S6 EP174: Grace Harris: Two Birth Centre Births, Waters Ruptured, & Birthing a 4.2kg Baby

Today’s guest, Grace, shares her incredible journey through motherhood, from becoming a first-time mum at just 21 to now preparing for the birth of her third baby. In this episode, Grace takes us through her two beautiful birth centre experiences - one with a tiny, slow-to-arrive firstborn and another with a fast, intense labour that brought her a 4.2 kg baby. She opens up about navigating pregnancy loss, overcoming fears passed down through generations, and the process of turning inward - learning to trust herself more deeply as she prepares for this next birth.While she’s still on that journey, working through doubts and the unknowns, Grace’s reflections remind us that birth isn’t just about bringing a baby earthside - it’s about discovering ourselves in the process.Show Notes:Instagram: @graciee_madaleneYoga: @pamelawalker.yoga

Today, we’re joined by Kassie - mother of three, small business owner, and the creative force behind Milk and Poppy, a mum-and-baby brand that grew from her own motherhood journey. Kassie’s birth experiences have ranged from a hospital induction to an unassisted home birth, each one shaping her deep trust in the body’s innate wisdom.Her first birth, an induction at 42+ weeks, was a positive experience at the time, but left her feeling unheard and overwhelmed. Her second, a 4.5 kg baby born in the water, was an empowering, intervention-free birth, yet the aftermath of hospital-based care once again left her feeling disrupted and vulnerable. By her third pregnancy, she knew she wanted something different, leading her to plan a home birth, where she experienced birth on her own terms - no interventions, no tearing, just trust in her body and baby.In this episode, Kassie shares the lessons she’s learnt across her three births, and we explore how interventions can shape not just your birth experience, but also your postpartum recovery and transition into motherhood.Show Notes: Instagram: @milk_and_poppyMidwives: @homebirth_with_helen@thebondimidwife@the_mindful_midwife_auPhotographer: @hausofpeakephotographyExclusive Discount: Kassie is offering 15% off everything at Milk and Poppy with the code POSITIVEBIRTH. Shop here: www.milkandpoppy.com.au

Today, I’m joined by Olivia as she takes us through her three vastly different birth experiences.Her first birth unfolded into a cascade of interventions, ultimately ending in a cesarean - an experience that opened her eyes to the realities of the mainstream birth system. Determined to do things differently, she planned a homebirth for her second.Olivia soon came to realise that hiring a private midwife and having a homebirth doesn’t automatically guarantee a fully supported, hands-off, undisturbed birth. Sometimes, even with the best intentions, a midwife’s past experiences or concerns can shape the space. In Olivia’s case, a call for an ambulance was made out of fear, disrupting what she had hoped would be an undisturbed birth. She describes this as an experience even more challenging than her cesarean.For her third birth, Olivia reclaimed full autonomy, stepping into her power to freebirth her baby at home on her own terms. This is a journey of awakening, resilience, and reclaiming birth - one that challenges perceptions and sparks deep reflection.Show Notes:Instagram: @growing.our.homesteadFind The Right Midwife - download your question guide HERE.

Today, we begin with the birth story of first-time mum, Maddi. With a close friend who shared valuable knowledge about birth and a strong lineage of positive birth stories in her family, Maddi  felt confident in her body’s ability to birth. While she chose to give birth in a hospital, her priority was to approach labour as naturally as possible.From the very start of her pregnancy, Maddi leaned into her intuition, balancing medical knowledge with trust in her body’s wisdom. She navigated hospital protocols with confidence, making informed choices and declining interventions that didn’t align with her birth preferences.  This conscious decision-making empowered her to stay in control of her journey, ultimately achieving the birth she had envisioned - feeling supported, respected, and with minimal intervention.Maddie’s journey is a beautiful testament to the power of informed choice and self-belief. Show Notes:Instagram:@maddipayneeResources: The Great Birth Rebellion, Australian Birth Stories

