In this episode, we hear from Mieke in Canada, as she shares her 'normal day' freebirth story.

Mieke witnessed home births as a doula, before her own first birth, which was a ferocious and powerful midwife-attended home birth.

We discussed the potent effects of castor oil, the midwife attending in a Halloween costume, and ways of navigating vaginal examinations.

Mieke shares how the home birth support locally had broken down, so that freebirth for her next child really felt like the only option. Indeed, lots more women are freebirthing in the area she lives, and it just felt like a natural move.

Her partner showed amazing support and trust, and brought his skills of life-guard training for the birth - though this was not actually needed!

Mieke shares about bearing witness to herself in her freebirth, experimenting with her body freely and remembering her own authority in the birth space.

You can connect with Mieke on Instagram @takeyourbirthbystorm

FREEBIRTH SUPPORT:

Are you preparing to freebirth and you're sure what you actually need? Download your FREE copy of my ebook, 'The Homebirth & Freebirth Essentials Checklist'. You will get instant access to this handy 17 page guide detailing all the possible items that could be essential for your birth. Download it here.

Do you need support and guidance navigating maternity services in the UK as you prepare to freebirth? Sign up to '⁠Navigating Officialdom⁠' the course brought to you by Leonie.

Follow us on Instagram ⁠@normalboringfreebirth

⁠If you have enjoyed this episode, share and tag us.

Your hosts: Victoria ⁠@freetobirth⁠ & Leonie ⁠@birthwise.withleonie

In this episode, we hear from Kathryn in Leeds, as she shares the freebirth of her second child.

Kathryn's first birth was what is unfortunately quite a common story; unquestioned hospital birth, labouring in the car park.

After being refused entry to a birth pool in hospital, despite knowing she needed to be in water, things went down hill from there. Second time around, Kathryn had already begun to question things and describes "moving away from an abusive relationship" with mainstream maternity care. For her, it was a gradual process.

Kathryn had a clear vision of her birth, which she held strong and, low and behold, it began the way she had imagined it.

As her birth unfolded and became super intense, Kathryn shares how mindset shifts, affirmations and the support of her partner really helped her surrender in to the experience. She also shares her experience of her  post-birth hospital transfer after a tear.

Kathryn works as a Birthkeeper supporting freebirthing families, and you can connect with her on Instagram @mysacredbirthuk.

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AVAILABLE COURSES:

Are you looking for a birth prep course created specifically for homebirthers and freebirthers? Sign up to 'Home Grown,' the 4 weeks course taught by Victoria.

Do you need support and guidance navigating maternity services in the UK as you prepare to freebirth? Sign up to 'Navigating Officialdom' the course brought to you by Leonie.

Follow us on Instagram @normalboringfreebirthIf you have enjoyed this episode, share and tag us.

Your hosts: Victoria @freetobirth & Leonie @birthwise.withleonie

In this episode, Eugenie from France shares her freebirth story of her second child, and we learn about freebirthing in France!

Eugenie's first pregnancy was smooth, followed by a highly medicalised hospital birth that resulted in a spinal fluid leak.

After having experienced such a straight-forward pregnancy Eugenie was left thinking, what the hell happened during the birth?!

Her birth felt so awful that Eugenie didn't want another child for a while, but when the time was right she became pregnant again, and knew things could be so so different.

Eugenie shares how she worked through freebirth fears with her doula, and that she is "living proof that you can still freebirth even if you feel terrified".

We hear about the birthing and freebirthing culture and climate in France, how the freebirth communities are still pretty underground despite freebirth being legal, and how even home birth support is super rare. We talk about the 'medical deserts' of France, rural areas where it is difficult for people to access healthcare due to smaller hospital closures. Thirteen percent of France's population now lives in a medical desert: that's more than 9 million French people living in areas with inadequate access to medical care, so freebirth may understandably be on the rise. 

Thank you for sharing your story Eugenie!

You can connect with her on Instagram: @travelling_teacher_mom

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Follow us on Instagram @normalboringfreebirth

Your hosts: Victoria @freetobirth & Leonie @birthwise.withleonie

In this episode, we share tips and tricks learned along the way for surviving the Christmas period!

We asked you over on our Instagram page, for your top tips for navigating the festive season whilst pregnant, with a small baby, freebirth specific challenges - and your responses were great!

We discuss expectations around the first Christmas, letting go of making the Instagram-perfect picture, making your own traditions, discussing freebirth plans over the Christmas dinner, the importance of supporting the mother-baby relationship, and what new parents *actually* need at Christmas.

