Growing Up Raising Us

In this week's ep, we have Part 2 of our conversation with Amy Pearson of @sunmotheramy. This chat focuses on neurodiversity - on Amy's experience raising a child who is neurodivergent and how that journey impacted her understanding and learning of her own ADHD. We chose to split this interview into two parts because Amy speaks openly and honestly on the experience of having a highly sensitive baby, and we hope this ep reaches anyone who is navigating a similar experience. From another mama with a sensitive baby who cried non-stop in a dark room, it can be an isolating and overwhelming time where your only focus is trying to improve things for this tiny person and get through each night. We see you, you're doing wonderful things, and we hope Amy's beautiful words reach you. Find part 1 of our chat with Amy here.Join our community on instagram ⁠⁠⁠@growingupraisinguspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see photos of our weekly guests, behind the scenes moments, and keep up to date with episode releases.This podcast was recorded on the unceded lands of the Taungurung, Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. We acknowledge that sovereignty of the lands on which this podcast was recorded was never ceded and pay our respects to the original storytellers of this land.

In today's ep we bring you a conversation with Amy Pearson, aka the brains, beauty and impact behind Sun Mother (@sunmotheramy). Amy is a mother to two, and a Brand and Marketing Strategist + Coach. She joins us on the podcast to chat all things motherhood, identity and career. She reflects on her matrescence journeys, building a business while raising a family, and some musings on motherhood now her kids are a little bit more grown. Join our community on instagram ⁠⁠@growingupraisinguspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see photos of our weekly guests, behind the scenes moments, and keep up to date with episode releases.This podcast was recorded on the unceded lands of the Taungurung, Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. We acknowledge that sovereignty of the lands on which this podcast was recorded was never ceded and pay our respects to the original storytellers of this land. 

We are SO excited to bring you this week's episode - the first episode for 2024 and the first episode under the relaunched Growing Up, Raising Us pod.  Today, we officially launch the podcast makeover and share all the ins and outs - who the heck is your new co-host, why have we relaunched and what you can expect this year from Growing Up, Raising Us. It's a short, snappy episode today - we will be doing an Ask Us Anything soon if you have any burning questions. To join our growing community, see photos of our weekly guests, behind the scenes moments, and keep up to date with episode releases, follow us on instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@growingupraisinguspodcast. This podcast was recorded on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. Every month, I Pay The Rent and so can you - click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to learn more.

In this episode, I'm joined by Bree Stafford (she/her), a birth doula, birth photographer, and mum of three. Bree joins us to share her VBA2C/HBA2C story. Bree's three birth experiences have opened her heart to what is possible. Her first babies, two boys, whose arrivals took her on a journey through an intervention filled hospital birth, resulting in a Cesarean with her first son. The process of planning a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) with her second son, resulting in a repeat, yet empowered cesarean. With her third pregnancy with her daughter, Bree realised that everything she needed was within, not external to her, and she birthed her lovingly at home (HBA2C). Bree's birth experiences, combined with her doula training with Rhea Dempsey in 2009, enables her to support pregnant and labouring women in their journeys to motherhood. Through her work, she wishes to provide women with the information, wisdom, and power that she wishes she had leading into her first son's birth. To see photos of our weekly guests and keep up to date with episode releases, follow us on instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@definitelybabypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The photo in the podcast logo was taken by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@maki.levine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. This episode was recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. Australia always was and always will be the land of the First Peoples. Every month, I Pay The Rent and so can you - click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to learn more.

