Australian Birth Stories show

Australian Birth Stories

Summary: A Podcast of Mothers' stories of childbirth. Weekly interviews of first hand accounts of child birth in Australia. Designed to help educate and inform first time pregnant women, parents wanting to have better births and birth enthusiasts who love to hear and tell birth stories. An entertaining and heartfelt resource for pregnancy, labour and delivery and postpartum. Topics included: VBAC, Calm Birth, Home Birth, Hypnobirth, Caesarean Section, Water Birth, Postpartum, Breastfeeding, Midwifery and Doula Care.

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  • Artist: Sophie Walker: Childbirth and Pregnancy Blogger
  • Copyright: Copyright (c) All rights reserved by Australian Birth Stories

Podcasts:

 32 | Marcia Leone, Two births, Miscarriage, Malrotated Bowel, IVF, Calmbirth | File Type: Unknown | Duration: Unknown

32 | Marcia Leone, Two births, Miscarriage, Malrotated Bowel, IVF, Calmbirth

 31 | Tash Strudwick, Three Birth Stories, Stillbirth, Rainbow Baby | File Type: Unknown | Duration: Unknown

31 | Tash Strudwick, Three Birth Stories, Stillbirth, Rainbow Baby

 30 | Amelia Lamont, Midwife, Two Births, Breech, Induction, Vacuum Delivery | File Type: Unknown | Duration: Unknown

In today’s episode, I interview Amelia Lamont, a Midwife and Sleep Consultant. Amelia shares the story of her son Alfie and daughter Essie’s pregnancies and births. After suffering two early miscarriages, Amelia fell pregnant with Alfie and had a relatively easy pregnancy up until 20 weeks when she started to experience an irritable uterus. This involved the uterus contracting regularly in a similar way to Braxton Hicks, with no cervical change. By 30 weeks these contractions became more regular and Amelia was advised by her obstetrician to stop working and rest until the baby was due to arrive. At 40 weeks Amelia went to see her obstetrician again as she hadn't been gaining any weight and they wanted to ensure the baby was still growing correctly. It was discovered at this appointment that Amelia had reduced fluid. After having a stretch and sweep by both her doctor and later that day by a close friend who was also a midwife, Amelia’s labour failed to begin. The next day she had her waters broken by her doctor and her contractions came on hard and fast. Amelia had an epidural when she reached 6cm and then ended up having an episiotomy and vacuum delivery as both her and Alfie became distressed and unwell towards the end of the labour. During her second pregnancy with daughter Essie, Amelia discovered Essie was breech at 28 weeks. Despite trying every recommended trick to turn her, acupuncture, moxibustion, and osteopathy, Essie failed to move. At 36 weeks Amelia had an External Cephalic Version (ECV) which managed to finally rotate Essie. It was during this procedure that they discovered that once again Amelia had reduced fluid surrounding the baby. To hear more about Essie’s delivery tune into the show…. Topics covered in today’s show: irritable uterus, reduced fetal movement, reduced fluid, episiotomy, acupuncture, moxibustion, external cephalic version, epidural, vacuum delivery, midwife, sleep school, breastfeeding. To connect with Amelia: The Midwife Mumma https://www.instagram.com/themidwifemumma/?hl=en Sleep school https://sleepschool.co/ Tiny Hearts First Aid are offering all listeners $10 off on their courses and kits is with the code: AUBS10 https://www.tinyheartsfirstaid.com/

 29 | Kayleigh McGlynn, Two Births, Kidney Stones, Postpartum Bleed | File Type: Unknown | Duration: Unknown

29 | Kayleigh McGlynn, Two Births, Kidney Stones, Postpartum Bleed

 28 | Louise Bannister | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: Unknown

