Best Calmbirth Podcasts (2024)

1
487 | Amelia, three babies, twins, PROM, induction, emergency caesarean, twin VBAC, breastfeeding, Dr Bisits, breech vaginal birth 1:13:47

5h ago1:13:47

1:13:47

In today’s episode Amelia shares her first birth which was a challenging induced labour that ended in an emergency caesarean. She always knew she wanted a VBAC so when she discovered she was pregnant with twins, she made it her mission to find a care provider to support her. Thankfully, she discovered Dr Andrew Bisits at the Royal Hospital for Wome…

1
486 | Suze, one baby, MGP, induction, syntocinon, epidural, forceps-assisted birth, breastfeeding, nipple shields 1:07:16

4d ago1:07:16

1:07:16

If you’re in the mood for a birth story full of truths and just as many laughs, this one’s for you. Suze started listening to the podcast years before she conceived so in early pregnancy, she started an evening ritual of going for a walk and listening to every episode from #1 (the very rustic eps!). She takes us through her MGP care, birth preparat…

1
485 Postpartum | Eliza, two babies, disabled parent, medical stigma, disability advocate 36:32

8d ago36:32

36:32

In today’s episode I chat to Eliza Hull - a musician, author and disability advocate who lives with a neurological condition called charcot marie tooth. When she started considering and discussing her plans to have children, she was met with stigma from friends and medical professionals, an experience that is common for people living with disabilit…

1
484 | Hannah, three babies, PROM, induction, gas+air, MGP, waterbirth, breastfeeding, epidural 1:09:21

11d ago1:09:21

1:09:21

Hannah’s three vaginal births are so different but they all started with pre-labour rupture of membranes (PROM). Her first was induced and she explains the intensity of contractions and how she navigated them. In her second birth she waited days after the trickle of her waters began, was guided by an obstetrician willing to wait and she went into s…

1
483 Postpartum | Jen, one vaginal birth, GD, induction, episiotomy, postpartum confinement 44:42

16d ago44:42

44:42

In today’s episode, I talk to Jen about her pregnancy, birth and traditional Chinese confinement during postpartum. Jen is a second-generation Chinese-Australian and while she was at first hesitant to embrace the confinement period after birth, when she left the hospital feeling frail, “like a creature born trembling, without fur or feathers” she a…

1
482 | Bee, one baby, MGP, spontaneous labour, The Birth Class, sterile water injections, episiotomy, vacuum assisted birth, breastfeeding 1:17:09

19d ago1:17:09

1:17:09

Bee came to her first pregnancy like most women do; with the understanding that birth is incredibly hard and painful - something to be endured. Understandably, she was terrified and not interested in hearing anyone’s birth story. Thankfully, she was accepted into MGP early on and had a beautiful, supportive midwife on her side. She also started lis…

1
481 Postpartum | Ruby, breastfeeding, sleep challenges, normal infant biology, low sleep needs 26:48

23d ago26:48

26:48

In today’s episode Ruby shares her journey with infant sleep. We all come to postpartum with a predisposed understanding of baby sleep which usually involves the mindset that it’s the parent’s ‘job’ to ‘teach’ the baby to sleep. But as you will hear in this episode, babies have a primal drive to sleep and their sleep needs are ultimately influenced…

1
480 | Sea, MGP, physiological birth, positive birth story, Indigenous, planned postpartum 44:16

28d ago44:16

44:16

Sea shared her first three physiological births in episode 304 and today she returns to tell us all about her fourth pregnancy and birth. Little Leia was a big surprise but Sea took it in her stride - as most mums of four do - and managed to get in the MGP program at Cairns Hospital which gave her access to the spacious rooms in the birthing suite.…

1
479 Postpartum | Ariane, postpartum psychosis, psychologist, hallucinations, postpartum depression, psychotic depression 1:03:16

1M ago1:03:16

1:03:16

In today’s episode, Ariane shares her experience with postpartum psychosis. As a psychologist working in child and family services, Ariane was aware of perinatal mental illness but her anxiety prevented her from disclosing her symptoms which included disillusions, hallucinations and suicidal ideation. After a stay in a mother and baby unit, she sta…

1
478 | Katie, one baby, plus-size, doula, induction, vaginal birth, PPH 1:13:35

1M ago1:13:35

1:13:35

In this episode 478 Katie shares her pregnancy and birth experience as a plus-size woman. She was denied access to midwifery group practice because of her weight and was immediately placed in a high risk model of care. She reflects on the inherent stress of this and admits that there were frequent suggestions of induction from her second trimester …

1
477 | Angela, physiological home birth, private midwife, water birth 48:28

1M ago48:28

48:28

In this episode Angela shares her incredibly positive first birth - a water birth at home, supported by private midwives. Before she had conceived, Angela spent years learning about birth and discovered that a physiological birth in water was her preference. She came to this pregnancy - her second - with a strong awareness of body and mind and cont…

