Podcasts about australian birth stories

In this week's episode, I chat to Sarah about her three very different birth experiences spanning five years. Sarah lives in Sydney with her partner Jad and their three children – Remy (5), Navy (3), and newborn Hugo (just two weeks old). Her story beautifully illustrates how birth experiences can evolve with knowledge, preparation and support, taking us from a highly medicalised first birth to an empowering water birth with her third baby. EPISODE SPONSOR: If you’re deep in nesting mode and Googling things at 2am — you’re not alone. The team at iL Tutto is here to help make the journey into parenthood a little smoother (and a whole lot more stylish). From their much-loved nursing chairs that glide, recline and support those long feeding sessions — to beautifully crafted cots with matching chests and removable changers, every piece is designed to be both practical and Pinterest-worthy. They also offer Grow Kindly — gorgeously soft baby sleepwear made for delicate skin — and the CoZee co-sleeping bassinet, perfect for keeping bub close and safe through the night. And right now, when you purchase any full-priced iL Tutto Nursing Chair, you’ll receive a free Snuggle Me Organic Feeding Pillow — the ultimate cosy support for feeding or cuddle time. (Please note: discount codes can’t be used with this offer.) OR, Australian Birth Stories listeners can enjoy 20% off with the code ABS20 — but be quick, it ends June 15, 2025. Visit iltutto.com.au to explore the range or order a free fabric swatch to bring that dream nursery to life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emma goes briefly into her first two births when she was younger and feeling good through her pregnancies. With baby number 3, she experienced a lot of pain and discomfort and chose to induce her labour. It was a short labour, and resulted in a water birth. Her placenta needed help to be removed. Emma is very pragmatic about women's ability to birth, and she reminds us all how powerful women are, and we can give birth, even when we think we can't. Enjoy Emma's stories.   Links: Transform Parenting website Transform Your Birth Today Better Birth: Mini Gift Free resource: Medical Necessity vs Choice

Send us a textIn today's episode, I have a special guest—someone you probably already know and love. Sophie Walker, the incredible founder and host of Australian Birth Stories, joins me to share her personal breastfeeding journey. With a Master's in Public Health, Sophie is passionate about helping pregnant women and their support teams actively prepare for birth and postpartum. Her podcast was born from her own experiences—after a first birth filled with intervention and trauma, she went on to have a redemptive, empowering second and third birth. Now, she's on a mission to share real, raw, and honest birth and postpartum stories.In this episode, Sophie opens up about her three boys and three completely different breastfeeding journeys—from the initial feeling of “it's all on me” to learning how to trust herself as a mother. We talk about the realities of being left in the hospital to figure it out alone, navigating outdated advice from well-meaning grandparents, and the exhaustion of those first six weeks. We cover cluster feeding, sleep deprivation, and yes… co-sleeping (and pretending we weren't doing it!).But we also cover the turning points—the power of skin-to-skin, finding support through the Australian Breastfeeding Association, unwavering love and support from grandparents and knowing when and how to wean on your own terms.If you're in the thick of it right now, feeling overwhelmed or wondering if you're doing it “right,” Sophie has some beautiful words of wisdom for you. So, grab a cup of tea, get comfy, and let's dive in.Find Sophie and the Australian Birth Stories podcast hereInstagram @australianbirthstoriesGet 10% off Katie's courses - use code POD10 at checkout Pregnant or in the first few weeks after birth: The Feeding Couch For health professionals and birth workers: Breastfeeding & Lactation: the fundamentals online course Please support the show! Leave a review and BuyMeACoffee DisclaimerThe information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. The Feeding Couch podcast reserves the right to supplement, change or delete any information at any time.The information and materials on the podcast is provided "as is"; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness. The podcast accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

In this episode of our Summer School, we are joined by Sophie Walker, creator, and host of Australian Birth Stories. With over 17 million downloads, and 500 episodes, Australian Birth Stories podcast has been accredited by the Australian College of Midwives and has been instrumental in educating and empowering both people who are giving birth, as well as birthing partners. Hugh shares the incredible trauma and fear involved with his first experience of birth, and how tools of education and empowerment, such as Lael Stone’s excellent counselling, helped him prepared for birth a second time around. The power of information is invaluable, and Josh opens up about how Hugh’s experience with birth shaped his own, and what the experience was like for him. Sophie, it was such a pleasure. To watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link: https://youtu.be/3sey26-L4Rw

In this episode, we meet Josie, a qualified teacher living in the Albury-Wodonga region who shares her journey to motherhood and her two unique birth experiences. Her story highlights the complexities of navigating healthcare across state borders and the resilience required through pregnancy loss, renovation chaos, and building a family.__________ It's no surprise that restful sleep is hard to come by pregnancy. Pillows are a great way to get comfortable at night and if you find one that prevents back sleeping, it can takeaway the stress of waking up on your back. That's why I recommend the Sleepybelly pregnancy pillow. Sleepybelly is the original three-piece adjustable maternity pillow designed to provide peace of mind by encouraging safe side sleeping or while giving your belly some much needed relief. Sleepybelly don't normally discount their products, but they have provided a $10 off promo code for Australian Birth Stories listeners. You can purchase a Sleepybelly today at sleepybelly.com.au and use the promo code ABS10 for your $10 off - sweet dreams!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode Maude takes us through her two pregnancies and births. She moved interstate in her first pregnancy, registered with her local public hospital and had a planned caesarean because her baby was breech. She talks at length about her positive birth experience and the challenges of breastfeeding and being a stay at home mum. When she fell pregnant with her second baby, she accessed psychological support to assist with the transition from one to two babies and it really set her up for a smooth pregnancy. She knew she wanted a VBAC so she takes us through what she did to prepare and how the birth unfolded. ___________ New Beginnings is an Australian maternity brand dedicated to quality and care, offering thoughtfully designed products that cater to the unique challenges of motherhood and supporting mothers at every step of the journey - from pregnancy to postpartum and beyond. Tried, tested, and loved by mums, New Beginnings offers a comprehensive range of essentials and is now expanding its range with some new and exciting products to deliver a complete solution for mums. New Beginnings is offering 15% off for Australian Birth Stories listeners. You can purchase any of their maternity essentials today at newbeginnings.com.au using the promo code ABS15 for 15% off. You can also find New Beginnings at Baby Bunting, Chemist Warehouse, and other local pharmacies and baby stores. Embrace the beautiful journey of motherhood with New Beginnings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to the show for Episode 500. This one's a little bit different.I'm not interviewing anyone today, I thought I would instead recap the last few years and share with you a little bit more about the journey. Whether you're here for the first time, or you've been here since the beginning over 7 years ago, thank you for listening. I look forward to continuing to bring you birth stories for another 7 years and beyond. Want to celebrate with us? Please leave the show a rating or review in your podcast app, it means so much to me.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

