The Maiden to Mother Journey: Recent Episodes
Kendelle Griffiths
Today we talk to Luka who shares her journey from maiden to mother after the birth of her daughter Wynter. Luka reflects on this being a traumatic time for her and this birth ending in an unnecessary emergency caesarean.
Years later and with her now partner Matt, Luka fell unexpectedly pregnant with her second daughter Ochre. After reflecting on her first traumatic experience Luka opted to reclaim her power and have a wild pregnancy, and freebirth her baby. Luka shares her birth story in detail, what thoughts and feelings she had to overcome during her pregnancy and what life is like to a blended family of 4 under 5
In todays episode I speak to Dietician and mum of one Anika Rouf discusses her own personal motherhood journey which includes her positive caesarean birth story and discusses what we should be doing with our diets during pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
@appetitebyanika
In today's episode we speak to Sunshine Coast mother Ash.
Ash tells us about her motherhood Journey and what life is like as a mum of 3 boys. We hear about her first birth, which didn't go according to plan and how Ash had to surrender to unwanted interventions. Then her second birth followed by the shock diagnises of her second son Ollie's rare medical condition called Primary Related Microcephaly. Ash vulnerably shares her journey as to how she reached a diagnoses and the excitement that came with each milestone Ollie reached.
Ash then goes on to detail her third healing and beautiful birth and shares with us how she navigates motherhood as a busy mum to 3 beautiful boys.
In today's episode we meet Sarah who is a first-time mum and postpartum doula. Sarah tells us about her Maiden to Mother Journey and details her absolutely epic birth story. We discuss her experience in the NICU following her birth and she shares some beautiful tips and advice. Mentions in the show: @builttobirth@villageformumma
In today's episode I talk to Charlotte, a mother of three and a yoga instructor. Charlotte discusses her pregnancies and two caesareans. She details the hurdles she had to overcome in early motherhood and explains how she calmed herself and nervous system in the chaos with her yoga practices.
Today I talk to Angela Marshall the owner of Womb to World, a beautiful women's wellness sanctuary located in Brisbane that specialises in IVF Massage & Acupuncture.
Angela and I discuss acupuncture and how can it be beneficial at every stage of your journey. Angela also passes on some amazing holistic health tips for us to stay the best version of ourselves whether we are pregnant or not.
https://www.wombtoworld.com.au/
Today we talk to me! your podcast host, Kendelle.
This season finale is a vulnerable diary entry to update all my listeners on life lately. I talk about the struggles of my marriage through parenting and how me and my husband have overcome it together, motherhood rage and the steps I am currently taking to be a better mum and how difficult life has been lately for the whole world.
I am wrapping up season 2 early to focus on my family and will continue to be present on social media until next year when season 3 starts.
Applications to be on season 3 are open! the best way to apply is to shoot me a message on facebook or instagram or head over to the website www.themaidentomotherjourney.com
All topics of parenthood are open so if you have anything that you would like to share that will help other mums, I would love to hear from you, it could be as simple as an incredible breastfeeding journey, overcoming sleep with your children, an incredible food journey with a toddler! think anything that will help other mums out there :)
The online store is still open, I have a few changes coming. keep an eye out on social media for some amazing sales coming up over the holiday season.
Thank you all so much for your love and support throughout season 2 2023, you are all the reason I do this! with all my love, Kendelle xx
Today we talk to Josi who is a Brisbane based Doula and mother to 4 children.
Josi tells us about her journey into motherhood which started when she found out she was unexpectedly pregnant at 23. After discovering late in her pregnancy that her baby was breached she decided to have C-section and details the beautiful birth she had with her daughter.
Within a year, Josi found out she was pregnant again, this time with twins. She talks us through her fear of having three young children so close together. Josi tells us about the moment her intuition was telling her something was wrong only to find out she had preeclampsia and Hellp syndrome. she walks us through her second c-section birth and then explains the difficult time her and her husband had in their relationship having 3 young children and how they pulled through it together.
A few years later, along comes Josi's 4th child which another unexpected pregnancy and now armed with much more knowledge , she decided to have a VBAC2 and explains the beautiful home like hospital birth she had in a sunshine coast hospital.
We also discuss breastfeeding, postpartum and what life looks like as a mum of 4.
