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Send us a text On today’s final episode of 2025, Aimee and Laura catch up on what’s been happening in their lives and reflect on the year that’s been. They also chat about what’s next and share their plans for the podcast in the year ahead. A huge thank you to everyone who tuned in this year, and a special thank you to those who’ve been with the podcast from the very beginning. The support throughout the year has meant more than words can say. Support the show @homebirthstoriesaustralia Support the show by buying us a coffee! Please be advised that this podcast may contain explicit language. Listener discretion is advised. The information, statistics, and research presented in this podcast are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. All information discussed can be found online and is provided in the links in the show notes. It is always recommended to conduct your own research and make informed decisions. We advise you to discuss any topics or concerns with your healthcare provider. While we strive to incorporate the most up-to-date research in our episodes, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of the information discussed on the show.

Send us a text In this episode, Elizabeth, a midwife and first-time mum, shares the story of her pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey. She always knew she wanted a homebirth, and the moment she saw her positive pregnancy test she contacted her private midwife to begin planning. During pregnancy she also reflects on how her work as a midwife brought up certain fears and vicarious trauma. She talks about how going on leave before birth gave her the space to process these feelings and prepare emotionally for her own experience. Elizabeth went into labour on her due date, and her labour unfolded over 26 hours from her first surge to the moment her daughter was born. At 40+1, she gave birth in the bath at home, surrounded by her partner, her mum, her two sisters, a birth photographer, and a student midwife. Her baby arrived with one hand next to her face. Elizabeth describes feeling a shift during labour and instinctively changing positions to help her baby move down. She also shares her experience of having a second-degree tear. In the postpartum period, she navigated her daughter’s oral ties, which led to 12 challenging weeks of painful breastfeeding. During this time, she decided to remove dairy from her diet while breastfeeding, which had a huge positive impact on her daughter. She also talks about how her family approached co-sleeping and eventually found what worked best for them. Support the show @homebirthstoriesaustralia Support the show by buying us a coffee! Please be advised that this podcast may contain explicit language. Listener discretion is advised. The information, statistics, and research presented in this podcast are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. All information discussed can be found online and is provided in the links in the show notes. It is always recommended to conduct your own research and make informed decisions. We advise you to discuss any topics or concerns with your healthcare provider. While we strive to incorporate the most up-to-date research in our episodes, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of the information discussed on the show.

Send us a text In this episode, Georgia from Western Australia shares the two birth experiences that shaped her journey into motherhood. Her first birth at 41+1 began with an induction and unfolded in ways she hadn’t anticipated. Georgia speaks about labouring on her own for a period — even after asking for her partner and doula, who weren’t allowed in right away — and being offered pharmaceutical pain relief before having an epidural. Her baby was born with the help of a vacuum, along with an episiotomy and a second-degree tear. She also reflects on missing that initial skin-to-skin moment and the breastfeeding challenges that followed as she navigated her baby’s reflux. Falling pregnant again just seven months later, Georgia followed her intuition toward a more supported experience. She chose a private midwife and planned a homebirth that felt more aligned. At 41 weeks she birthed her 4.3kg baby at home, experiencing another second-degree tear and transferring to hospital. Support the show @homebirthstoriesaustralia Support the show by buying us a coffee! Please be advised that this podcast may contain explicit language. Listener discretion is advised. The information, statistics, and research presented in this podcast are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. All information discussed can be found online and is provided in the links in the show notes. It is always recommended to conduct your own research and make informed decisions. We advise you to discuss any topics or concerns with your healthcare provider. While we strive to incorporate the most up-to-date research in our episodes, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of the information discussed on the show.

Send us a text In this episode, Katie shares the stories of her two births. After a long journey to conceive, her first pregnancy was marked by hyperemesis gravidarum. With the support of a Midwifery Group Practice, she went into spontaneous labour and gave birth in hospital. Katie reflects on the overwhelming moments immediately after birth, the early challenges of breastfeeding, and how she gradually established feeding over the following months. Just six months later, Katie conceived again and experienced hyperemesis gravidarum for a second time. Planning a homebirth, she describes how the birth unfolded, her transfer to hospital due to a postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) and large blood clots, and her recovery afterward. She also shares her baby’s laryngomalacia diagnosis and how it shaped her second breastfeeding journey. Where to find Katie: Shes True Blue InstagramYeah the girls off road Instagram Support the show @homebirthstoriesaustralia Support the show by buying us a coffee! Please be advised that this podcast may contain explicit language. Listener discretion is advised. The information, statistics, and research presented in this podcast are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. All information discussed can be found online and is provided in the links in the show notes. It is always recommended to conduct your own research and make informed decisions. We advise you to discuss any topics or concerns with your healthcare provider. While we strive to incorporate the most up-to-date research in our episodes, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of the information discussed on the show.

