The Circle of Birth - Story Medicine - Birth & Transformation

Facebook Email Twitter LinkedIn Messenger Midwife Joy and I recorded last year I actually got sidetracked with this track and took me a while to get it all back together, and what a delight to finally find it again! This conversation was so amazing. Joy become pregnant at the age of 19 and at the time was living the ideal nomadic life in a bus. We talk about her bus birth, her steps into midwifery and how she trained with traditional midwifes. She lives on a boat! She is amazing and I need to write no more, dive into the podcast! Its a long one but such a beautiful journey to share…. Resources The Birth Attendants youtube video:  https://youtu.be/P1Ngtl_x0go Connect with Joy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/birthwithjoy/?ref=br_rs Website: http://www.birthwithjoy.love           Facebook Email Twitter LinkedIn Messenger

Facebook Email Twitter LinkedIn Messenger What if we looked at the birth experiences so graciously shared with us in absolute awe of how amazing women are in birth? Jessie’s story is one of these incredible experiences, where she tuned in to her safety and autonomy. For the next hour you will be podcast blessed with Jessie and her family’s journey, finding out how birth does not always have to be something we endure, survive and see as a painful event that should be over with as quick as possible. During this podcast Jessie talks about her conception and prepping for the birth. Look at the resources below – you will be gifted with the most beautiful video of Jessie birthing her baby in a way that makes her feel safe and nurtured. What happened with this video? The media got to it! One of the most obvious issues we are facing at the moment is the suppression of women and their right to have the pregnancy and birth within which they feel ‘safe’, ‘supported’, and in tune with their bodies. Birth is not a ‘one size fits all’! The media reaction to this video was full of many so called ‘experts’, so much talk about unnecessary things and distraction from being able to view this birth with absolute pure elation and non-judgmental awe. We don’t talk about any of this, mainly because I don’t subscribe to that stuff and also because I had so many better things to explore in Jessie’s story than what interpretation the media wanted to make. Here is the most important part: Jessie’s message from this experience was the equal importance of the mental and physical health of the mother. That resonates so clearly! How many times have women been left with “at least’ you have a healthy baby”? Jessie wanted to share this video with the world because she felt so empowered by watching other women share their experiences. This is Jessie gifting back. So so much gratitude to you, Jessie, as you are gifting back so much inspiration to us all! All Photos: Port Douglas Wedding Photography & Designer Portraiture Australia Musings from Jessie “It was just like the stars aligned, everything was happening and we trusted the process.” “The respect, appreciation, trust and gratitude you receive in your body during pregnancy is life changing.” “I really felt like I was listening to my baby during the whole pregnancy.” “’It was really important to surround my birth space with everything that made me happy.” “For women to have access to watch birth videos is such an amazing resource.” “Empowered women, empowering women – this is such an important support circle to have.” “Women are amazing, we are capable of so much more than what we may believe.” Resources Hypno-Babies Book – Down to Earth Birth – Jenny Blythe Full Birth Video: https://youtu.be/ZsFlwJMwkm0 Our Right of Reply to the Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01vg1F0CfGg&feature=youtu.be BirthTUBE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/livehomebirth/?source_id=488777274815586 Facebook Email Twitter LinkedIn Messenger

Facebook Email Twitter LinkedIn Messenger Welcome to an epic and absolutely essential podcast to listen to. I decided not to split it up and you can enter in and out of this beautiful journey with Katherine and I. So why are we feeling that home birth is no where in a space to celebrate in Australia and worldwide? This story will unravel some of the mysteries of why women are still subjected to an absolute barrage of political, business and oppression driven birth culture. This story is a hard reality of a woman that wants to be supported by her midwife and birth team and how the system takes charge to make sure there were as many hurdles as possible. Katherine is a beautiful connected soul, and her story now is a gift in ours. Take the time to read her blog if you can (links in the show notes) She has compiled a list of amazing resources. Now the audio dips in and out of some parts, yet the story and Katherines beautiful articulation trumps that! So with that welcome to the story and be open to the medicine.  