Healing Birth with Carla

Carla Sargent
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The Healing Birth with Carla podcast explores the topic of birth trauma and how healing can be found. We’ll share the stories of parents who have journeyed from trauma to healing, and we’ll discuss the insights of birth keepers who support others on their healing path. Listeners can expect to be inspired, to find hope and help on their own birthing journeys, and to learn. This podcast is for anyone who intends to give birth, has given birth, or has a passion for birth in all her reverent and sacred offerings.

  1. 12/22/2025

    Lessons in Birth & Birth Trauma - Libby’s Story

    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/

    1h 50m

  2. 12/09/2025

    Miscarriage Matters with Aleisha

    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

    1h 1m

  3. 11/14/2025

    Pelvic Health with Physiotherapist, Emma Perks

    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

    1h 49m

  4. 08/25/2025

    Chloe’s Story (Part 2) - A Full Reclamation

    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

    1h 55m

  5. 08/05/2025

    Peace, Joy & Hope - Georgia’s Story of Birthing Big Babies & Postpartum Challenges

    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

    1h 55m

  6. 07/13/2025

    Birth Trauma Aotearoa - Kate Hicks

    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

    1h 4m

  7. 07/01/2025

    The Wise Women Network - protecting physiology & autonomy in birth

    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: Wise Women Network NZ  Facebook group aimed at consumer support and information: Wise Women Network: Birth Support (to Birth YOUR Way) Instagram @wisewomennetwork_nz

    1h 51m

  8. 05/26/2025

    From Abuse & Trauma to Healing Work With New Mums - Naomi’s Story

    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

    2h 1m
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About

The Healing Birth with Carla podcast explores the topic of birth trauma and how healing can be found. We’ll share the stories of parents who have journeyed from trauma to healing, and we’ll discuss the insights of birth keepers who support others on their healing path. Listeners can expect to be inspired, to find hope and help on their own birthing journeys, and to learn. This podcast is for anyone who intends to give birth, has given birth, or has a passion for birth in all her reverent and sacred offerings.

Information

  • Creator
    Carla Sargent
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    87
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Carla Sargent
  • Show Website
    Healing Birth with Carla

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