Positive Birth Australia

By Skye WatersHealth & Fitness Education Parenting Kids & Family

Positive Birth Australia episodes

January 26, 2023 S4 EP101: Katie Higgs: Pregnancy Loss/Low Progesterone + Homebirth/Rainbow baby
Today’s show features the inspiring and, at times, hearbreaking journey from Brisbane mum-of-two, Katie.
Within a year after the birth of her son, Vance, Katie felt ready to try for a second child. As soon as her cycle returned, that dream became a reality when she conceived on her next ovulation. Sadly, she would suffer a pregnancy loss shortly after. Feeling positive it was her body doing what it was designed to do, in acceptance and trust, she moved on to fall pregnant again a short time later.
After a second pregnancy loss, Katie began to feel a pang of doubt that maybe there was something deeper going on. As she experienced her fourth pregnancy loss, she was already deep in the trenches searching for answers.
She shares how a podcast that flippantly spoke about the symptoms of low progesterone planted a seed of curiosity, and how she coped with the anxiety during her pregnancy, caused from so many losses, to go on to have the birth she had dreamed of to bring her rainbow baby home safely.
Show Links:
Vance's Birth Story: Season 1 Episode 1
Instagram: @katiejhiggs
Midwives: Meg and Ma'et from It Takes A Village Midwifery
Course: Free Birth Society
Facebook Groups: Miscarriage Awareness Facebook Page, Recurrent Miscarriage/Early Pregnancy Loss Support Facebook Page
Disclaimer: We are not medical practitioners. Any information you hear on the show is that of the guest's own personal experience and should not be considered professional medical advice. Please seek out a qualified medical professional in the field if you feel anything from today's show resonated with you and discuss it further with them.
Mentioned in this episode:
Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!
Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred.
For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.
Positive Birth Australia
Mentioned in this episode:
Esfera Designs Wellness (Birth) Ball
Create a calm, supportive space during pregnancy and postpartum with Esfera Designs. Use code: PBA20 for $20 off your order.
Esfera Designs
Sacred Birth Affirmations Track
This gentle affirmation track was created to help you feel safe, confident, and connected in pregnancy and birth. Perfect for daily mindset work or to play during labour.
Positive Birth Australia
1 hr 5 min
October 19, 2022 S3 EP100: Bernie Wolff - Homebirth/prolapse/hospital transfer
On today’s show Bernie shares her rite of passage to motherhood with the birth of her son, Oakley.
Bernie felt “lost in the system” as she began to attend her antenatal appointments with no clue as to what models of care were available. It was only after her close friend mentioned homebirth that she was open to the idea of birthing outside of a hospital setting. A viewing of the birth documentary “Birth Time” helped solidify her and her husband's choice to bring their son earthside at home with a private midwife.
As her pregnancy progressed, she felt anxious over her son’s transverse position. An eperience that gifted Bernie her greatest lesson to take into her birth and parenthood - to let go and trust. Trust in her body, her baby, and her innate instincts. Bernie shares the ramifications of her pregnancy rhinitis and the importance of building your village before you enter matrescence.
Show Links:
Instagram: @burnbabybern16 @tofe.evans
Midwife: @midwifenaysie
Homebirth womens circle: @homebirthqld
Photographers: @photographybydannielle @mylaleephotography @aliceleaphotography
Courses: Calm Birth
To celebrate our 100th episode and season 3 wrapping up, we want to say a huge THANK YOU to our listeners and all the incredible mamas who have featured on the show by having our first ever PBA website sale.
Simply enter the code: PBA15 for 15% off your order.
www.positivebirthaustralia.com
Mentioned in this episode:
Esfera Designs Wellness (Birth) Ball
Create a calm, supportive space during pregnancy and postpartum with Esfera Designs. Use code: PBA20 for $20 off your order.
Esfera Designs
Sacred Birth Affirmations Track
This gentle affirmation track was created to help you feel safe, confident, and connected in pregnancy and birth. Perfect for daily mindset work or to play during labour.
Positive Birth Australia
1 hr 1 min
October 12, 2022 S3 EP99: Alyssa Booth - Positive induction/short cervix/low fluid + Homebirths/precipitous labours
Featuring on today’s show is mother-of-three and birth doula, Alyssa.
After a routine ultrasound discovered that Alyssa had a shortened cervix and low fluid, she was prepped for an induction at 39 weeks. Only a short-time after having her waters ruptured, she gave birth to her daughter in the bath without any further interventions.
