The Positive Births NZ podcast

Min shares her moving and inspiring story of hope, courage, determination and navigating a whole lot of hurdles to meet baby Goldie.
This is a story where nothing was straightforward and Min shares how she navigated all the challenges.

 Within this chat the following topics are included:

- Peri menopausal from age 23,  early onset perimenopause

- Sister offered to be egg donor, IVF first round chemicalpregnancy

- Bad morning sickness-

- Donor egg = higher risk of pre eclampsia

-Resistance in uterine artery

- High Blo...

Such a great episode for all mums pregnant with second baby to hear how different things can be with a different mindset, preparation and knowledge. Most of all I love how Charlotte practiced the tools in her pregnancy with Beau.

 In this episode we cover the following topics:

-First baby with a December due date = harder to find a midwife

-39w 6 days in labour with Hudson

-Mindset shift when arrived at hospital

-Reflection on how it might have been if she had stayed at home longer

...

Caitlin shares her three waterbirths to Archer, Sylvie andFelix.

Within this chat we cover:

Caitlin’s work as a GP doctor and Type A personality,

First pregnancy being worried about miscarriage – the  website called Miscarriage Odds Reassurer

Begging for an induction at 41+4

A spiritual experience and her happy tears thinking back onthe birth 4.5 years later

The type of preparation she did in each pregnancy

Dark feelings in first trimester

Almost the same pregnancy sypmtoms each time

Having to prepare for a home b...

When Michelle received a gift of a massage after the loss of her baby, a massive ripple effect started.

An idea was sparked, Michelle took action and now supports hundreds of mothers per year following the loss of a baby.

In this episode Michelle shares her journey, thoughts and feelings of loss on Mothers Day and 2020 lockdown.

We hear all about how her journey has lead to the creation of a charity and all about Massage After Miscarriage.

If you would like to support this worthwhile charity head to www.massageaftermiscarriage...

To mark Baby Loss Awareness week (Oct 9-15) we are here to acknowledge the short life of Lottie.

Kaz openly and vulnerably shares her story just 4 weeks after her loss of Lottie in mid 2026.

Lottie was  thought and planned for, conceiving with IVF, and with consideration Kaz may experience HG again. They went to their 12 week scan and discovered no heartbeat.

Kaz speaks about her options and feelings as there were no signs of miscarriage.

After deciding to go private for the quickest procedure, her body didn’t respond to misoprostal, and...

 ”They told me that the day before, that labor could be quite quick with pre-eclampsia. Your body often just needs to get the baby out.”

Edith shares her smooth induction with pre-eclampsia tofirst baby Jasper.

Included in this chat:

-Doing the recorded online Positive births course

-High blood pressure 33 weeks

-Admitted to hospital at 36+2

-Being well supported at Invercargill hospital

-Misoprostal one day

-Syntoncin on day 2

-Spent time in the water

-Birthed in the pool (but not into the water...

To celebrate our 200th episode we chat to the internationally recognised Kiwi researcher and educator in the field of pregnancy and birth; Dr Sarah J Buckley who has just completed a PhD on Oxytocin.

Within this chat amongst many topics, we cover:

-the  positive feedback loop of labour.

-Filling in of hormonal gaps

-10 years to write up the PhD – (we are still waiting for thedata to be available to the public)

-The uterus becoming more sensitive to oxytocin towards end of pregnancy – oxytocin receptor density

...

“I can’t wait to give birth again” even though her whole journey included many challenges, Caitlin shares all the details involved to meeting baby Remy.

In this chat we discuss the following:

-Lengthy conception journey

-Family history of pre-eclampsia, recommended aspirin butdeclined due to allergy despite recommendations – didn’t get pre -eclampsia

-The Mitre 10 lady with her story….

-getting to 42 weeks and navigating induction

-Foley balloon, misoprostal

-Felt a band popping, nausea, shaking

-Fast labour 9minutes to push him out

-Tearing...

More than just a birth story, in this episode we chat on some deep and meaningfuls like death, loss and grief and children who remember before they were conceived.

Wai speaks to the empowerment of a homebirth, losing her mum to cancer 4 months into her pregnancy, why she chose the support of a doula and how she felt after her quick homebirth.

Topics included :

-The grief process and navigating it through pregnancy

-3 yr old Aria’s experiences of birth and death

-Support from a doula

...

"It was everything opposite to what I planned."

Arlene is here to share her story of experiencing the kindof birth she had hoped to avoid — and how, despite everything unfolding so differently from what she had planned, she was still able to have a positive birthexperience.

Some of the topics in our chat today include:

-Giving birth at age 42

-Reprogramming thoughts and fears about birth

-Trigger warning - we talk about Baby loss of Arlene’s and a friend's

-Miscarriage at age 40 – you can hear Arlene’s story at...

