The Positive Births NZ podcast

Helen Bartrom
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  • Parenting

Be inspired by positive birth stories from parents across NZ in a range of situations. We celebrate all types of births with a focus on what made it positive. Many parents have used hypnobirthing (mindset, breathwork, relaxation tools) to help them feel calm, confident and empowered - regardless of the circumstances they navigated. Enjoy a variety of stories exploring what helped birthing parents, what they achieved and what they are most proud of. To buy the book or check out our classes see www.positivebirths.co.nz

  1. 5d ago

    #193. Jaz's wild pregnancy and freebirth to Sage

    "The biggest achievement of my life...... it's about taking personal responsibility" Jaz shares her experience of her wild pregnancy and freebirth to her and Issak's first baby, Sage. Within this conversation we cover : -The unique environment when she discovered she was pregnant and how she told partner Issak -Wild pregnancy– no blood tests, no scans, no medical support or intervention -Taking full personal responsibility -Other people’s thoughts; a midwife’s comments -The sacredness of the sex, birth, death continuum -Dealing with any fear -The birth environment -Long early labour, using oxytocin and homeopathics -Very quick birthing phase -Aware parenting   To download your free guide on how to prepare for your positive birth plus a free relaxation track head here:https://www.positivebirths.co.nz/positive-birth-top-resources/ If you'd like to enjoy a course that helps you to feel calm, confident, prepared for any type of birth you'll find online and live course options at positivebirths.co.nz For more info and inspiration follow us on Instagram @positive_births_nz

    #193. Jaz's wild pregnancy and freebirth to Sage

  2. Aug 9

    #192. Danielle's birthcentre arrival of Landon

    A powerful, story of a strong mum in an intense situation for her first birth. Danielle is not traumatized by this birth experience, in fact she is pleased to share about all that went right for her. In this episode we discuss: - The decision to have children, oral contraception for 16 years - Coming to terms with, and processing pregnancy - Sister inlaw’s stillbirth - Unicorn pregnancy - learning hypnobirthing tools for mindset shift - Reasons to avoid hospital - Finishing work at 40 weeks pregnant - 41+5 and no pressure to induce - Using a TENS machine - Fast progression of labour  - Baby became bradycardic and Danielle needed to push hard to get him out in 4 mins - Baby born with cranial hematoma - Danielle’s midwives support and comments To download your free guide on how to prepare for yourpositive birth plus a free relaxation track head here: https://www.positivebirths.co.nz/positive-birth-top-resources/ For a range of in person and online courses along with personal sessions with Helen see www.positivebirths.co.nz For more info and inspiration follow on @positive_births_nz

    #192. Danielle's birthcentre arrival of Landon

  3. Aug 1

    #191. Anna's fast hospital birth to 4th baby Freddy

    Anna's fast birth of her 4th baby in hospital while synthetic oxytocin was being 'threatened' as her membranes had released almost 2 days prior. In this chat we cover: -Miscarriage before Freddy’s conception -First part of pregnancy worried about loss – listening toheartbeat helped -Fear release -Membrane release but no sign of labour within 36 hours. -Labour starts naturally in hospital just before syntheticoxytocin given -Wireless monitor not picking up baby’s heartbeat -One hour established labour -Astrologically a special day to be born  You can listen to Anna’s 3 other birth experiences here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4OkZFja4KOnK5lhyJgt1O8 If you're having your third or fourth baby too and would like a set of tools to feel calm, empowered and confident (and tools that are useful postpartum too!) here's the best course for you: https://www.positivebirths.co.nz/online-recorded-classes/ For more info and inspiration for a positive birth follow @positive_births_nz To download your free guide on how to prepare for your positive birth plus a free relaxation track head here:https://www.positivebirths.co.nz/positive-birth-top-resources/

    #191. Anna's fast hospital birth to 4th baby Freddy

  4. Jul 24

    #190. Amy's c-section to Finley

    While the circumstances around Finley's arrival could have been traumatic Amy is speaking here as a mum who has many positives to share during her journey to meet her baby. It was necessary to have a c-section and she felt calm, safe and empowered throughout. *Trigger warning that we cover the details of the difficulty of Finley coming out during the caesarean due to his transverse position. In this episode we chat on the following topics: -Fear of not being able to have babies -Miscarriage (which turned septic) -we mention : Massage for Miscarriage -Using different midwife for pregnancy and birth due to preferred birth location -Transverse positioning of baby  at end of pregnancy -37 weeks waters start leaking -C section process -Baby born with bruising -VBAC stats (see below) To download your free guide on how to prepare for your positive birth plus a free relaxation track head here: https://www.positivebirths.co.nz/positive-birth-top-resources/ If you would like to feel calm, confident and empowered no matter what your birth journey involves head to www.positivebirths.co.nz. You'll find a range of live and recorded course options plus one on one sessions available with Helen. For more info and inspiration follow us @positive_births_nz VBAC stats mentioned: Statistics come from various resources and presented in Kristin White’s VBAC workshop 2025. @kristindoula.birtheducatorNZ stats only 10% of mothers will chose a VBAC of those, 70% will be successfulUterine rupture risk after 1 previous c-section is approx. 0.5%, after 2 c-sections 0.9%Statistically more likely to have a cord prolapse or shoulder dystocia.Statistically more likely to have a uterine rupture if you have synthetic oxytocin than through a VBAC

