Positive Birth Australia

Today, we dive into Amanda's remarkable birth stories, marked by challenges yet underscored by her unwavering resilience, advocacy and deep knowledge. Amanda's excitement about her first birth was initially clouded by a diagnosis of placenta previa at 32 weeks. This resolved as time passed, but Amanda soon faced another hurdle: preeclampsia, which led to a recommendation for induction at 38 weeks. Despite a series of medical interventions, Amanda achieved the vaginal birth she had hoped for. However, a tense moment occurred when her midwife pulled on her placenta and discovered that it was deeply attached to her uterus, a condition known as placenta accreta, which required Amanda to be taken away to have it surgical removed.

When Amanda prepared to welcome her second child, she was armed with greater knowledge and a strong resolve to advocate for her choices. Despite being diagnosed once again with placenta previa, she maintained her positivity and advocated for her birth plan. Defying expectations, Amanda successfully gave birth to a healthy 5.3kg son in the way she envisioned.

Join me as Amanda shares her inspiring birth stories, highlighting the crucial moments she asserted herself, the challenging discussions with healthcare providers, and her navigation when faced with the discovery of placenta accreta again, leading to significant and life-changing surgery.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @amandasempf

Birth education: @2lifedoula

Midwife: @benefitingbirthandbeyond

Acupuncture: @wombtoworld.aus

Photographer: @jaydearchivesphotography

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

In today's episode, I sit down with Poppy, the host of Out the Gate Parenting, to explore her two distinctly different birth experiences. Poppy was inspired to choose homebirth after her sister's peaceful home delivery, contrasted sharply by witnessing a friend's hospital birth. Knowing this was the right path, Poppy engaged a homebirth midwife shortly after she consciously conceived her first child. However, as her birthing time approached, an uncomfortable encounter led Poppy to question the support she was receiving. This experience ultimately influenced her decision to forgo a private midwife for any future deliveries, despite having a beautiful first birth.

When it was time to welcome her second child, Poppy felt confident and prepared. As the urge to push arrived unexpectedly early, Poppy found herself embracing the profound lesson of surrendering to the unique journey that each birth unfolds. After five intense hours of pushing, Poppy sensed something was unusual but remained unafraid, drawing strength from deep within to bring her baby into the world. As soon as he arrived, it was revealed that her son had been in a brow presentation. Poppy shares the challenges of the prolapse that followed and the natural healing process she embraced after this fiery birth, offering profound insights into the lessons she learnt along the way.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @outthegateparenting_podcast

Listen to Out the Gate Parenting Podcast HERE.

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

Welcome to today's episode, where we delve into the transformative journey of Fiona, a birth educator and doula whose experiences in childbirth deeply reshaped her life. Fiona admits that initially, she knew very little about pregnancy and childbirth. However, inspired by the profound insights from Ina May Gaskin's book, Fiona embarked on a path that dramatically altered her perspective on birth.

Fiona shares her first birth experience at a birth center, where she faced a challenging six-hour pushing phase and the looming threat of medical intervention. This initial encounter, marked by moments of trauma, profoundly influenced her approach to subsequent births. Reflecting on her experiences, Fiona gained a deep understanding of how various factors impacted her natural birthing process. These invaluable lessons not only shaped her significantly different approach to her second and third births but also enriched her practice as a doula.

Join us as we explore Fiona's three powerful birth stories and her journey from the corporate world to a deeply fulfilling role supporting women in the birth space.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @bumps_birth_and_beyond

@fi_oshaughnessy

Midwife: @midwifelibbylamb

Charity: @hygieiahealthltd

Fiona's Website HERE.

Please Donate to the Fundraiser HERE. Every dollar helps!

Book: Ina May's Guide to Childbirth

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

In today's episode, I am delighted to welcome the visionary creators of the Australian documentary, Born at Home, which explores the intimate world of homebirth. Following the empowering experience of her second child's birth, Amanda, with her extensive background in birth advocacy and evidence-based maternity care, felt an undeniable call to create a resource that could educate and empower other women. When she shared her vision with Eleanor, her friend of 15 years, Eleanor was immediately on board despite having no information on what they were creating. 

As they ventured into the world of documentary filmmaking, Amanda and Eleanor set out to gather the wisdom and stories from women in the community, leading birth experts, doulas, and midwives. Their mission was to create a film that not only moves its audience with the inspiring real-life stories featured but also provides evidence-based information, empowering viewers with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their own birthing experience.

Today, we not only dive into Amanda and Eleanor's personal birth journeys but also explore the dedication, passion, and resilience that fuelled the creation of this impactful documentary. All while they balanced their personal and professional lives amidst the worldwide acclaim of Born at Home.

Show Notes:

Born at Home Website HERE.

Book Tickets to see Born at Home HERE.

Listen to guests featured in the Born at Home Film:

• Dr Sarah Buckley
• Dr Rachelle Reed
• Moran Liviani
• Mae't Pearson

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

I'm thrilled to introduce Kristine, an international midwife with over three decades of experience in the birth space. Kristine has dedicated her career to guiding women around the globe through their most transformative journey, offering compassion, expertise, and a profound understanding of the birthing process. 

Kristine's journey began as an apprentice midwife, working with the Amish community where home births were the norm. Witnessing birth unfold naturally, without medical intervention unless absolutely necessary, became her foundation. This early experience shaped her belief in the innate ability of women's bodies to birth, contrasting sharply with the hospital protocols she later encountered.

Her path led her to specialise in breech births. Her work with Breech Without Borders has taken her around the world, teaching birth workers to view breech birth as a natural variation that requires a nuanced approach, rather than an immediate emergency,

Kristine's approach to birth, particularly with high-risk cases, emphasises individual assessment and trust in the birthing process. Her perspective challenges the traditional medical model and offers a profound reevaluation of how we view birth. This dedication to her philosophy is evident in her work, which takes her to some of the most challenging environments, including refugee camps, where she provides the full scope of midwifery care to high-risk women. Despite encountering countless scenarios over her years of practice, Kristine remains amazed by the unpredictability of birth, recognising that anything is possible.

In today's episode, Kristine shares her insights into breech birth, offering a glimpse into its diverse manifestations and the body's remarkable ability to adapt. She also delves into her extensive experience with multiple births, including a recent triplet home birth featured on episode #143

Join me in this captivating conversation as we explore the world and mind of one of the greatest midwives of our time. 

Show Notes:

Instagram: @globalmidwife64

@breechwithoutborders

Website: www.breechwithoutborders.org

How to Book a Training HERE.

Upcoming Trainings HERE. Check back later in the year for 2025 tour dates.

Kristine's Blog HERE.

The Traveling Midwife Website HERE.

Here Amber's Triplet Homebirth Story HERE.

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5,...

In this episode, Astrid reflects on her three unique birth experiences, each contributing to her deep respect for the journey of birth. Her trust in birth was instilled at a young age as she witnessed her siblings being born at home.

Her first birth, initially planned for a homebirth but ending in a transfer, became a pivotal moment for Astrid. It prompted her to explore the essence of physiological birth more deeply. The natural unfolding of her second baby's birth further solidified her trust in her body’s innate wisdom.

However, it was Astrid's third pregnancy that unraveled life's most profound teachings. Amidst the turbulence of a challenging pregnancy, her world shattered at 37 weeks when her partner was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Diving into these challenges, Astrid recounts the homebirth of her daughter, who arrived in her 43rd week weighing over 9 pounds. She shares the invaluable life lessons she uncovered from this journey, forging deeper bonds within her relationship as they walked through the fire of life and birth together.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @astrid_rene_

Resources:

• Jane Hardwick Collings - Shamanic Dimensions of Pregnancy
• Dr Rachel Reed
• Rhea Dempsey
• ISTA
• Born at Home Film

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

Today’s episode features Mia, a jewellery creator and first-time mother, sharing her unexpected journey to motherhood. When Mia met her partner, they both agreed that they weren't ready to have children at that time. However, six years later, Mia began to feel a deep longing to become a mother. She sensed the spirit of a little girl around her and knew that a daughter was waiting to be conceived.

