Australian Birth Stories
Health, Fitness & Longevity
About
A Podcast of Mothers' stories of childbirth. Weekly interviews with mothers giving their first hand accounts of child birth in Australia. Designed to help educate and inform first time pregnant women, parents wanting to have better subsequent births and birth enthusiasts who love to hear and tell birth stories. An entertaining and heartfelt resource for pregnancy, labour and delivery and postpartum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
- 607 | Molly, Cape York water birth, neurodivergent motherhood, baby pinks experience
Molly discusses her water birth in remote Weipa, Cape York, as a neurodivergent mother. She shares her experience with postpartum euphoria, also known as "baby pinks."
- 606 | Lauren, Six children, doula, identical twins, water birth, precipitous labour
In this episode, Lauren discusses her experiences birthing six children, including a precipitous labor and an identical twin water birth. She also shares insights from her career as a doula, having supported over 150 births.
- 605 | Bettina- Three births across two countries: UK NHS care, Australian private care, and choosing caesarean birth
Bettina discusses her three birth experiences, covering UK NHS care, Australian private care, and an elective caesarean. She also touches on postpartum depression, prolapse management, and advocating for birth choices.
- 604 | Tahlia's Journey: From Heart Surgery to NICU Mum - A Story of Resilience and Hope
Tahlia discusses her personal journey, from living with a complex congenital heart condition to experiencing a high-risk pregnancy and a 78-day NICU stay with her daughter. She shares insights into the emotional impact and the support she…
- 603 | Gen's Second Birth Story: From IVF challenges to a powerfully healing birth experience
Gen returns to share her second pregnancy and birth story. She discusses secondary fertility struggles, hyperemesis gravidarum, and achieving a maternal-assisted delivery.
- 602 | Building Breastfeeding Confidence with IBCLC Dr Amber Hart
Dr. Amber Hart, a GP and lactation consultant, talks about breastfeeding, antenatal education, and tongue tie diagnoses. She emphasizes supporting new mothers and prioritizing mental wellbeing.
- 601 | Lucy's Story of an Emergency Caesarean, Twin birth, Redefining Body Image After Birth
Lucy recounts her contrasting birth experiences, from an emergency caesarean with her first daughter to a planned caesarean with twins that had an unresponsive birth. She also discusses redefining body image after birth. This episode is fr…
- 600 | Postpartum - Ruby, breastfeeding, sleep challenges, normal infant biology, low sleep needs
Ruby shares her postpartum experience with infant sleep, detailing her journey from traditional sleep training methods to understanding normal infant biology and her baby's low sleep needs. She discusses how her initial presumptions about…
- 599 | Ellie, Navigating Pregnancy and Birth as an Autistic Mother, Hospital Birth, and Early Motherhood realities
Ellie discusses her journey from home insemination to pregnancy and birth as an autistic mother in a same-sex relationship. She shares insights on neurodivergent motherhood and advocating for oneself in the healthcare system.
- 598 | Estelle, unexplained infertility, two positive birth experiences, postpartum anxiety, feeding challenges
Estelle discusses her experiences with unexplained infertility, IVF, and two different birth journeys. She also shares her struggles with postpartum anxiety and making feeding choices for her children.
- 597 | Michelle & Michelle IVF journey, reciprocal IVF, miscarriage, emergency caesarean, induced lactation
Michelle and Michelle discuss their IVF journey, reciprocal IVF, miscarriage, emergency caesarean, and induced lactation. They share their experiences as a same-sex couple navigating the fertility system and the emotional and financial asp…
- 596 | Leila Two Sets of Twins, Two Different Journeys: Leila's Christmas Day Birth Story & Postpartum Village
Leila shares her experience of birthing her second set of twins, which began at home on Christmas Day and ended with a water birth at the hospital. She also discusses her unexpected pregnancy discovery, informed decision-making, and the im…
- 595 | Jazz Two precipitous births, hyperemesis gravidarum, navigating motherhood as a midwife
In this episode of Australian Birth Stories, midwife Jazz discusses her personal journey through two precipitous births and severe hyperemesis gravidarum. She shares insights on navigating motherhood as a healthcare professional and managi…
- Special Announcement from Sophie
Sophie from Australian Birth Stories makes an announcement about her online course, The Birth Class. The course aims to prepare expectant parents for birth through education and practical tools, drawing on experiences from the podcast and…
- 594 | Fatuma, Hemiplegic migraines, toxoplasmosis, medical advocacy, African birth traditions
Fatuma recounts her challenging high-risk pregnancy featuring hemiplegic migraines and a toxoplasmosis diagnosis. Her story emphasizes medical advocacy, cultural reconnection, and the blending of Western medicine with traditional African b…
- 593 | Serrin- brain bleed in pregnancy, AVM rupture, Gold Coast University Hospital, caesarean
Serrin, a graphic designer, shares her pregnancy journey which included a life-threatening arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and a major brain hemorrhage at 22 weeks. She recounts her time in ICU, living in Airbnbs due to medical restrictio…
- 592 | Josey - Midwife, Home Birth, Third-Degree Tear, Positive Birth Experience
Josey, a midwife, shares her personal birth story, detailing her home birth experience, a third-degree tear, and how she maintained a positive outlook. She recounts her journey from conception to motherhood.
