The Renegade Mama: Recent Episodes

Natalie Rees

The Renegade Mama is about following your intuition not the institution. We are sovereign, we are free. We start at birth and end at death.

Wow - here we are at the last episode of season 3! I was pondering what I should do for the last episode and then I thought - a lot of people have been asking to hear the speech I did at the Australia Homebirth Confernce in November last year. So here it is! The title of the presentation is: Freebirth - Taking Radical Responsibility. For those of you that already understand freebirth - I hope that it is affirming and uplifting. And for those who those of you who are still learning about freebirth - I hope it gives you some insight and understanding! I will be taking a break off the podcast till the end of the year and my energies will be focused on creating my upcoming Freebirth documentary. I will also be focusing on some teaching - so watch this space for classes in person and online. Enjoy this episode of my summations and thoughts on freebirth.

Today on the show I speak to Fiona about about her two vastly different births. For her first Fiona found out via ultrasound that her babies organs were forming on the outside of his body. An elective c-section was strongly advice and she consented under duress. She ponders if these early ultrasound may have contributed to this condition and talks about how the over medicalisation of this pregnancy made it very hard to connect in with her baby. After her baby was born - shockingly they overdosed her baby with drugs when a nurse missed a decimal point while administering. This delayed the surgery because her babe needed to recover from this first. After this experience Fiona knew next time would be different and decided on a freebirth and wild pregnancy. She had no scans and rather tapped into her intuition as her guiding beacon and light. Fiona’s freebirth was a long 48 hour labour with a trip to the hospital in between but the end stage was fast with her baby being born 20 minutes after waking up from a nap. Her placenta took 36 hours to emerge - although she suspects it detached much earlier. Breastfeeding was a dream - again a vast difference from her first where she only got to hold her son 3 days after he was born. Fiona’s story is a remarkable journey from polar opposites end of the spectrum. I just love this stories of where women return to their power despite their previous experiences. Thank you Fiona for sharing your story from such a warm and heart centred place.

More About Fiona.

Standing as a beacon for heart-centered mamas, I’m cultivating a community of soul-aligned women living abundant lives of ease, standing in absolute power, and advocating for freedom in all aspects of life. Together, we're redefining motherhood, one sovereign choice at a time.

Today on the show I speak to Prue about the wild ride that led her to freebirth. Starting at 14 Prue started dabbling in drugs and alcohol. By her 20’s she realised it had become an addiction and she checked herself into rehab. She then ended up at the other end of the spectrum on extremely strong anti-depressants which she said made her a zombie and literally drool. She ended up weighing 100kg and knew something needed to change. She got off the pharmaceutical drugs and started body building but got down to a very unhealthy 35kg. When she finally let go of that and returned to a healthy weight and got her period back (which she had lost because she was so thin) she fell pregnant with her first. Her daughter was born in hospital and although straight forward for a hospital birth - it still wasn’t the best experience and in the proceeding weeks she felt like something was off. At 6 weeks postpartum Prue was diagnosed with cancer and she tells us of how she felt like she was in a glass house looking at her daughter, not be able to be with her, bond with her or raise her in this hard time. Cut to covid - Prue felt forced to take the Pfizer vaccine and ended up with Pericarditis from it. This time Prue took the natural route and healed herself. This crazy story ultimately ended (or begun) with Prue choosing to Freebirth her next child - her little boy Koa. Although she had hired a midwife - she had always planned to not call her on the day and thats exactly what she did. Prue had a beautiful and simple birth at home despite a nuchal hand being present. I love Prue’s fire and passion and her commitment to being vulnerable and open so others can learn from her story. Thank you Prue!

More about Prue:

35 year old mum to a 5yr old girl born in hospital and a 8MO Boy freebirthed at home. Some obstacles in life to get here has been: Addiction, rehabilitation, eating disorders, cancer and vaccination reaction during covid. As a result of the vaccine reaction I endeavoured onto a successful self healing journey after ditching the recommendations of the cardiologist and GPs. I turned to holistic healing where I tried everything you can imagine from homeopathy, ice baths, saunas, yoga, anti inflammatory diet and the list goes on. Through discovering the power of the body and it’s healing capabilities it was a no brained and complete certainty that freebirth was my dream when I fell pregnant with my second child.

Today on the show I speak with Cass about her 2 freebirths. I love a story where first time Mums freebirth. Cass herself was born at home and we hear the story of her growing up on the Wolery - the longest running intentional community in the south west of Western Australia. Even with her upbringing there was still some undoing of conditioning to be done and she dipped in and out of the system during the pregnancy. By the end of her pregnancy though she felt confident and ready - telling her birth plans to anyone who would listen. Cass tells us about her 12 hour labour where she went to her Dad’s house to birth - an hour drive from the shed they were living in. The birth was beautiful and straight forward and although she said she bled more than expected - she felt just fine. For her second she had a complete wild pregnancy - not even doing a pregnancy test. The birth was exactly how she and envisioned except a lot faster - only 2 hours! Cass is an absolute pleasure to talk with and is so logical and intuitive with her approach to birth. I loved hearing her stories and how birth is almost always just so simple!

Today on the show I speak to mother of eight Elise. After losing her first (and only girl) in a hospital birth, Elise was devastated. She talks us through the process of being told her baby had died during labour and how having nearly every intervention possible didn’t save her baby. She doesn’t vilify the hospital or staff but rather reflects that sometimes as sad and as grief struck as we are - death happens. She then describes how her subsequent 3 pregnancies were test heavy and scheduled inductions. For number five she was with a new partner and decided on a homebirth with midwife which was a big change for her. Number 6 was an unnecessary home birth transfer and number 7 another home birth. For her last Elsie finally decided on a wild pregnancy and freebirth. Having experienced death of a baby first hand - Elise knew this was the safest option for her and her baby. She describes this birth as redeeming of her past traumas and cemented her trust in herself and her husband.

More about Elise -

Hi, I'm Elise, a mum to a boisterous boy tribe!

Having started my family journey young and green, I've moved through many levels of utilising the system, from blindly trusting.. to wholly trusting myself.

After my first birth ended in tragedy, I learnt many lessons with each subsequent birth.. and an now a fierce advocate for women embracing bodily and birth autonomy.. and birthing in their own power.

My family happily live outside the norm on a daily basis, as Unschoolers, life-learners, free birthers and (semi!) homesteaders.. generally finding our path off the beaten track.

Today on the show I speak with my brother Alex and sister in law Laura about the freebirth of their second child Georgia. Having had a private midwife for their first, who they decided not to call on the day - they discuss the difference in preparing for a freebirth right from the start. This episode is definitely a great listen for dads who are preparing for freebirth and Alex somehow manages to make an analogy of birth with footy! We talk about the importance of community, releasing fears and how ultimately trusting each other is paramount - a theme that has continued from their first birth. I just love this episode with Alex and Laura so much - not only because they are family but because they are so relatable, down to earth and real. Enjoy this episode with my biggest little bro!

As many of you are aware, in the mainstream media recently there has been a great deal of interest in freebirth. With numerous sensationalist articles flying around I thought it would be of interest to the listeners to hear a response. So on Saturday afternoon this week, as I hung out my washing, I dialled the number of my good friend and authentic birth keeper Emily Lal. As she picked up in Melbourne, I asked her if she’d jump on a zoom call to share her thoughts. It was a hard yes and just hours later - there we were chatting in-between putting our babies to bed on the other side of the country. Emily and I share our personal reasons for free birthing and how we see it as the safest way to birth. We ponder over the double standards held with freebirth and medically attended births and question why freebirth deaths are almost always consider ‘avoidable’ yet a hospital death is rarely spotlighted and considered ‘unavoidable’. We respond to some of the comments in the articles circulating and rejoice in the fact that we have a media outlet to share our thoughts where they will be heard in their entirety and not misconstrued. This focus in the mainstream media really excites me and I thank the journalists for bringing freebirth the zeitgeist and minds of people who may not ever considered or heard of it before. Freebirth is changing the world for the better and this is only the beginning. Enjoy.

Today on the show my husband Oliver Wenn and I discuss 10 reasons why we homeschool and why you might want to too.

In recent years the new wave of homeschooling has increased exponentially. Why is this so? Well - here are our top 10 reasons of why we homeschool:

Intuitively feels right
Freedom and sovereignty
Keeping the light in their eyes ablaze
Travel
Play
Mixed age learning
Family comes first
We create the culture, ethics and value for our children
Likeminded community
Kids can learn at their own pace

I hope you enjoy this personal insight into why we do what we do! We’d love for you to join us!

Today on the show I speak to the wonderful and bubbly Sarah. Hailing from Ireland - Sarah is a natural story teller and you just won’t be able to stop listening to this one. Sarah has 3 children and has had 4 losses. She is the epitome of ‘high risk’ for the system! Having had a c-section with her first, an advanced maternal age because she is 40, she’d had significant postpartum haemorrhages and also had taken a cocktail of drugs to ‘sustain’ this pregnancy - she had all the high risk boxes ticked. Sarah talks us through her absolutely horrific first birth where she was taken for a c-section at 10cm dilated - she was separated from her baby and only met her many hours after. Her second was a VBAC in hospital and although at the time is was comparatively amazing - in retrospect she realises all the flaws there. For her last pregnancy - she decided to freebirth late into the pregnancy and had the most amazing perfect birth. Sarah tells us how she handled her postpartum haemorrhage at home - clue - just look to nature. She finishes by telling us how amazing the feeling is after a freebirth and how she believes every mother deserves to feel this. You can hear in the interview how genuine and necessary this feeling is. Sarah is an absolute delight to listen and I hope you get as big a thrill out of listening to her as I did.

Today on the show I speak to experienced doula and Mama of 3 Moran. Originally hailing from Israel - Moran fell pregnant with her first at 24 (nearly 20 years ago now!) after she had moved to Australia. Not knowing any friends who were pregnant or much about pregnancy at all - she went down the typical route and hired a private obstetrician and ended up with a birth that had ‘all the intervention’- just minus the c-section. Consequently the birth left her with postpartum anxiety and the thought that she would never have another biological child after that experience. But with time, came healing, awareness and a change in location where she had attracted like-minded friends. She decided to have another babe and by this stage heard about Doulas and hired one. This was a game changer for her and she emersed herself in learning about natural birth. Still in the medical paradigm - Moran had went with a private ob for this pregnancy too. As she was in labour at home, Moran listened to her body and she made the conscious decision to simply just stay home - proof that you can change your path at anytime. She talks about the joyous experience this was and how it changed everything for her. For her third Moran wanted to have another birth at home but ended up settling on a birth centre. This labour was much harder for her and we talk about the psychology of this - especially the fact that she really didn’t want to birth in hospital. We end by chatting about her opinion of circumcision as a Jewish woman and her tips for birthing women as an experienced Doula. I loved chatting to Moran - someone who came to freebirth well before it was in the 'zeitgeist' and did it simply because it felt right. Enjoy!About Moran:My name is Moran and I am a birth Doula, Lamaze childbirth educator, HypnoBirthing practitioner, Stillbirthday Doula and a Placenta encapsulation specialist. I have been working with families in birth for nearly 12 years now and it came as a work of passion which originally culminated from my own birth experiences. I have now supported hundreds of families through their birth preparation and through their births and I truly believe when women change their mindset around birth they open up the immense possibility of walking away from their births truly transformed into empowered mothers.

