Australian Birth Stories

As a midwife with a graduate certificate in perinatal mental health, Shannon thought she was prepared for pregnancy and birth. However, her experience taught her that professional knowledge doesn't shield you from the profound emotional and physical challenges of becoming a mother. Her candid discussion about perinatal anxiety, the impact of her eating disorder history, and her breastfeeding journey with breast implants and suspect...

In this episode I chat to Zan and Indi, a queer couple from Adelaide who share their remarkable journey through fertility challenges, pregnancy loss, and ultimately both carrying a pregnancy and welcoming two beautiful children. Their story encompasses home insemination, IVF, a surprise breach home birth, termination for medical reasons following a twin pregnancy, and the unique experience of a trans pregnancy. This episode offers ...

Brittany shares her extraordinary journey from a challenging conception to a life-changing premature birth experience. After 18 months of trying to conceive with low AMH levels, Brittany and her husband Braden welcomed their son Tulla at just 28 weeks following a dramatic turn of events. What began as routine monitoring for IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) quickly escalated into preeclampsia, emergency caesarean, and a four-m...

Today I interview Jo, a mother of two and GP who brings so much knowledge and advice to her story. She says that being a mother has definitely made her a better GP although she admits that so many of her expectations of parenthood were thrown out the window when she became a mum. She feels strongly about safe co-sleeping (she shares a lot of evidence around this) as well as extended breastfeeding and the societal pressures that oft...

In this episode, mother of two Amy takes us through her contrasting birth experiences and her profound journey with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). From an unexpected COVID pregnancy in Melbourne to a transformative home VBAC in Adelaide, Amy's story illuminates the challenges many women face but rarely discuss openly. Her candid account of navigating major placenta praevia, the isolation of pandemic motherhood, and the lif...

Mother of two Jessie returns to share her second pregnancy and birth story - one that beautifully illustrates the power of processing previous birth experiences and the importance of comprehensive preparation for subsequent labours. After what appeared to be a "textbook" first birth with daughter Bronte, Jessie discovered she was carrying unprocessed trauma that was creating anxiety about her upcoming second labour. Through the sup...

Tori shares her transformative journey through pregnancy loss, anxiety, and ultimately triumph. After experiencing a missed miscarriage at 10 weeks, Tori conceived her son Sol but faced a pregnancy filled with complications including fibroids, subchorionic haematoma, and ultimately placental insufficiency requiring an emergency caesarean at 40 weeks. Her second pregnancy with daughter Juno was a complete surprise that led to the he...

Katherine shares her postpartum journey after discovering her son Finn was born with craniosynostosis - a condition where skull sutures fuse prematurely. What began as a planned caesarean birth for her transverse baby quickly became a complex medical journey involving specialists, testing, and preparing for major skull surgery. Katherine's story highlights the importance of early detection, finding the right medical team, and conne...

Mel is an experienced private midwife and academic researcher who shares her two contrasting home birth experiences - from a 36-hour labour with her first baby born at 36 weeks weighing just 2.3kg, to a euphoric second birth that had her laughing with joy. Her story beautifully illustrates how subsequent births can offer completely different experiences, and how trusting your intuition and having the right support can make all the ...

Maddie shares her transformative journey from receiving an unexpected cleft lip and palate diagnosis at 22 weeks to achieving her dream home birth despite numerous challenges. As a 36-year-old first-time mother living in Melbourne's Bayside area, Maddie's story beautifully illustrates the power of informed choice, trusting your body, and finding the right support team. Her experience navigating the complexities of birthing a baby w...

Lauren shares her contrasting birth experiences with her two boys, Charles and Harvey, whilst navigating the challenges of building two innovative businesses for parents. From her anxiety-filled first pregnancy during COVID to her blissfully calm second experience, Lauren's story highlights the profound difference that continuity of care and mental preparation can make. She opens up about her struggle with postnatal anxiety, the he...

In today's episode I chat with Dr Daniela Aiello, a registered osteopath specialising in pregnancy and postpartum care at Bulleen Osteopathy in Melbourne's northern suburbs. Daniela brings over two decades of experience treating pregnant and postpartum women, combined with her personal journey as a mother of two (aged 14 and 11) and founder of Continuall, a compression wear brand designed specifically for women during pregnancy and...

Liza takes us through her transformative journey across three very different birth experiences in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. From an unexpected first pregnancy at 24 whilst her husband was deployed, through a traumatic second birth that led to essential mental health support, to finally achieving her dream VBAC after two caesareans - Liza's story is one of resilience, growth, and the power of therapeutic healing...

Claire - a midwife and nurse from south of Sydney - shares her first birth experience with baby Maeve. Despite her professional background, Claire's journey from planned home water birth to emergency caesarean beautifully illustrates that birth often doesn’t goes to plan, but can still be incredibly empowering. Her story offers invaluable insights for birth workers and expectant parents alike, showing how informed decision-making, ...

Nonny Naitanui shares her journey from fertility concerns to an unexpectedly early but beautiful birth experience. After receiving concerning AMH results that initially sparked fears about her fertility, Nonny conceived within three months of trying.

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Today I chat with Sophie, a clinical psychologist and mother of two who runs her own practice, Nimble Minds Clinical Psychology, in Sydney's Sutherland Shire. Sophie shares her journey from a 10-month conception period during COVID lockdowns to two incredibly positive birth experiences at the Royal Hospital for Women. Her first birth with daughter Charlotte (Lottie) was a beautifully managed hospital birth, whilst her second pregna...

Tamsyn shares her journey from first-time mum to birthing fraternal twins vaginaly at 40+6 weeks. After experiencing a medicalised first birth with Maya during COVID lockdowns, Tamsyn was determined to achieve the physiological birth she envisaged for her twins. Despite facing significant pressure from hospital staff to accept routine interventions, Tamsyn's story demonstrates the importance of having strong support people and trus...