Send us a text In this episode, Emma, a mum from Western Australia, shares her two very different birth experiences. During her first pregnancy, Emma received GP shared care and went in for reduced movements late in pregnancy. A scan suggested her baby was measuring large, and she was induced. After a long pushing phase, she birthed her 4.59kg baby via caesarean. For her second birth, Emma chose a completely different model of care — working with a private midwife and planning a homebirth after caesarean (HBAC). She reflects on how different the care, support, and overall experience were the second time around. After her daughter was born at home, they were transferred to hospital due to breathing difficulties, where her baby received CPAP support. Emma also opens up about her breastfeeding journeys with both babies — how unique each experience was, and what she learned along the way. Links: Great Birth Rebellion Podcast Support the show @homebirthstoriesaustralia Support the show by buying us a coffee! Please be advised that this podcast may contain explicit language. Listener discretion is advised. The information, statistics, and research presented in this podcast are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. All information discussed can be found online and is provided in the links in the show notes. It is always recommended to conduct your own research and make informed decisions. We advise you to discuss any topics or concerns with your healthcare provider. While we strive to incorporate the most up-to-date research in our episodes, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of the information discussed on the show.

Send us a text In this episode of our Homebirth Transfer Mini-Series, we speak with Sarah, who shares her two very different birth experiences—both at the same hospital, but under two very different models of care. Her first birth, under the care of a private midwifery group within the hospital, involved a long stretch of prodromal labour, an induction at 42+ weeks, and an artificial rupture of membranes where meconium was present. After a lengthy labour, Sarah made the decision to take control of the situation and have a caesarean. Her second pregnancy began with plans to birth at home, supported by a privately hired midwife. When her waters broke at 39 weeks, Sarah waited several days, carefully monitoring her health and signs of infection. On her second visit to hospital, she was transferred into the public system, where they discovered her baby was in breech position. Faced with limited options, she chose to have a caesarean. Throughout her journey, Sarah weighed up the risks and benefits at every turn, advocating for herself and her baby by asking questions, doing research, and making decisions as she navigated the challenges of labour, birth, and postpartum. Support the show @homebirthstoriesaustralia Support the show by buying us a coffee! Please be advised that this podcast may contain explicit language. Listener discretion is advised. The information, statistics, and research presented in this podcast are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. All information discussed can be found online and is provided in the links in the show notes. It is always recommended to conduct your own research and make informed decisions. We advise you to discuss any topics or concerns with your healthcare provider. While we strive to incorporate the most up-to-date research in our episodes, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of the information discussed on the show.

Send us a text We’re back (briefly!) for a mid-season catch-up and your Insta questions In this bonus ep, Aimee and Laura jump on the mic for a life update and to answer some of the great questions you sent in on Instagram. We chat about how we’re both doing, what’s been happening behind the scenes, and dive into topics like Anti-D, becoming a doula (and our thoughts on it), transferring from a planned homebirth due to pregnancy-induced hypertension, and more. Links: Ani-D explained - Dr Sara WickhamMidwives' Cauldron Podcast - Dr Sara Wickham - Anti-D Support the show @homebirthstoriesaustralia Support the show by buying us a coffee! Please be advised that this podcast may contain explicit language. Listener discretion is advised. The information, statistics, and research presented in this podcast are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. All information discussed can be found online and is provided in the links in the show notes. It is always recommended to conduct your own research and make informed decisions. We advise you to discuss any topics or concerns with your healthcare provider. While we strive to incorporate the most up-to-date research in our episodes, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of the information discussed on the show.

Send us a text In this episode, we speak with Rebecca, a mother of two from Perth, Western Australia. Rebecca shares her powerful and deeply personal birth stories — from her first homebirth to her second birth, a freebirth. Rebecca begins by taking us through her pregnancies, both of which were marked by hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) lasting up to 20 weeks. She opens up about the physical and emotional challenges of navigating pregnancy while managing HG. For her first birth, Rebecca chose a homebirth with the support of a private midwife, opting not to go through the Community Midwifery Program (CMP). She went into labor at 40 weeks and 6 days, and during labour, performed a forward-leaning inversion to help reposition her baby, who wasn’t quite in an ideal position. She chose a managed third stage for this birth. With her second pregnancy, Rebecca decided on a wild pregnancy — choosing not to engage in routine medical care or monitoring — and ultimately had a freebirth. She experienced several days of prodromal labour leading up to the birth and gave birth to her second baby at 41 weeks and 6 days — on Christmas Day. Support the show @homebirthstoriesaustralia Support the show by buying us a coffee! Please be advised that this podcast may contain explicit language. Listener discretion is advised. The information, statistics, and research presented in this podcast are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. All information discussed can be found online and is provided in the links in the show notes. It is always recommended to conduct your own research and make informed decisions. We advise you to discuss any topics or concerns with your healthcare provider. While we strive to incorporate the most up-to-date research in our episodes, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of the information discussed on the show.