STEP INTO YOUR POWER EPISODE: On Spotify On Apple This is part 2 of my birth story! In this episode I continue to share this magical, hard, amazing, transformative journey as honestly as possible!I have been feeling all of the emotions as I ride this hormonal wave in the fourth trimester. (And I didn't realise how intense the fourth trimester is! I have since learned it's actually labelled as the biggest part of pregnancy emotionally, and I believe that!) I have felt extreme amounts of love and happiness, while also feeling completely fearful. However the most prominent feeling I have felt is a nostalgic feeling where I almost feel I am mourning my pre-pregnancy self, my pregnant self and my birth.What I have realised in the fourth trimester, is that I'm ‘spiritually frustrated.' I'm in a constant state of reflection as I'm terrified I will forget what pregnancy, the birth and the first few days of motherhood felt like. I didn't expect to miss these parts so much. Because I had the most spiritually heightened experience of my life during birth, I am left a little frustrated with my current spiritual connections. I'm feeling like they aren't enough. While I am and will forever be so grateful to have experienced that, it has given me very high expectations of what I can see/feel spiritually.I also chat about sweating the small stuff and how having Indigo has put everything into perspective for me. I have also realised that self worth is the foundation of EVERYTHING when it comes to self development ... sweating the small stuff being one of them! A personal episode that I hope will resonate in some way, shape or form for everyone!View my website here! (My very own oracle cards, journals, meditations + more magical stuff available!)Join my Facebook community group here!Find me on Instagram here! @passaroundthesmile @cleomasseyFind Nicola Laye, Queen of breathwork here and Nicola's Instagram here.Find Shari Lyon from Belly2Birth here and her meditation for naturally inducing labour here.) And her Instagram here.The Pass Around the Smile podcast is recorded on Bundjalung Country, in South East Queensland, Australia. We acknowledge the Yugambeh people of the Bundjalung Nation, the traditional owners of this land. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Please note: This podcast discusses miscarriage and pregnancy after loss.

I'm back! With a very special episode. While this episode is the story of my pregnancy and birth, I have tried to make it relatable to everyone. I share what I learned and practised through manifestation, visualisation, meditation, hypnobirthing and breathwork to make my dream birth my reality! Birth was both the most challenging, yet magical experience of my life. I have never been so spiritually heightened in my life and I have been so excited to share this with my Pass Around the Smile community. This is a positive birth story and it has felt empowering to share how I felt through this transformative time. Surrendering and trusting the process have been instrumental during this time, and I know they're topics that my community all love! Thank you for all your love and support while I stepped back and honoured where I was at. As all Mothers do, I have experienced the biggest shift in my life and I'm adjusting to my new normal everyday. Tired, but extremely grateful. This is my birth story.Listen to my pregnancy episode here. View my website here! (My very own oracle cards, journals, meditations + more magical stuff available!)Join my Facebook community group here!Find me on Instagram here! @passaroundthesmile @cleomasseyFind Nicola Laye, Queen of breathwork here and Nicola's Instagram here.Find Shari Lyon from Belly2Birth here and her meditation for naturally inducing labour here.) And her Instagram here. The Pass Around the Smile podcast is recorded on Bundjalung Country, in South East Queensland, Australia. We acknowledge the Yugambeh people of the Bundjalung Nation, the traditional owners of this land. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

A whole month (and sixteen failed attempts) later, I finally found some time to record the follow up to our birth story episode and answer all your questions. Thank you so much to everyone who sent lovely DMs and feedback after the first episode hosted by the wonderful Sophie of Australian Birth Stories and for submitting such interesting follow up questions that give me the loveliest excuse to reflect on things in a way I probably wouldn't otherwise make time for. It's never lost on me what a privilege it is for this yayborhood to be so engaged and excited about each season of our life (and to be so patient with a very inconsistent schedule for releasing episodes!) I can't promise my answers are any less incoherent than they were in the last episode - the postpartum haze is still going strong - but I did my very best and can't actually believe we got through it before the little bear demanded my full attention back. My only disclaimer is that parenthood is like no other area in life for the diversity of opinions, volume of conflicting information, intensity of judgment (both from ourselves and others) and depth of emotion. If I have one piece of advice, it's that NO advice will suit every parent or every baby so please take everything I say as the personal anecdote it is - I'm not a medical expert and am still very early in our journey, so my answers are purely from our experience so far. Having said that, I've tried to be as helpful as I can (amidst the rambling and tangents of this new Mum brain) and the questions are listed below so you can skip forward to what's relevant to you. There are some links where relevant too and, as always, if you have any other questions feel free to DM any time. DELIVERY Did you feel any warning going into labour? Why did you choose private health vs public health? (AUBS public vs private episode) Hospital bag recommendations (The Memo's hospital bag list and if you want my personal list just send me an email) What did you wear post op? (the disposable undies, the pads, the nightie) Did you go straight back to a normal diet after gestational diabetes? C SECTION What would you take in your hospital bag for a C section? Were you panicky or anxious going into C section? C section recovery – how long? Tips for recovery?  Incision care? Mental health? Immediately after, how were you – could you get up? What recovery shorts or items did you wear? (the briefs, the shorts, the compression socks) FEEDING How was the beginning of breastfeeding? (the silverettes, the lanolin, the compresses, the Qiara probiotics) Are you doing mixed feeding? Bottles? Expressing? (the ladybug milk collectors) GETTING HOME Did you feel overwhelmed when you got home? Biggest challenge in the first few days? First few weeks post-partum, how were they? Top 3 tips for new parents in first few weeks Most difficult part of recovery generally? Is it worth having both the Snoo and Cocoona baby? How is Teddy's sleep? How much time are you taking off? Have you grieved your work identity vs being a Mum? How have you made time for you as a couple? + Announcements on Insta at @spoonful_of_sarah + Join our Facebook community here + Subscribe to not miss out on the next instalment of YAY!

Welcome to the first episode since the arrival of our little Teddy! It's been four very special weeks today since he rushed into the world a few weeks early - even as a tiny little newborn he just couldn't wait to seize his yay! So it makes sense for this first one back to cover our birth story and the postpartum journey so far, snippets of which you may have seen on socials but this is the first time I've articulated his actual delivery - it actually felt really weird to open my laptop again and interact with the outside world again but so lovely to look back on the past month with a bit more lucidity. We only recorded a few days ago and I already can't really remember most of what I said in the haze of the newborn bubble (so apologies in advance for my incoherence - it's a huge achievement if I shower these days let alone produce a sentence that makes sense) but it's all been the most magical few weeks and I now can't imagine our life without him.  As Ang is away but also, as I now know, only a parent can truly understand the chaos of the first few weeks postpartum to know what questions to ask, I thought I'd bring in the big guns and we're so lucky to have Sophie from Australian Birth Stories on the other side of the mic today hosting the interview (you may remember we interviewed her last year and she's been a guiding light through pregnancy and birth). This will be shared on her incredible podcast too so it's structured in her style and includes a bit of background at the start about our conception and earlier loss which you have already heard so feel free to skip through to get to the details of birth. I'm still technically on mat leave but Teddy's one month anniversary and also April being Caesarean Awareness Month made it feel right to emerge momentarily for this. But again, I can already think of so many things I left out or didn't get to between my verbal diarrhoea and rambling plus you also submitted some questions online that we didn't get to in Teddy's nap window so I'll do a follow up episode next (whenever that may be). I hope it all makes sense and thank you so much for sharing in our excitement and joy in this chapter of our pathYAY. + Announcements on Insta at @spoonful_of_sarah + Join our Facebook community here + Subscribe to not miss out on the next instalment of YAY!