1
476 | Georgie, four babies, MGP, physiological birth, breastfeeding, surprise breech, breech vaginal birth, DCDA twins, twin vaginal birth without epidural 1:27:08

2M ago1:27:08

1:27:08

I know I say it a lot, but you’re really going to love this episode. Georgie details her positive physiological first birth, her second that was a surprise breech (birthed vaginally!) and a DCDA twin pregnancy with confronting fragmented obstetric care. Georgie’s three births emphasise how vital education and advocacy really is, especially when con…

1
475 Postpartum | Arnikka, postpartum, IBCLC, neurodivergence, autism, ADHD, sensory overwhelm 1:09:21

2M ago1:09:21

1:09:21

In this absolutely brilliant episode, Arnikka - @sucklebubs - takes us through her life-changing diagnosis of autism and ADHD in her second postpartum. Postpartum is a common time for women to consider their neurotype and for Arnikka, the overwhelm of the mental load was quickly becoming debilitating even though she didn’t feel particularly depress…

1
474 | Chantal endometriosis, IVF, anxiety, private obstetrician, HG, amniocentesis, spontaneous labour, vaginal birth 1:18:16

2M ago1:18:16

1:18:16

The gender pain gap has been in the news cycle recently with the Victorian government announcing an inquiry into women’s pain. Chantal’s story mirrors the experience of thousands of Australian women; a history of painful periods that had been dismissed. She was diagnosed with stage three endometriosis when she had trouble conceiving naturally. Afte…

1
473 | Ash, three babies, induction, vaginal birth, homebirth, waterbirth, microcephaly, 1:08:54

2M ago1:08:54

1:08:54

Ash has been listening to the podcast since episode 40 so I’ve been in her ears every week for six years. Today she takes us through her three pregnancies and births, nodding to the importance of being prepared - listening to all kinds of births - and also accepting intervention when necessary. She navigated postnatal depression in her first postpa…

1
472 | Sarah Davidson, one baby, private obstetrician, miscarriage, ovulation induction, gestational diabetes, footling breech, planned caesarean 1:10:22

2M ago1:10:22

1:10:22

In today’s episode, Sarah takes us through her fertility experience as an adoptee which prompted her to do a series of tests early in her journey. After a missed miscarriage, she embarked on ovulation induction but then spontaneously conceived while on an overseas holiday. She opted for private obstetric care alongside support from a doula and at 3…

1
471 | Ashlee, one baby, gastric sleeve surgery, IVF, placenta previa, private obstetrician, student midwife, iron infusion, PPH, breastfeeding 48:22

2M ago48:22

48:22

In today’s episode Ashlee details her long fertility journey including her choice to have gastric sleeve surgery. She conceived baby Luca on her first IVF transfer and chose private obstetric care alongside the support of a student midwife. Placenta previa dictated a caesarean birth so Ashlee purchased The Caesarean Birth Class and listened to each…

1
470 | Abby, three vaginal births, gp shared care, public hospital, pain-free birth, physiological birth, breastfeeding 58:41

2M ago58:41

58:41

In this episode Abby shares her third pregnancy and birth story. She opted for shared care with her GP, a decision that really suited her busy family life and offered her continuity of care with someone she trusted. Her third trimester was challenging - she had significant pelvic pain which prevented her from exercising, she moved house and her iro…

1
469 Postpartum | Gen, breastfeeding, unsettled sleep, mother and baby unit, sleep consultant, sleep training, sleep school 56:00

2M ago56:00

56:00

Following on from her birth story in episode 468, Gen shares her significant challenges with baby sleep. Sleep is one of the most political and polarising aspects of parenthood; there’s a plethora of differing opinions and it can get very overwhelming, fast. For Gen and her baby Robbie, a variety of challenges created the perfect storm of unsettled…

1
468 | Gen, infertility, miscarriage, IVF, hyperstimulation, private obstetrician, induction, epidural, vacuum-assisted birth, episiotomy 1:11:28

3M ago1:11:28

1:11:28

Gen shares every aspect of her fertility, pregnancy and birth experience in this honest and hilarious episode. She tried to conceive for two years and experienced a devastating miscarriage before deciding to start IVF with her husband, Michael. Gen is a type-A personality and admits she loved the structure of fertility treatment. She opted for priv…

1
467 | Gemma Fraternal Twins, MGP, Sunshine Coast Hospital, CMV 1:08:19

3M ago1:08:19

1:08:19

In episode 467 Gemma shares her unexpected pregnancy with twins. She shares the emotional rollercoaster of disbelief and excitement and the impact of the twins on her planned model of care for the pregnancy. Gemma went through the Midwifery Group Program at Sunshine Coast University Hospital, expressing gratitude for the exceptional care provided b…

1
466 | Dee, two vaginal births, induction, TENS Machine, miscarriage, continuity of care 1:26:06

