Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP167 | How To Set Up A Birth Pool | 01 Jul 2025 | 00:25:34 | |
In this episode I give you a step-by-step run through of what you need to think about, where to get a birth pool and how to make it run as smoothly as possible. First Things First: Choose the Right Pool Not all birth pools are created equal. Ideally, you want one that’s:
You can either hire a birth pool kit (which often comes with all the bits and bobs you’ll need), or buy one if you think you’ll want it for future births. Just check if your midwife or doula has recommendations, they’ve usually seen it all. What You’ll Need (Besides the Pool) Here’s the full kit:
Optional but nice to have:
How to Fill the Pool Simple steps:
Keep checking the water temp and top up with warm water if needed. Emptying the Pool (aka, the Last Thing You’ll Feel Like Doing) Post-birth, you’ll be blissed out with your baby, and the pool will be the last thing on your mind. Hopefully you have an amazing team who will be doing all of this for you (make sure you check with them and ask them what they usually do). That’s where the submersible pump comes in. Attach a hose, plug in the pump, and direct the water outside or down a drain. Pro tip: Delegate this. Seriously. You’ve just given birth. Let someone else deal with the logistics. Birth Pool Mindset: Just remember, like all things in birth, the pool is a tool, not a plan. Maybe you’ll love it and want to stay in it the whole time. Maybe you’ll hop in for an hour and then move somewhere else. Maybe you’ll birth your baby into the water, or maybe not. None of it means you’ve “failed”.Water is there to serve you, not the other way around. If you would like support during your VBAC Homebirth, reach out to chat about the many ways I can support you to feel calm, confident and connected. Ashley x More from Ashley: The VBAC Village Insta: @ashleylwinning Website: www.ashleywinning.com Love the podcast? Buy me a coffee Disclaimer: The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only. The stories and opinions shared are personal experiences and should not be considered medical advice. Every birth journey is unique, and we encourage you to research, trust your intuition, and consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. | |||
| EP166 | Celebrating 5 Years of the Podcast! Behind the Scenes and Special News! | 25 Jun 2025 | 00:50:14 | |
In this episode, you get just me, Ashley in a solo episode which was a bit fun as I haven’t done a solo episode all year! We celebrate 5 years of The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast, some of my favourite episodes (and yes I may have a few too many favs!) be sure to check them out if you haven’t listened yet. We cover:
We also chat about my experiences working with women in births as a birth doula and the magical experiences I’ve been witnessing, how I’m also supporting women with postpartum support at night (locally in Brisbane to Gold Coast) and how you can access my support click here. To celebrate 5 years of the podcast you can also access 25% off for the month of June, just contact me here to access that special pricing for this month only (you can book in July or August for the actual session). And much more!! Enjoy this podcast episode! Ashley x More from Ashley: The VBAC Village Insta: @ashleylwinning Website: www.ashleywinning.com Love the podcast? Buy me a coffee Disclaimer: The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only. The stories and opinions shared are personal experiences and should not be considered medical advice. Every birth journey is unique, and we encourage you to research, trust your intuition, and consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. | |||
| EP157 | Plus Size Pregnancy & Birth: Busting Myths | 01 Apr 2025 | 00:29:17 | |
In this episode of VBAC Home Birth Stories, we’re diving into a topic that deserves real talk and respect—plus size pregnancy and birth. If you’ve ever been made to feel like your body is a medical condition rather than a life-giving force, this episode is for you. I share my personal experiences navigating the maternity system as a plus-size woman, from early pregnancy bias to the constant fear-mongering around birth choices. We also explore how plus-size women can reclaim their power, whether choosing a home birth or hospital birth, and what size-friendly care should actually look like. If you’ve ever been told you can’t have a VBAC, must be induced, or will develop gestational diabetes simply because of your size—this episode will challenge everything you’ve been led to believe.
🔹 The Biases Plus Size Women Face in Pregnancy & Birth
🎧 Listen now for an empowering conversation that will shift your perspective on plus-size birth and give you the tools to advocate for yourself with confidence! 📖 Book: Plus Size Pregnancy by Dr. Sara Wickham 📱 Instagram: @ashleylwinning 👩👩👧 Community: Follow plus-size birth accounts & find size-friendly providers 💌 Share Your Story! If you’ve had an experience (good or bad) as a plus-size pregnant woman, I’d love to hear from you. Send me a message on Instagram or via email! Enjoy this podcast episode! More from Ashley: The VBAC Village Insta: @ashleylwinning Website: www.ashleywinning.com Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here Love the podcast? Buy me a coffee Disclaimer: The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only. The stories and opinions shared are personal experiences and should not be considered medical advice. Every birth journey is unique, and we encourage you to research, trust your intuition, and consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. The host and guests of this podcast are not liable for any outcomes resulting from the information shared. By listening, you acknowledge that you take full responsibility for your own health and birth choices. | |||
| EP67 | Sarah - Mindset overhaul, small babies, 3 planned homebirths, HBA2C + Special Scar | 13 Sep 2022 | 01:51:43 | |
In this episode, we get to hear from one of my gorgeous clients Sarah. Sarah is a now mother of three boys. She had her homebirth with her third baby after two c-sections, special scar and having planned homebirths for all three of her babies. It was such an honour to stand beside Sarah in her homebirth pregnancy and see her grow into the woman is she now today. A women by her own words is someone who will speak up and share her wants and desires and not shrink away and hide. Sarah discovered during her pregnancy that she identified with being a highly sensitive person. She spent most of her life hiding her emotions and thinking that her thoughts and feelings were wrong. When she turned up to one of my workshops while working with me she sprung to tears realising she had found out something magical and important about herself. She is a highly sensitive soul who deserves to be seen and shine in this world. Sarah tells her story of planning her first baby as a homebirth, in the third trimester she was sent to hospital for futher testing as some of the tests showed potential issues in her pregnancy. She always thought she was going to have her homebirth and was always led to believe that this would be the case even with the extra appointments with the hospital. She was shocked when she was told at one monitoring appointment that she must birth her baby tonight. Following a long induction process, her small baby wasn't responding well in birth and she was put under general and her baby was born. Her baby was born a small 2.2 kilos and diagnosed IURG (very skinny and small) - but healthy and able to go home the next day without intervention. Not the birth Sarah thought she was going to have when planning a homebirth. Her next baby she planned another homebirth with the same midwife and had decided that if she was to transfer to hospital for any reason she wanted to have a C-section so she wouldn't find herself in another emergency situation and being put under general. After labouring at home for a while and going from 7cm to 5cms her midwife recommended that she transfer into hospital. Sarah was beside herself as she realised her homebirth dreams were not going to become a reality. In surgery her babies shoulders nipped her womb causing a special scar,losing 1.2L of blood and leaving Sarah in surgery for 3 hours. It wasn't the c-section birth she thought she would be getting. Her baby was born a healthy 2.9 kilos Baby number three she knew she wanted a homebirth and VBAC but wasn't sure why and had uncertainty around trying again for a homebirth when it hadn't worked out for her the first two times. Friends and family kept saying they supported her, but to be "safe" and so she felt unsupported and alone in her journey. After a debrief with her midwife and getting her support she had feelings of resentfulness and disconnection from her midwife. Feeling robbed of her last homebirth and unsure of what went wrong and how she could finally achieve her homebirth. Sarah started working with me and spent six months unpacking her birth stories, fears and as she puts it "doing the work" on her mindset to really get her to commit and allow herself believe that she could birth her baby vaginally at home. And of course goes on to have her homebirth in Sarah style and being true to how she felt she let it all out. Raw and honest. Her baby was born healthy and 3.16 kilos. This is an amazing story of how one woman found her voice. | |||
| EP66 | A sneak peek to working with Ashley | 07 Sep 2022 | 00:30:29 | |
In this episode, I take you on a bit of a journey to hear more about what working with me can look like. I'm sorry the audio isn't the best, it was accidentally recorded on my web camera instead of my microphone! Many women reach out to me after their birth and thank me for this podcast and any support I have given through pregnancy. Lately, some of my clients have reached out with so much love thanking me for the support and guidance I offered them through one on one sessions, even if it was just the one session they seem to have left a mark that really helped them feel positive and capable of having their VBAC Homebirth. It breaks my heart when women reach out anxious and afraid. Being fear mongered often by the system, people around them, or stories repeating in their minds. My wish is that all women receive the support and guidance they need during this sacred and important time. So that they can go on and birth in power and from a space of knowing their choices and options and knowing they are not alone. That someone is here to support & guide them when they need it. I've decided to pull back the curtain and walk you through the support and services that I offer so you never feel alone in this journey and know how I can support you if you feel you would like my support. How I can support you: If you have any questions reach out either through Insta or email. You can book in a 15 - Minute Call with me here - I hope you enjoy this episode! Ashley x MORE FROM ASHLEY: Get access to this free Homebirth Workshop here! Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP65 | Birth Trauma with Guest Pippa | 31 Aug 2022 | 00:52:54 | |