THIS IS KATHERINES BLOG BELOW – Find it at – http://katherineeden.com/speaking-the-unspeakable-not-celebrating-homebirth/ Speaking the unspeakable; why I’m not celebrating homebirth. If this post triggers you or brings up any strong feelings please reach out and speak to someone. You could call Lifeline , PANDA or Beyondblue Today I need to be very vulnerable with you. I started writing this post during homebirth awareness week. But I was not, and will not be celebrating. We have since seen some incredible speeches from some inspirational women about the crisis of birth, both in this country and around the world. I NEED TO GET THIS OFF MY CHEST AND SHARE SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN BUBBLING WITHIN ME. My heart hurts. It aches. It aches for me, for my baby, for my family, for my fellow birth workers and for all the women and babies who have been affected by the current climate of homebirth. I want to say something controversial to you; I AM SICK AND TIRED OF CELEBRATING HOMEBIRTH Don’t get me wrong, homebirth is, and has always been, my only choice for how I want my babies to enter the world. To me it just feels like my complete natural instinct to support the physiological birthing process and birth where I feel most safe. For me that is at home with a Midwife. Homebirth is incredible and we know from countless stories and an abundance of evidence that homebirth is both safer in terms of physical safety as well as providing increased emotional safety and birth satisfaction (more info here). It is our biological norm. When you tell me homebirth and continuity of care are amazing and worthy of celebration you are preaching to the converted. This is not to discount women who have had wonderful experiences in the hospital. It’s just that at this time we need to start getting more serious about the reality of birth. We know homebirth is safe and incredible and yes we need to continue reminding those who don’t know. We need to remind, and take more action against those who disempower or take away a woman’s control or experience because they are not evidence based or because they work from a place of fear. Yes, we need to continue to have this discussion. Yes, we need to celebrate the amazingness that is homebirth. BUT this CANNOT and MUST NOT be the ONLY discussion!

Facebook Email Twitter LinkedIn Messenger Could you ever imagine your whole house set up with cameras? A film crew sleeping near by and all anticipating the moment they are called in? Coming into a space so sacred, so intimate and so powerful to a primal woman’s right of passage…. Well Emily has gone above and beyond with gracious love to invite this whole experience of the birth of her fourth baby. I am so excited and so deeply honoured to bring this podcast to you before this film’s release on Mother’s day, 2018. What is the film all about? What was it like for Emily? This is your scoop here! I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this story and you will too! I have no doubt you will want to watch this epic and beautiful film! We begin our podcast with Emily talking about her own birth: We can see here how Emily has grown into not having fear of birth. All of Emily’s babies have been birthed at home. We talk about her first birth with a midwife during which baby was born in around 6 hours; This was not what Emily was expecting for a first birth! We navigate to Emily’s next birth: same house, pool and midwife, and an epic quick birth at 1.5 hours. Emily describes how she navigated this next transition into her motherhood. During these conversations, we talk about the birth climate in the area. Emily’s third birth was a different location, a longer birth this time, and Emily wanted to cultivate the longer transition moments. She worked and learned from Whapio and the holistic stages of birth (see resources). This baby was born with a nuchal hand and Emily recalls reaching down to baby as he was coming out and feeling her baby’s little hand hold hers! So from listening to Emily we have a good understanding about how powerful this woman is and how powerful this film will be to many. We then speak about Emily’s fourth baby and the film, and Emily speaks so honestly and beautifully about her miscarriages in between. The calling was there for her next baby, the film was agreed upon, and this brought up many interesting and intense feelings for their family. Listen to how Emily navigated this with the upcoming film and what it felt like each time she went through the experience of miscarriage. We talked about the film now and it was exciting for me to ask so many questions about what it was like to have so many cameras and people present during the birth, how it started, what Emily recalls; My questions went on! I loved how the whole crew of mostly men were in absolute awe of this process, not trying to fix it, wanting to be a part of it and letting it happen; Does not sound common practice, right? This episode is a beautiful dive into something so intimate and sacred that Emily and her family have so generously shared with the world. This is the voice we need. This film is the healing we want. Musings from Emily “I was my mothers first baby. I was very wanted and consciously created.” “I never had the concept that birth was something to be feared.” “As my baby was coming out I reached down and I could feel his little hand, it held onto my finger.” “’I have the most wonderful women come into my life.” “During all of my births I never had anyone reach in and bother me. I never really knew what a huge deal that was until looking back and hearing other women’s stories.” “My film crew were in no rush for the birth to happen; This made them perfect witnesses, as they were just happy to let it be.” “My fourth postpartum was the most blissful that I ever had.” “If everyone could be this excited about a birth happening, what it could do for women!” “One of the best parts of the film is the birth / after birth scene. This part has a strong potential for changing the philosophy of what we think about birth.”

