A powerful, story of a strong mum in an intense situation for her first birth. Danielle is not traumatized by this birth experience, in fact she is pleased to share about all that went right for her.

In this episode we discuss:

- The decision to have children, oral contraception for 16 years

- Coming to terms with, and processing pregnancy

- Sister inlaw’s stillbirth

- Unicorn pregnancy

- learning hypnobirthing tools for mindset shift

- Reasons to avoid hospital

- Finishing work at 40 weeks pregnant

- 41+5 and no pressure to induce

- Using a TENS machine

- Fast progression of labour

 - Baby became bradycardic and Danielle needed to push hard to get him out in 4 mins

- Baby born with cranial hematoma

- Danielle’s midwives support and comments

To download your free guide on how to prepare for yourpositive birth plus a free relaxation track head here: https://www.positivebirths.co.nz/positive-birth-top-resources/

For a range of in person and online courses along with personal sessions with Helen see www.positivebirths.co.nz

For more info and inspiration follow on @positive_births_nz

Anna's fast birth of her 4th baby in hospital while synthetic oxytocin was being 'threatened' as her membranes had released almost 2 days prior.

In this chat we cover:

-Miscarriage before Freddy’s conception

-First part of pregnancy worried about loss – listening toheartbeat helped

-Fear release

-Membrane release but no sign of labour within 36 hours.

-Labour starts naturally in hospital just before syntheticoxytocin given

-Wireless monitor not picking up baby’s heartbeat

-One hour established labour

-Astrologically a special day to be born

 You can listen to Anna’s 3 other birth experiences here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4OkZFja4KOnK5lhyJgt1O8

If you're having your third or fourth baby too and would like a set of tools to feel calm, empowered and confident (and tools that are useful postpartum too!) here's the best course for you: https://www.positivebirths.co.nz/online-recorded-classes/

For more info and inspiration for a positive birth follow @positive_births_nz

To download your free guide on how to prepare for your positive birth plus a free relaxation track head here:https://www.positivebirths.co.nz/positive-birth-top-resources/

While the circumstances around Finley's arrival could have been traumatic Amy is speaking here as a mum who has many positives to share during her journey to meet her baby. It was necessary to have a c-section and she felt calm, safe and empowered throughout.

*Trigger warning that we cover the details of the difficulty of Finley coming out during the caesarean due to his transverse position.

In this episode we chat on the following topics:

-Fear of not being able to have babies

-Miscarriage (which turned septic)

-we mention : Massage for Miscarriage

-Using different midwife for pregnancy and birth due to preferred birth location

-Transverse positioning of baby  at end of pregnancy

-37 weeks waters start leaking

-C section process

-Baby born with bruising

-VBAC stats (see below)

To download your free guide on how to prepare for your positive birth plus a free relaxation track head here: https://www.positivebirths.co.nz/positive-birth-top-resources/

If you would like to feel calm, confident and empowered no matter what your birth journey involves head to www.positivebirths.co.nz.

You'll find a range of live and recorded course options plus one on one sessions available with Helen.

For more info and inspiration follow us @positive_births_nz

VBAC stats mentioned: Statistics come from various resources and presented in Kristin White’s VBAC workshop 2025. @kristindoula.birtheducator
NZ stats only 10% of mothers will chose a VBAC of those, 70% will be successful
Uterine rupture risk after 1 previous c-section is approx. 0.5%, after 2 c-sections 0.9%
Statistically more likely to have a cord prolapse or shoulder dystocia.
Statistically more likely to have a uterine rupture if you have synthetic oxytocin than through a VBAC

Caroline and Coad both share their journey to meet Mia which involved the use of a strong mindset and tools to navigate curveballs at the end of pregnancy and during labour for the best possible outcome.

In this chat we cover the following topics, and more:

-First pregnancy becoming a miscarriage

-Naturopath support for conception

-NIPT test returning result for a baby boy

-Scans weren’t able to see between baby’s legs so assumption stayed as a boy

-41+4 having talks about induction, Caroline determined to go into labour spontaneously

-Fear release of induction and hospital

-Midwife’s check of cervix during the stretch and sweepindicated labour unlikely, however, Caroline went into labour that night

-Recommendation of induction, Caroline and Coad asked formore time

-Labour starts spontaneously but slow to progress – Carolineasked not to be told her dilation number (it was 0 when she thought she was in active labour)

-Using mindset to keep going, sleeping between the waves, hospital staff noting Caroline is coping beautifully

-3.5 hours later Caroline is at 7 cms

-Episiotomy, mild forceps support for birth

-40 mins after birth discovering their “boy” was in fact a“girl”

Caroline and Coad joined the Positive Births Ultimate course to gain information, education, tools, techniques and ongoing support for their pregnancy. As you'll hear this proved invaluable for their end of pregnancy and labour journey.

You can find the Positive Births Ultimate course at www.positivebirths.co.nz. Available in person and live online.

To download your free guide on how to prepare for your positive birth plus a free relaxation track head here:https://www.positivebirths.co.nz/positive-birth-top-resources/

We mention the use of acupressure points, a great resource is from Debra Betts at https://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/acupressure/download.aspx/

for more information and inspiration follow @positive_births_nz

Lydia is an excellent example of a mum who committed to the hypnobirthing tools and then reaped the rewards – as you’ll hear her explain what made a difference in her second birth to Eloise.

