Australian Birth Stories – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In today’s episode Maude takes us through her two pregnancies and births. She moved interstate in her first pregnancy, registered with her local public hospital and had a planned caesarean because her baby was breech. She talks at length about her positive birth experience and the challenges of breastfeeding and being a stay at home mum. When she fell pregnant with her second baby, she accessed psychological support to assist with the transition from one to two babies and it really set her up for a smooth pregnancy. She knew she wanted a VBAC so she takes us through what she did to prepare and how the birth unfolded.

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New Beginnings is an Australian maternity brand dedicated to quality and care, offering thoughtfully designed products that cater to the unique challenges of motherhood and supporting mothers at every step of the journey - from pregnancy to postpartum and beyond.

Tried, tested, and loved by mums, New Beginnings offers a comprehensive range of essentials and is now expanding its range with some new and exciting products to deliver a complete solution for mums.

New Beginnings is offering 15% off for Australian Birth Stories listeners. You can purchase any of their maternity essentials today at newbeginnings.com.au using the promo code ABS15 for 15% off.

You can also find New Beginnings at Baby Bunting, Chemist Warehouse, and other local pharmacies and baby stores. Embrace the beautiful journey of motherhood with New Beginnings.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, Genevieve shares her first pregnancy and birth and details her postpartum joys and challenges. She embraced her ‘goddess energy’ in her second trimester but by the third trimester, she really felt the physical limitations of carrying a big baby and only being quite small herself. Her waters broke at home and once she arrived at hospital she was hooked up to syntocinon which is when her contractions intensified so significantly that she requested an epidural. It was only once she’d been discharged and was reading her notes that she discovered she’d had an episiotomy and a postpartum haemorrhage and she talks about how this made her feel.

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If you’re pregnant, we encourage you to start thinking about your birth recovery now. You need more support in the fourth trimester (the 12 weeks after birth) than you do in pregnancy which can be surprising to many new mothers. It’s for this reason that Bare Mum began and now they offer a beautiful collection of practical and supportive products to assist your postpartum healing.

All new mums need lower back, abdominal and pelvic floor support after birth. Bare Mum’s Postpartum Briefs gently hold you in the first days and weeks, helping you feel confident. Endorsed by the Australian College of Midwives and the Australian Physiotherapy Association, they offer a unique pocket design so you can insert a warm or cold pack to offer soothing relief and assist with caesarean wound or perineal healing.

Ideal for caesarean and vaginal birth recovery, Bare Mum Postpartum Briefs are soft, stretchy, and supportive, offering you essential post-birth care. They’re a must-have for your hospital bag.

Bare Mum is offering you 15% off storewide with the discount code ABS2024

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah has a family history of breast cancer and is very aware of the protective benefits of breastfeeding so she was determined to persist despite the challenges. She only realised she had flat nipples after the birth of her first baby so she used nipple shields for four months and fed without them for an extra 11 months. Her second baby was born with a tongue tie which has led to a slew of challenges including a shallow, painful latch subsequently causing cracked nipples and three rounds of mastitis. She talks about the difficulty in accessing consistent lactation support and the expert care of Dr Nicole Gale at Juno Specialists who released her baby’s tongue tie.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You can listen to Andrea’s birth stories in episode 312 and today, she shares her incredibly informed story about breastfeeding hypoplasia, also known as Insufficient Glandular Tissue (IGT). As she says, it’s a story about what happens when breastfeeding doesn’t happen. Her journey highlights the polarity between breastfeeding and formula feeding, the judgement when you choose not to breastfeed (or can’t breastfeed) and the lack of lactation and social support for all mothers in postpartum and how this informs and influences feeding choices. Her experience also reflects the data: there is a strong link between inability to breastfeed and perinatal anxiety and depression. Andrea is also the editor of our postpartum book and has been a vital part of ensuring we talk about infant feeding objectively and with awareness of all experiences. 

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Today’s episode is brought to you by Kiwi.co.

I must confess I’m not much of a crafty mum but Kiwi Co’s panda crate has been the best educational investment for Ottie. KiwiCo Panda Crate is a bimonthly subscription for babies ages 0-24 months. We receive a subscription box filled with playful, open-ended activities backed by research and designed especially for naturally curious and creative babies and toddlers.

