Healing Birth with Carla

Buckle in, this podcast episode with doula, Jenna Shaw, is going to take you on a ride! We fearlessly talk about all the gnarly, taboo topics surrounding birth, delving into the conversations that raise heckles and stir curiosity. Jenna has been birth passionate since childhood. Despite not having given birth herself, she pours her heart, soul and a sh*t tonne of trust into the women she serves. It’s hard to convey in a short introduction the depths we explore in this interview, but to give you a taster, a couple of concepts we explore are that the clinical eye is an intervention with risks, and that birth is the ultimate medicine journey. Other discussion topics include: The mystery of birth as part of the medicine Still birth Free birth Our culture and the way we live, as an intervention Physiological birth & undisturbed birth Thick meconium Connect with Jenna… Website: soula.nz Instagram: @souladoula Substack: newearthbirth.substack.com

Have you ever assumed that someone who’s been working in birth for decades has probably learnt everything there is to know? It’s an easy assumption to make. But today’s guest is a beautiful reminder that no matter how much experience we have, there’s always room to deepen our understanding and expand the ways we support women. Amber Sawyer has a PhD in Biomedical Engineering and has spent many years working in holistic pregnancy, birth and postpartum care. She runs yoga teacher trainings and pregnancy retreats in Spain, and yet she found herself meeting many women - often pregnant with their second or third babies - whose traumatic birth stories were still sitting there, unprocessed. Stories that had never really been spoken about. Stories that unsurprisingly resurfaced with the next pregnancy. Stories that could lead to further trauma, if left unheard and unhealed before giving birth again. Amber joined my Healing Birth Practitioner Training because she wanted to feel more confident holding those stories safely and helping women to find healing before their next birth. In this conversation, she shares what surprised her most about the training, how it brought together everything she already knew into one cohesive approach, and how she’s already using it with the women she supports. I loved this conversation, and I think you will too. Check out Amber's work... Website: ambersawyer.com Instagram: @amber.a.sawyer & @embodied.woman.yoga Join my (Carla's) Healing Birth Practitioner Training course

Allura Halliwell is not my typical podcast guest. Yes, she experienced a traumatic birth, and yes, she went on to have healing births with her next two children. But what is remarkably unique about Allura’s story is the profound spiritual awakening she experienced a number of years after becoming a mother… something that completely altered everything. In this podcast episode Allura speaks about her difficult journey into motherhood. Her baby boy was whisked away to intensive care, and for the couple of hours that followed, she was unsure whether her boy had survived. After 10 days in NICU she was finally able to take her baby home, but isolation and depression ensued for Allura, and her son’s unsettledness signalled his own trauma. Fast forward to when her children were 8, 6 and 4 years old, Allura went on a life changing meditation retreat. It was here that she experienced her transformational awakening - one where she left her body for over an hour, and re-entered this physical plane as an unrecognisable version of herself. Through this, Allura shifted from a stay-at-home mother of three, to a consciousness guide, supporting others to heal core wounds and free themselves from Self-limiting patterns. Tune in to learn more about Allura’s remarkable story and how her work enables liberating transformation. She is touring the North Island of New Zealand in July and August, so if you’re one of my Kiwi listeners and feel drawn to learn more from Allura, check the show notes for links and offerings. Also discussed in this episode: Choosing a medicalised birth as healing The baby’s experience of birth trauma The primary need of babies in terms of their own trauma processing Learn more about Allura's work and offerings: The Pattern Shift NZ Tour Auckland Retreat The Consciousness Method™ podcast Connection Call NZ Free meditations