In this episode, I'm joined by Bree Stafford (she/her), a birth doula, birth photographer, and mum of three. She is my wonderful doula who'll be supporting my VBAC this year/early next. In this episode, Bree shares her 'Recipes for a Successful VBAC' as comprehensive tips for anyone planning for a VBAC. More about Bree: Bree's three birth experiences have opened her heart to what is possible. Her first babies, two boys, whose arrivals took her on a journey through an intervention filled hospital birth, resulting in a Cesarean with her first son. The process of planning a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) with her second son, resulting in a repeat, yet empowered cesarean. With her third pregnancy with her daughter, Bree realised that everything she needed was within, not external to her, and she birthed her lovingly at home (HBA2C). Bree's birth experiences, combined with her doula training with Rhea Dempsey in 2009, enables her to support pregnant and labouring women in their journeys to motherhood. Through her work, she wishes to provide women with the information, wisdom, and power that she wishes she had leading into her first son's birth. To see photos of our weekly guests and keep up to date with episode releases, follow us on instagram ⁠⁠⁠@definitelybabypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The photo in the podcast logo was taken by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@maki.levine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. This episode was recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. Australia always was and always will be the land of the First Peoples. Every month, I Pay The Rent and so can you - click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to learn more.

In this episode, we’re joined by Fleur (she/her), who is a mother to an almost two-year-old daughter named Prim. Fleur works runs her own business, Umi Wellbeing, as somatic health and wellness coach, predominantly for women. Fleur shares that it took over a year for her and her husband Will to conceive, which came as a surprise. Fleur conceived the week after her mother passed away, just before their initially planned start of IVF. Choosing private care under the guidance of an obstetrician, Fleur sought additional support by hiring a doula. However, due to Fleur contracting COVID-19 just before giving birth, her care transitioned to the neighbouring public hospital, and her doula was unable to attend. She discusses the impact of being COVID-positive during labour and the subsequent challenges she faced with postpartum anxiety, heightened by the recent loss of her mother. Fleur also reflects on her professional transformation, discussing how motherhood prompted a significant shift in her perspective on work. Formerly holding a high-ranking corporate HR position, she talks about the changes in her values and aspirations after becoming a mother. I loved recording this episode, and I hope you enjoy listening too.  You can find Fleur's website here. Or on instagram here. To see photos of our weekly guests and keep up to date with episode releases, follow us on instagram ⁠⁠⁠@definitelybabypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The photo in the podcast logo was taken by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@maki.levine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. This episode was recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. Australia always was and always will be the land of the First Peoples. Every month, I Pay The Rent and so can you - click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to learn more.

In this episode, I’m joined by sisters Hannah and Em. Hannah is a mother to three children: Iris, Oaka, and Charlie. Iris and Oaka are angel babies, who Hannah very sadly lost during her pregnancies with them, before she had Charlie, who is now 20 months old. So I’d obviously like to include a trigger warning here as we do discuss Hannah’s story of miscarriage and pregnancy loss at a few points throughout today’s chat. I’ve put some resources below that I encourage you to visit if this episode brings anything up for you. Hannah’s story in episode 4 touches on pregnancy and parenting after multiple pregnancy losses. She also shares her motherhood journey with Charlie: from birth, breastfeeding, sleep challenges, and relationship and friendship shifts.  Em is a mother to an almost 3-year-old son, Wilbur. In episode 5, Em shared her experience of breaking up with her partner who she’d been with since they were in high school due to his infidelity. All of this happening while Em was navigating new motherhood with a young toddler. She speaks about navigating being single for the first time since she was 16, dating as a single parent, navigating co-parenting, and her motherhood journey with Wilbur.  Sharing these things that aren’t spoken about very often is so important in others feeling less alone, and I thank you for your honesty Hannah and Em.  Today’s chat is such a raw and open conversation about their experience of growing up through their parents' hostile divorce, which had a massive impact on them, with both of them living alone in commission housing and having to work to get themselves through their final years of high school as a result. Following the divorce, both of their relationship's with their mother was impacted as well, and they don't have her as a part of their lives today. So they speak about how that has been in their own motherhood journeys. They also touch on how their parents' divorce has influenced their attitudes to their own parenting choices and styles, and on Em’s outlook to her co-parenting relationship with her son’s father. We also catch up on how parenthood has shifted for them in the 8-9 months since we recorded and how everything is going for them now. You can listen to Hannah's story in episode 4 of season 1 here. You can listen to Em's story in episode 5 of season 1 here. PANDA: ⁠https://panda.org.au/⁠ Beyond Blue: ⁠https://www.beyondblue.org.au⁠ Pink Elephants: ⁠https://www.pinkelephants.org.au/⁠ SANDS: ⁠https://www.sands.org.au/⁠ Follow our instagram ⁠⁠@definitelybabypodcast⁠⁠ for photos of weekly guests, and episode updates and releases. The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The photo in the podcast logo was taken by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@maki.levine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Wadawurrung, the Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. Australia always was and always will be the land of the First Peoples. Every month, I Pay The Rent and so can you - click⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to learn more.

