Kiwi Birth Tales

This episode of Kiwi Birth Tales is proudly brought to you by Your Birth Project.

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

• Heart shaped uterus (partial septate)
• Bleeds in early pregnancy
• Cholestasis
• Polyhydramnious
• Preparing for hospital birth
• Transverse until 38 weeks
• Anxious at end of pregnancy
• Reduced movements
• Waters broke when in hospital
• Episiotomy and Kiwi Cup delivery
• Epidural
• Breastfeeding class @ Catherine Rietveld St George's Hospital Christchurch

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.

Welcome to the first episode of Pregnancy Diaries, a bonus series running alongside the 2026 season of Kiwi Birth Tales.

In this episode, I’m sharing a real-time update from my third pregnancy, how I’m feeling physically and mentally, what feels different this time around, and some of the early decisions I’m already thinking about as I prepare for birth again.

These bonus episodes will sit alongside our weekly birth stories and give you a more personal look at what this chapter looks like for me.

If you’re pregnant right now, I hope this feels relatable in some way!

Topics for the week:

• Bountiful Pregnancy tracking app
• Pelvic girdle pain
• Pregnancy Pillow (From Carry The Mums on @ MOM Store )
• Gestational Diabetes test
• Heartburn
• Low Iron (Ferritin) and B12 (symptoms)
• Emily from @nourisher_co support with Iron supplement
• Nipple pain
• Bhone Beauty Powder drink
• Pure Mama Body Scrub, Belly Oil + Magnesium body rub
• Parental Leave
• Dulese Natural Deodorant
• Farmers Nursey Sale
• Elective Csection
• 32 week scan coming up for check of Renal Dilation

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

This episode of Kiwi Birth Tales is proudly brought to you by Your Birth Project.

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

• Fast first labour and birth
• Ventouse delivery
• Overdue
• Felt something wasn't right in second pregnancy towards end
• Self admitted to Hospital without Midwife
• CTG heartrate caused emergency reaction
• Emergency Csection
• Delay in birth
• Lack of oxygen
• SCBU and NICU stay
• Care not of standard, caused further issues
• ACC Claim
• HDC Claim
• Advocating for yourself and trusting your gut

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 brought to you by Your Birth Project.

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

• Unplanned homebirth
• Birth Trauma + Empowering feelings
• Close age gap
• Planned homebirths
• Homebirth Canterbury organisation
• Preparing for birth at home
• Breastfeeding journey and challenges
• Large families and parents experience with birth
• Kids at birth VS not

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 brought to you by Your Birth Project.

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

• Early pregnancy loss
• Bloating in pregnancy
• Morning sickness
• My Little Kiwi Antenatal Course
• Spontaenous labour at home
• Birth at birth unit
• 3B tear after long pushing stage
• Transfer to hospital for surgical repair
• Collecting colostrum in pregnancy
• Nipple shields

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 brought to you by Your Birth Project.

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

• Hatched Antenatal Course
• Antenatal Expressing
• Pilates in pregnancy
• Positive feeling towards homebirth but didn't plan to have one
• Spontaneous labour
• Being checked at home
• Throwing up, transition
• Birthing at home unplanned without a midwife present
• 2nd degree tear that wasn't stitched
• Positive breastfeeding journey
• Sleep training
• Viva La Vulva perineal spray
• Electrolytes post birth
• Wish they had considered a homebirth more seriously, would plan for one next time
• Positive birth story

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 brought to you by Your Birth Project.

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

• Spotting before a positive pregnancy test
• Testing in pregnancy
• Wanting an unmedicated birth
• Baby breech presentation at 37 weeks
• Practiced spinning babies daily and she turned
• Didn't find out sex during pregnancy
• Spontaneous labour
• Losing large amount of water / fluid after waters broke
• Fast labour
• Immediate latch after birth
• Lots of mucus coming from Sadies nose post birth
• Transferred to hospital for size (2.5kg, 47cm and small head circumference)
• Struggled with weight gain
• Obsessive tracking of feeds
• Re-admission to the hospital
• Heart murmur
• Referral to paediatrician
• Blood tests - DiGeorge Syndrome (22Q.11)

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 brought to you by Your Birth Project.

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

• Unplanned pregnancy
• Changing midwives at 35 weeks
• Spontaneous labour
• Syntocin drip / induction
• Epidural
• Episiotomy and Ventouse delivery
• COVID - germs, anxiety
• Colic baby
• Travelling with baby
• Starting a business: Roam with Kids App
• Changing midwife at 20 weeks
• Gender disappointment
• Spontaneous labour
• No epidural or drugs
• Shoulder Dystocia
• Mum guilt
• Jaundice
• Breastfeeding challenges
• Positive birth despite end emergency

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 brought to you by Your Birth Project.

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

• Emma was 43 when she gave birth to Remi
• Years of infertility
• IVF
• Egg Donor
• Covid impacting journey
• "High Risk" pregnancy
• Emergency Csection (had already decided on Csection being mode of delivery)
• 3 weeks in NICU
• Donor Milk
• Struggled with breastfeeding
• Mental health

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.