The Positive Births NZ podcast

Helen Bartrom
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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

  1. Oct 13

    Baby Loss Awareness Week: The story behind Massage After Miscarriage with Michelle Topham

    When Michelle received a gift of a massage after the loss of her baby, a massive ripple effect started. An idea was sparked, Michelle took action and now supports hundreds of mothers per year following the loss of a baby. In this episode Michelle shares her journey, thoughts and feelings of loss on Mothers Day and 2020 lockdown. We hear all about how her journey has lead to the creation of a charity and all about Massage After Miscarriage. If you would like to support this worthwhile charity head to www.massageaftermiscarriage.com or connect with Michelle on @massageaftermiscarriage for a free guided meditation track to support the process of healing, head to www.positivebirths.co.nz/miscarriage-healing

    Baby Loss Awareness Week: The story behind Massage After Miscarriage with Michelle Topham

  2. Oct 12

    Baby Loss Awareness Week: Kaz and Lottie

    To mark Baby Loss Awareness week (Oct 9-15) we are here to acknowledge the short life of Lottie. Kaz openly and vulnerably shares her story just 4 weeks after her loss of Lottie in mid 2026. Lottie was  thought and planned for, conceiving with IVF, and with consideration Kaz may experience HG again. They went to their 12 week scan and discovered no heartbeat. Kaz speaks about her options and feelings as there were no signs of miscarriage. After deciding to go private for the quickest procedure, her body didn’t respond to misoprostal, and she ended up with GA at public hospital. We chat on: -Balancing being in mum mode with grieving and processing -What has helped her through the first 4 weeks -The monarch butterfly experience -Connection and support from her partner Will -Other people’s opinions and thoughts, -At what point in time is it socially considered enough of aloss to grieve? -The real and raw conversations about moving ahead. At the time of this episode going to air Kaz is now pregnant again with a baby boy due in February. You can find Kaz on @bountiful_nz For a relaxation track and resources for healing head to: https://www.positivebirths.co.nz/miscarriage-healing/

    Baby Loss Awareness Week: Kaz and Lottie

  3. Oct 7

    #201. Edith's pre-term induction to Jasper with pre-eclampsia

    ”They told me that the day before, that labor could be quite quick with pre-eclampsia. Your body often just needs to get the baby out.” Edith shares her smooth induction with pre-eclampsia tofirst baby Jasper. Included in this chat: -Doing the recorded online Positive births course -High blood pressure 33 weeks -Admitted to hospital at 36+2 -Being well supported at Invercargill hospital -Misoprostal one day -Syntoncin on day 2 -Spent time in the water -Birthed in the pool (but not into the water) -Iron transfusion -Overwhelm with information postpartum and challenges with breastfeeding If you would like to feel calm and confident no matter whatchallenges or curveballs you face in your pregnancy, labour, birth you will enjoy the Birth with Calm and Confidence online recorded course, available at https://www.positivebirths.co.nz/online-recorded-classes/ For one on one support with breathwork, relaxation, mindsetskills, emotional support and fear release email helen@positivebirths.co.nz Get your free relaxation track and guide to a positive birth here:https://www.positivebirths.co.nz/positive-birth-top-resources/ For more inspiration and information follow us on@positive_births_nz

    #201. Edith's pre-term induction to Jasper with pre-eclampsia

  4. Oct 2

    #200. Dr Sarah J Buckley - PhD on oxytocin , hormones of labour, physiological birth

    To celebrate our 200th episode we chat to the internationally recognised Kiwi researcher and educator in the field of pregnancy and birth; Dr Sarah J Buckley who has just completed a PhD on Oxytocin. Within this chat amongst many topics, we cover: -the  positive feedback loop of labour. -Filling in of hormonal gaps -10 years to write up the PhD – (we are still waiting for thedata to be available to the public) -The uterus becoming more sensitive to oxytocin towards end of pregnancy – oxytocin receptor density -Baby’s system getting oxytocin -Are we ever going to know what causes labour to start? -The interesting find about Synthetic Oxytocin -Breast crawl can reduce postpartum hemorrhage -The increasing rates of intervention -Epidurals and filling the hormonal gaps -Getting into the parasympathetic system is beneficial allthrough your pregnancy -Setting yourself up for physiological birth   For more information on Sarah's work head to : www.  sarahbuckley.com, click the All the Science button, you'll find links to all of the free full text articles. To get your free guide on how to prepare for a positive birth and a free relaxation track head to www.positivebirths.co.nz For personal support or group classes email helen@positivebirths.co.nz For more information and inspiration follow us on @positive_births_nz

    #200. Dr Sarah J Buckley - PhD on oxytocin , hormones of labour, physiological birth

