Rural living saw Chloe choose a sight unseen birth centre as her birth place and she anticipated she’d do just fine, like the thousands of animals she and her man had seen giving birth on the farm. A hideous car ride during labour to what turned out to be an incredibly unappealing birth space, followed by a lack of attentive support and meconium in the waters, meant that Chloe ended up being transferred to hospital… by helicopter and without her man or midwife by her side. What is more, she was terrified of heights. Her girl was born via a ventouse delivery which also involved an unconsented to episiotomy.

Chloe has yet to experience giving birth again since the traumatic birth of her daughter 2 ½ years ago. Unlike the podcast episodes you’re used to around here, this one doesn’t share a positive and empowering story of birth. Instead, Chloe and I delve into the healing journey she has embarked on in the wake of her traumatic birth and all that she has done and continues to do to prepare herself for the conscious conception of her next babe.

We talk about tracking menstrual cycles, women’s circles, discovering spirituality, nature-based rituals and celebrations, and so much more. Enjoy the journey that Chloe takes us on.

Also discussed in this episode:

* working with a Healing Birth Practitioner trainee

* becoming a Healing Birth practitioner

* painful postpartum sex

* paganism and witchcraft

* home birth

* contraceptive pill for heavy, painful periods as a teen

To find out about Carla's Healing Birth Practitioner Training programme, click here: https://www.healingbirth.co.nz/hb-practitioner-training

To follow Carla's work on Instagram, click here: https://www.instagram.com/healing.birth/

To follow Chloe on Instagram, click here: https://www.instagram.com/reclaimingherpower/