Kiwi Birth Tales

In Episode 41 I speak with Jess Massey about her two Home Births. Jess takes us through her first birth in which she practiced hypnobirthing techniques from videos online as well as reading various books on calm birthing practices. Jess explains her dimly lit room, positive affirmations and incredible water birth with her daughter, which then took a turn when her daughter was taken from her chest while she birthed the Whenua (placenta) and was stitched up as she had a bad tear. Jess wasn't checked again after her birth between two midwives, and ended up with serious complications with her stitches and wound which resulted in post partum trauma and a difficult time bonding with her daughter. It wasn't until Jess saw a Gynaecologist that she was given the support she needed and began healing. 

Jess then talks us through falling pregnant quickly with her son, being extremely anxious because of her previous experiences and finding a different Midwife where she knew she was going to get the support she needed. This birth experience was completely different for Jess and she didn't have any tearing, which was one of the requests she had of her midwife that she wanted help with. As a result Jess was able to hold her son for a long time after he was born and she believes this has helped their bond and breastfeeding journey. It was so lovely to hear of this healing birth after the first experience Jess had. 

Thanks again for joining me on the Podcast Jess - if you want to check out her family on Instagram you can do so @j_e_c_massey 

Thanks for listening!

@Kiwibirthtales
@Yourbirthproject

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

In Episode 40 of Kiwi Birth Tales I speak with Sam about her 2 births. Sam fell pregnant when she was 18 with her daughter Harper and she takes us through finding out she was pregnant, her journey to finding a support system and her birth in the Birth Centre. Sam also talks about her experience with other friends not having babies and where she met a great friend that she is still close with now. 

Sam then talks us through meeting her partner and deciding to try for another baby, falling pregnant with Seth. Sam experienced pelvic issues in both pregnancies and discusses what helped her the second time around as well as her fast birth with a much bigger baby. 

Thanks for joining me on the Podcast Sam! Enjoy the episode

Thanks for listening!

@Kiwibirthtales
@Yourbirthproject

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

In Episode 39 of Kiwi Birth Tales I talk to Courtney Iosefo who takes us through the birth story of her daughter Afia. Courtney fell pregnant quickly with Afia and had a smooth pregnancy journey going into spontaneous labour at the end of 39 weeks. 

Courtney had planned an unmedicated Birth Centre birth, however things quickly progressed as she laboured at home and when her Midwife came back to check on her, Courtney was ready to have her baby. Although nervous about a Home Birth Courtney had such a positive experience and is now a Home Birth advocate. Afia was born 6lbs and was later transferred to Hospital to be checked as she was small, where she remained for 3 days before coming home. 

Courtney also takes us through her breastfeeding journey and her experience adjusting to life as a Mother, which is so lovely to hear. 

I hope you enjoy this episode, if you'd like to check Courtney out on Instagram you can do so @courtneyiosefo

Thanks for listening!

@Kiwibirthtales
@Yourbirthproject

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

This weeks episode is sponsored by The Sleep Scout - owned by Lucy Burns, a certified infant and child sleep consultant and registered nurse who is dedicated in supporting parents through the journey of teaching their little one the very important skill of sleep. If you're struggling with early morning wake ups, routines, nap refusal, excessive night wakeups then look no further! Simply contact Lucy via Instagram @thesleepscout or thesleepscout.co.nz with the promo code “Kiwi” for 10% off a sleep package. 

In Episode 38 of Kiwi Birth Tales I talk with Jessica Britten about the birth of her beautiful baby girl Stevie. Jess takes us through her struggles with conception due to the removal of a cyst and part of her ovary at 27 and low AMH levels which lead to freezing her eggs through IVF. Jess falls pregnant with Stevie after around 8 months of trying, and talks about her pregnancy journey, her new body as a pregnant woman and some methods she used to try and prepare for labour and birth. 

Jess talks about her hypnobirthing classes as well as the book she read which she highly recommends - Birth Skills by Juju Sundin, which combined gave Jess the skills she needed to use during her labour and birth. 

Stevie was born after a 6 hour active labour, in the Water at Parnell Birth Centre in Auckland. This was such a positive and empowering experience for Jess, which she does such a great job of sharing with us all. Jess also talks through her breastfeeding journey and adjusting to life with a newborn. 

Thanks so much for joining me this week on the Podcast Jess - if you want to check out Jess and her family on instagram you can do so @hallweneed.

Thanks for listening!

@Kiwibirthtales
@Yourbirthproject

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

In Episode 37 of Kiwi Birth Tales I talk with Sheldon about the birth of her baby girl Bridie. Sheldon takes us through her pregnancy journey which was pretty smooth sailing, her early labour and staying at home until 8cm dilated. 

