Australian Birth Stories

Katrina went through the Cosmos program at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne for all three of her deliveries. Despite suffering severe nausea up until 14 weeks, Katrina found her first pregnancy was quite routine. On Katrina’s due date, she was woken up with period like cramping at 1 am. Katrina’s family found it quite amusing she would deliver on her due date because she is quite a pragmatic and organized person.  She went on to labour at home with the support of her partner and her heavily pregnant sister. Katrina was quite unlucky as she was constantly vomiting throughout her labour. After labouring at home for most of the day, She made her way into the Royal Women’s Hospital with her support team. In triage, Katrina had a huge contraction and substantial vomit and then her babies heart rate dropped and her midwife became quite concerned that there was something worth monitoring. She was moved into the birthing suite and monitored. She had a mobile monitor on which allowed her to still move around the room. Despite envisaging an active delivery Katrina ended up pushing on the bed on her back with her sister holding one leg and her friend who was a midwife holding the other. After 30 minutes of pushing she delivered her daughter. Topics covered: postpartum bleed, COSMOS Midwifery Program, Royal Women’s Hospital, 2nd degree tear, TENS machine, water birth. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class  my online childbirth education course head to the shop  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode I interview Amber. At 23 years of age, Amber started having hot flushes and she went to the doctors who said it was most probably a viral infection. It could be pre-menopause. A few weeks later Amber was continuing to get up to 20 hot flushes a day. The doctors ran blood tests her SFH levels were at 75 extremely high. The sent her to a gynecologist who found she had cysts on her ovaries then she started on Clomid for 6mths. In that 6mths she only ovulated once. The side effects - depressed and upset wanted to leave her partner. She came off Clomid and she started acupuncture. Her Acupuncturist was able to get Amber to ovulate once, however, she was then referred to Lynn Bermister the head specialist at Monash IVF. She went into to find her cysts had grown back and her eggs were no longer function. The first 2 IVF cycles she didn't  produce any of her own follicles. After 6 mths of going back and forth, she decided to use her sister's eggs. Her sister underwent counseling and began taking hormones to help her ovulate and regulate her cycles. Her sister was 23 and passed all the intense counseling so they began the process. After the first failed IVF transfer using Amber’s sister’s donated egg, Amber took three months break from trying to regroup mentally and emotionally. The weekend of her sister’s egg collection was near Easter so she did an easter egg hunt around the house and it turned out Amber collected 13 chocolate easter eggs. To hear how Ambers pregnancy went and her delivery tune into this weeks episode. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class  my online childbirth education course head to the shop  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s episode of the show I interview Elise Raquel. Elise takes us through her three vaginal births. Elise’s first daughter Peyton was born in a private hospital in Perth under the care of her private obstetrician. Elise did little birth preparation, however she knew she wanted to try for a natural drug-free delivery. At 37 weeks, Elise went in for an antenatal appointment and they discovered that her blood pressure was elevated. At this time the doctor began discussing the possibility of induction. Elise did everything she could to bring on labour naturally and she went into labour spontaneously at 38 weeks. After a long labour, Elise was given an epidural and she pushed out her daughter with the help of a vacuum delivery. Topics covered: flat nipples, posterior, nipple shield, gas and air, episiotomy, baby blues, jaundice, The Natural parent Facebook group, hypnosis, midwifery care, waterbirth, postpartum bleeding, tandem breastfeeding, trisomy13, Harmony testing, curb walking, nipple stimulation, natural induction method.   If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class  my online childbirth education course head to the shop  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Emma. At the age of 14, Emma was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and she underwent surgery for a fistula. During this surgery, Emma was advised that if she was to go on and have a family in the future, it was most likely she would need to have a caesarean section. At 21 she had a bad a relapse of her Crohn’s Disease and she underwent a bowel resection and they removed 30cm of her small intestine. After several more repairs on her fistula, Emma was also diagnosed with an autoimmune arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The AS effected her pelvis and spine making pregnancy more challenging however, it was ultimately the Crohn’s disease and her previous surgeries which meant she needed to have