The Positive Births NZ podcast

Helen Bartrom
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Be inspired by positive birth stories from parents across NZ who've used hypnobirthing to help them have a relaxed, calm, confident and empowered birth regardless of the circumstances they navigated. A range of stories exploring what helped birthing parents, what they achieved and what they would do differently if they could do it all again. To buy the book or check out our classes see www.positivebirths.co.nz

  1. #161. Lauren's home waterbirth to Tully

    JAN 27

    #161. Lauren's home waterbirth to Tully

    A gorgeous home waterbirth story after the stars aligned at 37 weeks and Lauren found the right midwife who "oozed calmness". In this episode we hear about Lauren's belief in herself, but the desire to be prepared. How doing an in person Hypnobirthing day retreat got Ryan fully onboard to know how to support. Navigating the acceptance of having a New Year's due date and therefore limited LMC care (which then resolved!) There's sun bathing in labour, the unique 'quack' signal to Ryan to time the waves, the trust Lauren's midwife had in Lauren knowing when it felt right to push. There's the meeting of Tully, the largest placenta ever seen and the postpartum transfer to hospital for a blood and iron transfusion. There's joking and laughter and a super chill baby. This is an amazing, uplifting, inspiring homebirth story of a first baby - a must listen for all! If you too would like to experience the Positive Births Matakana day retreat (or a similar course) like Lauren and Ryan, check out your options at www.positivebirths.co.nz

    1h 18m
  2. #160. Ella's footling breech homebirth to Mackenzie

    JAN 25

    #160. Ella's footling breech homebirth to Mackenzie

    Ella shares the birth stories of both her sons, Archie and Mackenzie, and what shines through is her calm, practical mindset and deep trust in her body. That first birth planted a seed of confidence for her future, and Ella also reflects on how motherhood (including Archie’s recurring ear infections) shaped the way she began questioning “standard” medical approaches and seeking more informed, holistic options. Mackenzie’s pregnancy felt straightforward - but the birth itself took a huge turn: Ella experienced an unexpected footling breech birth at home, with Mackenzie arriving at 4.6kg (10 pounds). The best part is how everyone remained calm and hands-off, and Ella could work with her body. Ella also shares the reality of the postpartum chapter:having to be transferred to hospital due to very high blood pressure and later learned she had postpartum preeclampsia. She speaks honestly about advocating for herself and her baby, the importance of informed consent, and how she used hypnobirthing tools (especially breathing and “melt”) to stay calm through uncomfortable moments. This episode is empowering, eye-opening, and a powerful reminder that a “positive birth” can mean feeling in control, supported, and listened to — even when the journey includes unexpected twists.  If you too would like to use hypnobirthing tools to help you for your labour and birth (whatever it may be) check out your options at www.positivebirths.co.nz

    1h 29m
  3. #159. Lucy's 3 positive births (2 birthcentre, 1 homebirth)

    JAN 22

    #159. Lucy's 3 positive births (2 birthcentre, 1 homebirth)

    Lucy shares the whirlwind story of welcoming three babies ina very short space of time — Eddie, Alice, and Walter. Lucy reflects on her first pregnancy with Eddie, including going overdue (to 41+6), a fast first labour, and what it felt like navigating the “overdue” pressure. She alsoshares the surprise twist of falling pregnant with baby number two just a few months after Eddie arrived, and the mental shift that came with realising youcan feel confident advocating for what’s right for you. A big theme in Lucy’s story is postpartum and feeding — shespeaks really openly about breastfeeding challenges (flat nipples, pain, mastitis, mixed advice, and the emotional impact), and what ultimately helped her bond and feel more at peace. With each pregnancy, Lucy grew in confidence,leaned into hypnobirthing tools more deeply, and also drew on her own physical strength — including staying active right through pregnancy — to cope with back-to-back pregnancies while parenting little ones at the same time. Lucy’s third birth with Walter (a Christmas Eve baby) camewith a bit of a curve ball. She shares what helped her stay grounded, and the magic of welcoming Walter at home with big siblings meeting their baby brother in the most beautiful way. Lucy's advice to her pre-pregnant self is "do the hypnobirthing course in the first pregnancy" - so if that's you, wondering if you should, or not, jump onto www.positivebirths.co.nz and check out your range of options. Your future self will thank the you of now!