KiwiCo Panda Crate products are not only safe and of high quality, but also age-appropriate and supportive of your baby’s growth.

I’m a big fan of quality activities that create the opportunity for play-based learning and Kiwi Co delivers hands-on projects that get the whole family involved. Whether you have a brand-new baby or a trailblazing toddler, the Panda Crate is perfect for your little one’s developing brain.

Unlock brain-building play with KiwiCo Panda Crate!

Get 20% off your first crate with code BIRTHSTORIES at kiwico.com/panda

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sophie’s first baby was diagnosed with Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) because of placental insufficiency at 25 weeks. Little Tilly was born at 29 weeks and weighed only 534 grams so she was tube-fed for 10 weeks in NICU before being discharged. Sophie takes us through her breastfeeding journey - controlling the controllable, triple-feeding and eventually an exclusive breastfeeding journey that ended at 22 months. When asked if she would triple-feed again to ensure she could breastfeed, she admits she would 1000 percent do it. “It’s so worth it!”

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Medela has worked with generations of mothers to create innovative breast pumps that are practical and intuitive.

Their Freestyle Hands-Free Breast Pump is a game-changer for postpartum because it gives mothers some fantastic options they have not had before. The benefits are impressive. The ultra light-weight collection cups are designed to sit discreetly in-side your bra. There’s no fuss and it’s easy to clean and assemble with 3 dishwasher safe parts. The transparent design makes it easy to align your nipple and ensure the milk is flowing. For a superior hands-free pumping experience, The Freestyle Hands-Free Breast Pump is recommended for its simplicity and ease of use.

Medela blends decades of scientific research with insights from mothers to create practical pumps that lighten the load – quite literally – in early motherhood. Medela – the Science of Care.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sheree takes us through her first pregnancy, her choice to have a termination for medical reasons (TFMR) at 20 weeks and the grief that followed. She admits that she has always been in denial when discovering that she’s pregnant, a response that’s actually quite common for so many women who experience more overwhelm and doubt than they do immediate joy. She opted for private obstetric care, educated herself and was intent on avoiding the cascade of intervention. Her second birth was incredibly positive, so much so that when she was preparing for her third, she doubted whether it could be as empowering. She decided to go right back to the beginning and embraced all the birth education to better understand labour and get herself in a strong and stable mindset. And it worked; her third birth left her feeling on top of the world because she could identify the stages of labour, she knew how to breathe and she was confident in her choice to avoid intervention and let her body birth her baby. 

Today’s episode of the show is brought to you by my online childbirth education course, The Birth Class.

What makes The Birth Class so unique?

Well, instead of learning from one person with one perspective, we’ve gathered nine perinatal health specialists to take you through everything you need to know about labor and birth.

Realistic information is key to thorough preparation.

Learn more here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s episode is a beautiful example of doing your research and making an informed choice, even if it’s not your first birth preference. Louise works as an osteopath and opted for public hospital midwifery care.. Her first birth was very straightforward and her second labour was incredibly quick, resulting in a 3C tear that she recovered from without symptoms, thanks in part to regular pelvic floor exercises and guidance from a physio and colo-rectal surgeon. In her third pregnancy she sought the opinion of five different health professionals who all agreed that a caesarean birth was the best option to avoid further perineal trauma. She takes us through this process, along with her caesarean recovery and the scar massage that has assisted her physical and emotional recovery.
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Bare mum have just released their Silicone Gel Scar Strips. Designed to hydrate and protect scars to improve their appearance and reduce any associated discomfort. Made from the highest quality medical-grade silicone, this scar treatment is safe and effective in preventing, softening, flattening and fading, red and raised scars - both new and existing. The Bare Mum Silicone Gel Scar Strips form a protective barrier that maintains an optimal level of moisture to aid cell turnover and healthy collagen production, keeping the scar hydrated and assisting with skin regeneration. It reduces tension around the scar tissue, minimising the risk of widening or hypertrophy.

Bare Mum is offering you 15% off storewide with the discount code ABS2024

Shop now

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s episode, Emily - a mum of three - shares her journey as a surrogate (or an ‘oven’ as she refers to it). When her youngest was three she started to miss the pregnancy and birth journey so she began researching surrogacy in Australia. She joined the facebook group and reached out to two intended dads. They hit it off immediately and within a year, the embryo was transferred and Emily conceived on the first attempt. Everyone’s joy doubled when they discovered she was carrying twins and much like her singleton pregnancies, her entire journey was smooth and straightforward. Emily (and Rory and Bob’s) story is a beautiful example of supported surrogacy and in sharing, she hopes to raise awareness and advocate for the hundreds of intended parents who are currently looking for a surrogate.