After a spontaneous night of intimacy without contraception, and a difficult discussion about their readiness for children, Mia took the morning-after pill. Living a holistic lifestyle, she initially attributed her oncoming symptoms to ingesting something foreign. However, when her cycle didn't arrive on the full moon as predicted, she decided to take a pregnancy test. The surprise of a positive result stirred a whirlwind of emotions for Mia and her partner. However, they quickly embraced the joy and excitement of knowing that their baby was meant to be here, deepening their bond and anticipation for the journey ahead.

Mia shares her insights into homebirth, describing how she knew it was the right choice for her daughter's birth, and the turbulence of discovering her baby was breech. She discusses her decision to undergo an ECV to maintain her birth plans, along with the challenges and learning that came with it.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @mia_savage_designs

Mia's Website Here.

Father: @creatures_of_the_wild_unknown

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

On today’s episode, I have the honour of sharing the remarkable story of Amber and her journey to birthing her triplets at home. Amber's husband sensed something unique about her pregnancy when he noticed her symptoms were more intense this time around. Initially dismissing it as typical pregnancy fatigue for a mother of five, Amber went for a dating scan with a friend. Little did she know, this scan would reveal a surprise: three sacs, three heartbeats. Amber recounts her reaction to the sonographer's reveal that she was indeed carrying triplets.

As the news settled in, Amber felt a wave of grief, realising her dream of a home birth might be out of reach. However, she was determined to make it happen. With unwavering conviction, she set out to find her dream birth team, and to her relief, everything fell into place, and her home birth was back on track.

Throughout her pregnancy, Amber was closely monitored and surrounded by supportive friends and family, which instilled in her the trust she needed to birth her babies. She shares the challenges and triumphs of carrying her triplets past the expected gestation date, an impressive 38 weeks. She recalls the scare of early water rupture at 24 weeks while she was organising a Halloween party at home. And the unique circumstances of triplet 1 and 2 being born en caul, while triplet 3 required special management by her highly skilled midwife.

Amber's story is a testament to the incredible power of the female body and the remarkable journey it undertakes when given the space and support to unfold naturally. Join us as we dive into this inspiring story of strength, resilience, and the beauty of birth.

Show Notes:

Midwife: Kristine Lauria @globalmidwife64

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

In today's episode, I’m excited to welcome Emma, co-founder of Maia Mothers Collective, as she shares her contrasting birth experiences. During her first pregnancy, Emma felt well-prepared for birth, but her experience of prodromal labour sent her on a rollercoaster of emotions. This ultimately led to a series of interventions that ended in an emergency caesarean. Without any real understanding why, in the moments that followed that experience she knew her next birth would be at home.

Describing this pregnancy and birth as a more spiritual journey, Emma utilised the knowledge gained from her first birth experience as guidance as she entered the next season of motherhood, feeling more connected to her feminine wisdom than ever before.  As this birth began to unfold, she noticed a stark contrast in her pain experience, feeling softer and more in flow with her surges. Emma attributed this newfound fluidity to her profound trust and deep surrender to the natural unfolding of this birth journey.

Today, Emma shares her tips and expertise on supporting health and well-being during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She opens up about her struggle with depression during hyperemesis gravidarums (HG) overwhelming impact on her life, and expresses admiration for her midwives' swift action during a postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) experience.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @emmamorris_nutrition

Clinic: @maiamothers.collective

Midwives: @ittakesavillagemidwifery

Photographer: @anita.alice.photography

Maia Mothers Collective Website HERE.

Join the Maia Mothers Membership HERE.

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

Welcome back to part two of my birth story series. In this episode, we dive into the rollercoaster ride of my pregnancy with fraternal twins. Discovering that I was carrying twins was a huge surprise for our family, a journey I recount with honesty and transparency. Knowing that my dreams of a homebirth were no longer a reality, became a process of continuous grieving.

However, it was a transformative conversation with a recommended doula @2lifedoula that reignited my sense of excitement for this experience. With the support and guidance of my doula, we began a deep exploration of twin childbirth, navigating the complexities and unique considerations that come with carrying and birthing twins, ensuring that I was well-informed for the journey ahead.

In today's episode, I'll walk you through the mental and emotional challenges I faced as my pregnancy reached its 40th week. Igniting a massive season of personal growth and development, pushing me into uncharted territories of self-discovery. By sharing my experience, I hope to provide insights and encouragement for others to explore their own paths in pregnancy and childbirth with confidence and curiosity.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @the.waters.life

Podcast: @positivebirthaustralia

My Doula: @2lifedoula

Join our Mothers Gathering village HERE.

Dr Rachel Reed - Meconium Stained Waters

Bella Meeting the Twins!

Twin Homebirth Page

Dr Stuart James Fischbein - Twin Homebirth OBGYN

Amanda Freeman Twin Freebirth Story

The Postnatal Depletion Cure Book

PBA Tumbler

Maia Mothers Collective

Get our 20 Minute Birth Affirmation Track HERE.

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth...

Welcome back to season 5 of PBA. We’re kicking this season off with a two-part series. In this opening episode, I'm taking you on an intimate journey through my own experience of childbirth. We'll explore the transition from maiden to mother as I recount the birth of my daughter - a journey that, while filled with challenges, taught me invaluable lessons about myself.

This episode delves into my unexpected journey through an unplanned induction and the typical cascade of interventions that usually follows. I'll share the profound ways in which this experience peeled back the layers of my personality, revealing depths I hadn't known before. We'll discuss the crucial roles of mindset and the art of surrender as I navigated self-inflicted challenges leading up to my birth. And, I'll explain why even methods considered to be natural "inductions" should be approached with the understanding that they are, in essence, interventions.

Join me as I dive into these insights, unpacking the wisdom gained from navigating the turbulent waters of my experience. My hope is that by sharing my story, I can offer insights that will resonate with and empower my listeners on their own journeys.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @the.waters.life

Podcast: @positivebirthaustralia

Dr Sarah Buckley Episode

Jane Hardwick Collings Episode

Spiritual Midwife Episode

Lactation Consultant: Bridget Ingle

Book Recommendations:

Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage

Gentle Birth Gentle Mothering

Birth With Confidence

10 Moons

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

In today's episode, we are joined by Hannah, tuning in all the way from the US, as she shares her two unique birthing experiences. 

Choosing the path of motherhood was a spontaneous decision that immersed Hannah in the journey of pregnancy, evoking a deep appreciation for the miracle of growing life within. Hannah's deep desire for a healing journey to redefine her family's lineage gained clarity when she witnessed women in circle sharing their empowering birth stories. Inspired, she made the intentional choice to birth at home where she would be undisturbed.

As labour unfolded, Hannah embraced intuitive movement and sound, creating a birthing rhythm with her son - a practice she holds dear as a potent and healing tool. From the anticipation of watching her partner fill the outdoor tub sitting on the hillside of their property to the serene moment of raising her son into his new world, she walks us through the intricate details of her transformation from maiden to mother.

Taking a thoughtful pause between births for personal growth and nourishment, Hannah approached her second pregnancy with a seasoned perspective. At 38 weeks, sensing the subtle signs of surges, she initially shrugged them off, presuming they would subside.Despite denial, she wisely adjusted her plans, including canceling a mother's blessing the next day. This decision proved serendipitous, as she welcomed her second son at the magical hour of 2:22 pm on the very same day.

Join us as Hannah reflects on the contrasting experiences of her two births, guiding us through the nuanced= details that shaper her story, and unveils the intriguing thread connecting her journey to the presence of hawks.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @webofgrace

Support: @adelaidemeadow_ @__sheaz

Books: Unhindered Childbirth by Sarah M Haydock

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

On today's episode, Paige takes us on a her journey, navigating the challenges of conception and recounting her empowering experience of an unmedicated hospital birth. 