In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking with Pippa from Fantastic Futures about Birth Trauma. We discussed: How women can experience it? How many women experience it? How trauma impacts the body What happens when we don’t deal with it What happens when we do? I hope you enjoy this episode! RESOURCES: Panda is a great free resource to get you started if you feel you may have birth trauma or PND https://panda.org.au/articles/childbirth-trauma-and-recovery/ More about Pippa: My desire to support and assist women inspired me to lead a team of consumers to deliver a birth centre to Townsville some 14 years ago. I am passionate about teaching women how to create a community as mothers, supporting each other. I can often be found with several weeks of food on the doorstep of a family with a newborn, ready to fold clothes and help in any way I can. I feel very privileged to have found a modality that helps people effectively, efficiently and safely take the pain out of the past and move them into their fantastic future. You can connect with Pippa here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fantasticfuturesbirth_beyond/ Website: www.fantasticfuture.com.au MORE FROM ASHLEY: Get access to this free Homebirth Workshop here! Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP64 | What is Birth Debriefing | 23 Aug 2022 | 00:20:43 | |
In this episode, we take a deep dive into birth debriefing. I share what birth debriefing is and how it can benefit to have a birth debrief after a birth that didn't go to plan or you have some questions or uneasy thoughts around. When should you consider birth debriefing? Whenever you feel like you need one, you are worried about a future birth, unsure if you will have future children because you feel stuck or scared after a previous birth, you want to process or unpack your birth or just feeling like you want to share it out loud with someone in a safe space. A Birth Debrief Session will give you the opportunity to:
How Mothers have felt after a session: Mothers have shared feeling calm, more positive, relieved, supported, heard and ready to have a future baby after these sessions. You can book a birth debrief session with me here. I hope you enjoy this episode! Ashley x MORE FROM ASHLEY: Get access to this free Homebirth Workshop here! Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP63 | What to do when your birth doesn't go to plan | 16 Aug 2022 | 00:24:03 | |
In this episode, I get to talking about what to do when your birth doesn't go to plan. We all hope and dream of a positive birth experience or our dream homebirth. We see so many glamourous and inspiring homebirths on Instagram and social media and dream of the day we will catch our baby and hold her in our arms and feel a sense of joy for achieving our VBAC and birthing our baby at home. Sometimes our births do not end up the way we hoped or dreamed and I'm going to talk about some of the ways you can prepare yourself a little better for this outcome and what are some things to consider. I hope you enjoy this episode! Ashley x MORE FROM ASHLEY: Get access to this free Homebirth Workshop here! Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP62 | Perfect Birth | 11 Aug 2022 | 00:29:32 | |
Let's talk about the idea of this "perfect birth". I've had a couple of clients tell me after they have birthed- that perfect birth isn't real. So I thought it would be good to explore in a podcast episode with you. Perfect birth isn't achievable. They mentioned that the birth culture, especially natural birth and homebirth groups and movements/ books glorify or portray that there is some amazing thing that happens after you give birth at home. We hear in the books and podcasts the stats about more bonding, quicker bonding, lower chance of traumatic birth, and natural birth hormones but sometimes we can get this idea in our head that we have to have a perfect birth experience to have those things, or if we do have the perfect birth that we will get those things. That doesn't mean those things will definitely happen for you though. It's important to have realistic expectations of your birth experience. Talk about birth photographs and how we look at those pictures and we make a story with them. Or we are reading the doula/ midwife or birth person's story at that time. Sometimes we take our version and create something totally different. I want my listeners to have hope for the most magical and positive birth experience. At the same time, I want you to set reasonable expectations for yourself and understand that birth can be positive and a wonderful experience regardless of the experience. Striving for perfectionism is a sure way to strive for disappointment and a broken heart. Listen to this episode now! Ashley x MORE FROM ASHLEY: Get access to this free Homebirth Workshop here! Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP61 | Planning your positive homebirth space with Guest Janet from Birthplace | 02 Aug 2022 | 01:10:22 | |
In this episode, I have a chat with my dear friend Janet Purcell from Birthplace. Janet is a mother of two, Doula, RN and self-confessed birth nerd (she loooveees all things birth). And let me mention this powerhouse woman birthed an almost 5-kilo baby out of her vagina without any assistance!! (go mama). We talk about birth comforts in this episode and how you can make your homebirth space more comfortable (including pain management which we reframe into a more positive view). Here are some of the comfort measures we talk about in more detail: Acupuncture Acupressure Aromatherapy Tens machine Exercise ball Movement Rebozo Water emersion/ shower Heat pack Food + drink Reassurance Affirmations/ music Distraction Birth comb You can find Janet on Instagram here - And check out the many goodies talked about in this episode and more in this blog here - Did you enjoy this episode? Leave me a rating. Have a topic you want me to cover? Email me and let me know!! Enjoy this episode! Ashley x More from Ashley: Get access to this free Homebirth Workshop here! Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP60 | Emma - FBA2C planned at 30 weeks. Weight loss surgery, pcos, endometriosis, reversed type 2 diabetes, and absolute warrior woman! | 27 Jul 2022 | 00:59:56 | |
In this episode, we meet Emma one of our amazing listeners who has listened to nearly every single episode on the podcast! Emma is on the mid-north coast, Port Macquarie. She works in an animal shelter that she adores working in. Emma and her husband have been together for 15 years and started trying for a family when they got married and it took a while to get pregnant. Emma was diagnosed with PCOS and endrimesios. Her first two pregnancies unfortunately ended in miscarriages which was heartbreaking when they had longed for a baby for so long. She now has three beautiful boys, two that were born by C-Section and a third baby who was born at home when Emma decided at 30 weeks to just go for it and stop joking about homebirth and make it a reality. Emma's story tells a story about a woman who kept trying despite setbacks and challenges. I love the many things that Emma was faced with and she found a way around and back to her heart's calling. She believed in herself. Set herself up with the support, knowledge, and empowerment she needed and she birthed her baby on her terms. Such an interesting episode, thanks for sharing! I hope you enjoy this episode! Ashley x More from Ashley: Get access to this free Homebirth Workshop here! Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP59 | 10 things to pack in your homebirth transfer bag | 19 Jul 2022 | 00:22:28 | |
Heya!! And welcome back to another episode on the VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast. I'm your host Ashley Winning! I've been sick with Covid and I'm hoping my voice holds up today! I decided to create a fun little Mini-Series for Birth & Transfer Planning over the weeks. Over the coming weeks, I will share episodes with information that relates to homebirth & transfer planning, with topics that cover why it's important to consider this, what should be included, what to pack in your transfer bag, and conversations to have with your birth team, how to plan for a positive homebirth environment and much more! One of the things that came through as a common thread when I asked women who had transferred before was to pack a transfer bag, or I'm glad I packed a transfer bag. So I thought I would include it and maybe change it up a little bit with a couple of things that people don't talk about for the usual hospital bag! 1. Clothes for baby, swaddle etc (someone said cute clothes for photos, my baby was in hospital clothes for a day or so and that didn't bother me). 2. Nappies & wipes 3. Clothes for you including a comfortable nursing top and maternity underwear - comfortable clothes 4. Phone charger / phone/ ipad etc 5. Copy of birth & transfer plan - for you and your team 6. Labour support pack (eo, pain support, massage ball, positive affirmations). 7. Entertainment pack (magazine, music, headphones, journal and pencil) 8. Snacks - few packets of your favs 9. Toiletries and anything that will make you feel nice - I had my fav perfume brought in which was rather hand for the toilet :P Maternity pads, or maternity underwear like modi body 10. Mindset - A letter to yourself about how amazing you are so you can read it when you need to, a playlist with your fav mindset resources, positive affirmations or meditations (on your phone etc). You don't have to have any of these ready and packed before your labour starts if you don't want to. This is your journey. It's nice to have a few things ready, or even just an empty bag. You could even have an empty bag with a list of things you would like packed and that way your support team can organise. (You can even show them in advance, like your partner). Get access to this free Homebirth Workshop here! Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP58 | 10 reasons why you should have a birth & transfer plan for your homebirth | 06 Jul 2022 | 00:42:16 | |
In this episode, I've decided to shake things up and create a fun little Mini-Series for Birth & Transfer Planning! Over the coming weeks, I will share episodes with information that relates to homebirth & transfer planning, with topics that cover why it's important to consider this, what should be included, what to pack in your transfer bag, conversations to have with your birth team, how to plan for a positive homebirth environment and much more!