Facebook Email Twitter LinkedIn Messenger Homebirth Consortium Australia [HCA] is a newly formed working group made up of representatives from local homebirth groups around Australia. HCA’s aim is to show their support for homebirth midwives and fight for changes to government policies so that midwives can return to working more autonomously and within their full scope of practice. By supporting our homebirth midwives, we support home birthing families and accordingly aim to protect homebirth within Australia.   Media Release for Mothers For Midwives March on May 5th2018 With International Midwives Day on May 5th, it is an opportunity for women around Australia to thank the professionals who held their hands during the most important day (or night) of their lives: their baby’s birth day. It is estimated there are over 32,000 registered midwives, with around 28,000 midwives employed by public and private hospitals in Australia. However, there is also a seriously shrinking population of midwives who assist women to birth at home. Statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show that in 2014 there were 287 midwives attending homebirths as a primary carer – this not only includes Privately Practising Midwives (PPMs), but midwives attending homebirths that are publicly funded by the government through the 14 hospital-led homebirth programs. The latest data shows that in 2015 that number fell to 241and that number has certainly shrunk dramatically since then as regulations have stifled the health professionals who work in private practice, and who home birthing women rely on to maintain safety. Amantha McGuinness from Homebirth Australia had this to say: “Ever increasing regulation and the relentless vexatious reporting of PPMs has led to a decline in the number of midwives supporting homebirths, with those remaining in practice often feeling marginalised, unsupported and unable to practice in a way that aligns with the midwifery philosophy of being “with woman”. Many women, particularly those in regional and rural areas, are unable to access homebirth at all. Despite the extra regulation, women are still birthing and midwives are still working without intrapartum insurance for a homebirth with no valid solution in sight. The new requirement for two midwives at homebirth is also impacting on women and their birth options. Women in many areas of Australia who want a homebirth with a midwife are now faced with the choice to travel great distances to access midwives, or birth at home without a midwife at all. This begs the question: are all the regulations actually making birth safer, or are they just reducing and restricting the options of birthing women?” With a decreasing chance of “normal birth” and an increasing caesarean ratein Australian hospitals, the choice to homebirth is not one that is going away. But with less and less homebirth midwives to assist women during the prenatal, birth and postnatal period, there is a danger that these women, many of whom are casualties of an underfunded, understaffed, fragmented and broken hospital system, will choose to birth at home anyway, but without the safety of a midwife in attendance. Indeed freebirth is said to be on the increase. Professor of Midwifery Hannah Dahlen says “We have undertaken several studies into the issue of freebirth and it appears to be increasing in Australia. Women tell us the main reasons they freebirth is they are unable to find a midwife in their area or can’t afford to pay for them. More and more women are fleeing mainstream maternity care after previo...

Facebook Email Twitter LinkedIn Messenger Wise women are all around the place in all stages of the life cycle and in all forms of nature. Vickie is one who I was deeply honoured to have on the podcast. This story from Vickie is quite an amazing story of strength, love, hope and possibility where Vickie speaks about walking and navigating the birth and death paths. Vickie’s life has been a colour of experience and has guided her to grow into the exemplary woman she is right now. The story begins when Vickie was the young age of 18, when her first daughter was removed in Australia’s forced adoption program in the 1970’s. The story continues on from here….. Vickie and I head back to when she was 18, she had her first job and a trophy of a boyfriend. She then discovered that she was pregnant in the year 1969; those were not the times for someone unmarried to be pregnant. A wedding was arranged yet her husband to be disappeared. Vickie was moved into a convent for unmarried mothers, but she was unaware at the time that there was a government policy forcing religious organisations to coerce girls into giving babies up for adoption. Vickie was looked after in this place, however she was pressured into adopting out her baby. Vickie was amongst many young girls at this time and birthed and saw her baby only briefly before she was taken away. Vickie was nursed at the convent for two weeks and was then sent back home where she pushed all of her feelings aside. Vickie was told to, “Get on with life.” Moving on, Vickie talks about the birth of her son Jake which resulted in her becoming very interested in the mechanics of birth. She birthed during the time of women being shaved, having enemas and birthing on their backs. Vickie devoured books from authors including Grantly Dick-Reed and Leboyer, however nothing prepared her for her next birth experience two years later when she birthed still-born twins. Upon leaving the hospital, a nurse said, “There, there, plenty more where that came from.” Again, Vickie was told to get on with life. We talk about Vickie’s other children, how her life traversed around and how she came to the work she is doing today. We talk about the adoption and process of Vickie reconnecting with her daughter, Gillian, and especially connecting with her children while knowing they had a half sister. During this process, Vickie was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder; the unpacking begins. Let’s remember that there was a government policy in place in Australia at this time that would practically force adoption of babies on young mothers like Vickie. We then talked about Vickie’s reunion with Gillian; this part is amazing… Listen.. Vickie’s work in birth and death shines out in this story and we shine on some of this amazing, wise woman wisdom. The last 20 minutes of the podcast involves the beautiful interpretation of the collective gifts that Vickie brings into being a Doula.  Musings from Vickie “Let me see my baby.” “Birth has to be better than this.” “What is a long labour?” “’When does labour start,’ will be forever a fought question.” “Holding Jake for the first time was amazing, I never wanted to let him go.” “Dealing with grief, not just the individual events.” “When you get to the top of the ladder, you need to make sure the ladder is against the right wall.” “Acceptance and understanding of the uniqueness of each woman and her birth.” “There is no cookie cutter approach of being a Doula.” “Having the wisdom to really understand what a woman wants.” “When I work with women I always ask them what their own births were like.” “I see that birth and death are the same door, you are just going another way.”

