The Positive Births NZ podcast

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. Rachel took laxatives the day before to see if that would help ramp things up, fast efficient birth, struggled to bond, hard to settle baby
-Third pregnancy with Brooklyn in 2024 was the most difficultHG experience
-Incredible support from Timaru hospital
-Moving house around due date, laxatives to get labourstarted
-George 2026 – very different experience with Waikato DHB,luckily HG didn’t last as long as previous pregnancies,  born 38+5 labour story a little bit different from his siblings likely due to position.
You can find Rachel’s baby boutique: Zus and Co: @zusandco.nz, www.zusandco.co.nz
Mentioned as a supplement support for HG and general morning sickness: Weareaggie.co.nz
Use discount code: AGGIEPB20 for a 20% discount of the Morning Relief supplements
If you would like to learn a range of skills to help youmentally prepare for labour and birth check out your options at www.positivebirths.co.nz
For more chats and info on preparing for your positive birthfollow us @positive_births_nz

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 at 40+1, at home until body was pushing
-Having to hold on and fight the urge to push car ride to birthcentre and stuck behind a tractor
-Meconium in waters and how that impacted the pushing stage
-Challenges breastfeeding, triple feeding, postpartum anxiety
-Learnings from the breastfeeding journey, postpartum preparation and discussion of Matrescence
Mentioned is the book Matrescence by Lucy Jones
If you too would like to prepare for your postpartum with some tools and strategies to cope mentally and emotionally (regardless of what plays out) you might like to register for the next online course of the Positive Postpartum workshop.
Book here: www.positivebirths.co.nz/positive-postpartum
To order the Positive Birth in NZ book: www.positivebirths.co.nz/book-positive-birth-in-nz/
For more chats, info, inspiration and positive birth tips and tricks follow @positive_births_nz

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 placenta in two pieces. (bilobed or bipartite placenta)
-Natural labour occurring at 39 weeks, straight forward home waterbirth with no internal checks.
If you have phobias, fears, anxiety, fear, concerns about your birth it can be very beneficial to work on releasing and reducing the emotional charge from them. There are a range of hypnotherapy tools Helen can support you with to help you move through any difficult topics and feelings. For more information reach out to [email protected]

For more chats, info, inspiration and positive birth preparation follow @positive_births_nz

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 on top of pain relief after surgery
If you would like to use hypnobirthing skills on what ever journey your birth takes you – and for postpartum life too, head to www.positivebirths.co.nz to find a range of course options.
For more chats, info, inspiration and positive birth preparation follow @positive_births_nz

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 Havening therapy to process and release trauma and anger
-Second pregnancy Initially considered a freebirth, but chose a supportive midwife
-Very clear boundaries: minimal interaction, no vaginal exams, undisturbed space
-Letting go of over-preparation and focusing on inner connection
-Importance of intuition in both birth and motherhood
-Choice of midwife impacting on experiences
If you would like to focus on connecting within and incorporate breathwork, mindfulness and relaxation tools for your pregnancy, birth and postpartum head to www.positivebirths.co.nz to find a range of online and live course options. Helen also provides support for birth healing as a certified hypnotherapist and Healing Birth practitioner. Contact Helen at [email protected]
For more chats, info, inspiration and positive birth preparation follow @positive_births_nz