  5. Sep 26

    #199. Caitlin's induction & posterior birth to Remy

    “I can’t wait to give birth again” even though her whole journey included many challenges, Caitlin shares all the details involved to meeting baby Remy.   In this chat we discuss the following: -Lengthy conception journey -Family history of pre-eclampsia, recommended aspirin butdeclined due to allergy despite recommendations – didn’t get pre -eclampsia -The Mitre 10 lady with her story…. -getting to 42 weeks and navigating induction -Foley balloon, misoprostal -Felt a band popping, nausea, shaking -Fast labour 9minutes to push him out -Tearing and episotomy -Post birth high -Loving postpartum   For your free guide to a positive birth and a freerelaxation track head to www.positivebirths.co.nzFor more info and inspiration follow us on @positive_births_nz

    #199. Caitlin's induction & posterior birth to Remy

  6. Sep 19

    #198. Waimarie's home waterbirth to Taika

    More than just a birth story, in this episode we chat on some deep and meaningfuls like death, loss and grief and children who remember before they were conceived. Wai speaks to the empowerment of a homebirth, losing her mum to cancer 4 months into her pregnancy, why she chose the support of a doula and how she felt after her quick homebirth.   Topics included : -The grief process and navigating it through pregnancy -3 yr old Aria’s experiences of birth and death -Support from a doula -Going 16 days past her due date -2 hours of established labour -Feeling ecstatic and energised after birth -Comparisons with a  psychedelic  journey and birth -Mothers blessing ceremony If you’d like to hear Wai’s first birth journey to meetingAria, you can find it here: Waimarie’s home waterbirth to Aria https://open.spotify.com/episode/3hCpcJrHhtBV9wdcGRbCnm   Resources mentioned: Anita Moorjani = Dying to be me The Signs – Laura Lynn Jackson The Light Between us - Laura Lynn Jackson To get your free relaxation track and guide to a positive birth head to www.positivebirths.co.nz Helen offers a range of hypnobirthing courses to support you in a calm, confident and empowered birth and one on one therapy and support in all aspects of birth. You can contact her directly helen@positivebirths.co.nz For more inspiration and information follow us on @positivebirths_helen

    #198. Waimarie's home waterbirth to Taika

  7. Sep 11

    #197. Arlene's long labour and c-section to Aurora

    "It was everything opposite to what I planned." Arlene is here to share her story of experiencing the kindof birth she had hoped to avoid — and how, despite everything unfolding so differently from what she had planned, she was still able to have a positive birthexperience. Some of the topics in our chat today include: -Giving birth at age 42 -Reprogramming thoughts and fears about birth -Trigger warning - we talk about Baby loss of Arlene’s and a friend's -Miscarriage at age 40 – you can hear Arlene’s story at episode #115. Miscarriage chat with Arlene https://open.spotify.com/episode/6dZ0gu2pWwAbXerbbyyYk9 -Preparing for conception with fertility naturopath -Difficultly with constant nausea and throwing up all through pregnancy -Home burglary while 5 months pregnant – creating a safe space for a homebirth -Declining Gestational Diabetes test and plan if baby had it at birth -Arlene’s midwife supporting her desire to have an autonomous birth -5 days of labour at home -Complete respect from hospital staff -Successful walking epidural Leave any comments and questions in the comments below for Arlene or Helen. If you would like to receive your free guide on how to prepare for a positive birth and a free relaxation track head to www.positivebirths.co.nz For more information on a range of courses to help you feel calm, confident and empowered in any type of birth scenario see www.positivebirths.co.nz Helen offers trauma informed hypnotherapy and support for healing after loss and trauma. Please reach out if you'd like to have a confidential chat about support. For more information and inspiration follow us on @positive_births_nz

    #197. Arlene's long labour and c-section to Aurora

  8. Sep 5

    #196 Devon's induction and vaginal birth to Twins

    We finally have a twin birth story!!! – thanks to Devon whoshares with us her recent experience of a vaginal birth to her fraternal twin boys, Marlon and Remy In this chat we discuss:  - Di-di twins (dichorionic-diamniotic twins) are a type oftwin pregnancy where each baby has their own separate amniotic sac and placenta -How Devon was resigned to the fact that what was going tohappen would happen - Her relaxed, low key approach - The physical challenges - Extra scans  as Twin A flagged for growth restriction, -Induction with misoprostal, contractions without much restin between -Epidural & vaginal birth - Breastfeeding - First 3 months of life with babies Do listen to the end for Devon’s really  great advice at the end for all mums going through the newborn stage! If you'd like to prepare for your positive birth - no matter what circumstances you face, learn mindset skills, breathwork, relaxation tools and loads more at www.positivebirths.co.n To start today join the recorded online Birth with Calm and Confidence course: https://www.positivebirths.co.nz/online-recorded-classes/ For more information and inspiration follow us on @positive_births_nz

    #196 Devon's induction and vaginal birth to Twins
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About

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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