Today on the show I speak to the wonderful Christie about her own freebirth as well as the launch of her children’s book about undisturbed birth - ‘Birth is magic’. Christie tells us how she was physiotherapist in a hospital for many years and consequently ended up with a whole heap of indoctrination through the medical system. For her first she ended up with a traumatic vaginal birth in hospital, that was neglectful, full of medical coercion, screws in her babies head and a vacuum delivery. Knowing better the second time - Christie chose a wild pregnancy and had a powerful freebirth with an amazing, blissful postpartum. We end by talking about how her amazing Freebirth inspired her to write a book. She says she just wanted to scream it from the rooftops of how great it was and so she channelled that energy into her book. I’m really grateful to Christie for creating a children’s book about freebirth, as it is so important what media we consume - especially our children. Through stories we create culture and ultimately our reality - so make sure you tell your kids a healthy story about birth. Below are details of how you can purchase her book and also a discount code for you. Enjoy!

10% off code: RMAMA10

https://www.birthismagic.com/shop/p/birth-is-magic-hardcover-book

Christie Murray bio: Christie Murray is a Mother, Milliner, Artist, Writer and Educator. She also practiced as a Physiotherapist for 16 years. Christie is passionate about maternal rights after a traumatic birth in hospital left her questioning everything. She rose from the ashes to birth her second daughter freely and peacefully at home. Birth Is Magic is her story.

Birth Is Magic bio : A magical children's book about undisturbed birth. Chloe is a 4 year old girl with a big imagination! Come on her magical journey as she learns all about having a baby at home. Whether you are planning to birth unassisted or with midwives, this is the homebirth children’s book for you! Using clear language and engaging illustrations, Birth Is Magic playfully prepares your child for physiological birth at home. Our bodies and our babies are magic.There is an inherent wisdom in how birth unfolds. Let’s change the birth narrative for generations to come, one story at a time.

Today on the show I speak to freebirth doula and Mama of 2 Olivia. After a traumatic hospital birth with her first, Olivia decided to have a homebirth with midwife for her second. Living in Spain at the time, Olivia had planned to have her Mum attend and was waiting for her to arrive from Germany. The week leading up she had all sorts of sensations and she feels like she was holding off, until her Mum arrived. Literally the moment her Mum walked in the door, the final moments of the birth process started. Thinking she had done a poo - Olivia asked her Mum to check - but alas it was her daughter’s head crowning. Her baby was born moments later into her Mums arms and her midwife arrived after the placenta was born. After moving back to Australia - Olivia undertook doula training and this is where the alignment with her freebirth and where she wanted to go in life started clicking in. After working in the birth space in both hospital and home - Olivia has now decided to mainly work with freebirth clients. We also talk about men’s role in birth, doulas who are too scared to attend free births, postpartum depression and Olivia’s experience attending her Mum giving birth to her younger sibling when she was 19. Olivia is grounded, caring and someone who trusts birth. She sees how simple birth can be and I hope this episode reiterates this to you too. More about Olivia: Full spectrum doula / birth keeper.I am a mother, a daughter, a sister, a partner, an environment lover, and a free birth doula.I am the woman behind Conscious Bodies Co.I have two beautiful children that were both born in Mallorca, Spain.There I experienced 2 completely different births, a long hospital birth with interventions and trauma, and an unintended free birth at home.This has cemented to me that I have the ability to support women no matter what kind of birth she wants.I first became in awe of the power of women’s bodies when I watched my sister being born at home in the water when I was 19 years old. Those images are still imprinted in my mind.I offer conscious birthing through supporting women to feel empowered, respected, held and heard before, during and after birth.Business Name:Conscious Bodies Co.Instagram:@consciousbodiescoWebsite:https://www.consciousbodiesco.comPodcast:Men at Birth @menatbirthEmail: consciousbodiesco@gmail.comPhone Number:0478 640 321

Today on the show I speak with radical registered midwife Sharon Robinson. Hailing from the US, Sharon tells us of her training in Brooklyn, New York and how she promptly left, and continued learning on the job, helping serve birthing women in Cambodia. Sharon now lives in New Zealand and is a local community midwife there, but it has not all has always been smooth sailing. She tells us how her registration was threatened and put on hold (unsurprisingly because she is a radical midwife) after some other midwifes reported her to the government bodies. This process for her was HUGE and she ended up leaving the small town where she was living due to the dramas and traumas it all caused. Sharon has recently returned to that district and is now happily continuing to serve the women in that community. Sharon is also known as a travelling midwife and has attended births as far afield as the Amazon Jungle in Peru! I really like Sharon. She is so real and raw and just generally a really good person with a big heart. I hope you see her big heart and her passion for serving women in this interview.

Sharron's Bio :

Sharon Robinson, originally from the US, trained as a midwife in Brooklyn, New York. She was a physical therapist when she had her own two birth children. It was after their births that she describes what felt like a spiritual awakening to what she believes is her authentic purpose, midwifery. Her clinical training was all done in 2 big city hospitals in the Bronx. While she was grateful for the education and experiences, she felt she was being groomed to be more of a physician's assistant than the midwife she had been called to be.

Since graduating in 2000, she has traveled extensively and supported women to birth in various countries around the world. Those countries include Cambodia, Tonga, New Zealand, Benin, Mexico and even the Amazon Jungle in Peru!

She is passionate about women holding the reigns for their own birthing journeys. She knows that “positive” birth outcomes most often occur when space is held for birth to unfold in the ways that Mother Nature has designed. She also knows that “good births” are important and can help women heal from previous traumatic births. She has often gone above and beyond routine guidelines and protocols to support those positive healing births to occur.

She is a strong advocate for homebirth realizing that most women have been culturally conditioned to believe that birthing in hospitals, even for “low-risk” women, is the “safest option.” She also realizes that the unfortunate truth is that routine hospital interventions, designed to avoid adverse outcomes caused by "risk factors," all too often end up sabotaging women’s own innate birthing wisdom, power and positive outcomes.

She says that when care providers and birthing women are saturated in the hormones of fear it leads to mostly “well-meaning” interventions that unfortunately, all too often, derail the process of normal physiological birth. Sharon is doing what she can, one sacred birth at a time, to welcome our new citizens of the world with the love and respect that, she believes, they all deserve.

Today on the show I speak to Jacqui about the peaceful birth and death of her baby girl Elise. Death is not often something talked about openly, especially since it’s almost always institutionalised and hidden away from the community. I personally feel it’s so important to honour death and become friends with it, as it’s a given we will all have to face it one day. Jacqui tells us of her wild pregnancy and freebirth and how some hours after, her baby girl passed away peacefully at home. Even though this was the hardest thing Jacqui has ever had to do (some parts of the interview are truly heart breaking) and there was a lot of grief for her and her family - she feels at peace with what happened. She talks about the benefits of freebirth when your baby dies and how she has integrated the experience. It’s an incredible honour to share Jacqui’s story and I am so grateful that she is open and vulnerable enough to let us in on one of the hardest yet most powerful experiences of her life. Thank you Jacqui.

Today on the show I speak to Jas - mother of 5 and ex-midwife. Some of you may also know Jas from her popular Instagram account - Chasing The Summerfields where she showcases her photography and beautiful life in the south west of Australia. Jas has been on quite the journey for her births and has ticked nearly all the boxes from hospital birth, birth centre, an accidental birth in the car before arrival, home birth with midwife and finally a wild pregnancy and freebirth. Jas talks about all the undoing from her training she has had to shed over the years and tells us how she ended free birthing her last babe. What is also interesting about her story is that her freebirth was also a breech birth. We ponder how this could have ended up in the system and how grateful she is, that she chose freebirth, where her birth was unhindered and unsuprisingly - straight forward. I love Jas’ kind hearted nature and her commitment to live her current truth even though she started almost at the opposite end of the street. Enjoy this conversation of 5 wildly different births.

A short bio:

I’m Jas, a 32 year old mother of five living back home in the deep south of Western Australia.

My journey to freebirthing has been a long one- a hospital birth, birth centre birth, a car on the side of the road birth, a homebirth, and finally our freebirth. Each experience left me learning and adapting, but still taking the long way around to end up exactly where we needed to be.

I trained as a midwife before all of my own births and had many layers of conditioning to strip back. Learning to trust my ever present intuition was pivotal during my pregnancy and birth.

After years of not being willing to return to work, I gave up my midwifery registration in 2020. I realised that I couldn’t re-enter the system and work with the restrictions and boundaries that aren’t at all geared to be ‘with woman.’

I’m still so passionate about birth- I know that will always be part of me- but I know that I can’t change the system while working within it. I’m currently sinking in to all the possibilities and mapping out exactly where my heart lies to find my place back in the birth realm in the near future.

Today on the show I speak to the phenomenal Gloria Le May. Gloria is a ex-midwife turned birth attendant after the Canadian government co-opted the word in 1998. Gloria starts by telling us of her own birth story and how she gave up her daughter for adoption when she was 17. Later she met her husband who was a physician and was a stockbroker herself. She never thought she would get into birth work, but how wrong she was. When she had her second daughter - she looked for the ‘best obstetrician’ and when none of them would meet her very basic requests, she sort help from a dutch midwife and had her baby at home. From then, there was no going back. Gloria since then has spent most of her time in birth work and talks us through her career including the very public court cases and 2 months in jail due to the witch hunt for midwives in Canada. If there ever was a picture of integrity - Gloria is it. She walks her talk and has so much wisdom to impart to us all. We end by talking about how she has changed over the years as a birth worker and where she sees birth heading in the future. Gloria is so much fun to talk to and I love how bold and brash she is - just what we need in the world right now!