After a heartbreaking missed-miscarriage, a sobering realisation dawned on Paige that a pregnancy doesn’t always guarantee a baby. Following the identification of a blood clotting disorder, low ovarian reserve, and an endometriosis diagnosis, she embarked on a series of fertility treatments that proved unsuccessful. But just as the idea of trying IVF crossed their minds, Paige discovered she was pregnant.

During her pregnancy, Paige stumbled upon a birth video that revealed the potential for an intimate birthing journey. Observing the the dim lighting, soft music, and calm atmosphere, she realised that childbirth doesn’t have to be a bright, chaotic, experience. Fuelled by this realisation, Paige and her husband immersed themselves in a Hypnobirthing course, arming themselves with the knowledge to advocate for the birth experience they desired.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @elizabethpaigex

Midwife: @valley_births

Hypnobirthing: @hypnobirthing_with_skye

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

In today's episode, Lucinda guides us through the journey of her three contrasting births. Her introduction to motherhood was far from smooth, given a preexisting kidney condition that required careful blood pressure management. Unfortunately, poor care from health providers meant she never received the correct protocol, leading to a stressful pregnancy and a preeclampsia diagnosis. Lucinda's struggle for her birth and baby in the face of inadequate care resulted in a cascade of interventions and significant birth trauma.

Shortly after conceiving, with the memories of her previous experience still fresh in her mind, Lucinda went on a journey of self-education about the available models of care. Her initial presumption that private obstetric care was the gold standard stumbled as she delved deeper into her research. With a better-managed blood pressure, this pregnancy was more enjoyable, but an accidental fainting spell meant she would once again face induction. This time, armed with the knowledge to advocate for herself, Lucinda proceeded to have a birth that left her astounded by its stark contrast and exhilaration compared to her first. It was a realisation — this was how birth should feel. This newfound understanding guided her through her most recent birth, where she stood firm in her autonomy, choosing never to leave the comfort of home.

Lucinda's story speaks to the importance of personalised care, self-advocacy, and the recognition that, even in the face of trauma there's room for a positive and fulfilling birth experience.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @lucindaskeatsmiller

Doula: @beautifulbirths.doula

IBCLC: Bridget Ingle

Chiro: Thrive Health Chiro - Jemima Nelson

Acupunture: Dr Andrew Orr

Disclaimer:

While we strive to share positive birth stories and insights, please note that the content provided is for informational and inspirational purposes only. We are not medical professionals, and the stories shared are personal experiences. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalised advice tailored to your unique situation. If you have any medical concerns, please seek professional guidance. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

Today we warmly welcome back Emma to the podcast sharing her most recent birth. Emma’s first birth can only be described as a dream unfolding, one you can hear in detail over on episode #102. While Emma maintained the awareness that each birth is a unique journey, as she approached her second birthing experience, there was a natural sense of anticipation that it might progress more quickly. However, this labour would unfold over a span of 29 hours..

Emma guides us through the series of events that triggered enough disruption for her body to react in its innate protective manner. Recognising the impact of these subtle yet profound interruptions on her labor and observing a slowing of surges when she felt ready to push, Emma drew upon the wisdom accumulated over her years as a wellness expert, skilfully realigning herself and making the necessary adjustments to her environment so her birth could unfold undisturbed.

Today's story stands as a testament to our biology and the instinctual response of our bodies, highlighting Emma's extraordinary strength and wisdom. Wisdom that enabled her to maintain trust and reclaim control over her space, creating the environment she needed to guide her son home on the 29th hour, by the fire and witnessed by her firstborn.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @emmamaidment_

Business: @flowstatescollective

The Flow State Podcast HERE.

Emma's first birth story HERE.

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

Today we're diving into Marie's incredible story, one that beautifully illustrates the profound transformation that took place following her unplanned, intervention-free physiological birth in the hospital.

In her first pregnancy and birth, Marie found herself consumed by anxiety and fear. She willingly handed over her power to medical professionals, following their guidance and even entertaining the idea of a planned caesarean or induction. But an unexpected turn of events changed everything. At 36 weeks, her waters broke, and on arrival to the hospital she was placed in a small room due to how busy they were, feeling abandoned as she waited for a more suitable space. Little did she know that this challenging situation would turn out to be a monumental gift. With only her husband by her side, she could labour undisturbed. When they finally secured a room for her, Marie caught her son shortly after, an empowering moment that shattered her preconceived notions about childbirth. This moment became the catalyst for her journey of unlearning.

Marie's conscious conception of her daughter marked a new beginning. Determined to approach her pregnancy differently, she chose to take each day as it came, avoiding unnecessary medical interventions that had marred her first experience. Fearful of re-entering the system, given her higher BMI and prior experience of excessive testing, she was instead led by her intuition and the knowledge she’d gained on childbirth. This time around, she opted for a free birth at home with only her husband by her side.

Marie's journey is a testament to the power of birth, self-discovery, intuition, and the unlearning of societal birth norms ⋒

Show Notes:

Instagram: @mama_fairy_

Resources: Sovereign Birth Sessions by Amy Lou

Sacred Birthing by Sunni Karl D.D

10 Moons by Jane Hardwick Collings

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

S4 EP134: In today's episode, we dive into the fascinating birth experiences of Charlotte. Her upbringing instilled in her a profound reverence for birth. Being surrounded by positive birth stories, shaped her perspective, casting aside fear and filling her with a genuine sense of excitement. However, her first pregnancy took her by surprise. Though she had eagerly anticipated the journey into motherhood, she found herself struggling to enjoy the experience. 

As her birth drew closer, it was the restrictions imposed by the hospital that ultimately guided Charlotte toward the idea of a homebirth. A choice she holds profound gratitude for, as it not only enabled her to have all their appointments in the comfort of their own home but also to bring her baby into the world within the intimate sanctity of her own space.

Their second child's conception coincided with the start of a long-awaited family expedition around Australia. As Charlotte's pregnancy progressed, it became evident that she would be embarking on a freebirth journey. The warmth and support of an online community played a pivotal role in helping her find a place to settle, where she could safely bring her baby into the world, within the comforting embrace of her newfound friends' home.

Today’s story weaves together a truly special and heartwarming story that exemplifies the beauty of birth and the strength of community love.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @growingaroundaus

Resources: @freebirthsociety

Books: Ina May's Guide to Childbirth

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

Today’s episode features Brooke Turner, the founder of Balance Fitness and Nutrition and the internationally recognised course, Functional Fitness for Pregnancy & PostPartum™. With over 15 years of expertise in the health and fitness industry, Brooke is a renowned figure, earning accolades such as the Australian Fitness Educator of the Year. Her qualifications in exercise science and nutrition, combined with her specialisation in functional training, nutrition, and mindset for pregnancy and motherhood, make her a leading expert in the field.

As a mother of three, Brooke's passion is to educate and empower women on the importance of safe, effective, and enjoyable exercise throughout pregnancy and motherhood. Having personally trained hundreds of women through singleton, twin, and quad pregnancies, as well as various motherhood journeys, Brooke understands the unique needs and challenges that women face during these transformative stages of life.

Tune in as Brooke shares her journey, insights, and mission to advocate for keeping women moving in a way that helps them thrive. 

Show Notes:

Instagram: @brooke.turner._

Facebook link HERE.

Programs for Pregnancy & Postpartum

Download the Balance by Brooke app to access Brooke’s 12 week Exercise for Pregnancy Program that is perfect for any stage of your pregnancy, or her 8 week REBUILD program. Designed to rebuild from the inside out, get a more functional pelvic floor and stronger core to support your return to exercise journey.

App launching Wednesday 1st November. Sign up for exclusive access HERE

Can’t wait until November? Download Brooke’s Exercise & Nutrition for Pregnancy, or Return to Exercise & Nutrition for Postnatal Recovery ebooks HERE. Use code FITBUMP for 15% off.

www.balancefitnessandnutrition.com.au

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

On today's episode, I have the pleasure of sitting in conversation, once again, with Emily from the Authentic Birthkeeper. Not only is she a devoted wife and loving mother to three wonderful children, but she's also a freebirther and an experienced birth keeper. 