Send us a text In this episode, we speak with Tate—midwife, mother, and passionate advocate for physiological birth. Tate takes us through her path to becoming a midwife and her time working within the system as an MGP midwife, where she came face-to-face with the harsh reality: the system is not set up for true woman-centred care. Hospital policies, rigid protocols, and the fact that maternity care operates like a business often leave women and midwives disempowered. When Tate became pregnant with her first baby, she experienced hyperemesis gravidarum from just five weeks and required several ED visits for fluids. She shares how this intense time challenged her physically and emotionally, and how she leaned on supports like acupuncture and regular sessions with her psychologist to get through. Tate also opens up about experiencing bleeding in her first trimester, and how a diagnosis of a “short cervix” brought pressure from the hospital to start progesterone—something she declined, trusting in her baby and body instead. As a midwife herself, Tate reflects on how difficult it was to switch off her clinical brain and instead midwife herself through the process.  Links: Intuitive Birth Collective - MidwifeJerusha Sutton - Birth PhotographerSupport the show @homebirthstoriesaustralia Support the show by buying us a coffee! Please be advised that this podcast may contain explicit language. Listener discretion is advised. The information, statistics, and research presented in this podcast are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. All information discussed can be found online and is provided in the links in the show notes. It is always recommended to conduct your own research and make informed decisions. We advise you to discuss any topics or concerns with your healthcare provider. While we strive to incorporate the most up-to-date research in our episodes, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of the information discussed on the show.

Send us a text In this episode, Renee shares her experience of choosing a home birth for her first baby, explaining what led her to that decision and how she prepared for it.  She speaks openly about her intense journey with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), describing the constant nausea, relentless vomiting, and exhaustion that lasted throughout her entire pregnancy — right up until the moment she gave birth. Renee talks about everything she tried to manage it, including medications, IV fluids, and natural approaches, and the emotional and physical toll of living with little relief. She also reflects on the financial strain caused by months of sickness and lost work.  At 17 weeks, she experienced a small bleed, adding extra worry during an already difficult time. She also discusses what it was like breastfeeding her large toddler while pregnant and how demanding that was on her body. Finally, Renee shares how she’s working to heal — physically, emotionally, and mentally — after such a challenging pregnancy. Links: Embrace Midwifery ServicesHER foundation  Support the show @homebirthstoriesaustralia Support the show by buying us a coffee! Please be advised that this podcast may contain explicit language. Listener discretion is advised. The information, statistics, and research presented in this podcast are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. All information discussed can be found online and is provided in the links in the show notes. It is always recommended to conduct your own research and make informed decisions. We advise you to discuss any topics or concerns with your healthcare provider. While we strive to incorporate the most up-to-date research in our episodes, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of the information discussed on the show.

Send us a text In this episode, Ebony shares the story of her first birth — a journey that began with a planned homebirth and unfolded in unexpected ways. After a long labour and signs of possible malposition, her care team discovered meconium in the waters and an elevated heart rate in her baby. At that point, Ebony made the decision to transfer to hospital via ambulance. At the hospital, doctors attempted a manual rotation and three vacuum-assisted birth attempts before her baby was born by caesarean. Ebony speaks openly about the intensity of the experience, the breastfeeding challenges she faced in the early weeks, and how she worked through the emotional impact of the transfer with support from a psychologist. Links: Mothers & Babies Report - Instrumental BirthVacuum Extraction InfoForceps Delivery InfoQLD Clinical Guidelines - Instrumental Vaginal BirthSupport the show @homebirthstoriesaustralia Support the show by buying us a coffee! Please be advised that this podcast may contain explicit language. Listener discretion is advised. The information, statistics, and research presented in this podcast are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. All information discussed can be found online and is provided in the links in the show notes. It is always recommended to conduct your own research and make informed decisions. We advise you to discuss any topics or concerns with your healthcare provider. While we strive to incorporate the most up-to-date research in our episodes, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of the information discussed on the show.