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| EP156 | She trusted her body and it led to a surprise breech HBAC at 39. Emilie’s birth story is pure magic! | 19 Mar 2025 | 01:38:09 | |
In this episode, we dive into the incredible story of Emilie, a yoga instructor from Bribie Island, Queensland, who embraced her intuition and unapologetically stood in her power to navigate her birthing journey. Emilie’s story is one of resilience, trust in her body, and the beauty of natural birth after a Caesarean and surprise breech birth. (HBAC). Her journey includes a surprise breech birth, navigating care with private midwives, and staying centered in her inner strength. Emilie shares how yoga, mindfulness, and her connection to her inner wisdom played pivotal roles in this transformative experience. Key Topics Covered:
Yoga and Mindfulness in Pregnancy and Birth: How her experience as a yoga instructor helped Emilie stay grounded, focused, and connected to her body during birth. Enjoy this podcast episode! More from Ashley: The VBAC Village Insta: @ashleylwinning Website: www.ashleywinning.com Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here Love the podcast? Buy me a coffee Disclaimer: The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only. The stories and opinions shared are personal experiences and should not be considered medical advice. Every birth journey is unique, and we encourage you to research, trust your intuition, and consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. The host and guests of this podcast are not liable for any outcomes resulting from the information shared. By listening, you acknowledge that you take full responsibility for your own health and birth choices. | |||
| EP57 | 10 tips from homebirth transfer mums on what they wish they knew before | 30 Jun 2022 | 00:31:01 | |
In this episode, I've decided to shake things up and create a fun little Mini-Series for Birth & Transfer Planning! Over the coming weeks, I will share episodes with information that relates to homebirth & transfer planning, with topics that cover why it's important to consider this, what should be included, what to pack in your transfer bag, conversations to have with your birth team, how to plan for a positive homebirth environment and much more! Birth & Transfer plans are not something that is often talked about or thought about when it comes to home births. After experiencing transfer after my homebirth for our third baby and hearing many women on the podcast share their stories of transferring after birth I thought it would be a good idea to share some of this wisdom and insight with you so that you can plan ahead of time. The transfer rate for VBAC Homebirth is 37% (you can read more about that here.) With that in mind, it's a good idea to have a think about this. I asked mums who had experienced homebirth transfer to share their experiences and advice and have created a podcast episode sharing this information and given some extra tips and advice on how you can get the most out of this for you. If you have any questions please send me a DM on my Instagram or email me hello@themotherhoodcircle.com.au Enjoy this episode! Book your Homebirth & Transfer Planning Session with Ashley - Click here! Get access to this free Homebirth Workshop here! Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here Insta: @ashleylwinning | |||
| EP56 | Choosing your own adventure | 21 Jun 2022 | 00:32:04 | |
In this episode, I talk about homebirth and freebirth as your very own choice and choosing your own adventure. Often women choosing to homebirth lose sight that they are actually the ones steering their journey and that they are in full control of where this glorious adventure ends up. After a post in my VBAC Homebirth Support group on FB came in this morning I decided to share some insights/ stories and experiences of women choosing to intiate with the system when planning to homebirth. It may be a woman planning to freebirth who wants some scans or tests throughout her pregnancy, or maybe a woman who has hired a midwife and is trying to work out whether she should take a test. Sometimes the path can be tricky when trying to discover the right path forward with so many choices available (because the choice is absolutely all yours). Without knowing the outcomes it can be a grueling process. I invite you to tap into your intuition, your knowing. Look at the evidence if it helps and talk it out. But under the ramifications of those choices and possible outcomes along the way so you can look at this objectively. The beauty of this journey is that you get to choose what tests/ scans and offerings you accept and say yes to and which ones you choose to decline. This is your journey. More from Ashley: Want to join our Homebirth Pregnancy Circle starting 27th of June? Check out more information here Get access to this free Homebirth Workshop here! Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP55 | Emma - 18 days of rupture of membrane before labour began, freebirth - baby born sunny side up | 14 Jun 2022 | 01:06:43 | |
In this episode, we meet Emma a mother of three who lives in South Coast, NSW. Emma joins us to talk briefly about her first birth which ended in a surgical birth. She was induced at 40 weeks due to a late diagnosis of GD and expected "big baby" 8 pounds and over. 26hrs of labour, 12 hrs on pitocin, and baby and mum were both in distress. Ended in an emergency cesarean and baby was born a tiny 6lb 1 baby in special care for 8 days. With her second baby she researched VBAC and fought for her right to have a vaginal birth in the system. Pulling on the placenta causing a hemorrhage. When Emma fell pregnant with her third baby she was determined to have a better experience. And apparently, he was determined to make it memorable! It made much more sense to her and she trusted her body's ability to birth safely and intuitively at home. Emma chose to register with her local hospital for antenatal care which was helped by the timing of Covid meaning that a lot of appointments were canceled which meant she didn't need to go in often. Even though Emma had vaginally birthed her last baby there was still talk of whether she would be "allowed" to vaginally birth this third baby. Which just helped cement her choices to freebirth. As Emma approached 40 weeks her waters broke in the middle of the night (so much so that her husband was walking behind her cleaning up the waters on the floor). Waiting a full 18 days before going into labour with her third babe and many interesting conversations and visits/ phone calls back and forth with the hospital this episode is not to be missed!! I hope you enjoy this episode! More from Ashley: Want to join our Homebirth Pregnancy Circle starting 27th of June? Check out more information here Get access to this free Homebirth Workshop here! Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP54| Guest - Kemi Johnson for a chat on birth | 07 Jun 2022 | 01:04:19 | |
In this episode, I sit down for a good old chit-chat with the amazing Kemi Johnson. I've snuck a hold of Kemi's Instagram bio to share a brief introduction in Kemi and what she stands for. Queen/Empress 👑💥🌟 I recently heard Kemi on The Midwives Cauldron Podcast and I had to reach out to her, I felt we were kindred spirits passionate about supporting women in similar ways - so we had an informal interview and chat all things VBAC homebirth + birth. Kemi was a registered Midwife in England who worked privately supporting women and eventually decided after dealing with insurance issues and other challenges that she would unregister and support women and families as a birth keeper. We chat about that process and what Kemi now does and how she supports families as a birth keeper. This is a really great episode with two passionate birth lovers talking about what we love - all things birth. Listen to this episode now!! More from Ashley: Want to join our Homebirth Pregnancy Circle? Check out more information here Get access to this free Homebirth Workshop here! Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP53| It's all in the Self Worth | 31 May 2022 | 00:34:34 | |
In this episode, I share how a lot of your self doubt, lack of belief and trust may be down to a shaky foundation of self-worth. I'm going to deep dive into this topic and show you when and how your self worth has been eroded since you were little and what you can do to build it up. You will understand why it matters for your VBAC Homebirth and how having a strong self worth foundation can make significant changes to your mindset and self believe to VBAC homebirth your baby. Some strategies I talk about to help build your mindset for your VBAC Homebirth:
I hope you enjoy this episode! Get access to this free Homebirth Workshop here! Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP52| Are you a highly sensitive soul? + Why is it important to know if you are! | 24 May 2022 | 00:24:51 | |