This podcast episode delves deep into the art of tuning into our bodies and trusting the messages we hear in response. Zarna’s story is a profound example of this. Her first birth was planned to be at home, but at 42 weeks of pregnancy her midwife was no longer willing to support her in a home birth. Zarna reluctantly agreed to a Misoprostol induction at the hospital. On entering her room, the obstetrician proclaimed, “What are you doing, your baby is not coming out this way!”, believing that Zarna’s uterine fibroids would be in the way of birthing her baby vaginally. A c section under GA ensued, along with the added threat of a potential hysterectomy should the fibroids cause extensive bleeding. The OB advised Zarna against attempting a VBAC for any future pregnancies. But when pregnant with her next baby, her body told her otherwise. Zarna chose not to have any medical or midwifery care throughout her pregnancy, and despite her fibroids clearly taking up a good portion of space in her lower womb, she planned a home birth with just her man present, and a birth keeper in the wings. Zarna’s is a remarkable story of tuning in, trust, and healing. She is eager to share her story of birthing with fibroids because she found there was such a lack of such stories for her to lean on in her own pregnancies. Just after our interview she sent me a message to say: “... part of why I had wanted to share my story about having fibroids is because drs had told me that so many women have them but just don’t know they do, but many women have all of the symptoms of having them and will often be told that’s ’normal.’ I think the stats are even 1/4, and with me having them I haven't yet found a lot of support for holistically supporting the female body, and the options from the medical world I have been offered are for chemical menopause, surgery or womb removal! A huuuge part of my journey leading up to Taeo’s accidental conception was supporting my body to get ‘rid’ of the fibroids as I thought that if I did, that would be one less ‘obstacle’ for me to overcome in birth, and when we conceived him I had come to this point where I had no more symptoms of having the fibroids aside from being able to feel them with my hands. So I had wanted it to be known for any women who were listening and had fibroids and who wanted to speak or connect as well, I would love that, also because I’d love to hear what other women are doing and their wisdom and learning around them. It is cool that now after this birth the fibroids no longer feel like obstacles - I have such acceptance and love for them and all they have brought me for calling me deeper into trust in my body.” Also discussed in this podcast episode: * Microbiome seeding * Managing fears that came up in pregnancy * Women’s Circle support in Far North * Empathy Angels service * Meconium in the waters * Partner’s ecstasy * Vaginal tear - healed naturally with Manuka honey * Wonderful postpartum Connect with Zarna via her Instagram page @alignedwithzarna Find out more about the far North Women’s Circle via Zarna or Hannah @embody_ensoul Learn about Empathy Angels support (NZ only): empathyangels.co.nz

Today I speak with blossoming birth worker, and mother of two, Libby, from Birth Liberation. Her story reveals the lessons and growth her mothering journey has brought about, especially in trying to plan a reverent and undisturbed second birth. Libby birthed both of her babies at home, with the second being a free birth. Tune in to hear about the challenges Libby faced in trying to achieve her desired birth, the reasons why her free birth was not the experience she had hoped for, but was the one she’d needed, and how the work that we did together helped Libby to unravel her trauma. Part of that work was training with me to become a certified Healing Birth practitioner so that she is now equipped with the skills and tools to help others to find healing after a traumatic birth experience. If this podcast episode piques your own interest around my Healing Birth Practitioner Training course, you might want to explore joining my next training round, beginning on February 23rd, 2026. It’s an online course with both self-paced lesson content, and a weekly interactive Zoom session. This course is open to anyone with an interest in holistic birth trauma support, no matter where in the world you are based. A link to further details is posted below. But for now, enjoy this enlightening journey that Libby takes us on, in sharing her story. Follow Libby’s work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birthliberation/ Learn more about the Healing Birth Practitioner Training course: https://www.healingbirth.co.nz/hb-practitioner-training And more on an ‘Unravelling Your Trauma’ session: https://www.healingbirth.co.nz/unravelling-your-trauma Follow Ella’s work on Instagram to find out when upcoming Freebirth Circles are happening: https://www.instagram.com/earth.mama.wellbeing/ Take a look at Sophia’s offerings on her website: https://www.motherscircle.co.nz/ Libby’s postpartum doula, Leeya’s, Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/leeya_essence/

In this podcast episode I chat with Aleisha Black. She and her sister co-founded Miscarriage Matters, a charitable organisation whose aim is to improve the experiences of families who are met with the heartbreak of an early pregnancy loss. Tune in to hear about the compassionate work that Miscarriage Matters is undertaking, and the campaigning they’re doing to ensure maternity services are better meeting the needs of women who experience miscarriage. Just a wee note first, since recording this podcast, Aleisha brought to my attention that in March this year, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) released new 'Miscarriage, Recurrent Miscarriage and Ectopic Pregnancy Clinical Guidelines'. Within the document RANZCOG defines recurrent miscarriage as the loss of two or more intrauterine pregnancies of up to 20 weeks gestation, whereas in our interview, Aleisha defines recurrent miscarriage as being the old definition of 'three or more consecutive miscarriages' since she was unaware of the new guideline at the time. Check out the Miscarriage Matters website, and sign up to be a supporting member: www.miscarriagemattersnz@gmail.com Follow Miscarriage Matters on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miscarriage_matters_nz/ and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miscarriagemattersnz