Bio:

Gloria is an author, teacher and grandmother. She has worked in the childbirth field for the past 40 years, (17 of those as a midwife) and has had experience with over 1500 births. Gloria's film “Birth with Gloria Lemay” has sold over a thousand copies. Gloria has written many articles and has been published in Midwifery Today magazine and she is a popular online blogger at www.wisewomanwayofbirth.com. Gloria is a passionate advocate for the bodily integrity of boys and girls. She lives in Canada and travels all over North America in her role as a teacher and speak

Today on the show I speak to the wonderful, mother of 3, Reanne Waddell. Reanne came into this world at 27 weeks via c-section after her mother had a placental abruption. Reanne also contracted sepsis and spent the first few months of her life in hospital. Her start to life definitely wasn’t the best and why I think her story is so amazing. Her first she had in hospital and ended in a c-section at the pushing stage which she says felt really let down about. For her second ,with the support of her husband and a doula she had a freebirth at home after disengaging her midwife half way through the pregnancy due to financial reasons. For her third she had a complete wild pregnancy and a longer (although still straight forward) birth. Reanne also touches on her breastfeeding struggles and how she realised that some of the struggles were related to trauma during childhood - I really appreciated her sharing this as I know it’s not always easy to go there. Reanne is very mild mannered and quiet but really a powerhouse of strength underneath it all. I loved chatting to her and hearing her discoveries along the way.

Bio:

Born premature at 27+3, 27th June 1995

1 of 5 children, I'm the 4th child

Born via emergency c section

1st 6 years of life was in Perth, then 7 years in Geraldton before moving back to Perth, where I've stayed since.

Met my husband in 2017, he has 2 children from a previous marriage, we married in 2019, had our first son in 2020, second son in 2022 and our 3rd son in August 2023.

Today on the show I speak with Hayley Wilson about her journey to surrogacy. Hayley had two children of her own and decided she wanted to experience having another birth but without the baby at the end. She researched surrogacy and found a family she aligned with to carry their biological baby for them. She had five attempts to fall pregnant with the embryo, and it finally took on the last attempt. The pregnancy as you would suspect was a lot of drugs which she now sees as probably unnecessary. She said it was a hard pregnancy and in retrospect puts this down to the energetics of carrying someone else’s baby. Even though her and the parents were on the same page and both very respectful of each other - she talks about how there were still bumps in the road regarding bodily autonomy and conflicts in the birth space. In Australia commercial surrogacy is not legal and you can not be paid to be a surrogate, which you many may think is a better system. Altruistic Surrogacy which is legal in Australia and what Hayley did, still has it’s problems though. Hayley ends by telling us why she would never be a surrogate again and in reflection the other reasons why she did it. Hayley is beautifully honest and respectful. I loved hearing her journey of surrogacy and ultimately of her personal growth.

Bio:

Hayley Wilson is a self-led, matriarchal birth worker and mentor who wants every woman to access her inner depth, intuition and power. She believes in embodying matriarchy and uses a range of heart-led energetic practices to guide women toward their internal wisdom. Hayley supports her clients to unlearn and live in feminine alignment so they can curate the births and businesses of their dreams.

Today on the show I speak to Christie about her home birth and subsequent freebirth on her partners family farm in New Zealand. Although her first birth was overall “pretty great” there were things that she wasn’t quite happy with such as coached pushing, her babe being yanked out and a syntocinon shot for the placenta. For her second, even though her partner was gunning for a freebirth right from the start she was still unsure. She dipped in and out of the system and just a few weeks before the birth she decided to freebirth. This birth she decided to breath her baby out and said she slipped out with the perfect ‘textbook twist’. Her placenta didn’t come out straight away and she called the midwife who gave her the syntocinon shot in her first birth for advice. The midwife suggested for her to go to hospital but that didn’t feel right and she waited it out with her placenta being born 7.5 hours later. Christie and her partner Ben are such a beautiful couple and I love the faith and trust they have in each other.

More about Christie:

A couple of months after discovering she was pregnant covid hit and Christie and her long time partner chose his family farm in NZ to ride out the lockdowns and start their family. In a small hut on the property without power or hot water they water birthed their first child with the local midwife and chose the same spot to have their second. This time a simple free birth with no one but themselves. Their family now complete, they travel around the world following their whims and work.

Today on the show I speak to the gorgeous and young first time Mama Emma. Hailing from Burma Emma grew up in a world of pathology with both her parents as doctors and her Mum a literal pathologist. Emma’s birth was as far as you could get from freebirth with a planned c-section and her Mum making a decision from the start to not breastfeed her. After meeting her husband and them both converting to Catholicism - they fell pregnant and delved into their options. After a short period of denial about the pregnancy, Emma decided on freebirth as the most logical option. Although her husband didn’t agree he was supportive of her and her decision. The birth was a 3 day long labour but relatively pain free and simple. Breastfeeding was a breeze and Emma is absolutely loving motherhood. I love Emma’s confident and sure of herself nature. It’s inspiring to see this next generation coming through who’s rebellion is returning to their intuition, natural living and traditional values.

Today on the show I speak my good friend and now ex-midwife Norafiah Lever. Norafiah is a picture of integrity and vibrancy. She used to tell me every year that she questioned herself each time she went to renew her registration. Could she still continue to work in the system that was so egregious to women. Despite working with the guidelines of private practice, the reporting to AHPRA by other professionals took its toll, and she finally de-registered herself voluntarily. She does not believe as a midwife that you can truly ‘be with woman’ when theres a conflict of allegiance. Norafiah and I have such a good time on this podcast, having so many laughs and getting all passionate - talking about birth, women’s rights and of course spirituality.

Today on the show I speak with mother of 3 Mary Allen. After becoming a Doula, understanding real birth and seeing the abuse that occurred in hospitals, she began accepting freebirth clients. When she became pregnant with her third, after having two inductions, she knew she wasn't stepping into a hospital. Her baby came when she was ready, at 40 weeks and 4 days and was caught into her daddy's arms. She says it was the most beautiful and incredible experience she could have wished for and would do it again and again just for the experience itself! Mary Allen is exactly the kind of freebirth doula you’d want - someone who’s lived it themselves!

More about Mary Allen:

I’m Mary, a mother of 3 in the beautiful Fraser Coast, QLD. I'm a doula who supports women who choose to birth undisturbed and completely on their own terms.

Insta - wbdoulaservices

Today on the show I speak with Jamie about the freebirth of her fourth child. After 2 unnecessary caesarean’s - Jaime had a left the system at 30 weeks and had a freebirth for her 3rd. You can listen this story in season 2 of the podcast.

For 4th, of course, there was no going back and she had a wild pregnancy and freebirth. We get to hear about how this baby come to her, even though her husband had said they were done and challenges with her friends along the way.

Overall though Jamie had uneventful pregnancy and a short 3.5 hour birth. The most remarkable thing about Jamie’s story is, how calm and centred she was when her babe took some minutes to take their first proper breath.

As we know in hospital this would have been completely pathologised and the interventions would have likely endangered her and her baby.

Jamie welcomed her baby into the world in their own time by simply talking, kissing and gently stroking him. She says she was not worried once and if you watch the video on her insta @thebondsofbirth you can see how natural and normal this process was for her.

What I love about Jamie is her no bullshit approach, what you see is what you get. She is so relatable and unpretentious you just want to be her friend. Enjoy this interview of this bold and strong woman.

More about Jamie:

My FBA2C, fourth pregnancy, first wild pregnancy, second freebirth; was a journey of how to handle things when shit gets hard and rewriting/changing the cycles and reactions to them instead of falling into the victim mode.

Navigating the loss of friendships and plans constantly falling through whilst trying to set myself up for a relaxed postpartum. Then working through an intense and fast 3.5 hour labour and honouring my babe as he took an extra long time to come into his body.

Today on the show I speak with The Authentic Birth - Emily Lal. Em talks us through her (almost) pain free freebirth. She says in retrospect, she attributes it to the pelvic release work she did in pregnancy. We discuss how getting in touch with our female anatomy, namely our vaginas and breast, can really help us in birth and breastfeeding. Many women never touch there vaginas or breasts much until they become mothers and this dissociation can be challenging. Another interesting thing about her pregnancy was that her babe was breech right up until the day she went into labour. We also talk about fear of death, how this was her healthiest yet heaviest pregnancy, the challenges of working on call as a birth keeper while pregnant and how part of her birth video went viral. Em and I get on oh so well and the conversation just flows - even if we don’t agree on exactly everything, we have the utter most respect for each other that allows an honest conversation. Em is such a rock star who has a wealth of knowledge from her birth work and such a unique perspective of birth. I love this lady and I know you will too.

More about Em:
Emily is a wife, mother to three children, freebirther and birthkeeper.

Supporting women to birth in full sovereignty and autonomy, Emily has a deep belief and trust in the power and wisdom of women’s bodies and their babies, to navigate the birth process together, uninihibited and undisturbed. She is passionate about bringing women back to themselves and brining birth back to its roots - in the home - rejecting the current medical birth paradigm and its mistrust in women’s bodies.

Today on the show I speak with Fin McKenna Fox from the The Grounded Masculine. Fin is a father of 3, podcaster and empowerment coach for fathers. I get many requests for a podcast from a Dad’s point of view so here it is! We start by hearing Fin’s baptism of fire into fatherhood and how it was mixed with bliss and struggle and then talk through to his journey to where he is today. We talk about how fathers can serve themselves first so they can serve their families and what this looks like practically. We end by touching on his role in his children’s birth (including 2 freebirths) and how it was for him. Fin is such a kind, gentle and compassionate soul who is a champion for fathers and I hope both Mothers and Fathers alike gain some insight and wisdom from this conversation.

Today on the show I speak with Aisha. Aisha is a birth worker, mother of 4 and strong Maori woman. After birthing her first in the hospital with a private obstetrician, which ended with her babe in NICU, she decided a different path was needed for her subsequent pregnancies.

Her 2nd was a home water birth with a midwife and she had a vastly different and positive experience. With her 3rd, Aisha was with a new partner and when he asked about kids - she said she had one non - negotiable - the baby must be born at home. When he whole heartedly agreed - they decided to conceive. For them though, it wasn’t straight forward and ended in an IVF conception. She went on to birth her 3rd also at home with the same midwife.

4th time around and post pandemic - Aisha had had significant spiritual growth and knew freebirth was on the cards. With another IVF conception - Aisha made some unconventional choices about the IVF process (I found this really interesting). I love Aisha’s story as it tells of how just because we start on one path we don’t have to end on the same path. We always have a choice to change where we are going and what the end destination looks like. Thanks Aisha for your openness with your story.

About Aisha

35yo mother of 4, 1 hospital birth, 2 homebirths, 1 freebirth, and 2 IVF journeys.