In this episode, I'm joined by Emma (she/her) and Raji (she/her), two lovely friends I've met along my motherhood journey. We dive deep into the transformations our personal friendships have undergone since becoming parents, sharing the highs and lows. From the challenges of maintaining connections to the unexpected joys of making new mum/parent friends, we explore the dynamics of parenthood and friendship. Emma lives in Naarm, Melbourne with her husband and their two year old son. Emma has shared her journey into motherhood in episode 3 of season 1, which you can go back and listen to here. Raji is also living in Melbourne, with her husband and two-and-a-half year old son. She and her family moved to Australia from the UK and Dubai almost two years ago. Chelsea is the host of the pod and lives in Melbourne with her partner Hagan and their two-year-old daughter. To see photos of our weekly guests and keep up to date with episode releases, follow us on instagram ⁠⁠@definitelybabypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The photo in the podcast logo was taken by ⁠⁠⁠⁠@maki.levine⁠⁠⁠⁠. This episode was recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. Australia always was and always will be the land of the First Peoples. Every month, I Pay The Rent and so can you - click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to learn more.

[Content Warning: This episode discusses physical and sexual abuse] In this episode, we're joined by Maria (she/her), a mother whose life took an unexpected turn when her daughter, Josephine, was diagnosed with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a rare chromosomal abnormality at two weeks old. Maria shares the challenges and transformations her family experienced, from the initial shock of the diagnosis to their journey towards acceptance and gratitude. Maria shares the emotional rollercoaster from the initial shock of the diagnosis to embracing the realities of special needs parenting. At 36 weeks into her pregnancy, an ultrasound revealed her baby was measuring 10 weeks behind, potentially leading to a c-section and an extended stay in the NICU. Maria believes her extensive research and use of acupressure, essential oils, curb-walking, and determination led to a complication-free, physiological, vaginal birth. Maria reflects on how, despite the initial hardships and endless appointments, she and her husband began to discover the incredible blessings Josephine brought into their lives. Their marriage grew stronger, they formed meaningful friendships, and their prayers were answered in unexpected ways. Grief transformed into profound gratitude as they got to know their little girl. Josephine's life may be different, but it is no less valuable. The experience reshaped Maria's perspective on motherhood, emphasising the power of love and the true meaning of life. Maria has also put all of the evidence and information she researched into a pregnancy and birth app, ⁠Zelie.⁠ It covers useful things to do during each trimester to prepare for birth, pregnancy exercises and stretches, the importance of nutrition - with some great smoothie and food recipes - and things like pain management and breathing techniques for labour. You can download it to iOS or Android. Content Warning: From 48 - 51 minutes, this episode contains discussions about the physical and sexual abuse experienced by children and individuals with disabilities. These discussions can be difficult to hear, so feel free to skip this episode, segment of the episode, or take breaks as needed. I encourage you to seek support (I’ve listed some resources below) if you find these topics distressing or they bring anything up for you: COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cope.org.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Beyond Blue: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.beyondblue.org.au⁠⁠⁠ PANDA: ⁠⁠⁠https://panda.org.au/⁠⁠⁠ Lifeline: ⁠⁠https://www.lifeline.org.au/⁠ To see some photos of Maria and her family, follow us on instagram ⁠⁠@definitelybabypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The photo in the podcast logo was taken by ⁠⁠⁠⁠@maki.levine⁠⁠⁠⁠. This episode was partially recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. Australia always was and always will be the land of the First Peoples. Every month, I Pay The Rent and so can you - click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to learn more.

