Healing Birth with Carla

• The Wise Women Network - protecting physiology & autonomy in birth

  Today I bring you a bit of a different episode. I’m joined by six women who, like me, are core members of the Wise Women Network. This is a fast growing movement that aims to protect physiological birth and champion women-led care through connections with birth-workers and mothers who are seeking our support. Tune in to hear more about our ‘why’ and be inspired by our fire, heart and passion.**If you want to be a part of the Wise Women Network, you can join us on the following social media pages**Facebook group aimed at birth worker support and information: Wise Women Network NZ Facebook group aimed at consumer support and information: Wise Women Network: Birth Support (to Birth YOUR Way)Instagram @wisewomennetwork_nz

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• From Abuse & Trauma to Healing Work With New Mums - Naomi’s Story

  Please note that this episode includes discussions of domestic violence and suicidal thoughts. Listener discretion is advised. If these topics are distressing for you, you may wish to skip this episode or listen with support. Relevant Aotearoa/NZ helplines are accessible at the bottom of these show notes.Naomi’s story is a troubling, heart-wrenching listen. She bravely lets us in on the abuse and trauma she endured as a young first-time mum in a violent relationship with a manipulative man who would later become her husband. Together they had two more children, both healing home births, but the domestic abuse continued.One day, whilst working a shift as a midwife, Naomi spotted a brochure that stated, “family violence changes the brains of our children.” This realisation was the final straw for Naomi. She knew she needed to protect her babies from growing up in this abusive household, and she left their dad for the final time. He still had contact with the children, though no formal parental agreement was instated. Fuelled by anger and jealousy, when he discovered Naomi had met a new man, he took the children and told her she wouldn’t be getting them back. The police could do nothing. Naomi desperately tried to get her children safely back into her care. But after many months of battling the system, and despite a clear history of abuse, including multiple protection orders, Naomi ultimately lost custody of her children to her violent ex. She was utterly powerless to protect her babies, something that nearly killed her.Find out how Naomi not only found the will to live, but went on to have another baby to a beautiful man, and now works to help heal the hearts of other wounded mothers. Her story is both deeply disturbing and profoundly inspiring.Also discussed in this episode:* contemplating abortion* protection orders for physical and psychological violence* pressured into medical pain relief - Pethidine & Epidural* lack of bond with newborn* Raynaud’s Syndrome (breastfeeding)* pressured to give formula to baby* Postnatal depression & anxiety* Maternal Mental Health support - Aropax* CBT* Nursing & midwifery training* Siblings at birth* Gambling addiction* Court appointed psychologist (bias towards father)* contemplating suicide* Mama’s Tribe * Healing Birth Practitioner Training* 42 week pregnancy* PROM & meconium stained waters* Syntocinon* healing & empowering cesarean* Wise Women Network NZ* sleep consultancy - responsive settling* postpartum sleep deprivationAotearoa/NZ HelplinesLifeline - 0800 543 354 or free text HELP to 4357Women’s Refuge 24/7 Crisis Line - 0800 REFUGE (0800 733 843)Shine (DV support) - 0508 744 6331737 - Need to talk? Free call or text 1737Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865Connect with Naomi on FacebookJoin The Mamas Tribe on FacebookFor coaching (mama, baby or trauma related) with Naomi email her on [email protected] the Wise Women Network Facebook groupCheck out my (Carla's) Healing Birth Practitioner Training course

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• Michelle’s Breech Home Birth and Breastfeeding Trials & Tribulations