- 591 | Kim - Two births, from isolation in London to building Australia's largest mum walking movement after two very different births
Kim shares her contrasting birth experiences between the UK and Australia, her journey through postpartum depression, and how she transformed her challenging early motherhood into a national movement supporting mothers. Her story illustrat…
- 590 | Maddy - Three vaginal births, MGP care, third-degree tear recovery
Maddy, a registered nurse and mother of three, discusses her experiences with three vaginal births. She highlights the healing opportunities in subsequent births, the benefits of Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) care, and recovery from a thi…
- 589 | Beth, three vaginal births, blended family, returning to motherhood with a 13-year age gap
Beth discusses her experiences with three vaginal births, including welcoming a new baby after a 13-year age gap. She shares insights on pregnancy in her thirties while raising teenagers and the dynamics of her blended family.
- 588 | Shannon – A Midwife's Journey: Perinatal Anxiety, Miscarriage, Two Empowering Birth Stories
This episode features a midwife discussing her personal journey through perinatal anxiety, an eating disorder, and breastfeeding challenges with implants. She also shares two positive home birth experiences, highlighting the importance of…
- 587 | Zan & Indi - Two births, queer family, home insemination, IVF, surprise breech home birth, induced lactation
Zan and Indi, a queer couple from Adelaide, discuss their path to parenthood, navigating fertility challenges, pregnancy loss, and ultimately welcoming two children. Their story includes home insemination, IVF, a surprise breech home birth…
- 586 | Brittany, 28-week birth, IUGR, preeclampsia, emergency caesarean, NICU journey, heart surgery
Brittany recounts her experience of a challenging conception and the premature birth of her son Tulla at 28 weeks. Her story details the complications of IUGR and preeclampsia, leading to an emergency caesarean and a four-month NICU stay t…
- 585 | Em Shared care,induction, Postnatal Depression, Perinatal Mental Health Unit
This episode features Em discussing her pregnancy during lockdown, an induced labor, and a vacuum delivery. She also shares her experience with postnatal depression and PTSD, and her time in a Perinatal Mental Health Unit.
- 584 | Jo, two vaginal births, midwifery care, public hospital, GP, co-sleeping, extended breastfeed
In this episode, Jo, a GP and mother of two, shares her experiences with two vaginal births, midwifery care, public hospital, and co-sleeping. She also discusses extended breastfeeding and societal pressures.
- 583 | Amy's Story of Placenta Previa, PMDD Discovery, and Home VBAC
Amy discusses her experiences with placenta previa and a home VBAC, as well as her discovery of PMDD. She shares her journey through different birth experiences and managing PMDD.
- 582 | Jessie Khoo's Second Birth Story of Preparation and Healing
Jessie Khoo discusses her second pregnancy and birth, highlighting the impact of processing previous birth experiences and the importance of thorough preparation. She shares how support from a birth trauma counselor and her doula helped he…
- 581 | Tori, Nutritionist turned midwife, breastfeeding challenges, EMDR, pregnancy anxiety, emergency caesarean, home VBAC
Tori, a nutritionist turned midwife, shares her personal story of pregnancy loss, anxiety, an emergency caesarean, and a healing home VBAC. She also discusses her breastfeeding challenges and the role of EMDR therapy in her journey.
- 580 | Katherine, planned caesarean, unexpected diagnosis, craniosynostosis journey, surgical planning, parent advocacy
Katherine shares her postpartum journey after her son Finn was diagnosed with craniosynostosis, a condition where skull sutures fuse prematurely. She discusses the complexities of early detection, finding the right medical team, and prepar…
- 579| Melanie Jackson Two home births, 36-hour labour, midwife, acupuncture in labour
Melanie Jackson, an experienced private midwife and academic researcher, discusses her two contrasting home birth experiences, including a 36-hour labor with her first baby and a joyful second birth. She highlights how subsequent births ca…
- 578 | Maddie - Homebirth, private midwife, cleft lip and palate diagnosis, exclusive pumping journey
Maddie, a first-time mother, shares her transformative journey from receiving a cleft lip and palate diagnosis to achieving a home birth. She discusses navigating the complexities of birthing a baby with additional needs and maintaining he…
- 577 | Annabel Bower, Stillbirth, Grief After Loss, NICU, Placental Insufficiency
Annabel Bower discusses her experience with stillbirth, the grieving process, and the writing of her book, Miles Apart. She aims to break the stigma surrounding pregnancy and infant loss by sharing her story and those of other women.