Contact Aisha here

https://www.facebook.com/Honouredbirthservices?mibextid=ZbWKwL

https://honouredbirth.weebly.com/

Today on the show I have first time mama Asha who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as an adult. Going into her first pregnancy she wanted a home birth but of course with her diagnoses the system labelled her automatically as ‘high risk’. Knowing that taking full responsibility for her birth was what was needed, Asha’s journey led her to Freebirth, with the support of her husband and a like minded doula. Asha did have some medical prenatal appointments but always knew she would Freebirth at home. Asha had a very straight forward and uneventful 4.5 hour birth which went so so smoothly. Baby was born healthy and she felt great! Asha then called the hospital to let them know baby was here and all was well. Although they were friendly on the phone - a disgruntled midwife then called child protection on the family and what happened next completely disrupted their postpartum bliss bubble. It’s a lesson on how easily it all can be disrupted when we invite authority into the birth process - at whatever stage it may be. Although all was well with the authorities in the end, Asha gives us some advice of what she will not be doing next time! Asha is such a gorgeous, informed, level headed and logical Mama who was an absolute pleasure to speak with!

Today on the show I have a family interview with Hikari, her husband Yohei and her gorgeous 12 year old daughter Haruko. Hikari hails from Japan and requested we did the interview all together and I am so glad we did. Her daughter helps translate but more importantly it becomes apparentquickly how integral she was in the pregnancy and birth of her little brother Kotaro. With her first 3 children, Hikari had c-sections and thought she was destined for another one until her daughter Haruko said, ‘Mum of course you can give birth vaginally.’ It gives me absolute shivers to hear thewisdom of Haruko and how she is light years ahead with her intuition and perspective of the world. It makes me so excited and grateful for the next generation coming through. I also love the trust and connection this family have with each other and reminds me of why the family unit needs to be honoured and how much strength families have in togetherness. In a world where families are often torn apart and pitted against each other - this is a story of hope and ultimate love. Overall Hikari and her family just blow me away. Haruko - I have never met a more amazing 12 year old! After this interview we ended up having the best afternoon together with our families combined and I hope you have the warm fuzzy feeling I had after listening to this conversation.

Today on the show I speak with Neala about her surprise twin freebirth. Neala started her birth journey in the hospital with her first 3 babes but by the 4th had realised freebirth was most in alignment for her and has now had more Freebirth’s than hospital births. For this birth she decided to have a complete wild pregnancy and although she suspected twins she thought maybe it was just a fantasy of hers. This lady is the queen of Law of Attraction and managed to get the time, length of labour and exact date manifested of the birth of her twins - it really is unbelievable how accurate she was. Her first twin was breech and her second was born en caul. It’s a powerful and magical story which makes you realise how simple birth is - however it comes. We also talk about her losses and how her first loss was her first freebirth and teacher. Neala is such a bright shining energy and has some much wisdom to share - this is one you will absolutely want to make sure you listen to!

Today on the show I finally get to tell you, together with my beautiful husband, Oliver Wenn, the story of the pregnancy and birth of our third child Margot Kimberley Wenn. Margot’s birth was incredibly straight forward and so simple. A 2 hour labour which was in flow the whole time and she was caught in my arms under the wisdom of the stars and universe. Her story is proof that really you need nothing for birth except some safe land to birth on. We discuss the pregnancy and how travelling up to 30 weeks had it’s challenges. How it seems to be a pattern of mine to birth at 42 weeks and ponder if this is my biological norm or my tendency to keep on doing things right up to the last minute and not let go. I also discuss why I didn’t do a pregnancy test this time and how it benefitted me and the pregnancy. We end by talking about how I honoured (although not dogmatically) the idea of the first 40 days and how I had never felt happier in the special postpartum time. Lastly I forget to mention that she was 4.2kg (9.2 pounds) - probably because it didn’t make an ounce of difference to the birth - if anything her birth was my easiest yet even though she was my biggest babe! I hope you enjoy this frank and honest conservation between me and my husband!

Today on the show I speak to the ever popular Kim Anami. Kim is a holistic sex and relationship coach who also had a freebirth herself. I’ve been following Kim for years and it was no surprise to me when I heard she had had a freebirth. We talk about the intrinsic link between birth and sex and how sex can teach us so much about birth and visa versa. We also chat about porn, masturbation, yoni eggs, junk food sex, connected sex and everything above, below and in between. I hope you enjoy hearing about a topic that is very rarely discussed - but really needs to be!

More about Kim:

SHE IS A HOLISTIC SEX + RELATIONSHIP COACH,

WRITER AND SPEAKER. Her work is a spiritual synthesis of

over two decades of Tantra, Taoism, Transpersonal psychology,

philosophy and a host of quantum growth-accelerating practices

she uses to propel clients into higher stratospheres of connection,

intimacy, energy and creativity.

Her musings on life and love have graced The Sunday Times

(UK), Elle, InStyle, Women’s Health, O magazine, GQ, Playboy and

national TV and talk shows from E! Network to CNN and NPR.

She divides her time between Bali and Los Angeles and a host of

beaches in between, where she not only lives and surfs, but lifts

objects with her vagina.

Follow her globetrotting, weight-lifting and global-mediasensation

vagina and adventures on Instagram with the hashtag:

thingsiliftwithmyvagina; view her sex education videos on

YouTube, and listen to her top-rated Orgasmic Enlightenment

podcast. Please find her online all-things-intimacy programs at

www.kimanami.com.

Today on the show I speak to Shona McFox. Shona was on the podcast last season and discussed her ‘accidental’ freebirth which was a long stop/start labour over 4 days. This year Shona has had another baby and right from the start Shona decided to have an intentional freebirth. The differenceS were remarkable with her having a very quick (and very intense) labour this time around. It reaffirmed for me that fact that when we engage in a system that is not aligned with our birth wishes it can obviously really affect the outcome. Shona also discusses her surprise conception, going into a dark place in her second trimester, the NEED for a village and how her decision to seek medical care twice in her pregnancy only confirmed her intuition. Shona has an incredibly sunny personality who is so beautifully vulnerable in the way she shares her story. I know you’ll love listening to Shona and her lyrical Irish accent!

More about Shona:

Shóna is a mother of three, holder of sacred space, and bad ass light worker. She runs regular mother circles and mama blessings, connecting likeminded mamas with their tribe.

The accidental freebirth of her second daughter, launched her into the world of planning an intentional freebirth for her Son.

This wild, Irish pregnancy and birth goddess emanates the wisdom of her ancestors and weaves magic into everything she does.

Today on the show I speak to my beautiful friend and midwife - Norafiah Lever. Norafiah was my second episode in the first season and it was so fun to check in with her and see what has happened in the past 18 months for her. Firstly Norafiah has joined the ranks of reported midwives with 2 reports to APRHA - Australia’s regulatory body for registered midwives. We discuss about one of the cases she was reported for, the muzzling of midwives and how she dealt with it. We also chat about spirituality in pregnancy and birth and what that looks like for her and her clients. We discuss working with the physical body in pregnancy through massage and how she believes it’s helpful for the process. We talk about standing in our integrity and united in these changing times, what the mandates might mean for her registration and how attending pro-choice protests have really been a beautiful experience for both of us. Lastly we pondering about where Norafiah will be this time next year…will she still be registered? Or will she choose FREEDOM?! Norafiah is one of my dearest friends and I know you will love this interview as much as I did!

More about Norafiah:

Norafiah – still the natural mystic, freedom lover, truth seeker, wildling spirit. Still walking the spiritual path as an Endorsed midwife evolving her practice to facilitate women birthing in power and sovereignty.

Today on the show I invited my beautiful husband, Oliver Wenn to interview me and ask me about my journey to freebirth from my point of view. Oliver told his side of the story last season and now here is mine! We chat about my grandmother freebirthing my Mum, my own birth to my Mum (an induction) and then my homebirth transfer (with midwife) with my son Charlie. Lastly we chat about about my simple freebirth of my daughter Stella and being in my full power. We also delve into patterns of shame around my menarche and needing a deeper connection to myself, my cycle and womanhood. We also talk about how the pill was a cover up for this and what a revelation it was for me to be free of the pill. I talk about how the pill is actually anti-feminist and how retrospectively I felt like I was under a spell while I was on it. Lastly we chat how this current climate is a time a chance to create the world we want to live in and one of the best ways to start is with birth!

Today on the show I speak to Mama of 2 Phoebe Reynolds. Phoebe transitioned to a wild pregnancy at around 24 weeks after realising she would be spending her whole pregnancy fighting her doctor, a space she did care or need to be in. Leaving the system and finding a birth path that aligned completely with her truth was pivotal in healing her birth trauma from her first birth and helped her step fully into her power as a woman. We also talk about how Phoebe naturally and instinctively dealt with her bubba turning blue after she gave birth. We talk about how she had postpartum depression and anxiety with her first and now the postpartum rage she is feeling currently. Phoebe is a genuine, tender soul who’s insights and strength are bound to inspire you.

More about Phoebe:

Hi, I’m Phoebe! I’m 35 years old, a Mother of two, Wife and avid student of life. We live a very simple, healthy and holistic life following the winter seasons and are excited to share our passion for snowboarding with our girls.

I feel like I’ve lived several lifetimes already and have spent most of my adulthood seeking, searching and connecting with my true self. I’ve never followed a linear path in my career or personal life and it makes sense that my pregnancies and births were no different. They are the gifts that keep on giving and I feel as though I have been reborn each time. Being 5 weeks postpartum at time of recording I am still very much in the infancy of this current rebirth and don’t quite know who I am in this new form, so I am finding it hard to summarise myself. But I love experiencing the transformation and am excited to meet this next version of me, whilst growing and learning alongside my children.

Today on the show I speak to musician and Mama of two Sarah Saunders. Sarah planned to have her first child in the birth centre but promptly turned into a hospital transfer with an episiotomy, which then turned into a 3rd degree tear. She then ended up in theatre with an epidural (after a drug free birth) to fix the tear and with the combination of drugs and the trauma of what had just happened Sarah came into motherhood with tears streaming down her face. Skip to her next pregnancy - Sarah knew what she wanted this birth to be different. She knew mainly the thing she needed was a lot of spiritual growth and that she did, with the help of some beautiful friends and her much beloved unicorn midwife Norafiah Lever (who is also a dear friend of mine). She talks about how she did the processing by talking over the phone to her friend Asha, almost daily. She says it was like journalling which helped her reflect and grow and work through some blockages, especially around her mother’s death when she was 19. Her birth - like a lot of freebirths, was completely normal and straightforward - just another day she says. These simple birth stories are becoming more and more common for those women that do the work and then leave birth alone. Sarah is such a bubbly personality with a contagious laugh, you are sure to smile while listening to this one.