We finally have a twin birth story!!! – thanks to Devon whoshares with us her recent experience of a vaginal birth to her fraternal twin boys, Marlon and Remy

In this chat we discuss: 

- Di-di twins (dichorionic-diamniotic twins) are a type oftwin pregnancy where each baby has their own separate amniotic sac and placenta

-How Devon was resigned to the fact that what was going tohappen would happen

- Her relaxed, low key approach

- The physical challenges

- Extra scans  as Twin A flagged for growth rest...

Two home waterbirths, two perfectly healthy babies who had both arrived after a very tech free, physiological pregnancy and birth.

Tennille had no tests, no scans, no monitoring, just a few blood tests to keep an eye on her iron levels.

She had no desire or need for any internal checks or monitoring of baby in either of her labours.

Tennille shares with us how she became educated,worked with her body and tuned into her intuition.

We discuss:

- Ayurvedic living, a holistic lifestyle

...

Abby shares her reasons and priorities as to why she chose to have an elective c-section to second baby Rorah and how this became her best decision for a positive birth.

We hear about her difficult journey involving an emergency c-section to first baby Ari and subsequent severe postnatal anxiety and the loneliness of solo parenting. However, after enjoying a very different birth and postpartum to Rorah, Abby has set up a support system for other parents needing postpartum support.

In this episode we cover:

-Single mum journey with first baby

...

"The biggest achievement of my life...... it's about taking personal responsibility"

Jaz shares her experience of her wild pregnancy and freebirth to her and Issak's first baby, Sage.

Within this conversation we cover :

-The unique environment when she discovered she was pregnant and how she told partner Issak

-Wild pregnancy– no blood tests, no scans, no medical support or intervention

-Taking full personal responsibility

-Other people’s thoughts; a midwife’s comments

-The sacredness of the sex, birth, death continuum

-Dealing with any fear<...

A powerful, story of a strong mum in an intense situation for her first birth. Danielle is not traumatized by this birth experience, in fact she is pleased to share about all that went right for her.

In this episode we discuss:

- The decision to have children, oral contraception for 16 years

- Coming to terms with, and processing pregnancy

- Sister inlaw’s stillbirth

- Unicorn pregnancy

- learning hypnobirthing tools for mindset shift

- Reasons to avoid hospital

- Finishing work at...

Anna's fast birth of her 4th baby in hospital while synthetic oxytocin was being 'threatened' as her membranes had released almost 2 days prior.

In this chat we cover:

-Miscarriage before Freddy’s conception

-First part of pregnancy worried about loss – listening toheartbeat helped

-Fear release

-Membrane release but no sign of labour within 36 hours.

-Labour starts naturally in hospital just before syntheticoxytocin given

-Wireless monitor not picking up baby’s heartbeat

-One hour established labour

-Astrologically a special day to be born<...

While the circumstances around Finley's arrival could have been traumatic Amy is speaking here as a mum who has many positives to share during her journey to meet her baby. It was necessary to have a c-section and she felt calm, safe and empowered throughout.

*Trigger warning that we cover the details of the difficulty of Finley coming out during the caesarean due to his transverse position.

In this episode we chat on the following topics:

-Fear of not being able to have babies

-Miscarriage (which turned septic)

-we...

Caroline and Coad both share their journey to meet Mia which involved the use of a strong mindset and tools to navigate curveballs at the end of pregnancy and during labour for the best possible outcome.

In this chat we cover the following topics, and more:

-First pregnancy becoming a miscarriage

-Naturopath support for conception

-NIPT test returning result for a baby boy

-Scans weren’t able to see between baby’s legs so assumption stayed as a boy

-41+4 having talks about induction, Caroline determined to go i...

Lydia is an excellent example of a mum who committed to the hypnobirthing tools and then reaped the rewards – as you’ll hear her explain what made a difference in her second birth to Eloise.

In this chat we cover:

- How hypnobirthing made a huge difference for her and her practice routine

- Sebastian’s birth in hospital, pressure to push

-Doing everything possible to conceive a girl

- Moving house and regions in pregnancy

- Extra monitoring with a small baby, declined induction at 38 weeks

...

Ellen’s inspiring homebirth to second baby Rowan include thewords “rest”, “underwhelming”, “slumber party vibes”.
Ellen has previously shared her first birth to Nuala on an earlier episode on the podcast;  you can find it by searching  Ellen'shospital birth to Nuala

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5nF1izYF7fxIXJg5dtBMNH

Our chat includes the following topics:

-Miscarriage in between first and second baby

-Fear release exercise bought up subconscious fear instead of what she had expected

-Tearing in her births

-Dealing with anaemia in pregnancy

...

Hayley shares her two positive birth stories – an inductionwith Lilah and birth centre waterbirth to Briar.