Today we touch on the stories of Emily's initial two births, which you can listen to in more detail on episode #44. This sets the stage for a deeper exploration into her most recent birth experience. She guides us in detail through the birth of her daughter, an experience she describes as her first entirely undisturbed and authentically physiological birth.

Emily’s purpose transcendes beyond her own experiences. She's devoted to championing women to birth on their own terms, standing firm in their autonomy and sovereignty. Rooted in a profound trust and belief in the innate intelligence of women's bodies - and the symbiotic relationship between mother and child during birth - she envisions a world where birth remains undisturbed and uninhibited. Every word she speaks vibrates with her passion to reconnect women with their inherent strength and restore childbirth to its natural essence. In doing so, she challenges the prevailing medical birth paradigm and its inherent skepticism towards the natural capabilities of women's bodies.

Today, Emily imparts her invaluable wisdom on childbirth and delves into her role as a freebirth birthkeeper.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @the_authentic_birthkeeper

Pelvic Physiotherapy: @embody_inner_harmony

Resources Mentioned: Dr Rachel Reed, Freebirth Society

Listen to Emily's previous episode here.

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

In today's episode, we unpack Lauren’s two births. Lauren's acceptance into the local MGP program ensured she received continuity of care throughout her pregnancy. Pairing this with a hypnobirthing course, Lauren armed herself with knowledge to strive for a physiological, intervention-free water birth. As labour started, Lauren was faced persistent vomiting, and upon reaching the hospital and hitting transition, she grappled with a crisis of confidence. As it turned out, her baby girl was en caul, still within her sac, and although an empowering water birth with zero interventions, this birth ended with Lauren sustaining a third-degree tear, needing 27 stitches.

When the time came to welcome another child into her family, Lauren had relocated and was without the MGP care model. Leaning into her hypnobirthing training, she advocated for another intervention-free physiological birth in her local hospital. As labour started, the familiar sensation of vomiting returned, but as we know, every birth writes its own script. With her labour progressing faster than anticipated, another tumultuous transition unfolded. However, the natural release of her waters turned the tide, giving her a brief moment to pause, allowing her to harness her inner strength, slow down, and intuitively guide her body to birth her baby, preventing any tears.

Today, as Lauren details her births, she shares the powerful moment when nurses struggled for hours to regulate her daughters breathing, but once wrapped in the comfort and warmth of her mother's embrace, she effortlessly found her breath's rhythm.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @laurenbarsley

Hypnobirthing: @inbirthandbeyond

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

On today’s episode, we dive into the incredible journey of Paige, a first-time mother and dedicated doula. Paige comes from a lineage that celebrates birth as a natural and transformative experience in a woman's life. Growing up surrounded by pregnancy circles and bearing witness to the birth of her siblings, she developed an unwavering trust and faith in the power of physiological birth.

As she began her own rite of passage into motherhood, Paige was fearless, knowing that homebirth was the only path she would take to welcome her child into the world. However, during her pregnancy, sharing her birth choices unexpectedly brought forth fears projected onto her by others - a surprising twist for someone who had been raised with a strong foundation of normalised, empowering birth experiences. This exposure introduced her to a world of fear-based narratives surrounding childbirth.

Join us as Paige shares her birth story, one that was not only positive and powerful but also offers a unique perspective on childbirth, highlighting the disparities she observed between the births she witnessed in her mother's birthing space and her own personal experience.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @your_birth_keeper

Podcasts: Midwife Couldron, The Natural Birth Podcast

Books: Birth With Confidence, Gentle Birth Gentle Mothering, Sarah Wickham - Vit K and the Newborn Group B Strep

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

In today's episode, we hear Kayla's transformational journey through her three distinct birth experiences. Kayla's lifelong desire for motherhood led her down a path toward a holistic lifestyle even before she became pregnant. Her introduction to the concept of homebirth through online videos solidified her decision that this was the path she wanted to take in bringing her babies into the world.

Her first birth unfolded swiftly, leaving her with mixed emotions. While it was a positive and empowering experience, she couldn't help but grieve the rapid conclusion of a journey she had invested so much time and energy into. It was during this period that she delved into the world of placenta encapsulation, eventually embarking on a career supporting women as a placenta alchemist.

Kayla recounts her extraordinary third birth, which unfolded before the 37-week gestation mark, highlighting the immense trust her midwife had in her and her baby, which fuelled her own confidence in birthing her 2kg son safely at home. When it was time to welcome her third child into the world, Kayla carried the profound knowledge that everything required for this birth resided within her. Despite the challenges she encountered, this birth instilled within her the profound wisdom of surrender and trust—a powerful lesson that beautifully marked the end of her childbirth journey.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @milky.rituals

Doula: @iamemilyedgar

Freebirth Online Circle: @maggiestorm_ @michellepalasia

Books: The First Forty Days, The Postnatal Depletion Cure

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

On today’s episode, I warmly welcome back Luna, who joins us to recount her two most recent birth experiences. Since our last conversation, Luna has traversed the heart-wrenching path of pregnancy loss, an experience that plunged her into the depths of grief while intricately weaving together the notions of birth and mortality, prompting profound contemplation.

In the aftermath of this loss, Luna and her family embraced the time they needed for reflection and healing. After a restoritive  journey to Uluru, they found themselves contemplating whether their family was now complete. This contemplation was met with a surprise when Luna discovered her pregnancy shortly thereafter. Guided by a strong belief in divine timing, they found roots on a particular piece of land that seemed to call them and their unborn child.

Today, Luna shares her transformative journey, interwoven with loss and renewal, and reconnecting her with the sheer beauty of existence itself.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @lunaflowerday

Book: Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage

Previous podcast episode link here.

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

On today's episode we dive into the birth story of Tamarin – a practitioner renowned as a Holistic and Intuitive Therapist and Healer. Tamarin's story begins with a 13-month conception journey, where the weight of time began to cast doubts upon the arrival of their long-aweaited child.

Having wrestled with the complexities of fertility hormones, Tamarin eventually found solace in a natural alternative, a turning point that led her to  conceive a daughter. Her pregnancy became a chapter filled with a deep sense of gratitude, as she honoured the sacred connection between herself and the life growing within.

Instinctively, Tamarin knew that her ideal birthing environment was at home, where she could harness familiarity and security. Safeguarding her energy and shielding herself from projected fears, she kept this choice private, and surrounded herself with like-minded individuals who could provide the support and guidance she needed. Diving deep into her inner work, she confronted her fears and shadows, nurturing an unwavering belief in her body’s innate ability to birth her baby. 

Today, Tamarin takes us on her transformative journey through the fires of labour that ended in the profound moment of meeting her daughter, and shares the deep reverence that her husband held for her, as he witnessed her navigate the thresholds of creation.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @empowherhealing

Midwife: @gentlebirthmethodaustralia

Doulas: @thehealingshed @birthtoearth

Books: Sacred Birthing, 10 Moons

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

On today’s episode we dive into the contrasting birth experiences of Australia's first professional Instagramer, Lauren. After eight adventurous years traveling the globe as a dedicated travel influencer, Lauren's path led her to a profound new chapter: motherhood. Coming off a whirlwind of experiences, Lauren knew it was time to anchor herself and nurture a family of her own.

The radiance of Lauren's pregnancy journey painted a portrait of vitality and inner glow. While her husband's Zimbabwean heritage introduced her to the essence of natural birthing, she chose to further educate herself through a Hypnobirthing class.

Armed with knowledge and a steadfast vision for her birth outcome, Lauren's evolution from maiden to mother began to unfold. Faced with overwhelming fatigue after a 36-hour labour, she opted for much-needed respite through an epidural. A decision that brought a mix of relief at the time, but ultimately left her disempowered by how she was treated, with an undercurrent of heavy emotions like guilt and shame. 