Sleepybelly™ is the original three-piece maternity pillow designed to help expecting moms enjoy a deeper, more restful sleep during pregnancy. The pillow is made from a premium latex internal material, which helps prevent back sleeping and encourages safe side sleeping. The company was founded in Australia by two long-time friends and now has over 25,000 happy customers worldwide, shipping daily from their warehouses in the US, Australia, and New Zealand. The pillow comes highly recommended by leading midwives, physiotherapists, maternal health nurses, and authors, including Beth Ryan from BirthWithBeth and Sophie Walker from Australian Birth Stories. Web: https://sleepybelly.co From the Founders: Who we are... Two friends from Melbourne, Australia. Light sleepers and problem solvers, with an obsession for the small details ensuring everything is perfect. Notoriously poor sleeper and Sleepybelly co-founder, Hannah was surrounded by pregnant sisters and friends and hearing complaint after complaint of sore backs, tossing, turning and sleepless nights. Determined to solve the problem for those around her (and future Hannah), she embarked on a journey to develop and design a pillow which provides support, comfort and peace of mind for expecting mums. Enlisting the help of longtime friend and manufacturing expert Andy, the pair left no stone unturned to source the highest quality materials and liaising with expecting mums, osteopaths, women's health nurses to develop the Sleepybelly. We all know how difficult a comfortable night's sleep becomes during pregnancy. A woman's body is changing and growing every day. Carrying an extra human isn't easy on your body. When you finally get into bed you want to feel comfortable and relieved. But the bed just doesn't cut it and neither do a lot of the other pregnancy pillows in the market. Worthy product recommendations travel like wildfire with expecting mums – who are constantly passing on their tips and tricks for a more enjoyable pregnancy. There seemed to be a lack of a worthy product helping mums-to-be get a more comfortable and restful night's sleep. Comfort is a huge driving force behind The Sleepybelly Pregnancy Pillow. But the real magic comes from the peace of mind it brings! Paranoid that they will fall asleep and wake up on their back wondering how long they've been laying like that? We've worked tirelessly to bring a product to you that prevents you from rolling onto your back in your sleep. A product that takes away that subconscious worry that stops you from drifting into a deeper, more restful sleep. That's how Sleepybelly was born – out of a need for comfort and peace of mind! Our personal values are reflected in everything that we do with Sleepybelly. Two family orientated envrionmentally and socially conscious individuals with a healthy perfectionist complex. When setting out to develop the Sleepybelly the focus was always on creating the very best product possible, and solving a very important problem pregnant women encounter during the most important (but physically uncomfortable) period of their lives. Sparing no expense on design, research and manufacturing it's unsurprising that the resulting product is head and shoulders above other maternity pillows available on the market. The final nod to this dedication and values of quality and confidence is the 30-night, money back guarantee. If you've purchased a new Sleepybelly and it's not feeling more comfortable or supported, and as a result your sleep has not improved - send it back for a full refund, guaranteed. ► Luxury Women Handbag Discounts: https://www.theofficialathena.... ► Become an Equus Coach®: https://equuscoach.com/?rfsn=7... ► For $5 in ride credit, download the Lyft app using my referral link: https://www.lyft.com/ici/ASH58... ► Review Us: https://itunes.apple.com/us/po... ► Subscribe: http://www.youtube.com/c/AshSa... ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1lov... ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashsa... ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/1loveAsh ► Blog: http://www.ashsaidit.com/blog #atlanta #ashsaidit #theashsaiditshow #ashblogsit #ashsaidit® Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podca....

This week on the Big Ideas Miniseries I chatted with Sophie Walker, founder and host of popular podcast Australian Birth Stories.   Sophie is the mum of 3 who used to record her podcast from the back of her Nissan X Trail during covid. She has amassed 16 million podcast listeners informing and empowering women and their birth support teams and has grown to become a million-dollar birth and pregnancy educational ecosystem.   In late 2022, I had the pleasure of working closely with Sophie to build her presence leveraging the ecosystem of influence to build visibility, a potent network of industry allies and partners, and launch her book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy.   We break down the key steps involved in Sophie's journey, and some of the challenges she had to overcome to keep showing up as a voice of change in her industry.   This episode gives you an insight into the steps to build authority and how Sophie has relentlessly committed to offering her expertise, applied storytelling to advocate for a reduction in birth trauma and reaped the benefits of rattling the cage.   After 7 years hosting the podcast and 6 months PR campaign run by the Odette & Co team, Sophie was selected as one of 52 newsmakers in the Good Weekend, as chosen by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age staff.   If you're keen to understand what it takes to build credibility and want to be a driving force of change in your industry, you'll want to tune in.   If you want to grab a copy of my comprehensive State of Thought Leadership Playbook. If you're dreaming of TED stages, media headlines, or industry recognition, this eBook is your roadmap. Get your copy at www.odetteandco.com.au/playbook    Find Sophie Walker Online https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-walker https://www.instagram.com/australianbirthstories/  https://open.spotify.com/shows    Find Odette Barry Online  https://www.odetteandco.com.au/authority-brand   https://instagram.com/odetteandco   https://instagram.com/hackyourownpr   