Having had such a positive experience with her induction she decided to give up her MGP spot, instead choosing to stay in the comfort of her home to birth her second baby. Labouring on her deck as the sun rose and the birds sang in the background, she birthed her son into the water in under two hours.
With her labour time drastically lowering each birth experience, her birth team were prepared to jump into action as she entered her 38th week gestation, but when her labour progressed even faster than anticipated, she barely had time to settle in the shower as her son came roaring earthside after only 45 minutes of labour.
Show Links:
Instagram: @cherish_birth @illawarrabirthclasses
Photographers: @caught.photography.au
@nina.photography
Books: Birth Skills by Juju Sundin
This episode is brought to you by:
THE EMPOWERED PREGNANCY & BIRTH COURSE by Ellen Fisher and Hannah McNeely. Created in collaboration with four professionals in their field, this guide has it all. From choosing your ideal birth team, to nourishment and exercise, you will find a module to guide and educate you on all aspects of your journey.
Course link: https://go.theempoweredbirth.com/skye
Mentioned in this episode:
Esfera Designs Wellness (Birth) Ball
Create a calm, supportive space during pregnancy and postpartum with Esfera Designs. Use code: PBA20 for $20 off your order.
Esfera Designs
Sacred Birth Affirmations Track
This gentle affirmation track was created to help you feel safe, confident, and connected in pregnancy and birth. Perfect for daily mindset work or to play during labour.
Positive Birth Australia
51 min
October 05, 2022 S3 EP98: Lauren Kerr - Positive hospital birth/HG/Placenta previa/Covid/Big baby
Today’s episode we hear the challenging yet powerful journey of first time mother, Lauren.
Lauren was excited when the time came to finally start a family. Her initial excitement about the presence of pregnancy symptoms was short-lived as she quickly succumb to the overwhelm and debilitation that came with a HG diagnosis. Just when the battle to get through her constant nausea seemed to finally relent, she was hit with covid, giving her a new round of symptoms to navigate through.
A hypnobirthing course in late pregnancy provided her with the tools and confidence she needed to advocate for the natural birth she knew was possible, even when faced with many high-risk labels attached to her journey.
Having continuity of care through the hospitals MGP program with a midwife who respected her birth space, gave Lauren the perfect environment to feel safe and supported as she breathed her daughter earthside.
Show Links:
Instagram: @itslaurenkerr
Books: Ina May, Childbirth Without Fear by Grantly Dick-Read
Classes: Hypnobirthing
This episode is brought to you by:
Apéro Label: Apéro is a company designed by women, for women. They offer an exclusive range of maternity wear and feeding-friendly tops and dresses with hidden zippers for easy access.
Use code “POSITIVE20” for $20 off sitewide. Minimum spend $100. Limited to one use per customer.
Instagram: @aperolabel
Website: www.aperolabel.com
Mentioned in this episode:
Sacred Birth Affirmations Track
This gentle affirmation track was created to help you feel safe, confident, and connected in pregnancy and birth. Perfect for daily mindset work or to play during labour.
Positive Birth Australia
Esfera Designs Wellness (Birth) Ball
Create a calm, supportive space during pregnancy and postpartum with Esfera Designs. Use code: PBA20 for $20 off your order.
Esfera Designs
42 min
September 28, 2022 S3 EP97: Justine Zappa - Birth Book creator - Birth centre + Pregnancy loss + Homebirth
Today we hear from Justine, the author and creator of Birth Book; an interactive guide to instil trust and confidence in ones body to birth.
Justine’s story started like many, she was terrified at the thought of giving birth. It was only when she conceived her first child that she was able to transform her belief system around birth and adopt a mindset of complete trust in her body’s capabilities. Walking into a dimly lit room with machines away at her local birth centre, gave her the environment she needed to roar her son earthside in all her power.
When she conceive her second baby, the wave of sickness that engulfed her felt different to her previous pregnancy. She would unfortunately find out that her little girl, Gigi Rose, was not viable for life. Overwhelmed with shock and grief, a shift in her mindset allowed Justine to honour her emotions while celebrating the short life of her little girl; birthing her at 16 weeks gestation surrounded by pure love.
Although a tragic outcome, Justine knew her daughter was sent to her for a reason. Learning the importance of acceptance and alignment when on the journey of creation, which inspired her to create Birth Book. When the time came to enter the birth realm once more, she drew strength from her angel baby as she welcomed her rainbow baby earthside in the peace and comfort of her bedroom.
Show Links:
Instagram: @justinezappa
Book: @birth_book
This episode is brought to you by:
Birth Book; the interactive guide that takes the mama on their very own birth journey. It cleverly educates and inspires through the four trimesters.