In our chat today we cover the following topics:

-Consultation with specialists around Conception journey

-2nd trimester  fibroid degeneration, dealing withthe extreme pain resulted in belief she would be fine for birth

-Plan for homebirth

-High blood pressure week 38

-39+4Misoprostal induction, membranes released

-Briar’s conception within first month

-No fibroids

-Midwives with different opinions

-40+3 doubt worry about going into labour...

Sofia shares her straight forward homebirth to first baby, Atlas

In this chat we include:

- Her very physical lifestyle as a dance teacher and Less Mills instructor, with cross fit right up until end of pregnancy

-Signs of labour starting at 40+3 (burst of energy), 40+4sore back

-Calm labour

-Cervical lip and waiting for that to disappear

-Pushing without an overwhelming urge

-Midwife helping the pelvic floor as having troubles torelease it

-instinctual postpartum

Sofia purchased the Positive Births Short n...

Teresina shares her fast, instinctive birth to Isabella, inthe water just a few minutes after arriving to the birth centre.

In this chat we include topics such as:

-PCOS – told she would never have kids, but how she used that diagnosis to become more in tune with her body

-Birth culture in Mexico

-Learning about birth in NZ

-Changing midwives at 38 weeks to support the type of birthshe wanted – no intervention and no hospital.

-Trusting that the body heals and knows what to do

-Her labo...

This chat arose because of a thankyou email that Josie sent to me right at the very most perfect time that I needed it…..

In this episode today we discuss:

Difficulty finding a midwife for due date early January, which lead to the choice of obstetric care

Using positive birth stories to improve mindset

Induction with several stretch and sweeps, balloon, epidural, syntocinin

Positive interactions with hospital staff

The ripple effect

 A reminder that your birth involves your body and your baby, you can choose wha...

A remarkable conception story where Kate share’s hope, inspiration and an admirable attitude about all that she underwent to meet her daughter Farah.

In this chat we discuss:

- Diagnosis of lymphoma, harvesting eggs, chemotherapy, tumor, stem cell transplant

- Waiting for two years before embarking on IVF – smooth journey

-Hematologist revealing he didn’t know of anyone in her situation that got pregnant

-Mind body connection, mention of psychoneuroimmunology

-Working with grief of loss of mum in pregnancy

-Excruciating leg cramps

-OB ad...

A redemptive second birth story that Lynnaire totally deserved after experiencing 3 miscarriages, pre-eclampsia, induction at 34 weeks to daughter Riley.

In this chat today we discuss:

-2 miscarriages prior to first pregnancy led to anxiety infirst trimester

-Third trimester swelling 32 weeks diagnosis of severe preeclampsia

-Birth at 34 weeks via 3 day induction, balloon, misoprostal,epidural, surgery for retained placenta

-NICU for 6 weeks

-Miscarriage prior to Issac’s conception

-Parasite cleanse and naturopathic support

-Pregnant until 41 weeks, induction misoprostal, baby born encaul

-Creating the ri...

Dalen speaks about the different feelings she had between her first birth and second with feeling disconnected in her first birth to Oaklee but very grounded and present for Asher’s birth. This is an episode where there is definitely quite a difference between first birth and second birth experiences.

In this chat we cover:

-Being a younger mum

-Intense long labour (convinced it would be fast) for first birth

-Got to birth centre 1cm dilated

-Felt disconnected

-Difficult time and difficult recovery determined for this not to...

Having enjoyed a very smooth pregnancy and feeling excited about her home bus birth Gemma was not expecting the curveball of a pre-eclampsia diagnosis just beforeweek 40.

In this episode our chat includes:

- Excited for birth, being surrounded by positive stories & the plan was a homebirth in their house bus

- Diagnosis of pre-eclampsia just prior to week 40 and resistance to a hospital birth

-Gemma’s decision not to have scans in her pregnancy

-Getting into a positive mindset for the induction, using a hypnotherapy track to help

...

" Do not underestimate the power of mental preparation. It's just so important. I wish that I'd done hypnobirthing the first time. I wish that I'd mentally prepared better the first time."

Midwife Courtney shares her experiences of a hospital birth to Molly and homebirth to Teddy – both are posterior births.

Within this chat we cover:

-Courtney’s experience as a midwife of 3 years prior to first birth

-Inaccuracy of scan predicting her baby to be big

-Meconium stained waters when released, posterior labour,significant bleed, ambulance transfer to hosptial, epidur...

Rachel shares her experience of 4 pregnancies withHyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) and her 4 positive births to Rhys, Harper, Brooklyn and George.

In this episode our chat includes:

- Rhys born 2020 at 38 weeks + 5 days, a straight forwardbirth with 4 hours of established labour,

-difficult after pains

-Pregnant again soon after and dealing with HG with an 8month old

-Harper 2022 – born at week 40. Rachel took laxatives the day before to see if that would help ramp things up, fast efficient birth, struggled to bond, hard to settle baby

-Third pregnancy with Brooklyn in...

