Belly2Birth Podcast

Shari Lyon
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Welcome to the Belly2Birth Podcast. Join childbirth educator and Hypnobirthing practitioner Shari Lyon for evidence-based conversations that empower you through conception, pregnancy, birth, postpartum and pregnancy loss. Each episode features practical education, inspiring stories, and interviews with leading experts in maternity care, women’s health and parenting, helping you make informed decisions, trust your instincts, and create the journey that’s right for you. Because every woman deserves to feel informed, supported and empowered from Belly2Birth.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    BIRTH STORY - “My Baby Was Breech” How Jazmin Advocated for a Vaginal Breech Birth

    What happens when you’re told your baby is breech late in pregnancy… and the birth you had imagined suddenly feels like it’s being taken off the table? In this episode of the Belly2Birth Podcast, I’m joined by my beautiful client Jazmin, who shares the incredible birth story of her second daughter, Goldie a frank breech baby who was ultimately born vaginally after a journey filled with research, advocacy, difficult decisions and one very unexpected turn in the birth suite. After discovering Goldie was breech, Jazmin tried acupuncture, moxibustion, positioning techniques, releasing and alignment exercises... everything I had taught her.. and an ECV in the hope that her baby would turn. When her ECV was unsuccessful, Jazmin was told that an elective caesarean would be the option available with her current obstetrician. Rather than immediately accepting that as her only pathway, she started researching. At 37 weeks pregnant, Jazmin made the incredibly difficult decision to change obstetricians and found a caregiver experienced in supporting vaginal breech birth. Jazmin waited and allowed her body to go into labour naturally... It was happening... and all so beautifully.....And then her birth took another turn. During labour, Goldie’s heart rate became concerning, and as a precaution, Jazmin agreed to go into theatre for a caesarean as her main goal was to bring her baby girl into the world safely. She received a spinal and thought the vaginal birth she had worked so hard for was over. Then her obstetrician checked her. Goldie’s bottom was already being born. Within minutes, Jazmin gave birth to her breech baby vaginally in theatre. This conversation is about so much more than one mode of birth. We talk about informed decision-making, understanding risk, asking better questions, changing caregivers, trusting yourself, finding experienced support and recognising that sometimes the first option you are presented with is not necessarily the only option available to you. Jazmin’s message to another woman who discovers her baby is breech is simple:....Educate yourself. Because empowered birth isn’t about achieving one particular type of birth. It’s about feeling informed, heard, supported and actively involved in the decisions surrounding you and your baby. If you’re preparing for birth and would like to feel more informed, confident and prepared for the different pathways birth can take, you can also explore my ⁠Journey to Birth Hypnobirthing programs. ⁠Podcast listeners can use the code PODCAST10 to receive 10% off my online and face-to-face programs, as well as my meditation and hypnosis bundles. Please note: This episode shares Jazmin’s individual experience and is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace individual medical advice. Always discuss your personal circumstances, options, benefits and risks with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

  2. Sep 10

    HYPNOBIRTHING: What Is the ‘Hypno’ Part & Why Are We Conditioned to Fear Birth?

    What if some of the fears you have about birth aren’t actually yours? In this solo episode of the Belly2Birth Podcast, I’m unpacking the “hypno” part of Hypnobirthing — and no, it’s not about swinging pendulums, losing control or clucking like a chicken! We explore how your unconscious mind is constantly learning from what you see, hear and experience, and how from childhood many of us have been exposed to cultural messages that portray birth as painful, frightening, dangerous and out of our control. So what happens when you become pregnant and all of those old stories, images and beliefs suddenly come to the surface? I explain the connection between fear, safety, the nervous system and birth, why I don’t believe Hypnobirthing should promise to eliminate fear completely, and how education, hypnosis, repetition and practical tools can help you begin creating a different relationship with birth. This episode will encourage you to ask: Where did my beliefs about birth come from... and are they the beliefs I want to take into my own experience? If you're ready to prepare your mind and body for birth, explore my Journey to Birth Hypnobirthing & Childbirth Education programs and use code PODCAST10 to save 10%. 🎧 Listen, subscribe and share this episode with someone preparing for pregnancy or birth.