Facebook Email Twitter LinkedIn Messenger Freebirth, or birth outside the system, is returning to our communities. With the increased pressures and costs and reduced accessibility of privately practicing midwives in Australia, more and more people are deciding to take full responsibility for their body and birth. This is where birth outside the system, freebirth, unassisted birth, or whatever it needs to be labelled, works well for many. Natalie and I connected after her interview for the 7.30 report aired on the ABC in Australia in late 2017. The 7.30 report included an interview with Hannah Dahlen who spoke about changes to the insurance for privately practicing midwives in Australia. Both of these interviews spoke about the increasing risk for women, however, when Natalie and I spoke, I wanted to hear her full journey – HERstory. Listen in for a story from a young woman, wanting to change her life and grow into a mother. With her voice, Natalie seeks to serve the community to find themselves and their own stories in pregnancy and birth. Natalie begins her talk with the growth of her self as a person. With a history of sexual abuse, Natalie used methods of escapism for a long time before coming to the realisation that she also had a problem with alcohol. Natalie chose health, she chose the path to healing, and then she became pregnant! Her life changed. Natalie talks about the first pregnancy and feeling into what her body was telling her; what it was like to trust and believe in her body. Natalie talks about her journey within the system during her pregnancy. She had an obstetrician that pulled the ‘your baby will die’ card on her when he wanted to do a stretch and sweep. This process triggered Natalie, feeding in to her history of sexual abuse. We talk through her awareness at this time and how it upset the pregnancy and her emotional state heading into labour; she felt fearful, alone and deserted. Into the birth, she found some amazing midwives that trusted in her birth process, trusted in her breathing and most importantly, stuck by her. She also describes that the midwives kept the space clear of men, a very importance factor in this birth given her history of sexual assault. After 23 hours, birth happened after a release from the bowel. Natalie describes this as a big release. Babe was born and handed into her arms and Natalie transitioned to mother. Post birth they noticed tachycardia and her boy was taken from her for a while. Natalie talks about this process; She talks about how a male paediatrician was holding her baby in the NICU and how this felt for Natalie. Natalie knew her baby was fine, yet he was taken from her and she was left with some resonating feelings, one of which was women fearful of having a voice in the old patriarchal system, fearful of having their babies taken away if they speak up. Since this birth and leading up to her next birth 9 years later, Natalie became a Hypnobirthing practitioner. She learned so much from her clients and seeing an ‘accidental freebirth’ opened up her mind. We talked about molar and partial molar pregnancies, a topic which I wanted to delve into a little more as I personally had an experience of a partial molar pregnancy. Natalie describes the miscarriages in between before she become pregnant with her next babe, Cyan. For this birth, Natalie knew in her visions that she was going to birth at home and her partner would be the only other person present. The birth was how she imagined, and if you check out the link below for the 7.30 report you can see some footage of this. After this birth story, Natalie tells of an interesting story of a placenta down the toilet and consuming her placenta there and then to alleviate a potential haemorrhage. We talk here about instinct and how this method has worked in the wise women ways...