In today’s episode, I interview Louise Bannister. Louise is the publisher and editor of Lunch Lady Magazine and founder of Frankie, Smith Journal and Spaces. Louise takes us through her three very different births with Harriet, Pearl, and Bon. Louise’s first birth was extremely traumatic. Louise was induced when she went 10 days overdue through her private obstetrician’s care. Louise then went on to have two very different births to Pearl and Bon in the Mullumbimby Birthing Center. Louise shares the struggles of a missed miscarriage, perinatal depression and the pressures of juggling working life and three small children. When Louise fell pregnant the first time she had just moved to Byron Bay. Louise saw a new GP who recommended that she not have the initial 12-week scan as he believed everything in her pregnancy seemed to be fine. It wasn't until Louise had a scan at 19 weeks that she discovered that her baby had actually stopped growing at 8 weeks. After recovering from this devastating loss, Louise was determined to follow all the rules by the book when she went on to conceive Harriet. She booked in to see a private obstetrician through the local hospital. She took a hypnobirthing course at her sister's recommendation. Louise went 10 days overdue with Harriet and was scheduled for an induction at midnight when she was 41+3. After being given cervical inducing gel, Louise’s contractions started quite hard and fast. Louise describes Harriet’s birth as quite horrific and Harriet was pulled out with forceps at 12 midday the same day. After taking a shower that night in hospital Louise started to haemorrhage and she was immediately wheeled into theatre and put under a general anesthetic to check for any retained placenta and to find the source of the bleed. When Harriet was 9 months old Louise decided to try for another baby and discovered she was pregnant with Pearl. Determined to have a completely different experience with her second birth, Louise went through midwifery care at the Mullumbimby Birthing Center for Pearl’s birth. She read numerous books including Juju Sundin’s - Birth Skills which she found really resonated with her personality. She was looking forward to using sound and vocalization to work through the pain of each contraction. When the time came for Peal’s birth, Louise was at home surrounded by family. She was on her birth ball talking to lawyers on the phone negotiating the split from Frankie magazine as the contractions began. She transferred a short time later to the Birth Center and gave birth to Pearl in the bath in a very relaxed and quiet birth center. The experience was the complete opposite of the chaotic trauma that surrounded Harriet’s labor and birth. Louise recalls eating pizza and chocolate mouse and enjoying soaking in her new little girl before transferring back home to her eagerly awaiting family that afternoon. Louise refers to her third pregnancy with her son Bon as intensely challenging. Unlike her pregnancies with the girls, Louise suffered from prenatal depression. After suffering a terrible ear infection which left her unable to hear properly for over 10 weeks, Louise found she was getting trapped in her own head and negative thoughts began to take over her mind. She recalls feeling incredibly empathetic towards stories in the news of trauma and distress and feared she might do something she regretted as she couldn't understand why she was having so many dark thoughts. Thankfully Louise was able to share this with her supportive husband who suggested she see her GP and seek out some counseling. Louise found her GP, who she loved, to be incredible and put her fears at ease explaining it is quite common. Her GP thought that if she had some sessions with a psychologist she could work through her fears. Louise found her sessions to be incredibly helpful and she was given strategies to help combat her negative thoughts. One of the strategies she swore by was to drink a glass of water and talk in a comical voice whenever she was starting to think sinister thoughts. She found that this instantly broke the cycle and she was able to move forward with her day. Louise explains that she was actually the most fearful of her third labour and birth as she was emotionally and physically drained. She was launching her new magazine Lunch Lady and after a very trying pregnancy, she was ready to just get the baby out. She explains how she felt she had proven to herself already that she could have a natural birth and she, therefore, wanted to get it out the quickest and easiest way possible. As it turned out when she delivered Bon she was actually the calmest and quietest she had been in all her labours. To hear more of Louise’s births in greater detail tune into her episode here: Topics covered in today's show: missed miscarriage, traumatic birth, induction, retained placenta, birth center birth, hypnobirthing, breastfeeding, expressing, Juju Sundin’s Birth Skills, water birth, perinatal depression, psychologist, counseling.