  3. Sep 3

    From Hyperemesis to a Spiritual Birth and the Postpartum No One Warned Her About | Cleo Massey

    What happens when the pregnancy you imagined looks nothing like the reality....yet the birth becomes more powerful than you ever dreamed? In this deeply honest episode of the Belly2Birth Podcast, I sit down with Cleo Massey, founder of Pass Around the Smile, to talk about her journey through severe hyperemesis, the mental and emotional toll of pregnancy, preparing for birth through Hypnobirthing and mindset work, and the incredible spiritual birth of her daughter, Indigo. Cleo shares how she went from fear and unexpected complications when her labour started with blood loss to feeling as though she had “gone to the stars” to meet her baby and why learning to surrender when birth changed course became one of her greatest lessons. We also go beyond the birth story and into a conversation that needs to be heard more often: postpartum identity, feeling emotionally numb months after having a baby, finding yourself again after motherhood, and the very real fear Cleo now holds around becoming pregnant again after experiencing HG. This conversation is raw, funny, emotional and incredibly beautiful....a reminder that pregnancy, birth and motherhood can be hard and magical at exactly the same time. 🎧 Listen or watch the Belly2Birth Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube. If this episode resonates with you, please follow the podcast, leave a review and share it with another woman who needs to hear Cleo’s story. For more information about my Hypnosis and Meditation Bundles then CLICK HERE To book into one of my Hypnobirthing courses on the Gold Coast CLICK HERE To purchase the Journey to Birth Online Course CLICK HERE As a special gift of listening to the podcast Use the code: PODCAST10 to save

  4. Aug 27

    You’re Pregnant… Now What? A Midwife’s Guide to Pregnancy, Tests & Maternity Care

    In this episode of the Belly2Birth Podcast, I’m joined by our resident midwife, Nicole Garratt from Blooming Midwifery, to answer one of the biggest questions after seeing those two lines… “I’m pregnant—now what?” We talk about what Nicole recommends women consider in early pregnancy, the different models of maternity care available in Australia, choosing the right caregiver, understanding pregnancy tests and screening, informed decision-making, and the importance of quality childbirth education. Our hope is that this episode helps you realise that you have choices in pregnancy and birth and the earlier you understand those choices, the more confidently you can navigate your care. Download my free guide to help you ask the right questions and find a caregiver who aligns with you:https://www.belly2birth.com.au/questions 🤎 Journey to Birth Online Hypnobirthing Coursehttps://www.belly2birth.com.au/hypnobirthing-online-course 🤎 Gold Coast Face-to-Face Hypnobirthing Courseshttps://www.belly2birth.com.au/gold-coast-hypnobirthing-courses 🎧 PODCAST LISTENER DISCOUNT: Use code PODCAST10 when booking your Belly2Birth course. If you loved this conversation, follow the Belly2Birth Podcast, leave a review and share this episode with someone who is pregnant or preparing for pregnancy. 🤎 FREE RESOURCE — Questions to Ask Your Caregivers Prepare for birth with Belly2Birth

  5. Aug 20

    Birth Hurts!!... So Lets Talk About It!

    Birth Hurts… So Let’s Talk About It | Understanding & Reframing Pain in Birth For years, parts of the Hypnobirthing world have tried to remove the word pain from birth. Call it pressure.Call it tightening.Call it intensity.Call it a surge. And while all of those words can absolutely describe the sensations of labour, I think that in trying to take the fear out of birth, we may have unintentionally created another expectation for women… That birth shouldn’t hurt. So in this episode, I want to talk honestly about PAIN. Because yes — birth can hurt. And feeling pain doesn’t mean you’re doing Hypnobirthing wrong. It doesn’t mean you’ve lost control. And it doesn’t automatically mean that something is wrong. There is an important difference between physiological pain and pathological pain. Most of the pain we experience throughout our lives is our body’s warning system — something is wrong, protect yourself. Labour can be different. During physiological labour, powerful sensations can accompany the incredible work your uterus, cervix, pelvis and baby are doing together. Rather than simply fearing those sensations, understanding why they are happening and what they mean can completely change the way we respond to them. In this solo episode of the Belly2Birth Podcast, I unpack: The difference between physiological and pathological painWhat is actually happening in your body during a contractionWhy labour can hurt even when everything is progressing normallyWhy I believe we need to stop promising women a “pain-free” birth My goal as a Hypnobirthing educator isn’t to convince you that birth doesn’t hurt. It’s to help you understand that pain doesn’t automatically mean danger and give you tools to meet the intensity of labour with knowledge, resources and confidence. This isn’t about enduring pain or proving how strong you are. And choosing medical pain relief doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It’s about preparation, understanding, choice and knowing your options. If this episode changes the way you think about birth pain, please share it with another pregnant woman who needs to hear this conversation. Gold Coast Journey to Birth Group Hypnobirthing & Childbirth Education Courses ⁠https://www.belly2birth.com.au/gold-coast-hypnobirthing-courses⁠ Join me in person on the Gold Coast and learn the knowledge, practical tools and techniques to help you and your birth partner feel informed, prepared and confident for birth. Journey to Birth Online Hypnobirthing & Childbirth Education Course⁠ https://www.belly2birth.com.au/hypnobirthing-online-course⁠ Can’t attend in person? Prepare from anywhere, in your own time, with my comprehensive online birth education program. USE THE CODE: PODCAST10 for a discount off my course Subscribe to the Belly2Birth Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube so you don’t miss upcoming conversations about pregnancy, birth, postpartum and everything in between. Birth isn’t about being fearless. It’s about understanding what’s happening, knowing your options and having the tools to navigate whatever path your birth takes. Prepare for birth with Belly2Birth

