Australian Birth Stories

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 connecting with other families facing similar challenges. Her honest account of navigating unexpected medical complexities whilst managing new motherhood offers invaluable insight for parents facing similar situations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 difference. The Birth Class our empowering, evidence-based online birth education program that will help you confidently prepare for a positive birth experience. Preparing for your baby's arrival should be as comfortable as possible. With our online childbirth course, you and your partner can learn everything you need to know about birth from the cozy comfort of your own home. Curl up on the couch together, grab your favorite snacks, and join our comprehensive birth classes whenever it fits your schedule. No need to rush to in-person meetings – simply pause, rewind, and review the material as often as you like while you nest and prepare for your little one's arrival.Our expert-led sessions cover everything from early labour to postpartum care, helping you feel confident and prepared for your birthing journey. Start learning today The Birth Class Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 with additional needs whilst maintaining her vision for a physiological home birth offers invaluable insights for expectant parents facing similar circumstances.Follow us on Instagram for photos from today's interview and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week’s episode and in honour of Infant Loss Week, I interview Annabel Bower who takes us through her experience of stillbirth and the immense, layered grief that followed. Two weeks after her fourth child – a boy named Miles – was born still, she started writing about her experience so she could record all the little details that she knew would eventually fade. As she journeyed through a grief that stripped all colour from her world, she documented the days and weeks of life after loss and went on to interview women who had experienced miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss. The finished project is her book, Miles Apart, a heartfelt offering of support for those who have lost a baby and are enduring the incomprehensible grief. Annabel hopes that her words break the stigma and the silence of miscarriage and stillbirth and open a vital conversation for us all to have. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 healing power of a positive second birth, and how her experiences as a mother directly inspired her to create BubbaDesk (co-working spaces with childcare) and Wombee (a purpose-built app for mothers). This episode is particularly valuable for expectant mothers dealing with anxiety, those considering epidurals, and anyone interested in how birth experiences can shape entrepreneurial ventures.Today's episode is brought to you by Wombee. We all know that finding your village as a new mum can feel overwhelming. Traditional mothers groups don't start until 6-8 weeks after birth, but what about all those questions and moments of uncertainty before then? That's where Wombee comes in. Whether you're looking for a group or already have one and want a better way to stay organised, Wombee makes it easy.Wombee - helping you build your village and take the pressure off finding support, because every mum deserves her people. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 postpartum recovery. This episode serves as an essential guide for expectant mothers, doulas, and midwives seeking to understand the most common musculoskeletal complaints during pregnancy and the fourth trimester.    Today's sponsor - iL Tutto iL Tutto design nursery furniture that’s as stylish as it is supportive. Their Trend Collection has already given parents the award-winning Frankie and Louie Nursery Chairs in our signature teddy-fleece. And now, we’re so excited to welcome Louie in Corduroy — a brand new textured fabric available in three colours: Taupe, Green Olive, and Coconut.Corduroy brings a modern, tactile finish to the nursery, while Louie delivers the comfort parents love — with plush cushioning, smooth gliding, and thoughtful design for every feed, cuddle, and nap-time story.To celebrate, we’re giving Australian Birth Stories listeners an exclusive discount:Use the code BIRTHSTORIES20 at checkout to receive 20% off your iL Tutto order, but hurry — this offer ends 12th October 2025.Shop the collection now at iltutto.