In this powerful episode, Lizzy shares her journey through three very different births—each one shaping her in profound ways. Her first birth began with an induction and ended in a c-section. Her second, a planned home VBAC with midwives, became a traumatic hospital transfer that left her feeling disregarded, abandoned, and deeply vulnerable. These experiences led Lizzy to reclaim her power with her third baby—a beautiful, redemptive freebirth at home with just her husband and two children present. She opens up about how that final birth not only healed her, but also healed her marriage, which had been on the brink of divorce. Lizzy speaks candidly about the stark contrast in her postpartum recovery, and how this last birth gave her the strength, confidence, and wholeness she had long been searching for. Her advice to future mamas? Do your research, know that you have options, and never settle for anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.

In this special episode, my little sister Mariana shares her two birth stories—both spontaneous preterm labours. Her first daughter arrived at 36 weeks and 5 days during the height of COVID, meaning strict hospital policies limited her support system, making the experience more challenging. For her second pregnancy, she chose midwifery care and was so happy with that decision. However, when she went into labour at 34 weeks and 5 days, her care was transferred to an OB due to hospital protocol for preterm births. Mariana opens up about how fearful she was of her baby being taken to the NICU, as was hospital policy, and how in the end was able to keep her close. Through it all, her midwife remained a source of advocacy, comfort and support. At the end of the episode, Mariana also shares her wisdom and advice for other mamas embarking on this journey. Listen below, on Spotify, or watch it on Youtube!

Sarah’s journey through motherhood has been anything but ordinary. Diagnosed with severe endometriosis at a young age, she was given just months to a year to try for children before her condition could make it impossible. Her first pregnancy, a set of twins, brought unexpected challenges—including a suspected twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome and an eventual preeclampsia diagnosis at 35 weeks. Despite wanting a vaginal birth, she was scheduled for a C-section, and her babies were taken to the NICU while she recovered alone—an experience that left her feeling like they were simply 'handed to her off a shelf.'

Determined to have a VBAC for her second birth, Sarah faced constant resistance from her medical team, with the 'dead baby' card repeatedly thrown at her. At a crucial appointment, stress pushed her blood pressure up, leading to another preeclampsia diagnosis and another C-section—though this time, she was able to be with her baby right away.

By her third pregnancy, Sarah was armed with knowledge, unwavering in her decision to have a VBAC. With a supportive doula and a plan in place, she labored at home as long as possible before heading to the hospital—where she finally achieved the birth she had fought so hard for. Though postpartum complications arose, Sarah still reflects on this birth with joy, knowing she was in control of her experience.

In this episode, Sarah shares the highs and lows of her journey, the emotional weight of each birth, and how she found her voice in a system that often tried to silence her. Her story is one of resilience, advocacy, and ultimately, empowerment. You won’t want to miss this one.

In this episode, Nicole shares her two high-risk birth stories and the challenges she faced along the way. Her first pregnancy was complicated by pre-eclampsia and restricted blood flow through one of the umbilical arteries, affecting her baby’s growth. With the additional factors of breech presentation and oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid), she delivered via cesarean section.

For her second pregnancy, she initially planned for a VBAC but was later told she would need another C-section without a clear explanation, leaving her frustrated and disappointed. She once again developed pre-eclampsia and later discovered that her placenta had shown signs of deterioration. Nicole also opens up about how instrumental it was to have girlfriends pregnant at the same time and to surround herself with mama friends and support groups during postpartum. We also dive into the challenges of tongue ties, breastfeeding struggles, and the importance of finding the right support in early motherhood.

In this episode, Shandy shares her journey through three very different birth experiences. Her first birth followed the standard hospital route—an induction with Pitocin and an epidural, guided by the belief that this was just how birth was done. With her second, she considered a home birth, especially given the pandemic, but ultimately went to the hospital when her waters broke. When she arrived, she was put on the clock and given Pitocin to speed things up, despite wanting more time. Feeling unheard, she surrendered to interventions, including an epidural and episiotomy. But for her third birth, Shandy reclaimed her power. She had the redemptive home birth she had longed for, supported by her doula and best friend, with her midwife arriving only after the baby was born. She speaks about how her faith in God and trust in her own body carried her through the intensity of labor, allowing her to experience birth on her own terms.

Pregnancy often comes with a whirlwind of tests and terms, and one you might encounter is Group B Streptococcus (GBS). In this episode of Birth Unboxed, I break down everything you need to know about GBS: what it is, how it’s tested for, the risks it poses, and how it’s managed in different countries like Canada, the USA, the UK, and Australia.

We’ll explore the benefits and risks of antibiotics during labor, the chances of GBS infection and complications, and how to monitor your baby for signs of infection after birth. This episode is packed with facts to help you make informed decisions about your care during pregnancy and birth. I’ve also provided links for further reading below. Hope this episode has been helpful.