Head to www.birthbook.com.au and use the code “PBA15” to receive 15% off your purchase.
***We cover Justine’s pregnancy loss and the birth of her daughter between 20:00 and 30:00 - if you are not in a space to hear this content, please skip this section.
Mentioned in this episode:
Sacred Birth Affirmations Track
This gentle affirmation track was created to help you feel safe, confident, and connected in pregnancy and birth. Perfect for daily mindset work or to play during labour.
Positive Birth Australia
Esfera Designs Wellness (Birth) Ball
Create a calm, supportive space during pregnancy and postpartum with Esfera Designs. Use code: PBA20 for $20 off your order.
Esfera Designs
1 hr 1 min
September 21, 2022 S3 EP96: Neva Daria Jenny - Homebirth turned freebirth
On today’s show we hear from first-time mother, Neva.
Originating from Switzerland where birth centres are commonly used, Neva was disappointed when she couldn’t find one in her area. This led her to seek out advice and guidance from a friend about homebirthing, which she was the path she ultimately chose for her birth.
When she felt the niggle of surges slowly building at 38 weeks gestation, she dismissed them as early labour signs. Riding through those waves, she hastily called on her partner to come check her, discovering it was time to call the midwife.
Knowing she wouldn’t make it in time, her midwife supported them over the phone as she roared her son earthside on their bathroom floor, just the three of them.
Show Links:
Instagram: @neva.daria @sioneppaongo
Midwives: @organicmidwifery
Doula: Birthing You
Mentioned in this episode:
Esfera Designs Wellness (Birth) Ball
Create a calm, supportive space during pregnancy and postpartum with Esfera Designs. Use code: PBA20 for $20 off your order.
Esfera Designs
Sacred Birth Affirmations Track
This gentle affirmation track was created to help you feel safe, confident, and connected in pregnancy and birth. Perfect for daily mindset work or to play during labour.
Positive Birth Australia
38 min
September 14, 2022 S3 EP95: Amanda Freeman - Hospital birth/PPH + Birth Centre + Twin Freebirth/Footling breech
On today’s show, holistic nutrition coach and mother-of-four, Amanda, takes us on the journey that led her to freebirth her twin girls at home. Amanda experienced obstetric abuse during her first birth that caused a severe postpartum haemorrhage. Her second birth, although not as traumatic, solidified in her mind that any future babies would be born at home.
When the urning for a third child started to arise, Amanda and her husband were given a 2% chance to conceive naturally due to his vasectomy reversal. Declining the IVF route, they instead chose to surrendered to what was meant for them; conceiving their twin girls only a short time later. Amanda threw herself into all research available around physiological twin birth. She innately knew her body was capable of birthing her babies but her options were limited when it came to support. With her extensive knowledge and understanding around twin birth, she knew the only place she could give her babies the time and presence they needed to come earthside, was undisturbed at home.
Amanda shares the awe inspiring moments she bear witness to the power of her body's physiological dance to bring her transverse babies down to be born, and how she intwined her knowledge and instincts to navigate a pivotal point in her birth.
Show Links:
Instagram: @whole.health.coach
Doula: @trish_birthalchemy
Mentioned in this episode:
Sacred Birth Affirmations Track
This gentle affirmation track was created to help you feel safe, confident, and connected in pregnancy and birth. Perfect for daily mindset work or to play during labour.
Positive Birth Australia
Esfera Designs Wellness (Birth) Ball
Create a calm, supportive space during pregnancy and postpartum with Esfera Designs. Use code: PBA20 for $20 off your order.
Esfera Designs
1 hr 5 min
August 31, 2022 S3 EP94: Monika Rad - Homebirth transfer/Surprise footling breech birth
Today’s episode features Monika sharing the surprise footling breech birth of her son, Luka. Living a holistic lifestyle, Monika mindfully nourished herself for six months prior to conception, using podcasts and books to slowly absorb information about birth. When she discovered she was pregnant, she knew the only place she could sink safely into the hormonal flow of labour, was at home.
After her waters gently broke on NYE she felt confident to stick with her dinner plans, having surges throughout the night as she celebrated with friends.
Once home she began flowing with the waves of labour, transcending into the next season of life while simultaneously saying goodbye to the year that was as fireworks burst in the distance. Only a short time later, she would feel the urge to push.
Monika shares with us the moment her husband discovered their son was breech, and how valuable techniques she learned through hypnobirthing helped her regain awareness of her energy and surrender completely to the journey ahead of her as her son made his powerful entrance earthside.