In this podcast episode I speak with Emma Perks, a pelvic health physiotherapist. Emma is not only incredibly talented in her work, she has a heart of gold and a trauma informed approach, vital pieces of the puzzle when it comes to birth trauma prevention and healing. In talking with Emma, I learnt that our pelvic floor is basically the bottom of our nervous system. In other words, what is going on with our pelvic floor will pretty much tell us how safe we are on the planet. Through this lens she explains why those who have a history of period problems, or PCOS, or endometriosis, or painful sex, or recurrent UTIs, anything related to the pelvic region, would do well to work with a pelvic health physio before giving birth. So much of what Emma and I discuss highlights the powerful mind-body connection, and how key a subjective experience of safety is in preventing needless birth trauma and pelvic floor damage. Among much else, we talk about perineal massage, prenatal movement, pelvic girdle pain, reducing the likelihood of bad tears in birth, and what postpartum physio support entails. I hope you find this podcast episode as informative, enlightening and encouraging as I did. To connect with Emma, head to the Full Circle Physiotherapy website: https://fcphysio.co.nz/ Find Emma on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fullcirclephysio/ And on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FullCirclePhysio Purchase Emma's Pregnancy Prehab course for a reduced price: Health Practitioner Discount Prehab

This isn’t Chloe’s first podcast episode with me. I interviewed her back in May 2024 after learning about her traumatic first birth when she requested a debriefing session with one of the trainees from my Healing Birth Practitioner Training course. At that stage, Chloe hadn’t yet become pregnant again, so she didn’t have a story to share of a healing birth experience. Instead, she talked about Olivia’s difficult birth, and the journey she had travelled over the time since, including the healing work she’d done, and readying herself for the conscious conception of her next baby. Today’s interview is all about that ‘next baby’ of Chloe’s - her pregnancy with him, his birth, and their early postpartum weeks. The two birth and new motherhood experiences Chloe has had couldn’t be more contrasting. Throughout Ruben’s pregnancy and birth Chloe chose to have no medical or midwifery input, not even a pregnancy test to confirm that the signs her body was giving were indeed due to a little bub growing in her womb. She so generously shares her powerful story of tuning in, trusting, asking for what’s needed, and surrender. I highly recommend having a listen to Chloe’s first interview with me before diving into this one, if you haven’t already done so. Links to watch or listen are found below. YouTube link for Chloe’s 1st episode: https://youtu.be/w39KiuTGx-k?si=m0DgbHfs4O4kipVy Podcast link for Chloe’s 1st episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6CzZtHBlPdK16JZnSf86xM?si=BknUK9quRGaegVFkrQ46iA Also discussed in this episode: * partner's hesitations with unassisted birth * Mother Blessing * Reconciling a positive birth and postpartum after a traumatic first * postpartum preparation * community postpartum support * naturally healing a tear

Georgia’s first baby was 5.1kg (that is, 11lb, 5oz), something that curtailed her initial home birth plans and saw her birthing in the hospital. This, along with feeding into a narrative which convinced Georgia that she shouldn’t feel pain in her birth, led to a less than ideal experience and a second degree tear. As well, Georgia and her man were sent spiralling down a postpartum anxiety hole, in part because of poor preparation, unhelpful expectations and a lack of support. This was all exacerbated by the Covid lockdown restrictions at the time. Hear about how Georgia and her man navigated their relationship as struggling new parents, and how they set themselves up for an incredibly healing, beautiful and empowering home birth with their second, along with a peaceful and joy-filled postpartum. By the way, Georgia’s second baby was 4.6kg (10lb, 2oz), and was born after just 2.5 hours of labour, something she forgot to share during our interview. Also discussed in this episode: * Stretch and sweep * Irregular contractions * Artificial rupture of membranes * Maternal and paternal postnatal depression and anxiety, including panic attacks * Intrusive thoughts * Counselling * Postpartum preparation * Birth planning process - birth mapping * Home birth with sibling present * Fast labour * Birth photos Check out Georgia's website: https://www.alightbeheld.com/ Follow Georgia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alightbeheld/ And here's the link to the Manawatu Home Birth Association Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MHBAInc