Mentions in the show:
@ozbreastfeeding
@ausmultiplebirthassociation
Today we talk to Sherry who is a mother of two beautiful boys. Sherry shares her journey into motherhood with her first son Teddy and details her experience with her elective c section at the Gold Coast University Hospital. We talk about her breastfeeding and postpartum journey as a first-time mother. A few years later, Sherry and partner Mitch decided to add to their family and conceived second son Lewis. Sherry was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes in her pregnancy with Lewis and decided to have another elective c section. We discuss overcoming postpartum anxiety and intrusive thoughts and how Sherry found herself again through exercise, self love and the beautiful community she had around her.
In Today's episode we talk to Ella Milner who is a Perinatal Mental Health Occupational Therapist and the owner of Mind Over Mumma.
We talk about postpartum depression and anxiety and motherhood rage in detail. We discuss the signs to look out for, when to seek help and some tools you can use to help cope with it.
Discussed in the show:
https://www.cope.org.au/
@mindmumma
Today we talk to Aimee who tells us about her Maiden to Mother Journey which started when she found that she was unexpectedly pregnant after being with partner Alex for 5 months. Aimee found out she was pregnant with twins during her first scan and takes us through her roller coaster pregnancy where she was told that one of her babies had a high chance of having a chromosomal abnormality. After a lot of testing and being bombarded with information from health professionals Aimee decided to put her foot down and trust her intuition that her babies were going to be fine and let the pregnancy unfold without the testing. She tells us about her pre-term birth story at 29+4 weeks and we go into detail about the NICU experience and her son's, Hudson and Oakley's recovery as well as her own recovery. We also talk about breastfeeding and life as a mum of two.
Today we meet Jorden who tells us about her Maiden to Mother journey when she unexpectedly fell pregnant at 22 to her high school sweet heart during the height of covid lock down. Jorden always knew she wanted to take a more natural approach to birth and after a disappointing appointment at her hospital decided it was best for her to birth at home.
She takes us through her positive home birth story with her daughter Stevie and shares her breastfeeding and postpartum journey.
Within a year, her and husband Matt decided they wanted to add to their family and consciously conceived their second daughter Opal. As her first birth was so beautiful, she decided to go down the same route and book her same midwife again, her second labour was much different and a lot faster which meant her midwife did not make her birth and she had an accidental, but very welcomed free birth with her Husband Matt and their birth keeper.
We talk about breastfeeding, postpartum and what life is like as a mum of two.
@jordsrewildingjourney
Today I talk to Shenae who is a Mother and Birth videographer from WA. Shenae tells us about her journey into motherhood which started when her and husband consciously conceived daughter, Winter. Shenae tells us about her pregnancy, choosing her OB and what she did to prepare for her birth. To her surprise she went into labour at 37 weeks. Unfortunately, she experienced some bleeding in early labour which led to her and husband needing to advocate for themselves during her labour. She details her birth and experience with placenta abruption and her difficult breastfeeding journey due to some latching issues. When Shenae fell pregnant again 9 months later with second daughter, Fleur, she was determined to have a physiological birth so she opted for midwifery care and was accepted into the Hospitals MGP program. She tells us about her labour with Fleur which was a beautiful, uncomplicated water delivery in hospital with a physiological third stage and a beautiful breastfeeding journey. Shenae also hired a postpartum doula and tells us about her postpartum experience, what life is like as a mother of two girls and we talk about her passion which is birth videography. @thebirthproject.australia
Today we speak with Toni who is mother to a blended family, we discuss her journey from Maiden to Mother which was unfortunately a difficult journey. Being so young and having no real plan Toni sadly had a traumatic birth and felt as though some terrible decisions were made by her medical providers and she had an emergency caesarean.
A few years later Toni meets now husband Trent and together they blend their family and decided to get married and decided to have a baby together. Determined to have a VBAC and now armed with so much more knowledge and confidence she sadly had to fight medical providers her entire pregnancy and fight for her decision to have a VBAC in hospital which is what she achieved, she describes her second birth as a healing birth.
We discuss blended families, breastfeeding, postpartum and returning to work 4 months postpartum well before being ready.
@myblendedchaos
Today we speak to Yulowirri AKA Ruby. Ruby shares her journey into motherhood with us which started at 21 when she unexpectedly became pregnant, she explains what a shock this was to her and partner Nick who had not been together for very long and details her birth with her daughter Kalani which was a long and difficult labour that ended up with Kalani in the NICU for 5 weeks after swallowing meconium. Ruby felt as though her midwife did not listen to her during the entire process and that this situation could be avoided.
