Transform Your Birth

Ashleigh's story is one worth listening to, as it helps us to really understand the power of undisturbed birth. She shares with us the preparation she did prior to the big day, and the fears she needed to address in order to surrender and work with the process of birth. She practices surrendering, cultivates a powerful mindset and is very clear about what she can and can't control. With the support of her amazing partner, her doula and two midwives she created the perfect conditions for birth to unfold, and it ended in a surprising outcome - which you will have to listen to - to find out what happened 🙂

An episode well worth the time, full of wisdom and insight into the journey we must make to be ready to welcome our babies.

Links:

Transform Parenting website

This week we have the perspective of a father supporting his wife through two birth experiences. Matt reflects on his journey of stepping up and becoming more proactive in both the birth space and in parenting. He shares that prior to doing our course, he didn't realise how much of a role he could play in helping Bronte and how she was feeling it was all on her shoulders. This experience shook him into action, which on reflection helped him to grow much quicker into fatherhood. This is a wonderful story of teamwork at its greatest - and when going through some pretty big challenges with the health of their second baby, they were able to get through it together, securely bonded and now able to manage the needs of two beautiful little boys. Matt has much wisdom - and this is an episode that should be shared with all partners of birthing women, so they can start to become familiar with the road ahead.

Links:

Transform Parenting website.

Today I'm going to share with you some important information every woman must know when it comes to choosing to use the pharmacological options in managing labour. They are tools in your tool kit to help manage labour - but you might want to put them in the bottom of the bag as they come at a cost, to the mother and the baby. When women don't have the drugs they often experience a natural high which sets her up beautifully for the next stage. Sometimes however, it can be appropriate - to protect the emotional state of the mother and also the baby. Most of the time we don't need it. I will help you to know when it might be appropriate. This is important information to know when it comes to making decisions. I also give some great advice for those supporting birthing women - how to get her over the hump, if she is asking for the drugs. Enjoy!

Links:

Transform Parenting website

Sally and Graeme resist the advice to have an induction based only on the identification of her baby's size. Her caregivers were concerned about the risk of the baby's shoulders getting stuck. Her labour starts spontaneously at 41 +2 weeks, and whilst it was a long labour, she manages with the incredible support of Graeme. He helps her to find comfort and coaches her along the way. We discuss how important it is for women to be free to move during labour - because they look for comfort, which supports the descent of the baby, and can reduce risk of baby getting stuck. Graeme shares how his preparation and doing the practices really helped him to know what to do on the day, and stay really present to Sally's needs. Their son arrived at 4.44kg. An inspiring story for anyone who is worried about having a big baby.

Links:

Transform Parenting Website

I loved recording this episode, as we started to venture into the realm of birth that is often not discussed. What is going on for women at a deeper level when they go through the process of giving birth. Jenn's first birth started with an induction - and although it was intense, she loved it. During her second pregnancy, she was healthy and well, and was able to experience labour and birth very differently, under the steam of her own oxytocin. She discovered this well of hormones had much to offer - and she helps us to explore why physiological birth must be honoured and strived for, as the benefits to the mother and baby are immense and help them to travel that path beyond. Whilst this is a slightly longer episode, it is well worth a listen. Enjoy the wisdom from this conversation.

Links:

Transform Parenting Website

Josey felt confident with her first birth, and through events outside of her control, it ended up to be a difficult birth. She felt she had people telling her what to do, and no one really paid attention to her voice. For her second, she prepares with the 'Transform Your Birth,' course and manages to get into the continuity program, so she has her own midwife. This made all the difference, to both her experience of birth, and her partner feeling like he could support her. She then shares how this influenced her parenting with both children. Much wisdom to be shared, enjoy!

Links:

Transform Parenting website

Serena completed the 'Transform Your Birth,' course and shares how it changed her thinking about birth, and helped her partner to feel like they have an important role to play. Serena's pregnancy took her all the way to 42 weeks, at which point she agreed to be induced. All went smoothly from there and she went through the tools that helped her to get through the whole labour. She also shares her experience of transitioning into motherhood, and how her labour helped her. A beautiful story to remind us all to trust our body.

Links:

Transform Parenting website

Danika prepares for the birth of her son using calmbirth. She is very grateful for this, as her pregnancy took a detour, and at 36 weeks she needs to have an emergency cesarean under a general anesthetic, without her partner present. This was a lot to adjust to. To find out how she did this, listen in.

Bonnie and Steve share their tragic story of multiple losses. Overcoming the fear during Evie's pregnancy was always going to be their biggest mountain. They worked with me by doing the 'Transform Your Birth,' course and stayed connected to our community during their pregnancy. What unfolded from there is worth listening to. An inspirational story from an exceptional couple.

Shelby shares her story of two births. When having her first baby, as a yoga teacher - people kept affirming that she would likely have a straightforward birth. Her first birth was long. When her baby arrived, she felt dissociated from her new baby. For her second birth, she did some more preparation with the 'Transform Your Birth,' course and got herself a doula. She became very clear that the most important part of the birth was meeting and connecting with her baby. This clear focus helped her to adjust to a cesarean. Shelby's experiences remind us that we are not in control - but we can get clear on what is important to us, which can help us to adjust to what unfolds on the day.