In this chat we cover:

- How hypnobirthing made a huge difference for her and her practice routine

- Sebastian’s birth in hospital, pressure to push

-Doing everything possible to conceive a girl

- Moving house and regions in pregnancy

- Extra monitoring with a small baby, declined induction at 38 weeks

- Making informed decisions

- Being pregnant at the same time as her midwife

- Difference in the sensations using the hypnobirthing tools as opposed to not using them

Here is the Spotify link to the playlist that Lydia mentions: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5dRjQtPfHtKPAQV6VjqLvl?si=wgCFvjcNTtWdlwWXgb7DHw&pi=n384zBltTA-AK

If you would like to learn hypnobirthing techniques to make a difference to your birth head to www.positivebirths.co.nz. Helen is NZ’s most experienced facilitator, with 19 years of experience sharing these tools to thousands of couples.

You’ll find options for personal sessions, small groups live in person or online, or recorded courses.

Don’t leave your birth prep to chance, your actions will make a difference.

For more info and inspiration on positive birth prep follow us on @positive_births_nz

Ellen’s inspiring homebirth to second baby Rowan include thewords “rest”, “underwhelming”, “slumber party vibes”.
Ellen has previously shared her first birth to Nuala on an earlier episode on the podcast;  you can find it by searching  Ellen'shospital birth to Nuala

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5nF1izYF7fxIXJg5dtBMNH

Our chat includes the following topics:

-Miscarriage in between first and second baby

-Fear release exercise bought up subconscious fear instead of what she had expected

-Tearing in her births

-Dealing with anaemia in pregnancy

-Baby born at 38 weeks

-Laughing with toddler as labour starts = oxytocin

-Using breathing for labour and for breastfeeding

-Episiotomy to prevent big tear

-Turning phone off so no distractions and no need to knowwhat the time was

-Planned a waterbirth but was fine without the pool

-Difficulty birthing the placenta, retained piece of membranecame out with a clot a week later at home

Read the recent research that’s just been released aboutHypnobirthing:

https://www.womenandbirth.org/article/S1871-5192(26)00056-9/fulltext

summary: is a study conducted in Australia with a largegroup of women who participated in hypnobirthing education throughout their pregnancy.

Conclusion:

Hypnobirthing is associated with a significant reduction inthe use of epidurals, greater use of water immersion, and decreased odds of caesarean section.

Study suggests that the use of Hypnobirthing during labourcan further support women’s aspirations to avoid pharmacological analgesia and achieve an unassisted vaginal birth.

They also went onto recommend that - Maternity servicesshould explore ways to provide women with increased access to Hypnobirthing training.

If you'd like to use the benefits of practical hypnobirthing tools and techniques for your labour, birth and postpartum check out your options at www.positivebirths.co.nz

For more inspiration and information about positive birth prep follow us @positive_births_nz

Hayley shares her two positive birth stories – an inductionwith Lilah and birth centre waterbirth to Briar.

In our chat today we cover the following topics:

-Consultation with specialists around Conception journey

-2nd trimester  fibroid degeneration, dealing withthe extreme pain resulted in belief she would be fine for birth

-Plan for homebirth

-High blood pressure week 38

-39+4Misoprostal induction, membranes released

-Briar’s conception within first month

-No fibroids

-Midwives with different opinions

-40+3 doubt worry about going into labour, stretch and sweep

-Different way labour felt induction vs natural

If you'd like to learn some hypnobirthing tools and techniques for your pregnancy, birth and postpartum, you can find a variety of live and online classes at www.positivebirths.co.nz

For more info and inspiration follow us @positive_births_nz

Sofia shares her straight forward homebirth to first baby, Atlas

In this chat we include:

- Her very physical lifestyle as a dance teacher and Less Mills instructor, with cross fit right up until end of pregnancy

-Signs of labour starting at 40+3 (burst of energy), 40+4sore back

-Calm labour

-Cervical lip and waiting for that to disappear

-Pushing without an overwhelming urge

-Midwife helping the pelvic floor as having troubles torelease it

-instinctual postpartum

Sofia purchased the Positive Births Short n Sweet onlinerecorded course to gain mindset, breathwork, relaxation skills to use through her pregnancy and birth. Find all course options at www.positivebirths.co.nz

Follow us for more info and inspiration @positive_births_nz

Teresina shares her fast, instinctive birth to Isabella, inthe water just a few minutes after arriving to the birth centre.

In this chat we include topics such as:

-PCOS – told she would never have kids, but how she used that diagnosis to become more in tune with her body

-Birth culture in Mexico

-Learning about birth in NZ

-Changing midwives at 38 weeks to support the type of birthshe wanted – no intervention and no hospital.

-Trusting that the body heals and knows what to do

-Her labour while out walking, progressing as she’s leaving her apartment, navigating traffic to get to the birth centre, baby arriving just minutes later

To learn the skills Teresina used in her pregnancy, birth and postpartum head to www.positivebirths.co.nz for a range of course options - online and in person.

For more info and chats about positive birth follow us @positive_births_nz

This chat arose because of a thankyou email that Josie sent to me right at the very most perfect time that I needed it…..

In this episode today we discuss:

Difficulty finding a midwife for due date early January, which lead to the choice of obstetric care

Using positive birth stories to improve mindset

Induction with several stretch and sweeps, balloon, epidural, syntocinin

Positive interactions with hospital staff

The ripple effect

 A reminder that your birth involves your body and your baby, you can choose what feels right for you.  Josie says she feels like she made the right calls along the way to choose induction, epidural and c section – that was the right decision for her.

If you'd like to explore a range of hypnobirthing options check out www.positivebirths.co.nz. There are online recorded courses, online and in person live courses.

For more info and inspiration for a positive birth in all sets of circumstances follow us on @positive_births_nz