The Positive Births NZ podcast

Lydia is an excellent example of a mum who committed to the hypnobirthing tools and then reaped the rewards – as you’ll hear her explain what made a difference in her second birth to Eloise. In this chat we cover: - How hypnobirthing made a huge difference for her and her practice routine - Sebastian’s birth in hospital, pressure to push -Doing everything possible to conceive a girl - Moving house...

Ellen’s inspiring homebirth to second baby Rowan include thewords “rest”, “underwhelming”, “slumber party vibes”. Ellen has previously shared her first birth to Nuala on an earlier episode on the podcast;  you can find it by searching   Ellen'shospital birth to Nuala https://open.spotify.com/episode/5nF1izYF7fxIXJg5dtBMNH   Our chat includes the following topics: -Miscarriage in between first...

Hayley shares her two positive birth stories – an inductionwith Lilah and birth centre waterbirth to Briar. In our chat today we cover the following topics: -Consultation with specialists around Conception journey -2nd trimester  fibroid degeneration, dealing withthe extreme pain resulted in belief she would be fine for birth -Plan for homebirth -High blood pressure week 38 -39+4Misoprostal induct...

Sofia shares her straight forward homebirth to first baby, Atlas In this chat we include: - Her very physical lifestyle as a dance teacher and Less Mills instructor, with cross fit right up until end of pregnancy -Signs of labour starting at 40+3 (burst of energy), 40+4sore back -Calm labour -Cervical lip and waiting for that to disappear -Pushing without an overwhelming urge -Midwife helping the...

Teresina shares her fast, instinctive birth to Isabella, inthe water just a few minutes after arriving to the birth centre. In this chat we include topics such as: -PCOS – told she would never have kids, but how she used that diagnosis to become more in tune with her body -Birth culture in Mexico -Learning about birth in NZ -Changing midwives at 38 weeks to support the type of birthshe wanted – no...

This chat arose because of a thankyou email that Josie sent to me right at the very most perfect time that I needed it….. In this episode today we discuss: Difficulty finding a midwife for due date early January, which lead to the choice of obstetric care Using positive birth stories to improve mindset Induction with several stretch and sweeps, balloon, epidural, syntocinin Positive interactions w...

A remarkable conception story where Kate share’s hope, inspiration and an admirable attitude about all that she underwent to meet her daughter Farah. In this chat we discuss: - Diagnosis of lymphoma, harvesting eggs, chemotherapy, tumor, stem cell transplant - Waiting for two years before embarking on IVF – smooth journey -Hematologist revealing he didn’t know of anyone in her situation that got p...

A redemptive second birth story that Lynnaire totally deserved after experiencing 3 miscarriages, pre-eclampsia, induction at 34 weeks to daughter Riley. In this chat today we discuss: -2 miscarriages prior to first pregnancy led to anxiety infirst trimester -Third trimester swelling 32 weeks diagnosis of severe preeclampsia -Birth at 34 weeks via 3 day induction, balloon, misoprostal,epidural, su...

Dalen speaks about the different feelings she had between her first birth and second with feeling disconnected in her first birth to Oaklee but very grounded and present for Asher’s birth. This is an episode where there is definitely quite a difference between first birth and second birth experiences. In this chat we cover: -Being a younger mum -Intense long labour (convinced it would be fast) for...

Having enjoyed a very smooth pregnancy and feeling excited about her home bus birth Gemma was not expecting the curveball of a pre-eclampsia diagnosis just beforeweek 40. In this episode our chat includes: - Excited for birth, being surrounded by positive stories & the plan was a homebirth in their house bus - Diagnosis of pre-eclampsia just prior to week 40 and resistance to a hospital birth...

" Do not underestimate the power of mental preparation. It's just so important. I wish that I'd done hypnobirthing the first time. I wish that I'd mentally prepared better the first time." Midwife Courtney shares her experiences of a hospital birth to Molly and homebirth to Teddy – both are posterior births. Within this chat we cover: -Courtney’s experience as a midwife of 3...

Rachel shares her experience of 4 pregnancies withHyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) and her 4 positive births to Rhys, Harper, Brooklyn and George. In this episode our chat includes: - Rhys born 2020 at 38 weeks + 5 days, a straight forwardbirth with 4 hours of established labour, -difficult after pains -Pregnant again soon after and dealing with HG with an 8month old -Harper 2022 – born at week 40. Rac...