More about Sarah:

Musician, mother, wife, sister, daughter and student of life! Sarah’s dances in a world of piano playing, music education and being Mumma to two beautiful girls among her friends, family and community ❤️

Her professional career and passion as a pianist and accordionist has taken seen her performing in many festivals and shows across WA over the past 15 years, and she specialises in both world music and classical. After studying Argentine Tango music in Buenos Aires, Argentina, a rich decade of journeying into this art form has drawn her across Australia, to the USA and Europe in her creative pursuits. She’s passionate about bringing the cultural milieu of Argentine Tango to the hearts and ears of Perth audiences and is the director, founder and pianist of the Perth Tango Orchestra.

Also performing on accordion in local Irish band, The Rogues, Sarah can be seen jigging in local pubs and folk festivals.

Music education has always been the ying to the yang of her musical expression and she has spent over 15 years nourishing (and being nourished!) by a beautiful community of young pianists from her home studio and in schools across Perth.

The journey deep into the women’s world of pregnancy, birth and beyond has been empowering, enriching and completely infused into her life as a mother, musician and again, student of life.

Today on the show I speak with research professor of psychology and neuroscience at Boston College and author of Free to Learn - Peter Gray. What I love about Peter is as well as an academic he has also walked his talk. When his son was rebelling against the traditional schooling system and called it a prison (which he agrees it is) they explored other options and ended up at Sudbury Valley School which changed the course of Peter’s research and ultimately his life. Peter tells this amazing story of how when his son was 12 years old, he came to his wife and himself with a plan to travel to Europe alone. In the ultimate display of trust of a child (which he says has been lost in our culture), Peter and his wife agreed to the proposal and his son did go to Europe alone year later at age 13. We also cover many topics including the importance of mixed age play, the importance of play in general and moving away from competitiveness to collaboration. I also question how Sudbury which is ultimately based on an unschooling principal goes with government regulations and it seems that America is much more liberal than Australia. We also touch on Tara Westover’s book Educated and the irony of her story and message. Peter is a genuine and well researched scholar who I feel is way ahead of the game of schooling or rather unschooling. Peter’s work is just what we need right now in this changing world where many people are feeling the calling to move into homeschooling but are still a little uncertain or scared. I hope this interview helps parents realise that they and more importantly their children already have everything they need to learn, thrive and educate themselves. Enjoy this insightful conversation and view of what I see as the future of education.

Peter Gray

Research Professor, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College. My book Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life, is available in 18 languages. My four new collections of essays can be purchased now at Tipping Points Press. See also my Psychology Today blog and follow me on Facebook

Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life

Today on the show I speak will with Birth Cartographer, PhD Student and Freebirthing Mama Catherine Bell. Catherine’s concept of The Birth Map differs from a birth plan in that is allows a map of different options rather than fixed ideas or outcomes in birth. For example for freebirthers it might be an option of what does it look life if I don’t get the pool up in time? Do I land Birth? Or what does it look like if I transfer? The idea is to explore all your options and decisions very throughly so in the moment of birthing you don’t need to enter into your thinking brain at all. We also chat about Catherine’s silent 1st stage and 20 minute freebirth of the 3rd child as well as the freebirth of her 4th child when she was grieving her grandmothers passing. We talk about the power that comes with responsibility and accepting death as part of freebirth or any birth for that matter! Catherine is a delight to speak with and I love the work she is doing in the birth community. Enjoy!

More about Catherine:

I have been summed up in three words: Birth, Death and Playgrounds.

As The Birth Cartographer and author of The Birth Map: boldly going where no birth plan has gone before, I support pregnant women and their partners to create Birth Maps so that they can navigate the maternity landscape with confidence. I also provide Birth Cartography training to doulas, midwives and obstetricians. My PhD at the university of Canberra will evaluate The Birth Map as a way to facilitate communication and informed decision making in maternity services.

The death industry posed similar challenges to the birth industry. To help address this, I have joined the board of Tender Funerals Canberra Region. Tender Funerals is a not-for-profit, community-led approach to funerals. I came to this path after doing Death Walker training with Zenith Virago, who opened my eyes to the parallels between birth and death.

Playgrounds fill the space between, be this the metaphorical 'playground' of a life lived in love and kindness, with peace and needs met or the physical playgrounds, I seek to fill the space in between with fairness and connection. This all began with the new playground for my town, Braidwood. This was a process of building connections, communication and fundraising. What resulted was a fabulous mutli-generational space to gather in. With this project, our community honed it's strengths and created a forum for all voices to be heard.

Mostly I am a Mother. We have 4 naturally-learning children and live on Feral Farm in Sth East NSW.

Today on the show I speak with Alisha Charles. Alisha is a mama of 1 and lives in NSW, Australia. For a few years prior to falling pregnant ALisha researched freebirth thoroughly and decided that this is what she would do when she fell pregnant. When she eventually did fall pregnant though mainly fear of judgment saw her signing up for the local government funded homebirth program. Alisha prayed that she would get the “right” kind of midwife - and she absolutely did, someone who she didn’t align or click with at all. This blessing of lack of alignment pushed Alisha back onto the path of freebirth and even when she was eventually given a midwife she aligned with - she’d already knew it was time to say goodbye to the system. Alisha had a beautiful birth supported by a birthkeeper and even though the long pushing phase would have been patholigised in the system Alisha knew everything was perfect and indeed it was. I just absolutely love first time Mamas birthing in their power and I hope this story gives inspiration to other first time Mums. Alisha is a pleasure to chat to with her bubbly nature and raw vulnerability - this is one you are sure to enjoy!

More about Alisha:

I’m an early childhood educator and children’s entertainer. I now nanny for unvaccinated children who can’t get into childcare because of no jab no play. I grew up in Sydney and moved to Newcastle almost 4 years ago with my husband. We didn’t know anyone, however in that time I’ve made such strong connections with like minded mamas in the area- your vibe attracts your tribe.

I love writing poetry and being a mama to my son- mothering how my biology remembers makes it feel like the most natural thing in the world, however lacking the village we all crave makes it harder than it should be.

My journey from fearing childbirth to birthing with sovereignty took years of self work and unpacking deep conditioning. Choosing to free birth was the bravest thing I’ve ever done, my son’s soul demanded sovereignty and I’m so glad I tuned in to hear his wisdom.

Today on the show I speak to Avalon Darnesh, who was my first guest from season one. Avalon describes herself as a visionary who is midwifing cultural evolution as we unravel the old and birth the new. The theme for today is standing in your sovereignty in all aspects of your life in these changing times. We talk about how knowing your rights is paramount, how to stay centred and calm and our excitement for this changing world and what is to come. We also chat about how these changes have brought into focus how controlled we are as a society and how breaking free from the system is inevitable if we want our sovereignty. We reflect on how freebirth and other choices such as homeschooling have been an important step in moving outside the system and how it has been easier for us in some ways because of this. I know for many people this time can be scary but it really is the most exciting time to be alive and the opportunity to take your power back into your hands has never been more important or more exhilarating.

More about Avalon:

Avalon is a multidimensional mama and visionary, midwifing cultural evolution as we unravel the old and birth the new... she guides women into deep alignment with their heart, womb and voice, activating our collective power to create change and weave a more beautiful world for our children.

Today on the show I speak with ex hospital midwife and ex-child health nurse Kimberely Rose. Kim now works in the somatic sex area as well as studying Naturopathy. Kim’s first birth was a hospital birth, second homebirth with midwife and the last two were fabulous free births. We ponder over a lot if things including her time in the system and the second hand trauma she experienced even though most births would have been considered “good” births. As well as chatting about her somatic sex work and debating over pornography - I hold very strong views on this! I loved chatting to Kim - she is open aware and considered. Enjoy this conversation!

More about Kimberley:

Kimberley has a passion for working with women and supporting them on their journey through all areas of their life.

She is particularly passionate about a woman’s birth journey from preconception through to motherhood.

Her background working as a midwife and as a child and family health nurse, together with her studies in natural health, have prepared her to work with women’s health in a uniquely holistic way.

Kimberley has also completed a Womb Awakening Apprenticeship with The Fountain of Life which has shown her the great potential we all have when we live life from our power centre... the womb.

More recently Kimberley has experienced somatic training in sexological bodywork. A hands on/hands in therapy to address the wide spectrum of imbalances with embodying our sexuality. This, combined with her midwifery experience has become a powerful blend to assist women preparing for birth and healing from birth trauma.

Kimberley’s gentle, intuitive manner and her natural ability to create safety and ease provides a great combination working with women in this field.

Today on the show I speak to the oh so wonderful Jamie Purdey. After 2 c-section Jamie was determined to have a natural birth for her third. She booked into the local hospital and planned to stay at home as long as possible. During the pregnancy though, Jamie realised that having a planned homebirth was probably the best decision and hired a midwife at 30 weeks. Shortly after though, her midwife Martina (who has previously been on this podcast if you want to check her out) told Jamie she could no longer support her because she felt she was only 80 per cent there and still not taking full responsibility for the birth. While she was initially taken aback - she is now ever grateful for this as it tipped over into taking full responsibility for her birth and having her dream home water birth. Jamie’s birth was supported by a doula and The Authentic Birth Keeper - Emily Lal (who has also been on the podcast). Jamie’s story is a lesson in how mental preparation is everything and also in how quickly growth can happen. There is always room to come into alignment if you are willing - even if is it at 30 weeks pregnant. Enjoy this conversation with a mama who gets how birth works! Hey! I’m Jamie, mother to 3 beautiful kiddos here in Melbourne. As a child it was always my wish to be a mum. When I fell pregnant with my first I dreamed of that beautiful homebirth with the pretty fairy lights. However the people pleaser in me opted for a private hospital birth which led to a cascade of intervention and an ‘emergency’ csection. My next birth I thought I was educated enough to have a VBAC, but mentally I still hadn’t worked through enough to get there and ended it another ‘emergency’ csection. Baby number three was a huge mental and personal journey. I really looked at all my old patterns and tried as hard as I could to break them and really take responsibility for my decisions or I would never get the ‘dream birth’ I knew I was capable of. At home on the 24th of May I got my hba2c supported by my Doula and Birth Keeper. It was the most straight forward birth and the most empowering experience, which has given me so much confidence on my mothering journey and really helped my tune into my intuition.

Today on the show I speak with Mama of 2 Emma Penno who lives in remote WA in Port Headland. Emma herself was a c-section baby and so were her 3 siblings. Emma believed for a long time that c-sections were the safest and best option. But, fast forward to her first pregnancy Emma intuitively knew she wanted a natural birth but lost her her first baby at 8 weeks. She fell pregnant for the second time shortly after and had a straight forward physiological birth in hospital. After this birth she decided to freebirth her 2nd son and although she did have prenatal care at the hospital she was always in her power and had a very intuitive pregnancy and birth. Her second sons birth was so simple that her husband came home only a mere hour before he was earth side. When I asked Emma to be on the podcast she said - I don’t know what I’d say about it because my freebirth was really a non event. And I replied - that is what I love about it. We also talk about womb regression, how important it is to work on yourself and spirit babies. Enjoy this conversation a very simple but still spiritual birth.