  In strong labour, birthing her first baby at home, Michelle was unexpectedly met with the news that her baby was breech. Supported by a trusted care team, she went on to confidently birth her big boy in her lounge. High on magical birth hormones, basking in the glory of what she’d just achieved and marvelling at the gorgeous human she’d created, Michelle was unaware that she’d sustained a decent tear. But that wasn’t a problem. It went on to heal naturally, without fuss. The real challenge came with breastfeeding. Michelle couldn’t make sufficient milk to meet Beren’s needs, and had to supplement feed throughout his babyhood. This was a source of absolute struggle and heartbreak for Michelle. Today she shares with us the trials and tribulations of her breastfeeding journey, both with her first born, and then with Willis, her second child, also born at home (but this time, head down). Even now, as she reflects on her 12 years old story, the emotions run high. Oftentimes birth is a breeze compared to the breastfeeding challenges that some are met with. Michelle’s story is a testament to this.Also discussed in this episode:* importance of good relationship with midwife* holding boundaries* meconium* Maggie Banks’ books - Homebirth Bound & Breech Birth Woman Wise* partially torn cord with birth of head* consuming placenta* donor breast milk* La Leche League support* supplemental nursing system* water birth* sibling at birth

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• “Not a fast food midwife, but a chef” - Sharon’s Story

  It was the following Suzanne Arms quote, that inspired my guest today, Sharon Robinson, to become a midwife:“If we are to create a nonviolent world where respect and kindness replace fear and hatred, we must begin with how we treat each other at the beginning of life, for that is where our deepest patterns are set. From these roots grow fear and alienation, or love and trust.”As a new grad, Sharon left her home in the US to practice midwifery in NZ because of our “gold standard” midwifery care. However, she was met with challenges - hierarchies, power-plays, professional jealousy, over-medicalisation - that stifled her ability to practice where and how she wanted to, and in the ways that she knew women deserved.Sharon shares with us some of the trials and tribulations she has faced throughout her personal and professional life, including childhood abuse at the hands of her father, a mastectomy for breast cancer 10 years ago, and then, last year, being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. We discuss what the role of a midwife is, how the way a woman is treated in birth matters a lot more than her mode of birth, and what birth and midwifery are like in different parts of the world.Also discussed in this episode:* Creating birth plans* Stillbirth* Deep grief versus trauma* Abusive and fraudulent maternity ‘care’ in South Africa* Rights in birth* Informed decision making and consent* Post dates* Induction of labour* Differing roles of midwives and obstetricians* Defensive, risk-centric practice* Home birth midwifery* Collegial support from like-minded midwivesCheck out Sharon’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sharonrobinson.midwifeFind some awesome videos that Sharon has created on her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sharonrobinsonmidwife516Become a part of the Wise Women Network NZ - a global (despite the name) Facebook group for birth workers and birth-passionate consumers who are seeking a reclamation of empowered, undisturbed, physiological birth, supported by wise woman midwives: https://www.facebook.com/groups/538842372367843Follow my (Carla’s) Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/healing.birth/Check out my website here: https://www.healingbirth.co.nz/Email me [email protected] if you have a story that you believe is a good fit for my podcast and that you’re keen to shareYou can also watch this episode, and others, on my Healing Birth YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@healingbirth

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• The Path to a Healing Home Birth - Millie’s Story

  Millie’s father passed away just prior to her first pregnancy. She was consumed by grief and had no capacity to take birth preparation on board. Just shy of 42 weeks pregnant, Millie agreed to an induction and a sequence of disempowering, sometimes traumatising, events played out, including a 3rd degree tear which required 2.5 hours of surgical repair, separating her from her newborn at this critical time.Now, 6 weeks postpartum with her second baby, Millie has quite a different story to share of pregnancy and birth. Encouraged by her midwife, Millie chose a home birth this time, and she did the inner work necessary to set herself up for a vastly different, very empowering, experience.Tune in to hear all about the self work that’s required to honour the need for a healing birth. Millie shares all of her top tips and invaluable resources.Also discussed in this episode:* ARM/Syntocinon* TENS* Unconsented student midwife involvement* FSE* Cervical lip - told not to push* Painful catheterisation* Fetal heart decelerations* PPH* haematoma* physical trauma* Soulful Birth course* Acupuncture* 40 minute physiological 3rd stage* JournalingLearn more about my (Carla’s) Soulful Birth course here: https://www.healingbirth.co.nz/soulfulbirthgroupOr there is the option to do a personalised Soulful Birth For You course with me, 1:1. Check out the details here: https://www.healingbirth.co.nz/soulfulbirthforyou

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