When Jess found out she was pregnant she assumed she would have a caesarean as her mum had had caesareans with all three of her children. It wasn't until Jess started listening to the Australian Birth Stories podcast that she started to explore the idea of having a vaginal birth. When she experienced pre-labour rupture of membranes (PROM) and was later given oxytocin to help bring her labour on she drew on her birthing class knowledge and had a birth she found empowering. When Jess was preparing for her second birth she thought she would have a long labour like her first and was shocked to find herself birthing in the back of an ambulance on the way to the hospital. Follow us on Instagram at @australianbirthstories for helpful articles, behind the scenes, and future episodes. --------- Today's episode is brought to you by Kiwi.co. I must confess I'm not much of a crafty mum but Kiwi Co's panda crate has been the best educational investment for Ottie. Every month we receive a subscription box filled with playful, open-ended activities backed by research and designed especially for naturally curious and creative babies and toddlers. It makes the perfect Christmas gift that keeps giving well beyond the festive season. I'm a big fan of quality activities that create the opportunity for play-based learning and Kiwi Co delivers hands-on projects that get the whole family involved. Whether you have a brand-new baby or a trailblazing toddler, the Panda Crate is perfect for your little one's developing brain.Unwrap more than a gift. Discover hands-on fun with KiwiCo. Get your first month FREE on ANY crate line at kiwico.com/birthstoriesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Kate takes us through her journey to motherhood with her two daughters. In her first pregnancy she opted for care with a private obstetrician and after navigating a very tight pelvic floor from early on, she planned an elective caesarean. Her second and third pregnancies ended in miscarriage and she talks at length about how that made her feel. Her anxiety peaked at the beginning of her fourth pregnancy but thanks to her beautiful, reassuring obstetrician she felt held and supported. At her 13 week scan an anatomical difference in her baby's heart was detected and over the following 10 weeks, Kate and her husband navigated the possibility of a chromosomal abnormality alongside an amniocentesis, genetic counselling and termination for medical reasons (TFMR). At 24 weeks baby Ruby was given the all-clear and Kate finally felt like she could embrace the pregnancy she so dearly wanted. Follow us on Instagram at @australianbirthstories for helpful articles, behind the scenes, and future episodes. --------- It's no surprise that restful sleep is hard to come by. Pregnancy pillows are a great way to get comfortable at night and if you find one that prevents back sleeping it will take away the stress of waking up on your back. That's why I recommend the Sleepybelly pregnancy pillow. Sleepybelly is a three piece, adjustable pillow designed to provide peace of mind by encouraging safe side sleeping all while giving your belly some much needed relief. It's made from a super light air layer outer material and inside is a premium latex that feels soft and comforting while providing optimal support for your belly and your back throughout your pregnancy. They offer free shipping and it also comes with a thirty-night ‘sleeping mums' guarantee or your money back so you can try it risk free. Sleepybelly don't normally discount their products but have provided a 10% off promo code for Australian Birth Stories listeners. You can purchase a sleepybelly today at sleepybelly.com.au using the promo code ABS10 for $10 off.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to the Pregnancy with Physio Laura podcast. Today I am excited to be interviewing the incredible Sophie Walker who runs the popular podcast Australian Birth Stories.   In this chat with @australianbirthstories we discuss: The power of storytelling and debriefing your birth story The general themes of what seems to make a positive birth experience The general themes of what seems to make a traumatic or negative birth experience What women wish they'd known about before they gave birth What systemic changes need to be happening in the maternity system in Aus right now How Sophie's personal birth experiences have helped influence her business   I'd love to know what you thought of this episode, jump over to @physiolaura and tell me what you learnt!   And if you'd like to learn more about supporting yourself through pregnancy, labour, and birth, then I invite you to join me inside my online membership program The Pregnancy Posse. We have weekly workouts, labour, and birth preparation, pelvic floor exercises and so much more!   You can find out more and trial the program for 7 days, just visit thepregnancyposse.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rachel Maksimovic's 4 year old son Lenny came into the world pretty unexpectedly when she was living abroad in Bali, and with someone she had only been seeing for a few months. Given the cultural differences between them and some other challenges they faced once she fell pregnant, Rachel moved back home to raise Lenny on her own. As any single parent would know, there are some extremely tough moments that come with it, and in today's episode Rachel opens up about the mental and financial load that single parenting brings, her coping strategies and what she does when she needs to tap out for a moment, and what she finds helpful when friends and family offer support.  Listen to Rachel's episode on the Australian Birth Stories podcast here. Listen to Rachel's Mothering On My Own Podcast here.   FOLLOW US: KICPOD: @kicpod on Instagram Kic: @kic.app on Instagram, @kic on TikTok and kicapp.com Steph Claire Smith: @stephclairesmith on Instagram, @steph_claire_smith on TikTok Producer Mandy: @amanda.catalano on Instagram & TiktokSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Do you wet yourself a little bit when you sneeze/cough/run/laugh etc? Or feel fearful that you may? Have you experienced pain or discomfort since having a baby, or want to know if what you're experiecing is normal or just common? on today's episode we interview pelvic and women's health physiotherapist erin cuskelly who has the answers you need!Erin has over 15 years experience as a physiotherapist and has pursued postgraduate study in Women's and Pelvic Health over the past 5 years. She established Female Focus Physiotherapy as a safe space to support women through all life stages particularly pregnancy and postpartum recovery.In this podcast we chat to Erin about:Why every woman should see a women's health physio during pregnancy and postpartumWhether it is normal to have pain in scar tissue or during intercourse post birthWhether it is normal to 'wet yourself' a little bit… or to feel scared that you're going to!Abdominal separation, what it means and how we can treat itThe mum pouch and whether it is normal or concerningHow to know if we have a prolapse and whether it can resolveReturning to exercise and improving quality of life post babyand so much more!Some other resources we mention or you might enjoy:Episode 16 with Kee from Fluid Form PilatesLuka's episode with Australian Birth Stories where she discusses her 3B tearYou can connect with Erin on instagram or her website. Erin will also be trekking for 5 days in the Southern Alps to raise money for MS. If you would like to find out more or donate you can do so HEREToday's episode was brought to you by Mere Botanicals. Mere Botanicals is a beautiful, one stop shop for all natural and organic birth products. They believe that nature provides us with everything we need to nourish and care for our bodies, which is why they use only the highest-quality botanical ingredients in their products - and you can absolutely tell. Luka used many of their products in her pregnancy and postpartum with Will, and Kate is eagerly awaiting the arrival of her bub so she can use their clary sage roller, birth comb, nipple cream and peri spray. You can even hire a TENS machine from them which we highly recommend!Use the code BOOBTOFOOD for 15% off until 18th October 2023. Visit merebotanicals.com.au to check out their beautiful range.Follow us on instagram @boobtofood to stay up to date with all the podcast news, recipes and other content that we bring to help make meal times and family life easier.Visit www.boobtofood.com for blogs and resources, to book an appointment with one of our amazing practitioners and more.Presented by Luka McCabe and Kate HolmTo get in touch please email podcast@boobtofood.com

Mary Christina is the founder of experiential Events and brand experience agency, Minni. I connected with Mary late last year when we began planning the launch events for Australian Birth Stories. I can hand on heart say this woman and her team can make an impactful, memorable and beautiful event that gets the internet talking. Events can be powerful ways to make a splash in the busy digital world. Paired with influencers, media invites and clever PR strategy, I think some of Mary's events are some of the most beautiful, clever and strategic I've seen on the ‘gram. As someone who worked in events for 5 years for Westpac, what  Mary and the Minni team care unconventionally creatively, thoughtful and truly a far cry from anything a big corporate of yesteryear would put their name to. As you'll hear Mary talk about events can come in all shapes and sizes, and varying budgets, but they all start with a well-articulated brief. If you're looking for creative ways to connect with new audiences and adapt to a tightening budget, or if you're ready to spend up on a special event, Mary's interview will no doubt spark ideas about the next step forward.   Find Mary online:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-christina/ https://www.instagram.com/minni.agency/ https://www.minni.com.au/ 