More about Emma:

Emma is a curious, independent, wild woman. Also, a Mother of two boys living in the remote town of Port Hedland, Western Australia.

It was after the birth of Emma's first baby she became really passionate about birth, to then realise 4 years later that her passion for the way we are born actually began at the time of her own birth.

After spending the last 6 years understanding more about why and how we birth like we do and creating a business, Emma has shifted her focus to mastering the art of honouring a 'slow' Mother phase, for herself and her family. This looks like getting back to basics, connecting to herself through her inner cycles and nature, slowing down her days and bringing more ritual into her life.

From seeing freebirth as dangerous and risky, to thinking a c section would be safer, here is Emma's story of freebirthing her own baby.

Photo Credit - Bobbi Lockyer/@Hedlandphotographer

Today on the show I speak with Ashley Winning who runs her own podcast The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast. Ashley after 2 caesareans free birthed her 10 pound baby at home. We talk through through all her births, including her two hospital births where she was discriminated against because of her high BMI and then her triumphant freebirth. Although Ashley’s Freebirth didn’t go exactly as planned, she says she chose to view it as a peaceful and positive experience. Like my previous guest Cat, while Ashley’s baby was half way out some words from her doula really affected her. Her contractions stopped, panic arose, oxytocin was inhibited but regardless baby was born. Baby seemed to have laboured breathing and although Ashley says she didn’t really see it, an ambulance was called. Like Cat again, the baby was checked over by the ambulance and was given the all clear. This being said - in the meantime Ashley, with all the all the interruptions, disturbances and panic was starting to have a postpartum haemorrhage and was transferred to hospital for a 3.1l blood loss. She says that she felt forced to freebirth as no midwife would take her and really shows the failings in our system for women who want a homebirth with a midwife but fall outside the parameters. I think it’s so brave of women like Ashley to share their story of a freebirth when things didn’t go perfectly. Honestly I believe these are the stories that help people the most. Enjoy two podcast hosts conversing!

More about Ashley:

Ashley believes that when women step into their power and birth their babies on their terms that they take a huge step forward in living life in alignment & true to their hearts calling.

She works intimately with highly sensitive pregnant women who freebirth by working through fear and challenges, while providing emotional support so that they feel heard, seen & validated while taking the steps to intuitively birth their baby their way.

You can find many pregnancy & birth resources and support on her website www.themotherhoodcircle.com.au

Today on the show I speak with Allyce Ananda who describes herself as a expressionist, sound and vibrational healer and Mama Diviner. Allyce and I had crossed paths in our previous lives as actors but we had never met - until now. Allyce free birthed her first baby Aria and also had an autonomous pregnancy. We talk about the spiritual and emotional side of pregnancy and how it can be such a massive time of growth. We also delve into the way we express ourselves in birth and how important it is to feel comfortable in vocalising - especially when the sounds we make aren’t familiar to ourselves or others and aren’t considered “pretty”. We ponder over watching beautiful home births on youtube with the whale music playing behind them and how this image has not matched our experience at all and the intensity of a primal birth. Although there is not “right” way to do it we talk about how important it is to give ourselves permission to roar our babies into the world uninhibited and in a full bodied expression. We also talk about how Allyce dealt with a partial retained placenta naturally at home, the power of laughter in labour and why she thinks she had morning sickness. Enjoy this deep and meaningful conversation between two performers who’s worlds have now aligned.

ALLYCE ANANDA:

Expressionist. Sound & Vibrational Healer. Mama Diviner.

Allyce is here to support women into full authentic expression of their body wisdom.

Feeling at home within their voice, their body, and their emotions - this is her mastery.

Ever since she was a child she wanted to sing, and she has spent her life studying how we make sound, how we express, why we do, and what motivates us.

Over that time she has learnt many techniques of voice, dance, yoga, womb work, meditation, spirituality… as well as working professionally as a music theatre performer in both Australia and overseas for over 10 years.

But it didn’t weave together fully until 2018 when she became pregnant ‘unexpectedly’.

Through the wild pregnancy and empowering freebirth of her daughter in 2019, Allyce was able to have the incredible experience of truly inhabiting everything she had been learning about a woman’s body and its expression.

Becoming a mother was the gateway for Allyce to truly begin to understand the glorious links between a woman’s body and her sound, and to move her life’s work from performing to embodying.

Both the voice and the pelvic bowl are loves of hers - when we work on one, we work on the other.

She is passionate about supporting women to reconnect to the magic of their womb portal and all its creations, and creating a safe space for them to explore their true and authentic emotional expression through their innate sound.

Today on the show I speak with Mama of 5 Khristie Castledine. Khristie says that she and her husband had their kids in two sets, the first two, then the next three. She started in one world with her first and ended in the other with her last. From c-section to freebirth. From vaccinating to not vaccinating. From 5 months breastfeeding to 5 years breastfeeding. Her experiences are really worlds apart. What I love about Khristie story is that it shows us how we can all grow and evolve and not to have judgement on ourselves or others when things are done differently. And for us to remember where we have come from. It makes me wonder where I will grow and evolve to next? And maybe it’ll do the same for you? Enjoy this episode with the wonderful Khristie!

More about Khristie:

I am Wifey to Krys and Mumma to 5 amazing kids. I care for the elderly in their own homes and I also support families through pregnancy, birth and end of life here in Adelaide as well.

I am a very passionate, strong-willed woman and am honoured to share my journey of having complete faith and trust in the system to having complete faith and trust in myself and the universe.

I am all about love and autonomy. I want everyone to know there is no greater authority on yourself or your children than you. If anyone would like to connect, feel free to send me a msg ❤️

Today on the show I speak with my good friend Arisa Yura. Arisa and I go way back and she was actually one of my bridesmaids! The reason I wanted to get Arisa on the show was, besides being an all round awesome person - Arisa is Japanese Australian and she is represents a group in the homebirth community that is so often underrepresented. Arisa went into homebirth a little unsure and a comment from a friend’s friend saying that the “Asian anatomy is not suitable for homebirth.” surely didn’t help. This kind of racism is baffling and obviously utterly ridiculous. Arisa’s post about this on Facebook, caused quite a stir here in an Australian Homebirth Facebook group with many outraged. Arisa went on to have a beautiful homebirth and proved that her anatomy is designed perfectly for her and her baby! Arisa is so different to me and this is what I love about her - the ying to my yang . She gives such a unique perspective on homebirth and she is so gentle and consider in her approach. I hope you enjoy this conversation between two friends.

More about Arisa:

Hello! I’m Arisa. I’m a great friend of Renegade Mama, Nat!

I’m an Aquarian mother to gorgeous boy Renon and wife to my ‘Kei Nishikori & Michael Chang’ power team husband, Gareth. We are both actors and are very proud of what we do.

I’m a 1.5 generation Japanese Australian and Gareth is a 3rd generation Chinese Australian.

As a first time home birther, I didn’t know many other Asian home birth mums before my pregnancy but leading up to the birth, it was really comforting and encouraging to meet and find them all.

So I want to share my birth story especially to mums with Asian heritage that’s thinking and dreaming of home birth

Today on the show I speak with birth educator Natalie Meade. I first came across Natalie before I had had my own freebirth and found her story of how she handled her postpartum haemorrhage at home super interesting. Natalie decided on a freebirth for her second child later in her pregnancy and decided to let her homebirth midwife go. Although she mentions she would have loved to have a midwife to simply “love on her” and was probably what she needed, she wasn’t willing to risk the fact that they would mostly likely intervene and call an ambulance. She wanted to let her bleeding take it’s course if she intuitively knew she was ok - and that is what she did, and she was ok. I find it interesting that Natalie used the words of needing a midwife to “love on her” because thats exactly what she needed at that point - oxytocin the love hormone. She also talks about being in her head a lot in the process and how this could have also affected what happened. I thank Natalie so much in sharing her story as I know she has received criticism in the past and I think it’s great for others to listen to and take the wisdom from it. Natalie is bright, intelligent and a pleasure to speak with - enjoy!

More About Natalie: Natalie came from a science background, through psychology, counselling and hypnotherapy, to a strong passion for birth, honesty, open mindedness and community and connection. herself, and their team of volunteers, run a unique and awesome community project called the Newcastle birth movement in Newcastle, NSW.

Today on the show I speak with Cat Price. Cat is a Mama of 2, an ex-midwifery student and more recently a birthkeeper. Cat had a wonderful first homebirth with a midwife which opened up a whole new world to her. For her second pregnancy she went on to decide that she’d like a freebirth but says that she was only 90% there. I find Cat’s story really interesting, as it’s an example of when we are not 100% aligned - how things can have the potential to go haywire. Although the birth was relatively straight forward - a comment from her doula really affected her. When her daughter was born - she decided to call an ambulance at the suggestion of the doula. These kind of power leaks where we listen to others over ourselves can have detrimental effects. The ambulance came - Cat knew everything was well and they left. But - consequently in the coming days - social services rocked up on her door unannounced. They berated her and harassed her in her vulnerable postpartum state. Cat understandably felt overwhelmed and shut done - she even started to question herself. She endured some very dark days postpartum but has recently come out the other side and has graciously been brave enough to share her story, which I know will be able to help others. I thank Cat for her open vulnerability - I am honoured to share her story.

More about Cat -

My name is Cat. I was born in South Africa but have lived in the UK since I was a baby. I am a wife and a mother-of-two. I'm a birthkeeper, a holder of sacred spaces and a weaver of words.

In 2017 I was training as a midwife in the system when I became unexpectedly pregnant with my first child. I gave birth to him in a simple and powerful birth at home (midwife-attended) that undid everything. As a result I swore off attending births myself and left my training, instead immersing myself in full-time mothering.

I later returned to assisting a local doula in running groups for new mothers and trained as a postpartum doula myself. I became unexpectedly pregnant again just before the Covid madness descended. After a wild pregnancy and freebirth (which was ultimately disturbed) with my daughter, I was subject to a Social Services investigation which desecrated my sacred postpartum time. These events inspired the darkest night of the soul that I've ever experienced.

Subsequently in early 2021, I witnessed the death of my beloved father-in-law at home. It opened my heart to the magic inherent in the rites of passage of both birth AND death.

With all that I have learned and embodied in the past few years, I have been moved recently to claim the title of "birthkeeper" and to begin to hold sacred space once again. It feels like coming home after the most arduous journey.