  6. Aug 13

    BIRTH STORY — Lia's Journey from an Unplanned Caesarean, Postpartum Depression & IVF to an Empowering VBAC

    In this episode of the Belly2Birth Podcast, mum of two Lia Wall joins me in the studio to share two very different birth and postpartum experiences. Lia’s first pregnancy was unexpected, and during COVID she completed my online Hypnobirthing course in preparation for birth. After a long labour, she reached full dilation, but her baby remained high due to a deflexed head position and brow presentation. Her birth ultimately ended in an unplanned Caesarean, followed by separation while her baby received special care. Lia speaks incredibly honestly about what came next — struggling to feel connected to her baby, postpartum depression, anxiety and rage, and eventually reaching out for professional support as she adjusted to her new identity as a mother. When Lia and her husband Matt decided to have another baby, their journey unexpectedly led them to IVF. After conceiving their son George through their first embryo transfer, Lia turned her attention towards what she called “Operation VBAC.” Along the way she navigated early pregnancy bleeding and gestational diabetes, while preparing physically and emotionally for a vaginal birth after Caesarean. Lia and Matt also returned to complete a face-to-face Hypnobirthing refresher with me — something Lia says was a game changer, particularly in helping Matt feel prepared to support her. Then came the birth… including a rather dramatic drive to hospital! Lia made it there and, supported by Matt, achieved the beautiful and empowering VBAC she had prepared for. Yet Lia’s story didn’t end there. When she began recognising the signs of postpartum depression returning, this time she sought help early and entered a specialist postpartum support facility where she could receive professional care while remaining with her baby. This is a raw, vulnerable and beautiful conversation about birth, motherhood, mental health, asking for help and discovering that healing can look different for every woman. If you are struggling during pregnancy or postpartum, support is available through PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) and COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence), as well as your GP or qualified healthcare provider. Prepare for birth with Belly2Birth:Explore my Journey to Birth Online Course, Gold Coast face-to-face Hypnobirthing & Childbirth Education courses, refresher sessions and postpartum coaching at belly2birth.com.au. 🎧 Listen to the Belly2Birth Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. If Lia’s story resonates with you, please subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with another woman who needs to hear it.

  7. Aug 6

    Let’s talk about ‘Due Dates’ or should we say ‘Probably NOT Date’

    Due Dates… or Should We Say “Probably NOT Date?” What if I told you your baby’s “due date” has only around a 4–5% chance of actually being the day they are born? In this evidence-based episode of the Belly2Birth Podcast, we’re unpacking one of the most misunderstood concepts in pregnancy. Where did due dates come from? What is Naegele’s Rule? Why are pregnancies still dated using a formula created over 200 years ago? And what does the research actually say about when babies are born? We’ll explore: The fascinating history of pregnancy dating before ultrasound.The story behind Naegele’s Rule and why it’s only an estimate.How cycle length and ovulation can significantly influence your estimated due date.The role of first-trimester ultrasound and its limitations.The normal range of human gestation.Statistics on when women actually go into spontaneous labour.Why your due date is a guide—not an expiry date.How language like “overdue” can shape your pregnancy experience and birth decisions.My hope is that this episode helps you replace fear with understanding, so you can feel more informed, confident and empowered as you navigate the final weeks of pregnancy. If you’d like to prepare for birth with comprehensive, evidence-based education that goes far beyond the due date, I’d love to support you. ✨ Journey to Birth Online Course: https://www.belly2birth.com.au/hypnobirthing-online-course
✨ Gold Coast Group Hypnobirthing & Childbirth Education Courses:
https://www.belly2birth.com.au/

