This episode is a little different - I chat to a friend, Kate, who is a midwife and a Chinese medicine practitioner. We discuss the ways that she has found birth partners and birthing women can be best prepared when birthing in the system as well as her different experiences in different models of care as a midwife and her own business. 

I would love it if you would subscribe, like and share this podcast! Feel free to follow along on instagram or facebook @sam.zieg.birthsweet

If you are interested in any of my services or getting in touch then my website is the best bet: www.samzieg.com

Please remember these stories are shared in their own voice; from the point of view of the speaker. Please remember that every birth, family and baby are different so different choices have been made in individual circumstances. They are not intended to be used as medical advice, but to share the amazing stories.

Trigger warning: Some episodes may talk about topics that are difficult for some listeners.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): http://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/playtime License code: TQKMNFKWKWPY8TNM

Michael shares his story of how he supported Kezia through full term all-day sickness and then an induction that almost seemed last minute. Their induction story was a long process and took many twists and turns along the way before meeting their little boy, Jude. I have known Michael's partner, Kezia, for years - she took my maternity photos this pregnancy!

I would love it if you would subscribe, like and share this podcast! Feel free to follow along on instagram or facebook @sam.zieg.birthsweet

If you are interested in any of my services or getting in touch then my website is the best bet: www.samzieg.com

Please remember these stories are shared in their own voice; from the point of view of the speaker. Please remember that every birth, family and baby are different so different choices have been made in individual circumstances. They are not intended to be used as medical advice, but to share the amazing stories.

Trigger warning: Some episodes may talk about topics that are difficult for some listeners.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): http://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/playtime License code: TQKMNFKWKWPY8TNM

I was quite excited to sit down with my brother-in-law to record this episode! My sister and I had our first babies 3 weeks apart and then they welcomed their second baby 2 years later. I've never heard the boys' birth stories from Mike's point of view before - I only knew one pretty major detail about the consequence of him not eating and being overwhelmed.

I would love it if you would subscribe, like and share this podcast! Feel free to follow along on instagram or facebook @sam.zieg.birthsweet

If you are interested in any of my services or getting in touch then my website is the best bet: www.samzieg.com

Please remember these stories are shared in their own voice; from the point of view of the speaker. Please remember that every birth, family and baby are different so different choices have been made in individual circumstances. They are not intended to be used as medical advice, but to share the amazing stories.

Trigger warning: Some episodes may talk about topics that are difficult for some listeners.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): http://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/playtime License code: TQKMNFKWKWPY8TNM

Dan is very honest and raw in this episode, sharing the mental health difficulties that his wife, Kat, has been dealing with since her pregnancy with their daughter Ava. A difficult pregnancy, navigating the stresses of COVID and a birth that ended in an unwanted caesarean all being contributing factors to Kat's mental load entering motherhood. I had tears when we recorded this episode; listening to how Dan and Kat felt let down multiple times during postpartum was difficult to hear. In saying that, I do recommend being brave and listening to this episode - their story may help you or help you support someone you know.

I would love it if you would subscribe, like and share this podcast! Feel free to follow along on instagram or facebook @sam.zieg.birthsweet

If you are interested in any of my services or getting in touch then my website is the best bet: www.samzieg.com

Please remember these stories are shared in their own voice; from the point of view of the speaker. Please remember that every birth, family and baby are different so different choices have been made in individual circumstances. They are not intended to be used as medical advice, but to share the amazing stories.

Trigger warning: Some episodes may talk about topics that are difficult for some listeners.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): http://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/playtime License code: TQKMNFKWKWPY8TNM

J.A. shares his story of how he and his wife, Laura, really listened to their instincts and beliefs throughout Laura's third pregnancy to achieve their VBA2C. They started Laura's pregnancy by engaging with a private obstetrician, but by constantly evaluating what they both wanted, their plans changed and J.A. supported Laura in a very different setting for the birth of their 3rd. 

Laura is a pelvic floor physiotherapist in Victoria. She is a huge advocate for women and runs an online membership, "The Pregnancy Posse" which has workouts and evidenced-based resources for pregnant women. You can find her online @physiolaura or by googling "The Pregnancy Posse".

I would love it if you would subscribe, like and share this podcast! Feel free to follow along on instagram or facebook @sam.zieg.birthsweet

If you are interested in any of my services or getting in touch then my website is the best bet: www.samzieg.com

Please remember these stories are shared in their own voice; from the point of view of the speaker. Please remember that every birth, family and baby are different so different choices have been made in individual circumstances. They are not intended to be used as medical advice, but to share the amazing stories.

