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Birth Stories
Welcome Kiddo – a powerful birth by induction

Welcome Kiddo – a powerful birth by induction

(Written by the birthing mother) Part One: Waiting Thursday 19 July 2018 It’s the middle of winter, and now four days past my due date. The cat is underneath the doona, curled up next to my huge swollen belly, purring as I feel that swooshing live fish flop of the...

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Reflections of doula support

Reflections of doula support

Reflections on a couples journey from pregnancy to parenting. ***** 1. What are you proud of with regards to your birth preparation and birth experience? I’m proud of myself for taking the initiative to do the work for a natural birth. I had not even considered that...

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A dads birth story, shared from the heart

A dads birth story, shared from the heart

Discussing, understanding and documenting what sort of birth Jess and I wanted was critical in helping me prepare for potential unknowns. Imagining the birth process from start to finish also helped- and actually practicing things like active birth exercises in our...

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Birthing with bi-polar and epilepsy

Dear Erika, At the beginning of 2009 we spoke to my psychiatrist about the possibility of me having a child. After he outlined all the complications due to my bi-polar, epilepsy and medications I had as good as accepted I’d never be a mother. When I discovered in...

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An empowering induction birth

An empowering induction birth

Erika was called and arrived at a critical point; Alex and her support team were exhausted and the institution was starting to move closer and closer to taking complete control of the birth. After months of research and excited planning for the complete unknown of the...

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The internal journey of a long labour

The birth of Marlene After a long labour Marlene was born naturally at 1.45am on the 7th of March at Angliss Family Birth Centre, Upper Ferntree Gully. I was surrounded by a magnificent birthing team that supported me throughout the labour, which comprised of my...

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Homebirth after a caesarean

I gave birth to our little boy at home, with no interventions, no drugs, no stress. I laboured the way that felt right for me, and birthed in the position that came naturally. My husband caught his own son, and it is an experience that we will never forget in a...

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Two births – a marathon and a sprint

My contractions were getting stronger. Erika rang the hospital and then drove me in her car. I chose the back seat. About half way to the hospital my waters broke (fortunately I was sitting on a towel). When I told her, Erika said just what I needed to hear: that’s...

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Proactive birth preparation with hypnosis

Proactive birth preparation with hypnosis

I'm so proud of the steps we took, including hiring our wonderful doula Erika, and the preparation we put in which helped create the most intense, incredible, memorable, rewarding and magical 24 hours of our lives. Our Birth Story Going into this, we didn't even know...

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A great home birth experience

A great home birth experience

Effie - "When I found out I was pregnant, my biggest fear was having to go into hospital to give birth. Hospitals gave me fierce anxiety as my pastexperiences of them had always been negative. I wasn'tconvinced that hospital was my only option, so I took to Dr Google...

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Creative childbirth education with a toddler

Creative childbirth education with a toddler

“Erika helped prepare us for the birth of our son in a very short period of time, and with our 3 year old ‘helping out’ with costumes too!! This delightful couple were happy to have their daughter join in on some birth preparations massage techniques I was showing the...

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Miranda’s vaginal birth after a caesarean

Miranda’s vaginal birth after a caesarean

Not only were Erika's teachings and advice a useful tool during labour and birth, I was able to apply a lot of them to my life in general (as well as the relationship with my husband and son), and it allowed me to enjoy my little family and appreciate what I had all...

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Melissa’s waters rupture for 4 days before labour starts

Melissa’s waters rupture for 4 days before labour starts

Hi Erika, I just want to say it was the hardest thing I've ever done but I'm so proud of myself that I kept going. The birth centre midwife was amazing. She had me doing the flights of stairs at 4am with contractions every 2 min (I wasn't happy at this point at all)...

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Our VBAC journey with Erika

Our VBAC journey with Erika

I was so determined to birth my baby naturally so I knew I had to do my research and get outside support that wasn't affiliated with the hospital. I had heard of doulas but didn't know much about them. It soon became very clear... Reflecting on our VBAC journey with...

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Kerry’s induction

"We felt comfortable immediately after meeting Erika, she has a great sense of humour and is passionate about her role as Doula. On the day she was nothing short of miraculous, she spent as much time on her knees as I did birthing our son!!! Having her there helped me...