We also discuss the pressures to 'have a good time', how this time of year can bring up a whole mix of stuff, how to speak to yourself with kindness, and how it's okay to perhaps feel the odd one out as you're preparing for freebirth.

We end with some resolutions and reflections to take in to the next year - and a HUGE thank you to everyone who has supported us so far with the podcast.

Next year will see a tonne of amazing stories and special guests that we cannot wait to share with you all!

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Follow us on Instagram @normalboringfreebirthIf you have enjoyed this episode, share and tag us. Please rate the podcast, we love to hear what you think! Subscribe and be the first to know when a new episode is released.

Your hosts: Victoria @freetobirth & Leonie @birthwise.withleonie

In this episode, Donna from Bristol shares her 44 week home birth story! (Yes, yes we know it's not a freebirth, but she said next time it will be! Plus, 44 weeks - incredible!) Though the start of her pregnancy was normal and boring, Donna soon had a fight on her hands as her midwives feared the possibility of a breech baby and took issue with Donna's declining of tests and measurements. Donna was immensely informed and prepared, whipping out stats and studies during her antenatal appointments and even during her labour! During the birth Donna needed to bat away disruptions, pushes for interventions and even a transfer to hospital when she didn't want it, feeling she might give birth in the ambulance! We hear how Donna was able to stay strong and focused as she went more and more "overdue", and how she engaged with midwives along the way. You can connect with Donna on instagram @donnafarahtattoo ____________________________________________ Follow us on Instagram @normalboringfreebirthIf you have enjoyed this episode, share and tag us. Please rate the podcast, we love to hear what you think! Subscribe and be the first to know when a new episode is released. Your hosts: Victoria @freetobirth & Leonie @birthwise.withleonie

In this episode, Theresa an Austrian living in London, shares her story of freebirth as a first time mum.

Theresa shares how she knew she wanted the support of a doula very early on, and talks about some amazing support from a male midwife within the NHS. She also shares about her awful home birth risk assessment visit, her amazing doula Samara, and how she nearly gave birth to the latest James Bond movie.

Between waddling walks around Camden Market, shopping for houmous and buying nails to put up the wall hangings, Theresa keeps her focus on the everyday-ness of birth.

You can connect with Theresa on instagram @spiritual_hustle_ and her doula Samara @birthanewstory

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Follow us on Instagram @normalboringfreebirth

Your hosts: Victoria @freetobirth & Leonie @birthwise.withleonie

In this episode, Amy from Southwater in West Sussex, shares the story of her daughter Eetha who sadly was born sleeping.

After a traumatic miscarriage that was handled badly by her hospital, Amy knew that she wanted her next birth to happen away from the medical system. Amy and partner Charlie prepared extensively for freebirth, and despite the tragic outcome of loss, Amy describes the birth as incredible and empowering.

Amy shares her experience of amazing support during a difficult time, and what to expect if you do experience a loss.

Amy recorded her story during Baby Loss Awareness Week 2022, and wants to share the story of her daughter just like everyone else who has given birth.

She welcomes conversation around baby loss, saying "no question is too much".

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Follow us on Instagram @normalboringfreebirth

Your hosts: Victoria @freetobirth & Leonie @birthwise.withleonie

In this episode, Kezia from Wallingford, South Oxfordshire shares her amazingly uneventful freebirth story.

Kezia talks of what real support can look like in both her hospital and home birth, the benefits of sexytime in birth, and the playful fumble of birthing her placenta.

We also discuss her gloriously dull birth video, in which very little happens aside from the simple miracle of birth; simple and extraordinary. She describes herself as feeling "just like me who had done something a bit extra".

Kezia works as a Hypnobirthing instructor, and says her freebirth has really opened her eyes to a new way of practising.

Thank you for sharing your story!

You can connect with Kezia on social media:

@oxfordshire_hypnobirthing

In this episode, Christina from Derry, Northern Ireland, shares her story of the beautiful family-centered birth of her daughter. Her first baby was born in hospital, which she described as scary, unnatural and lacking control.

Christina knew that she wanted her next birth to be different.

When exploring her options (including wild/unassisted pregnancy, which others described as "a bit mad"), she was able to explore extra support and resources to support her decision making.

Home birth midwives were not likely going to be available to attend, so since Christina knew for sure she wanted to birth at home, she prepared to freebirth.

Telling her story in the spot where she was labouring just 12 days earlier, Christina shares with us all the "best achievement of her life". In her words, "It was the birth of dreams."

Thank you, Christina.

@christina_duds