Erin bravely opened up about her initial fear of pregnancy and childbirth. Early on, she believed that a C-section under general anesthesia would be the safest and most manageable option for her. However, everything began to shift after she hired a supportive doula and found her midwife. Through their guidance, she discovered the power and beauty of natural, physiological birth—and realized that was the path she truly wanted.As she immersed herself in birth podcasts and practiced hypnobirthing techniques, Erin grew more confident in her ability to give birth naturally. And when the time came—she did just that.Reflecting on her birth experience, she shared, “I was the best version of myself. I was present, calm, confident, and I was just handling it really well.”Baby Wyatt made his entrance into the world in the birth pool, still ‘en caul’—born inside his amniotic sac—a rare occurrence often considered a sign of good luck in many cultures.If you too would like to learn skills and tools for your birth journey head to www.positivebirths.co.nz to find out more.
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1:07:51
#131. Emma's hospital waterbirth to Myles
First time parents looking for a really great birth story –here’s one for you from Emma.Knowing that she needed to be in the right mindset and liked to feel in control it was natural for Emma to seek out hypnobirthing. She shares with us the specific tools and techniques she practised in her pregnancy and successfully used in her birth and postpartum.Other topics you’ll hear about in this chat include: pelvicgirdle pain, her midwife’s support, birth environment, the wonders of oxytocin and a difficult breastfeeding journey. Emma learnt hypnobirthing with Sophie Brooke from www.loveyourbirth.co.nz who is based in Papamoa, NZ.If you too would like to learn skills, tools, techniques andmindset strategies check out Sophie’s courses or the range of support and course options at www.positivebirths.co.nz
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1:16:01
#130. Sam's 4 daughters' births
Sam shares the stories of her 4 daughters’ births – with a focus on Riley’s birth where she found that some hypnobirthing tools and techniques made a huge difference.As busy mum to Olive, Augie, Darcy and now Riley, Sam is also a business owner and prioritised her fitness and strength to help her through life, pregnancy and birth.You’ll hear about her range of experiences of birth - with Olive in England, the stretch and sweep followed by a kidney infection. The sudden return to NZ in 2020 pregnant with Augie, meeting her midwife who she just clicked with. The house renovations, 2 subsequent homebirths and then her 4th pregnancy where there was a little more anxiety.I had to ask Sam: “When you’ve had 3 previous births (2 of them very straightforward at home) why on earth would you need to learn hypnobirthing breathwork and relaxation for your 4th birth?”Sam will tell you it made SUCH a difference.For her to have practised breathing, to have the affirmations, to go off to sleep listening to relaxation tracks with positive information for birth, it helped her to feel a new level of calm and assurance it Sam says she just wishes she had learnt the skills earlier, but she felt so good having the stuff to draw on for Riley’s birth that it was so worth it.I loved hearing about Riley’s birth, how the whole family was there at 430am once she arrived – and you too need to listen to the end; to smile about how the birth pool was eventually used…….If you’d like to learn tools and techniques for your birth – no matter if this is your first pregnancy or your 4th (or 5th or 6th) and no matter what stage of your pregnancy you’re at – head to www.positivebirths.co.nz for a range of course and support options.
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58:25
#129. PJ's fast VBAC to Frankie
"I look back on that day and I cannot help but smile. I'm like, I did it. She just slipped on out.”PJ's body and baby knew exactly what to do when it came to time for Frankie to be born. It was a very fast labour and birth - 2 hours from the first physical signs, to holding Frankie in her arms. While it might have been rather quick PJ says " all of the chaos that was going on at the end just completely faded away. And the oxytocin ride was just insane." In this episode we cover PJ’s first birth experience with Charlie, and the comparisons between a C-Section experience and her VBAC. (VBAC = vaginal birth after C section).PJ shares the tools and techniques she learnt and used, her fear release to help her mentally get into the right space and the mad nesting urge as soon as she finished up at work.You’ll hear about the sudden onset of labour on a day and time that nobody would really have predicted, the fact that they weren’t ready or packed for a trip to the hospital and the moment of tingles – the two deer that made themselves present for both of her births (very cool). Despite the experience being very fast PJ does not feel she was traumatised by the experience but now can really feel the full effects of a physiological birth journey, and how that is positively shaping her mothering experience.We chat about the transformational time of birth – how a birth not only births a baby but a mother and she shares her advise to her younger self (and for anyone else) preparing for labour and birth.If you too want to feel calm, confident and prepared for your positive birth check out the range of information, support, resources and courses at www.positivebirths.nz
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1:10:01
#128. Rose's two homebirths to Oscar and Oliver (and her missed miscarriage experience)
Rose shares her two experiences of homebirth to sons Oscar and Oliver. Plus there’s so much more – topics covered in our chat today include (and are not limited to) :Missed miscarriage and long time to move through this; conception journey before Oliver’s arrival; gender disappointment; music in labour; Mum being the midwife; husband Andre blowing up the birth pool by his breath alone!; My random experiences 30 years ago in Romania (yeah, off topic but arrived into the convo); Dad's role as birth support and parent; family present at the birth. I hope you enjoy this very interesting chat I had with Rose, I really appreciate her open and honest accounts of the difficulties she has experienced – along with the proud achievements of learning how powerful, strong and resilient she is.If you too would like some tools and support for your positive birth journey head to www.positivebirths.co.nz to find a range of resources for you.
Be inspired by positive birth stories from parents across NZ who've used hypnobirthing to help them have a relaxed, calm, confident and empowered birth regardless of the circumstances they navigated. A range of stories exploring what helped birthing parents, what they achieved and what they would do differently if they could do it all again.
To buy the book or check out our classes see www.positivebirths.co.nz
New Zealand