In this episode, I am discussing what it means to be a highly sensitive soul + why it matters! In my work I find I tend to work a lot with highly sensitive souls - it makes sense, I'm a highly sensitive person, of course other HSP's gravitate working with me. The interesting thing is that most of my clients don't know they are highly sensitive until they come across some of my content or we begin to do some of the deeper work. Often they find that they are people pleasers and don't have a voice. Especially when it comes to the birthing world. They have desires and wants + often haven't had the skill to be able to speak up when they wanted or needed. Often because they have been suppressed and told their whole lives that they are too sensitive or emotional (like it's a bad thing - I think it's a super power!). 20% of the population are highly sensitive, which means 1 out 5 people are. In that case it could be you or someone very close to you who is a HSP. If you want to learn more and hear some more of my experiences jump into this episode and get some of those answers your heart desires. I hope you enjoy this episode! More from Ashley: Get access to this free Homebirth Workshop here! Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP51| All about Special Scars | 17 May 2022 | 00:43:03 | |
In this episode, I am discussing special scars!! What they are, how they happen, what the risks are and what that means for you if you have a special scar! suitable for a VBAC. If you haven't been told anything there is still a chance you have one, and haven't been told, but I'd say more likely than not they would have said something. Today I'm going to talk about what are the different types of scars, possible reasons for the scars and higher risk factors for uterine rupture. First let's hear a definition of a special scar. Definition of Special Scars from Special scars special hope FB page. A scar resulting from a Classical, Inverted T, J, Low Vertical, Upright T or any other cesarean incision other than the most often used Low Transverse. Also, any scar on the uterus from other uterine surgeries, such as myomectomies which is a surgical procedure to remove uterine fibroids. Let's talk more about the types of scars and how they can happen and impact a future VBAC Some handy information from The VBAC Link below with short explanation of the types of special scars. Classical Incision An up-and-down cut made in the upper part of the uterus. This is sometimes done for very preterm cesarean deliveries. It has the highest risk of rupture. Risk is 4% to 9% Listen to ep22 Breana - she had a powerful homebirth with amish midwifes after a classical c-section due to a pre term birth with pre-clampsia. T and J incision These scar types happen when a surgeon needs more room to get the baby out after they have done a low transverse incision. The look like a “T” or a “J”. Sometimes they happen on accident as well. These scar types are rare. EP28 - Lisa Inverted T special space HBAC Low Vertical Incision A low vertical incision is made in the lower part of the uterus. These incision types are used when the baby is large, transverse (sideways), or for placenta previa. I just want to add to this that this type of scar is also a risk factor from babies being down in the pelvis deeply. Or from babies moving and pulling arms from the shock of being touched. Listen to EP 19 - Ashley special scar. Here are stats I found from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7396476/ Classic incision 4–9% Low transverse with T-extension 4–9% Low vertical incision 1–7% Low transverse 0.2–1.5% Open in a separate window Source: ACOG, 1999 Links: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7396476/ https://specialscars.org/ I hope you enjoy this episode! Ashley x More from Ashley: Get access to this free Homebirth Workshop here! Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP50| Daily morning mindset ritual | 27 Apr 2022 | 00:19:24 | |
In this episode, I discuss how a daily morning mindset ritual has supercharged my day and helped me move from feeling overwhelmed & exhausted to feeling energised and ready to take on the day! If you are feeling worn out, overwhelmed, out of rhythm and routine, and crave to feel connected and positive then this is an episode you should not miss! Mindset is such an important part that so many people skip out on every day and I find it is even more important when we step into the role of being mothers. Pregnancy, especially planning a VBAC Homebirth takes courage, trust, and something deep inside you to say yes to and stick to the path. By committing to a daily routine you will help fill your cup up, which will spill over to the loved ones around you and help set the positive mindset tone for your pregnancy and birth. I hope you enjoy this episode, Ashley x More from Ashley: Join me in a live Workshop here! Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP49| Katy - Uterine Rupture vaginal birth in hospital, planned homebirth | 19 Apr 2022 | 01:43:45 | |
In this episode, we meet Katy who lives in Devon, England Katy had planned a homebirth through the NHS and she had a breech baby so didn't feel comfortable birthing at home. Katy planned a breech birth in hospital. During pregnancy, Katy had an ECV that failed. She went into labour around 40ish weeks waters broke first, she went into hospital to get monitoring as per request due to breech and she opted to stay home. Going into labour about 12 hours later and then went into the hospital. The medical team could feel a foot, and said baby was footling and Katy opted for a surgical birth. Katy had a straightforward surgical birth. Katy fell pregnant and had a miscarriage before knowing she was pregnant. Katy had a surgical procedure due to the miscarriage which caused some scarring on the cervix which caused fertility issues. Then Katy was pregnant with her third pregnancy, baby Juniper. She had a great pregnancy although worried about what could happen because she was worried about what happened last time. She hired a doula to support her in birth and pregnancy. She had planned for a homebirth with this baby which would be a VBAC Homebirth through the NHS. Went into labour at 40ish weeks and contractions started hard and fast, she was pushing early and called the hospital for midwives. Due to covid, they couldn't come out so she decided to freebirth as she felt the baby was coming and was pushing already and didn't feel comfortable getting in the car. She had the baby crowning and went back inside again for hours. She had big gaps between her contractions and sharp pain that didn't go away as soon as the waters broke in the birth pool. She felt something was wrong and decided to go to the hospital to get the baby monitored. The baby was okay and safe and mum was still worried and in a lot of pain. The midwife told her she was going to coach push train her and she pushed the baby out vaginally. You can hear the rest of Katy's story on the podcast! More from Ashley: Join me in a live Workshop here! Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP48| Creating & Visualising your dream homebirth | 12 Apr 2022 | 00:15:51 | |
In this episode, we discuss how you can create and visualise your dream homebirth. This one is a goodie if you are wondering if homebirth is really a good option for you, or your stuck in your head listening to scary stories of what could go wrong. I want to help pull you out of anxiety and fear and direct you back to your reasons for why you chose to have a homebirth to begin. So when you are feeling worried, overwhelmed or anxious you can sink back into the deliciousness of dreaming about your ideal homebirth. Also as a disclaimer I want you to know I don't think homebirths always go to plan. Sometimes they don't. Birth isn't something that can be planned for and controlled. It is simply about your mindset and deeply connecting in with your vision. I'd love to hear what you think about this episode and if you found it helpful. Come and say hi on Insta and let me know! More from Ashley: Join me in a live Workshop here! Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP155 | High blood pressure. Pre-eclampsia. Medical pushback. Nothing could stop Sarah from having the home birth she knew was possible. | 12 Mar 2025 | 01:06:33 | |
In this episode, we welcome back Sarah, who shares her incredible journey of birthing her fourth baby at home—her second home birth after two caesareans, including a special scar birth. If you missed her previous episode (EP67 | Sarah – Mindset Overhaul, Small Babies, 3 Planned Homebirths, HBA2C + Special Scar), you can listen to her earlier birth stories on the podcast. Sarah’s pregnancy was smooth until around 35 weeks, when she started experiencing high blood pressure. This led to more hospital appointments, increased monitoring, and pressure from medical professionals who advised against a home birth. She was even diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, adding another layer of challenge to her birth plan. Despite the pressure, Sarah stayed strong in her decision. She surrounded herself with a supportive doula, a dedicated midwife, and her loving husband, who all believed in her ability to birth at home. Although she expected to give birth at 38 weeks, as she had in the past, her pregnancy continued beyond that, heightening the tension. Finally, she went into labour and gave birth safely at home, experiencing an empowering and deeply positive birth. In her own words: “I did it!”—a true testament to her strength, resilience, and trust in her body. If you love hearing real and raw home birth stories, this episode is for you! 🎧 Listen now and be inspired by Sarah’s unwavering determination and powerful birth experience. Resources Mentioned in This Episode 📖 Book: Portal: The Art of Choosing Orgasmic, Pain-Free, Blissful Birth by Yolande Norris-Clark👩⚕️ Experts in Birth