In this first instalment of our Mid Year Marketing series, we delve into the captivating world of podcasting and community building with a remarkable guest, Sophie Walker, the creative force behind Australian Birth Stories. Tune in as we explore the inspiring narrative of how Sophie transformed her traumatic birth experience into a thriving platform that has garnered a staggering 13.5 million downloads and beyond. Sophie has successfully built a huge online community, of 155k on Instagram and she shares her journey of monetising the podcast through digital products, books and advertising. Discover the motivation behind Sophie's journey - a desire to share her own birth story and others', with a focus on education and empowerment in the unique Australian context. The Australian Birth Stories podcast was born out of a genuine gap in the market. Sophie never anticipated the overwhelming love and reception it would receive. With Australian celebrity guests and a well-structured content-sharing framework, the podcast has made a significant impact in the lives of so many. Sophie discusses the process of creating her own business coaching course and publishing a book, along with insights into the behind-the-scenes production of the podcast. Find Australian Birth Stories on Instagram, and visit their websiteConnect with Behind the Brand on Instagram and TikTok

Get ready to dive into the world of pregnancy and childbirth with our latest episode of the Cold Coffee, Hot Mess podcast! Olivia and Nadean are joined by the incredible Sophie Walker, host of the Australian Birth Stories podcast and author of The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth. From preparing for pregnancy to understanding the many options available, private vs public and home births vs hospitals, we cover it all. Sophie shares with us her knowledge from over 400 birthing stories and how you can empower your own pregnancy to childbirth journey. Plus, we've got hacks, products you need in your life right now and a whinge we're all feeling at the moment! Get it while it's hot (unlike our coffees!).  Join the Cold Coffee Hot Mess Facebook Group here

Keira shared her first birth story in and today she takes us through her second pregnancy, detailing the head game of IVF, the daily challenge of severe hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and the positive birth of her daughter, Goldie. Keira was vomiting between 30 and 40 times a day in this pregnancy, she had suicidal thoughts, was bedbound and literally counted down the days till birth. She describes it as a horrific pregnancy but was also strong and capable enough to advocate for herself in the hospital system, seek the support of and is now sharing her story to educate others.  ____________________________________ Check out - our empowering, evidence based online birth education program that will help you confidently prepare for a positive birth experience. ____________________________________ Thanks to today's sponsor, a three-piece adjustable pillow designed to provide peace of mind by encouraging safe side sleeping all while giving your belly some much needed relief. Sleepybelly don't normally discount their products but have provided a 10% off promo code for Australian Birth Stories listeners. You can purchase a sleepybelly today at  using the promo code ABS10 for 10% off.

Are you considering a major career change? Curious about what it takes to run a successful online business? Join host Beth Ryan in this episode of "Growing" as she takes you behind the scenes of her journey from midwife to business owner. Beth's career transition has been lots of fun but certainly full of challenges, trial and error and lots of learning on the go. In preparation for this episode, Beth turned to her online Instagram community and asked them what they wanted to know about running an online business. Today, she answers those burning questions and provides valuable insights for anyone looking to make a change in their own lives but unsure of where to start. This episode serves as a valuable resource for anyone who is considering becoming their own boss or anyone curious about what it looks like behind the scenes.  To stay connected with Beth and learn more about her courses and resources that can support you on your journey, be sure to follow her on Instagram @birthwithbeth_ and visit her website www.birthwithbeth.com.au. A HUGE thank you to Australian Birth Stories for making today's episode of Growing possible!! This episode of Growing is made possible by one of my favorite resources for expectant parents, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, written by Sophie Walker, the host of the incredible Australian Birth Stories podcast. This beautiful book provides invaluable insight into the Australian maternity care system; what to expect at each stage of your pregnancy journey and various ways to prepare for your birth so that you can feel empowered in your decision making. I love the way Sophie has sprinkled insightful self-care strategies throughout the book, such as mindfulness prompts, relaxation exercises and conversation starters. This book goes far beyond your usual pregnancy manual and perfectly encapsulates the wisdom of Australian birthing parents, partners and pregnancy professionals alike. You can grab a copy of the book from www.australianbirthstories.com. Resource links: Canva Later: Social Media Management Tool Planoly: Social Media Management Tool Rode USB microphone Kajabi Thinkific Squarespace

In today's episode of Growing we are joined by Millie as she shares with us the birth of her first baby, her daughter Tigerlily.  This story is an amazing listen! Millie shares generously about her experience being diagnosed with GD and the way she advocated for herself throughout her pregnancy, the many ways he and her husband Tom prepared for birth as a team and the challenge of waiting for labour to begin beyond 40 weeks gestation. Resource links: Australian Birth Stories Podcast Sophie Walker's Birth Class Podcast Episode 254: Beth on Australian Birth Stories

Feeling flat, anxious, tired, run down or just generally not like yourself since having a baby? Is it just BECAUSE you've had a baby? Or could there be something else going on? In today's episode we speak to the incredible Dr Oscar Serrallach about all things postnatal depletion - what's normal, what's not and what you can do about it!Dr Oscar Serrallach is a Doctor of Functional Medicine with a special interest in Post-Natal Wellbeing. He coined the  term Post-Natal Depletion to acknowledge and describe the many mothers suffering with a post natal neuroinflammatory disorder that could not be classified as having a perinatal mood disorder . Dr Oscar founded the Mother Care Project in 2022 to provide information , inspiration  and education to both mothers and mother care workers and is also the author of The Post-Natal Depletion Cure - an incredible resource which has truly shaped the landscape of the postpartum period for so many mother's and health professionals.In this podcast we chat to Oscar about:What exactly is postnatal depletion, and how do you differentiate between a “normal” experience of having a newborn and something more going on?Some key nutrients and supplements that new mothers may want to focus on to ensure they don't become depletedTesting that can be insightful to support women through this time of lifePlacenta encapsulation and Dr Oscar's thoughts on this hot topicTraditional postnatal practices around the world and what we can learnand so much more.Dr Oscar Serrallach is a wealth of knowledge and truly a pioneer in this field. You can find more about him HERE or check out the Mother Care Project for additional support.You can listen to Lukas Birth Stories on Australian Birth Stories on Episode 140 and also Episode 320 Today's episode was brought to you by Australian Birth Stories. You may have already heard of the Australian Birth Stories podcast, but you might not know that beautiful Sophie has also created an incredible online course called the Birth Class. This online course is full of birth education that helps you confidently prepare for a positive birth experience. And we know from research that education and preparation really helps to pave the way for this. In the birth class, you'll be guided through every stage of labour and birth with 10 audio lessons from a range of perinatal health specialists - which means you can listen from the comfort of your home when you're relaxed and receptive to new information.You can use the code BOOBTOFOOD for 15% off all of Sophie's online birth courses.Follow us on instagram @boobtofood to stay up to date with all the podcast news, recipes and other content that we bring to help make meal times and family life easier.Visit www.boobtofood.com for blogs and resources, to book an appointment with one of our amazing practitioners and more.Presented by Luka McCabe and Kate HolmTo get in touch please email podcast@boobtofood.com

