EPISODE 68 - From Maiden to Mother: Sophie's Journey Through Pregnancy and Early Motherhood

Maryn Green has been attending women as a midwife since 2009; first as a licensed midwife and now as a spiritual midwife that helps facilitate the ceremonies of birth and mothering for aligned women.   Maryn is well known for her international association, the Indie Birth Association (indiebirth.org), which serves and educates women and midwives all over the world. She has written hundreds of blog posts about pregnancy, birth, midwifery as a spiritual process, radical birth and mothering and recorded almost 300 episodes of her podcast, “Taking Back Birth" that encourage women and midwives to rethink what they have been taught, and re-connect with ancient wisdom and the spiritual journey of it all.  Maryn co-founded the Indie Birth Midwifery School (indiebirthmidwiferyschool.org) in 2017 in order to help create more radical midwives and released her first book, Indie Birth: A Story of Radical Birth Love in 2019. Maryn has been taught by witnessing hundreds of undisturbed births, the best of which have been the births of her own 10 children.   She currently lives in Hawai'i and thrives on ocean walks with her dogs.  Links indiebirth.org Indiebirthmidwiferyschool.org sacredsisterhooddoula.org  Instagram : @indiebirth Rumble: “Midwives Gone Wild” -Full podcast archive is indiebirth.org/podcastarchive  Maryn’s Body Wisdom Sessions: indiebirth.org/bodyhttps://www.amazon.com/Indie-Birth-Story-Radical-Love/

In this episode I chat with Zoe who is passionate about holistic wellness and personal growth and is a dedicated holistic health guide. With a background in Naturopathy and Emotion Release Technique, Zoe is committed to empowering women and mothers to thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally. Through one-on-one sessions, group programs and compassionate support, Zoe guides her clients through emotional clearing and nervous system regulation, whilst teaching them about the fundamental pillars of health and helping them cultivate vibrant well-being in every aspect of their lives.

In this episode I chat with Zoe, a dedicated mother of three who is deeply committed to holistic wellness and self discovery. Zoe recounts her transformative journey from a hospital birth with her first child to empowered home births with her subsequent babies, including her courageous choice of freebirth. We hear of Zoe’s preparation for these birthing experiences and how she, alongside her supportive husband, confidently welcomed their children into the world at home. We discover Zoe’s insights on homeschooling and her harmonious balance between nurturing her family and pursuing her professional aspirations. Prepare to be captivated and inspired by Zoe’s story, leaving you with a profound sense of empowerment and admiration.

In this episode, I chat with Georgia, a dedicated postpartum doula who lives in the picturesque Tweed Heads, NSW. At 32 years old, she finds profound satisfaction and purpose in her calling to nurture and uplift new mothers on their precious postpartum journey. As a mother herself to her spirited 17-month-old, Orlando, Georgias connection to this transformative phase runs deep. She is passionate about offering hands on care and guidance to help mamas navigate early motherhood with confidence and peace. 

In this podcast, join a conversation with Nicole, a dedicated mother to the endlessly entertaining toddler Mackenzie and wife to John. Residing in Turangi after relocating from Bulls last year, Nicole currently works as a nurse in a bustling GP practice, while her husband is employed by Genesis as a maintainer operator. Nicole's passion for maternal mental health stems from personal experience, recognizing that even the most resilient and supported individuals can encounter challenges with postpartum anxiety and depression. Alongside her husband John, Nicole actively contributes to their community through involvement in organizations such as fire and emergency services, St John Ambulance, and the Turangi Toy Library. Motherhood, as Nicole shares, is a profound experience of love and transformation, where the joy of raising children often coincides with a sense of personal loss. She emphasizes the importance of rediscovering one's identity beyond motherhood, while acknowledging the immense rewards it brings. Nicole's message resonates with all mothers: it's okay to miss your former self as long as you embrace personal growth. By accepting support, mothers can excel in their roles. In a world that can be stressful and unkind, Nicole advocates for teaching kindness to children, empowering them to create positive change. Tune in to explore Nicole's insights on motherhood, mental health, community engagement, and the journey of personal growth amidst the joys and challenges of raising a family. This podcast offers a heartfelt exploration of the multifaceted aspects of modern motherhood.