In this episode, we're joined by Josi (she/her). Josi is living with her husband and her four kids aged 9, 8, 8 and 4 in Brisbane. Josi was only 23 when her first daughter was born via planned C-section due to breech presentation. Shortly after she fell pregnant again, this time with twins ! Another planned C-section was her chosen mode of birth, which turned into an emergency c-section at 36 weeks due to suddenly developing preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome.  Thinking that their family was complete, they were very surprised when baby number 4 came along and this time Josi was on a mission to avoid having to have another C-section. Her local hospital was somewhat unsupportive and she changed her antenatal care to a private midwife at 30 weeks and booked into a hospital that is over one hour drive away but is known to be more VBAC friendly.  Josi had her VBA2C, that she describes as a homebirth like hospital birth, at 41+1. They arrived at the hospital with 45 min to spare before their son was born.  Follow our instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@definitelybabypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠for photos of weekly guests and episode updates and releases. The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The photo in the podcast logo was taken by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@maki.levine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. This episode was recorded on the land of the Turrbal people and the lands of the Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. Australia always was and always will be the land of the First Peoples. Every month, I Pay The Rent and so can you - click⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to learn more.

In this episode, we're joined by Katelyn (she/her). Katelyn lives in Western Sydney with her husband and their two daughters. She now works as a doula and does birth after caesarean mentoring. In Katelyn's first birth, she was under the care of a private obstetrician whose philosophy about birth was at odds with her own. Despite being reasonably educated for a first time mum, she eventually agreed to an induction she didn't want out of fear and coercion which led her to an unnecessary caesarean. By the time she conceived her second daughter, she had undergone a total re-education on everything maternity care and sought out the support of a private midwife for a homebirth after caesarean. After a long and arduous labour making little progress with this baby, she eventually decided on a repeat emergency caesarean. This birth was a far more empowered and positive experience almost entirely due to the support from her private midwife and doula that meant she felt in control of what happened to her and confident to make difficult choices. Follow our instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@definitelybabypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠for photos of weekly guests and episode updates and releases. The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The photo in the podcast logo was taken by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@maki.levine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. This episode was recorded on Ngurra (Country) of the Gundungurra and Dharug Peoples and the Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. Australia always was and always will be the land of the First Peoples. Every month, I Pay The Rent and so can you - click⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to learn more.

In this episode, we're joined by Rebecca (she/her). Rebecca lives in Melbourne with her fiancé Dwayne, two young sons (22months) and (7months) and two step daughters (13) and (11) years old.  Rebecca is a confident, outgoing secondary school teacher but unfortunately has crippling hospital anxiety after watching her Mum pass away from cancer when she was 25. After a difficult road to getting pregnant and despite desperately wanting a vaginal birth, Rebecca’s first birth resulted in a C-Section due the baby being breech. Although she had a great recovery and a perfect little boy, the saying, “Once you hold that baby it won’t matter how they came out” unfortunately did not ring true for Rebecca and she started to suffer severe anxiety about birth in her next pregnancy which was only seven months later.  Rebecca was obsessively focused on educating herself in order to achieve a VBAC, for personal reasons she chose the same private OB and a private midwife.  All was going well until at 37.4 Rebecca’s waters broke with no labour which the OB would later described to Dwayne as one of the worst case scenarios for achieving a VBAC.  This is Rebecca’s story which includes a special relationship with a private OB and why her VBAC was a wonderfully healing experience for so many reasons.  To see some photos of Rebecca and her family, follow us on instagram ⁠⁠@definitelybabypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The photo in the podcast logo was taken by ⁠⁠⁠⁠@maki.levine⁠⁠⁠⁠. This episode was recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. Australia always was and always will be the land of the First Peoples. Every month, I Pay The Rent and so can you - click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to learn more.