There is so much noise in the parenting space, and it can feel overwhelming and hard to listen to our own intuition with all that white noise!To help us reclaim the joy of motherhood and tune back in to our own intuition this week we speak with the wonderful Tracy Gillett. Tracy is the founder, writer and advocate behind the award-winning blog, Raised Good — a guide to natural parenting in the modern world. With millions of readers worldwide, she educates and inspires women to reclaim the wonder of motherhood and the joy of childhood by parenting without the ‘shoulds', expectations, and white noise of society. Tracy hopes that through her many, valuable resources we will learn that the best answers to some of our questions are found within. It was such a pleasure to speak with her.In this podcast we chat to Tracy about:Biologically normal sleep - what even is normal?!Tuning out of judgement and criticism and back in to your intuitionCuriosity and connection - with our kids and ourselvesDrowning out the white noise of societyCo-sleeping and the need for better education around safe sleeping practicesAnd so much more.We love Tracy's gentle and empowering approach, and highly recommend you follow her on Instagram or visit the Raised Good blog for all her articles and downloadable resources, including the 5 Natural Parenting Secrets that Make Kids Want to Cooperate eBook that we mention.Today's episode was brought to you by Australian Birth Stories. You may have already heard of the Australian Birth Stories podcast, but you might not know that beautiful Sophie has also created an incredible online course called the Birth Class. This online course is full of birth education that helps you confidently prepare for a positive birth experience. And we know from research that education and preparation really helps to pave the way for this. In the birth class, you'll be guided through every stage of labour and birth with 10 audio lessons from a range of perinatal health specialists - which means you can listen from the comfort of your home when you're relaxed and receptive to new information.You can use the code BOOBTOFOOD for 15% off all of Sophie's online birth courses.Follow us on instagram @boobtofood to stay up to date with all the podcast news, recipes and other content that we bring to help make meal times and family life easier.Visit www.boobtofood.com for blogs and resources, to book an appointment with one of our amazing practitioners and more.Presented by Luka McCabe and Kate HolmTo get in touch please email podcast@boobtofood.com

This episode is a must-listen for all mothers, regardless of when and how you birthed. I chat to highly regarded women's health physiotherapist, Sue Croft, who explains what happens to the pelvic floor in pregnancy and how we can best navigate weakness and prolapse after birth. She reiterates that prolapse is not a devastating diagnosis and encourages us to access guidance from a women's health physio, find perspective and actively separate our anxiety from our physical symptoms. I also speak openly about my own prolapse and the physical and emotional journey I've been on for the past nine years. I gained so much comfort and knowledge from Sue and I hope the information shared provides you with more pelvic floor awareness. Learn more

“The dread of going into the night alone with a baby is very normal because it's not how we were designed. In many traditional societies, and even societies today, like Indigenous communities, babies would have multiple adult carers - sometimes 8-14 - every single day. Doing this job of raising a baby at home alone, with not a lot of friendship or professional support, informational support or support with basic chores like cooking and cleaning, is exhausting. I hope this understanding can help you be more forgiving and compassionate towards yourself, to lower your standards. It's hard, but understanding that it takes a village to raise a child - in a very literal sense - can help you in early postpartum and encourage you to reach out for support whether that's childcare, meal deliveries, help from family and friends or guidance from a health professional.” - Julia Jones in today's episode for our Postpartum Uncovered Mini Series brought to you by Boody. Read more .

Breastfeeding  Unless you have been up close when a friend or family member has been breastfeeding, we don't see most women's reality in the first stages. We usually see women breastfeeding comfortably at a cafe or a park but it takes awhile to get to that point. What we don't see is women at home, crying with their shirt completely off with milk coming off one side and a crying baby trying to latch on the other. Sophie Walker is working to change that and educate women.  Sophie Walker is the author of The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth and host of the podcast Australian Birth Stories. Sophie has a Masters in Public Health and is passionate about encouraging pregnant women and their support people to actively prepare for birth and postpartum. Find out more about Sophie at: https://australianbirthstories.com    Everything We Learnt From Having A Personal Colour Analysis A ONCE-OFF EXPERIENCE TO DISCOVER YOUR COLOURS FOR LIFE. Colour Analysis Studio works with you to discover your colour palette. Jo & Hannah had a Colour Analysis which identified their personal palette by examining your their characteristics (undertone, intensity and value).    PWDKWN: Jo: Loving Tan 2hr Express Mousse Ultra Dark 200ml Hannah: Lanolips Banana Balm Lip Sheen 3-in-1     Whether you're on the hunt for skincare advice, wanting to share your best beauty tips, or are just looking for someone to indulge in a cringey convo with, the Beauty IQ FB Community has got ya covered! Join our FB group today.   Want to listen to Beauty IQ Uncensored while you shop? Download the Adore Beauty App today.    Hosts: Joanna Fleming & Hannah Furst Guests: Sophie Walker, Giulia Milizia & Alessandra Ottonello Disclaimer: https://www.adorebeauty.com.au/disclaimer.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Birth Stories' Sophie Walker joins Mel and Jules in the studio to talk all things birth; from having a birth wish instead of a birth plan, to the topics that are still taboo when is comes to pregnancy.  This episode does discuss infant loss and birth trauma, so please listen with care. You can purchase The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth here.  You can listen to Mel's episode of Australian Birth Stories here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today I'm joined by the creator and host of Australian Birth Stories podcast, Sophie Walker. Sophie is a mum to 3 beautiful boys and the voice and brains behind one of the countries most successful podcast shows. With over 11 million downloads, Sophie along with her guests shares stories of pregnancy and birth in order to inform, empower and shine light on an array of diverse stories of pregnancy, birth and postpartum. This month, Sophie and co-author Jodie have released their very own book, The Complete Australian guide to pregnancy and birth. A 400 + page book that documents knowledge, research into different forms of birth, birth care, pregnancy as well as sharing stories to empower and inspire you along the way. Today we chat about Sophie's incredible career, her parenting philosophies, and how she juggles a booming business with motherhood Get a copy of Sophie's new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth: HERE Listen to Australian Birth Stories podcast: HERE Follow Australian Birth Stories instagram: HERE Follow your host, Madelyn: HERE Keep up to date with new episodes: HERE Get your free downloadable healthy mindset guides today: HERE Shop Bubba Bump's range: HERE

