PodcastsKids & FamilyThe Positive Births NZ podcast

The Positive Births NZ podcast

Helen Bartrom
The Positive Births NZ podcast
Latest episode

189 episodes

  • The Positive Births NZ podcast

    #188. Lydia's homebirth to Eloise

    09/07/2026 | 1h 12 mins.
    Lydia is an excellent example of a mum who committed to the hypnobirthing tools and then reaped the rewards – as you’ll hear her explain what made a difference in her second birth to Eloise.
    In this chat we cover:
    - How hypnobirthing made a huge difference for her and her practice routine
    - Sebastian’s birth in hospital, pressure to push
    -Doing everything possible to conceive a girl
    - Moving house and regions in pregnancy
    - Extra monitoring with a small baby, declined induction at 38 weeks
    - Making informed decisions
    - Being pregnant at the same time as her midwife
    - Difference in the sensations using the hypnobirthing tools as opposed to not using them
    Here is the Spotify link to the playlist that Lydia mentions: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5dRjQtPfHtKPAQV6VjqLvl?si=wgCFvjcNTtWdlwWXgb7DHw&pi=n384zBltTA-AK
    If you would like to learn hypnobirthing techniques to make a difference to your birth head to www.positivebirths.co.nz. Helen is NZ’s most experienced facilitator, with 19 years of experience sharing these tools to thousands of couples.
    You’ll find options for personal sessions, small groups live in person or online, or recorded courses.
    Don’t leave your birth prep to chance, your actions will make a difference.
    For more info and inspiration on positive birth prep follow us on @positive_births_nz
  • 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
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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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