3M ago1:26:06

1:26:06

In episode 466 Dee shares her emotional and challenging pregnancy journeys. She was shocked to learn she’d conceived quickly but her elation soon turned to grief when she miscarried; an experience that was long and traumatic. For her subsequent pregnancy she details the isolation and uncertainty that comes with fragmented care which exacerbated her…

1
465 | Georgie, vaginal birth, pre-eclampsia, induction, breastfeeding and mixed feeding 48:46

3M ago48:46

48:46

In episode 265 Georgie shares with us the birth of her first child Sadie. Georgie lives in Gunning in rural NSW and went through the local public hospital for her care. Georgie was having her blood pressure carefully monitored throughout her pregnancy however, it wasn't until after Sadie was born that she became very sick with pre-eclampsia. ------…

1
464 | Alice, Doula and Midwife, private obstetrician, home birth, planned postpartum 1:21:34

3M ago1:21:34

1:21:34

In this episode Alice shares her birth experiences in light of everything she’s learned as a mother, doula and midwife-in-training. In her first pregnancy she chose private obstetric care because at the time, she thought it was the best option available. She details the natural onset of labour, the decision-making process when planning her transfer…

1
463 | Courtney, two births, GP shared care, NIPT, Maternal assisted caesarean, Down Syndrome, heart surgery 1:00:01

3M ago1:00:01

1:00:01

In episode 463 Midwife Courtney shares with us her two pregnancy and birth experiences. Courtney lives in rural Victoria and chose to go through GP-shared care for her first pregnancy. Courtney admits that she found her midwifery knowledge contributed to her anxiety during both her pregnancies. Her first pregnancy was relatively smooth and she expe…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Calmbirth Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
Australian Birth Stories

Sophie Walker

1
487 | Amelia, three babies, twins, PROM, induction, emergency caesarean, twin VBAC, breastfeeding, Dr Bisits, breech vaginal birth 1:13:47

1
486 | Suze, one baby, MGP, induction, syntocinon, epidural, forceps-assisted birth, breastfeeding, nipple shields 1:07:16

1
485 Postpartum | Eliza, two babies, disabled parent, medical stigma, disability advocate 36:32

1
484 | Hannah, three babies, PROM, induction, gas+air, MGP, waterbirth, breastfeeding, epidural 1:09:21

1
483 Postpartum | Jen, one vaginal birth, GD, induction, episiotomy, postpartum confinement 44:42

1
482 | Bee, one baby, MGP, spontaneous labour, The Birth Class, sterile water injections, episiotomy, vacuum assisted birth, breastfeeding 1:17:09

1
481 Postpartum | Ruby, breastfeeding, sleep challenges, normal infant biology, low sleep needs 26:48

1
480 | Sea, MGP, physiological birth, positive birth story, Indigenous, planned postpartum 44:16

1
479 Postpartum | Ariane, postpartum psychosis, psychologist, hallucinations, postpartum depression, psychotic depression 1:03:16

1
478 | Katie, one baby, plus-size, doula, induction, vaginal birth, PPH 1:13:35

1
477 | Angela, physiological home birth, private midwife, water birth 48:28

1
476 | Georgie, four babies, MGP, physiological birth, breastfeeding, surprise breech, breech vaginal birth, DCDA twins, twin vaginal birth without epidural 1:27:08

1
475 Postpartum | Arnikka, postpartum, IBCLC, neurodivergence, autism, ADHD, sensory overwhelm 1:09:21

1
474 | Chantal endometriosis, IVF, anxiety, private obstetrician, HG, amniocentesis, spontaneous labour, vaginal birth 1:18:16

1
473 | Ash, three babies, induction, vaginal birth, homebirth, waterbirth, microcephaly, 1:08:54

1
472 | Sarah Davidson, one baby, private obstetrician, miscarriage, ovulation induction, gestational diabetes, footling breech, planned caesarean 1:10:22

1
471 | Ashlee, one baby, gastric sleeve surgery, IVF, placenta previa, private obstetrician, student midwife, iron infusion, PPH, breastfeeding 48:22

1
470 | Abby, three vaginal births, gp shared care, public hospital, pain-free birth, physiological birth, breastfeeding 58:41

1
469 Postpartum | Gen, breastfeeding, unsettled sleep, mother and baby unit, sleep consultant, sleep training, sleep school 56:00

1
468 | Gen, infertility, miscarriage, IVF, hyperstimulation, private obstetrician, induction, epidural, vacuum-assisted birth, episiotomy 1:11:28

1
467 | Gemma Fraternal Twins, MGP, Sunshine Coast Hospital, CMV 1:08:19

1
466 | Dee, two vaginal births, induction, TENS Machine, miscarriage, continuity of care 1:26:06

1
465 | Georgie, vaginal birth, pre-eclampsia, induction, breastfeeding and mixed feeding 48:46

1
464 | Alice, Doula and Midwife, private obstetrician, home birth, planned postpartum 1:21:34

1
463 | Courtney, two births, GP shared care, NIPT, Maternal assisted caesarean, Down Syndrome, heart surgery 1:00:01

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