Trigger warning: Some episodes may talk about topics that are difficult for some listeners.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): http://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/playtime License code: TQKMNFKWKWPY8TNM

Griffo is sharing his story of how he supported his wife, Heidi Anderson, through pregnancy and the birth of their son, Memphis. His story includes a diagnosis of GD (gestational diabetes), induction and an emergency caesarean in the private system. Griffo said the transition to fatherhood was a bit of a shock to his system and tells his learnings of how he tried to be the best version of himself to best support Heidi and Memphis. 

I would love it if you would subscribe, like and share this podcast! Feel free to follow along on instagram or facebook @sam.zieg.birthsweet

If you are interested in any of my services or getting in touch then my website is the best bet: www.samzieg.com

Please remember these stories are shared in their own voice; from the point of view of the speaker. Please remember that every birth, family and baby are different so different choices have been made in individual circumstances. They are not intended to be used as medical advice, but to share the amazing stories.

Trigger warning: Some episodes may talk about topics that are difficult for some listeners.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): http://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/playtime License code: TQKMNFKWKWPY8TNM

If you are looking for advice on how to prepare for a VBAC, this is the episode you HAVE to listen to. Ken & Monica were my first ever doula clients! I'm always going to have a soft spot for their story and I wish I could quote Ken forever. He talks about how they prepared for Ollie's birth and how he wholeheartedly trusted Monica throughout the process. 

I would love it if you would subscribe, like and share this podcast! Feel free to follow along on instagram or facebook @sam.zieg.birthsweet

If you are interested in any of my services or getting in touch then my website is the best bet: www.samzieg.com

Please remember these stories are shared in their own voice; from the point of view of the speaker. Please remember that every birth, family and baby are different so different choices have been made in individual circumstances. They are not intended to be used as medical advice, but to share the amazing stories.

Trigger warning: Some episodes may talk about topics that are difficult for some listeners.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): http://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/playtime License code: TQKMNFKWKWPY8TNM

This is the first episode where I am lucky enough to interview one of my doula clients! Matt and Shilo welcomed their baby, Liam, into the world earlier this year. Matt is very open with their previous pregnancy losses as "they are a part of our story". I loved hearing more about his process throughout Shilo's pregnancy from an unknowing support person to being accepting and excited about hypnobirthing classes and having a doula.

I would love it if you would subscribe, like and share this podcast! Feel free to follow along on instagram or facebook @sam.zieg.birthsweet

If you are interested in any of my services or getting in touch then my website is the best bet: www.samzieg.com

Please remember these stories are shared in their own voice; from the point of view of the speaker. Please remember that every birth, family and baby are different so different choices have been made in individual circumstances. They are not intended to be used as medical advice, but to share the amazing stories.

Trigger warning: Some episodes may talk about topics that are difficult for some listeners.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): http://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/playtime License code: TQKMNFKWKWPY8TNM

In this episode I interview another Sam. He tells his heartfelt story of how he and his wife, Anika, navigated the public system during the height of COVID lockdowns in 2020. They had a few obstacles thrown their way during Anika's pregnancy and birth but how Sam tells this story had me in tears. 

I would love it if you would subscribe, like and share this podcast! Feel free to follow along on instagram or facebook @sam.zieg.birthsweet

If you are interested in any of my services or getting in touch then my website is the best bet: www.samzieg.com

Please remember these stories are shared in their own voice; from the point of view of the speaker. Please remember that every birth, family and baby are different so different choices have been made in individual circumstances. They are not intended to be used as medical advice, but to share the amazing stories.

Trigger warning: Some episodes may talk about topics that are difficult for some listeners.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): http://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/playtime License code: TQKMNFKWKWPY8TNM

James is a family friend of ours who bravely shares his story. There is a trigger warning for this episode as James was super honest and open about his, and his wife's,  experience with pregnancy loss. James and Claire opted to use a private OB and have a very different story to ours! 

I would love it if you would subscribe, like and share this podcast! Feel free to follow along on instagram or facebook @sam.zieg.birthsweet

If you are interested in any of my services or getting in touch then my website is the best bet: www.samzieg.com

Please remember these stories are shared in their own voice; from the point of view of the speaker. Please remember that every birth, family and baby are different so different choices have been made in individual circumstances. They are not intended to be used as medical advice, but to share the amazing stories.

Trigger warning: Some episodes may talk about topics that are difficult for some listeners.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): http://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/playtime License code: TQKMNFKWKWPY8TNM