The Positive Births NZ podcast

Clementine shares the journey of the births of her twochildren and the profound difference preparation and support can make. Her first birth with her son Theo began with very little antenatal preparation, andbecame a difficult hospital experience that left her feeling overwhelmed and unsupported at times.
In her second pregnancy Clementine recognised that herprevious experience had impacted her deeply. Determined to approach birth differently, she began actively educating herself through books, podcasts, positive birth stories, and conversations with her midwife. She focused on mindset, physical preparation, affirmations, and creating an environment where she felt calm, safe and in control. Over time, her fear was replaced with confidence and trust in her body.
Baby Evie was born at home, Clementine was surrounded bysupportive midwives and in the comfort of her own space, experienced the calm, empowering birth she had hoped for.
Her story is a powerful reminder that birth experiences can be transformed through knowledge, support, and intentionalpreparation — and that it’s never too late to reclaim confidence in your body and your birth.

If you would like to feel calm, confident and prepared for your birth come along to the Free Webinar held live on Monday 30 March. Register at www.positivebirths.co.nz/free-webinar/
or you can watch a recording here https://www.positivebirths.co.nz/free-webinar/)
Plus check out the range of course options available to you at positivebirths.co.nz

Bailey’s labour didn’t start the way she planned for it to,but from the work she had done in her pregnancy she was feeling “far more excited than scared,” and that shift from fear to excitement became one of the most powerful parts of her journey.
In this episode Bailey talks about preparing for what she callsher “ultra marathon” preparing for something challenging, understanding how her body works, and using hypnobirthing tools.
You’ll love to listen to Bailey clarify her “whys” – how shewrote down her reasons for wanting a physiological birth.
Even after having to pivot to an induction setting, she created a calm birth space, used her breath, protected her environment, and worked with her body.
And then comes that experience — lifting her baby onto her “the most incredible moment of my life.”
Bailey’s birth is a reassuring story for anyone navigatingthe possibility of induction. It’s proof that preparation, mindset, and trust can transform the experience — even when the path takes a turn.
 
If you'd like to have the advantage of a positive mindset and hypnobirthing tools, check out your options - live and online courses with Helen at www.positivebirths.co.nz

What do you do when your homebirth dreams are shattered because your baby is discovered to be in a footling breech position at 40+3??

There is so much for you to gain from listening to this episode with Tanay, where she shares her journey that did not go anywhere near to plan — and yet became one of her greatest lessons in surrender, strength, self-trust and healing.

What began as a firm decision to avoid hospital at all costs unraveled into a breech diagnosis, an attempted ECV, a change of midwife, more plan changes, spontaneous labour, progress to 9cm and then ultimately a c-section birth in the very place she had initially feared the most.
 This story provides an example of what happens when you pursue all options and don’t give up.
Tanay kindly shares how we worked through her fears, by using somatic hypnotherapy to untangle the events that caused her to feel very anxious in hospitals. She was then able to proceed in a calm, relaxed and empowered manner.

Tanay shifted her focus to what she could control, rather than what was outside of her control and this mindset paid off for her really well. This is a powerful conversation about control, surrender, mindset and healing. Because sometimes the most positive births aren’t the ones that go to plan — they’re the ones where we grow the most.

If you would like some help to release your fears or untangle any traumatic past events please reach out to [email protected]

Tanay and Hadley completed the Positive Births Ultimate course in their pregnancy which includes ongoing support - such as the extra hypnotherapy sessions we were able to do at week 40 of her pregnancy. You can find details of all course options at www.positivebirths.co.nz

Hannah shares her truly powerful, uplifting successfulVBAC story — and a reminder of what can be possible when you feel informed, supported and safe.
Almost nine years after her first birth ended in an emergency caesarean following an induction, Hannah knew she wanted a very different experience for her next birth. She committed to preparing differently this time: shifting fear, building confidence, and surrounding herself with theright support to aim for the healing birth she’d been hoping for.
In this conversation, Hannah shares how she preparedmentally and emotionally for a VBAC — including immersing herself in positive birth stories, practising breathing and relaxation daily, and strengthening her inner belief that birth could be physiological and empowering. She also made anearly decision that home was where she would feel safest, finding a midwife who was supportive of an HBAC while still feeling equipped to stay flexible if plans needed to change.
Hannah’s labour unfolds beautifully — from early signs and ahospital check for reduced movements, to labouring at home with a TENS machine, affirmations on repeat, and strong support from Liam.
Darcie is born in the birth pool, with Hannah catching her herself and describing the moment as “the most incredible, magical, healing experience.”
Hannah also shares the real postpartum chapter: unexpected feeding challenges, donor milk, triple feeding,and the determination that led to exclusive breastfeeding by around 4–5 weeks.
 
This is a must listen - A powerful story of self-belief,preparation, and the kind of empowerment that stays with you for life.
 
If you too are preparing for a VBAC consider using hypnobirthing tools and skills to help you get into the right mindset and know how to work with your body to feel calm, confident and capable. You can find a range of course options (The Ultimate course is my recommendation for VBAC parents, and the one that Hannah and Liam did) at www.positivebirths.co.nz.

A gorgeous home waterbirth story after the stars aligned at 37 weeks and Lauren found the right midwife who "oozed calmness".
In this episode we hear about Lauren's belief in herself, but the desire to be prepared. How doing an in person Hypnobirthing day retreat got Ryan fully onboard to know how to support. Navigating the acceptance of having a New Year's due date and therefore limited LMC care (which then resolved!)
There's sun bathing in labour, the unique 'quack' signal to Ryan to time the waves, the trust Lauren's midwife had in Lauren knowing when it felt right to push.
There's the meeting of Tully, the largest placenta ever seen and the postpartum transfer to hospital for a blood and iron transfusion.
There's joking and laughter and a super chill baby.
This is an amazing, uplifting, inspiring homebirth story of a first baby - a must listen for all!
If you too would like to experience the Positive Births Matakana day retreat (or a similar course) like Lauren and Ryan, check out your options at www.positivebirths.co.nz