In this podcast episode I catch up with Kate Hicks of Birth Trauma Aotearoa, a timely episode during Birth Trauma Awareness Week , running from July 14-20. I last spoke with Kate around 2.5 years ago, so Kate will update us on the mahi (work) they've done over this time as well as plans for the future, including launching in-person support, developing research in the Aotearoa context, and the continual push for birth trauma prevention and improved support. Kate will also tell us about Birth Trauma Awareness Week , this year's theme, what the week aims to achieve and how you might like to get involved (you can head to this webpage to learn more: www.birthtraumaaotearoa.org.nz/take-action ). Follow BTA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birth_trauma_aotearoa/ or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/birthtraumaaotearoa

Today I bring you a bit of a different episode. I’m joined by six women who, like me, are core members of the Wise Women Network. This is a fast growing movement that aims to protect physiological birth and champion women-led care through connections with birth-workers and mothers who are seeking our support. Tune in to hear more about our ‘why’ and be inspired by our fire, heart and passion. **If you want to be a part of the Wise Women Network, you can join us on the following social media pages** Facebook group aimed at birth worker support and information: W ise Women Network NZ Facebook group aimed at consumer support and information: Wise Women Network: Birth Support (to Birth YOUR Way) Instagram @wisewomennetwork_nz

Please note that this episode includes discussions of domestic violence and suicidal thoughts. Listener discretion is advised. If these topics are distressing for you, you may wish to skip this episode or listen with support. Relevant Aotearoa/NZ helplines are accessible at the bottom of these show notes. Naomi’s story is a troubling, heart-wrenching listen. She bravely lets us in on the abuse and trauma she endured as a young first-time mum in a violent relationship with a manipulative man who would later become her husband. Together they had two more children, both healing home births, but the domestic abuse continued. One day, whilst working a shift as a midwife, Naomi spotted a brochure that stated, “family violence changes the brains of our children.” This realisation was the final straw for Naomi. She knew she needed to protect her babies from growing up in this abusive household, and she left their dad for the final time. He still had contact with the children, though no formal parental agreement was instated. Fuelled by anger and jealousy, when he discovered Naomi had met a new man, he took the children and told her she wouldn’t be getting them back. The police could do nothing. Naomi desperately tried to get her children safely back into her care. But after many months of battling the system, and despite a clear history of abuse, including multiple protection orders, Naomi ultimately lost custody of her children to her violent ex. She was utterly powerless to protect her babies, something that nearly killed her. Find out how Naomi not only found the will to live, but went on to have another baby to a beautiful man, and now works to help heal the hearts of other wounded mothers. Her story is both deeply disturbing and profoundly inspiring. Also discussed in this episode: * contemplating abortion * protection orders for physical and psychological violence * pressured into medical pain relief - Pethidine & Epidural * lack of bond with newborn * Raynaud’s Syndrome (breastfeeding) * pressured to give formula to baby * Postnatal depression & anxiety * Maternal Mental Health support - Aropax * CBT * Nursing & midwifery training * Siblings at birth * Gambling addiction * Court appointed psychologist (bias towards father) * contemplating suicide * Mama’s Tribe * Healing Birth Practitioner Training * 42 week pregnancy * PROM & meconium stained waters * Syntocinon * healing & empowering cesarean * Wise Women Network NZ * sleep consultancy - responsive settling * postpartum sleep deprivation Aotearoa/NZ Helplines Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or free text HELP to 4357 Women’s Refuge 24/7 Crisis Line - 0800 REFUGE (0800 733 843) Shine (DV support) - 0508 744 633 1737 - Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 Connect with Naomi on Facebook Join The Mamas Tribe on Facebook For coaching (mama, baby or trauma related) with Naomi email her on nurture@naomiruth.nz Join the Wise Women Network Facebook group Check out my (Carla's) Healing Birth Practitioner Training course

