We Are Mothers.

Sarah
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We Are Mothers is a podcast dedicated to real, honest motherhood stories. Chapter One centres on birth. Not to tell you how it should happen, but to honour how it actually did. Hosted by Sarah - mumma and storyteller, this podcast creates a calm, safe space for women to share their birth experiences in all their complexity. Through storytelling, women can heal their own birth experiences while helping others learn, prepare, and trust themselves as they approach birth and motherhood. Every birth matters. Every story belongs.

  1. 6d ago

    S2 EP4 | Jessica’s Story: A 27 Week Preemie, NICU Stay and Her Second A 10cm Breech Labour Turned Emergency C-Section

    In this episode, Jess shares her journey through two high risk pregnancies and births, including the emotional aftermath of extreme prematurity and NICU motherhood. Jess speaks openly about: Going into spontaneous labour at just 27 weeks with her first daughterThe shock and trauma of becoming a NICU mum overnightProcessing the grief of not getting immediate skin-to-skin or those “normal” newborn momentsEntering her second pregnancy carrying constant fear and hypervigilanceSevere pregnancy sickness with HG and managing multiple medicationsDiscovering she had an irritable uterus and recurrent contractionsWeeks of bed rest while parenting a toddlerRecurrent bladder infections potentially contributing to preterm labourBeing admitted to hospital at 33 weeks for threatened labourThe reality of steroid injections and prolonged monitoringHer waters breaking at 36+5 with a breech babyDilating to 10 centimetres before an emergency caesareanThe physical intensity of having a spinal while contractingHer daughter struggling to breathe after birth and being taken to special careThe emotional impact of once again not being able to hold her baby immediately after birthHow her first NICU experience changed the way she and her partner navigated the second birthRecovery after caesarean birth while parenting two young childrenThe emotional complexity of pregnancy after traumatic birthThis episode is a raw and honest reflection on premature birth, maternal resilience and the reality that birth doesn’t always go to plan. Want more? You can find episode photos over at: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wearemotherspod/⁠ You can find me at: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsarahcusack/⁠ You can find Jessica at: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaafisher/

    1h 17m

  2. May 24

    S2 EP3 | Claire’s Story: From Calm Labour to Emergency Caesarean Under General Anaesthetic

    In this episode, Claire shares the full story of welcoming her daughter Ellie via emergency caesarean under general anaesthetic after a rapid and intense labour. After spending pregnancy preparing for a calm, physiological hospital birth, Claire went into labour gradually at home.  She used movement, curb walking, affirmations, her TENS machine and music to manage contractions while spending the evening with her husband and mum in a relaxed environment. By the time she arrived at hospital late Friday night, she was already 5cm dilated and feeling positive about the progression of labour. Her birth space was calm and personalised with fairy lights, music, combs, movement and support from her midwife and partner. But labour intensified quickly. Claire began experiencing extremely strong back-to-back contractions with virtually no break between them, while Ellie’s heart rate became increasingly difficult to monitor. In this conversation, Claire speaks openly about: A HG pregnancyPreparing for a physiological birth in hospitalLabouring at home with a TENS machine, movement and musicArriving at hospital at 5cm dilatedExperiencing continuous contractions with no rest periodsFetal distress and monitoring challenges during labourHaving her waters broken and progressing rapidly to 8cmThe moment her maternal instinct told her something was wrongBeing rushed to theatre for an emergency caesareanUndergoing surgery under general anaestheticHer husband waiting outside theatre not knowing if she or Ellie were okayMeeting her daughter after waking from surgeryProcessing the emotional aftermath of an emergency birthClaire’s story is a powerful reminder that birth can shift unexpectedly, even when everything begins normally. It’s also a conversation about instinct, surrender, support, and navigating the emotional complexity of an emergency birth experience. Want more? You can find episode photos over at: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wearemotherspod/⁠ You can find me at: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsarahcusack/⁠ You can find Claire at: https://www.instagram.com/shortandsweetercollective/ https://shortandsweetercollective.com/ Claire is the founder of Short & Sweeter Collective.  At Short & Sweeter Collective, we’re here to turn everyday moments into something a little more playful, a little more meaningful, and a lot more you.Founded by a proudly ADHD mind and created with all kinds of minds in mind, we design sensory-considerate clothing that feels like home. Made to spark connection, celebrate chaos, and champion the kind of honesty that makes life a little sweeter.From embroidered caps to collectible affirmations, our mission is to leave people better than we found them with softness, humor, and heart stitched into everything we make. Because around here, it’s all about embracing the mess, making space for magic, and saying it with love, always. (Love you, bye.) Go check them out!