Today on the show I talk with Jess Anderson. Jess wanted a homebirth for her first babe but she decided to have a hospital birth because, as she put it, “I naively thought that I could just stay at home and not go in to the hospital on the day”. What she didn’t realise was that all the prenatal scare appointments would erode any sense of trust and belief in herself and she ended up with a traumatic birth and an extended hospital stay with her first. The second time around - Jess listened to her intuition and had a healing and wonderful freebirth at home and delivered her placenta 8 hours later! Jess’ story is a lesson in why having a hospital birth “just because it’s your first” really may not be the right decision if you don’t want it and consequently how different things can be when you do follow your intuition. Always listen to yourself first!. Enjoy Jess’ story. More about Jess - Jess is a mother of two who had a traumatic first birth in the hospital system, and then went on to have a healing free birth at home with her daughter present. She is interested in supporting other birthing families through this rite of passage.

Today on the show I speak with mama of 3 and fellow birth nerd Laura Shelley Butler. Laura experience with ultrasound is really interesting.

For many one of the main reasons they may get an ultrasound, is to pick up any congenital conditions prior to birth. The intriguing thing with Laura was that, although they did pick up some kind of abnormality via ultrasound, they never picked up the severity of it. As we all know - ultrasounds aren’t the fail proof saviours they are often praised to be and they are potentially harmful in more ways than one; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It was only Laura’s mother’s instinct after the birth of her son - that she knew something was wrong and took him to hospital where he had surgery. Knowing this and that her mother’s instinct was more powerful and accurate than any ultrasound could be, she went on to have a wild pregnancy and freebirth for her next babe. Laura also talks about why she think her babe may have had the congenital condition and what precautions she took for her wild pregnancy and freebirth of her next babe. I totally vibe with Laura and love who she is as a person. Enjoy this informative and fun conversation.

Bio:

I’m Laura. I’m a birth nerd, trained doula and unschooling mama. I currently live in Melbourne alongside my love of 11 years, Michael, and our 3 beautiful wild children, Esther, Theodore and Banksia. I enjoy reading lots of books, being creative and going on adventures.

You can find me at @this.wild.mama on Instagram.

Photo by Nicole Mroue.

Today on the show I speak with the bubbly and gorgeous Emily Patterson. Emily has had a homebirth transfer, a homebirth with a midwife and then a freebirth. Emily at the start of her 3rd pregnancy wasn’t “there” to straight out decide on a freebirth. The further she got into that pregnancy though, she realised that a freebirth was right for her and she respectfully decided to no longer continue care with her midwife who she loved dearly. She ended up having an amazing, joyful and perfect freebirth. I think it’s important to point out that, you don’t have to have had a “bad” experience to decide on freebirth (although also this can be the case). Quite simply for many woman it is just in alignment for them to take 100% responsibility for their birth. We also talk about the pathologising of posterior babies and how can be very unhelpful. Emily has had a long labour with a posterior baby but also a short and simple labour with a posterior baby. Emily is a joy to talk to and I love her vibrant and upbeat energy! Enjoy our convo!

More about Emily:

Emily is a mama of three to two boys and a girl, with a passion for conscious, gentle and respectful parenting.

She is an early childhood educator, with a Bachelor of Education and Masters in Special Education, but has stepped away from the system and developed a home school program with a conscious, natural and un-schooling approach to education. Her biggest lessons, knowledge and understandings have come from motherhood as she see's motherhood as a spiritual practice with lifelong opportunities to expand, grow and uncover all parts of ourselves as we reparent ourself! She also trained as a doula at the age of 18 and although she stepped away from this as a career she developed a passion for birth which led to her recent free birth.

Today on the show I speak with Amana Mayfield-Faulkner. Amana has really experienced a lot in this life. Starting with the death of her first love in her 20’s and then through her child bearing years. She has experienced multiple miscarriages, as well the death of her daughter Heartly shortly after her birth due to a congenital condition. She has also had a beautiful homebirth with her son and an amazing freebirth with her daughter. Interestingly Amana hasn’t let her experiences bring her down but rather she has seen so much light and wisdom in the journey. I also loved how she talked about parenting her invisible children, who are not earthside with her, but always with her. Amana is a gentle, wise soul who’s story is so important to be heard. Enjoy this deep heartfelt conversation. More about Amana: - I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest the United States of America - I have a degree in Sociology as well as Nursing. I haven't worked in the Medical System for over a year and plan not to return as my values have not aligned with it for a few years now. - I was an Au Pair in France for a year for 3 French girls and ended the year doing El Camino De Santiago, a 800 km walk across Spain. - I have traveled to several countries on my own. - I lived in Australia outside of Sydney for a few months with my Aunt and cousins - I am a Reiki Master - I was a birth assistant for 10 years - I have a super magical story of meeting my Soul Flame and Husband. I truly believe that there is more that unites us as human animals than that which divides us.

Sistership Services at www.EarthingNova.Love

Bath and Body Sales on ETSY

Listen to my Podcast The Heart of the Soul

Today on the show I speak with ex-registered midwife Martina Gorner. Martina is a rockstar and told the government to shove it after being reported to APRHA 9 times. The final straw when she was reported for supporting a surprise twin birth at home. Even though the babies were healthy and Mum and Dad were more than happy - someone at the hospital was not. The witch hunt for midwives is real and the current system is leaving them with very narrow boundaries to support women within. When Martina realised she was supporting the government more than her women - she decided to walk. And she hasn’t looked back. I was buzzed after this interview - Martina is a woman I have so much respect for. There is nothing I find more attractive in a person than sticking to their integrity - and Martina is just this!

About Martina:

After having been an Intensive Care Nurse nurse for 6 years I wanted to study a more holistic modality of nursing which led to me completing a postgraduate Diploma in “Midwifery” (Australia) in 2012.

After graduating I entered practicing homebirth midwifery straight away through an apprenticeship style model with a wise and experienced homebirth Midwife here in Melbourne for 2 years before setting up my own homebirth practice.

In 2018 my midwifery registration got suspended following an undiagnosed twin homebirth. Even though the twins arrived safely at home, are now thriving almost 3 year olds and the parents were very happy with their care. 3 months into my suspension I voluntarily surrendered my midwifery registration.

I now continue to educate women on their path to birthing in their power.

Today on the show I speak with The Authentic Birth Keeper - Emily Lal. Emily is a mother of two, homebirther, freebirther and walks with women through their pregnancies and births as a traditional birthkeeper. Emily started her birth journey at one end of the spectrum with an OBGYN appointment and IVF diagnoses as the only way of ever having children. Where she ended up though, was right at the other end with natural conceptions, a homebirth for her first and free birthing her second child. I find it fascinating how quickly we can move from one paradigm to another, when we become truly aligned and take our power back. Emily definitely did this and she totally rocked her pregnancy and births. Emily is heaps of fun to chat to and totally my soul sister - enjoy her birth stories - I know I did!

About Emily :

My name is Emily and I live in Melbourne. Like most women, I had never really given much thought to pregnancy and childbirth until embarking on my own journey to fall pregnant.After 14 months of trying unsuccessfully, my husband and I sought the help of an OBGYN. After undergoing a laparoscopy and a D&C, I was told I would never fall pregnant naturally, and that IVF was my only option. This didn’t sit well with me so instead of following the directions of the OBGYN, I embarked on a journey of research and discovery, and decided on a path of natural fertility therapies including naturopathy and TCM.

After only 3 months, I was pregnant!

This sparked a determination and commitment in me to follow my intuition, and take responsibility for carving my own path, on my journey through pregnancy and childbirth.

I committed to taking full responsibility for my decisions during my pregnancy and engaged the services of a truly mother centred traditional midwife to walk with me on my pregnancy journey.

On an extremely windy night in April, I birthed my baby into the world after 20 hours of active labour, into the pool my husband had set up for me in the living room of our home.

After such an amazing and transformative birth experience, I was both surprised and saddened by the contrast between my experience, and the experiences of those who had birthed within the hospital system.Feeling quite passionate that birth should be a transformational rite of passage, rather than the traumatic experiences that seem inherent in modern day industrial birth, I quickly found my path to becoming a Birth Keeper, and now serve women birthing at home and outside the system, and am committed to cultivating and nurturing a community of likeminded women in Melbourne.

I have since had a completely wild pregnancy and freebirthed my beautiful daughter, supported by my husband and my sister.

I'm is also a personal development coach with a keen ability to identify self-limiting beliefs and self-sabotaging behaviours, that keep women from truly embracing and living as their authentic selves. I am warm, passionate and unapologetically honest, giving women the space they need to step into their full power and autonomy.

Today on the show I have a follow up episode from season one with my good friend Karis Harlon. After a conscious conception of her baby Wren - Karis went on to have a wild pregnancy and freebirth. Expecting her second birth to be a much faster birth than her first - Karis was left surprised when it wasn’t. We talk in detail about the emergence of Wren’s head; which took a while and also how Wren took a little while to take her first breathe. Karis mentions how she knew this was a possibility and was calm and centered in this process; helping her baby come earth side gently and in her own time. We also discuss how different the process may have been if she was in hospital or even if she had a midwife present at home. Karis and I have such a good rapport so you should really enjoy this chat between us. Lots of laughs and lots of fun - enjoy!

About Karis:

I’m a passionate and vibrant sovereign woman! I am a mother of two beautiful girls and married to my soul mate.

My family and I have recently moved into a caravan and are travelling up North for 3 months. We own 160 acres just outside of Noosa QLD and are shaping our dream of living off grid and sustainably on our land!

I’m passionate about health and wellness. I love working with women to connect and inspire them to reignite their sovereignty!

You can follow our journey as a connected family making our way to our off grid land at way_to_haven. Or, you can read more about my wild pregnancy and free birth at sovereign_mother.

Today on the show I have the beautiful and sunny Taylor Bland. Taylor is a Mum to two, co-founder of H.E.R.B.A.L birth training as well as a birth attendant herself. Wow - where to start with this one. Taylor’s story is epic - I totally wasn’t prepared for it. We chat about a lot - her homebirth transfer with her first, her surrogate journey where she carried twins, miscarriage and then also the horrific story of having her son removed from her when she questioned the medical treatment he was receiving for Leukemia. Like Ash in my last episode Taylor reminded me yet again that there is such strength and growth in adversity. The freebirth of Taylor’s baby Micah was such a beautiful and healing story. Enjoy!

About Taylor:

Taylor is a mom of two beautiful boys, Noah and Micah, a Florida birth attendant, and co-founder of HERBAL Training, a holistic birth worker training and birth education program.

After a traumatic home birth transfer with her oldest, she jumped into birth work, experiencing an immaculate journey of growth between finding where she was supposed to be as a birthkeeper, enduring a stressful twin surrogacy, then a medical freedom battle with her oldest, and experiencing a second trimester loss.