On today's show I sit with Jinti as she reflects on the transformative journey of her four births and the invaluable lessons she gathered along the way. Just two weeks into a worldwide adventure, she unexpectedly discovered she was pregnant. Overwhelmed by the uncertainty of what to do next, her mother’s encouraging words grounded her, giving her the confidence to continue traveling until it was time to return home and birth her baby. While her first birth in the hospital was natural, it revealed unnecessary interruptions that she instinctively felt weren’t needed. This experience sparked a deeper trust in herself, guiding her toward a different path for her subsequent births. For her son’s arrival, Jinti chose the quiet sanctuary of home, surrounded by nature, with only her partner by her side. This empowered and undisturbed birth deepened her belief in herself and strengthened her connection to the sacred process of pregnancy and childbirth, affirming that that all she truly needed was to trust her instincts and the innate wisdom of her body.. Her future births reflected this trust, each inviting her to surrender more fully to the mystery of life’s unfolding. Today, Jinti reflects on the profound insights gained from each birth and how they’ve shaped her journey. From maiden to mother, through the loss of her father, she has embraced the wisdom of her experiences, stepping into her authentic self. Her story is a testament to the beauty of surrender, the strength in vulnerability, and the transformative path of motherhood. Show Notes: Instagram: @jinti_fell Discover The Birth Diaries with JintiJoin Jinti as she shares her most intimate and vulnerable journey yet in The Birth Diaries. If you’ve ever wondered how she prepares for her births, navigates fears, copes with intensity, trusts her intuition, and births in her power at home, this is your chance to learn from her experience. Explore more here: www.jintifell.com

On today’s episode, we dive into Shontelle’s journey through her three hospital births. Her first experience followed the common medical path - an induction, and a postpartum haemorrhage that ended in a trip to the theatre. Despite this, Shontelle holds this birth with deep reverence as the beginning of her motherhood journey. For her second birth, everything shifted. Inspired by Ina May’s iconic book, Shontelle discovered the power of informed, instinctive birthing. This newfound mindset became invaluable when her baby boy made a swift and surprising entrance at just 37+ weeks.   By her third pregnancy, Shontelle was deeply equipped with knowledge, tools, and confidence. She shares how she worked within the system to create a birth experience that felt truly transformative.   Join us as we delve into the lessons she’s learnt along the way, and how preparation and mindset became her greatest allies in birthing her babies. Show Notes: Instagram: @shontelle.mcfarlane Resources: @thegreatbirthrebellion @coreandfloorrestore

Today, I sit down with Georgia, who shares her two deeply personal and positive birth stories - each unique, yet equally transformative. Like so many women, Georgia carried fear around birth. But a seed planted by her grandmother, shifted her perspective and opened her to the possibility that not all birth has to be traumatic. Determined to rewrite the narrative, Georgia turned to a Calm Birth course for guidance and education. This became her anchor, providing her and her husband with the confidence and tools they needed to navigate the hospital system with clarity and intention.  For her second pregnancy, the restrictions of the Covid era led Georgia to seek an entirely different path - one rooted in the safety and comfort of her own home. With the  support of a midwife who truly saw and honoured her, Georgia experienced the beauty of individualised care. When labour began, it mirrored her first, but this time she didn’t need to leave her sacred space. Surrounded by love and grounded in her power, Georgia birthed her baby at home, with her family by her side.   In today’s episode, Georgia reflects on these two positive yet contrasting, journeys. She opens up about her battle with HG (hyperemesis gravidarum) in both pregnancies, the lessons she learnt, and how preparation, self-belief, and standing firm in your choices can create an empowering birth, no matter the setting. Show Notes: Instagram: @georgiahaig Calm Birth Course: @birth_confidante Midwife: @louisedavidmidwifelc

Today’s episode features the powerful and contrasting birth stories of Nathalie. After receiving a gestational diabetes (GDM) diagnosis, she was placed in the high-risk category, resulting in a cascade of interventions and care that felt disconnected from her unique needs and true health picture. That experience lit a spark within Nathalie, igniting a desire to rewrite her birth story the next time around. Guided by an inner knowing, she approached her next birth with intention and trust. Hiring a doula became a pivotal moment, introducing her to the possibility of homebirth and connecting her with a midwife who provided care tailored to her individual circumstances. This birth unfolded so quickly that her midwife and doula barely arrived in time, a beautiful reminder that Nathalie had everything she needed within herself all along.Today, Nathalie also unpacks a moment of profound emotional release after her son was born. The weight of her journey—the struggles, the growth, and the transformation—came rushing to the surface. Overwhelmed by the enormity of it all, she froze, unable to immediately reach for her baby. This powerful moment, though unexpected, reflects how birth has the ability to uncover and heal emotional blockages, offering deep transformation. Nathalie’s story is a beautiful testament to the sacredness of birth and the profound shifts that occur when we are supported, seen, and trust ourselves in the birthing space.Show Notes: Instagram: @grateful_mammaDoula: @eleanor.lambert.doulaMidwife: @nurturingbirthhunterKinesiology: @erin.dube.kinesiologyJoin the Newcastle Homebirth Community HERE.Mentioned in this episode:Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset. Positive Birth AustraliaPBA Surrender Birth Pool HirePositive Birth Australia's Surrender birth pools, available for hire Australia-wide at just $250. Each hire includes a disposable liner, birth comb for acupressure, and a detailed checklist of items you'll need. With a 6-week hire period, no deposit or bonds required, and 24/7 comprehensive customer support, we've made it easy to get your dream birth pool. Use Code: REBIRTH at checkout to receive a FREE 20-minute birth affirmation track of your choosing. Surrender Birth Pool Hire