In this episode, we're joined by Ashley Winning (she/her). Ashley is a Homebirth Mindset Coach & Guide, Podcaster, Speaker, and she birthed her third baby at home unassisted after two surgical births. In her first two pregnancies and births, Ashley experienced many challenges and stigmas in the hospital system due to being larger-bodied. Her first caesarean followed a 'failed' induction and her care providers pushing her for one. Ashley informed herself and planned for a VBAC with her second baby. She went into spontaneous labour, but her care providers at the hospital failed to wait for labour and birth to occur on her body's timeline and her second baby was born by caesarean. Following this birth, she had a special uterine scar, a 3L PPH, and PTSD. With her third pregnancy, Ashley wanted a homebirth but couldn't find any care providers who aligned with what she wanted, so she decided to freebirth her 4.5kg baby at home, with her husband and doula by her side. More about Ashley: Ashley believes that women are born with the strength, wisdom and courage to birth and be the mothers they want to be. She works intimately with pregnant women who plan to homebirth/freebirth by working through fear and mindset challenges, while providing emotional support so that they feel heard, seen & validated while taking the steps to intuitively birth their baby their way. You can find many freebirth & homebirth resources and support on her website: ⁠www.ashleywinning.com⁠ Or check out her Podcast ⁠The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast⁠. Her full birth stories can be found here: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Follow our instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@definitelybabypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠for photos of weekly guests and episode updates and releases. The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The photo in the podcast logo was taken by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@maki.levine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. I would like the acknowledge the lands on which we recorded these conversations: Yugambeh Country and Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong Country. Australia always was and always will be the land of the First Peoples. Every month, I Pay The Rent and so can you - click⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to learn more.

In this episode, we're joined by Brownyn (she/her). Bronwyn is the host of @the.motherwhelm podcast and lives in the Blue Mountains with her husband and three children. Her first birth was a classic case of the cascade of intervention, from an induction due to gestational hypertension, to an emergency cesarean due to ‘failure to progress’. This experience left Bronwyn feeling humiliated and disempowered, and she suffered from postnatal anxiety during her postpartum. For her second birth, she hired a private midwife and doula for a home birth after cesarean, but when she went into preterm labour at 36 weeks right before NSW restrictions lifted in 2021, she had to present to hospital without her support team. Despite all her plans being flipped on their head, Bronwyn was able to achieve her much desired VBAC in a fast and furious labour. For her third birth, Bronwyn planned to have her 2VBAC at home with a PPM and doula. While she did get her glorious HBAC this time, it was again without her birth team because her daughter arrived with great haste and was BBA. This was by far her best birth yet! Bronwyn is also one of the hosts of @australianvbacstories and you can listen the full version of her birth stories here. Follow our instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@definitelybabypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠for photos of weekly guests and episode updates and releases. The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The photo in the podcast logo was taken by ⁠⁠⁠⁠@maki.levine⁠⁠⁠⁠. This episode was recorded on Ngurra (Country) of the Gundungurra and Dharug Peoples and the Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. Australia always was and always will be the land of the First Peoples. Every month, I Pay The Rent and so can you - click⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to learn more.

In this episode, we're joined by Rowie Cooke (she/her). Rowie lives with her partner Jake and two children Sonny and Rua. She is a birth and postpartum doula whose passion for birth and postpartum were ignited by her own experiences of birth. You can find her on instagram ⁠@rowiecooke_doula.⁠⁠ Rowie birthed Sonny in a public hospital, and despite trying to get into a midwifery group program, she birthed through a fragmented model of care. Rowie and Jake did a calm birth course in preparation and laboured together at home, with the use of a TENS machine to relieve some of the back pain Rowie experienced due to Sonny’s posterior position. Rowie arrived at hospital 7cm dilated, however soon after arrival a code green was called due to fetal distress and Sonny was born via emergency c-section. When preparing for her VBAC Rowie planned on birthing in a public hospital but knew she wanted continuity of care. She missed out on the MGP again, so invested in private midwives and a birth doula to ensure she was surrounded by a supportive birth team who knew her story and were skilled in supporting normal physiological birth. When Covid hit and the number of support people allowed in birth suites was limited to one, she changed her place of birth to a home birth. Rowie birthed Rua at home in an incredibly intense and healing birth, a triumph after months of birth preparation with her doula and midwives. A shift in perspective from trying to escape the pain, to fully embodying the experience of labour and to work with her baby were key changes for her in achieving her HBAC. She attributes the work she did with her doula and somatic therapist to prepare herself mentally for the intensity of labour and birth. To see some photos of Rowie and her family, follow us on instagram ⁠@definitelybabypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can find Rowie on instagram: ⁠@rowiecooke_doula.⁠ Or her website ⁠here.⁠ Rowie also shared her journey into Motherhood in episode 34 of Definitely Baby, which you can listen to here. The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The photo in the podcast logo was taken by ⁠⁠⁠@maki.levine⁠⁠⁠. This episode was recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. Australia always was and always will be the land of the First Peoples. Every month, I Pay The Rent and so can you - click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to learn more.