A few years later her and partner Nick decided to add another family member and conceived son Nakoa, being accepted into the MGP program through the local hospital for the second time, Ruby was induced with Pitocin and shares her vaginal birth with us which she explains was straight forward ,however, she still not the way she hoped it would play out. We discuss in detail Nakoa’s autism and the signs that Ruby saw early on. We talk about the diagnoses process and support services that help Nakoa now.
Years later when Ruby and Nick had thought their family was a complete, they were shocked to discover she was unexpectedly pregnant again. Determined to have the birth she always wanted, and now equipped with more knowledge and confidence she shares what she describes as her healing water birth in the Cairns hospital with her son Zaia and explains how he has fit in the family so perfectly.
We further talk about bottle feeding, breastfeeding, mastitis and Hyperemesis Gravidarum as well as Autism and birth.
Shari Lyon - Certified Hypnobirthing Australia™️ Practitioner and mum of 2.
Today I talk to Shari, one of Australia's lead hypnobirthing instructor. Shari shares her journey from Maiden to Mother and details the experience that ignited the fire within her to improve awareness of women’s birth rights and to help educate them on the options available to them during their pregnancy and birth.
We discuss what hypnobirthing is and how you and your partner can educate and empower yourself to prepare for the life changing event that is birth.
Shari generously shares her wisdom with us and passes on some of her top tips on what you can do to prepare for your own birth.
Mentions in the show:
https://www.belly2birth.com.au/
@nicola_laye
@belly2birth
Ally's Story - today we talk to Ally who shares her journey from Maiden to mother which started when he and now ex husband planned their family following their wedding in 2019. After getting some check ups and discovering that Ally had a low ovarian count, Ally thought they may struggle to start their family but this was not the case when she fell pregnant naturally a few months later.Preparing for her birth Ally went to a hypnobirthing course and hired a private OB and decided to birth at the Gold Coast Private Hospital. Ally details her hospital birth which she explains was quite a difficult labour that included an epidural. After delivering her son it was discovered that Ally had suffered a 4c tear and would need to go to surgery straight away. She shares with us her road to recovery and her breastfeeding journey with her beautiful son Oakley. Mentions in the show: @belly2birthGold Coast Private Hospital
Content warning** In this episode we speak about the loss of Tori's third child in detail, if you are at a point in your journey where you may be vulnerable to this information, please save this episode for a later time.
Tori's Story - Tori tell us about her journey from Maiden to Mother which started when she was 22 with a surprise pregnancy with her eldest daughter Kaia. Living in Melbourne at the time, and not having an understanding of how birth worked or a plan, Tori had a long and difficult labour which ended in a C-section.
After moving to the Gold Coast a few years later, her and partner Cas decided to expand their family and they conceived second daughter Mia. After her experience with her first birth, Tori opted for a planned caesarean and shares the much more peaceful and smooth experience.
A year later Tori was happy to find out she was unexpectedly pregnant again with their third daughter Eden. Tori shares that her intuition was screaming at her the entire pregnancy that something was wrong and after a few complications early in the pregnancy they found out at 20 weeks that her pregnancy was not viable and she was going to have to deliver her daughter Eden sleeping. Tori shares her vaginal birth with Eden and the entire process that happened following the birth and the devastating aftermath of losing a child.
Eden Leonie Caspersen - 18-07-22
Services mentioned:
https://www.sands.org.au/
https://www.beyondblue.org.au
https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Katelyn's Story - Today I talk with Katelyn who is a Mother of two beautiful girls, A doula and the president of Homebirth NSW.
Katelyn shares the story of going from Maiden to Mother with a private OB and care team that was unfortunately not aligned with any of Katelyn’s birth expectations. Being a first-time mother and not knowing her options Katelyn proceeded to birth with her current care team knowing that she was likely to end up with multiple interventions. She explains her labour as long and very difficult which ended in an emergency c section and resulted in her having birth trauma.
When Katelyn found out she was pregnant with her second, she immediately knew she was going to have a HBAC (home birth after caesarean) and began putting all the plans in motion. When Katelyn's second labour began she describes that despite having such a supportive and loving medical team by her side this time the unresolved trauma from her first birth slowly start to creep in and after a long 24 hours in labour at home she was transferred to hospital which led Katelyn to a second caesarean and although not the outcome she had hoped for she details the contract between her two births with a medical team that did not allow her to make decisions vs one that was so supportive and trusting of her decisions.
Katelyn explains the fact she was attempting to heal her birth trauma by out birthing it in a healing home birth and that did not work for her which leads us to the detailed discussion about birth trauma and how she did the work to resolve her trauma and follow her dreams to become a doula to support women going through this journey.