With the elation of her next pregnancy also came the echoes of her prior birth experience. Toward the end of her pregnancy, her body began to show signs of burnout. Guided by an impactful energy work session, Lauren experienced a profound internal shift, renewing her connection with her inner self and baby, as she embraced the final stages of her pregnancy. Lauren's second labor experience mirrored the first in some ways. Yet this time, with a heart open and willingness to surrender, she embarked on a healing journey that led her to birth where her son knew she needed to be - at home.

With unguarded authenticity, Lauren takes us on an emotional journey through vulnerability, growth, and redemption. 

Show Notes: 

Instagram: @laurenepbath

Digital Baby Journal: @makiathebabyjournal

Birth Photographer: @rewildherbirth

Lauren's Blog Link Here

Makai The Baby Journal Link Here

Join Lauren's Mailing List Here

FREE TRIAL Makai The Baby Journal Here

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

Today I have the pleasure of chatting with Monique – a mother of two, postpartum doula and co-founder of women's health and wellness clinic, Maia Mothers Collective.

From an early age, Mon's longing to embrace motherhood was undeniable. However, faced with a 9-year absence of her menstrual cycle, she recognised the imperative of restoring her body's equilibrium. Through determination and resilience, she embarked on a journey that led her to the essential support she required, effectively regaining harmony and even experiencing the delightful surprise of conception shortly after her cycle's return. Her belief in the birthing process defined her journey, nurtured by the strong women in her linage. This innate trust guided her to have a physiological birth in hospital.

During her postpartum period, a conversation with her close friend and future business partner unveiled an unmet need for holistic care and support within a single, centralised clinic – giving birth to the vision of Maia Mothers Collective."

As Mon began to feel the urge for another child, signs of a daughter's presence began to manifest. Embracing this, she soon found herself expecting once again. Despite a previous positive birth experience, Mon felt a compelling urge to seek an alternative environment away from the hospital. This gained further strength when she crossed paths with a private homebirth midwife, who provided her with the essential evidence that solidified her choice for an environment aligned with her safety and her envisioned birth experience.

Today, Mon’s story unfolds through her meticulous preconception, birthing, and postpartum preparations, revealing a journey of profound presence and mindful intent. 

Show Notes:

Instagram: @monique_postpartumdoula

Clinic: @maiamother.collective

Podcast: @rebirthedthepodcast

Midwife: @you_midwife

Photographer: @anita.alice.photography

Hypnobirthing: @meaghan_amor_

Maia Mothers Collective website here.

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

On today's episode, we explore the fascinating journey of Alana and her nine birth experiences. Alana grew up in a community where natural, undisturbed births were celebrated as the norm, fostering a positive outlook on childbirth. Witnessing her close friend giving birth further deepened her understanding of the process and prepared her for her own journey into motherhood.

Alana's initiation into motherhood was a deeply sacred and intimate experience as she gave birth at home, with only her husband by her side. Her following births echoed a similar pattern, with swift arrivals earthside. However, the birth of her fifth child, brought forth new challenges as Alana experienced intense pain due to her baby's posterior position, leaving her with some apprehension for her next labor.

During her seventh pregnancy, complications arose when she experience an antepartum haemorrhage, leading to an emergency transfer from her rural hospital for a managed delivery. This was the first time Alana gave birth without her husband's presence. Although her next birth in a hospital went smoothly without any interventions, she felt a disconnect and missed the sense of sacredness she experienced when birthing at home.

Alana began her ninth pregnancy with hospital care but eventually decided to follow her instincts and return to her birthing roots. Today we hear the profound reflections and lessons Alana learned from her unique birth experiences, and how her husband's gentle reassurance that she had everything she needed within her, served as a guiding light when overwhelmed at the thought of birthing without him.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @house.of.plenty

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

Welcome to today's episode, where we join Taylor on her profound journey from maiden to mother. When Taylor first conceived her daughter, she found herself with limited knowledge about childbirth and the various care options available to her. Seeking continuity of care, she embraced her local MGP program, leaning on the familiar presence of dedicated midwives that brought her a sense of security.

As Taylor's labour began, she was confronted with intense back pain due to her baby's posterior position. The realisation that her labour was unfolding differently from her expectations sparked a sense of fear, casting a shadow of doubt over her birthing process. Eventually, interventions became part of her birth story, leaving Taylor with a feeling of disconnection from her daughter that resembled her disconnection throughout pregnancy.

With the arrival of her next pregnancy, Taylor was deeply immersed in her pursuit for knowledge. She delved into the intricacies of physiological birth and what best supports the hormonal flow of labour. A turning point emerged during a routine scan when Taylor struggled to advocate for herself. The realisation that her voice might remain unheard during childbirth, given her difficulty in using it at that specific moment, served as a pivotal wake-up call. This realisation along with the disconnection she felt with her care providers during her pregnancy, prompted her to consider the path of free birth and embracing the sovereignty of her birth journey.

Today we hear Taylor's transformative path, guided by the wisdom she discovered and the resources that fostered her unwavering faith in her body and its innate capacity for birth.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @_thewombcollective @_tearsfortwo

Resources: Dr Rachel Reed - Midwife Thinking

Books: Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage, 10 Moons

Podcasts: Midwives Couldran

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

On today's episode, we welcome Tahnee, a mother of two and one half of the renowned wellness brand, SuperFeast. Tahnee’s journey into motherhood intricately wove together her yoga background and her profound connection to both body and spirit. This connection led her to intuitively recognise her pregnancy, fostering an unwavering sense of trust and deepening her relationship with her body and baby during that time. Living a slow and nourishing lifestyle further enhanced her blissful pregnancy experience.

Tahnee’s positive perception of birth, which was shaped by her mother, led her to birth at home with the support of midwives. As the hormonal flow of labour unfolded, she embarked on an almost psychedelic journey, transcending reality to bring her baby girl into the world. This transformative experience awakened Tahnee’s deep appreciation for the extraordinary power of birth, while also highlighting the occasional doubts projected by the midwives, which would later influence her future birth choices.

In the years that followed, as Tahnee embraced motherhood while navigating a growing company with her husband, she desired to reconnect with her body and mind before welcoming their second child. This realisation led her to actively practice her belief in herself and the birthing process, choosing a wild pregnancy and a sovereign birth at home. Throughout her pregnancy, she and her husband navigated through any fears that arose, strengthening their bond and fostering open and honest communication.

As Tahnee’s second birth unfolded, she noted the difference in how it progressed. She found herself in a constant state of motion, exploring different positions and movements to facilitate her baby's descent. Tahnee reflects on the deep trust she had in her baby when he took a moment to land, and candidly shares the raw and authentic nature of birth, acknowledging its messiness and chaotic beauty.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @tahneeyoga

Business: @superfeast

Website: SuperFeast Australia

Podcast: @superfeastpodcast

Resources: @sarahjbuckley @janehardwickecollings @wild.pregnancy_free.birth

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

On today’s episode we welcome Ema, a first-time mum, whose path to motherhood was filled with unexpected turns, profound self-discovery, and a transformation that forever changed her perception of birth.

Ema had a deep-rooted fear that having children might disrupt the harmony of her relationships. A turning point came when she experienced the heartbreaking loss of an accidental pregnancy, propelling her onto a conscious path of conceiving a child. When faced with fertility struggles, Ema went on a relentless pursuit to find a provider who could assist them in unravelling the underlying issues. It would then take five additional attempts before conceiving her son.

As an accomplished veterinarian, Ema found solace in the world of medicine and surgery. But as she contemplated the birthing experience ahead of her, she discovered a stark contrast between how animals give birth naturally and the over-medicalised approach prevalent in our current maternal system. This realisation sparked a desire for a different kind of birth - one that honoured the innate wisdom of her body and allowed her to surrender to the natural process.

Today we hear how Ema's innate trust in birth surfaced when she heard the nurse announce, "that's a bum, not a head", and the mental battle she endured during her three weeks of prodromal labor.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @emabowman

Hypnobirthing: @your.birth.your.power

Tens Hire: @thebirthstore

Resources: @melaniethemidwife @coreandfloorrestore

Podcasts: The Great Birth Rebellion

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

Today, we invite you to join us on Steph's journey, where she unlocked her inner wisdom, and birthed not only two babies but also a deep passion to serve other families on their unique path.