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Our last minute change from hospital to home for a VBAC

Our last minute change from hospital to home for a VBAC

Erika was key in helping me through my concerns with my first birth, and giving me great information in the form of a VBAC workshop to know I could have a VBAC at home. Our Last minute change from hospital to home for VBAC Nicole and Daniel shared with me some of...

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A fast natural first birth!

Amanda's first birth was quick and intense.... Thank you for helping me get the birth experience I wanted!!!  I really noticed the things you had not only taught me, but also Alec, and it helped so much!  I also feel like I recovered emotionally so much better because...

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My first birth was a water birth in a hospital

My first birth was a water birth in a hospital

The female body is an amazing thing. And our mind is an amazing instrument. With my body producing natural pain relief, I was able to manage the labour pain through vocalization and breathing. I was in the zone, like I was on drugs, natural drugs produced by my body....

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Preterm birth with lots of determination

What important parts of myself did I discover during my birth? That I am stronger than I like to think I am!!!! Greta shares some reflections about her preparation and experience of birthing her baby boy at 36 weeks gestation at the Royal Women's Hospital. I felt a...

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A happy 1st time birthing mother

A happy 1st time birthing mother

Thank you again Erika. You really made my labour an unforgettable experience and crazily enough a good memory! Thank you Penny - you are an awesome birthing woman….. and a quick one at that! Lucky we didn't leave your home any later than we did. But you knew what you...

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VBAC success for Melanie

VBAC success for Melanie

I am on such a high still from completed my VBAC. It has been a very healing experience. I'm so glad that I trusted my body and gave it a go. Thank you for helping empower us and helping me to experience the amazing feeling of giving birth 🙂 Hi Erika, we just wanted...

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VBAC preparation and success for Marissa

VBAC preparation and success for Marissa

1. During your pregnancy and birth what new skills/aspects about yourself have you learnt? I learnt that with the right support and preparation, I could be strong, resilient and achieve what I wanted during the birth of my second son.vaginal birth after caesarean...

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The happiest birthing mother I’ve ever worked with

I was at an amazing water birth at Monash medical centre the other day which has left me high and singing the praises of this new mother and father. What made this birth just that bit extra special or different is the engagement that the birthing mother had with her...

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How my doula helped me

How my doula helped me

So what does doula support really look like at a birth? Michelle and David attended my Birthready 2 day workshop and also booked me as their doula.  They gave heartfelt feedback about their experience with me (prenatally and during labour), which may help you better...

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The Birthready Blog

How to sleep in labour

A lot of women worry about coping with labour when they feel tired.  They hear of births that go through, not only one night, but even two or three.  How in the world does a woman do that and stick to her resolve for birthing how she had hoped to? It is possible!  I...

The effect of having choice

I love Ted talks and listen to them regularly. The talk I listened to this morning was How we make choices and the effect choice is having on our psyche and society.  It's worth making time to listen to this and reflect on whether choices you've made in the past, or...

How to deal with other peoples opinions and birth stories

Its really common to find when you are pregnant or in early parenting that people (even complete strangers) feel it is within their right to tell you their personal stories, opinions and advise about what you should or should not do. That might be fine if they ask...

How a doula can positively impact the birth space

Written by Bethany Meakin It’s actually quite difficult to articulate the specifics of what doula’s do, how we positively impact the space for one woman will be different to the next, however, it is this ability to connect with each individual and support her in the...

Reconnecting to our purpose

As a birth worker, how do I stay grounded, internal resourceful, skilled and empathetic to the birthing women and men in my community? To be fully present and fully trusting of my instincts is a crucial part of my role. It's key to giving excellent support along with...

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Buy your Mindful birthing guidebook and audio's here

Get ready to feel more calm, in control and positive about birthing your baby and feeling the power house of awesomeness that is YOU. This Birthready with Hypnosis guidebook and 4 audio tracks covers your basic hypnosis theory as it relates to birth preparation. Included are your home work fun sheets, scripts and guided meditation practices to help you apply the theory and tools of hypnotherapy into your daily life. This program overlaps and compliments the franchised programs of Hypnobirthing and Calmbirth.

Skills for birth and life