On today’s episode, first-time mother Emily takes us on a deeply personal journey through her rite of passage in a hospital birth. Having carried a lifelong fear of childbirth, Emily found a new perspective when she started hearing positive birth stories within her community. These stories sparked a curiosity in her, showing her that birth could look and feel different from what she had always feared.When she became pregnant, Emily initially felt unsure of her next steps. After exploring different care providers and navigating a relocation to the coast during her third trimester, she finally settled on a hospital that not only aligned with her vision for birth but also felt like the safest choice, offering her the peace of mind she needed for this transformative experience.In today’s episode, Emily shares the techniques that kept her grounded and in the zone, along with the education that gave her the confidence and awareness to achieve the unmedicated birth she had always dreamed of.Show Notes:Instagram: @statuettestudioEducation Resources: @calmbirth @belly2birthUltrasound: @bellyview_ultrasoundBooks: The First Six Weeks, After the First Six WeeksPodcasts: Is This Normal? The Pregnancy PodcastFREE Birth Affirmations Download HEREMentioned in this episode:Positive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset. Positive Birth AustraliaPBA Surrender Birth Pool HirePositive Birth Australia's Surrender birth pools, available for hire Australia-wide at just $250. Each hire includes a disposable liner, birth comb for acupressure, and a detailed checklist of items you'll need. With a 6-week hire period, no deposit or bonds required, and 24/7 comprehensive customer support, we've made it easy to get your dream birth pool. Use Code: REBIRTH at checkout to receive a FREE 20-minute birth affirmation track of your choosing. Surrender Birth Pool Hire

On today’s show, I have the pleasure to welcome back fellow twin mama, Charlie, to share the birth story of her fraternal twin girls. If you haven’t already heard Charlie’s journey, you can revisit her first two births in episode #68—where she transitioned from a belly birth with her first baby to a VBAC homebirth transfer.Even before the confirmation, Charlie sensed the presence of twin energy around her, though it still came as a beautiful surprise when she discovered she was carrying two babies. However, this revelation shifted her plans from a midwife-assisted homebirth to a more intentional unfolding of her journey. Rather than rush into decisions, she surrendered to the flow, taking each moment as it came, letting intuition lead the way.Throughout her pregnancy, Charlie faced her fears head-on, allowing them to surface and be released. She used minimal scans, balancing her need to reassure her husband with her own deep faith in her body’s wisdom. Slowly, the clarity emerged—unless she felt unsafe, she would birth her twins at home, with her husband by her side.Charlie’s story beautifully dismantles the common belief that twin births are automatically high-risk or dangerous, revealing instead the innate power of birth, even with multiples. Show Notes:Instagram: @thebrookertribeListen to Charlie share her previous birth stories HERE.Mentioned in this episode:PBA Surrender Birth Pool HirePositive Birth Australia's Surrender birth pools, available for hire Australia-wide at just $250. Each hire includes a disposable liner, birth comb for acupressure, and a detailed checklist of items you'll need. With a 6-week hire period, no deposit or bonds required, and 24/7 comprehensive customer support, we've made it easy to get your dream birth pool. Use Code: REBIRTH at checkout to receive a FREE 20-minute birth affirmation track of your choosing. Surrender Birth Pool HirePositive Birth Australia Birth Affirmations Tracks Available Now!Did you know that studies have shown affirmations can significantly boost self-esteem and reduce stress? Here at Positive Birth Australia, we’ve crafted a 20-minute affirmation to guide you to deeply remember the power you hold within. And to my fellow Belly Birth mothers, we’ve created a track specifically for you, to honour that all birth is sacred. For only $5, you can download at www.positivebirthaustralia.com and immerse yourself in our affirmations track to transform your mindset. Positive Birth Australia