In strong labour, birthing her first baby at home, Michelle was unexpectedly met with the news that her baby was breech. Supported by a trusted care team, she went on to confidently birth her big boy in her lounge. High on magical birth hormones, basking in the glory of what she’d just achieved and marvelling at the gorgeous human she’d created, Michelle was unaware that she’d sustained a decent tear. But that wasn’t a problem. It went on to heal naturally, without fuss. The real challenge came with breastfeeding. Michelle couldn’t make sufficient milk to meet Beren’s needs, and had to supplement feed throughout his babyhood. This was a source of absolute struggle and heartbreak for Michelle. Today she shares with us the trials and tribulations of her breastfeeding journey, both with her first born, and then with Willis, her second child, also born at home (but this time, head down). Even now, as she reflects on her 12 years old story, the emotions run high. Oftentimes birth is a breeze compared to the breastfeeding challenges that some are met with. Michelle’s story is a testament to this. Also discussed in this episode: * importance of good relationship with midwife * holding boundaries * meconium * Maggie Banks’ books - Homebirth Bound & Breech Birth Woman Wise * partially torn cord with birth of head * consuming placenta * donor breast milk * La Leche League support * supplemental nursing system * water birth * sibling at birth

It was the following Suzanne Arms quote, that inspired my guest today, Sharon Robinson, to become a midwife: “If we are to create a nonviolent world where respect and kindness replace fear and hatred, we must begin with how we treat each other at the beginning of life, for that is where our deepest patterns are set. From these roots grow fear and alienation, or love and trust.” As a new grad, Sharon left her home in the US to practice midwifery in NZ because of our “gold standard” midwifery care. However, she was met with challenges - hierarchies, power-plays, professional jealousy, over-medicalisation - that stifled her ability to practice where and how she wanted to, and in the ways that she knew women deserved. Sharon shares with us some of the trials and tribulations she has faced throughout her personal and professional life, including childhood abuse at the hands of her father, a mastectomy for breast cancer 10 years ago, and then, last year, being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. We discuss what the role of a midwife is, how the way a woman is treated in birth matters a lot more than her mode of birth, and what birth and midwifery are like in different parts of the world. Also discussed in this episode: * Creating birth plans * Stillbirth * Deep grief versus trauma * Abusive and fraudulent maternity ‘care’ in South Africa * Rights in birth * Informed decision making and consent * Post dates * Induction of labour * Differing roles of midwives and obstetricians * Defensive, risk-centric practice * Home birth midwifery * Collegial support from like-minded midwives Check out Sharon’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sharonrobinson.midwife Find some awesome videos that Sharon has created on her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sharonrobinsonmidwife516 Become a part of the Wise Women Network NZ - a global (despite the name) Facebook group for birth workers and birth-passionate consumers who are seeking a reclamation of empowered, undisturbed, physiological birth, supported by wise woman midwives: https://www.facebook.com/groups/538842372367843 Follow my (Carla’s) Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/healing.birth/ Check out my website here: https://www.healingbirth.co.nz/ Email me carla@healingbirth.co.nz if you have a story that you believe is a good fit for my podcast and that you’re keen to share You can also watch this episode, and others, on my Healing Birth YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@healingbirth

Millie’s father passed away just prior to her first pregnancy. She was consumed by grief and had no capacity to take birth preparation on board. Just shy of 42 weeks pregnant, Millie agreed to an induction and a sequence of disempowering, sometimes traumatising, events played out, including a 3rd degree tear which required 2.5 hours of surgical repair, separating her from her newborn at this critical time. Now, 6 weeks postpartum with her second baby, Millie has quite a different story to share of pregnancy and birth. Encouraged by her midwife, Millie chose a home birth this time, and she did the inner work necessary to set herself up for a vastly different, very empowering, experience. Tune in to hear all about the self work that’s required to honour the need for a healing birth. Millie shares all of her top tips and invaluable resources. Also discussed in this episode: * ARM/Syntocinon * TENS * Unconsented student midwife involvement * FSE * Cervical lip - told not to push * Painful catheterisation * Fetal heart decelerations * PPH * haematoma * physical trauma * Soulful Birth course * Acupuncture * 40 minute physiological 3rd stage * Journaling Learn more about my (Carla’s) Soulful Birth course here: https://www.healingbirth.co.nz/soulfulbirthgroup Or there is the option to do a personalised Soulful Birth For You course with me, 1:1. Check out the details here: https://www.healingbirth.co.nz/soulfulbirthforyou