In this episode, Taylor shares her four unique birth stories, each highlighting her growth and evolution as a mother. From her first hospital birth with an epidural and a challenging postpartum experience, to her second induction birth with Pitocin and no epidural, Taylor reflects on how each experience shaped her. She opens up about her journey to a planned home birth with her third baby, where her midwife didn’t arrive in time, and her decision to freebirth her fourth baby—a transformative experience as she worked through personal fears and embraced healing. Now a doula herself, Taylor discusses the importance of having trusted women supporting you during birth and how her last two experiences brought her peace, joy, and empowerment. This episode is full of wisdom, honesty, and encouragement for anyone navigating their own birth journey.

It took me six months to gather the courage to record my birth story from start to finish. While I may have missed a few details, I’ve done my best to share the essence of my experience—how it unfolded and how it left me feeling.

After 24 hours of laboring at home following my waters breaking spontaneously, I transferred to the hospital and ultimately had a Cesarean birth due to my baby being breech.

Let me be clear: I have no issue with Cesareans when they are truly the best option for the health and safety of the baby and mother. I’m grateful for the advancements in modern medicine that make these surgeries possible, safe, and pain-free. But in my case, I struggle with the reasons that led to the decision. They didn’t align with my values or beliefs, and I deeply feel that the choice should have ultimately been mine to make.

Everything about birth involves risks, and choosing which risks to take is a deeply personal decision. That power and responsibility should not be handed over to someone else.

I’m grateful that both my baby and I are healthy, but I can’t help wishing my story had been different. Sharing this has been emotional, but I hope it can inspire reflection and connection for others navigating their own birth journeys.

🎙 Tune in to hear my raw and honest recount of my birth experience.

In this episode of The Birth Unboxed Podcast, Jennifer shares her powerful and deeply personal birth journey across three very different experiences. She reflects on becoming pregnant with her first daughter at just 14 and the disempowering language used by the hospital, claiming her body was “too young” to give birth. Years later, as a married woman, she welcomed twin girls vaginally at 34 weeks following an induction for preeclampsia, this time navigating the stigmatizing label of a “geriatric pregnancy” due to her age. Finally, at 41, Jennifer birthed her fourth daughter in a birth center, supported by her husband, eldest daughter, and a midwife who trusted her body and the physiological birth process. This transformative birth, free from unnecessary intervention, highlights the importance of respectful, woman-centered care. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about resilience, empowerment, and reclaiming autonomy in birth.

In this episode of Birth Unboxed, Susan, a fertility and pediatric nutritionist, shares her two unique birth stories, both guided by midwives. Her first experience, a completely natural birth at a birth center, was everything she had hoped for. For her second birth, without access to a birth center, Susan delivered in a hospital with a midwife. Despite facing complications, including a retained placenta and postpartum hemorrhage requiring OB intervention and an overnight hospital stay, Susan reflects on the exceptional care and support she received. She also offers valuable advice for new moms, emphasizing the importance of preparing iron-rich foods for postpartum recovery. Susan opens up about the critical role her parents played in providing postpartum support, underscoring the value of a strong support system. She highly recommends midwifery care for its personalized and empowering approach to birth.

In this episode of Birth Unboxed, Erin from Australia shares her incredible journey through six births, each with its own story. The first five took place in hospitals, where she experienced a mix of care from OBs and midwives, navigating challenges and interventions along the way. But it was her sixth birth—a home birth with a private midwife—that became her dream experience.

In this episode of Birth Unboxed, we sit down with Agatha to hear her transformative first birth story in a UK hospital. Initially planning for a fully medicalized birth with all the pain relief options available, Agatha's plans took an unexpected turn when an epidural wasn’t available.

Introducing my new podcast, dedicated to exploring the deeply personal and often under-discussed topic of birth through candid interviews. Each episode features women sharing their unique birth stories, encompassing a wide range of experiences, from empowering and positive to challenging and transformative.

The intention behind this podcast is to create a safe space for listeners to reflect on their own experiences, learn from others, and ultimately foster a community that supports diverse narratives around childbirth. By showcasing the voices of mothers from different backgrounds, we hope to normalise conversations about the complexities of birth and address the stigma that can surround it.

In each episode, guests will delve into their feelings, fears, and the unexpected moments that shaped their journeys. Listeners can expect to hear everything from home births to hospital experiences, the impact of medical interventions, and the emotional aftermath of their birthing experiences.

Join me in this exploration of birth, where every story matters, and every voice deserves to be heard. Tune in to the podcast for an intimate look at the realities of motherhood, and let's break the silence together.