 27 | Simone Burstow Two sets of Identical Twins | File Type: Unknown | Duration: Unknown
 26 | Courtney Adamo | File Type: Unknown | Duration: Unknown
 25 | Carla Mahony | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: Unknown

In Today’s episode, I interview Carla. Carla shares the stories of her three pregnancies and births. At 21 years of age, Carla had a benign tumour removed from her ovary and she was told at the time she had PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). The doctor informed her at this time that she would likely have difficulty conceiving. This turned out to be the case, as it took Carla three years of trying to fall pregnant with her first child. Carla worked with a fertility specialist out of Epworth Freemasons Hospital and tried a number of techniques such as weight loss, diet changes and then moved on to taking Clomid. After trying with Clomid for several months and having no success, Carla’s husband was deployed in the Army to the Solomon Islands and she took a full 6 months of taking any medications and had a complete break. When he returned she had one dose of Clomid and conceived Kate. Carla shares how she loved her first pregnancy. She had wanted to be a mother all her life and she already knew that she wanted to have her child through the local caseload midwifery program near her house. Carla went into labour naturally at home with Kate. She lost her mucus plug and then 2hours later her waters went. After labouring at home with her husband and sister for support, Carla made her way into the birth center in the evening when the contractions ramped up. On arrival, she was checked and shocked to find out she was fully effaced. After only 12 minutes of pushing Kate was delivered onto a mat while Carla was on all fours. Carla’s husband announced that they had a little girl and Carla was certain she was carrying a boy so she questioned this and after a nurse double checked they were thrilled to welcome little Kate into the world. To hear more about Carla’s recovery and the births of her other two children tune into the podcast. Topics covered in this weeks episode: polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS, Clomid, Fertility specialist, midwifery caseload care, natural childbirth, vaginal tearing, breastfeeding, benign ovarian tumor Today’s episode is proudly sponsored by Weleda. Weleda is a certified natural skincare range that does not contain any mineral oil-based ingredients, and contains no synthetic perfumes, colourings or preservatives and is not tested on animals. To check out their full range head over to www.weleda.com.au

 24 | Alys Gagnon, Breech Elective Caesarean, VBAC | File Type: Unknown | Duration: Unknown

Today, Alys takes us through her decision to have an elective caesarean section with her first son William due to his breech position and then going on to have a VBAC. Alys describes William's conception as a ‘deliberate surprise” after a few jokes around the table on a family New Zealand holiday with her partner’s family. Alys laughs about the fact that the first thing she did after taking a home pregnancy test was to go straight to the Good Guys to buy a clothes drier. Living in Canberra at the time Alys went through Canberra’s Public Hospital for her care. At 32 weeks she discovered her baby was breech. Alys’ doctor said she could decide on how she wanted to move forward. She shares how she made the decision to have a caesarean based on her readings and understandings that in a caesarean birth more of the risk is held by the mother and with a breech vaginal delivery the risk is held more with the baby. She said she probably wouldn’t make the same decision now, however, she was confident with her elective caesarean section choice at the time. When Alys found out she was pregnant for the second time she began to explore her delivery options. A girlfriend of Alys’ had recently had a Calm Birth, and another friend had had a VBAC home water birth. Having never had a contraction in her first pregnancy, Alys decided she'd like to give a VBAC a try. Alys shares how she went back and forth with the idea and it wasn't until she took her midwifery lead VBAC birth education class at Box Hill Public Hospital. that she felt confident in her decision. The midwife who lead the class convinced Alys that the benefits of a VBAC outweighed the risks. She walked away knowing that she wanted to go for a VBAC. To hear more about how Alys’ successful VBAC went tune into the show. Topics covered: Breech baby, elective caesarean, chemical pregnancy, VBAC, low milk supply, formula feeding, retained placenta. Topics covered: Breech baby, elective caesarean, chemical pregnancy, VBAC, low milk supply, formula feeding, retained placenta. To connect with the show on Facebook and Instagram If you have some time it would be great if you could leave the show an honest review in iTunes. Thanks so much for your time.

