The Rural Births Podcast

Today’s episode is with Ellesha from Euroa in Victoria. She is a mum of two and in today’s episode shares her two quite different births and how she moved through her second pregnancy to create the empowering birth she wanted. Ellesha shares the wisdoms she has gained along her journey, the positive impact of hypnobirthing and some wonderful resources – that can be accessed online/through apps – that others can put into place/practice too to help them on their own birthing journey.

Her first son was born via caesarean after complications. This was a shock for Ellesha, as she was suddenly moving towards an earlier than expected arrival at 38 weeks.

Freya App:

Rhiannon Finger is a mum of four. She lives on a cattle property in Clermont, Central Queensland.

Rhiannon’s birth expectations changed rapidly in her first pregnancy when she unexpectedly went in to labour at 24 weeks. She shares how she moved through different providers, quickly realising that this was labour and that transfer was necessary. Being in Central Queensland, she required remote transfer and was flown to an out of area, high risk unit with NICU support for an emergency caesarean. Her son was born. He stayed in hospital for 99 days, in the care of the NICU nursing team. Fortunately, Rhiannon had family in Townsville and so she was able to stay close by and be supported by her grandmother and uncle.

This experience impacted both Rhiannon and her partner. In this interview she shares how they were supported through the feelings and traumas surrounding birth, into the pregnancy and birth of her second child. She also found a trusted high risk specialist in Townsville, who she worked with (travelling 600 kms) for all her subsequent pregnancies. Rhiannon shares how she was medically (cervical suture and planned caesareans) and emotionally supported through re-entering the birth sphere.

Rhiannon shares deeply and personally. I am so grateful to her, in sharing her story she has opened up pathways to understanding an integral rural and remote ‘what if’ question. Rhiannon is resilient and strong, moving through difficult experiences and into the challenges of motherhood. She highlights the incredible support of extended family networks, as we can call on loved ones from far away and rely on family back home too.

Rebecca Barry is a mum of two. She lives on a property in South Australia, close to the Victorian boarder.

Her partner was darting back and fourth to be a support to her and present for bubs imminent arrival, whilst still managing life on the land. Her eldest was born prematurely via caesarean section and required some additional support after he was born.

Rhia lives in rural Victoria. She is partner and wife to Claire from ‘Your Birth Midwifery’ who was interviewed in episode 17 of the podcast. In this episode Rhia shares their journey to conception, navigating sperm donation and working with fertility support.

Sarah is from Bowraville in NSW, on the mid north coast. She gave birth around three years ago. While she was ‘growing up’ Sarah hadn’t ever really considered how she would birth because she didn’t think she would have children. However, since becoming a mum Sarah is now thoroughly involved in the world of birth through her work as a birth photographer and the production of the first Nambucca Valley and surround ‘Pregnancy to Toddlerhood’ guide.

Sarah went into labour at just over 41 weeks; however, due to augmentation she was transferred from Macksville to Coffs Habour in an ambulance. Her labour was long but she went with the flow.

https://www.nambuccabirthphotographer.com.au/free-parents-guide-pregnancy-to-toddlerhood