    #190. Amy's c-section to Finley

  5. Jul 15

    #189. Caroline and Coad's hospital birth to Mia

    Caroline and Coad both share their journey to meet Mia which involved the use of a strong mindset and tools to navigate curveballs at the end of pregnancy and during labour for the best possible outcome. In this chat we cover the following topics, and more: -First pregnancy becoming a miscarriage -Naturopath support for conception -NIPT test returning result for a baby boy -Scans weren’t able to see between baby’s legs so assumption stayed as a boy -41+4 having talks about induction, Caroline determined to go into labour spontaneously -Fear release of induction and hospital -Midwife’s check of cervix during the stretch and sweepindicated labour unlikely, however, Caroline went into labour that night -Recommendation of induction, Caroline and Coad asked formore time -Labour starts spontaneously but slow to progress – Carolineasked not to be told her dilation number (it was 0 when she thought she was in active labour) -Using mindset to keep going, sleeping between the waves, hospital staff noting Caroline is coping beautifully -3.5 hours later Caroline is at 7 cms -Episiotomy, mild forceps support for birth -40 mins after birth discovering their “boy” was in fact a“girl” Caroline and Coad joined the Positive Births Ultimate course to gain information, education, tools, techniques and ongoing support for their pregnancy. As you'll hear this proved invaluable for their end of pregnancy and labour journey. You can find the Positive Births Ultimate course at www.positivebirths.co.nz. Available in person and live online. To download your free guide on how to prepare for your positive birth plus a free relaxation track head here:https://www.positivebirths.co.nz/positive-birth-top-resources/ We mention the use of acupressure points, a great resource is from Debra Betts at https://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/acupressure/download.aspx/ for more information and inspiration follow @positive_births_nz

    #189. Caroline and Coad's hospital birth to Mia

  6. Jul 9

    #188. Lydia's homebirth to Eloise

    Lydia is an excellent example of a mum who committed to the hypnobirthing tools and then reaped the rewards – as you’ll hear her explain what made a difference in her second birth to Eloise. In this chat we cover: - How hypnobirthing made a huge difference for her and her practice routine - Sebastian’s birth in hospital, pressure to push -Doing everything possible to conceive a girl - Moving house and regions in pregnancy - Extra monitoring with a small baby, declined induction at 38 weeks - Making informed decisions - Being pregnant at the same time as her midwife - Difference in the sensations using the hypnobirthing tools as opposed to not using them Here is the Spotify link to the playlist that Lydia mentions: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5dRjQtPfHtKPAQV6VjqLvl?si=wgCFvjcNTtWdlwWXgb7DHw&pi=n384zBltTA-AK If you would like to learn hypnobirthing techniques to make a difference to your birth head to www.positivebirths.co.nz. Helen is NZ’s most experienced facilitator, with 19 years of experience sharing these tools to thousands of couples. You’ll find options for personal sessions, small groups live in person or online, or recorded courses. Don’t leave your birth prep to chance, your actions will make a difference. For more info and inspiration on positive birth prep follow us on @positive_births_nz

    #188. Lydia's homebirth to Eloise

  7. Jul 6

    #187. Ellen's homebirth to Rowan

    Ellen’s inspiring homebirth to second baby Rowan include thewords “rest”, “underwhelming”, “slumber party vibes”. Ellen has previously shared her first birth to Nuala on an earlier episode on the podcast;  you can find it by searching  Ellen'shospital birth to Nuala https://open.spotify.com/episode/5nF1izYF7fxIXJg5dtBMNH   Our chat includes the following topics: -Miscarriage in between first and second baby -Fear release exercise bought up subconscious fear instead of what she had expected -Tearing in her births -Dealing with anaemia in pregnancy -Baby born at 38 weeks -Laughing with toddler as labour starts = oxytocin -Using breathing for labour and for breastfeeding -Episiotomy to prevent big tear -Turning phone off so no distractions and no need to knowwhat the time was -Planned a waterbirth but was fine without the pool -Difficulty birthing the placenta, retained piece of membranecame out with a clot a week later at home Read the recent research that’s just been released aboutHypnobirthing: https://www.womenandbirth.org/article/S1871-5192(26)00056-9/fulltext summary: is a study conducted in Australia with a largegroup of women who participated in hypnobirthing education throughout their pregnancy. Conclusion: Hypnobirthing is associated with a significant reduction inthe use of epidurals, greater use of water immersion, and decreased odds of caesarean section. Study suggests that the use of Hypnobirthing during labourcan further support women’s aspirations to avoid pharmacological analgesia and achieve an unassisted vaginal birth. They also went onto recommend that - Maternity servicesshould explore ways to provide women with increased access to Hypnobirthing training. If you'd like to use the benefits of practical hypnobirthing tools and techniques for your labour, birth and postpartum check out your options at www.positivebirths.co.nz For more inspiration and information about positive birth prep follow us @positive_births_nz

    #187. Ellen's homebirth to Rowan

  8. Jun 28

    #186. Hayley's births to Lilah and Briar

    Hayley shares her two positive birth stories – an inductionwith Lilah and birth centre waterbirth to Briar. In our chat today we cover the following topics: -Consultation with specialists around Conception journey -2nd trimester  fibroid degeneration, dealing withthe extreme pain resulted in belief she would be fine for birth -Plan for homebirth -High blood pressure week 38 -39+4Misoprostal induction, membranes released -Briar’s conception within first month -No fibroids -Midwives with different opinions -40+3 doubt worry about going into labour, stretch and sweep -Different way labour felt induction vs natural If you'd like to learn some hypnobirthing tools and techniques for your pregnancy, birth and postpartum, you can find a variety of live and online classes at www.positivebirths.co.nz For more info and inspiration follow us @positive_births_nz

    #186. Hayley's births to Lilah and Briar
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Be inspired by positive birth stories from parents across NZ in a range of situations. We celebrate all types of births with a focus on what made it positive. Many parents have used hypnobirthing (mindset, breathwork, relaxation tools) to help them feel calm, confident and empowered - regardless of the circumstances they navigated. Enjoy a variety of stories exploring what helped birthing parents, what they achieved and what they are most proud of. To buy the book or check out our classes see www.positivebirths.co.nz

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