Candice, a midwife, recently gave birth to her second baby. We worked together during her pregnancy, helping her to unpack the story of her first birth and to prepare for a different experience this time around. Mildred’s birth had been shockingly painful for Candice, and she exhaustedly made the call to abandon her home birth plans in order to have an epidural in hospital. This left her with feelings of shame and self doubt, especially given she was a midwife. But doing the self-work required to unravel her traumatic experience and find compassion for how she had coped, enabled Candice to manage another very painful posterior labour in an entirely different way. Candice’s story highlights our undeniable mind-body connection and its very real impacts on how we birth. When we enter labour with unhealed traumas and experience the inevitable loss of control that giving birth entails, many, like Candice, experience this as hugely triggering. Tune in to Candice’s vulnerable share about how she worked through her fears to ready herself, as best she could, for a beautiful and empowering home birth. Also discussed in this episode: * Posterior labour - direct OP birth * Long early labour * Nitrous oxide - gas & air (at home birth) * Ventouse birth * Second degree tear * Effects of childhood trauma on birth * Difficulties bonding with baby * Work with me - Havening, Unravelling Your Trauma session, Planning Your Healing Birth session, Soulful Birth online course * Journal prompts and guided meditation * Tools for managing fears (especially around pain) in labour * Affirmations * Water birth * Self vaginal exam * Requesting a managed 3rd stage an hour postpartum * Tandem feeding Follow Candice on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/villagebirthnz/ Learn more about healing with me (Carla) here: https://www.healingbirth.co.nz/healing And learn more about my online Soulful Birth (holistic birth & postpartum preparation) course here: https://www.healingbirth.co.nz/soulfulbirthgroup

When Nathalie got married in her 20s, she and her husband were set on a life without children. They had met in an ashram in India, studying Vedanta philosophy, and were of the view that parenthood was a distraction from the spiritual path. But some years into their marriage, Nathalie developed a growing, undeniable urge to become a Mother. With her biological clock ticking, and a marriage where needs were no longer aligned, Nathalie and her husband separated. He returned to NZ, and she went on a wild journey of self discovery, delving into the more feminine aspects of her nature, and doing her all to call in the man who would father her children. As I talk to Nathalie today, her boy Sage, now 7 weeks old, is being cared for by his Dad, Ivan, in their LA apartment. She shares with me about the challenges she faced, and preparations she undertook, to achieve a positive and rewarding birth experience. Find out how her childless ex-husband came to be the one who enthusiastically encouraged Nathalie to explore home birth, and suggested that she contact me for guidance around achieving that. It’s quite the story! Also discussed in this episode: * Breast reduction surgery and its impact on milk production * Donor milk, low supply, supplemental nursing system, triple feeding * Home birth obstetrician * Fears of going post-dates. ‘The labor salad’ & castor oil smoothie * Chinese medicine - Nathalie is an acupuncturist * Denial/suppression of feminine aspects of self - healing the guilt and shame of being a woman * Dr Sarah Buckley’s work * Bed-sharing * Positive impacts of home birth on postpartum Nathalie worked with me (Carla) via both my 1:1 and Group Soulful Birth (holistic birth and postpartum preparation) options. For more information on these, head to this webpage: https://www.healingbirth.co.nz/birthprep Check out Nathalie’s work here: https://nathalievitality.com/