As Steph's first pregnancy unfolded, she grappled with the normal fears surrounding childbirth. However, deep within her, she held an instinctual trust that she had the ability to birth her baby naturally. She chose a low-risk hospital that offered the gentle care of midwives; an environment she felt perfectly attuned to her desired birth outcome. Through the transformative experience of that birth, she gained profound insight into the areas of her own life that required healing, unveiling the path to self-discovery.

When Steph's firstborn was just eight months old, she unexpectedly discovered she was carrying her next baby. Scans uncovered concerns that posed potential risks, jeopardising her plans to give birth once again in the low-risk hospital. Undeterred, she dove deep into advocacy and education, arming herself with knowledge. Through her unwavering determination, she steered clear of the high-risk label that loomed, reclaiming her power and birthing choices.

In the midst of her journey, she pondered the idea of free birth. Yet, in tune with her intuition, she sensed the need for a midwife's supportive presence. Today, we delve into Steph's experience with a postpartum haemorrhage, and how her birthing experiences ignited a passion within her to support and guide others on their own transformative journey.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @stephgowing_

Resources: @coreandfloorrestore

@melaniethemidwife

@trusting_birth

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

On today's episode, we embark on an exploration into midwifery life and the personal birth experiences with Mae’t, a dedicated midwife, clinic owner, and mother of three.

Mae’t’s journey into midwifery began with her studies in the UK, but her calling to this work traces back to her earliest days. Her own birth story resonates with profound significance - a testament to her destiny. Born at home within a bamboo pyramid, guided earthside by her mother's primal wisdom.

From a tender age, Mae’t embraced the role of her mother's mini doula, witnessing the transformative beauty and vulnerability of birth. Unbeknownst to her at the time, this early experience imprinted deep within her, laying the foundations for her life’s purpose. In the footsteps of her lineage, she followed her grandmother's path, weaving herself into the tapestry of midwifery.

Mae’t returned to Australia after the birth of her first child. The contrasts she encountered in the maternity care system ignited a fire within her. She longed for a different approach—a way that honours each woman's unique journey, and guides her to reclaim her innate power.

In divine timing, Mae’t’s path led her to co-found It Takes a Village Midwifery, a sanctuary that offers respectful and holistic woman-centred maternity care, cultivating a loving community of women, united by their deep reverence for the miracle of birth.

Today, we delve into Mae’t’s own personal birth stories, how she navigated the complexities of the maternity system with grace, and explore the immeasurable value of a private midwife.

Show Links:

Instagram: @maetscott

Clinic: @ittakesavillagemidwifery

Website: www.itavmidwifery.com

Books: Down to Earth Birth Book, Birthing From Within, Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

On today’s show we hear the birth story of Mount Isa midwife, Toni. 

Toni found herself on an unexpected journey when she discovered she was pregnant. With her relationship still in its early stages, an extra layer of complexity was added to her path.Throughout her pregnancy, Toni encountered numerous hurdles. Working in the midwifery space, she was exposed to confronting realities that stirred fear within her. Meanwhile, the pain of a relationship breakdown weighed heavily on her heart, intertwining with the challenges she faced. Aware of the outdated practices prevalent in her small hospital, she knew she had to navigate and advocate for herself.

During her 20-week scan, Toni received the unexpected news of having placenta previa. Initially, she remained unfazed, holding onto hope that it would resolve itself as her pregnancy progressed. However, as time wore on, the reality of the situation began to sink in, and her dreams of a physiological birth gradually faded away. The weight of this loss brought about a profound sense of grief, as she mourned the birth experience she had envisioned. Fuelled by her own education and guided by the wisdom she received, Toni decided she would stand as a guardian of her own story, determined to carve out a sacred space within the operating room. Seeing her unwavering resilience, Toni’s fellow employees recognised the significance of her vision and came together to create a beautiful, reverent atmosphere for her birth.

The ripples of her birth extended far beyond her own journey, igniting change in the face of tradition within the hospital. Today, she shares the birth preferences she requested to facilitate a gentle arrival for her son, along with the unwavering support she received from her community throughout her pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period.

Show Notes:

Instagram: @ticki_tole87

Student midwife/Photographer: @jesstookthat

Resources: @coreandfloorrestore

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

On today’s episode, Natalie returns to share the freebirth of her third son, Alfie Bloom. This pregnancy was a deeply emotional one, unearthing a plethora of feelings and challenges that she had to navigate. In the face of this vulnerability, the love and unity within Natalie's circle of friends created a nurturing space for her to embrace the journey ahead. 

Natalie's birth unfolded with unexpected swiftness, catching everyone by surprise. She found herself in awe of the intensity and power coursing through her body. After the whirlwind of her son’s entry earthside, they consciously chose to slow down, pausing to honour a sacred ritual - the burning of her sons umbilical cord. This symbolic act serving as a rite of passage, welcoming her newborn into this world and honouring the intricate connection between mother and child.

Natalie shares her extraordinary journey of free birth, the transformative power of community support during postpartum, and the sacred rituals that marked her entrance into motherhood for the third time ⋒

Show Links:

Instagram: @nataliealaska_rewild

Natalie's Previous Episode link here.

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

On today's episode we hear the four birth stories from Northern Rivers mother, Lainie.

From an early age, Lainie understood that birth was a natural and awe-inspiring process. The homebirths of her siblings were moments filled with love, support, and unwavering trust in the birthing process. Witnessing these births, solidified for her that birth was a sacred journey of empowerment and self-discovery. These experiences would lay the foundation for her own path to birthing in her power.

Lainie’s first birth, a testament of her endurance, unfolded over a remarkable 36 hours. Her second birth was so fast she barely had time to remove her clothing. With unwavering resilience, she navigated a hospital transfer and all that it encompassed. Drawing from the wisdom and lessons learned from her previous experiences and listening to her intuition, Lainie chose to have the support and guidance of a private midwife for her future births.  In the unfolding of her third birth, she discovered the essence of pure bliss, and as her forth birth stretched into the early hours on Boxing Day, her unwavering determination shone brightly. 

Through challenging labours, a hospital transfer, and the beauty of sovereign, undisturbed birth, Lainie surrendered to the rhythm of her surges, embracing the intensity and vulnerability that every birth demands. 

Show Links:

Instagram: @lainies.roses

Midwives: @nat.hills.midwife @yourmidwifeastrajoynt

Book: Down To Earth Birth Book

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

On today’s episode Civil Engineer and first-time mother, Bronte, shares her empowering drug-free hospital birth.

Prior to falling pregnant, Bronte always assumed she would be the person who wanted all the pain relief on offer. Once she began to read birth books and listen to positive birth stories her beliefs and preferences about birth completely shifted. Realising her body was built for this and endeavouring to achieve a natural physiological birth.

Towards the end of her pregnancy, Bronte was advised to head into hospital for light cramping. While there, she was told her light cramping were actually the beginnings of labour. Excited by this news she planned to stay for monitoring and then head home to labour in her own environment, but while walking back to the waiting room - her waters broke. As she glanced down she noticed that her waters were stained with meconium, flooding her with anxiety over the realisation that her water birth would no longer be an option. 

Bronte takes us through the empowering birth that unfolded, the difference in midwives after a shift change, and how despite under pressure she was able to advocate for herself and make informed decisions that helped her achieve the birth she desired.

Show Links: 

Instagram: @bronte.ellen

Books: Up The Duff

Podcast: The Kick

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

Today I dive into all things birth with Anna The Spiritual Midwife; host of The Natural Birth Podcast. 

After years of holding sacred space for women, it was a natural progression for Anna to enter the birth space. Her time studying and practicing as a Midwife exposed her to the many flaws of our broken maternity system; a system she would ultimately step away from in pursuit of her passion to educate women on the power of natural physiological birth. 