In this episode, I am joined by doula Bree Stafford and Homebirth Mindset Coach & Guide Ashley Winning to discuss what they've noticed in supporting people in their homebirth after caesarean (HBAC) journeys. Guest 1: Bree Stafford Bree is a birth doula, birth photographer, and mum of three. Bree's three birth experiences have opened her heart to what is possible. Her first babies, two boys, whose arrivals took her on a journey through an intervention filled hospital birth, resulting in a Cesarean with her first son. The process of planning a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) with her second son, resulting in a repeat, yet empowered cesarean. With her third pregnancy with her daughter, Bree realised that everything she needed was within, not external to her, and she birthed her lovingly at home (HBA2C). Bree's birth experiences, combined with her doula training with Rhea Dempsey in 2009, enables her to support pregnant and labouring women in their journeys to motherhood. Through her work, she wishes to provide women with the information, wisdom, and power that she wishes she had leading into her first son's birth. Guest 2: Ashley Winning Ashley is a Homebirth Mindset Coach & Guide, Podcaster, Speaker, and she birthed her third baby at home unassisted after two surgical births. Ashley believes that women are born with the strength, wisdom and courage to birth and be the mothers they want to be. She works intimately with pregnant women who plan to homebirth/freebirth by working through fear and mindset challenges, while providing emotional support so that they feel heard, seen & validated while taking the steps to intuitively birth their baby their way. You can find many freebirth & homebirth resources and support on her website: www.ashleywinning.com Or check out her Podcast The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast. Follow our instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@definitelybabypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠for photos of weekly guests and episode updates and releases. The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The photo in the podcast logo was taken by ⁠⁠⁠⁠@maki.levine⁠⁠⁠⁠. I would like the acknowledge the lands on which we recorded these conversations: Yugambeh Country, Wadawurrung, the Gulidjan and the Gadubanud, and Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong Country. Australia always was and always will be the land of the First Peoples. Every month, I Pay The Rent and so can you - click⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to learn more.

In this episode, we’re joined by Melanie Jackson, or you may know her as Melanie the Midwife. Mel co-hosts her own podcast The Great Birth Rebellion, is a mum of two, and works as a privately practising home birth midwife, and part-time as a researcher at Western Sydney University. Mel joins us to chat all things homebirth, including: Can you tell us about the skill sets of home birth midwives vs. hospital midwives? What medications do home birth midwives carry for managing PPH and birth of the placenta? What are some medical reasons a transfer to a hospital would be necessary during a home birth? What is your experience with caring for people having homebirths after caesareans (HBACs)? Is home birth after caesarean or homebirth in general 'safe'? Could you explain the costs associated with private midwives and doulas and how we can reframe thinking about this? Is a doula still a necessary addition to a homebirth space? Follow our instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@definitelybabypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠for photos of weekly guests and episode updates and releases. The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The photo in the podcast logo was taken by ⁠⁠⁠@maki.levine⁠⁠⁠. This episode was recorded on Ngurra (Country) of the Gundungurra and Dharug Peoples and the Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. Australia always was and always will be the land of the First Peoples. Every month, I Pay The Rent and so can you - click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to learn more.