 23 | Gemma Taylor, IVF Journey, Gestational Diabetes, Unplanned Home Birth | File Type: Unknown | Duration: Unknown

In today’s episode, I interview Gemma Taylor. Gemma takes us through her difficult four-year journey trying to conceive her first child Flynn. Gemma suffered from mild endometriosis and a low egg count and conceived Flynn after a stimulated IVF Cycle. Gemma shares openly the heartache in miscarrying her first transferred embryo and the joy in going on to conceive Flynn. Flynn’s pregnancy began with severe morning sickness which didn’t subside until 24 weeks. Then at 27 weeks, Gemma was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. Gemma’s labor with Flynn began at around 39 weeks after a week of pre-labor. When she went in for a stretch and sweep her midwife was surprised to find how favourable Gemma seemed and said she thought that she was going to deliver in the coming day. Several days later contractions began to ramp up on a Friday night. Gemma laboured at home until 2 pm the following day when she transferred to Randwick Women's Hospital hospital feeling exhausted after a long and trying week of on and off contractions. The midwife on duty suggested an epidural to give Gemma the chance to have some rest and they started an indiction drip to help progress her labour. With her second pregnancy, after having gone through such a long a painful journey trying to conceive Flynn, Gemma and her partner decided to try quite quickly to try and conceive again. They began the process by having the frozen embryo (which was taken at the same time as Flynn) implanted. Unfortunately, this transfer ended in a missed miscarriage which Gemma had a DNC for at 7 weeks. The next stimulated cycle for Gemma and her partner was somewhat different as the technology for IFV was continuing to evolve. There was now a new test available Pre-Implantation Genetic Testing. According to IVF Australia : “Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) is a sophisticated scientific technique which can be used to test embryos for either a specific known genetic condition or chromosome abnormality. This enables only chromosomally normal embryos or those unaffected by a specific disorder to be selected for transfer during an IVF cycle, maximising the chance of a healthy baby. Up to 70% of embryos created, either via natural conception or IVF don’t survive the first 3 months of pregnancy and many don’t achieve implantation because of those two reasons.” (https://www.ivf.com.au/fertility-treatment/genetic-testing-pgt) To hear more about how Gemma went on to have the first mosaic embryo transferred in Australia and how she ended up delivering her second son at home with the assistance of her sister in law and business partner Jenny tune into the show. Topics covered: endometriosis, IFV, stimulated cycles, misses miscarriage, DNC, gestational diabetes, Mozaic embryo transfer, unexpected home birth, asthma, pre-labour. Today's episode is sponsored by Blossom and Glow. Blossom and Glow are offering listeners a 15% off discount. Enter ABS15 at checkout. https://blossomandglow.com.au To check out Gemma and Jenny's sandals,  Palmaira Sandals Australia  https://www.palmairasandalsaustralia.com If you have some time it would be great if you could leave the show a review in iTunes. Thanks so much for your time.

 22 | Georgie Abay, Two Premature Births, Post-Partum Haemorrhage, Strict Bed rest | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: Unknown

22 | Georgie Abay, Two Premature Births, Post-Partum Haemorrhage, Strict Bed rest

 21 | Claire, Home Birth, Same-sex Couple, Induced Lactation, Co-feeding | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: Unknown

In today’s episode, Claire shares how she and her partner Steph had a home birth with their little girl LJ. As a same-sex couple, Claire and Steph used a home insemination process with sperm given to them from a very good friend. As a naturopath, Claire carefully monitored her cycles and use acupuncture to help make the process as smooth as possible. They were lucky enough to conceive on their first home transfer. Despite starting with GP Shared care Claire knew that she wanted a low intervention home birth. Claire decided to start interviewing private midwives to have a home birth and she found a lovely midwife who she and Steph connected with and they hired her for their pregnancy and home birth care. Claire discusses how she discovered she had some abdominal muscle separation. She eased off her regular Yoga practice at 30 weeks when the separation went to a three finger width apart gap. Claire takes us through how she and Steph prepared themselves to co-feed LJ. Steph has never been pregnant before however, she was able to induce lactation through pumping regularly and taking natural medicines and Domperidone. Both Steph and Claire now breastfeed little LJ. To hear more listen now… Topics covered: induced lactation, home insemination, home birth, water birth, private midwife, acupuncture, naturopath, breastfeeding, placenta encapsulation, same-sex couple. Show Sponsors: The lovely About Birth Online are the sponsors of today's episode. About Birth Online are offering the listeners a 15% off discount. Enter Birthstories15 at time of checkout. https://www.aboutbirth.com.au/#m=home