Elyn says she "hit the jackpot" by finding this podcast and the Positive Births resources. She did an amazing job, and she has so much to share with you. In this episode we discuss: - -Conception while on her OE and having to choose a midwife from overseas  - Superficial thrombosis on foot lead to practising breathing while getting a needle into her stomach each night -Spontaneous labour...

What a transformative journey Erin went through in her pregnancy, from being terrified of everything about giving birth to achieving a straight forward, uncomplicated, home waterbirth. In this episode our chat includes: -Erin’s fears and how that was a barrier to her considering becoming a mother -Nerves about miscarriage, was worried throughout her pregnancy - the Blake's pouch syndrome, - A...

Beth shares her ‘calm and measured’ experience of c-section following induction at 41+5. In this chat we discuss: -Easy conception despite irregular periods -Using hypnobirthing to feel empowered -PUPPPS from 40 weeks -Induction 41.5 balloon induction & misoprostal -Using breath mints in labour to help with nausea caused by the gas -Set up in hospital space -Epidural -Calm C-Section -Keeping o...

Emily shares some powerful messages and her learnings from her second pregnancy and birth following a difficult first birth to Alfie. In this chat today we discuss: -First pregnancy planned home birth but transferred to hospital after long labour -Limited midwife choice due to rural location -Experienced interventions she didn’t want -Reflection on birth trauma and emotional impact -Use of Havenin...

Enjoy a process of softening your mind and body in your pregnancy so that relaxation feels more natural and accessible for you to use anytime, anywhere including your birth. This track is just the starting process of a set of tools, techniques and mindset skills you can learn in the Positive Births hypnobirthing course. If you'd like to find out more about a range of in person and online cours...

Zoe compares her two births to Jackson and Kalia sharing her learnings along the way. In this chat we discuss: -Ignorance is bliss vs being informed and knowledge is power -Declining the gestation diabetes glucose challenge test -Using hypnobirthing tools in labour and postpartum -Breastfeeding challenges and tongue tie -Placenta encapsulation -Homebirth with support of Doula -Home waterbirth expe...

Despite all of the challenges in her pregnancy and birth, Laura looks back and feels positive about her experience. As she says "for so many they would call the birth I had traumatic or scary. For me, it was everything but that. It was beautiful because my mindset was different.” In this episode we cover: Laura’s birth 9 yrs ago to Oliver, who was breech so she had a planned c-section -Indeci...

A positive induction story after Holly intentionally did the work to make sure she was calm as opposed to being anxious or worried in her pregnancy. In this episode we chat about: Holly’s mum doing Hypnobirthing in 1989 Holly and Aarons hypnobirthing preparation How Holly didn’t want induction or c section Induction at 42 weeks with Misoprostal Quick birth with no interventions or pain releif Baby...

Sara’s connection with her spirit baby before conception lead her on an intense healing journey after her first traumatic birth a couple of years prior. In this episode we cover a broad (and very juicy) range of topics, which include: -Connection to baby after a difficult birth -Men with birth trauma and Postnatal depression -Connection with Spirit Babies -A variety of mental, emotional and physic...

"It's never  it's never really smooth sailing" was how Claudia felt during her second pregnancy and she had every right to feel that way. Claudia's birth journeys involved a huge amount of resilience, determination, time and effort and in our chat together I’m so grateful she shares all the details. Topics discussed in this episode are: -PCOS, and fertility journey; including...

Two positive birth stories are possible! This episode is dedicated to all the mums navigating a second pregnancy, having already had one positive birth and wondering if they can have another. It’s a very normal doubt. Kaitlin shares with us her two births to Reuben and Rone. Her first birth was in a hospital in Melbourne, the second a homebirth in Christchurch. Within this episode we hear about :...

Holly was excited about birth and happy to just roll with it– the plan was to “birth a baby”. Inspired by attending her sister's fifth birth in her pregnancy Holly learnt some skills and tools from the Positive Births online Birth with Calm and Confidence course and you’ll hear what her favourite tools were in her pregnancy and labour. Unable to find an LMC in her area she was enrolled with ac...

Clementine shares the journey of the births of her two children and the profound difference preparation and support can make. Her first birth with her son Theo began with very little antenatal preparation, and became a difficult hospital experience that left her feeling overwhelmed and unsupported at times. In her second pregnancy Clementine recognised that her previous experience had impacted her...