In episode 5 of ⁠Definitely Baby⁠'s VBAC mini-series, three wonderful women share their VBAC journeys. As the stories can attest, there is so much power in equipping yourself with evidence-based information and knowledge throughout your pregnancy, especially if you’re planning a VBAC. There are so many great resources and podcasts you can gather this information, and I truly believe that the power of listening to other people’s journeys to VBAC is one of the best and most empowering and encouraging forms of knowledge we can equip ourselves with. Story 1: Kirsty Kirsty lives in the Gold Coast with her partner Tom and two young sons, Jasper and Toby (19 months apart). Jasper’s birth was an emergency caesarean after initial ‘failure to progress’ and an adverse reaction to synthetic oxytocin. It was almost 11 hours before Kirsty was able to hold Jasper which was devastating for her. Kirsty immediately knew she wanted a VBAC for her next birth so she joined a VBAC support group and began researching and reading VBAC birth stories ahead of trying to conceive. Toby’s birth was a successful VBAC in a public hospital system under the MGP. Despite experiencing a 3C tear requiring surgery, Kirsty states Toby’s birth was extremely healing and the 3.5 hours of post-birth skin on skin she experienced with Toby was everything she could have hoped for. Story 2: Rachael In Rachael's first pregnancy, she chose a private OB and was diagnosed with GDM at 28 weeks. This led to an induction at 39+3 with various interventions, ending in a C-section. Her son was quickly taken away, affecting bonding and breastfeeding. In her next pregnancy, she focused on regaining control and skin-to-skin contact. She researched extensively, hired a private midwife and doula, and planned a home birth. However, her home birth was cancelled due to a GDM diagnosis at 28 weeks. She included osteopathy and acupuncture in her pregnancy routine and maintained her healthcare team. At 40+5 weeks, Rachael went into spontaneous labor and went to the hospital when contractions were 5 minutes apart. Despite declining certain medical interventions, a VE revealed she was 3cm dilated, had bulging waters, and the baby was in a posterior position. She opted for a repeat C-section, which turned out to be an amazing experience. She had immediate contact with her daughter during the birth, and they asked for her consent before cutting the cord. Emma was placed on her chest for a beautiful moment, and she remained with Rachael into the recovery period. Postpartum, Rachael felt a stronger bond with Emma than she initially did with her son, and breastfeeding was easier. She was grateful for her choices, even though her VBAC resulted in another C-section, as it left her feeling empowered. Giuditta lives in Perth WA with her husband Jacob and three children, Oliver (5), Chiara (4) and James (11 months). Giuditta’s first birth was an emergency c-section due to “failure to progress” from induction given when both her body and baby were not ready.  The explanations she was given were that her body did not know how to labour on its own and that she was probably an “unlucky woman” to never experience it. A few months after the birth they fell pregnant again and she knew she wanted a VBAC; however her daughter remained breech and they opted for a planned c-section. In 2021 Giuditta had a natural miscarriage at 12 weeks at home. Although a sad loss for their family, this event made her question so much more. How could she miscarry and not birth? With this in her mindset when they fell pregnant again in 2022 she knew she could have a VBA2C. She hired a private midwife as she knew this model of continuity of care was her best chance. Follow our instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@definitelybabypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠for photos of this week's guests.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Hazel Keedle.  Hazel is a Senior Lecturer of Midwifery at The School of Nursing and Midwifery at Western Sydney University. Hazel has worked in nursing and midwifery for over two decades. Her interests in research focus on vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC), birth trauma, and women’s maternity experiences explored primarily using feminist mixed methodologies. She is now a lead researcher in the biggest study on experiences in maternity care in Australia - The Birth Experiences Study. Hazel starts by sharing her own personal journey to a VBAC. I’d love to provide a content warning as Hazel discusses the obstetric violence and lack of consent taken from healthcare providers in her first birth. She talks about how her birth inspired her research in her PHD, in which she explored women’s experiences of accessing VBAC in Australia. She has recently written her excellent book, Birth After Caesarean: Your Journey to a Better Birth, which I highly recommend for anyone on their own VBAC journey.  We then delve into topics around choosing the best, most supportive birth team for you on your VBAC journey, myths that exist around home birth, and why the language that is used around VBAC is so important.  Hazel discusses the following questions: Who’s the best care provider to choose based on evidence with VBAC rates? What role does a supportive birth team play in planning a VBAC, and how can individuals find healthcare providers who are experienced and supportive of VBAC? Can you share some evidence around VBACs in hospital vs at home? What are the fears and myths around home birth and how can we dispel these? How can the language we use when discussing VBAC impact a person's perception of their experience? What alternative terms or approaches can we use to move away from the "success/failure" mindset and provide more supportive language for individuals pursuing VBAC? You can follow our instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@definitelybabypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠for photos of weekly guests and episode updates and releases. The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The photo in the podcast logo was taken by ⁠⁠⁠@maki.levine⁠⁠⁠. I would like to acknowledge the land on which we recorded this episode - the Dharug people as the Traditional Owners of the Eora region and the Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. Australia always was and always will be the land of the First Peoples. Every month, I Pay The Rent and so can you - click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to learn more.