Enjoy this episode! More from Ashley: The VBAC Village Insta: @ashleylwinning Website: www.ashleywinning.com Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here Love the podcast? Buy me a coffee Disclaimer: The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only. The stories and opinions shared are personal experiences and should not be considered medical advice. Every birth journey is unique, and we encourage you to research, trust your intuition, and consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. The host and guests of this podcast are not liable for any outcomes resulting from the information shared. By listening, you acknowledge that you take full responsibility for your own health and birth choices. | |||
| EP47| 3 books I recommend for your homebirth | 05 Apr 2022 | 00:15:17 | |
In this episode, I share 3 books I recommend for your homebirth, plus one little extra sneaky one I haven't yet read but know will be amazing! I'm going to share my top 3 recommended books, plus why I recommend them. I'd love to hear what your favourite books are and why (maybe they will be the same I have mentioned here) - come and share with me on Instagram!! 1. Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method the Natural Approach to a Safe, Easier, More Comfortable Birthing by Marie F. Mongan2. Home Birth On Your Own Terms: A How-To Guide For Birthing Unassisted by Heather Baker 3. New Active Birth: A Concise Guide to Natural Childbirth by Janet Balaskas I hope that you enjoy this episode. Come over to Insta and tell me what are your experiences and thoughts! Join me in a live Workshop here! Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP46| Find the right Doula for your homebirth | 29 Mar 2022 | 00:18:24 | |
In this episode, we take a look at how you can find the right Doula for you to support you in your VBAC Homebirth journey. While Doula's can be an amazing support and member of your homebirth team, it's important to under why you want to have a doula at your homebirth. When you work out why you would like a doula to support you in pregnancy and attend your birth you can start to look at and interview potential doulas who may be a good fit. Some things to consider when interviewing and meeting a potential doula: Just some questions to consider when considering hiring a doula for your pregnancy and birth. I hope that you enjoy this episode. Come over to Insta and tell me what are your experiences and thoughts! Join me in a live Workshop here! Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP45| Find the right Midwife for your homebirth + Interview questions | 23 Mar 2022 | 00:26:31 | |
In this episode, we take a look at how you can find the right midwife for you to support you in your VBAC Homebirth journey. This question comes up quite a bit in our VBAC Homebirth Support Group and I wanted to give you some thought provoking questions to ask when you do interview potential midwives. Just remember that not all midwives are equal. Don't get me wrong there are some wonderful midwives out there you will gel with and have that safe connection with and some that you just don't have the vibe with. This is a sacred experience and you want the absolute best fit and experience possible, so make sure you do your research and check around with other women and see who comes highly recommended and why! Enjoy this episode!! Ashley x More from Ashley: Join me in a live Workshop here! Join out VBAC Homebirth Support Group here Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Insta: @ashleylwinningEmail: hello@themotherhoodcircle.com.au Ashley x | |||
| EP44| Ben - Partner's Story - Three Birth Stories shared by the husband and fathers perspective (Ending in epic, healing Freebirth after 3 surgical births) | 15 Mar 2022 | 01:53:28 | |
In this episode, we meet Ben, a father of 4 with 3 boys and a little girl. Ben joins us after his wife Sarah shared her story on the Podcast of four births and an epic and healing freebirth after three surgical births. You can check out Sarah's story EP40| Sarah - Epic, healing freebirth after 3 surgical births, long births & small gaps between births. Ben is the first partner, husband, and father I have had on the show and it was really great to hear his perspective and have him share his experience and what he learned throughout the journey to freebirth. Some take aways from this interview:
It was lovely to connect with this amazing couple and get two sides of the story. It was so comforting to hear that Ben trusted his wife to safely birth their babies into this world. I know often women planning a VBAC struggle to trust their bodies are being told by the system that there is often something wrong and they are broken. To see partners have that deep trust in their partners is so powerful and inspiring. This is a must-listen for all the partners out there and women wanting to hear about how they can get their partners to be more supportive. Join me for my Free Workshop this month here Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! FB: @themotherhoodcircle Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP43| How to get your partner to be more supportive in your VBAC Homebirth Pregnancy | 10 Mar 2022 | 00:30:59 | |
In this episode, I discuss why it's important to have support from your partner, especially in pregnancy, how your partner can't support and shouldn't be your only support through this journey, and some strategies to get more support from your partner. You might be surprised by some of the clever ways I suggest to be able to get support from your partner. If after this episode you feel like finding out more about how I can support you or you want tos hare how you went after implementing some of the steps slide into my DM's and let's chat!
Join me for my Free Workshop this month here Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP42| How to protect your pregnancy VBAC Homebirth bubble | 16 Feb 2022 | 00:27:02 | |
In this episode, we take a deeper dive into how you can protect your pregnancy VBAC Homebirth bubble and why it's important to protect it. Here's is a snippet of what I covered in this episode. 1. Be mindful of who you share your VBAC Homebirth plans with. 2. Don’t let in negative birth stories (and what to do if you come across them) 3. Work on your mindset Final thought Protect your pregnancy VBAC Homebirth bubble at all costs and always be mindful about the type of content you consume or the people you share your plans with. Unfollow pages/ groups/ take a step back from people who are not positive & supportive. This is your time to focus on building up your confidence and relax before your baby is born and joins you earthside. I personally invite you to join me for this Free Workshop I would love to see you live at this workshop, answer any questions you have and connect with you! Send me an email to save your spot. You will learn: ✔ Why HSP need EXTRA emotional support (or a support team) ✔ Understand your current support ✔ Why mindset support matters in a freebirth pregnancy ✔ How to get your partner to be more supportive of your emotional needs Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP41| Signs of Uterine Rupture | 05 Feb 2022 | 00:23:26 | |
In this episode, I discuss some of the signs of uterine rupture. Uterine rupture is something that VBAC mama's worry about a lot. It is super important from a mindset perspective that you learn as much about uterine rupture and understand the risks so that you go into your birth with the strongest mindset possible. Here is one piece of the puzzle - the signs of uterine rupture. Really helpful for those who are having a VBAC Homebirth. Hear women's experiences with Uterine Rupture and what they say of their experience, plus the signs to look out for! I share what they said in more detail on this podcast episode. So what are some signs that you can look out for in your VBAC Homebirth? · Sudden, severe uterine pain · Uterine contractions that don’t cease · Regression of your baby in the womb, including a decreased heart rate · Fetal distress · Severe vaginal bleeding or hemorrhaging Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP40| Sarah - Epic, healing freebirth after 3 surgical births, long births & small gaps between births | 30 Nov 2021 | 02:33:16 | |