  8. Jul 30

    More Than a Midwife: Nicole Garratt's Mission to Transform Birth

    In this episode of the Belly2Birth Podcast, I'm thrilled to introduce our resident Midwife, Nicole Garratt from Blooming Midwifery. Nicole shares her inspiring journey into midwifery. From her university training and clinical placements, to working within the public maternity system, progressing into leadership, and ultimately making the courageous decision to leave the hospital system to become a Private Practising Midwife. Together we have an honest conversation about the realities of maternity care in Australia, the differences between the various models of care, and why continuity of midwifery care is considered the gold standard for women wanting a safe, supported and physiological birth. We also explore: • What it's really like to train and work as a midwife. • Why Nicole chose private midwifery and homebirth. • The current challenges facing our maternity system. • Why choosing your care provider is one of the most important decisions you'll make during pregnancy. • The investment involved in different models of care and why many families see it as one of the most valuable investments they make. Whether you're planning your first baby or adding to your family, this episode will empower you with knowledge to help you make informed decisions about your pregnancy, birth and postpartum journey. Free resources mentioned in this episode: ✨ Questions to Ask Your Care Provider + Free Hypnobirthing Meditations https://www.belly2birth.com.au/questions ✨ Discover Your Birth Archetype (Free 2-minute Quiz) https://www.belly2birth.com.au/birth-archetype-quiz If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love it if you subscribed, left a review, and shared it with someone preparing for birth. Every woman deserves to know her options, feel informed, and be supported to create a positive birth experience.

  9. Jul 21

    The Birth that Sparked a Mission! This is where my story begins.

    The Birth That Sparked a Mission: This Is Where My Story Begins In this very first episode, I’m taking you right back to where it all began. I share the moment I first discovered I was pregnant with my son and the overwhelming fear I carried about birth. What followed was one of the most transformative journeys of my life. I immersed myself in learning everything I could, determined to prepare for a positive birth experience. Yet despite all of that preparation, I became one of the one in three women who experienced birth trauma. It wasn’t because my body failed me. It wasn’t because I wasn’t prepared. It was because of the communication, the language, and the way care was delivered in the birth space. I walked away from my birth feeling unheard, and less than and blaming myself for not speaking up for myself. And though, instead of letting that experience define me, it ignited something deep within me. It sparked a mission. A mission to become a childbirth educator and Hypnobirthing Practitioner. A mission to create my own evidence-based birth education program. And a mission to advocate for women so they feel informed, supported, respected and confident in their choices throughout pregnancy, birth and beyond. This episode is the beginning of that journey. It’s the story behind Belly2Birth, why I created this podcast, and why I’m so passionate about changing the way we prepare women and families for birth. My hope is that through these conversations, education and interviews with leading experts, more women will know their options, feel safe in their decision-making, communicate with confidence, and ultimately help reduce the rates of birth trauma across Australia and around the world. This is where my story begins… and I’m so grateful you’re here to be part of it. Shari. To learn more about my Hypnobirthing program and Birth Trauma support or to purchase any of my online resources or courses, visit www.belly2birth.com.au

  • 9 Episodes

About

Welcome to the Belly2Birth Podcast. Join childbirth educator and Hypnobirthing practitioner Shari Lyon for evidence-based conversations that empower you through conception, pregnancy, birth, postpartum and pregnancy loss. Each episode features practical education, inspiring stories, and interviews with leading experts in maternity care, women’s health and parenting, helping you make informed decisions, trust your instincts, and create the journey that’s right for you. Because every woman deserves to feel informed, supported and empowered from Belly2Birth.

Information

  • Creator
    Shari Lyon
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Shari Lyon
  • Show Website
    Belly2Birth Podcast