Today I'm joined by the creator and host of Australian Birth Stories podcast, Sophie Walker. Sophie is a mum to 3 beautiful boys and the voice and brains behind one of the countries most successful podcast shows. With over 11 million downloads, Sophie along with her guests shares stories of pregnancy and birth in order to inform, empower and shine light on an array of diverse stories of pregnancy, birth and postpartum. This month, Sophie and co-author Jodie have released their very own book, The Complete Australian guide to pregnancy and birth. A 400 + page book that documents knowledge, research into different forms of birth, birth care, pregnancy as well as sharing stories to empower and inspire you along the way. Today we chat about Sophie's incredible career, her parenting philosophies, and how she juggles a booming business with motherhoodGet a copy of Sophie's new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth: HEREListen to Australian Birth Stories podcast: HEREFollow Australian Birth Stories instagram: HEREFollow your host, Madelyn: HEREKeep up to date with new episodes: HEREGet your free downloadable healthy mindset guides today: HEREShop Bubba Bump's range: HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back lovely yayborhood and happy International Women's Day! I couldn't think of a better guest to celebrate all that is wonderful and womanly than the incredible Sophie Walker from Australian Birth Stories. I suspect that many of you listeners are also among the literal millions in the Australian Birth Stories community but, in case you aren't just yet, it is one of Australia's most successful shows sharing honest stories of women navigating the journey to motherhood – a space where conversations, education and a safe place to share had long been missing. I always find it so alarming how little women often understand about their bodies and Sophie herself was originally inspired to create her community by her second birth experience during which she felt unable to make informed decisions and left with significant physical and emotional trauma. She has since shared over 350 diverse stories of pregnancy, birth and postpartum covering every scenario you could think of helping so many people feel more informed and empowered to have a positive birth experience. Once you dive into the wide world of childbirth, there is SO much to uncover and learn but of course there are 350 episodes and counting that you can tune into for those juicy details as well as Sophie's brand new BOOK – the Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth – which you'll also hear about in this episode. Here, I wanted to find out who Sophie is and what led her from a Masters in Public Health with no background in media to one of Australia's most successful podcasts. I hope you enjoy as much as I did! GET SOPHIE'S BOOK HERE + Announcements on Insta at @spoonful_of_sarah + Join our Facebook community here + Subscribe to not miss out on the next instalment of YAY!

Australian Birth stories has grown to reaching millions of women across Australia and world wide. Sharing stories from all varieties of Birth, Sophie Walker has recently co-authored 'The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth'. In this episode she shares her experience in growing her platform and how it has gone on to help women during pregnancy and beyond.   Sophie shares; The benefits and power of telling stories The birth of Australian Birth Stories Why birth stories have become taboo How we create our virtual village Miscarriage and pregnancy loss being a process The emotional limbo we go through during pregnancy Birth trauma and more.   Listen to Australian Birth Stories Podcast and check out the book 'The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth'.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pregnancy episode!

Sophie Walker is best known as the founder of Australian Birth Stories, a podcast and platform which supports and encourages pregnant women to get educated and actively prepare for birth.A mum of three with a master's degree in public health and a passion for empowering women on their journey into motherhood, Sophie, and the equally fabulous Jodi Wilson, writer, prenatal yoga teacher and founder of Practising Simplicity, have just birthed their first book together The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth.However, Sophie also has a fascinating business story. For starters, she built her million-dollar empire from the back of her Nissan X-Trail, and now does 6-figure deals, managing a podcast with more than 10 million downloads.In this episode we're going to dive into Sophie's story, the business of podcasting, and why empowering female communities through storytelling can change lives.Connect with Sophie on Instagram or visit the website. Learn more about The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and BirthThis episode is brought to you by Flossi Creative.Support the showThis episode is brought to you by Flossi Creative and Business Money Formula, join the waitlist NOW!Want 30 Ways to Save Money in your Business? Download the guide here.Need a business finance coach or want to get your pricing sorted? Book a Strategy Call NOW.Join the conversation Connect with Justine:InstagramFacebookLinkedInWebsiteDiscover the Secrets of Successful Business Facebook page Follow Justine on Instagram @flossifiles or @secretsofsuccessfulbusiness Host: Justine McLean – Flossi CreativeProducer: Leah Stanistreet ...

Why would somebody want to follow you or subscribe to your emails? What is in it for them? In today's episode, Fiona chats with Sophie Walker of Australian Birth Stories about her journey, and her newly launched book with Jodi Wilson, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth. Tune in!

#653 Starting from nothing and working hard to build a business is relatable. But what happens when you finally "make it?" My returning guest, Sophie Walker of the Australian Birth Stories podcast, is the perfect example of someone who has built a brand from scratch and turned it into a vast empire. We last spoke in episode 432. Her show has since amassed over ten million downloads, and sponsors are lining up to support her work! She was one of our star students in Power-Up Podcasting, so I'm not surprised. But the responsibility of running a brand that's changing lives and the massive financial decisions involved can weigh anyone down. Join Sophie and me for this incredible conversation about podcasting, business growth, work-life balance, and building a team with a shared vision. We also discuss Sophie's first book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, and much more. Listen in and enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session653.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How do you talk about pregnancy at work? It can be easy enough to share the good parts, but with one in three women experiencing trauma in birth, there are some more complex conversations you might need to have as an employee, or as a boss. Sophie Walker is the founder and host of the Australian Birth Stories podcast, and has been sharing her own birth story as well as the stories of parents around the country for around six years. Host Helen McCabe asks Sophie how her podcast has shaped her view on pregnancy in Australia, what gaps exist in our current healthcare systems surrounding birth, and the common problems she sees around people balancing parenthood and their careers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our 165th episode of Beyond the Bump, we have Sophie Walker on the pod. Sophie is a fellow podcast host, @australianbithstories, and we chat to her a little bit about podcasting, a little bit about birth and most excitingly her NEW book!!! What is Australian Birth Stories all about? What led to it? And how long has it been around for? How many applications has Sophie received for Australian Birth Stories? And how does she choose which story to air? How have people's openness to talking about their birth stories changed over the years? How does Sophie find talking about birth all the time? Given that birth stories can be quite a controversial topic at times. Has Sophie ever recorded an episode that she then decided not to publish? Pros and cons of having a co-host versus working solo. How does Sophie juggle it all? Sophie has spoken to 100s of women about their births – what are the top three things that she recommends someone should do while they're pregnant to prepare for birth? Did Sophie ever experience gender disappointment having birthed three boys? Now that Sophie has spoken to so many women on Australian Birth Stories, would she go back and do things differently for her births? What can listeners expect from Sophie's new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth? And SO MUCH MORE!!!   Important links: Head to australianbirthstories.com to pre-order Sophie's new book, The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth Memorable episodes on Australian Birth Stories: Episode 180: Natalia Baechtold Episode 163: Jodi Wilson     Beyond the Bump is a podcast brought to you by Jayde Couldwell and Sophie Pearce! A podcast targeted at mums, just like you! A place to have real conversations with honest and authentic people.   Follow us on Instagram at @beyondthebump.podcast to stay up to date with behind the scenes and future episodes.    This episode of Beyond the Bump is brought to you by Australian Birth Stories: Let's talk podcasts! Aren't we currently doing one? Yes, but believe it or not there is always room for other podcasts for our listeners to enjoy other than ours and that's why we are going to let our listeners know (if they don't already) about Australian birth stories! Yes, Australian Birth stories is hosted by the beautiful Sophie Walker and we have been fans since the start. It's a podcast that shares a series honest stories from women navigating their journey into motherhood. From the heartache to infertility, the joy and overwhelm of pregnancy, the challenge and elation of birth and the tentative first weeks of postpartum Sophie interviews women Australia wide so we can better understand that every mother's journey is different and no two birth stories are the same. And if you are wanting a little more, Sophie along with Jodi Wilson have recently launched their incredible new book which shares the wisdom of women and their birth stories, so that you can make informed and empowered decisions. The complete Australian guide to pregnancy and birth also draws on the expertise of dozens of doctors, midwives and other health specialists to offer the most comprehensive and up-to-date information about pregnancy, labour, birth and early postpartum in Australia. The perfect gift for a mother to be! Sophie also has created educational programs for pregnancy and motherhood, and mother to 3 boys under 8 and so much more. If you would like to Listen to the Australian Birth stories podcast you can find it available on all podcast apps. For everything else you can head to www.australianbirthstories.com We thank you Sophie for what you are doing and hope everyone enjoys!

