Australian Birth Stories

As a midwife with a graduate certificate in perinatal mental health, Shannon thought she was prepared for pregnancy and birth. However, her experience taught her that professional knowledge doesn't shield you from the profound emotional and physical challenges of becoming a mother. Her candid discussion about perinatal anxiety, the impact of her eating disorder history, and her breastfeeding journey with breast implants and suspected insufficient glandular tissue makes this episode essential listening for anyone supporting women through pregnancy and early motherhood.Shannon's two birth stories - both beautiful home births in her converted studio space - showcase the power of trusting your body, excellent midwifery care, and the importance of mental health support throughout the perinatal period.Today's episode is brought to you by Bare Mum and their thoughtfully curated Breast Care Kit.Every breastfeeding journey comes with its unique challenges - from those tender early days with sore nipples to managing unexpected leakage. That's where Bare Mum's midwife-approved Breast Care Kit becomes your trusted companion.This comprehensive kit offers practical and effective solutions to the common discomforts that come with breastfeeding. Whether you're preparing for your little one's arrival or supporting a new mum in your life, this care kit has all the essentials to nurture and protect during this precious time.What makes it even better? It's ready to go straight into your hospital bag, taking one thing off your preparation list. And if you're looking for the perfect gift for a new mum, this kit shows you truly understand what she needs during those early breastfeeding days.As a special treat for our listeners, you can enjoy 15% off your Breast Care Kit with the code ABS2025 at checkout.Because every mother deserves comfort and support on her breastfeeding journey - Bare Mum's Breast Care Kit, midwife approved and mother tested.

In this episode I chat to Zan and Indie, a queer couple from Adelaide who share their remarkable journey through fertility challenges, pregnancy loss, and ultimately both carrying a pregnancy and welcoming two beautiful children. Their story encompasses home insemination, IVF, a surprise breach home birth, termination for medical reasons following a twin pregnancy, and the unique experience of a trans pregnancy. This episode offers invaluable insights into the realities of fertility treatment and the profound strength required to navigate pregnancy loss whilst building the family you've always dreamed of.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.Shop Moonpig today.

Brittany shares her extraordinary journey from a challenging conception to a life-changing premature birth experience. After 18 months of trying to conceive with low AMH levels, Brittany and her husband Braden welcomed their son Tulla at just 28 weeks following a dramatic turn of events. What began as routine monitoring for IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) quickly escalated into preeclampsia, emergency caesarean, and a four-month NICU journey that included heart surgery in Melbourne. Brittany's story is one of resilience, advocacy, and the incredible strength of the parent-baby bond formed in the most challenging circumstances.

In this week’s episode I interview Em about her pregnancy during lockdown. She was induced at 41 weeks and laboured for a long time alone in the maternity ward before she was transferred to the birthing suite where she experienced the cascade of intervention and birthed her baby boy via vacuum delivery. Em was four months postpartum when she disclosed her sadness to her GP and was subsequently diagnosed with PND and PTSD. Three days later she walked into the Perinatal Mental Health Unit at Mitcham Private Hospital. It was a life changing experience for her and she shares her story in the hope that she can spread the word about the essential postpartum support resources that are available (even if they are notoriously difficult to find).

Today I interview Jo, a mother of two and GP who brings so much knowledge and advice to her story. She says that being a mother has definitely made her a better GP although she admits that so many of her expectations of parenthood were thrown out the window when she became a mum. She feels strongly about safe co-sleeping (she shares a lot of evidence around this) as well as extended breastfeeding and the societal pressures that often prompt early weaning. Lighthearted and joyful, Jo shares all the details of her two physiological births and the skills she embraced from to actively relax while her body actively birthed.You can learn more about The Birth Class here.

In this episode, mother of two Amy takes us through her contrasting birth experiences and her profound journey with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). From an unexpected COVID pregnancy in Melbourne to a transformative home VBAC in Adelaide, Amy's story illuminates the challenges many women face but rarely discuss openly. Her candid account of navigating major placenta praevia, the isolation of pandemic motherhood, and the life-changing discovery of PMDD offers hope and validation for countless mothers experiencing similar struggles.This episode of Australian Birth Stories is brought to you by iL Tutto, the brand loved by parents for creating beautiful, functional, and comfortable nursery furniture and essentials.Their Black Friday Sale is now live, from November 18 through to December 1, with up to 50% off sitewide.You’ll find amazing offers like 50% off Felix Gliders and Ottomans in Egg Shell, 50% off Felix Electric and Manual Chairs in Sea Shell, 40% off selected cots and chests including Misha, Kuba, and Hallee, and 20% off Grow Kindly Sleepwear.Plus, as an exclusive offer for Australian Birth Stories listeners, you’ll get an extra 5% off when you use the code ABS5 at checkout.Hurry — these offers end Monday, December 1 at 11:59pm.Shop now at iltutto.com.auT&Cs apply. Excludes the Trend Collection and furniture packs.

Mother of two Jessie returns to share her second pregnancy and birth story - one that beautifully illustrates the power of processing previous birth experiences and the importance of comprehensive preparation for subsequent labours. After what appeared to be a "textbook" first birth with daughter Bronte, Jessie discovered she was carrying unprocessed trauma that was creating anxiety about her upcoming second labour. Through the support of a birth trauma counsellor, her trusted doula, and extensive mental preparation, Jessie transformed her relationship with birth and welcomed son Leonis in a profoundly different and healing experience.

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.

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.