The Birth Chapter

Mikaelah and Jess

Let's delve into the magical world of birth. With hosts Jess and Mikaelah, together, we'll bring you birth education and stories that will leave you inspired. Featuring guests with all sorts of differing journeys and experiences. Join us every fortnight, as we turn the page on The Birth Chapter: A collection of stories authored by you.

  1. FEB 10

    Lucie - Caul to Parenting | Surrogate Baby

    We are finally back for another episode after a long break! Happy 2026 to all our listeners. We sat down and chatted to Lucie who went through the journey of being a surrogate for the past few years. She answers all the questions you are probably wondering too and shares her heartwarming story of helping to create a family after completing her own. You can find us on instagram @thebirthchapter_ and our store @andhoney.store or on our website www.andhoney.store where you can also find a podcast submission if you'd like to share your story too.

    1h 6m

  2. 09/08/2025

    Birth Trauma with Carla from Healing Birth

    ✨ Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of birth trauma. Please listen with care. ✨ In this week’s episode of The Birth Chapter, we sit down with Carla — a birth trauma support practitioner and former midwife. Together we open up a really important and sometimes uncomfortable)conversation around what birth trauma can look like, why it happens, and the ripple effects it can have on women and whānau and your entry to parenthood. Carla shares her unique perspective as someone who walks alongside parents in the aftermath of difficult birth experiences and supports women to go on to have redeeming births. We talk about the misunderstandings around birth trauma, the emotional and physical layers, and most importantly, the pathways to healing and reclaiming your story. If you’re pregnant with your first baby, this is such a valuable listen. Not to scare you, but to gently empower you with knowledge and insight, so you can enter birth feeling more prepared, supported, and aware of how to advocate for yourself. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts 🤎

    1h 5m

  3. 05/01/2025

    Postpartum sex - Why you're unhappy, unhorny and dry | with Physio Grace Coombs

    Let's talk about sex, baby! This week we’re joined again by women’s health physio Grace Coombs for a chat that’s as informative as it is hilarious. We’re talking all things postpartum sex — from pain and discomfot to pelvic floor and all things hormones. Nothing is off limits, and yes, there are plenty of laughs. Whether you’re nervous, curious, or just need to know you’re not the only one, this episode is a must-listen.

    19 min

  4. 04/25/2025

    Alice, Maggie & Malachi - C-Section Awareness Month | Induction, emergency c-section, VBAC, homebirth, spontaneous labour, classical c-section, birth trauma, mental health

    In honour of C-Section Awareness Month, we’re sharing Alice’s two wild birth stories, very different from each other but both full of unexpected twists! Her first birth ended in an emergency c-section without her husband by her side. Her second, an attempted HBAC, so close to her dream goal but eventually led to a rare classical c-section. Alice speaks candidly about how these experiences impacted her, including the birth trauma and mental health challenges that followed. This one's a roller coaster and one that so many will relate to. We’re so grateful to Alice for sharing. 💛 &honey https://andhoney.store/ Birth Trauma Support Birth Afterthoughts - https://www.cdhb.health.nz/health-services/birth-afterthoughts-clinic/ Healing Birth - https://www.healingbirth.co.nz/

    49 min

  5. 04/06/2025

    Mikaelah & Eliza | Baby number 2, HG pregnancy, home birth, water birth, positive birth and postpartum, 1-2 kids

    🎙️ Season 3 is here! We’re back in your ears with a brand new season of The Birth Chapter with a bit of a revamp! Sharing honest stories, expert tips, and those little golden nuggets of wisdom you didn’t know you needed. We’re kicking things off with a bang. In this episode, we’re diving into Mikaelah's second birth story, another speedy birth at home. We chat about going into another HG pregnancy, being pregnant with a toddler, the mind games of being "overdue" and going from 1-2 kids as well as all the juicy birth details (IYKYK ;) ) We hope you love it! Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thebirthchapter_/ Your Birth Weapon Tool https://andhoney.store/products/your-birth-weapon &honey Store ⁠andhoney.store⁠

    1h 9m

  6. 12/18/2024

    Episiode 15 - Gabs - Hyperemesis, step parenting, positive hospital birth, doula, maternal mental health, postpartum haemorrhage

    In this episode we chat with Gabs about the birth of her first baby boy. Gabs is also a step mum so her and her husband weren't sure whether they would add to their family but as you'll here through the episode, despite a very rough pregnancy journey with hyperemesis and mental health Gabs absolutely loves being a mum. We really enjoyed chatting to Gabs about the ups and downs of her journey and she reminded us just how good we have it in NZ for maternal health care compared to the USA! We hope you enjoy this episode

    53 min

  7. 11/08/2024

    Episode 14 - C-Section Recovery with Grace Coombs

    In this episode we chat with Grace from FOUR Physio in Christchurch about C-section birth recovery in regards to pelvic floor and abdominal health as well as scar massage and the return to exercise.

    18 min

  8. 11/02/2024

    Episode 13 - Brittney Guise - three home births, miscarriage, hypnobirthing, water birth, hyperemesis, postpartum depletion, three under 4

    In this episode we chat with Brittney, farmers wife, mum of 3, garden lover, crafter and DIYer (she has a lot of hobbies!) about her three birth stories as well as her journey to falling pregnant and her experience of two miscarriages. Brittney suffered from hyperemesis particulary badly in her first full term pregnancy, as well as SPD which got worse each time - making running around after toddlers, while pregnant, quite the challenge! She really highlighted the importance of resting during labour and the impact this has on your birth experience and early postpartum. We really enjoyed chatting to Brittney, she is a big home birth fan as are we! We hope you enjoy her uplifting stories as much as we did.

    1h 15m
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About

Let's delve into the magical world of birth. With hosts Jess and Mikaelah, together, we'll bring you birth education and stories that will leave you inspired. Featuring guests with all sorts of differing journeys and experiences. Join us every fortnight, as we turn the page on The Birth Chapter: A collection of stories authored by you.

Information

  • Creator
    Mikaelah and Jess
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Mikaelah and Jess
  • Show Website
    The Birth Chapter