Sometimes we recognise one moment that shifted our whole being into what we never knew could exist, like something was waiting in that very second to serve us with one of the biggest awakenings in our life. How does that shape us?  Sunni Karll presented one of those moments in my life. Her book Sacred Birthing, shifted me from thought to process this book was gifted in the most amazing circumstances after an acupuncture session by a wise woman that cleared so many blockages and opened up possibilities. And here was this book just waiting on her shelf for someone to love, and that someone was me!  I was ripe and ready to put my deep calling to spiritual midwifery and serving women into practice, to truly explore one of the most transformative life events we can choose to encounter. YES you too can make a difference, Fast forward, and here I am talking and having the deepest connection with this wise woman, and this episode, I guarantee will sit with you. Sunni joins the show from California, where she is tickled about her recent publishing of Sacred Birthing’s 2nd Edition, and also a new exciting book coming soon! So we begin to reflect with Sunni in her birth journeys in the early 70’s. Sunni had no idea that the birth trauma she herself went through was something that would ultimately play out in her first pregnancy. Her first baby was born with intervention and Sunni could not understand many things after this birth, she left this experience knowing that it could be better. We intertwine the conversation with her next pregnancy journey that was essentially a free birth at her home in the safety of the bathroom in the dark with her husband at the time sleeping downstairs. What shifted Sunni to want to birth at home, now remembering we are talking about the 70’s where information and resources was not so readily available. Sunni describes it as a reaction to the first birth, she tried to source midwives yet there was not any available. She birthed and describes the experience as feeling safe and the gift of a presence around her, everybody was asleep and the rain was pattering on the window frame. Her husband then come in right as baby come out, caught baby and gave her to Sunni! The first edition of her book was published in 2003 and we talk about her new book that was released in May 2017. Sunni talks about how consciousness has changed and uplifted, and how she grew up and thus the information in the first book had to grow up along with her. The second edition according to Sunni offers much more clarity from her following 14 years of birth work. We hear from Sunni about her next transition in life from mother to grandmother, she was at the birth for two of her grand babies thus far. Interestingly Sunni reflects on her emotions during this time. We talked in detail about Sunni’s time in Hawaii, birth was an event for the parent’s community, and how the whole event is based around a field of ‘trust,’ no matter how many people are there. Sunni describes seeing rows of spiritual ancestors when baby comes! We talked of the goddesses and gods in the culture and how that looked in relation to birth. We talked in detail about Sunni’s time in Hawaii, birth was an event for the community and how the whole event is based around a field of ‘trust’ no matter how many people are there. Sunni describes seeing parties where baby comes! We talked of the goddesses and gods in the culture and how that looked in relation to birth. Sunni and I talk wisdom, midwifery, Doulas and HOW can we support each other. Lessons and gifts and some great advice for birth workers.  From Sunni “In my book I talk about our firstborn as a sacrificial lamb, because we don’t know what we don’t know”. “Surrounded by love and trust creates the highest vibration to protect b...

  Doula’s, they are becoming more and more well known in the realm of maternity care. I had no idea what a Doula was until I was pregnant with my first child in 2010, and I thought I was rather aware! So now that I am one, I just love them, and in particular one very well loved Doula Angela Gallo. Why? How can we not feel drawn to the radiant energy that Angela throws out, her life experiences have brought her to this work, to serve, to advocate and to honour a woman in this life changing journey. This podcast, we both delve right into the journey of Angela, we talk about her life changing births, how she navigated her experiences and what lessons come from this. We talk birth workers, midwifery, photography, Mexico and more! Climb aboard for this inspiring episode and see the story behind the woman that is extending her self to change the way we perceive and act upon brith and maternity care. So we begin this episode with Angela’s first pregnancy, this is where it all began. Angela was then, a self described fiercely independent and mobile creature and could not see how children could fit into that… So this is where most of us can agree, pregnancy forces us to re-evaluate and change so many things about our life, perceptions and how we truly see the world we know it. Rebirth some call it! Angela talks about the pregnancy and how she was so fascinated with each and every day she describes feeling connected and so humbled by the process that her body was going through. Now at this time Angela’s husband was flying in and out from work, this is where the concept of a Doula was discovered as Angela was away from family. Her Doula was a lifeline and provided her with confidence, resources and all that she needed to have this good outlook into the approaching birth. So 40+5 Angela went into labour, the labour was 45 hours, long and stretching the challenges of the transition from maiden to motherhood. Angela describes feeling supported, even though the birth was (in her thoughts) intensely