- 576 | Lauren Perrett Posterior baby, postnatal anxiety, healing second birth
Lauren Perrett discusses her experiences with a posterior baby, postnatal anxiety, and the impact of her births on her entrepreneurial ventures, including BubbaDesk and Wombee. She highlights the difference that continuity of care and ment…
- 575 | Osteopathy in pregnancy, pain management, pelvic girdle pain, postpartum
Dr. Daniela Aiello, an osteopath specializing in pregnancy and postpartum care, shares her expertise on managing musculoskeletal complaints during and after pregnancy. She also founded Continuall, a compression wear brand. This episode is…
- 574 | Liza Three births, VBAC after two caesareans, birth trauma recovery, mental health support
Liza discusses her three birth experiences in New South Wales, including a traumatic second birth and her subsequent successful VBAC after two caesareans. She reflects on her journey through birth trauma, recovery, and the role of mental h…
- 573 | Claire's first birth, home to hospital transfer, asynclitic baby, emergency caesarean
Claire, a midwife and nurse, recounts her first birth journey with baby Maeve, which evolved from a planned home water birth to an emergency caesarean. Her story emphasizes that even unexpected birth experiences can be empowering through i…
- 572 | Nonny pre-conception testing, spontaneous labour, private hospital birth
Nonny Naitanui discusses her journey through fertility testing and her experience with a spontaneous, early birth in a private hospital. She recounts addressing initial concerns over her AMH results and her subsequent pregnancy experience.
- 571 | Sophie - Clinical Psychologist, Two Physiological Births, “Big Baby”, Home Birth
Clinical psychologist Sophie shares her experiences giving birth to two children at the Royal Hospital for Women, discussing her mental preparation through a professional lens and the birth of her 4.6kg son, Henry.
- 570 | Tamsyn - 2 Births, DCDA twins, vaginal twin birth, birth advocacy, midwifery support, physiological labour
Tamsyn recounts her journey from a medicalized first birth to a vaginal twin birth at 40+6 weeks. She highlights the importance of support and trusting her body despite hospital pressure for interventions.
- 569 | Ruby - Midwife, low-lying placenta, Royal Women's homebirth program, positive induction experience
Ruby, a midwife and nurse, shares her experience with the Royal Women's Hospital homebirth program in Melbourne. Despite planning a homebirth, her journey involved a low-lying placenta and an induced hospital birth, resulting in a positive…
- 568 | Gen - PT, three babies, prolapse recovery, 44-year-old home birth
Gen shares her journey of motherhood, from her initial pregnancy in Richmond to her experience with three births, including navigating age-related healthcare challenges and a home birth at age 44.
- 567 | How to donate and receive donor breastmilk with Chris from Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
Registered nurse and midwife Chris from Australian Red Cross Lifeblood discusses the process of donating and receiving donor breast milk. The episode covers donor screening and how this resource supports vulnerable infants in neonatal inte…
- 566 | Jordan - Midwife births with colleagues, 31-hour first labour, quick second birth, rural South Australia
Jordan, a midwife from rural South Australia, discusses her two positive birth experiences at her hospital, including a 31-hour first labour and a quick second birth. She shares the experience of birthing alongside colleagues and managing…
- 565 | Steph Claire Smith – second baby, breech presentation, spontaneous labour, drug-free birth
Steph Claire Smith shares her second birth experience with her daughter Billie, involving a breech presentation, spontaneous labour, and a drug-free delivery. She contrasts this experience with her first birth, which involved an induction.
- 564 | Celeste - Three very different births, Multiple sclerosis, induction, precipitous labour, mastitis
Celeste shares her experiences with three very different births, including inductions, a precipitous labour, and a water birth, while managing multiple sclerosis. Her story highlights her varied experiences within the same hospital system.
- 563 | Hannah - two births, Vaginal Breech Birth, NICU Journey, and Raising Awareness About CMV in Pregnancy, infant loss.
Hannah, a midwife and lactation consultant, discusses her two distinct birth experiences: a vaginal breech birth followed by a NICU stay, and the story of her son Albie, who passed away due to congenital CMV. She also shares her advocacy w…
- 562 | Dr. Amber Hart on Building Breastfeeding Confidence and Holistic Postpartum Care
Melbourne GP and lactation consultant Dr. Amber Hart discusses breastfeeding, antenatal education, and tongue-tie diagnoses on Australian Birth Stories. The episode highlights the importance of supporting new mothers while prioritizing men…
- 561 | Tessa - Two births, Darwin private hospital closures, advocating for birthing mothers
Tessa, a lawyer and mother, details her two contrasting birth experiences in Darwin, including the challenges she faced when the private hospital where she planned to deliver unexpectedly closed its maternity ward during her second pregnan…
- 560 | Sophie Pearce - HG across three pregnancies, PUPPs, doctor to podcaster, positive birth experiences
Sophie Pearce discusses her experiences with hyperemesis gravidarum throughout three pregnancies, an early miscarriage, and a diagnosis of PUPPs. The episode covers her transition from a career in medicine to motherhood and the importance…
- Sleep Safety Special with Loren Rushton - Sponsored by Bonds
Midwife and sleep safety educator Loren Rushton from Red Nose Australia joins the podcast to discuss evidence-based practices for safe infant sleep and SIDS prevention. This episode provides guidance on creating a safe sleep environment fo…