    1h 5m
  4. #158. Vanessa's 3 pregnancies with HG & her VBA2C to Aliya

    JAN 18

    #158. Vanessa's 3 pregnancies with HG & her VBA2C to Aliya

    This episode with Vanessa provides an incredible insightinto the impact of HG (hyperemesis gravidarum). A three times HG survivor Vanessa vulnerably shares the darkness and challenges of being unable to function and having to rely on drugs (and her mum) to survive all her pregnancies.Not only did Vanessa have to deal with HG but also another condition of Vulvodynia. Her first two births to Evie and Kendall were C-Sections,but in her 3rd pregnancy Vanessa decided she wanted to attempt a VBA2C. Despite being extremely depleted physically, mentally andemotionally Vanessa persisted through 61 hours of labour to birth baby Aliya, and also suffered a post partum haemorrhage.This episode is eye opening as to how severe HG affects the lives of families, the medication required and the mental strength needed to get through pregnancy. Vanessa has generously offered her guide to caring for yourheart and mind during HG to all listeners. You can email her at vaneforsyth@gmail.com . Vanessa’s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VanessaJoyPoetry For all information about HG including treatment guides, DrFejzo's work and the HELP score to assess HG severity: HER Foundation - hyperemesis.org The facebook page for peer support is "Hyperemesis PeerSupport NZ" https://facebook.com/groups/885735235288936/ This episode is sponsored by Aggie @weareaggieYou can find Morning Relief at weareaggie.co.nz and in selected stores across New Zealand. For a 20% discount off Aggie's Morning Relief use code:AGGIEPB20Vanessa used hypnobirthing tools to help her through her long labour - if you too would like to learn hypnobirthing techniques for your pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum check out your range of course options at www.positivebirths.co.nz

    1h 43m
  5. #157. Zoe's hospital birth to Florence & homebirth to Goldie

    12/26/2025

    #157. Zoe's hospital birth to Florence & homebirth to Goldie

    With a scan showing a ‘potential’ issue late in her first pregnancy to Florence, Zoe was pressured for an induction which lead to series of interventions and a hospital birth. Zoe shares her learnings and then her second experience of birth with Goldie. A natural physiological, home waterbirth proving that yes, her body knew exactly what to do when there was no interference. Zoe shares how hypnobirthing and homeopathy helped her through her pregnancy and birth. Another great episode for all parents looking for a contrast between hospital and home birth scenarios. If you would like to gain practical tools to use in your pregnancy, labour and postpartum head to www.positivebirths.co.nz for a range of resources, online courses and live in person courses.

    1h 6m
  6. #156. Ashleigh's hospital birth to Charlie, homebirth to Lucy

    12/19/2025

    #156. Ashleigh's hospital birth to Charlie, homebirth to Lucy

    Ashleigh planned for a homebirth when pregnant with Charlie for but ended up navigating the hospital system at 42 weeks and 2 days where her labour started. She shares about the challenges and the battles they had along the way including constant monitoring preventing her from moving around; a ventouse and episiotomy. There are aspects of this experience that Ashleigh felt were traumatic for her and she worked on releasing these and preparing for a different birth early in her second pregnancy. With full conviction she could achieve a homebirth with her second baby Lucy, Ashleigh shares how this played out and her ability to be able to instinctively move with her body as baby descended in her smooth waterbirth. This episode provides a great comparison of Ashleigh’s experiences of birthing in the hospital vs homebirth. If you would like support to prepare for your birth check out all your options including group classes, private one on one sessions or online recorded courses all available at www.positivebirths.co.nz

    1 hr
  7. #155. Anneke's VBAC to Jasper

    12/15/2025

    #155. Anneke's VBAC to Jasper

    From the moment Anneke’s first baby Monty arrived she knew her next birth would be a VBAC. Therefore, excited to pregnant and expecting baby #2 Anneke intended, prepared, visualised and believed in her ability to have this VBAC. Her midwives were on board and all was going well until……..the routine appointment with the hospital obstetrician at 33 weeks. Get ready to tear your hair out about what the obstetrician says to Anneke and – how it derailed her – but only for a short time. After releasing her fear and negative emotions and moving through a hypnotherapy exercise, plus repeating the VBAC education workshop, Anneke was back in the drivers seat ready to go into labour naturally and avoid another C-Section. This is Anneke’s powerful journey of really listening to her own intuition, trusting herself, and for the very first time ever in her life going against what a medical professional suggested and she comes out so very super proud of herself. If you too would like tools and techniques and/or to release trauma or fear please check out all your options including one-on-one personal sessions, online recordings or live group classes see: www.positivebirths.co.nz. For the VBAC education workshop see: @Kristinwhite.vbaceducator

    57 min
  8. #154. Anna's home waterbirth to Isla

    12/09/2025

    #154. Anna's home waterbirth to Isla

    If you’d like another example of a normal, natural healthy, physiological birth of a first baby you’re in the right place today. Anna’s homebirth experience has helped her develop a senseof self trust that she is no relying on in her postpartum and we discuss how important this is. At 38 weeks Anna experienced a very long (almost 7 days)latent labour. Despite the long days and nights of intermittent sensations impacting her energy levels and testing her resolve she knew a short term fix (ie induction) would interfere in the type of birth she had planned an prepared for; therefore Anna persevered. Finally one night labour kicked off and as her midwife said, that week of latent labour was “money in the bank” because when Anna suspected things were happening and asked her midwife to check where she was at, she was doing pretty well. Her breathing and relaxation was her saving grace through both the latent and active stages of labour and if you too would like to benefit from some tools and techniques that are useful and relevant for all types of birth check out your options on www.positivebirths.co.nz.

    48 min
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Be inspired by positive birth stories from parents across NZ who've used hypnobirthing to help them have a relaxed, calm, confident and empowered birth regardless of the circumstances they navigated. A range of stories exploring what helped birthing parents, what they achieved and what they would do differently if they could do it all again. To buy the book or check out our classes see www.positivebirths.co.nz

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