    51 min

  3. May 17

    S2 EP2 | Tara’s Story: A Fast Water Birth, Emergency Surgery & Finding Healing The Second Time

    In this week’s episode, I sit down with Tara, content creator, actor, podcast host and mum of two, to hear the full story behind both of her births and the postpartum journeys that followed. Tara shares how she went from feeling unsure whether motherhood was for her, to becoming completely transformed by pregnancy, birth and raising her children.   After years of travelling and focusing on career goals, she decided to start trying for a baby in her mid-30s and quickly became immersed in learning about physiological birth and hypnobirthing. Tara takes us through her first pregnancy with Beau, including: Conceiving later in life and navigating anxiety after miscarriageWhy watching her sister birth changed her entire perspective on labourChoosing continuity of care through the Gold Coast MGP programPreparing for an unmedicated water birthGoing into labour at 41+5 during COVIDLabouring at home before arriving at hospital already 8.5cm dilatedUsing the shower and water as pain reliefThe intense transition phase and instinctual “deep growl” during labourWelcoming Beau in the birth pool in a fast, unmedicated water birthExperiencing a severe grade 3C tear and postpartum haemorrhageBeing taken to surgery shortly after birthThe emotional impact of separation from her newborn in those first hoursDifficult postpartum recovery, retained placenta and breastfeeding strugglesThe importance of trusting your instincts when something doesn’t feel rightTara also shares how her second birth with daughter Marlowe became deeply healing: Trying to conceive again while navigating age-related fertility pressureFalling pregnant naturally just before attending an IVF consultationApproaching birth with more confidence and trust in her bodyPreparing intentionally for postpartum the second time aroundExperiencing a calm, empowering and restorative birthThe emotional grief of transitioning from one child to twoHow healing it felt to finally experience the golden hour she had hoped forThroughout the episode, Tara speaks beautifully about empowerment in motherhood, learning to advocate for yourself, and why birth stories matter. A deeply honest conversation about strength, softness, recovery and trusting your body through every stage of motherhood. Want more? You can find episode photos over at: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wearemotherspod/⁠ You can find me at: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsarahcusack/⁠ You can find Tara at: https://www.instagram.com/thesocialmummagc/

    49 min

  4. May 10

    S2 EP1 | Midwife Jacinta: The Truth About Home Birth, Private Midwifery & Physiological Birth