 20 | Elise Three Births, Inductions, Postnatal Anxiety, Third Degree Tear | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:12:00

20 | Elise Three Births, Inductions, Postnatal Anxiety, Third Degree Tear

 19 | Harrison & Mitchell Obstetrician Induced Labour, Burst Blood Vessel of the Eye. | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: Unknown

In this weeks episode Bridget discusses the births of her two boys. Bridget had both her children under the care of a private Obstetrician. She discusses how she came to this decision based on a family history of Preeclampsia. Bridget shares how her mum died and was resuscitated in the end stages of her first pregnancy due to preeclampsia and her baby was delivered by caesarian whilst she was in a coma. Bridget thankfully showed no signs of pre eclampsia in both pregnancies. Bridget’s first labour started with her waters breaking at home in bed and she later delivered after over two hours of intense pushing. This pushing phase resulted in Bridget ‘seeing stars’ in her left eye. This raised immediate concerns with the nurses and her doctor and she was rushed off for an emergency MRI to rule out the possibility of a small stroke during her labour. Thankfully it was, in fact, a burst blood vessel from the strain of pushing. In Bridget's second labour she was induced at 40 weeks as the baby was very low and she was in quite a bit of pain in her hips and was finding walking very difficult. Her doctor agreed that inducing her at full term was the best course of action and her labour progresses very quickly and resulted in a much shorter pushing phase and she was blessed with another very healthy baby boy. Bridget also shares with us the conception of Midnight Mums Facebook group which she is the founder of. The group was started when Bridget was living interstate and away from her family with a new baby. She was contacting a school friend online in the middle of the night and they were supporting each other through this often lonely journey of night feeds. Five years later the group now has over 80,000 members from right across Australian and the world. Tune in to the podcast to hear more details. Midnight Mums http://midnightmums.com.au https://www.facebook.com/groups/321128717982102/ Topics covered in this weeks episode: preeclampsia, burst blood vessel of the eye, induction, epidural, obstetrician. If you can spare a moment, please leave a review and rating in iTunes. It helps get the show to more lovely listeners. Connect with the show over on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AUBSPodcast/ Webpage https://www.australianbirthstories.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/australianbirthstories/

 18 | Cruz & Winter Rose Public Hospital Midwifery Care | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:51:40

In this week’s episode, Alice Bingham discusses the births of her son Cruz and daughter Winter Rose. After struggling to conceive for 9 months Alice was over joyed when she became pregnant. Alice’s labour with Cruz began with her waters going and then an unexplained bleed which was very traumatic. As contractions hadn’t started and her water’s had gone, Alice was induced to progress the labour. Alice had an epidural and pushed for 30 minutes and had her healthy baby boy. On day three Cruz was admitted back into the hospital to have 24hours of phototherapy to treat jaundice. Alice was admitted back into the Pediatric Ward for Cruz's treatment and she was able to have some one on one assistance with a lactation consultant which really helped her gain confidence with breastfeeding. With Alice’s second pregnancy she only tried for one month and she was able to successfully fall pregnant with Winter. She discusses how she became quite anxious towards the end of her pregnancy as she was nervous that she might have another big unexplained bleed and need to be on constantly monitored. At 39 weeks after a very long labour of walking and another unexplained bleed Alice was admitted. Alice had an epidural but she went from 6cm to 10cm very quickly in 45minutes so there wasn’t enough time to get the epidural completed. She was able to birth her baby with the assistance of her husband, midwife and a mirror. Alice also shares the challenges of bringing a second child home. She shares how her toddler ignored her for most of the first week when she brought her daughter home. We discuss the feelings of maternal guilt and readjusting to life with two children. Topics covered in this weeks episode: placenta abrasion, jaundice, phototherapy, induction epidural, toddler jealousy, lactation consultants, sciatic pain. Alice In Healthy Land https://aliceinhealthyland.net https://www.instagram.com/aliceinhealthyland/?hl=en If you can spare a moment, please leave a review and rating in iTunes. It helps get the show to more lovely listeners. Connect with the show over on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AUBSPodcast/ Webpage https://www.australianbirthstories.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/australianbirthstories/

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