Sheldon then talks about her experience in the birth centre, being transferred to the hospital due to baby being in distress and ending up needing an episiotomy and forcep assistance to bring Bridie into the world. Sheldon also talks about the difficulties of breastfeeding and how they have overcome their struggles with that journey, as well as how she found her mum tribe through pregnancy yoga. 

I hope you all enjoy the episode! Thanks again for joining me Sheldon. 

Thanks for listening!

@Kiwibirthtales
@Yourbirthproject

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

In this episode of Kiwi Birth Tales I speak with Renata about her 3 birth stories. Renata has 3 gorgeous boys and their births were all very different. 

Renata takes us through her PCOS journey, a CSection and how that was different from her two vaginal births, recovery from all 3 different births and also dealing with loss. She talks about the difference in age gap between her three boys and her tips for mums with young children close in age. 

This is such a lovely story from Renata, who owns Little Mash (a lovely childrens store in Hamilton and Online) as well as a new brand Lila Jasmine, it’s focus is nourishing the minds & bodies of mothers & babies, their first product is a lactation bar and I am looking forward to the rest of their line!

Thanks for joining me Renata - if you want to check out Little Mash and Renata on Instagram you can do so @little_mash

Thanks for listening!

@Kiwibirthtales
@Yourbirthproject

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

In Episode 35 of Kiwi Birth Tales I talk with Cherie Metcalfe about the birth of her Daughter Pepper and Son Kit. 

Cherie takes us through her first birth in hospital where Pepper was posterior until just before she was born, she talks through the pain of contractions without a break and her pain management for this birth. 

Cherie then takes us through her second birth with son Kit, which was an unplanned Homebirth. 

This is a lovely episode and I'm so glad Cherie was willing to share. 

If you want to check out Cherie on Instagram you can do so @pepperandme_

Thanks for listening!

@Kiwibirthtales
@Yourbirthproject

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

In this episode of Kiwi Birth Tales I speak with Rebecca about the births of her two Daughters Mela and Millie. 

Rebecca focusses mainly on her second birth story with Millie, where she had planned to birth at the birth centre around an hour away from where they live. Rebeccas labour progressed quickly and her midwife instructed her to go to the birth centre as quick as she could, however Millie had other ideas. Millie was born in the parked car about 40 mins into their journey, healthy and happy. Rebecca takes us through this experience and how things progressed afterwards in comparison to giving birth in the birth centre as expected. 

Thanks for joining me on the podcast Rebecca - if you want to check out their lovely family you can do so @rebeccajoybates

Thanks for listening!

@Kiwibirthtales
@Yourbirthproject

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

In Episode 33 of Kiwi Birth Tales I speak with Alana Swain about the birth of her first son Duncan. Alana takes us through falling pregnant the first 'try' and her relatively easy going pregnancy - experiencing some nausea and exhaustion in the first trimester, then smooth sailing from there. 

Alana swears by hypnobirthing and loved using the techniques during her labour and birth, choosing to be at the Birth Centre felt like the right fit for her. After testing positive for Strep B, when she went into labour she needed to go to the Hospital to have antibiotics intravenously, but was then allowed to go home and continue labouring as she hadn't progressed far enough to go to the Birth Centre. 

When Alana later arrived at the Birth Centre she spent some time in the bath and ended up needing an episiotomy to help Duncan make his way into the world. 

Alana experienced some late stage Post Natal Depression which she talks us through, as well as her tips for adjusting to life with a newborn. 

Thanks for joining me on the Podcast Alana - if you want to check their lovely family out on Instagram you can do so @gratefulmumnz

Thanks for listening!

@Kiwibirthtales
@Yourbirthproject

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

In Episode 32 of Kiwi Birth Tales I talk with Bekah Woods about the births of her Daughter Maia and Son Kobe. Bekah takes us through her first positive birthing experience in a Birth Centre, her breastfeeding journey and adjusting to life with a newborn. 

She then takes us through her second pregnancy and labour where she was at home, she had practised hypnobirthing techniques and ended up going into labour at 41 + 6. However Kobe ended up being a footling breech baby, causing serious complications where he needed full resuscitation and spent 9 days in the NICU to prevent brain injury due to lack of oxygen at birth. 

Bekah talks about dealing with the unexpected complications during her second birth, how her Daughter coped through out the time away from her parents and also life as a Mum of two. 

Thanks for joining me on the podcast Bekah!  

Thanks for listening!

@Kiwibirthtales
@Yourbirthproject

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