Today’s episode is brought to you by an Australian brand I really love, The Sleepybelly Pregnancy Pillow.

Worried about rolling onto your back during the night? Or maybe you’re tired from tossing and turning?

Experience a deeper and more restful sleep for mum and bub with Sleepybelly. The Sleepybelly is a three piece, adjustable pregnancy pillow designed to encourage safe side sleeping. Made from a super soft, air layer outer material and premium latex internally provides great support for your belly and back.

Sleepybelly is Australian owned, has free shipping and comes with a 30-night trial.
Take $10 off using the Australian Birthing Stories exclusive promo code ABS10

You can purchase the Sleepybelly online today at sleepybelly.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a profoundly important episode for any new parent navigating sleep challenges with their baby. Helen is a mother of three and trauma-informed midwife who shares her experience of baby loss and PTSD. She acknowledges that her trauma has coloured her postpartum experience with her third baby and while the initial months were quite textbook when it came to sleep, it was the 4-month stage (a developmental ‘progression’ that is often reflected in unsettled sleep) when her challenges began. She talks at length about her own mental health journey alongside her baby’s persistent wakings and her choice to stay at an early parenting unit for sleep support. Helen received expert care in line with her family values and reiterates that it was an incredibly supportive and positive step in her parenting journey.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Kiwi.co.

I must confess I’m not much of a crafty mum but Kiwi Co’s panda crate has been the best educational investment for Ottie. KiwiCo Panda Crate is a bimonthly subscription for babies ages 0-24 months. We receive a subscription box filled with playful, open-ended activities backed by research and designed especially for naturally curious and creative babies and toddlers.
KiwiCo Panda Crate products are not only safe and of high quality, but also age-appropriate and supportive of your baby’s growth.

I’m a big fan of quality activities that create the opportunity for play-based learning and Kiwi Co delivers hands-on projects that get the whole family involved. Whether you have a brand-new baby or a trailblazing toddler, the Panda Crate is perfect for your little one’s developing brain.

Unlock brain-building play with KiwiCo Panda Crate!

Get 20% off your first crate with code BIRTHSTORIES

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Emily details her diagnosis and experience with Type 1 diabetes. It has significantly informed her three pregnancies and births because she’s deemed high risk (diabetes increases the risk of placental deterioration, stillbirth and hypertension). She takes us through her different models of care in the private and public hospital system as she navigated inductions, extra scans and monitoring as well as antenatal expressing (colostrum helps raise the baby’s blood sugar levels).

iL Tutto has done it again, launching another luxury yet affordable Electric Recliner Chair that will live on beyond your Nursery stage with its modern design and quality craftsmanship. Their new chair is called Louie.

Wrapped in the same Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX® certified Teddy-Fleece fabric as their Frankie Chair that sold out after only 48 hours after launching.

The Louie Chair seamlessly blends style & functionality with comfort, making it a stylish, yet essential addition to your nursery to support you and your baby when comforting and feeding. The Louie Chair is luxuriously soft, it’s like sitting on a cloud all while cuddling the softest teddy-bear.

iL Tutto is also thrilled to announce the launch of Grow Kindly, the most beautifully soft, natural and sustainable sleepwear. This partnership brings together the best of both worlds, combining iL Tutto’s focus on sleep and comfort with their renowned quality, and stylish Nursery Chairs, Co-Sleepers and Cots and now with Grow Kindly’s commitment to premium TOG rated Sleepwear designs, that are sustainable and ethical products designed to support safe and comfortable sleeps for your baby.

Use code louie20 at checkout and enjoy 20% off their full-priced range including their new Louie Electric Recliner and Grow Kindly sleepwear. Conditions apply, valid until Sunday 11 August. Shop iltutto.com.au 

Discount code terms: louie20 available at iltutto.com.au, only on full priced items across their range of Nursery Furniture, Nursery Chairs, CoZee Collection and Grow Kindly Sleepwear, expires 11 August.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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