Elyn says she "hit the jackpot" by finding this podcast and the Positive Births resources. She did an amazing job, and she has so much to share with you. In this episode we discuss: -

-Conception while on her OE and having to choose a midwife from overseas

 - Superficial thrombosis on foot lead to practising breathing while getting a needle into her stomach each night

-Spontaneous labour at 40+1, at home until body was pushing

-Having to hold on and fight the urge to push car ride to birthcentre and stuck be...

What a transformative journey Erin went through in her pregnancy, from being terrified of everything about giving birth to achieving a straight forward, uncomplicated, home waterbirth.

In this episode our chat includes:

-Erin’s fears and how that was a barrier to her considering becoming a mother

-Nerves about miscarriage, was worried throughout her pregnancy

- the Blake's pouch syndrome,

- A placenta in two pieces. (bilobed or bipartite placenta)

-Natural labour occurring at 39 weeks, straight forward home waterbirth with no internal checks.

If you have p...

Beth shares her ‘calm and measured’ experience of c-section following induction at 41+5.

In this chat we discuss:

-Easy conception despite irregular periods

-Using hypnobirthing to feel empowered

-PUPPPS from 40 weeks

-Induction 41.5 balloon induction & misoprostal

-Using breath mints in labour to help with nausea caused by the gas

-Set up in hospital space

-Epidural

-Calm C-Section

-Keeping on top of pain relief after surgery

If you would like to use hypnobirthing skills on what ever journey your birth take...

Emily shares some powerful messages and her learnings from her second pregnancy and birth following a difficult first birth to Alfie. In this chat today we discuss:

-First pregnancy planned home birth but transferred to hospital after long labour

-Limited midwife choice due to rural location

-Experienced interventions she didn’t want

-Reflection on birth trauma and emotional impact

-Use of Havening therapy to process and release trauma and anger

-Second pregnancy Initially considered a freebirth, but chose a supportive midwife

-Very clear boundaries: minimal in...

Enjoy a process of softening your mind and body in your pregnancy so that relaxation feels more natural and accessible for you to use anytime, anywhere including your birth.

This track is just the starting process of a set of tools, techniques and mindset skills you can learn in the Positive Births hypnobirthing course.

If you'd like to find out more about a range of in person and online courses head to www.positivebirths.co.nz

Have questions or need personal support? - email [email protected]

For chats, info...

Zoe compares her two births to Jackson and Kalia sharing her learnings along the way.

In this chat we discuss:

-Ignorance is bliss vs being informed and knowledge is power

-Declining the gestation diabetes glucose challenge test

-Using hypnobirthing tools in labour and postpartum

-Breastfeeding challenges and tongue tie

-Placenta encapsulation

-Homebirth with support of Doula

-Home waterbirth experience

If you too would like to use hypnobirthing tools for your labour, birth and postpartum head to www.positivebirths...

Despite all of the challenges in her pregnancy and birth, Laura looks back and feels positive about her experience.

As she says "for so many they would call the birth I had traumatic or scary. For me, it was everything but that. It was beautiful because my mindset was different.”

In this episode we cover:

Laura’s birth 9 yrs ago to Oliver, who was breech so she had a planned c-section

-Indecision around type of birth during pregnancy

-Traditional Maori healing

-Time distortion in labour

-Bab...

A positive induction story after Holly intentionally did the work to make sure she was calm as opposed to being anxious or worried in her pregnancy.

In this episode we chat about:

Holly’s mum doing Hypnobirthing in 1989

Holly and Aarons hypnobirthing preparation

How Holly didn’t want induction or c section

Induction at 42 weeks with Misoprostal

Quick birth with no interventions or pain releif

Baby born en caul

Surgery for retained placenta

If you too would like to feel...

Sara’s connection with her spirit baby before conception lead her on an intense healing journey after her first traumatic birth a couple of years prior.

In this episode we cover a broad (and very juicy) range of topics, which include:

-Connection to baby after a difficult birth

-Men with birth trauma and Postnatal depression

-Connection with Spirit Babies

-A variety of mental, emotional and physical healing modalities

-9D breathwork

-Healing Generational trauma

-Energy of birth space how people can affect the en...

"It's never  it's never really smooth sailing" was how Claudia felt during her second pregnancy and she had every right to feel that way.

Claudia's birth journeys involved a huge amount of resilience, determination, time and effort and in our chat together I’m so grateful she shares all the details.

Topics discussed in this episode are:

-PCOS, and fertility journey; including finding out she was pregnant and had miscarried on the same day

-Difference between pathological and physiological pain

-Elodie - Asynclitism presentation, 5 hours pushing. Homebirth, Virus, hospital for...