For someone who, like so many out there, had been under the illusion that their hideous cesarean births were ‘just the way birth was’ and not justifiably classified as traumatic, Kiki, having just birthed her third baby at home, has quite the story to tell! She and her husband, Adam, share about initially being under the veil of disempowering conditioning, and the journey they went on to achieve an undisturbed home birth just 6 weeks ago. Kiki’s is a powerful story of courage and self-determination. The system had her labelled as ‘high risk’ due to multiple factors that Kiki came to see were not based on good evidence, didn’t align with what she instinctively knew, and were tools in the patriarchal birth machine, designed to keep her scared and under the control of the system. Once she learnt that she was rightfully the one behind the steering wheel, Kiki stood in her power and readied herself for the birth that she and her baby needed and deserved. I had the honour of being a part of Kiki’s pregnancy journey, helping her to learn the truth about her earlier births, and sourcing the tools, understandings and wise woman sisterhood that she needed in order to take radical responsibility for the way her birth would unfold. At almost 39 weeks of pregnancy, her midwife dropped her, afraid of Kiki’s uncompromising approach to planning her birth. This turned out to be an absolute blessing, opening the door for some incredible midwives to rally around Kiki, supporting her right to birth her way. Kiki now seeks to pay it forward. She has found her voice and has a fire in her belly, and she’s determined to do all she can to tear down the patriarchal structures that keep birthing women from accessing their power in the wondrous rite of passage that birth is. Also discussed in this episode: * NFP ‘The Village NZ’ * Australian maternity system - no continuity of care * Artificial rupture of membranes - meconium * Syntocinon augmentation * Epidural * Crash c section under GA * Lack of initial bond with baby * Gestational diabetes * Inaccurate ultrasound scans * ‘Advanced maternal age’ (41 years) * VBAC * Detailed birth plans * Responsibilities * Soulful Birth course * Freebirth * Doula * ‘Unravelling Your Trauma’ session with Healing Birth Practitioner trainee * Born at Home and Birth Time films * Sibling at birth Join the Wise Women Network NZ Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/538842372367843 Check out The Village NZ: https://thevillagenz.org/ Contact Michelle if you’re a birth worker who is interested in becoming a part of the ‘Authentic Midwifery - Wise Women Collective’ - email her on info@wisewomennetwork.co.nz. Or connect with her via her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleandIzzy Join my (Carla’s) Soulful Birth course: https://www.healingbirth.co.nz/soulfulbirthgroup Look into my Healing Birth Practitioner Training: https://www.healingbirth.co.nz/hb-practitioner-training

Nell was one of a number of wonderful, and sorely needed, home birth midwives who was mandated out of her job when the Covid epidemic swept the world. When she was legally allowed to re-enter her profession, she chose not to, instead asking the Midwifery Council to remove her from the register altogether. Nell had not lost her passion for supporting women to birth their babies, their way, but she had lost trust in the professional midwifery bodies to enable her to work as a midwife, in the truest sense of the word. Instead, Nell became a sovereign birth keeper, perhaps better known as a doula, and focuses on working with families who are seeking out home birth or free birth. In this podcast episode we are two friends, two former midwives, two women who know that birth belongs with women, and that true midwifery is an endangered profession, discussing the in-and-outs of what this all means. Also discussed in this episode: * NZ maternity care model * what is ‘true midwifery’? * impacts of Covid lockdowns and mandates on birthing families * doula support for partners at birth * mind-body connection - impacts of birth place and birth companions Check out Nell’s website: https://nurturingmamas.co.nz/ Or follow Nell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nurturing_mamas22 And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nurturingmamasnz Check out my (Carla’s) webpage on Healing Birth Practitioner Training: https://www.healingbirth.co.nz/hb-practitioner-training

Clancy is an Australian based birth worker and mother of three. Although she had planned to birth her first baby at home, instead she ended up with a traumatic hospital birth experience. In this podcast episode Clancy shares with us the terrain she has traversed in the 8 ½ years since Louie’s birth, including an early loss experience followed by a four years long journey to conceive her next baby. She talks about the solo bush retreat she went on for 4 nights with just water and a tarp, a life-changing ceremonial undertaking that enabled her to drop into full trust when she became pregnant again. This time she had a wild pregnancy and free birth, an incredibly healing experience despite the fact that Clancy was really sick when she went into labour! And it was not to be her last birth either… she found herself unexpectedly pregnant when Opal was 9 months old. Clancy also shares about her doula work and why she no longer attends births within the system, as well as the role she plays in supporting others to heal after a traumatic birth. I’d been looking forward to talking with Clancy for some time, and now I’m excited to get to share her story and her wisdom with you. Also discussed: unhelpful 'optimal positioning' focus PROM, ARM, posterior baby 'good girl' impacts obstetric violence forceps & episiotomy postpartum incontinence prophylactic antibiotics for baby early birth/miscarriage conception struggles slow birth of placenta doula training birthing physiology & what interferes with it (causing unnecessary trauma) Healing a bad second degree tear naturally Follow Clancy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womancraftway/