As an experienced freebirth doula, Saima Kara (livewildbirthfree) shares her own experience of her decision-making through preconception, pregnancy and birth. She takes a deep dive into her own conditioning and behaviour, and how investing in support helped her be aware of her own ability to self-sabotage. One year on, Saima reflects on her birth story, rejoicing in its simplicity, and acknowledging how easily in the industrialsed maternity system it would have most likely been derailed.

Saima can be contacted via her Instagram @livewildbirthfree or her website livewildbirthfree.com

Music credit: Vanlig by Jahzzar (CC BY-SA), Slow Epic by Lite Saturation (CC BY-ND) - Free Music Archive

Danielle shares how as a doula she became disillusioned with the commonly-held New Zealand narrative that they have the 'gold standard' of maternity care. After seeing so many women traumatised and abused, not just in hospital but at homebirths too, she started to delve deeper into what was actually going on. Forced to examine her own behaviours and conditioning, Danielle began to see what was really needed to help women in their births.

Danielle can be contacted via her Instagram @daniellejamescoaching or email: [email protected]

Music credit: Vanlig by Jahzzar (CC BY-SA), Slow Epic by Lite Saturation (CC BY-ND) - Free Music Archive