medicalised. Yet at the 35 hour mark the epidural bought much relief to her  and some needed rest. After 3 hours of pushing, Angela describes the sensation of the shell of the past leave her as her daughter Ruby was born. This birth really shaped the word Doula in Angela’s mind, things were happening, she was pushed to the physical limits and found this so profound, that she knew that this was the path to help women achieve these experiences, fill the gaps and explore the full spectrum of Doula work. We talk about Angela’s first experience as a Doula, with a young baby, we look how Angela felt after her training and how she spent the following years planning and seeing how it all works for her. These years were difficult. From there we talk about the life of a Doula and the toll it can take on the relationship front. We both concur how this has come up in both our lives, both seeking the support for Doulas in the family and community networks. I mean with many things it looks so much different when we are supported. This a great piece of the interview where we really extract the essential needs to support birth workers together. Meaning, we are all essentially in this together and Angela’s work is a credit to that. We hop into the next pregnancy. Angela describes feeling wild! The due date was the same as her daughter Ruby. Yet at the scan they discovered it was a non-viable pregnancy, Not long after this Angela become pregnant again with Odin. This again was not far off Ruby’s birthday. Angela describes organising her birth team and we head into the birth at 41 weeks. The birth took some twists and turns with the birth pool blowing up and ambulance arriving when Angela wanted perhaps for it to not come. The ambulance unfortunately brought upon intrusive energy. Angela talks about her humorous trip in the ambulance where the labour completely ...

The body moves when we birth inside and out we are dancing to the beat of the earth the woman roars and we become mother. After this interview with the amazing Talulah from Making Sacred, I felt all my senses heightened, I felt in awe of this journey and a closeness to all mothers, women, in what ever form. These four birth stories will truely take you on the road of transformation. Finding out how important we are in this process is crucial and Talulah shows us in each of her journeys, that, no matter what, support, care and love to the birthing mother is vital for us to grow. This podcast dives deeply into the cosmic womens mysteries and each with its own lesson that you will be sure to see the gifts that birth can bring. Look at the name Talulah and it signifies water. Look at Talulah near water and you will see why! Talulah and I connected via the Eight Seasons Journey with the School of Shamanic Womancraft. She is guiding our group in all the relevant womens mysteries, collectively together we are supporting and nurturing our truths. There is no wonder that I wanted to share her journeys, for as the podcast revels itself, so will Talulah water divinity. We begin with her first birth journey with her now 14 year old boy Taj. Talulah talks about her family dynamic of a linage of shame for having babies out of wedlock, a pattern that brought a interesting outlook for Talulah growing up. Turns out they discovered she was pregnant just days after her engagement! How the healing path works! Talulah and her partner were after a home birth yet could not afford the cost. They booked into the birth centre. Labour progressed and the journey began, they headed to the birth centre and it was closed! So they got admitted to the labour ward and after a internal examination they found an anterior lip. And as you can image this can go either one way or another depending on many things. Talulah was advised not to push for two hours and she describes this as a tough time as all she wanted to do was push! Once she was given the green light she pushed out baby Taj in 15 minutes! After this they noticed tachycardia Taj ended up in NICU for four days. Talulah talks in the podcast about how the stay was for her emotional and physical self and what her reflections and lessons were from this birth. After this birth, Talulah just felt that every one needs a trained birth attendant at their birth. So she went on to do her Doula training while she was pregnant with her second baby. At this time home birth opened up to this family again and they were ready, however during her doula training lots of fears come During her doula training she learned and absorbed allot of information, yet realised that this made her realise what could go wrong. She held this information in for a long time and it all come out at 41 weeks which was a big release! Lessons here, that pregnancy will bring many things up for us – talk and find that safe space to let it out. Talulah went into labour at 42 weeks and baby was born well into water 4 hours later. With breathing difficulties after the birth they decided to go to the hospital after baby was struggling and began to turn blue. They ended up having another NICU stay with baby Eden, he recovered well with no real explanation as why. We talk about the way she was questioned and treated at the hospital because she was a home birth transfer. Talulah felt she was not supported and lots of questions were raised about her birth choices. All in all Talulah felt fortunate that they had access to the hospital and things worked out the way they did. We talk here about Talulah’s Doula work and birth hypnosis. Mixing up with her life as a Ballet teacher, Talulah talks about the first time she worked as a Doula, I feel many of us Doulas can relate to the way she described the feeling of trying to just be present. So third birth Talulah was deliberating over birth options and w...