The Positive Births NZ podcast

Ella shares the birth stories of both her sons, Archie and Mackenzie, and what shines through is her calm, practical mindset and deep trust in her body.
That first birth planted a seed of confidence for her future, and Ella also reflects on how motherhood (including Archie’s recurring ear infections) shaped the way she began questioning “standard” medical approaches and seeking more informed, holistic options.
Mackenzie’s pregnancy felt straightforward - but the birth itself took a huge turn: Ella experienced an unexpected footling breech birth at home, with Mackenzie arriving at 4.6kg (10 pounds). The best part is how everyone remained calm and hands-off, and Ella could work with her body.
Ella also shares the reality of the postpartum chapter:having to be transferred to hospital due to very high blood pressure and later learned she had postpartum preeclampsia. She speaks honestly about advocating for herself and her baby, the importance of informed consent, and how she used hypnobirthing tools (especially breathing and “melt”) to stay calm through uncomfortable moments.
This episode is empowering, eye-opening, and a powerful reminder that a “positive birth” can mean feeling in control, supported, and listened to — even when the journey includes unexpected twists.
 If you too would like to use hypnobirthing tools to help you for your labour and birth (whatever it may be) check out your options at www.positivebirths.co.nz

Lucy shares the whirlwind story of welcoming three babies ina very short space of time — Eddie, Alice, and Walter.

Lucy reflects on her first pregnancy with Eddie, including going overdue (to 41+6), a fast first labour, and what it felt like navigating the “overdue” pressure. She alsoshares the surprise twist of falling pregnant with baby number two just a few months after Eddie arrived, and the mental shift that came with realising youcan feel confident advocating for what’s right for you.
A big theme in Lucy’s story is postpartum and feeding — shespeaks really openly about breastfeeding challenges (flat nipples, pain, mastitis, mixed advice, and the emotional impact), and what ultimately helped her bond and feel more at peace.

With each pregnancy, Lucy grew in confidence,leaned into hypnobirthing tools more deeply, and also drew on her own physical strength — including staying active right through pregnancy — to cope with back-to-back pregnancies while parenting little ones at the same time.
Lucy’s third birth with Walter (a Christmas Eve baby) camewith a bit of a curve ball. She shares what helped her stay grounded, and the magic of welcoming Walter at home with big siblings meeting their baby brother in the most beautiful way.

Lucy's advice to her pre-pregnant self is "do the hypnobirthing course in the first pregnancy" - so if that's you, wondering if you should, or not, jump onto www.positivebirths.co.nz and check out your range of options. Your future self will thank the you of now!

This episode with Vanessa provides an incredible insightinto the impact of HG (hyperemesis gravidarum).
A three times HG survivor Vanessa vulnerably shares the darkness and challenges of being unable to function and having to rely on drugs (and her mum) to survive all her pregnancies.
Not only did Vanessa have to deal with HG but also another condition of Vulvodynia.

Her first two births to Evie and Kendall were C-Sections,but in her 3rd pregnancy Vanessa decided she wanted to attempt a VBA2C.
Despite being extremely depleted physically, mentally andemotionally Vanessa persisted through 61 hours of labour to birth baby Aliya, and also suffered a post partum haemorrhage.

This episode is eye opening as to how severe HG affects the lives of families, the medication required and the mental strength needed to get through pregnancy.

Vanessa has generously offered her guide to caring for yourheart and mind during HG to all listeners. You can email her at [email protected] .
Vanessa’s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VanessaJoyPoetry
For all information about HG including treatment guides, DrFejzo's work and the HELP score to assess HG severity:
HER Foundation - hyperemesis.org
The facebook page for peer support is "Hyperemesis PeerSupport NZ"
https://facebook.com/groups/885735235288936/

This episode is sponsored by Aggie @weareaggieYou can find Morning Relief at weareaggie.co.nz and in selected stores across New Zealand.
For a 20% discount off Aggie's Morning Relief use code:AGGIEPB20Vanessa used hypnobirthing tools to help her through her long labour - if you too would like to learn hypnobirthing techniques for your pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum check out your range of course options at www.positivebirths.co.nz

With a scan showing a ‘potential’ issue late in her first pregnancy to Florence, Zoe was pressured for an induction which lead to series of interventions and a hospital birth.

Zoe shares her learnings and then her second experience of birth with Goldie. A natural physiological, home waterbirth proving that yes, her body knew exactly what to do when there was no interference.
Zoe shares how hypnobirthing and homeopathy helped her through her pregnancy and birth.

Another great episode for all parents looking for a contrast between hospital and home birth scenarios.

If you would like to gain practical tools to use in your pregnancy, labour and postpartum head to www.positivebirths.co.nz for a range of resources, online courses and live in person courses.

Ashleigh planned for a homebirth when pregnant with Charlie for but ended up navigating the hospital system at 42 weeks and 2 days where her labour started.
She shares about the challenges and the battles they had along the way including constant monitoring preventing her from moving around; a ventouse and episiotomy.
There are aspects of this experience that Ashleigh felt were traumatic for her and she worked on releasing these and preparing for a different birth early in her second pregnancy.
With full conviction she could achieve a homebirth with her second baby Lucy, Ashleigh shares how this played out and her ability to be able to instinctively move with her body as baby descended in her smooth waterbirth.

This episode provides a great comparison of Ashleigh’s experiences of birthing in the hospital vs homebirth.

If you would like support to prepare for your birth check out all your options including group classes, private one on one sessions or online recorded courses all available at www.positivebirths.co.nz