The Positive Births NZ podcast

Abby shares her reasons and priorities as to why she chose to have an elective c-section to second baby Rorah and how this became her best decision for a positive birth.
We hear about her difficult journey involving an emergency c-section to first baby Ari and subsequent severe postnatal anxiety and the loneliness of solo parenting. However, after enjoying a very different birth and postpartum to Rorah, Abby has set up a support system for other parents needing postpartum support.
In this episode we cover:
-Single mum journey with first baby
-Emergency/crash c section with Ari
-Postnatal anxiety and the relevant support networks
-Maternal Mental Health
-Abby's thoughts and feelings about what happened through that birth and how it impacted on her plans for 2nd baby
-Fear of going through the same experience
-Hyperemesis Gravadarium
- Why Abby chose a c-section – her priorities
-The birth and oxytocin
-Breasteeding and a healing postpartum
-Making hard decisions
-Post partum services for mums near Hibiscus Coast, Orewa
Abby can be found at: www.parentsupportpostpartum.co.nz @parentsupportpostpartum

For a range of courses offering practical hypnobirthing tools, techniques and skills to feel calm, confident and capable for any type of birth see www.positivebirths.co.nz
For support with trauma, fears, phobias and more feel free to reach out to Helen who is a certified trauma informed Hypnotherapist, and Healing Birth practitioner - you can book a no obligation 15 min chat by emailing helen@positivebirths.co.nz
Follow for more positive birth stories and information @positive_births_nz

"The biggest achievement of my life...... it's about taking personal responsibility"
Jaz shares her experience of her wild pregnancy and freebirth to her and Issak's first baby, Sage.
Within this conversation we cover :
-The unique environment when she discovered she was pregnant and how she told partner Issak
-Wild pregnancy– no blood tests, no scans, no medical support or intervention
-Taking full personal responsibility
-Other people’s thoughts; a midwife’s comments
-The sacredness of the sex, birth, death continuum
-Dealing with any fear
-The birth environment
-Long early labour, using oxytocin and homeopathics
-Very quick birthing phase
-Aware parenting
 
To download your free guide on how to prepare for your positive birth plus a free relaxation track head here:https://www.positivebirths.co.nz/positive-birth-top-resources/
If you'd like to enjoy a course that helps you to feel calm, confident, prepared for any type of birth you'll find online and live course options at positivebirths.co.nz
For more info and inspiration follow us on Instagram @positive_births_nz

A powerful, story of a strong mum in an intense situation for her first birth. Danielle is not traumatized by this birth experience, in fact she is pleased to share about all that went right for her.
In this episode we discuss:
- The decision to have children, oral contraception for 16 years
- Coming to terms with, and processing pregnancy
- Sister inlaw’s stillbirth
- Unicorn pregnancy
- learning hypnobirthing tools for mindset shift
- Reasons to avoid hospital
- Finishing work at 40 weeks pregnant
- 41+5 and no pressure to induce
- Using a TENS machine
- Fast progression of labour
 - Baby became bradycardic and Danielle needed to push hard to get him out in 4 mins
- Baby born with cranial hematoma
- Danielle’s midwives support and comments
To download your free guide on how to prepare for yourpositive birth plus a free relaxation track head here: https://www.positivebirths.co.nz/positive-birth-top-resources/
For a range of in person and online courses along with personal sessions with Helen see www.positivebirths.co.nz
For more info and inspiration follow on @positive_births_nz

Anna's fast birth of her 4th baby in hospital while synthetic oxytocin was being 'threatened' as her membranes had released almost 2 days prior.
In this chat we cover:
-Miscarriage before Freddy’s conception
-First part of pregnancy worried about loss – listening toheartbeat helped
-Fear release
-Membrane release but no sign of labour within 36 hours.
-Labour starts naturally in hospital just before syntheticoxytocin given
-Wireless monitor not picking up baby’s heartbeat
-One hour established labour
-Astrologically a special day to be born
 You can listen to Anna’s 3 other birth experiences here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4OkZFja4KOnK5lhyJgt1O8
If you're having your third or fourth baby too and would like a set of tools to feel calm, empowered and confident (and tools that are useful postpartum too!) here's the best course for you: https://www.positivebirths.co.nz/online-recorded-classes/
For more info and inspiration for a positive birth follow @positive_births_nz
To download your free guide on how to prepare for your positive birth plus a free relaxation track head here:https://www.positivebirths.co.nz/positive-birth-top-resources/

While the circumstances around Finley's arrival could have been traumatic Amy is speaking here as a mum who has many positives to share during her journey to meet her baby. It was necessary to have a c-section and she felt calm, safe and empowered throughout.
*Trigger warning that we cover the details of the difficulty of Finley coming out during the caesarean due to his transverse position.
In this episode we chat on the following topics:
-Fear of not being able to have babies
-Miscarriage (which turned septic)
-we mention : Massage for Miscarriage
-Using different midwife for pregnancy and birth due to preferred birth location
-Transverse positioning of baby  at end of pregnancy
-37 weeks waters start leaking
-C section process
-Baby born with bruising
-VBAC stats (see below)
To download your free guide on how to prepare for your positive birth plus a free relaxation track head here: https://www.positivebirths.co.nz/positive-birth-top-resources/

If you would like to feel calm, confident and empowered no matter what your birth journey involves head to www.positivebirths.co.nz.
You'll find a range of live and recorded course options plus one on one sessions available with Helen.
For more info and inspiration follow us @positive_births_nz
VBAC stats mentioned: Statistics come from various resources and presented in Kristin White’s VBAC workshop 2025. @kristindoula.birtheducator
NZ stats only 10% of mothers will chose a VBAC of those, 70% will be successful
Uterine rupture risk after 1 previous c-section is approx. 0.5%, after 2 c-sections 0.9%
Statistically more likely to have a cord prolapse or shoulder dystocia.
Statistically more likely to have a uterine rupture if you have synthetic oxytocin than through a VBAC