Mentions in the show:
@australianbirthstories
@coreandfloorrestore
@rheadempseybirth
@thebirthcounsel
Birth Photographer - @naturalfocus_birthphotography
Facebook Group: VBAC Australia Support Group
COPE WEBSITE: https://www.cope.org.au/
Kaila's Story - In this episode I talk to Kaila who shares her journey into motherhood with us. Kaila explains that she always knew she wanted to be a mother and when she felt ready to start her family, she was met with multiple health concerns that she needed to overcome prior to conceiving.
After Kaila put in the hard work to get her health back on track, she was so excited to find out she was pregnant only to be devastated to find out she was having a missed miscarriage during her 12-week ultrasound.
Kaila then tells us about how she fell pregnant with her son Sunny and her perfect pregnancy right up until the pointy end of the pregnancy when it was discovered she had low placenta fluid. Faced with an induction and medical intervention she explains how she navigated the final weeks of her pregnancy and had to advocate for herself.
After making it to 39 weeks Kaila tells us her birth story which took place at the Lismore hospital and although it included an induction, epidural and a few other medical interventions that she preferred not to happen she describes it as a positive experience and hopes to help other women facing the same situation as her.
We also talk about postpartum and establishing breastfeeding.
Kaila's business: @socialcollective_
Instagram: @Kaila_x
Kate’s Story - Today we meet Kate who is an author, Executive Producer of the film Overfed and Undernourished, podcast host and business owner. She tells us about her journey into motherhood which started with her eldest son Xavia. Working in the wellness space, Kate and her husband Anthony spent months preparing their bodies for conception and taking a completely natural approach to pregnancy and birth. After securing a midwife Kate opted for a homebirth and although she describes her first birth at home as a long and a tough labour she was so relieved in her decision to trust her intuition and bring her beautiful son into the word in the comfort of her own home. Kate then goes on to tell us about her second son Bodhi who was born at 44 weeks gestation, Kate explains the outside pressures she received from friends and family to have an induction and how she, together with her trusted medical team decided to trust her body and baby and go on to have another beautiful unmedicated birth at home. By the time Kate's daughter Zara came along, life was busy and beautifully chaotic as she describes it and she went on to have a third beautiful home birth with the same midwife that had been present for her two sons. She describes the moment of delivering her daughter with her two sons watching on in awe of her. We also chat about Kate’s documentary, overfed and undernourished, her book - Raising Healthy families in unhealthy times and her podcast 'Empowered Women’s Project'. We also discuss what motherhood is like while running a large business and she shares with us the life pivot her and husband Anthony took, selling everything to move to a farm in Northern NSW and be more connected as a family. Website: https://www.kategolle.com/ Instagram: @kate.golle
Documentary: Overfed and Undernourished - available on iTunes or Vimeo Kates Book: https://www.kategolle.com/families Book mentioned: Gentle Birth Gentle Mothering by Sarah Buckley
Renee's Story - In this episode I chat to Sleep Consultant, Renee Rach who shares with us her journey into motherhood which started when she found out she was pregnant after being told she would never fall pregnant naturally due to suffering with Sarcoidosis and other health issues over the years. Unfortunately Renee suffered from HG and was a high risk pregnancy that ended in a beautiful C Section birth in a private hospital in her home town of Bundaberg. Renee goes on to tell us about her second baby who was also a complete surprise and how happy she was to fall pregnant after being convinced she would need to rely on IVF. Her journey from Maiden to Mother is what sent her down the path of studying to become a sleep consultant and help other women set routines for their families.
I: @nuturelovesleep
Imogen and her partner Birttney join us to tell us all about their journey into motherhood as a same sex couple and what steps they needed to take in order to make their dreams of motherhood possible. Imogen who carried and delivered their son Vinne, details her birth story which took place in the birth centre at the Mackay Base Hospital and shares her postpartum journey. Both girls pass on helpful information for other same sex couples wanting to become parents and share their best advice with other mums to be.
Season 2 is on it's way and I can not wait to share with you all what we have in store. Here is a little update on a few changes and what you can expect on The Maiden to Mother Journey in 2023
The Dad's Panel - I sit down with three dad's to talk about all things birth, postpartum and fatherhood. We learn some helpful information and tips for first time fathers while having a laugh and sharing some of the struggles that fatherhood brings along the way.
