week on Kiwi Birth Tales I speak with Phoebe about her journey to motherhood with her daughter Amelie.

Phoebe’s pregnancy was mostly textbook until late in her third trimester when repeated growth scans showed her baby was measuring large. After discussions with Auckland Hospital, Phoebe chose to be induced at 38-39 weeks due to concerns around shoulder dystocia and baby’s size.

In this episode Phoebe shares her two-day induction, intense labour, emergency csection birth and the scary moments after Amelie was born and unable to breathe independently, resulting in a short NICU stay.

We also talk through Phoebe’s incredibly difficult postpartum experience. Around 12 weeks postpartum she developed severe back pain which was eventually diagnosed as Pregnancy and Lactation Osteoporosis (PLO), a rare condition that caused multiple spinal fractures while breastfeeding.

Phoebe speaks honestly about birth trauma, postpartum mental health, physical recovery, self advocacy and navigating another pregnancy after such a challenging first experience.

In this episode we cover:

• Textbook pregnancy and easy conception
• Growth scans and suspected large baby
• Choosing induction at 38-39 weeks
• Two-day induction at Auckland Hospital
• Epidural and labour slowing down
• Emergency caesarean birth
• Baby requiring NICU support after birth
• Birth trauma and postpartum emotions
• Breastfeeding and cluster feeding
• Severe postpartum back pain
• Multiple spinal compression fractures
• Pregnancy & Lactation Osteoporosis (PLO)
• Weaning and recovery
• Preparing for baby number two after trauma
• Postpartum depression
• 
  

Your Birth Project Online Hypnobirthing Course

https://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/book-a-free-nurse-consult

Please seek support for any mental health concerns. Some helpful links are below:

Mental Health in Pregnancy

Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Aotearoa

Plunket - Dads Mental Health

Little Shadow - Private Counselling NZ

Find me @kiwibirthtales and @yourbirthproject

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

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

This episode of Kiwi Birth Tales is proudly sponsored by Woolworths NZ in support of the Little Miracles Trust.

In this episode of Kiwi Birth Tales, I speak to Brianna. After experiencing reduced movements later in pregnancy, Bri underwent further monitoring where concerns were identified around cord blood flow. She shares the events that led to an emergency c-section at 35 weeks, Oakley’s transfer to Auckland Hospital NICU, and the emotional realities of navigating NICU and SCBU as a new mum.

We also talk about recovery, feeding challenges, support systems and life after bringing home a late preterm baby. Some of the topics we cover:

• Reduced fetal movements in pregnancy
• Abnormal cord blood flow pregnancy
• CTG monitoring during pregnancy
• Maternal fetal medicine involvement
• Emergency c-section at 35 weeks
• Late preterm birth experience
• NICU experience in New Zealand
• Baby transferred to Auckland Hospital NICU
• SCBU and NICU journey
• Recovery after emergency c-section
• Breastfeeding and pumping after NICU birth
• Formula feeding after NICU
• Jaundice and blue light therapy
• Mental health after NICU
• Little Miracles Trust support
• Parenting a premature baby

Your Birth Project Online Hypnobirthing Course

https://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/book-a-free-nurse-consult

Please seek support for any mental health concerns. Some helpful links are below:

Mental Health in Pregnancy

Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Aotearoa

Plunket - Dads Mental Health

Little Shadow - Private Counselling NZ

Find me @kiwibirthtales and @yourbirthproject

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

This episode of Kiwi Birth Tales is proudly sponsored by Woolworths NZ in support of the Little Miracles Trust.

