PodcastsKids & FamilyThe Positive Births NZ podcast

The Positive Births NZ podcast

Helen Bartrom
The Positive Births NZ podcast
Latest episode

188 episodes

  • The Positive Births NZ podcast

    #187. Ellen's homebirth to Rowan

    06/07/2026 | 54 mins.
    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 and second baby
    -Fear release exercise bought up subconscious fear instead of what she had expected
    -Tearing in her births
    -Dealing with anaemia in pregnancy
    -Baby born at 38 weeks
    -Laughing with toddler as labour starts = oxytocin
    -Using breathing for labour and for breastfeeding
    -Episiotomy to prevent big tear
    -Turning phone off so no distractions and no need to knowwhat the time was
    -Planned a waterbirth but was fine without the pool
    -Difficulty birthing the placenta, retained piece of membranecame out with a clot a week later at home
    Read the recent research that’s just been released aboutHypnobirthing:
    https://www.womenandbirth.org/article/S1871-5192(26)00056-9/fulltext
    summary: is a study conducted in Australia with a largegroup of women who participated in hypnobirthing education throughout their pregnancy.
    Conclusion:
    Hypnobirthing is associated with a significant reduction inthe use of epidurals, greater use of water immersion, and decreased odds of caesarean section.
    Study suggests that the use of Hypnobirthing during labourcan further support women’s aspirations to avoid pharmacological analgesia and achieve an unassisted vaginal birth.
    They also went onto recommend that - Maternity servicesshould explore ways to provide women with increased access to Hypnobirthing training.

    If you'd like to use the benefits of practical hypnobirthing tools and techniques for your labour, birth and postpartum check out your options at www.positivebirths.co.nz
    For more inspiration and information about positive birth prep follow us @positive_births_nz
  • The Positive Births NZ podcast

    #186. Hayley's births to Lilah and Briar

    28/06/2026 | 1h 6 mins.
    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 induction, membranes released
    -Briar’s conception within first month
    -No fibroids
    -Midwives with different opinions
    -40+3 doubt worry about going into labour, stretch and sweep
    -Different way labour felt induction vs natural
    If you'd like to learn some hypnobirthing tools and techniques for your pregnancy, birth and postpartum, you can find a variety of live and online classes at www.positivebirths.co.nz
    For more info and inspiration follow us @positive_births_nz
  • The Positive Births NZ podcast

    #185. Sofia's homebirth to Atlas

    23/06/2026 | 47 mins.
    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 pelvic floor as having troubles torelease it
    -instinctual postpartum
    Sofia purchased the Positive Births Short n Sweet onlinerecorded course to gain mindset, breathwork, relaxation skills to use through her pregnancy and birth. Find all course options at www.positivebirths.co.nz
    Follow us for more info and inspiration @positive_births_nz
  • The Positive Births NZ podcast

    #184. Teresina's birthcentre waterbirth to Isabella

    17/06/2026 | 1h 15 mins.
    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 intervention and no hospital.
    -Trusting that the body heals and knows what to do
    -Her labour while out walking, progressing as she’s leaving her apartment, navigating traffic to get to the birth centre, baby arriving just minutes later
    To learn the skills Teresina used in her pregnancy, birth and postpartum head to www.positivebirths.co.nz for a range of course options - online and in person.
    For more info and chats about positive birth follow us @positive_births_nz
  • The Positive Births NZ podcast

    #183. Josie's induction and c-section to Emily

    12/06/2026 | 47 mins.
    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 with hospital staff
    The ripple effect
     A reminder that your birth involves your body and your baby, you can choose what feels right for you.  Josie says she feels like she made the right calls along the way to choose induction, epidural and c section – that was the right decision for her.
    If you'd like to explore a range of hypnobirthing options check out www.positivebirths.co.nz. There are online recorded courses, online and in person live courses.
    For more info and inspiration for a positive birth in all sets of circumstances follow us on @positive_births_nz
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About The Positive Births NZ podcast
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
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