In episode 3 of Definitely Baby's VBAC mini-series, three wonderful women share their journeys to VBAC. As the stories can attest, there is so much power in equipping yourself with evidence-based information and knowledge throughout your pregnancy, especially if you’re planning a VBAC. There is so many great resources and podcasts you can gather this information, and I truly believe that the power of listening to other people’s journeys to VBAC is one of the best and most empowering and encouraging forms of knowledge we can equip ourselves with. For anyone also on their VBAC journey, I hope these stories empower and encourage you. For anyone not on their VBAC journey, I hope you enjoy listening to the magic of these beautiful birth stories.  Story 1: Rachel Rachel is a mother of 2 who lives on Worimi Country, in the country town of Stroud, NSW. She lives with her husband Matt, 3 year old Connor and 12 week old baby, Eleanor. Rachel had her first birth whilst living in the Northern Beaches of Sydney in 2020, right in the middle of Covid. Through a classic cascade of interventions (induction, epidural, “failure to progress”) Connor was born via c-section at 41+5. Fast forward to 2023 and her daughter Eleanor was born via a beautifully empowering, drug free and largely pain free, VBAC. Birthing in a public hospital, with a fragmented model of care, she had to advocate hard for herself. By learning everything she could about VBACs and gathering an epic birth team, she was able to achieve a beautiful physiological birth with minimal interventions.  The full version of Rachel's birth stories will feature as one of the first episodes of the soon-to-be launched Australian VBAC Stories podcast. Check out the Australian VBAC Stories podcast's instagram page here. Story 2: Catherine Catherine lives with her partner Drew and boys Wilbur 4.5 yes and Percy 17 months, on the Surf Coast.  In her first Pregnancy, Catherine was part of the MGP program at the public hospital. Despite focusing on maternal positioning throughout the pregnancy, Wilbur was posterior and his head wasn’t engaged. At 11 days over Catherine agreed to be induced, due to concerns around the his size. At 42 weeks Wilbur was born via caesarean, as his head never engaged. In between Wilbur and Percy’s births Catherine had 2 early births, which, combined with the cesearean birth, impacted Catherine’s confidence and trust in her body.  Catherine chose to birth with the Birth House midwives for Percy’s pregnancy, and engage a supportive birth doula. During this time Catherine prepared herself mentally, physically and emotionally for a HBAC. Catherine went into labour at 11 days ‘overdue’ and had an empowering, healing waterbirth at home.  The full version of Catherine's birth stories are included in an episode of the Australian Birth Stories podcast. You can listen to it here. Story 3: Georgia Georgia is a Birth & Postpartum Doula living in the Hawkesbury, north-west of Sydney with her husband and two daughters, Luna and Remi. For her first birth, she was induced at Christmastime in 2019 for post-dates, and unfortunately, experienced the typical cascade of interventions that led to an unplanned caesarean due to ‘failure to progress’. Georgia had a rough time with breastfeeding and held on to the grief of this difficult experience for a long time. Initially planning a repeat caesarean in her subsequent pregnancy, Georgia discovered the option of VBAC and homebirth at 24 weeks pregnant. She changed her plan, booked a private midwife and gave birth to her second daughter, Remi, at home in November 2021 after a marathon 36-hour labour that was beautiful, empowering and like nothing she could have ever imagined. The full version of Georgia's birth stories will feature as one of the first episodes of the soon-to-be launched Australian VBAC Stories podcast, that she is one of the hosts of.