In this episode, we meet Sarah, mother of 4 with 3 boys and a little girl. She joined us to share her amazing story just two weeks into her postpartum (and feeling absolutely amazing!) She lives in Rural, Country Victoria and grew up in a big Dutch family & very trusting of the medical system. Sarah had a miscarriage with their first pregnancy which required a D&C in hospital. She fell pregnant again soon after. Sarah tells a very complex and interesting story that is long, but very interesting and full of insights and birth wisdom. Sarah had a private midwife during this pregnancy and was booked into a birth house. Her waters broke around 41+6 and she eventually ended up in hospital due to the length of labour and waters broken. Pitocin and a painful labour with a shift change and a horrible midwife she ended up in surgery and her baby was born. Second pregnancy only 3-4 months postpartum she was pregnant again. She was in the VBAC clinic she felt supported in pregnancy but had bait and switch at 38 weeks which ended in a visit from CPS at 41 weeks. She felt unheard during labour telling the health support something was wrong with her baby and he eventually after a MET call was made after birth, ended up in special care for a week with sepsis. Sarah ended up having another surgical birth. She couldn't get her head into the game of being in labour when her contractions came on hard and fast. Sarah feels she handed over her power to the doula who made little comments throughout her labour about the positioning, of the baby whereas she felt she needed someone who going to support her to keep going not put doubt into her mind. She transferred and had a surgical birth. Baby number four Sarah fell pregnant around 9 months postpartum and she decided she wanted to have a C-Section with this baby. She did not want to fight the system and wanted to just have an easy time of it all. Sarah went and saw Birthtime and decided she was going to have a freebirth. She didn't want any support people around her, just her and her husband and she was trusting the process. She didn't want to give any of her power away. She felt if she was going to birth her baby vaginally she had to do it. Sarah went on to birth her baby vaginally. A FBA3C and fer kicked in, on all fours she was completely silent and grunting at the end of each push. She said "she overcame all the trauma, the pain, the doubt" and it was a magic half hour where she felt she wasn't doing anything and just breathing and her baby girl was born. She didn't feel the "ring of fire" just a stretch. She was so excited, it felt amazing and after her baby was born she just kept repeating "I did it, I did it". Sarah is on a birth high after this birth and is enjoying her baby girl after 3 boys. Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! FB: @themotherhoodcircle Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP39| 10 Questions you should ask to yourself: a preparation to deciding on whether VBAC freebirth is right for you | 16 Nov 2021 | 00:34:51 | |
In this episode, we explore 10 questions to help you try to work out whether a freebirth is the right option for you and your family. There are so many what-ifs and unknowns when it comes to birth. With societal pressures and cultural norms that surround us. It’s challenging when wanting to do something that is very different to the path that society has set out for you to follow. If you are making this choice coming from a space of having experienced childbirth trauma or having had a negative experience in the hospital system your whole body might be screaming at you that you just want to have this baby at home. But there may be much for you to consider in this journey. I have a few questions for you to consider that will hopefully help you make that decision for yourself and your family. I hope these 10 questions help you to get to the answer of whether freebirth is the right choice for you or not. If you feel like you need some extra support working through this process, I invite you to reach out to me and let’s have a chat about what support you need. Some of the ways you can connect with me or get more support as promised during the episode: WORKSHOP - This weekend (21st of November 2021) - Freebirth as a highly sensitive: how to get the emotional & mindset support you need Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! FB: @themotherhoodcircle Insta: @ashleylwinning Ashley x | |||
| EP38| What is Freebirth? | 02 Nov 2021 | 00:27:01 | |
In this episode, we dive deep into the word Freebirth. Have you ever wondered what a freebirth is? Maybe you know a little bit, or a lot - but want to find out even more. I share my own experiences and views of the word Freebirth and how it can be used. Essentially Freebirth is birth without a medical person present - but in the birth world, it can mean different things to different people. So let's explore this together and have some fun while doing it! I hope you enjoy this episode! Ashley x More from Ashley: Join me in a live Workshop here! Join out VBAC Homebirth Support Group here Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Insta: @ashleylwinningEmail: hello@themotherhoodcircle.com.au Ashley x | |||
| EP154: No midwives. No hospitals. Just pure trust. Victoria’s powerful unassisted home birth in rural Broome will leave you in awe! | 04 Mar 2025 | 01:35:53 | |
In this episode, we hear from Victoria, a determined and inspiring mum who birthed on her own terms after a Caesarean. Living in Broome rural Western Australia, Victoria planned for a healing and autonomous birth, engaging deeply in birth education, self-care, and intuitive preparation. Her journey started with a planned Homebirth and the support of a birthkeeper who was set to fly in from Perth. The birthkeeper was meant to stay with Victoria in the week leading up to her due date—offering support, massage, and even filling her postpartum freezer with nourishing meals. But when the time came, fate had other plans. The birthkeeper was attending another labour and couldn’t make it. Victoria suddenly had to pivot, embracing the reality of a freebirth—trusting herself completely. At around 40 weeks, labour began. Victoria moved instinctively through her contractions, spending time walking her large property, connecting with nature on the beach, and holding onto the balustrade of her balcony. She rested on bean bags outside and eventually moved inside, finding relief on the toilet. Throughout labour, her mind presented challenges—waves of self-doubt and fleeting thoughts of transferring to the hospital. But with deep awareness, she continually redirected her mindset, embracing the power of birth and her body’s innate wisdom. In the end, Victoria’s birth unfolded beautifully. She emerged from the experience feeling strong, empowered, and deeply grateful for the way it all transpired. In This Episode, Victoria Shares:
🎧 Tune in now for a raw, inspiring, and deeply moving birth story. More from Ashley: The VBAC Village Insta: @ashleylwinning Website: www.ashleywinning.com Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here Love the podcast? Buy me a coffee Disclaimer: The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only. The stories and opinions shared are personal experiences and should not be considered medical advice. Every birth journey is unique, and we encourage you to research, trust your intuition, and consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. The host and guests of this podcast are not liable for any outcomes resulting from the information shared. By listening, you acknowledge that you take full responsibility for your own health and birth choices. | |||
| EP37| 5 Ways to avoid vaginal tearing in your VBAC Homebirth | 19 Oct 2021 | 00:28:28 | |
In this episode, I share my tips on how you can avoid vaginal tearing in your VBAC Homebirth I go into detail about my personal experiences and what I have found through my training and reasearch around birth. Going into my HBA2C I was pretty worried about tearing. I wanted to avoid it at all costs and I am happy to say I avoided even grazing birthing my 4.5 kilo baby. Amazing huh! We covered: 1.Avoid Coached Pushing 2. Consider a birth pool 3. Make Instinctive & Physiological birth your goal 4. Allow FER to do the work 5. Position, position, position I hope you enjoy this episode! Ashley x More from Ashley: Join me in a live Workshop here! Join out VBAC Homebirth Support Group here Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Insta: @ashleylwinningEmail: hello@themotherhoodcircle.com.au Ashley x | |||
| EP36| Katherine - A Catholic healing high-risk HBAC after traumatic emergency caesarean | 05 Oct 2021 | 01:35:38 | |
In this episode, we meet Katherine, mother of two girls and living in the United Kingdom. Baby Angela joins us for part of the episode, so we get to hear her cooing and playing in the background. During her first birth and after over 24 hours in active labour Katherine was no longer able to birth in the birth centre and transferred into hospital care. Meconium was seen in the waters which meant she had CTG monitoring and her care was transferred over to OBGYNS. She managed by using gas and air for a while before asking for and having an epidural.
In particular, she was distressed by her missing memories. Katherine did a lot of preparation for her HBAC - She sought counselling, had a birth reflections session, spent time in prayer, informed herself about VBACs, waterbirth & physiological labour, and had to fight for the birth she wanted as she was classed as high-risk due to the emergency caesarean & PPH. Katherine planned for a homebirth with her second baby Angela and was able to have a publicly funded prenatal care & birth with the NHS in the UK. Seeing midwives through her care she planned and prepared for a calm and gentle homebirth. She went into labour at 41 weeks.
Eventually, she was told she had to come out of the pool as the baby's heart rate was raised. An ambulance was called but not used. She transferred to the sofa and consented to an episiotomy. She had no tearing and felt like an absolute superhero when her baby was placed onto her chest.