caesarean deliveries. After having two caesareans with the same obstetrician, in Emma’s third pregnancy she felt very emotional about the fact that she was going to have to have another caesarean section. What affected Emma the most was the fact that she had to have them delivered in this way due to her own health. Emma raised her concerns with her obstetrician during her third pregnancy, however she felt quite unheard by her obstetrician. She wasn’t getting the birth she was hoping for and she felt that the emotional component of her birth was not being acknowledged and supported. Four years after having her first child Emma decided to try and makes some changes in her fourth birth. Going with the same obstetrician but asking for changes. Emma asked for changes such as delayed cord clamping, an attempt to not use forceps in the delivery, the use of her own music in the delivery room and she had her husband videotaping the birth.  After watching the video back Emma said she felt completely robbed and taken advantage of as her obstetrician hadn't made any of the changes she had requested. Forceps were used, the cord wasn't left to pulsate and what’s more, the obstetrician swore that he hated the song playing on Emma’s playlist whilst delivering their baby. For her fifth and final birth, Emma was not going to have the same obstetrician. To hear how Emma made a variety of changes to get the gentle caesarean she had dreamed of, tune into this Emma’s episode on the show. Topics covered: Crohn's Disease, Rheumatoid arthritis: ankylosing spondylitis, birth trauma, caesarean section, back labour, tongue tie, breastfeeding challenges, vaginal seeding, placenta encapsulation, birth plan. Today’s episode on the show is brought to you by . Pelvi specialise in the Mediball secret. The lovely team at are offering Australian Bith Stories listners 25% off with code BIRTH. All images on this page are by If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class  my online childbirth education course head to the shop  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Eliza Curby. Eliza shares how she fell pregnant for the first time after being with her partner for just three months. Eliza and Ben were thrilled as they had wanted to start a family quickly. Despite not being covered for Private Hospital care in pregnancy, Eliza wanted to go to the hospital where her mother worked as a midwife. After a healthy pregnancy, Eliza began her labour at home and was 5cm dilated when she went to see her doctor. Things took a turn when her baby became distressed and Charlie was delivered by caesarean section. A few months after Charlie’s arrival Eliza discovered she was pregnant with twins. Although a complete surprise Eliza and her partner were overjoyed to hear they would be adding identical twin boys to their family. To hear the challenges of carrying twins and chasing another baby around tune into this weeks episode. Topics Included: Caesarean, Diastasis Symphysis Pubis, steroid injections, identical twins, reduced foetal moment, North Shore Private Hospital, jaundice, weaning, TENS machine, Rite Aid Hydrogel breast pads, Hypnobirthing. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class  my online childbirth education course head to the shop  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Beth Johnson. Beth shares her two pregnancies and births with us. Beth recalls her first pregnancy as beautiful and uneventful which resulted in a lovely water birth through the midwifery program at Sydney’s Royal Hospital for Women. Seven years after having her first daughter, Beth married her partner Jonathan and they conceived their second daughter on their honeymoon. Beth was terribly sick with ‘all day’ morning sickness. At 20 weeks when they went to have their routine ultrasound the doctors discovered some abnormalities in Marley’s facial structure. During this incredibly stressful time, Beth underwent countless ultrasounds. She also had an amniocentesis test administered which all failed to determine why her baby’s lower jaw seemed hard to detect in the scans.  It wasn’t until Beth met with the midwife Kate Dwyer (who’s a Clinical Midwife Consultant High-Risk Pregnancy, Coordinator Midwifery Group Practice/Maternal-Fetal Medicine), at Sydney’s Royal Hospital for Women. Kate quickly diagnosed Beth’s baby girl with Piere Robin Sequence. To hear more about Piere Robin Sequence and how Beth’s high-risk pregnancy unfolded tune into this week's show. For more information on Piere Robin Sequence Topics covered: high-risk pregnancy, Piere Robin Sequence, Sydney’s Royal Children’s Hospital, nasal gastric tube (NG Tube), soft cleft palate, NICU, sleep apnoea, sleeping prone, reflux, amniocentesis.  To connect with Beth Johnson through her Blog Modern Mother click here: Today’s episode is sponsor by Zoe Sage. is an online store for the modern busy mama; with health-conscious products that aim to help with everyday tasks and reduce stress. To see the full range of Zoe Sage products head over to The lovely team at Zoe Sage are offering all Australian Birth Stories Listeners 10% of the code AUSSIEBIRTH2018 If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class  my online childbirth education course head to the shop  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

