Australian Birth Stories

• 581 | Tori, Nutritionist turned midwife, breastfeeding challenges, EMDR, pregnancy anxiety, emergency caesarean, home VBAC

  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 healing VBAC home water birth she'd always dreamed of. Tori's story beautifully illustrates how subsequent pregnancies can offer opportunities for healing, especially with the right support and preparation. She also shares her challenging breastfeeding journey with her first child and the EMDR therapy that helped her process the grief, ultimately leading to a successful breastfeeding relationship with her second baby.Sponsor:Today's episode is brought to you by Moonpig. Remember the excitement of finding a beautiful card in your mailbox? Moonpig has brought that special feeling back to over 4 million Aussies.As parents, we know how important it is to celebrate life's milestones. Speaking of birthdays, it's actually my son Nik's 12th birthday this week, so we've jumped on Moonpig, like we always do, to create some personalised cards for him. We've also made a beautiful mug with a family picture on it, and we really hope that he enjoys it.With over 33,000 personalised cards for every occasion, you can create something truly special from home. Add your own photos, scan in your handwriting, or even include QR codes for video messages. It's so much more than a basic supermarket card – it's a keepsake they'll treasure.Starting from just $9.99, you can create something beautiful through their website or the Moonpig app. And here's something special for our Australian Birth Stories community – enjoy 50% off your first card plus free standard shipping when you use the code ABS at checkout.Visit Moonpig.com today. Moonpig – Making life's moments magical, one card at a time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• 580 | Katherine, planned caesarean, unexpected diagnosis, craniosynostosis journey, surgical planning, parent advocacy

  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.

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• 579| Melanie Jackson Two home births, 36-hour labour, midwife, acupuncture in labour

  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.

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• 578 | Maddie - Homebirth, private midwife, cleft lip and palate diagnosis, exclusive pumping journey

  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.

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• 577 | Annabel Bower, Stillbirth, Grief After Loss, NICU, Placental Insufficiency

  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.

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