In this episode of Kiwi Birth Tales, I speak to Samantha - we focus on her second pregnancy, which she conceived through IVF. Her pregnancy was not without challenges and they spent a lot of time in NICU as Otis was born just before 30 weeks. Some of the topics we cover:

• IVF journey and embryo transfer
• Early pregnancy after IVF
• Bleeding in early pregnancy (week 10)
• Subchorionic hematoma and pregnancy complications
• Heavy bleeding at 13 weeks
• Increased risk factors identified during pregnancy
• Amniocentesis and genetic testing
• Anatomy scan and ongoing monitoring
• Pregnancy anxiety after complications
• Hospital stays during pregnancy
• Premature labour at 28 weeks
• Emergency response and hospital admission
• Birth of a premature baby
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) experience
• Oxygen support and respiratory challenges in newborns
• Feeding challenges and NICU care
• Emotional impact of NICU on parents
• Transition from NICU to Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU)
• Preparing to take baby home after NICU
• Life after NICU and early newborn period
• Long-term development and health outcomes

Your Birth Project Online Hypnobirthing Course

https://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/book-a-free-nurse-consult

Please seek support for any mental health concerns. Some helpful links are below:

Mental Health in Pregnancy

Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Aotearoa

Plunket - Dads Mental Health

Little Shadow - Private Counselling NZ

Find me @kiwibirthtales and @yourbirthproject

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

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

Did someone say numb flaps? Oh, it was me.... Week 31-33 and all the joys that come along with it that, in this pregnancy diaries episode.

• Carpal tunnel
• Pregnancy insomnia
• Sleeping arrangements
• Nesting (or lack of)
• Renal dilaiton scan
• Growth scan + LGA baby
• Gestational diabetes retest
• Numb pelvic area
• Franjos Kitchen Hydration Powder + Bhone Beauty drink
• Obstertric appointment next week
• 4 weeks left of work
• Breathlessness!!!!

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

This episode of Kiwi Birth Tales is proudly sponsored by Your Birth Project.

In this episode of Kiwi Birth Tales, I speak to Kobi about her experience navigating pregnancy as a single mum, induction of labour, postpartum recovery and mental health after birth. Some of the topics we cover:

• Single mum pregnancy journey
• Relationship breakdown during pregnancy
• Considering termination and unexpected pregnancy emotions
• Moving cities while pregnant and rebuilding support networks
• Growth concerns in pregnancy and SGA clinic care
• Induction birth story at 37 weeks (balloon induction and syntocin)
• Hospital birth experience in New Zealand
• Third-degree tear recovery and labial tear
• Significant postpartum blood loss (1 litre)
• Early postpartum recovery and hospital stay
• Breastfeeding struggles and painful early feeding journey
• Postpartum hormonal changes and emotional wellbeing
• Depression diagnosis and mental health support
• The importance of village support, nourishment and postpartum care
• How motherhood changed her identity and perspective
• Healing after birth and finding strength in motherhood

Your Birth Project Online Hypnobirthing Course

https://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/book-a-free-nurse-consult

Please seek support for any mental health concerns. Some helpful links are below:

Mental Health in Pregnancy

Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Aotearoa

Plunket - Dads Mental Health

Little Shadow - Private Counselling NZ

Find me @kiwibirthtales and @yourbirthproject

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

Keeping you updated with all things pregnancy as I get closer to bringing our 3rd boy earthside!

This update:

• body changes and updates
• pregnancy symptoms
• organising and planning
• WE'VE PICKED A NAME
• Jai in hospital
• Thoughts about preparing for birth and breastfeeding
• Room set ups

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

This episode of Kiwi Birth Tales is proudly sponsored by Bhone Beauty

In this episode of Kiwi Birth Tales, I speak to Genevieve. Some of the topics we cover:

• Voices of Hope
• Eating disorder when younger
• OBGYN care
• Protein in urine at 37 weeks
• Emergency Csection (had planned for an elective csection)
• Auckland Hospital
• Breastfeeding journey
• Postpartum support from family
• Prioritising rest
• Things she loved - vital bits belly band and scar patches, carrier from the sleep store, breastfeeding pillow, baby lounger, wahakura, lanolin cream

Your Birth Project Online Hypnobirthing Course

https://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/book-a-free-nurse-consult

Please seek support for any mental health concerns, some helpful links are below:

Mental Health in Pregnancy

Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Aotearoa

Plunket - Dads Mental Health

Little Shadow - Private Counselling NZ

Find me @kiwibirthtales and @yourbirthproject

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