37 | Karla Rose Two Birth Center Water Births In today’s episode, I interview Karla Rose. Karla shares her pregnancies and births with her daughter Mini and her son Ruko. At 42 weeks Karla woke at 1 am and her waters went as she went to the bathroom. Contractions began quite quickly after her waters broke and she made her way to the birth center. After an intense contraction at the center, she got into the bath while she was transitioning. Mini was born into the water and her husband Ben delivered her. When she was born they were cuddling Mini for nearly 40minutes before they thought to check to see the sex of the baby.  To hear more about Karla’s pregnancy with her son Ru and his birth tune into the podcast episode here. Topics covered: birth center birth, Byron Bay, water birth, postpartum bleed, Mullumbimby, rupture of membranes prior to contractions, castor oil, Tweed hospital, retained placenta, breastfeeding, engorgement, nipple shields. Today’s episode is sponsored by The Hug App.  is available nationally and free to download and use, The Hug App is a secure, private online community that connects parents, family members and friends in need of transport or care for their little ones: If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class  my online childbirth education course head to the shop  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Rozalia Russian. Rozalia takes us through her pregnancy and birth with both Willow and Kingston. After a very happy and healthy pregnancy with Willow Rozalia went 10 days overdue and was induced to help start her labour. After labouring all day Roza was unable to get past 3cm so her obstetrician Guy Skinner advised an emergency caesarean was the best way forward. After Willow’s delivery Roza haemorrhaged and required a blood transfusion. To hear more about Willow’s birth and how gestational diabetes in Kingston’s pregnancy caught her by surprised tune into this weeks show. Topics cover: gestational diabetes, blood transfusion, haemorrhage elective caesarean, emergency caesarean, breastfeeding, young mum, St Vincents Private Hospital, Dr. Guy Skinner, mastitis. Todays episode is sponsored by   Palmaira Sandals Australia is run by the gorgeous sister in law duo two sister-in-laws (Jenn & Gem).To check out the full range of these beautiful Avarca sandals head over to:  If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class  my online childbirth education course head to the shop  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Nat. Nat takes us through her home water birth. Nat’s story is quite unique in that she had a hind water leak at 40 weeks, however, her contractions did not start. She was originally under the care of the team midwives through the local birth center however they were unable to continue to be her care provider once she had gone past 72 hours without contractions. Nat decided to hire her own private midwife to have the waterbirth she had planned for at home. To hear Nat’s birth story in more detail please tune into this weeks episode. Topics included: hind water leak, water birth, private midwife, hemorrhage, retained placenta, nuchal cord, Tresillian, placenta encapsulation, cervical scar tissue, home birth.   To connect with Nat's Doula service : This week’s sponsor is . The CocoonaBaby is a unique ergonomic baby mattress designed for newborns' daytime and nighttime optimal sleep. Thanks to its enveloping shape, babies lie in a reassuring semi-fetal position, promoting deep sleep by limiting the startle reflex. To find out more about the CocoonaBaby If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class  my online childbirth education course head to the shop  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I interview Adele Barbaro (The Real Mumma). Adele shares her struggles in falling pregnant with her first child Harvey. Adele suffers from endometriosis and had a procedure to remove scar tissue to help create a more favorable environment for an embryonic transfer through IVF. Adele’s labour failed to progress despite induction medication being given and she delivered Harvey via a caesarean section. Adele went on to conceive Chloe naturally to her and Paul’s great surprise. Adele wanted to try for a VBAC with Chloe and she shares that although she was able to have the VBAC she had wished for she suffered a clitoral tear from her vaginal delivery. She recalls talking to her doctor a few weeks after Chloe’s delivery and saying she wishes she had just booked in for another cesarean. To hear more of Adele’s story tune in this week's show. Topics covered: IVF, low amniotic fluid, induction, caesarean section, vaginal birth after caesarean VBAC, clitoral tear, prodromal labour, vacuum delivery, hind water leak, general anesthetic, expressed colostrum,  endometriosis. If you'd like my FREE guide on perineal massage click If you'd like my FREE 5-minute breathing exercise click Follow us on Instagram to keep the conversation going. To learn more about The Birth Class  my online childbirth education course head to the shop  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.