    In this episode, I sit down with private midwife Jacinta for a deep and honest conversation about modern maternity care, physiological birth, home birth, and what women actually need to feel safe, informed and supported throughout pregnancy and labour. Jacinta shares her experience working both within the hospital system and now in private midwifery care, explaining why continuity of care, relationship-based support and informed decision making can dramatically impact a woman’s birth experience. We unpack the common misconceptions around home birth and discuss what the research actually says about safety, outcomes and intervention rates.  Jacinta explains why home birth is often misunderstood, and why many women experience better emotional and physical outcomes when birth unfolds undisturbed in a safe and supported environment. This episode also explores the pressure many women feel around “the clock” during labour, including timelines around contractions, waters breaking and cervical dilation.  Jacinta shares why physiological birth rarely follows a predictable timeline and how different birth can look when women are supported rather than managed. We also discuss: What private midwifery care actually looks likeThe difference between hospital-based care and continuity modelsWhy many women don’t realise they have options during pregnancy and birthThe assumptions people make about home birthThe role of fear, nervous system safety and mindset in labourWhy informed consent and unbiased education mattersThe research around intervention rates and birth outcomesPreparing your body, environment and nervous system for birthWhy birth preparation should start early in pregnancyThe importance of advocacy and support during labourHow partners become empowered through education tooWhy no two labours look the sameThe problem with rigid contraction timelines and labour expectationsCreating a birth experience that aligns with your values and instinctsThis conversation is empowering, practical and deeply validating for any woman wanting to approach birth feeling more informed, confident and connected to herself. Want more? You can find episode photos over at: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wearemotherspod/⁠ You can find me at: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsarahcusack/⁠ You can find Jacinta at: https://www.instagram.com/intuitive_birth_collective https://www.intuitivebirthcollective.com/ Download her free labour toolkit here: https://intuitivebirthcollective.mykajabi.com/thelabourtoolkit?utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3_a1denni6i48x9b

    51 min

  5. Apr 12

    S1 EP11: | Nicole’s Story: Surrender, Strength & the Birth That Changed Everything

    Nicole shares her birth stories, a journey that began with a clear vision for how things would unfold, but quickly shifted into something far more intense and unpredictable. In this episode, Nicole walks us through: What she expected birth to look and feel like going inHow her labour actually unfolded in real timeThe moment things began to shift and feel outside of her controlThe physical intensity of labour and how she navigated itThe emotional experience of letting go of the plan she had in mindHow she worked through those moments to stay present in her bodyThe role of her support system during labourWhat the birth felt like immediately after, both physically and emotionallyHow this experience reshaped her understanding of birth and motherhoodNicole also reflects on: The gap between what we’re told birth will be like vs the realityHow expectations can impact the way we experience labourWhat she would do differently with the knowledge she has nowHer advice for other women preparing for birthThis is a deeply honest conversation about what happens when birth doesn’t follow the plan and the strength that can come from navigating it anyway. A powerful listen for anyone preparing for birth, or processing a birth that didn’t go as expected. Want more? You can find episode photos over at: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wearemotherspod/⁠ You can find me at: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsarahcusack/⁠ You can find Nicole at: https://www.instagram.com/nicolemaryx/

    41 min

  6. Apr 5

    S1 EP10: | Maddy’s Story: From Induction to Intuition: How Three Births Changed Everything

    In this episode, Maddy shares the raw and evolving story of her three births. Each one radically different, each one shaping her identity as a mother and ultimately leading her into the world of birth work. With no prior exposure to birth, Maddy entered her first experience trusting the system, only to be met with an intense, fast-paced augmented birth that left her shocked. Her second birth became a turning point - a deeply empowering, low-intervention experience that opened her eyes to what birth could feel like when supported and understood. By her third, Maddy chose a home birth, grounded in trust, education, and intuition,  navigating both the beauty and unexpected challenges, including a postpartum haemorrhage. This episode is a powerful reflection on how knowledge changes experience, how support shapes outcomes,and how birth can transform not just a moment… but an entire life path. In this episode we cover: ​Falling pregnant young and navigating birth with little exposure​The intensity of induction and rapid labour​The difference between physiological labour and syntocinon-led birth​Feeling let down by lack of education and support​Discovering hypnobirthing and informed consent​A completely different second birth experience​The moment that led Maddie to become a doula​Choosing a home birth for baby number three​Navigating a postpartum haemorrhage at home​The importance of advocacy and support in birth​Preparing for postpartum with intention​How birth can reshape identity, career, and worldview Want more? You can find episode photos over at: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wearemotherspod/⁠ You can find me at: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsarahcusack/⁠ You can find Maddy at: https://www.maddythedoula.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/maddy.thedoula/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100075920515191 Maddy is a mother of three and a birth and postpartum doula based in Hobart, Tasmania, who has spent nearly five years supporting women and their partners in the birth space. Her own births and experiences of maternity care are what led her into this work and continue to shape the way she cares for women and families.  She shares openly about motherhood, birth, and the importance of birth partner support on her socials if you’d like to follow along. In this episode, Maddy opens up about her own three personal birth stories and how they shaped her understanding of birth and maternity care, ultimately leading her to the path of working with families as a doula.