Today we speak on topics such as fear-based birth narratives, our over medicalised maternity system and the impacts this can have on birth outcomes, birth as a rite of passage, and so much more.

Anna is a leader in changing the birth narrative, devoting her life to helping women claim their birth as a Rite of Passage.

Show Links:

Instagram: @the_spiritual_midwife

Website: www.thenaturalbirthcourse.com

Free Resources link here

Birth Course link here

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

Today we are taken through the highs and lows of Elle’s fertility journey. 

After years of unsuccessful conception, Elle began heading down the fertility route to find some answers.

As she was about to enter another round of testing, her fertility doctor suggested she her husband have  testing done first. When his results came back they would discover the heartbreaking news. The time that followed would be a test of resilience and strength as they endured the often lows that come with infertility.

A time away to reset their hearts gave them the space and clarity they needed to decide on using a sperm donor. Being adopted, Elle’s husband knew that love for your child is not based on how they come into your life. When finally experiencing their first successful embryo transfer, Elle takes us through the anxieties and challenges faced during her pregnancy and birth.

During her next pregnancy, her 20 week scan picked up velamentous cord insertion. Advocating for herself, she requested another scan sooner than the recommended time frame, resulting in the discovery that her cervix was shortening at a concerning rate. Taking the precautions needed to keep her from going into preterm labour, Elle takes us through the healing birth that followed. 

Today Elle shares how being a part of the Infertility community gave her deeper insight when it mattered most, and why feeling respected and held in the birth space is just as important as your birth outcome.

Show Links: 

Instagram: @after_in.fertility_elle

Fertility Specialist: Dr Kee Ong

Hypnobirthing: @belly2birth

Books: How to Heal a Bad Birth

Episode recommendation: S1 EP4: Shana Arber

Today’s episode is brought to you by: 

USE CODE: PBA20 FOR 20% OFF YOUR FIRST PURCHASE

Nature’s Farmer Sea, a company committed to healthy and sustainable living with their nutrient dense Sea Moss products. Check out their Instagram @naturesfarmersea and website 

On today’s show first-time mother, Laura, takes us through her journey to bring her son earthside.

A previous pregnancy loss led to understandable anxieties in her first trimester. It was at her 11 week scan that those fears were decimated when she saw her babies strong heartbeat for the first time. After years of suffering from mental health issues, she describes her pregnancy as being a healing journey that restored deep trust in her body and what it was capable of. 

Living a holistic lifestyle, Laura innately pulled away from the medical system, knowing that she wanted to birth her baby in a space that felt sacred to her… home. Although she dabbled with the idea of freebirthing, her acceptance into her local MGP program solidified her model of care choice. Due to short staff she was unable to meet her midwife until 35 weeks, receiving continuity of care mostly through her doula. 

Laura spent her pregnancy deeply educating herself on all aspects of physiological birth; knowledge that enabled her to stay grounded when they received differing advice from their midwife. Laura shares with us how her desire to freebirth almost manifested, and the shift in sensations as she emerged from transition and started bearing down.

Show Links: 

Mama: @laurasimp

Father: @finn_pfluger

Doula: @beforeandbeyond.birth

Meditation Instructor & Mentor: @barefootandthankful

Books: Ina May - Birth Matters

Rhea Dempsey - Birth With Confidence

Jane Hardwick Collings - Ten Moons

Gabrielle Nancarrow - The Birth Space

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

Have you considered working in the birth space as a doula? Today’s episode is filled with wise woman energy; featuring Meaghan Amor from A Place Called Birth sharing her 20+ years of experience in the birth world as a Doula and Hypnobirthing Childbirth Educator.

Meaghan began her journey as a maiden in the birth space supporting her closest friends; bringing the energy of a sacred doula before she even knew the meaning of the word. Entering her own rite of passage she was left feeling unsupported and traumatised by her experience. It was a suggestion made by her client to birth at home that awakened her trust in undisturbed birth; leading her to experience two healing and transformative births in the safety of her most familiar space. 

Over time, Meaghan’s passion for supporting and educating women on their journey to birth slowly manifested into creating a community of doulas. Using her wealth of knowledge to create “Sacred Doula Training”. A program to pass down her wisdom and guide her students with the tools and skills needed to support families during their most transitional time in life. Today Meaghan shares personal experiences over her many years working in the birth space and answers common questions about life as a doula.

Show Links:

Instagram: @meaghan_amor_

Work venue: @thelighthousecurrumbin

Website: www.meaghanamor.com.au

Doula Training link here

Podcast link here

Today's episode is brought to you by:

Postpartum Embodied - Maia Mothers Collective

Are you pregnant or newly postpartum? 

Postpartum embodied is an online a fourth trimester preparation course to ease your transition into motherhood.

Created by Monique Peters, co-founder of women’s health clinic - Maia Mothers Collective. Mon has teamed up with 5 other experienced postpartum health professionals to bring you this incredible course to help you prepare for the most nourishing postpartum possible. 

Plan for you postpartum like you would plan for your birth.

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

Today’s episode features the two birth stories of author, podcast host, postpartum doula, and motherhood support mentor, Anna. 

After coming off the pill and recognising the inconsistency of her cycle, Anna began investigating what was going on. An unpleasant experience with a fertility specialist sent her on a path to find more holistic care, eventually aligning with a care provider who successfully guided her to conceive her first baby. 

When a midwife suggest she birth her baby at home, although hesitant at first, her curiosity was the catalyst for the deep dive into physiological birth that followed; enabling her to detach from any beliefs held from the stories passed down and reclaim her innate wisdom that she was built to birth her babies. Although her two homebirths progressed in a similar way, she takes us through their notable differences and what wisdom she gained from each experience. 

Anna’s initiation into motherhood inspired her to write her first book "Mama, You’re Not Broken" where she breaks the unspoken rule to stay silent about the swirling emotions of motherhood; sharing research and personal experiences that shed light on taboo feelings around modern day mothering.

Show Links:

Instagram: @annacusackpostpartum

Midwife: @homebirth_with_helen

MGP: @friends_of_belmont_birthing

Placenta Encapsulation: @theoxytocincollective

Book: Mama You're Not Broken

Podcast: Anna Asks

Today's episode is brought to you by:

Postpartum Embodied - Maia Mothers Collective

DOORS OPEN APRIL 20TH

Are you pregnant or newly postpartum? 

Postpartum embodied is an online a fourth trimester preparation course to ease your transition into motherhood.

Created by Monique Peters, co-founder of women’s health clinic - Maia Mothers Collective. Mon has teamed up with 5 other experienced postpartum health professionals to bring you this incredible course to help you prepare for the most nourishing postpartum possible. 

Plan for you postpartum like you would plan for your wedding.

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

Today we hear the two contrasting birth experiences of The After Birth podcast host, Liv. 

Being a same-sex couple, Liv and her wife used a sperm donor to conceive their babies. Having great luck with conception, it was a turbulent pregnancy that eventually led Liv to consider an induction. Amidst the cascade of interventions she was able to push back on the recommended cesarean and ask for more time; a choice that helped her avoid surgery but not the birth trauma that ensued. 

When it was time to conceive their next child, she refused to give away her power this time around; choosing to dive deep into birth education. Continuity of care  and the completion of a hypnobirthing course set her up with the tools she needed to manifest the birth of her dreams. 

She takes us through the surreal moments of feeling natural labour for the first time, and how she and her wife made choosing a sperm donor a fun and intimate process.

Show Links:

Instagram: @__livs

Podcast: @theafterbirth_pod

Hypnobirthing: @belly2birth

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

On today’s show, Dani, takes us through her journey to bring her two daughters earthside. 

Moving overseas with her husband was a venture they both wanted to tick off their bucketlist before settling down. Only 8 months into their planned 2 year trip Dani had a surprise positive pregnancy test. Once pregnant, she reflecting back to a past Yoga Retreat where a mother shared her empowering birth stories, reminding her that it was possible to love your birth experience.