Send us a text Today we interviewed Cally, who shared her experiences across two very different births. Her first pregnancy took place during COVID, where limited access to care led her to an OB by default. Red flags emerged throughout the pregnancy, but she continued with the same provider. After a long posterior labour that ended in an epidural and Syntocinon, she began to reflect more deeply on her birth choices. We also spoke about her breastfeeding journey—navigating early challenges, pumping and bottle-feeding for nearly two years—and her experience with a medically managed miscarriage, which she approached with intention and care. In her third pregnancy, Cally initially returned to her OB but switched to a private midwife at 26 weeks after feeling unsupported in her birth preferences. She went on to plan a homebirth that honoured her values and autonomy. When a postpartum hemorrhage occurred, it was swiftly and effectively managed by her midwifery team at home—including resuscitation—demonstrating the high level of skill and preparedness within well-supported homebirth care. Links: Mama Midwives Core & Floor Restore Free Antenatal ClassesThe Pink Elephant Support Network Red Nose  Info on APGAR Score Ten years of publicly funded homebirth services in Victoria Mothers & Babies Report - APGAR dataNational Core Maternity Indicators - APGARWhat is Medical management of miscarriage Support the show @homebirthstoriesaustralia Support the show by buying us a coffee! Please be advised that this podcast may contain explicit language. Listener discretion is advised. The information, statistics, and research presented in this podcast are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. All information discussed can be found online and is provided in the links in the show notes. It is always recommended to conduct your own research and make informed decisions. We advise you to discuss any topics or concerns with your healthcare provider. While we strive to incorporate the most up-to-date research in our episodes, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of the information discussed on the show.

Send us a text In this episode of our mini-series on homebirth transfer, we share the story of Tiahn, a mother who, inspired by the documentary Birth Time, knew that homebirth was the path for her. As she approached 42 + weeks, concerns about potential pre-eclampsia arose, but she made the choice to decline induction and continue her pregnancy. Throughout her journey, Tiahn faced significant pressure from friends and family, especially towards the end of her pregnancy and even during labour. Despite this, she stayed firm in her decision to follow her instincts and birth her baby on her own terms. After a long labour at home, she opted to transfer to the hospital. During labour, she chose to rest with an epidural, but complications soon emerged when her baby’s heart rate dropped and meconium was found in the waters after an artificial rupture of membranes. A caesarean was quickly recommended. Links: Birth Time DocoSpinning Babies Support the show @homebirthstoriesaustralia Support the show by buying us a coffee! Please be advised that this podcast may contain explicit language. Listener discretion is advised. The information, statistics, and research presented in this podcast are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. All information discussed can be found online and is provided in the links in the show notes. It is always recommended to conduct your own research and make informed decisions. We advise you to discuss any topics or concerns with your healthcare provider. While we strive to incorporate the most up-to-date research in our episodes, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of the information discussed on the show.

Send us a text In today’s episode, we chat with Alinta, a mother who has experienced the beauty and challenges of homebirths for both her children. Alinta shares the powerful story of her first birth, which took place at her mother's house after a 37-hour labour journey. Living a few hours away from a hospital in a remote location, Alinta chose to be with her mum for support during the long labour. For her second birth, Alinta chose to have her baby at home, in a space she found most comfortable. This time, she welcomed a 4.7kg baby into the world. In addition to her homebirths, Alinta also shares how she supported a friend by donating breast milk during her postpartum period with her second child. Support the show @homebirthstoriesaustralia Support the show by buying us a coffee! Please be advised that this podcast may contain explicit language. Listener discretion is advised. The information, statistics, and research presented in this podcast are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. All information discussed can be found online and is provided in the links in the show notes. It is always recommended to conduct your own research and make informed decisions. We advise you to discuss any topics or concerns with your healthcare provider. While we strive to incorporate the most up-to-date research in our episodes, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of the information discussed on the show.

Send us a text In today’s episode, we are joined by Ellena, who shares the deeply personal and transformative stories of both of her births. Ellena’s first birth journey was marked by unexpected challenges, as she faced an emergency caesarean at 34 weeks after being diagnosed with eclampsia. She opens up about the subtle, often overlooked signs of the condition during her pregnancy and reflects on the surreal experience of having her son under general anesthesia after suffering an eclamptic seizure. Ellena describes the emotional and physical hurdles she faced as her baby spent time in NICU and she herself was in ICU, while also navigating the complexities of breastfeeding a premature baby. For her second birth, Ellena sought out a private midwife and chose to have a homebirth, giving birth to her daughter at 42+1 weeks. She discusses how she took a proactive approach, conducting extensive research and preparing herself mentally and physically, aware of the slim possibility of experiencing eclampsia once more—yet this time, her journey was different. Ellena beautifully recounts how she created a birth experience that felt empowering, culminating in the peaceful birth of her daughter on her own bed, in the comfort of her home. Links: Eclampsia in Australia & NZ: A prospective population-based studyAustralian Action on Pre-Eclampsia Website RANZCOG - high blood pressure & pre-eclampsia Support the show @homebirthstoriesaustralia Support the show by buying us a coffee! Please be advised that this podcast may contain explicit language. Listener discretion is advised. The information, statistics, and research presented in this podcast are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. All information discussed can be found online and is provided in the links in the show notes. It is always recommended to conduct your own research and make informed decisions. We advise you to discuss any topics or concerns with your healthcare provider. While we strive to incorporate the most up-to-date research in our episodes, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of the information discussed on the show.