597 | Michelle & Michelle IVF journey, reciprocal IVF, miscarriage, emergency caesarean, induced lactation

Today I chat with Michelle and Michelle (yes, two Michelles!), a couple who fell in love at work and knew immediately they wanted to build a family together. Their journey to parenthood was anything but straightforward - spanning over a year of IVF treatments, reciprocal IVF attempts, pregnancy loss, and ultimately a beautiful emergency caesarean birth of their daughter Sage. What makes their story particularly special is how they navigated the complexities of being a same-sex couple in the fertility system, supported each other through multiple embryo transfers, and both pursued breastfeeding through induced lactation. Their honesty about the emotional and financial toll of IVF, combined with their unwavering support for each other, makes this an incredibly powerful listen for anyone on their own fertility journey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leila returns to share her incredible second twin birth story - a Christmas Day birth that began at home and culminated in a powerful breech water birth at hospital. As the founder of Village for Mama and mother to five children (including two sets of DCDA fraternal twins), Leila takes us through her unexpected pregnancy discovery at 21 weeks, her journey of informed choice-making, and the profound difference that building your village can make during pregnancy and postpartum.From dancing with a glass of non-alcoholic bubbles on Christmas morning to birthing her daughter Elka at home and then transferring to hospital for a footling breech birth of baby Finn in the birth pool, Leila's story is one of trust, intuition, and the incredible power of water birth for twins. She also shares invaluable insights about postpartum planning, the reality of caring for five children, and how she honoured her final 40-day lying-in period.Today's episode is brought to you by iLTutto iL Tutto is known for beautifully designed nursery furniture that combines comfort, functionality and timeless style. They’ve just introduced a brand-new Soft Tweed fabric in two gorgeous colours, designed to complement their much-loved Teddy Fleece and Corduroy Frankie and Louie recliners.You can enjoy 20% off iL Tutto’s range for a limited time. Simply visit iltutto.com.au and use the code ABS20 at checkout. This offer ends 25 March 2026. Conditions apply. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, Jazz a midwife, maternal and child health nurse, and sleep consultant, takes us through her remarkable journey to motherhood. From her first precipitous birth during the height of COVID-19 to navigating severe hyperemesis gravidarum whilst living in Far North Queensland, Jazz's story is one of resilience, professional insight, and the reality that being a healthcare professional doesn't make your own birth and parenting journey any easier. Jazz shares candidly about her postpartum anxiety, the pressure she placed on herself as a professional in the field, and how she learned to be kinder to herself the second time around. Her story beautifully illustrates how each pregnancy and birth is unique, even for the same woman, and offers valuable insights for both parents and birth professionals alike. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I wanted to share something important with you — especially if you’re currently pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or supporting someone who is. Over the past seven years of Australian Birth Stories, I’ve had the privilege of sitting down with more than 600 women and their families to hear their pregnancy and birth stories. And alongside that, I’ve also birthed my own three boys — each pregnancy, each labour, and each birth teaching me something different about preparation, trust, and the importance of feeling informed and supported.And if there’s one thing I’ve learned — both through my own births and through hundreds of conversations — it’s this:Birth rarely unfolds exactly how we imagine it will.But the women who feel calm, confident and empowered aren’t the ones who had a specific type of birth…They’re the ones who understood their options.They’re the ones who knew how their body worked.They’re the ones who had practical tools, trusted support, and evidence-based education behind them.That’s exactly why I created The Birth Class.I wanted to bring together everything I’ve learned — from my own experiences, from the stories shared on this podcast, and from Australia’s leading midwives, obstetricians, physiotherapists, lactation consultants, and birth educators — into one calm, clear, comprehensive course.Because when you understand birth, fear naturally begins to dissolve.You stop feeling like birth is something happening to you…And instead, you feel like an active participant in the experience.You understand how labour works.You understand your choices.And you trust yourself to navigate whatever unfolds.Since launching The Birth Class, more than 7,000 women and their partners have taken the course.And the feedback I hear again and again is:“I felt calm.” “I felt prepared.” “I felt confident — even when my birth didn’t go to plan.”Because this isn’t about promising a perfect birth.It’s about preparing you for a positive experience — whatever that looks like for you.And for the next few days, all of our online courses are available at 25% off.You can access the sale using the code BIRTH25.If you’ve been thinking about preparing for birth…If you’ve been meaning to enrol…Or if you’ve been listening to these stories and wondering how to prepare yourself…This is a beautiful time to begin.Because birth education doesn’t just change how you give birth.It changes how you feel walking into it.You deserve to feel calm.You deserve to feel informed.You deserve to feel confident in your choices.And most importantly, you deserve to feel supported.You can find all the course details HERE and use the code BIRTH25 to access 25% off.I’m so honoured to support you in your preparation for birth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fatuma shares her transformative journey through a high-risk pregnancy that challenged everything she thought she knew about birth, motherhood, and her own strength. What began as an unexpected pregnancy during her honeymoon period quickly became a complex medical journey involving hemiplegic migraines and a toxoplasmosis diagnosis that led to recommendations for termination at 22 weeks. Fatuma's story is one of profound cultural reconnection, medical advocacy, and the power of trusting your instincts as a mother. Her experience highlights the importance of having strong advocates in the birthing room and the beautiful intersection between Western medicine and traditional African birthing practices. This episode will resonate deeply with anyone who has faced difficult decisions during pregnancy or felt the need to advocate for themselves in medical settings.Brought to you by UKOO. At UKOO, they understand that family isn't just parents and children – it's the aunties, uncles, nannies, friends, and wider community that makes up our village. That's why their gentle, clinically tested range is designed for everyone, from toddlers and teenagers to parents and grandparents. Each thoughtfully crafted product features pre and postbiotics to support healthy, balanced skin across all ages. Made right here in Melbourne, UKOO believes that caring rituals, like the stories we share, are meant to be passed down through generations.Ready to embrace generational care for your family? Visit UKOO today and use code "ABS15" for 15% off their entire range. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, I chat with Serrin a graphic designer from Byron Bayabout her extraordinary pregnancy journey involving a life-threatening arteriovenous malformation (AVM). What began as severe headaches that were initially dismissed as normal pregnancy symptoms escalated into a major brain haemorrhage at 22 weeks. Serrin takes us through her weeks in ICU at Gold Coast University Hospital, living in Airbnbs throughout her pregnancy due to medical restrictions, and ultimately welcoming her daughter Bobby via caesarean at 38 weeks. She also shares her challenging recovery journey, including a second brain bleed following post-birth surgery when Bobby was six months old. This is a powerful story of medical complexity, community support, and finding strength through vulnerability - with important lessons about trusting your instincts and advocating for proper care when something doesn't feel right during pregnancy.Proudly brought to you by iL Tutto.To celebrate the release of iL Tutto’s newest award-winning Frankie Electric Recliner, listeners of Australian Birth Stories can enjoy an exclusive 20% off the iL Tutto Trend Collection for a limited time. iL Tutto creates beautifully designed nursery furniture that supports parents through every stage, from those first days at home to life beyond the nursery. Their ever-growing premium Trend Collection brings together thoughtfully designed, sustainable timber cots and chests, alongside award-winning nursing chairs, including the much-loved Frankie and Louie in Teddy-Fleece and Corduroy. And now, iL Tutto has welcomed the newest addition to the collection, the award-winning Frankie Chair in Soft Teddy-Fleece, available in two stylish, trend-led colours designed to elevate your nursery and live beautifully in your home long after the baby years. To celebrate, enjoy 20% off iL Tutto’s Trend Collection for a limited time.Simply use the code ABS20 at iltutto.com.au. This offer ends 25 March, 2026.Conditions apply.iL Tutto, designed for comfort, made to last. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josey, a midwife from the Central Coast of New South Wales, shares her remarkable birth story that beautifully illustrates how positive birth experiences can unfold even when plans change. Working at Gosford Hospital and living with her husband Fergus (a paramedic) and their golden retriever Maggie, Josey takes us through her journey from conception to welcoming seven-month-old Murphy.Today's episode is brought to you by Mini + Me's revolutionary new Mama Bites – the world's first 6-in-1 functional snack designed specifically for the incredible demands of motherhood. As any new mum knows, nourishing yourself while caring for your little one can feel impossible. That's where Mama Bites comes in – thoughtfully formulated to support you through every aspect of your postpartum journey.Each delicious bite delivers six essential benefits: feeding support with galactagogue foods like flaxseeds and almonds, duct function support with sunflower lecithin, gut and vaginal health through maternal probiotics, immune support with clinically researched Wellmune beta-glucan, structural support with collagen peptides for your hair, skin and nails, and energy support through a maternal vitamin complex – all without stimulants or added sugar.Whether you're breastfeeding, pumping, or simply recovering from birth and navigating sleep deprivation, Mama Bites provides the nutritional support your body craves as part of a balanced diet.Ready to nourish yourself the way you deserve? Visit Mini + Me today and use code "ABS15" for 15% off sitewide. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kim shares her contrasting birth experiences between the UK and Australia, her journey through postpartum depression, and how she transformed her challenging early motherhood into a national movement supporting mothers. From a medicalised first birth during COVID lockdowns to an empowering second birth that nearly happened at home, Kim's story illustrates how different experiences can shape us and how we can use our struggles to help others. Now the founder of Mum Walk  a national charity connecting mothers across Australia, Kim demonstrates how community and connection are vital for maternal mental health and postpartum wellbeing.Feeling overwhelmed in your pregnancy? Looking to learn how to connect with your breath? Introducing The Birth Meditations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maddy, a registered nurse and mother of three from the Central Coast of New South Wales, takes us through her complete birth journey. Her story beautifully illustrates how subsequent births can offer profound healing opportunities, especially with the right support team and birth education. Maddy's first birth was an induction which resulted in significant perineal trauma, and postpartum haemorrhage. However, her second and third births through Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) care demonstrate the transformative power of continuity of care, informed choice, and trusting your body's ability to birth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beth shares her remarkable journey of welcoming baby Milo – her third child and first with partner Dean. After a 13-year gap since her last birth, Beth navigated the unique challenges of pregnancy in her thirties whilst parenting teenagers Tyler (13) and Ivy (11) from a previous relationship. Her story beautifully illustrates how birth experiences can evolve and how different life circumstances shape our approach to pregnancy and labour. From dealing with a low-lying placenta that was leading to a caesarean birth to ultimately achieving the vaginal birth she desperately wanted, Beth's journey is one of resilience, preparation, and the profound love that binds blended families together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.