Emily shares her journey into motherhood which started when she unexpectedly fell pregnant with her daughter at the age of 21. She tells us how she was misdiagnosed of having a miscarriage and her blissful pregnancy followed by an unmedicated vaginal birth. Emily unfortunately had some breastfeeding complications and a lack of support in her postpartum journey. After getting pregnant a second time she trusted her initiation to birth her baby in another unmedicated vaginal delivery which ended in some blood loss and some minor complications. Determined to try breastfeeding again Emily explains how her milk supply was low and how she desperately tried to push through but eventually accepted her breastfeeding journey was at an end. Emily also shares with us life as a mum of two and information on her beautiful online children's boutique
Megan's Story - Megan shares her journey into motherhood which was difficult as she has PCOS and Endometriosis. After trying for a long time to fall pregnant her and husband Mark were devastated to find out she had experienced a missed miscarriage and had to have a D & C. After months of trying again they fell pregnant with their beautiful baby girl Delilah and Megan shares the details of her beautiful pregnancy and positive induction birth in the hospital. Delilah was born with Jaundice which caused some complications in their breastfeeding journey so Megan shares how she navigated through that.
In this episode we chat with Sarah the owner of Female Physio Co which is a beautiful women's health physio located on the Gold Coast. We discuss all things pelvic floor health and recovery after a vaginal or caesarean birth.
Sophie's Story - Sophie shares her journey into motherhood which started when her and husband Louis started trying for their family. Sophie had three miscarriages and explains how each one was progressively more devastating. That didn't stop her and Louis from staying positive and trying again when they fell pregnant with their first child, a daughter named Molly-Anne. They wasted no time in going back for a second and third and their sons Billy and Hank were born one and two years after Molly. Sophie shares all three birth stories with us and how she navigated hospital and midwife appointments being located on a cattle station in central QLD. Sophie also shares her postpartum and breastfeeding journey and what life is like being isolated in the country with three beautiful children.
Holly's Story - Holly shares her journey into motherhood after having a Molar pregnancy and D&C then having to wait one year to conceive again. She was excited to fall pregnant quickly with her daughter Frankie. After preparing for birth throughout her entire pregnancy, unfortunately things did not go to plan and Holly had to have an emergency caesarean, after falling pregnant with her son Obie, Holly was determined to have a VBAC birth and shares with us all the things she did to achieve that beautiful healing birth. Holly also shares two very different postpartum periods and life as a mum of two.
Logan's Story - Logan shares her journey into motherhood with her daughter Zara who was a happy surprise after she was told by her doctor she would never conceive naturally due to having severe PCOS. Logan shares her quick and positive birth story with Zara which left her with a 4c tear. She then fell pregnant just 4 months postpartum with her son Oakley and opted for a Caesarean which she explains was a relaxing and positive. birth. Logan takes us through her recovery with both births and life of a young mum of two.
You can follow Logan's journey on Instagram @logancook_
Cassie's Story - Conception, low risk pregnancy, placenta abruption, emergency C-section, child diagnoses HIE, brain injury, recovery and postpartum.
Terri-Lea shares her journey into motherhood which includes a long IVF journey, missed miscarriage and a high risk pregnancy which ended in a beautiful and positive C-section. Terri-Lea also shares what life is like with twins and shares some tips and tricks for other mums.
Content Warning: Some people may find the contents of this episode confronting. Rachel shares her journey into motherhood with her son Titan who was born at 30 weeks after pregnancy complications and she also details the loss of her second son Theo at 30 weeks pregnant.
Service websites mentioned in the show: https://www.sands.org.au/ https://rednose.org.au/ https://panda.org.au/
The closing song tribute to Theo is "hold on" by Chord Overstreet
Lauren shares her high risk and eventful pregnancy that left her advocating for herself against induction pressure from the hospital and ended with a beautiful hospital waterbirth. Lauren shares how she set up her business so that she was able to be completely present in her time with her newborn baby girl, Stevie.
@itslaurenkerr
Buy her book here > https://www.lifeabovezero.com.au/
Mentions in the show: @belly2birth
Podcasts
@australianbirthstories
@positivebirthaustralia
Georgia shares her journey into motherhood which includes a hospital birth and her postpartum recovery. Mentions in the show: -Birth time documentary Instagram: @belly2birth
@georgiapage_
The very first episode on Maiden to Mother Experience is your podcast host Kendelle's story takes us from hypnobirthing, to a beautiful water birth at the Gold Coast University Hospital, followed by her sons diagnoses of pyloric stenosis and surgery at just 3 weeks old. Instagram @belly2birth @femalephysioco Product discussions: -Ergo Baby Carrier 360 cool air mesh -Cubo AI smart baby monitor