When Sophie Walker started the podcast Australian Birth Stories, she never could have imagined how successful it would become. Over 10 million downloads and a huge online community later, Walker has now co-written a book: The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth.  The book is a comprehensive, up-to-date guide full of heart and common sense for women and their partners.  https://australianbirthstories.com/shop/the-complete-australian-guide-to-pregnancy-and-birth/     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sophie Walker is the creator and host of the hugely successful Australian Birth Stories podcast. The poddy has more than 11 million downloads, and 350 episodes of women sharing their birth experience - and not just the blissful bits.Sophie's podcast community has become a sort of virtual birthing village - especially during covid lockdowns. “I wish I had known!” or “Why didn't someone tell me!” are phrases often uttered by women after they give birth for the first time, but Sophie's aim is to share the wisdom and the stories, so that others can make informed and empowered decisions as they prepare for their new stage of motherhood.And now, along with the help of brilliant author Jodi Wilson, the pair has written and released The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth.The book weaves through stories from the podcast but also draws on the expertise of perinatal experts and is medically reviewed by a series of doctors. It covers the first/second/and third trimester > labor and birth > and early post-partum. It also doesn't shy away from challenging topics which can often be glazed over.Sophie's created the book she wishes she could've had. SHOW NOTESBUY THE BOOK: The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birthhttps://www.booktopia.com.au/the-complete-australian-guide-to-pregnancy-and-birth-sophie-walker/book/9781922616036.html?source=pla&gclid=CjwKCAiArNOeBhAHEiwAze_nKIoxRsRWJZSc64Gyt3WXVk31qouQXKH3svptRZ48sVnx07XKln-cDBoC-2sQAvD_BwEWEBSITE: https://australianbirthstories.com/podcasts/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/australianbirthstories/We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we have recorded this podcast, the Darug people. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Support the showWe love that you're listening! Thank you.'And We're Rolling' is produced by Habari Productions and Stephanie Hunt Media. You can find more words of wisdom on our website stephaniehuntmedia.com and join us on substack at rollingwithstephaniehunt.substack.com and on our socials at @stephaniehuntmedia.We truly appreciate you.

For more information please visit: http://www.newbornmothers.com/blog

In this episode I chat to Penny from about her experience with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) - severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. She explains the depth of her physical and mental challenge and how she cautiously approached her second pregnancy knowing that she would spend the following nine months severely sick. Penny is really open about the effect that her traumatic pregnancies had on her marriage and she sings the praises of couples therapy which she did with her husband for two years following the birth of their second baby.   Did you know I wrote a book? 'The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth' covers everything you need as you journey through pregnancy and prepare for a positive birth experience. --> Pre-order it  now.

Sophie Walker is no stranger to talking about everything motherhood - she's the founder of Australian Birth Stories, a hugely successful podcast with over 8.6 million downloads to date. It's also a hub for women to learn, feel part of a community and engage with one another.   Rather than being the interviewer, this time she's sitting in the other seat! Steph invites Sophie to share what she has learnt in her time as a podcast host and health expert, and we find out how women can better their chances of having a positive birth experience.   KIC UPDATES:We have released some great budget-friendly and family-friendly recipes in the KIC app. Sign up now for a 14-day free trial.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's no secret: we love babies and birth! Mostly because we've learned a thing or two during our past several decades of giving birth. Too many mothers expect to show up at the hospital in labor and have everything go smoothly, but our maternal health care system is failing us and we need to be informed.If you're feeling called to learn more about birth choices, this episode is the perfect jumping off point to head you in the right direction. We want you (and your baby!) to have the best, healthiest and most peaceful birth possible, and in order to do that, you're going to have to do some research and make some important (and possibly difficult) decisions.Go to magicspoon.com/OUTNUMBERED to grab a variety pack and try it today! Use ourpromo code OUTNUMBERED at checkout to save $5 off your order!You got this, mama!the link to our new podcast streamThe business of being bornIna May's guide to childbirthGift of Giving LifeBonnie's blog birth seriesBorn in the USA our favorite birth podcasts: Australian Birth Stories, The Birth Hour, Happy Homebirth

“Preparing for pregnancy and labour is no different than an athlete preparing for an Olympic event”, says Sophie Walker, host of Australian Birth Stories podcast. Despite almost 300,000 births each year, many Australians still don't know much about what's involved in carrying a baby to term, or how it can impact the body, outside of their own direct experience. Sophie explains why she wants to change that and some direct tips on how you can be prepared. Listen to Australian Birth Stories: https://podfollow.com/1242155321 Check out the incredible community at @australianbirthstories Hear about Turia Pitt's birth story. Read Birth Skills by Juju Sundin: http://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/b3JDvm  Follow Turia on Tik Tok: @turia_pitt or Instagram @Turiapitt.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DESCRIPTION  When you've interviewed over 250 women and had three very different births of your own, you are more than qualified to talk to us about birth stories.  Sophie Walker is the creator of the Australian Birth Stories Podcast. She has created a platform for women and their partners to listen and become informed about all birthing methods through the lived experiences of others.  In this episode we talk about how Sophie's passion for helping others began when her first birth did not go to plan and her subsequent pelvic organ prolapse. She knew she wanted this to change for her next birth - and she did. Find out about Sophie's next exciting project.  This episode is for you if you want to know more about: Various methods of childbirth Pelvic organ prolapse during childbirth  Birth trauma for mums and their partners  Episiotomy and forceps in childbirth  Postpartum haemorrhage How we lose confidence in the birthing process How to support pregnant women and new mums during COVID-19 Childbirth education  *Sophie shares her first birthing experience which was traumatic. It could be triggering for some listeners, you can skip past beyond 6:50mins, or choose to tune in later.  LINKS FOR YOU Grab yourself a cuppa from Madame Flavour and use code BRAVE20 to receive 20% off your first order.  Sophie Walker is gifting $20 off her online courses for our listeners: $20 off online childbirth education course The Birth Class or  $20 off postpartum course Discovering Motherhood Use this code: Bravemamma https://australianbirthstories.com/shop   CREDITS Host - Stephanie Thompson Executive Producer & Editor - Dave Stokes Podcast logo artist - Khrystyna lukashchuk Brand Designer - Brodie-Rose Original Soundtrack - Steven Robinson