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Her candid discussion about birth trauma, the importance of mental health care, and how changing her mindset completely transformed her final birth experience offers invaluable insights for anyone navigating challenging birth experiences or considering a VBAC.If you'd like to prepare for birth with our courses, you can find them here:The Birth Class The Caesarean Birth ClassWelcome to the First Trimester Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, trusted care providers, and a positive mindset can transform any birth experience into something beautiful.Today's episode is brought to you by Bare Mum. Whether your C-section is planned or unexpected, having the right recovery support makes all the difference. The C-Section Birth Care Kit by Bare Mum is perfect for your hospital bag - because being prepared means faster, more comfortable healing. Bare Mum is offering you 15% off storewide with the discount code ABS2025. Visit baremum.com.au and give yourself the gentle, specialised care you deserve during recovery.Bare Mum - supporting you through every step of your recovery journey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Today's sponsor - iL Tutto iL Tutto design nursery furniture that’s as stylish as it is supportive. Their Trend Collection has already given parents the award-winning Frankie and Louie Nursery Chairs in our signature teddy-fleece. And now, we’re so excited to welcome Louie in Corduroy — a brand new textured fabric available in three colours: Taupe, Green Olive, and Coconut.Corduroy brings a modern, tactile finish to the nursery, while Louie delivers the comfort parents love — with plush cushioning, smooth gliding, and thoughtful design for every feed, cuddle, and nap-time story.To celebrate, we’re giving Australian Birth Stories listeners an exclusive discount:Use the code BIRTHSTORIES20 at checkout to receive 20% off your iL Tutto order, but hurry — this offer ends 12th October 2025.Shop the collection now at iltutto.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 pregnancy brought the surprise of a 4.6kg baby boy, Henry, and initial plans for a home birth that ultimately led to another wonderful hospital experience. Sophie's story is particularly valuable for expectant mothers as she navigates the mental preparation for birth through her professional lens whilst experiencing the raw emotions of becoming a mother herself.Connect with us:Instagram @australianbirthstoriesTikTok @australianbirthstoriesWebsite australianbirthstories.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 trusting your body's ability to birth. With the guidance of her private midwife Helen and support person Shelly (a midwife and family friend), Tamsyn navigated challenging conversations with obstetricians and ultimately achieved her dream birth - birthing both babies naturally within 10 minutes of each other after just 90 minutes in hospital.Prepare for your birth with our courses and products, The Birth ClassThe Caesarean Birth ClassWelcome to the First Trimester Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ruby - a registered nurse turned midwife and maternal child health nurse - shares her positive birth experience through the Royal Women's Hospital homebirth program in Melbourne. After initially planning a homebirth, Ruby's journey took several turns including a low-lying placenta scare that kept her in limbo for months, waters breaking early, and ultimately birthing her daughter Clementine in hospital with syntocinon induction. Ruby's story beautifully illustrates how birth can unfold differently than planned whilst still being incredibly positive and empowering.Follow us on Instagram for photos and more from this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, personal trainer and mother of three Gen takes us through her complete motherhood journey from Richmond to the Victorian coast. Her first pregnancy was unplanned but led to a powerful physiological birth at the Royal Women's Hospital. After moving through various challenges including COVID lockdowns, job redundancy, and relocating interstate, Gen welcomed her second daughter in a beautiful water birth. Her third pregnancy at 44 brought unexpected challenges with ageist comments from healthcare providers, but culminated in an incredible one-hour home birth in the shower. Gen's story beautifully illustrates how birth experiences can evolve and how trusting your body's wisdom leads to empowering outcomes. Sponsor: Pregnancy is beautiful, but it can come with its share of discomfort. That's why Little Company in Collingwood — and their sister spa, About Time in Torquay — offer dedicated pregnancy-safe treatments that support you through every stage — from the very beginning right up until the final days. Their Pregnancy Ritual Facial is a blissful, tailored experience designed to calm hormonal skin changes and restore radiance, using products that you can trust for you and your baby's wellbeing. Their Pregnancy Massage — using a pregnancy pillow, adjustable beds, and experienced therapists who adapt the massage to your body's needs on the day. Using Pure Mama's pregnancy-safe product range, this restorative massage is designed to ease muscular tension, support circulation, and help you feel at home in your changing body. Whether you're in Melbourne or down the coast, Little Company and About Time are here to nurture you — and your baby — through it all. You can enjoy 15% off all pregnancy treatments for the year of 2025. Put ‘ABSxLTCO' in appointment notes and the discount will be applied when payment is taken post treatment. Book your moment of care at littlecompany.com.au or atthebathhouse.