Australian Birth Stories

Fatuma shares her transformative journey through a high-risk pregnancy that challenged everything she thought she knew about birth, motherhood, and her own strength. What began as an unexpected pregnancy during her honeymoon period quickly became a complex medical journey involving hemiplegic migraines and a toxoplasmosis diagnosis that led to recommendations for termination at 22 weeks. Fatuma's story is one of profound cultural reconnection, medical advocacy, and the power of trusting your instincts as a mother. Her experience highlights the importance of having strong advocates in the birthing room and the beautiful intersection between Western medicine and traditional African birthing practices. This episode will resonate deeply with anyone who has faced difficult decisions during pregnancy or felt the need to advocate for themselves in medical settings.

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In today's episode, I chat with Serrin a graphic designer from Byron Bayabout her extraordinary pregnancy journey involving a life-threatening arteriovenous malformation (AVM). What began as severe headaches that were initially dismissed as normal pregnancy symptoms escalated into a major brain haemorrhage at 22 weeks. Serrin takes us through her weeks in ICU at Gold Coast University Hospital, living in Airbnbs throughout her pregnancy due to medical restrictions, and ultimately welcoming her daughter Bobby via caesarean at 38 weeks. She also shares her challenging recovery journey, including a second brain bleed following post-birth surgery when Bobby was six months old. This is a powerful story of medical complexity, community support, and finding strength through vulnerability - with important lessons about trusting your instincts and advocating for proper care when something doesn't feel right during pregnancy.

Proudly brought to you by iL Tutto.

To celebrate the release of iL Tutto’s newest award-winning Frankie Electric Recliner, listeners of Australian Birth Stories can enjoy an exclusive 20% off the iL Tutto Trend Collection for a limited time. iL Tutto creates beautifully designed nursery furniture that supports parents through every stage, from those first days at home to life beyond the nursery.

Their ever-growing premium Trend Collection brings together thoughtfully designed, sustainable timber cots and chests, alongside award-winning nursing chairs, including the much-loved Frankie and Louie in Teddy-Fleece and Corduroy.

And now, iL Tutto has welcomed the newest addition to the collection, the award-winning Frankie Chair in Soft Teddy-Fleece, available in two stylish, trend-led colours designed to elevate your nursery and live beautifully in your home long after the baby years.

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This offer ends 25 March, 2026.Conditions apply.
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Josey, a midwife from the Central Coast of New South Wales, shares her remarkable birth story that beautifully illustrates how positive birth experiences can unfold even when plans change. Working at Gosford Hospital and living with her husband Fergus (a paramedic) and their golden retriever Maggie, Josey takes us through her journey from conception to welcoming seven-month-old Murphy.

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Kim shares her contrasting birth experiences between the UK and Australia, her journey through postpartum depression, and how she transformed her challenging early motherhood into a national movement supporting mothers. From a medicalised first birth during COVID lockdowns to an empowering second birth that nearly happened at home, Kim's story illustrates how different experiences can shape us and how we can use our struggles to help others. Now the founder of Mum Walk a national charity connecting mothers across Australia, Kim demonstrates how community and connection are vital for maternal mental health and postpartum wellbeing.

Feeling overwhelmed in your pregnancy? Looking to learn how to connect with your breath? Introducing The Birth Meditations.
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Maddy, a registered nurse and mother of three from the Central Coast of New South Wales, takes us through her complete birth journey. Her story beautifully illustrates how subsequent births can offer profound healing opportunities, especially with the right support team and birth education. Maddy's first birth was an induction which resulted in significant perineal trauma, and postpartum haemorrhage. However, her second and third births through Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) care demonstrate the transformative power of continuity of care, informed choice, and trusting your body's ability to birth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.