Episode 32 with Tarra from Macedon Ranges in rural Victoria. Working through birth trauma, advocating for yourself and having a healing second birth‪.‬ The Rural Births Podcast

Today’s episode is with Tarra from Macedon Ranges in rural Victoria. Tarra has two children. She birthed in both a CBD hospital and a small regional hospital. Tarra was a nurse and also studying to be a midwife. She shares that originally, she wanted to be in a bigger metro hospital in case something did go wrong. This hospital did offer an MGP program and Tarra determinedly found a way into the program in order to experience continuity of care. She had visions of a waterbirth but her labour and birth experience moved quite differently.
Tarra shares her difficult first labour. She spoke as a strong advocate for herself but at times wasn’t heard. This first labour was hard. Tarra experienced and needed to work through birth trauma prior to her second birth. For her second birth she actively pursued different care and was very clear with her obstetrician and midwife about her needs in labour, after her first experience. This second birth still had twists and turns but also allowed Tarra to feel the support, listening and consideration that were lacking in her first birth. Tarra felt this difference. This smaller, rural maternity unit had the time for her. Their care was more personal and she found the experience very healing.

Tarra had also engaged with hypnobirthing and used the Freya app. to support her during labour and would thoroughly recommend this accessible resource for other rural women.