Show Links:
Instagram: @monika_rad
Midwife: @midwifejohunter
Doula: @erikaelliott_motherbirth
Hypnobirthing: @the.birth.collective
Books: Ina May Guide to Childbirth, The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth
Mentioned in this episode:
Sacred Birth Affirmations Track
This gentle affirmation track was created to help you feel safe, confident, and connected in pregnancy and birth. Perfect for daily mindset work or to play during labour.
Positive Birth Australia
Esfera Designs Wellness (Birth) Ball
Create a calm, supportive space during pregnancy and postpartum with Esfera Designs. Use code: PBA20 for $20 off your order.
Esfera Designs
46 min
August 24, 2022 S3 EP93: Ashley Winning - Two cesareans/GD/Special Scar + Freebirth
On today’s show we hear the three contrasting birth experiences of mindset coach, podcaster and birth advocate, Ashley.
Ashley went into her first pregnancy and birth handing over complete control to the healthcare professionals supporting her. She held projected shame over being plus-size which left her feeling disempowered, alone and intimidated. Her first birth ended in a cesarean.
Diving deeper into education for her second pregnancy gave her the tools she knew were necessary to advocate for the VBAC she desired, but the constant fight to uphold her birth preferences wore her down, leading her to another cesarean feeling defeated and empty.
During the three year break she took before calling in her third baby, she immersed herself in the wisdom of birth leaders and worked on her past traumas. This significant growth and education helped her to regain confidence and trust in herself to stand fully in her power for the journey ahead. Finally, after two caesareans, a special scar and feeling like a failure, she achieved what she always knew was possible; freebirthing her 4.5kg baby at home .
Show Links:
Instagram: @ashleylwinning
Website: www.themotherhoodcircle.com.au
Podcast: The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast
Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
Mentioned in this episode:
Esfera Designs Wellness (Birth) Ball
Create a calm, supportive space during pregnancy and postpartum with Esfera Designs. Use code: PBA20 for $20 off your order.
Esfera Designs
Sacred Birth Affirmations Track
This gentle affirmation track was created to help you feel safe, confident, and connected in pregnancy and birth. Perfect for daily mindset work or to play during labour.
Positive Birth Australia
1 hr 13 min
August 17, 2022 S3 EP92: Phoebe Snow Leo - Hospital birth/Interventions + Homebirth
Today’s episode features Phoebe sharing the birth stories of her two children.
Phoebe desired a natural birth with her first baby, but after it was discovered her leaking waters had meconium present the hospital’s protocol meant she would have to be induced. Despite the cascade of interventions that followed, Phoebe was elated with joy as her baby boy was placed on her chest for the first time.
When the time came to call her second child in, she intuitively knew the only place her baby would be landing earthside was at home, on Country. As a proud indigenous Australian, there was unease about her daughter’s suspected arrival being on Invasion Day, but a shift in perspective and trusting in her daughter’s divine timing gave her the confidence and acceptance she needed when her surges began the morning of. Surrounded by some of her closest friends, husband, and brother, Phoebe details the healing, transformative journey she went on to bring her daughter home.
Show links:
Instagram: @phoebesnowleoflow
Education: Rhea Dempsey, Birth with Confidence
Ina May, Guide to Childbirth
Meconium Stained Liquor Link:
https://midwifethinking.com/2015/01/14/the-curse-of-meconium-stained-liquor/
Today's episode is sponsored by:
Mamaí Gift Boxes
The · rebirth · birth box was created with love and intention, to support you as you slowly enter the birth realm to bring your baby home.
www.positivebirthaustralia.com
Mentioned in this episode:
Sacred Birth Affirmations Track
This gentle affirmation track was created to help you feel safe, confident, and connected in pregnancy and birth. Perfect for daily mindset work or to play during labour.
Positive Birth Australia
Esfera Designs Wellness (Birth) Ball
Create a calm, supportive space during pregnancy and postpartum with Esfera Designs. Use code: PBA20 for $20 off your order.
Esfera Designs
1 hr 20 min

About Positive Birth Australia

From the publisher's feed

A heartfelt Australian podcast sharing real, empowering birth stories to inspire, educate, and heal. Hosted by Skye Waters, a Gold Coast mum with deep reverence for physiological birth, Positive Birth Australia brings together meaningful conversations with women and birth professionals from around the world - helping you reconnect with your intuition, trust your body and remember the innate wisdom of birth through the ancient art of storytelling.