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I chat with Chris, a registered nurse and midwife who has been working with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood's milk program for eight years. Chris takes us through the fascinating world of donor breast milk - from the rigorous screening process for donors to how this precious resource supports the tiniest and most vulnerable babies in neonatal intensive care units across Australia. Whether you're curious about donating your excess breast milk or want to understand how donor milk could support your premature baby, this conversation is packed with essential information that every parent, midwife, and doula should know. Sponsor: I rarely talk about supplements on here - mostly because so many aren't backed by real evidence, and as someone who's always reading the fine print, I'm pretty selective about what I'll share with you. But every now and then, something stands out. Mother Dose by Land Lab is one of those rare finds that cuts through all the confusion. What has really impressed me is that it's been formulated by doctors, dietitians, and naturopaths - every single ingredient is there for a reason, backed by evidence and aligned with current prenatal guidelines. It includes the good stuff like choline for baby's brain development, folate in its most active form, and a clinical dosage of ginger that's actually proven to help with morning sickness. Over 50 health professionals have peer-reviewed the formulation, and they all said the same thing - it's an amazing blend that delivers the kind of care every woman deserves. And here's what I love even more - through their charity arm, they provide completely free prenatals to women with an Australian healthcare card.  Whether you're pregnant, trying to conceive, Mother Dose takes the overwhelm out of choosing a prenatal. Check out Mother Dose at Land Lab - thoughtfully dosed, high quality prenatal care when you need it most. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Jordan, a 28-year-old midwife from rural South Australia, shares her two incredibly positive birth experiences at the hospital where she works. Living 600 kilometres from Adelaide in the tiny farming town of Port Neill, Jordan navigated the unique experience of birthing alongside her colleagues whilst balancing her partner's demanding harvest schedule. Her first labour was a marathon 31-hour journey that tested her resolve, whilst her second was beautifully swift and powerful. Jordan's story beautifully illustrates the mind-body connection in birth, the invaluable support of the TENS machine, and how subsequent births can offer completely different but equally empowering experiences. Sponsor: I rarely talk about supplements on here - mostly because so many aren't backed by real evidence, and as someone who's always reading the fine print, I'm pretty selective about what I'll share with you. But every now and then, something stands out. Mother Dose by Land Lab is one of those rare finds that cuts through all the confusion. What has really impressed me is that it's been formulated by doctors, dietitians, and naturopaths - every single ingredient is there for a reason, backed by evidence and aligned with current prenatal guidelines. It includes the good stuff like choline for baby's brain development, folate in its most active form, and a clinical dosage of ginger that's actually proven to help with morning sickness. Over 50 health professionals have peer-reviewed the formulation, and they all said the same thing - it's an amazing blend that delivers the kind of care every woman deserves. And here's what I love even more - through their charity arm, they provide completely free prenatals to women with an Australian healthcare card.  Whether you're pregnant, trying to conceive, Mother Dose takes the overwhelm out of choosing a prenatal. Check out Mother Dose at land-lab.co - thoughtfully dosed, high quality prenatal care when you need it most. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today Steph Claire Smith returns to share her second birth experience with daughter Billie. After Harvey's induction at 41 weeks, Steph was determined to experience spontaneous labour this time around. Her journey included navigating a breech presentation, trying every trick in the book to encourage baby to turn, and ultimately achieving the birth she'd always dreamed of. Use the code AUBIRTHSTORIES for one month free when you sign up to Kic on a monthly subscription at www.kicapp.com. Available for new and returning users only. Expires November 30th, 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Celeste's three births showcase dramatically different experiences within the same hospital system. Her first birth involved an induction that led to forceps delivery and NICU admission, her second was a precipitous labour where she dilated from 3cm to fully dilated in just 30 minutes, and her third was a planned induction that resulted in her dream water birth. Throughout all three experiences, managing her multiple sclerosis added an extra layer of complexity to her care. Are you preparing for birth and looking for a natural way to manage labour pain? Discover the difference with a TENS machine from The Birth Store. The Birth Store