    1h 7m

  7. Mar 29

    S1 EP9: | Rikki’s Story: Choosing a homebirth as a first time mum

    In this episode, Rikki shares her experience of becoming a mother for the first time and choosing a natural home birth with her daughter, Ruby. After initially following what felt like the “standard” path, Rikki began to explore her options more deeply during pregnancy — leading her to realise that there was more than one way to approach birth. With the support of a private midwife and a strong sense of alignment, she chose a home birth experience that felt intimate, calm, and true to her. In this conversation, we explore: Rikki’s journey into motherhood and deciding she wanted childrenConceiving naturally after coming off long-term contraceptionNavigating pregnancy as a first-time mumThe decision to choose a home birth and what led her thereMoving through external opinions, doubt, and social pressureThe role of a supportive midwife and partnerWhat labour looked like at home — from a slow start to active labourUnexpected moments during birth, including baby’s positioning and adapting in the momentThe experience of pushing and birthing her baby in her own spaceThe immediate postpartum bubble and early days at homeReflections on postpartum care and the importance of supporting yourself as well as your babyRikki shares honestly about the moments of doubt, the power of feeling supported, and the deep sense of trust she developed in her body throughout the process. Her story is a reminder that while birth can look different for everyone, feeling informed, supported, and aligned in your choices can shape the entire experience. Want more? You can find episode photos over at: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wearemotherspod/⁠ You can find me at: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsarahcusack/⁠ You can find Rikki at: https://www.instagram.com/rikkibwabe/ Resources mentioned in this episode: Birthing Mum Midwifery https://www.instagram.com/birthingmum/ The Great Birth Rebellion Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/3gQRikeOcaHkJjWTtcT1B1?si=52dca2d52298439f

    36 min

  8. Mar 22

    S1 EP8: | Ashleigh’s Story: The Birth That Changed Everything (And the One That Followed)

    In this episode, Ashleigh shares her journey through loss, IVF, and two very different birth experiences — and what changed the second time around. After a first birth that she reflects on as traumatic, but pivotal, Ashleigh went into her second pregnancy with one clear intention: she wanted it to be different. What unfolds is a powerful exploration of: Pregnancy after loss and the heightened fear that comes with itThe difference between standard hospital care and private midwifery supportThe reality that many choices in the system don’t always feel like true choicesHow seeking evidence, information, and continuity of care changed everythingThe emotional and physical shift from a medicalised birth to an empowering oneAshleigh speaks candidly about: Feeling like options in the system were presented in a way that made it hard to say no Wanting informed consent and autonomy the second time aroundChoosing a private midwife early in pregnancy and the impact of continuous, personalised careThe contrast between a birth she describes as “traumatic, but pivotal” and one that felt “empowering, incredible and magic” It’s a powerful episode that we hope you enjoy. Want more? You can find episode photos over at: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wearemotherspod/⁠ You can find me at: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsarahcusack/⁠ You can find Ashleigh at: https://www.instagram.com/ashleighburgis/ Resources mentioned in this episode: Midwife / IBCLC: Tamika Newman ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/midwifetamika/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://tamikanewmanibclc.com/⁠

    1h 15m
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About

We Are Mothers is a podcast dedicated to real, honest motherhood stories. Chapter One centres on birth. Not to tell you how it should happen, but to honour how it actually did. Hosted by Sarah - mumma and storyteller, this podcast creates a calm, safe space for women to share their birth experiences in all their complexity. Through storytelling, women can heal their own birth experiences while helping others learn, prepare, and trust themselves as they approach birth and motherhood. Every birth matters. Every story belongs.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Sarah
  • Show Website
    We Are Mothers.