Australian Birth Stories

Laura talks about her two births and the difference between private obstetric care and midwifery group practice (MGP) in the public system. If you are trying to conceive or you’re in early pregnancy and you’re interested in learning more about your care options, this episode is a must-listen. As well as discussing her two very different vaginal birth experiences, Laura talks at length about her challenging breastfeeding journey including her choice to use donor milk and a supply line.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate about her second birth. You can listen to her first birth story in episode 155 where she discusses her bicornuate uterus and her challenging induced labour. She admits that in retrospect, she was traumatised from her first birth experience; the pain of an induced labour and the lack of both consent and privacy culminated and led to postnatal depression. As soon as she discovered she was pregnant with her second baby, she saw her psychologist and actively worked through her fear of birth. She laboured in the midst of the Northern Rivers floods and while her experience was love-filled and positive, she talks at length about her unusual postpartum bleeding and the symptoms of a retained placenta.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Madi shares her very interesting story and talks at length about her experience with postnatal depression. After her first positive vaginal birth, she was diagnosed with chiari malformation type 1 where part of the brain at the back of her skull bulges and puts pressure on the spinal column. Her neurologist confirmed that she could birth vaginally but she wouldn’t be able to have an epidural or spinal block if an emergency situation arose. Madi accessed all the evidence she could relating to chiari malformation and vaginal birth yet she couldn’t find any information on the ongoing effects after birth. Subsequently, she made the informed choice to plan a caesarean birth under general anaesthetic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I In today’s episode Jess shares her pregnancy and birth story. A history of mental illness gave her access to a continuity of care midwifery program at John Hunter Hospital where she was cared for by one midwife throughout pregnancy and postpartum. This invaluable support allowed her to navigate pregnancy and covid without overwhelm or anxiety. Together with her husband, Bryce, she prepared for labour and birth with The Birth Class and experienced a positive induction and epidural because she knew what to expect and felt confident to make informed decisions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie shares the story of her pregnancy and birth with baby Bill. At a 35 week scan, she learnt that Bill had a cleft lip. Lizzie and her husband, Liam, allowed themselves two weeks to process their shock and do their research…after that they were counting down the days till they could meet their new baby. Lizzie takes us step by step through her eventful labour and every stage is punctuated by lots of laughs. You’ll love this informative and entertaining episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gemma shares her experience with uterus didelphys; she has two uteruses, two cervix’ and a vaginal septum. Most women with her condition have caesarean births before full term because it's common for their babies to have growth restriction or present breech and there’s often doubts about how the uterus will contract and whether the cervix will dilate. In both pregnancies Gemma had planned caesareans at 37 weeks because her amniotic fluid levels were low. She talks at length about her breastfeeding challenges and successes as well as her postnatal anxiety.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrea opens up about so many aspects of pregnancy and parenthood that often go undiscussed and she does so with such eloquence you could listen to her all day. She’s in a same-sex relationship so as well as sharing her IVF fertility journey she discusses the often dated language and expectations that sometimes still exist in contemporary maternity care. Her anxiety fuelled persistent concerns about her babies’ movements in both pregnancies and was a contributing factor to her choice to be induced both times. She also shares her experience with breast hypoplasia (insufficient breast tissue) and the stigma surrounding bottle feeding that weighed so heavily on her in postpartum.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s episode Jamie talks at length about her arthritis and her choices regarding medication in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Considering her health condition and the added complication of a broken back, she was labelled high risk and could access midwifery group practice care. She opted instead for continuity of care with a student midwife and had a positive experience in the public hospital system even though she saw a different midwife at every appointment. She listened to the podcast obsessively once she conceived, prepared for birth with a detailed birth plan and felt confident in her ability to make informed decisions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Lewarna shares the story of her first baby who stayed in a breech position despite embracing all the turning and spinning techniques. She talks about her birth preparation and her fear, and while her caesarean was planned, she actually went into spontaneous labour and felt comforted by the fact that her baby chose her birth date. Her caesarean experience was incredibly positive yet she admits she started planning a VBAC while she was still in hospital. In her second pregnancy she talks at length about her informed choices regarding a VBAC, induction or planned caesarean as she weighed up the benefits and risks of each. “I didn’t want to push the boundaries of risk but I also didn’t want to have unnecessary intervention,” she says.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s episode Cara shares her experience of a missed miscarriage followed by 11 months of trying to conceive. After blood tests revealed she ovulates on day 18 of her cycle (not day 14 as her fertility app suggested) she fell pregnant the following month. Following an epidural and episiotomy in her first labour, she experienced a 3C vaginal tear. She had significant fear and concern about birthing vaginally again but after much discussion with her midwives and proactive preparation techniques, she birthed a bigger baby with an episiotomy but no extended tearing. I know so many women want to hear stories like this because preparing for a vaginal birth after a third or fourth-degree tear definitely requires active preparation in pregnancy and both physical and mental support in labour. Bonds Baby Cover is a comprehensive ‘poo-licy’ for new parents that compensates parents for the first-time parent experience with free Bonds babywear. There’s cover for ‘natural disaster’ we’re talking grade 5 Poonamis here, ‘Vandalism’  – wilful texta damage to walls and clothing – and ‘Third Party for when ‘it’ goes everywhere and on everyone. Even accidental-probably-on-purpose damage is covered. If my three boys are proof, little cuties can be massive liabilities. Parents simply sign up to make a claim and be compensated with Bonds Babywear. To be clear, that’s free product, parentals! Join Bonds Baby Cover See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.