More from Ashley: Join me in a live Workshop here! Join out VBAC Homebirth Support Group here Find out more on how I can support you + you can have me as your guide + biggest supporter - Click here! Insta: @ashleylwinningEmail: hello@themotherhoodcircle.com.au Ashley x | |||
| EP35| 5 Ways you can get birth knowledge & support in your VBAC Homebirth Journey | 21 Sep 2021 | 00:33:31 | |
Are you loving the VBAC homebirth stories but wishing you had a bit more birth knowledge & support behind you in your journey? If you said yes, this episode is for you! I discuss 5 ways you can get birth knowledge & support in your VBAC Homebirth Journey. 1). Monthly free Workshops 2). Resources in the Blog 3). Clarity & Confidence Session 4) The Podcast - coming soon are more birth educational episodes. Send me an email if you would like to submit a question to the podcast. 4.a) Join me for our Pregnancy Circle here 5.) Pregnancy & Birth VIP Progam (one-on-one support with Ashley). Enjoy this episode! Ashley xo Join our free Facebook Support Group HERE! Want to connect with Ashley? FB: @themotherhoodcircle Insta: @ashleylwinning | |||
| EP34| Jamie - FBA2C, third time's a charm! | 08 Sep 2021 | 01:57:20 | |
In this episode, we meet Jamie, mother of three little ones! Jamie recorded this interview just 6 weeks postpartum. Jamie had an easy-going first pregnancy. Was offered a stretch and sweep and after talking to a friend who said it wasn't painful decided just to accept the intervention. Jamie found the S&S very uncomfortable and painful. She laboured through the night and managing the contractions. She had a second S&S the next day with her baby being born via C-Section and baby being sent to special care. Ending back in the hospital with an infection and taking the time to process over the next nine months Jamie found herself experiencing birth trauma and PND. Jamie then went on to fall pregnant with her second baby, a girl and the first girl in her husband's family for 90 years!! Planning a VBAC with an OBGYN and ended up in another unplanned C-Section. We have a really big conversation around PND and birth trauma and how many women are being failed by the system by the lack of support women receive through this process. Including some of the long-term impacts of difficulties with bonding with their babies and the stories and mindset challenges of feeling like a failure or not feeling good enough. She was determined to have a vaginal birth with her third baby and went back to the hospital setting and found herself wanting a homebirth. She booked in with a Doula (unregistered Midwife Martina) around 34 weeks Martina let Jamie know that she didn't feel she could work with her anymore and that Jamie wasn't there mindset wise ( I share my thoughts on what happened here, along with why I feel it's important for people to understand their roles in birth and understand why they are hiring people to support them in birth, especially for freebirth). Fortunately, Jamie was able to connect with another doula who was happy to support her (and who was coincidentally training with her original doula!) and went on to have her powerful and intuitive freebirth! Enjoy this episode! Ashley x Want to connect with Ashley? FB: @themotherhoodcircle Insta: @ashleylwinning | |||
| EP33| Tahlia - Mother-led Pregnancy & Intuitive Freebirth | 24 Aug 2021 | 02:05:04 | |
In this episode, we meet Tahlia, mother of two little ones who are less than 18 months apart. Tahlia fell pregnant just 6 1/2 months postpartum with her second baby after a surgical birth. She lives in South Coast NSW Australia. Tahlia identifies herself as part of the Worimi / Wiradjuri tribe (the indigenous people of Australia). She was supported in parts of her pregnancies by midwives from Waminda (who were shown in the Birth Time Documentary). This is a story of a woman who looked outside herself for answers and stepped into her power to regain responsibility and birth her baby at home, intuitively and freely. I am so happy to share with you today Tahlia's story which includes talk of:
And much, much more. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did! Listen now! Ashley x Join our free Facebook Support Group HERE! Want to connect with Ashley? FB: @themotherhoodcircle Insta: @ashleylwinning | |||
| EP32| Spirit Babies - the babies of the universe waiting to be born | 07 Jul 2021 | 00:18:59 | |
Have you ever heard of the term "Spirit babies"? When I first heard the term I thought it was a bit woo woo - and hippy-dippy - turns out the more I learned about spirit babies, the more I knew I had a spirit baby! This episode is for anyone who is planning on a future baby, trying to conceive, or wanting to learn more about spirit babies. Here is my interpretation and experience! Join our free Facebook Support Group HERE! Follow me on FB or Insta @themotherhoodcircle | |||
| EP31| What supplies do you need for your VBAC Freebirth? | 22 Jun 2021 | 00:36:50 | |
In this episode, I share some of the supplies I used in my freebirth - as well as talk about why they came in handy! Here is the list I typed up for notes for this episode to save you writing everything down. I got into more detail and share how to use some of the supplies or why I think they are important to include. Some of these on the list are not included in this segment - but I have included them :) Enjoy this episode! Waterproof torch Mirror Drinking safe hose and connector Pump and attachments Pool liner Scoop/mesh for poop Cushion/ing for under the pool liner if the pool or bath is flat Thermometer (floating is helpful) Heating method and back up plan eg large pots on stove or electric kettle Dried flowers Other items (not specifically for the birthing pool) Herbs & tinctures (if you want herbs ) talk about some of the issues - get from herbalist Puppy pads pack of 10 or 20 Wash clothes (for head, cool or heat Towels Mattress or mat for the floor with a waterproof Waterproof liners for the couch/ bed Bucket or bowel for vomit Supportive & helpful (practical and emotional supportive people) Birthing outfit Set the room - ambiance Diffuser "birthing" ball Fairy lights Positive affirmations Dark - safe space to birth Camera for photos/ video Heater/ aircon if needed Pain management: Essential oils in rollers or homeopathy Hot water/ birthing pool or shower Tens machine Massage/ hip squeezes Birthing comb Massage oil Snacks and food (for you and any birth partners/attendants) Drink and staw (like a metal straw) lemonade, coconut water (whatever you like) water Placenta: Bowl or ice cream tub for placenta Large ziplock bag if you intend to freeze the placenta (can freeze in container too) Something to cut the chord (if you plan on not doing a lotus birth) scissors or candle to burn Tearing: manuka honey and seaweed strips (minor tears) For Baby Cord clamp/ tie Towel (warm) Clothes Scales to weigh baby measuring tape Clothes for baby Nappies Wraps Join our free Facebook Support Group HERE! Follow me on FB or Insta @themotherhoodcircle | |||
| EP30| Guest Interview - Dr Sarah Buckley | 09 Jun 2021 | 00:56:37 | |
In this episode, we meet Dr Sarah Buckley! Dr Sarah Buckley is trained as a GP with qualifications in GP obstetrics. She has been writing and lecturing to childbirth professionals and parents since 1997 and is the author of the internationally best-selling book Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering. Sarah has a special interest in the hormones of physiological labour and birth and the impacts of interventions. In 2015 she completed an extensive report on this topic, Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing, published with Childbirth Connection (US). She is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Queensland, researching oxytocin in labour and birth. She has co-authored several papers on oxytocin in labour, birth and breastfeeding. Sarah is also the mother of four children, all born at home and now all adults. She lives on the semi-rural outskirts of Brisbane. In this episode we discussed the power of hormones in undisturbed birth and how Oxytocin assisted in natural birth. As well as touching base on ecstatic birth and much, much more! Listen to this amazing episode now to help you prepare for your homebirth! You can keep in touch with Sarah on these platforms: Website www.sarahbuckley.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drsarahbuckley/ Twitter: @SarahJBuckley Instagram: sarahjbuckley Show Notes:
Join our free Facebook Support Group HERE! And if you would like support during your pregnancy leading to your homebirth/ freebirth you can get in touch with Ashley on Insta or Facebook by sending a quick message @themotherhoodcircle HAPPY BIRTHING GODDESS! Ashley xx | |||
| EP29| Ellie - 5.75kg HBAC Rural location | 25 May 2021 | 01:38:40 | |
