Australian Birth Stories

In this week's episode, I chat to Sarah about her three very different birth experiences spanning five years. Sarah lives in Sydney with her partner Jad and their three children – Remy (5), Navy (3), and newborn Hugo (just two weeks old). Her story beautifully illustrates how birth experiences can evolve with knowledge, preparation and support, taking us from a highly medicalised first birth to an empowering water birth with her third baby. EPISODE SPONSOR: If you're deep in nesting mode and Googling things at 2am — you're not alone. The team at iL Tutto is here to help make the journey into parenthood a little smoother (and a whole lot more stylish). From their much-loved nursing chairs that glide, recline and support those long feeding sessions — to beautifully crafted cots with matching chests and removable changers, every piece is designed to be both practical and Pinterest-worthy. They also offer Grow Kindly — gorgeously soft baby sleepwear made for delicate skin — and the CoZee co-sleeping bassinet, perfect for keeping bub close and safe through the night. And right now, when you purchase any full-priced iL Tutto Nursing Chair, you'll receive a free Snuggle Me Organic Feeding Pillow — the ultimate cosy support for feeding or cuddle time. (Please note: discount codes can't be used with this offer.) OR, Australian Birth Stories listeners can enjoy 20% off with the code ABS20 — but be quick, it ends June 15, 2025. Visit iltutto.com.au to explore the range or order a free fabric swatch to bring that dream nursery to life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this extraordinary episode, Prue shares her remarkable 11-year journey to motherhood, culminating in becoming the third woman in Australia to give birth following a uterus transplant. Her story is one of incredible perseverance, medical innovation, and the profound desire to become a mother against seemingly impossible odds. If you've been considering joining over 6000 families who have prepared for birth with confidence through The Birth Class now's your chance. You can enjoy 20% off in our Mother's Day Sale with the code: MUM25Inside The Birth Class you'll enjoy: 10 comprehensive audio lessons 5 guided meditations for pregnancy and birth 70-page detailed workbook Birth partner cheat sheet Birth positions poster Hospital bag checklist Birth preferences template Lifetime access Save 20% Now [ Code: MUM25 ] Sale ends 15th of May at midnight and applies to all our courses! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, I chat with Bonnie about her two positive birth experiences. Bonnie lives on Sydney's Northern Beaches with her husband Ben and their two-and-a-half-year-old son Will, and three-week-old Oscar. Her story beautifully illustrates how knowledge, confidence and the right support can lead to empowering birth experiences, even when things don't go exactly to plan. Celebrate Motherhood with us this week and get 20% off ALL our courses Sale includes gift vouchers, so you can spoil a special soon-to-be mum in your life too. Don't wait! This week only (May 2025). Use code: MUM25SHOP NOW Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mother of three Laura shares her journey through IVF, a physiological first birth, and the unexpected arrival of identical twins. After marriage in early 2019, Laura and her husband Yanni embarked on their path to parenthood, facing challenges with irregular periods that made conception difficult. "I was getting very irregular periods. And so it was really hard to time your cycle and figure out when to conceive," Laura explains of this period. Today's Episode is Brought to You by Your Reformer Your Reformer understands that life moves in seasons, especially for mothers. Their premium reformer beds bring studio-quality Pilates directly into your home, allowing you to strengthen your body on your own schedule - during nap time, after bedtime, or whenever you can carve out a moment for yourself. What I love about Your Reformer is how they've created options that truly work for real life. You can purchase your own reformer with their incredible limited-time offer of $200 off, plus receive a luxe gift with purchase - cushioning slides and a beautiful crop and bike shorts set to ensure you step into your practice in style. Or if you're not ready to commit, their rental option at just $39 per week gives you all the benefits without the upfront investment - perfect for testing how reformer Pilates fits into your family rhythm. For new and expecting mums, their OnDemand App features specialised pre and postnatal workouts guided by Women's Health professionals, supporting you through every stage of your motherhood journey. From gentle prenatal movements to postpartum recovery and beyond, they've created a space where mothers can rebuild strength and find moments of peace. Premium Pilates designed to meet the rhythm of your life - that's the Your Reformer promise. Visit yourreformer.com today to shop this limited-time offer and begin your journey to strength, intention, and self-investment. Your Reformer - because every era of your life deserves movement that matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Allison takes us through her journey to motherhood and subsequently, her empowering and enlightening autism and adhd diagnosis. She weaves in and out of her pregnancies to share information about music therapy and the brain and how music – rhythm, tempo, mantra – is one of the best soothing tools we can teach our children and use for ourselves. Allison details the sensory overwhelm of pregnancy and breastfeeding, her experience with endometriosis, parenting an autistic child and her recent miscarriage which she honoured with a distinct period of rest and reflection. If you are neurodivergent or you think that you may be, this episode will be the comfort and guidance you need. I consider it essential listening, especially for perinatal health specialists caring for neurodivergent people in pregnancy and postpartum. Pre-order our new book: The Complete Guide to Postpartum: A mother-focused companion for life after birth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, teacher and first-time mother Emily shares her experience of managing type 1 diabetes during pregnancy and her challenging birth at King Edward Memorial Hospital in Perth. Emily has lived with diabetes since she was just 14 months old, bringing a unique perspective to her journey to motherhood. If you'd like to listen to more birth stories involving type 1 diabetes, check out episode 488 (another Emily) and episode 227 (Sarah Leverton). For more support, explore our free resources on Labour Tips For Birth Partners, Mastitis, Postpartum Fatigue and much more HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Carla Hackett shares her three very different birth experiences - from a hospital birth with her first son Raph, to an unexpectedly rapid home birth with her second son Noah, and finally a beautiful water birth with her daughter Maeve. ___________ Download our free guide: Labour tips for birth partners What is a birth support partner? A birth support partner offers physical and emotional support throughout labour and birth. Your birth partner should be mentioned in your birth plan, particularly in regards to how they will advocate for you to your midwife or doctor. If you are a birth partner, don't forget that she will be relying on you throughout all stages of labour and birth to offer words of encouragement, hold her hand, guide her through breathing techniques and remind her, most importantly, that she is safe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Rebecca Dekker, founder of Evidence-Based Birth®, about her three very different birth experiences and how they led her to create a global resource for evidence-based information on pregnancy and childbirth. Follow us on Instagram for photos and more from today's episode. EPISODE SPONSOR: ergoPouch (the beloved sleepwear brand) is thrilled to offer an exclusive 30% off sitewide* sale. Ideal as winter is coming. At Australian Birth Stories, we love ergoPouch because they simplify how to safely dress your child for sleep with their ultra-handy What to Wear guide and thermometer, which is precisely what tired parents need.  Don't miss your chance to save 30% off* sitewide now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode I chat to Madi about her third birth - a planned home water birth after cesarean. Madi's story is particularly interesting as she navigated this birth both as a mother and as a newly qualified midwife. After experiencing a relatively quick vaginal birth with her first daughter Oakley and then a caesarean under general anaesthetic with Harlow due to her Chiari malformation (where her brain herniates into her spinal column), Madi was surprised to find herself pregnant with a third baby while completing her midwifery studies. Follow us on Instagram for photos and more from today's episode.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I chat to Jess about her two very different birth experiences with her children Ruby and Vincent. After experiencing an induced birth with her first baby during COVID, Jess shares how she approached her second pregnancy with intention and preparation, ultimately achieving the birth she hoped for. Follow us on Instagram for photos and more from today's episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.