is a trusted name in obstetric TENS machine hire, helping thousands of women across Australia feel more confident and in control during labour. Our award-winning Elle TENS machines are designed specifically for use in labour and can be hired from anywhere in Australia for 4, 6 or 8 weeks.They're simple to use, completely drug-free, and give you the power to manage pain from those first early contractions through to active labour. But we're more than just TENS hire. At The Birth Store, we also stock a carefully curated range of pregnancy, birth and postpartum essentials – including perineal ice packs, breastfeeding support, recovery wear, and more. You'll also find trusted brands like Hydramama, Silverettes, SRC Health and many other much-loved brands. Join the thousands of Aussie mums who say their TENS machine from The Birth Store made all the difference in their birth. Book yours today at The Birth StoreUse the code ABS25 to save 10% off your next hire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this deeply moving episode, we speak with Hannah, a midwife and lactation consultant from the Southern Highlands, who shares her profound journey through two very different birth experiences. Hannah takes us through her first pregnancy with daughter Beatrix, including the unexpected discovery of a breech presentation, her decision to pursue vaginal breech birth at Westmead Hospital, and the challenging NICU journey that followed. She then courageously shares the story of her son Albie, whose life was tragically cut short at 17 months due to complications from congenital CMV - a preventable condition that Hannah is now passionate about raising awareness for. This episode is both heartbreaking and educational, highlighting the importance of CMV screening in pregnancy and the incredible strength of families navigating complex medical journeys.__________ Australia's trusted baby sleepwear brand ergoPouch has launched the Drift Home Baby Monitor and Smart TOG Guide—the only monitor combining real-time environmental insights with evidence-based sleepwear recommendations. Drawing on 15+ years of safe sleep expertise, this device integrates monitoring with their globally trusted What to Wear guide, helping parents dress babies appropriately based on room temperature for confident, calm bedtimes. Exclusive ABS Offer: Purchase the Drift Home and entire ergoPouch range exclusively at ergopouch.com.auABS listeners get 20% off sitewide with code AUBS — valid until 11:59 p.m. on 18th August 2025 Excluding: Lyra Convertible Cot, Sale, Gifts, Multibys, Deluxe Cot Mattress, Drift Home Baby Monitor and Smart TOG Guide and Blobby the Bedtime Lamp.Plus, ergoPouch is launching something new and elevated next week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In honour of World Breastfeeding Week today I sit down with Dr. Amber Hart, a Melbourne-based GP and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Dr. Hart shares her expertise on the realities of breastfeeding, the importance of antenatal education, and addresses the controversial rise in tongue tie diagnoses. Amber offers a refreshing perspective on supporting new mothers through their feeding journeys whilst prioritising mental wellbeing and realistic expectations.Get our how-to Breastfeeding Guide HERE _   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode, lawyer and mother-of-two Tessa shares her contrasting birth experiences in Darwin, Northern Territory. Her first birth with daughter Frankie was everything she'd hoped for - a quick, low-intervention delivery at a private hospital with excellent postnatal care. But when she fell pregnant with her second daughter Millie, everything changed. Healthscope announced without warning that they were closing the maternity ward at Darwin Private Hospital, leaving 61 women - including Tessa at 28 weeks pregnant - scrambling to find alternative care. Sponsor: Pregnancy is beautiful, but it can come with its share of discomfort. That's why Little Company in Collingwood — and their sister spa, About Time in Torquay — offer dedicated pregnancy-safe treatments that support you through every stage — from the very beginning right up until the final days. Their Pregnancy Ritual Facial is a blissful, tailored experience designed to calm hormonal skin changes and restore radiance, using products that you can trust for you and your baby's wellbeing. Their Pregnancy Massage — using a  pregnancy pillow, adjustable beds, and experienced therapists who adapt the massage to your body's needs on the day. Using Pure Mama's pregnancy-safe product range, this restorative massage is designed to ease muscular tension, support circulation, and help you feel at home in your changing body. Whether you're in Melbourne or down the coast, Little Company and About Time are here to nurture you — and your baby — through it all. You can enjoy 15% off all pregnancy treatments for the year of 2025. Put ‘ABSxLTCO' in appointment notes and the discount will be applied when payment is taken post treatment.  Book your moment of care at littlecompany.com.au or atthebathhouse.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.