In this episode, we meet Ellie who lives 2.5 hours Northwest of Dubbo, NSW on a corporate farm. As we were recording this episode Ellie has the tractors sewing the next crop on the farm which didn't help with the temperamental internet connection on the farm. But we got there! Ellie expected to have a vaginal birth with her first baby after completing a hypnobirthing course and being educated about birth. She found herself traumatised after a long and tiring, unsupported induction in the public hospital system. When she was pregnant with the second baby she had hoped she could have a homebirth and lucky for her a new private midwife popped up in her area. But, the midwife was yet to source a second midwife to support her for homebirths so Ellie went through her pregnancy up until 30 weeks with a publicly funded midwife until the good news came through that she could now have a homebirth! At the pushing end of the birth, the baby's head popped out to Ellie's surprise and the shoulders also made it out, but the body got a little stuck - referred to as soft body dystocia. Ellie was told to move out of the birthing pool by her midwives and helped to get into a different position. Ellie beautifully birthed her rather healthy-sized 5.75 kilo or 12'6 pound baby girl earthside at a home organised by her midwife closer to the hospital. Her baby required some resuscitation and even though minutes later she was perfectly fine as per requirements they were transferred into hospital for a check over bub and where Ellie could receive some stitching for a third-degree tear. Ellie and her husband had to advocate for their baby after she was admitted to special care after some borderline low blood sugar levels. Ellie felt she had a positive and powerful experience birthing her baby on her terms! Listen to this episode now to find out all the details on Ellie's homebirth! | |||
| EP28| Lisa - Inverted T Special Scar HBAC | 13 May 2021 | 01:34:41 | |
In this episode, we meet Lisa who lives in America and had her second baby in the Covid Pandemic. Lisa planned for a vaginal birth with her first baby, and during labour ended up birthing her baby by a surgical birth. During the surgery, the surgeons needed to cut above the vertical scar to remove her baby safely and Lisa ended up with what we call an Inverted T Special Scar. When Lisa was pregnant with her second baby she felt anxious, nervous, depressed, very angry, and defensive most of the pregnancy. A few emotional breakdowns. Feelings of loneliness, negative thoughts towards birth, and low self-esteem. The stress of getting things done at home, and usually being alone at work and home. And at 36 weeks she decided to homebirth with Chris Miller who by Lisa's words "Chris - My incredible midwife; skilled, experienced (50+ years, 3,000+ births)" Lisa says "Emotionally, deciding home birth helped me feel more peace. I feel relaxed and calm about waiting for birth. I don't feel like I'm fighting anyone and I don't feel abandoned." She birthed her special scars baby safely at home. To hear Lisa's incredible homebirth story listen to this episode! Join our free Facebook Support Group HERE! Want to work with Ashley during your pregnancy? Book your free 30-minute discovery call here Insta & FB: @themotherhoodcircle | |||
| EP153 | Type 1 diabetes didn’t stop her. Two C-Sections Didn’t Define her. Lise’s HBA2C | 25 Feb 2025 | 01:30:26 | |
In this episode, we hear from Lise, an inspiring Canadian mum who achieved an unassisted VBA2C homebirth while managing Type 1 diabetes. Lise’s journey is one of resilience, self-trust, and unwavering determination as she navigated a system that often felt disempowering to take control of her birthing experience. After two previous Caesarean births, both prompted by concerns over reduced movements late in her pregnancies, Lise faced immense challenges. Both of her boys were taken to special care shortly after birth—an experience she refers to as “medical kidnapping,” where implied consent allowed care to be provided without proper consultation. These experiences fuelled her desire for a different, more autonomous birth journey. During her third pregnancy, Lise dedicated herself to researching, listening to birth stories, and reading empowering birth books, including Rachel Reed’s Rites of Passage. Feeling healthy and confident, she managed her diabetes at home with continuous blood sugar monitoring and a proactive approach to her care. However, the journey wasn’t without its obstacles. Staying with her in-laws late in pregnancy, Lise was told at 40 weeks that she was no longer welcome to birth in their home due to fears of potential litigation. Undeterred, Lise quickly found alternative accommodation at an Airbnb, where she birthed her baby with a trusted birth companion by her side. Lise’s story is a testament to the strength of trusting your body, doing your research, and taking control of your birth experience, even in complex circumstances. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
🎧 Tune in now for Lise's story. More from Ashley: The VBAC Village Insta: @ashleylwinning Website: www.ashleywinning.com Join our VBAC Homebirth Support Group here Love the podcast? Buy me a Disclaimer: The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only. The stories and opinions shared are personal experiences and should not be considered medical advice. Every birth journey is unique, and we encourage you to research, trust your intuition, and consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. The host and guests of this podcast are not liable for any outcomes resulting from the information shared. By listening, you acknowledge that you take full responsibility for your own health and birth choices. | |||
| EP27| Hayley - 4.2kg Vaginal Footling Breech (planned homebirth with change of plans to hospital birth) | 28 Apr 2021 | 01:52:28 | |
In this episode, when meet Hayley - mother of two and absolute birthing legend who vaginally birthed her 4.2-kilo baby, footling breech!! Whoop Whoop! Hayley expected to have a vaginal birth with her first baby and planned to birth in a birth center. She found herself in labour with her first baby with an "undiagnosed breech" which paved the path to her first baby being born via cesarean section. Armed with more knowledge with her second baby Hayley hired a private midwife and planned to birth at home. She wanted to be sure this baby wasn't breech and had an ultrasound at 36 weeks. Unfortunately, the baby was breech and she went into an appointment with Dr. Andrew Pesce, the breech OB at Westmead. She felt very grateful that she came across Dr. Andrew Pesce after her appointment with him as he was understanding and very supportive of her choice to birth vaginally, after a c-section, and with a breech baby. After a failed ECV it was decided she would be birthing in hospital and her homebirth plans changed with the path this journey took her. Hayley's story shows that even the best-laid plans to birth sometimes need to be adapted to suit different obstacles that come up and that women can birth big breech babies vaginally with the right support and can-do attitude by birth providers. I am so pleased that Hayley experienced a positive vaginal breech birth with a surprise footling presentation (birth is always full of surprises!) Listen to this episode to find out more! Join our free Facebook Support Group HERE! Want to connect with Ashley? Book your free 30-minute discovery call here Insta & FB: @themotherhoodcircle | |||
| EP26| Overcoming Money Mindset Blocks + Understanding why we should invest in ourselves in Motherhood | 13 Apr 2021 | 00:22:36 | |
In this episode, I share some of the money mindset blocks that I often see with mothers. Often neglecting to value themselves due to money mindset blocks, as well as self-care blocks that are ripe in the western motherhood culture. There is a huge energy shift when we become mothers. Becoming a primary caregiver and constantly putting our children's needs ahead of our own, it's easy to stay in this mindset throughout motherhood. But I am going to let you in on a little secret about why it's important to notice these changes and start investing in your emotional wellbeing and mindset, and show you why sometimes investing financially will help you see much better results in the long run. If you ever feel stuck, overwhelmed, alone or unsupported in your VBAC Homebirth journey then this is the episode for you. Learn how you can finally have someone in your life to work through fears and help you feel more supported & confident in your journey so you feel less overwhelmed and alone! | |||
| EP25| Ashley - Five months postpartum, breastfeeding, pelvic prolapse, working with trauma, HSP & modern cloth nappies | 31 Mar 2021 | 00:36:44 | |
In this episode, I share the past five months of being a mother of three, and the up's and downs of that journey! I believe in story sharing and the powerful benefits that women can gain from hearing about the challenges and how people deal with those challenges in their everyday lives. I walk through breastfeeding, how I worked through tie issues with Millie and some of the mindset issues I've had in my breastfeeding journey. Some of the illnesses I've had that I believe are related to pelvic prolapse issues which I believe are well and truly on the way of healing. Rewriting some of the stories that are coming up with the trauma of my hospital stay and Millie being in special care. Having to navigate huge feelings of anger, grief, sadness and finding the positive's in the experiences I have had. Working with being a highly sensitive person and mothering a highly sensitive child - which has led us to choose to unschool our oldest child. And finally, I discuss how much I love using modern cloth nappies! If you would like me to talk more on these topics further or if you are currently going through one of these challenges and want to chat more send me an email hello@themotherhoodcircle.com.au or PM/DM me on my of my social media platforms @themotherhoodcircle Enjoy this episode! Ashley x Join our free Facebook Support Group HERE! Want to connect with Ashley? Book your free 30-minute discovery call here Insta: @themotherhoodcircle | |||