In this episode, I chat with Kasey, a dedicated chiropractor based in Taupo, NZ. Kasey, a mother of four, shares her journey of balancing her chiropractic practice with family life alongside her husband. Her passion for pregnancy and birth shines through as she discusses her experiences with homebirth for her last two children. Despite her deep love for chiropractic work, Kasey’s enthusiasm for pregnancy and birth is palpable. In fact, if she weren’t a chiropractor, she’d likely pursue a career as a doula or midwife. Over the past 4.5 years, Kasey has dedicated herself to chiropractic care, particularly for babies and during pregnancy. Tune in as Kasey shares her mission to empower individuals to embrace certainty in their bodies and live life to the fullest. You will love this engaging conversation with a chiropractor whose passion for wellness and birth advocacy is truly inspiring.Chiropractic practice : Lake Taupo Chiropractic Chiropractic + mama : Kasey McMaster

In this interview, I chat with Kylie from Captured by Kylie. Kylie is a maternity, birth, newborn and family photographer. She has been so passionate about photography since she was a child. Kylie creates stunning images that really capture the moment. I was lucky enough that Kylie captured by Freebirth - the images are absolutely phenomenal and I am so grateful that I have these memories to look back on. In this interview we talk everything about birth photography : - is birth photography for everyone? - why birth photography is important - what to look for when you are thinking about having a birth photographer - how do you prepare for a birth and what prior arrangements do you make before the birthing day ➡️ https://capturedbykylie.com.au/

In this interview I chat to Kathryn from hapimumma Hypnobirthing. Kathryn explains what Hypnobirthing is all about and how popular it has become it recent years. We hear about her own first hand experience of how Hypnobirthing helped her with her own births and how she even uses some of the techniques in her day to day life. Kathryn shares how amazing it can be to see her couples feel really empowered going into their births after completing the course. If you are on your conception journey or currently pregnant you will love listening to this interview ! As a mama who has completed the course I can definitely say Hypnobirthing really helped me with my own births and really educated me which allowed me to feel really empowered. ➡️ https://hypnobirthing.com.au/ ➡️ Follow Kathrine on Instagram @hapimumma.hypnobirthing ➡️ Follow Birthinggoddess on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/birthinggoddess/

In this interview I chat with Mel who is a lactation and sleep consultant from Cocoon and Cradle. We discuss everything to do with SLEEP! We all know it’s one of the most talked about subjects when you become a parent. Mel shares some hot tips when it comes to naps, how to establish some good sleep habits and what to look for when your little one is ready to drop their nap altogether. I love Mel’s holistic approach towards sleep. I personally feel more relaxed about my babies sleep /naps after chatting with her. Thank you for the chat Mel! You can find Mel on insta @cocoonandcradle Website : www.cocoonandcradle.com

In this episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with Sophie, a mama of one from the scenic town of Taupo, New Zealand. Sophie graciously shares her remarkable journey from pregnancy to early motherhood, filled with challenges and profound growth. Sophie, a proud mama to Stella, opens up about her life with her high school sweetheart-turned-husband. Together, they embarked on the awe-inspiring adventure of parenthood. As Sophie recounts her pregnancy journey, she shares the intricate details of her marathon 50-hour labor and birth, an experience marked by resilience and unwavering determination. Yet, Sophie's narrative extends beyond the delivery room, as she fearlessly confronts the challenges of early motherhood. With unwavering honesty, she reflects on the toll it took on her mental and emotional well-being, underscoring the importance of seeking professional support during times of vulnerability. In our conversation, Sophie's courage shines through as she recounts her journey from maiden to mother. Through moments of vulnerability and resilience, she emerges as a beacon of strength and inspiration, offering invaluable insights embarking on their own paths of parenthood.