Although her planned homebirth didn’t eventuate for varies reasons, Dani encompassed surrender and trust to the path in front of her. With the hospital an hour and half away, she takes us through the intensity of holding on when she realised her birth was unfolding quicker than expected.  

When the time came to conceive their second child, Dani quickly secured a private midwife for her dream homebirth. The lesson of surrendering would flow through her entire journey as her birth plans slowly unravelled; revealing to her the true power of birth and what her body, and baby, are capable of. 

Dani shares the foretelling joke her husband made about freebirthing, and the innocent mishap that left her without a midwife. 

Show Links:

Instagram: @danimorris__

Midwives: @clmidwifery

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

Have you heard of Colon Hydrotherapy? On today’s show, Bayside Colonics founder and lead therapist, Kyah, shares with us her wealth of knowledge on the healing benefits regular Colon Hydrotherapy can have on your overall health. 

Kyah takes us to the beginning of her journey as a young teenager suffering from severe gut issues. After the threat of a colostomy bag she began to search for an alternative way to restore her health. When she found Colon Hydrotherapy she felt instant relief for the first time in years. An experience that would divinely lead her down the path to open her own clinic and help others on their healing journeys. 

When Kyah fell pregnant with her first child the years of her living a holistic lifestyle centred around reducing toxicity set her up for a perfect pregnancy experience; something she never thought would be possible. Despite having a 26 hour labour, she stayed grounded in trust, birthing her son in hospital with no interventions. Her second and third births were in the comfort of her own home and although both were empowering and transformative, she describes their contrasting differences. 

Today Kyah answers an array of questions about her life-changing work, and why her Happy Bum Co Enemas should be a staple in your health regime.

Show Links:

Instagram: @thehealthybizmum

Clinic: @baysidecolonics

Happy Bum Co: @happybumco @happybumco_nontoxtoiletpaper

Websites: www.baysidecolonics.com.au www.happybumco.com

Doula: @beautifulbirths.doula

Midwives: @ittakesavillagemidwifery

Birth Playlist: Rebirth

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

On today’s show, Winona, shares with us her rite of passage into motherhood.

Winona was considering the path of freezing her eggs when she unexpectedly conceived her daughter. After a moment to process, she completely surrendered into the season upon her, unaware of the deep healing her daughters divine timing would cast over her wounded feminine. 

Her background in holistic health guided her to a place of trust in birth. Calling on the wisdom of a birth keeper to help her reclaim her rite of passage and strengthen what she innately knew she was capable of.

She shares her unwavering belief in her bodies process during a drawn out labour that depleted her energy, and the moment she realised her subconscious resistance was holding her back from birthing. 

Show Links:

Instagram: @winona_wyborn

Birthkeeper: @bushrat_

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

On today’s episode we hear the birth story of first-time mother and podcast host, Kendelle. Kendelle and her husband had a timeline for when they would start a family. The years of naturally tracking her cycle enabled her to confidently recognise her fertility window, conceiving their son within the first month of trying.

Once pregnant Kendelle reflected on the often traumatic birth stories shared with her and decided her story would be different. She began educating herself on what best supports physiological birth. A hypnobirthing course would be the final piece of the puzzle on her journey; arming herself with all she needed to achieve the birth of her dreams.

Today we hear about the moment during labour that captivated her as she looked out over her tranquil birth space, and what ignited the fire inside to create her podcast, The Maiden to Mother Journey.

Show Links:

Instagram: @themaidentomotherjourney

Podcast: The Maiden to Mother Journey

Hypnobirthing course: @belly2birth 

Physio: @femalephysioco 

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

Today’s episode features, Jess, sharing her journey as a young mother. 

At 23, Jess was deep in the Melbourne bar scene, working and studying at uni when a surprise pregnancy turned her world upside down. A journey that shaped her into the woman she is today and showed her what she is capable of; teaching her to adapt with strength and resilience. 

When she fell pregnant with her second child during Covid times, Jess knew she needed to escape Melbourne and head home to birth baby. Although she felt her first birth in the hospital was a positive experience at the time, it was only after birthing her son in her full power at home that she felt the true essence of an undisturbed, physiological birth. 

Her next surprise pregnancy would require a moment to process, as she slowly accepted the next season upon her, embracing all that it entailed. Nearing the end of her pregnancy Jess’s speculation that her daughter was presenting breech became her reality. Entering her birth in complete trust to the process and an unwavering belief in her body’s capability, she went to the depths of the birth realm to bring her daughter home ⋒

Show Links:

Instagram: @jessicaarden

Midwives: @megclein @sorca.midwife @ittakesavillagemidwifery

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

On today’s show Brow Specialist and business owner, Michelle, shares her journey of endurance and strength to bring her son, Navy, earthside. When Michelle knew the time was nearing to begin a family, she mindfully gave her body ample time to fall back into its natural rhythm and cycle after a long span on contraception. 

Listening to the inspiring women on this very podcast introduced Michelle to the term Hypnobirthing, guiding her to find a practitioner in her area to educate and support her and her husband. 

As she entered the birth portal and experienced four days of prodromal labour, she found strength from the women’s stories she’d heard; using the knowledge she’d gained about physiological birth and the variations a journey can take as fuel in those final moments to bring her boy home. 

Show Links:

Instagram: @michelleedwards

Business: @brow_sculpt

Hypnobirthing Practioner: @abbeybraithwaite

Books: Birth Space

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

Today’s episode features the transformational journey of "The Flow Lane" podcast host, yoga and meditation teacher, Emma.

Emma and her fiancé knew from early on that they wanted to dive deep into their healing and spiritual work before conceiving their first child. Although their planned conception happened sooner than anticipated, like the motto Emma lives by, she softened into the season upon her.

After a challenging first trimester, Emma used the remainder of her pregnancy to immerse herself in birth literature and her wellness practices; feeling in full alignment with their birth preferences as they found a hands-off midwife who held space for her to step into her own power and intuition. Emma entered the birth realm in complete trust and patience for the journey ahead.

Today we hear how chasing down a beach umbrella naturally induced her labour, and the moment she felt the spirit of her sacred sisterhood and ancestors surround her as she transcended to the stars.

>>> Head to www.flowstatescollective.com and use code: positivebirth for 10% off Emma's prenatal and motherhood offerings.

Show Links:

Instagram: @emmamaidment_ @flowstatescollective

Midwife: @midwifelibbylamb

Podcast: The Flow Lane

Offerings: The Thriving Mama Club, Flow Baby - Prenatal Yoga

Books: Rhea Dempsey, Dr Sarah Buckley

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia

Today’s show features the inspiring and, at times, hearbreaking journey from Brisbane mum-of-two, Katie. 

Within a year after the birth of her son, Vance, Katie felt ready to try for a second child. As soon as her cycle returned, that dream became a reality when she conceived on her next ovulation. Sadly, she would suffer a pregnancy loss shortly after. Feeling positive it was her body doing what it was designed to do, in acceptance and trust, she moved on to fall pregnant again a short time later.

After a second pregnancy loss, Katie began to feel a pang of doubt that maybe there was something deeper going on. As she experienced her fourth pregnancy loss, she was already deep in the trenches searching for answers.

She shares how a podcast that flippantly spoke about the symptoms of low progesterone planted a seed of curiosity, and how she coped with the anxiety during her pregnancy, caused from so many losses, to go on to have the birth she had dreamed of to bring her rainbow baby home safely. 

Show Links:

Vance's Birth Story: Season 1 Episode 1

Instagram: @katiejhiggs

Midwives: Meg and Ma'et from It Takes A Village Midwifery

Course: Free Birth Society

Facebook Groups: Miscarriage Awareness Facebook Page, Recurrent Miscarriage/Early Pregnancy Loss Support Facebook Page

Disclaimer: We are not medical practitioners. Any information you hear on the show is that of the guest's own personal experience and should not be considered professional medical advice. Please seek out a qualified medical professional in the field if you feel anything from today's show resonated with you and discuss it further with them. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!

Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset.

Positive Birth Australia