Finally, in February 2021, after a spiritual, wild pregnancy, her rainbow baby, Micah, arrived earthside quickly and powerfully, completely unassisted. She hopes to share the lessons of her battles and the joys of her magical birth with others so they can feel the same power and bond that she longed for for so long, and finally achieved!

Today on the show I speak to my good friend Ashley Hewitt. Ashley is an ex emergency nurse and mother of 2. Amaya her first, was born at home in a beautiful homebirth. And even though she was really happy with her experience, after being introduced to freebirth she knew she could be even better! For Arlo her second born she had a wonderful wild pregnancy and planned freebirth. During her pregnancy at around 36 weeks, Ashley’s Mum sadly passed away, after a long illness. It made me realise that, even though it can be hard - adversity doesn’t always have to be detrimental and it can often have the opposite effect - finding so much strength and wisdom in it, as Ashley did. Enjoy this chat with two friends:)

About Ashley:

Ashley is an ex emergency nurse and mother of two who lives in Perth, Western Australia. After a beautiful Homebirth with her first - Ashley realised she would never go back to the medical system in her carer as a nurse or to birth. When she first heard of freebirth Ashley thought it was something she could never do but little did she know - just a year later she would decide to take this path herself and have the most wonderful Freebirth supported by her husband and best friend. Ashley is now super motivated to educate and support women to birth in their power and is starting a pregnancy and post partum doula business.

Today on the show I speak with doula and mother of two - Amber Kevill. Amber had her first baby in the birth centre and went on plan a homebirth with a private midwife for her second. And although Amber never spoke the words aloud she managed to self manifest an accidental freebirth. I found it really interesting hearing Amber’s process and the fight inside her to decide what she really wanted. Amber said she felt a lot of judgement around freebirth and this is partially why this decision was so hard. Like so many Mum’s that freebirth - Amber is your normal, down to earth Mum who isn’t particularly hippy or alternative - just well researched around birth! Enjoy the conversation. About Amber: Hi, my name is Amber. I am a Birth Doula, Hypnobirthing Educator and I also run an Instagram account @Doulalibrary sharing birth resources which feeds my passion for reading and education. I am a mother of 2 children. After my son was a straight forward but quick birth centre birth in 2017 I feared a fast accidental unassisted 2nd birth. This lead me into the freebirthing world where I have held support groups and met many wonderful women. For baby 2 I decided not to freebirth but to homebirth with an Independent Midwife, however baby had other ideas and lessons for me.

Welcome to Season 2 of the Renegade Mama. I very excited to have as my first guest of the season Midwife and Indie Birth founder Maryn Green. I love Maryn’s work and especially her birth videos to be extremely inspiring. Maryn has 10 kids (yes you heard me right) - and consequently a whole heap of first hand experience of birth, as well technical knowledge from her midwifery training. We managed (believe it or not) to chat through all her births as well as her own birth. We cover on topics from hospital birth, to homebith, to homebirth transfer, freebirth, placenta delivery, pain free births, patterning in births or lack there of! I thank Maryn for being so being so open and sharing her births and life with us and I think this is fabulous way to start the season! If you haven’t already - check her stuff out and indiebirth.org.

About Maryn :

My journey into the world of birth actually began with the birth of my first child in a hospital. I didn’t even know home birth was an option. I was frustrated with the hospital experience I had and began searching for other options for my second birth. I eventually connected with a doula who introduced me to the idea of home birth, and alongside the midwife I hired last minute, guided me safely through a loving second birth experience. I decided to become a midwife to help women in the same way.

I co-founded Indie Birth and our various offerings to inform, educate, and support women on their path. I feel divinely lucky to be intimately a part of the life cycle. I live with my husband of 17 years and our 10 children (yes, you read that right) in Arizona. Life is good!

QUALIFICATIONS

I was educated in the apprenticeship model, and completed a 4 year apprenticeship. I’ve completed formal midwifery studies and obtained a midwifery license in Arizona (which I later gave back, but that’s another great story!). I’ve held the Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) certification since 2009 and have run my own homebirth midwifery practice for nearly 12 years.

For my final episode of the season I have gotten up close and personal with my wonderful husband Oliver. I wanted to record this episode to give you an insight into a male's perspective on birth, but also to be a little bit vulnerable and share my story. We chat about our surprise conception of our first child Charlie, our homebirth transfer and the postpartum period. We also discussed the freebirth of our second child Stella, and the huge changes we both underwent during the period from our first to our second. I hope you enjoy this intimate conversation between a dad and his podcasting wife!

Today on the show I speak to Jenny Blyth. Jenny is a birth worker and educator and author of The Down To Earth Birth Book. Jenny had her first child back in 1979 and it was really interesting to hear what her journey for pregnancy and birth was like back then. Her first birth a hospital birth and last two were freebirths at home. Her approach to doing something that was seemingly “radical” was just so gentle, calm and normal. I sometimes find in the birth world that we can have a tendency to be “fighting for our rights” (and with good reason too) - but maybe there is another way? A simpler way? That doesn’t include fighting or asking permission. Simply by being and doing. We also talk about Jenny’s work in Laos, people using freebirth as a scapegoat, her advice for birth preparation, community birth and I also hear about the body work that she does. What I like about Jenny is her ability to have things flow and not be forceful in her approach to life - while still getting things done! Truly embracing her feminine energy! Thank you Jenny for being on the podcast - it was truly an honour! About Jenny: Jenny is an independent birthworker, birth educator, bodyworker and now Spinning Babies® Approved Trainer. She has been supporting women and families through natural birth at home since 1980. Her birthwork focuses on cultivating body awareness, self-help skills and self-responsibility - to realise potential in birth and reduce trauma for mothers, parents, the baby and care providers. Her bodywork practice specialises in pelvic bodywork for wellbeing, balance, comfort and healing. Jenny has been teaching body-oriented Birthwork workshops to professionals, bodyworkers and parents for over 15 years, both in Australia and overseas, often co-teaching with Fiona Hallinan for the ‘Creative Ways of Making Space for Babies’ Workshop Series. Jenny is also project co-ordinator for Lao Birthwork, teaching hands-on and emergency skills to health staff in remote areas of Northern Laos. She lives in the Australian bush with her partner. They are parents of 3 grown adults and have 3 grandchildren. Jenny is also an author - Birthwork and The Down to Earth Birth Book, and filmmaker - A World of Birthworkers, The Big Stretch and The Big Stretch Sequel. You can contact Jenny through http://www.birthwork.com

Today on the show I speak with author and academic Dr Rachel Reed. Rachel is an ex-private homebirth midwife who gave up her practise for both political and personal reasons. Like all my interviews - we start with Rachel’s own birth and then chat about the births of her two children - her first when she was only 19. We then go onto her academic career and of course - the politics of birth! What I love about Rachel is; firstly, she is an extremely knowledgeable academic but at the same time - she is incredibly down to earth and completely woman centred in her approach. Personally her research has really helped inform me over the years - so if you have any birth questions - go check out her blog Midwife Thinking. I also love the fact that Rachel is openly supportive of freebirth - so refreshing in a world were people are pro-choice, until it comes to freebirth! Thank you so much Rachel for your work - it’s just what the world needs right now!

About Rachel:

Dr Rachel Reed is a midwife, academic, author, and international speaker who focuses on childbirth physiology, midwifery practice, and women's rights (and rites). She has provided midwifery care for many women and has attended births in a wide range of settings and circumstances. Rachel is the author of the award-winning blog MidwifeThinking and the co-host of The Midwives' Cauldron podcast. She has published widely in journals and magazines, and her first book Why Induction Matters is a popular resource for women and care providers. Her most recent book Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage: weaving ancient wisdom with modern knowledge will be published early 2021. Further information about Rachel and her work is available at www.rachel-reed.website

Today on the show I speak with Azure Rigney. Azure’s first daughter Mia was born at 37 weeks in hospital where she had a traumatic experience of her baby being taken away from her, despite her having an APGAR of 9. After this experience and finding out that homebirth was her preferred choice (an option she wasn’t even given or made aware of in her first pregnancy) - she went on to have 2 magical home births which were very fast - just like her first birth. At the time Azure was in the defence force and she consciously used her homebirths as precedent to help change their maternity policy. She now uses her knowledge and experience to lobby the government and other peak bodies to change their policies around maternity care so all choices are included and funded and ultimately to fight for human rights in childbirth. I really admire Azure’s political drive to help everyday women have access to care that they deserve and need - people like her are really needed in this world, so thank you Azure!

Azure Bio : Azure Rigney is a Brisbane Mum of 3 who experienced a dramatic journey from maiden to matrescence. She has learned to advocated for herself and her babies in order to set precedent for other women to have access to all choices and autonomy in maternity care within some of the most patriarchal institutions in Australia.

Birth video https://vimeo.com/413050743

Consumer groups

https://www.facebook.com/MaternityChoicesAU/

https://www.facebook.com/maternityconsumernetwork/

https://www.facebook.com/homebirthaustralia/

https://www.facebook.com/SafeMotherhoodForAll/

Petitions https://maternalhealth.good.do/maternalhealth/MaternityAdvocacy/?fbclid=IwAR0QOqS6ZJGfn33YNDjXg_W3RxzynCbEm6CCEuBK2EY_cf71vir18lk-NSI

https://www.birthtime.world/campaign

Today on the show I speak to my brother Alex and sister in law Laura about their freebirth of their firstborn child Chloe. Alex and Laura aren’t your ‘typical’ freebirthers - if there is such a thing! Laura works in a hospital ED as a Physio and Alex works in the family business as a plumber. They aren’t hippy or particularly political about birth - (although I think this has changed a little after having Chloe) but after researching they came to the understanding that birth works best when it’s left alone. And it certainly paid off for them. I think this interview is great for a number of reasons - it’s not often we hear a male view of birth and of course it’s so important when they are such an integral part of the process. I also love how you can see clearly in the interview how much they trust each other and also how Alex really made sure Laura was protected in her pregnancy and birth journey. The role of birthing partner can often be underestimated and I can’t stress enough; how important and helpful it is when you partner is onboard. I had lots of laughs in this one and the convo really flowed because - well we’re family! Enjoy listening.

More about Alex and Laura:

Hi, I’m Laura! I’m 31 and have been working as a Physiotherapist for the last 9 years in one of Perth’s tertiary hospitals. I’m very passionate about being healthy and active. I’m so lucky to have found Alex when I was 19yo- we have shared so many special moments and memories growing up together. The birth of our first daughter, Chloe, will be one to remember!

Hey I’m Alex!

I’m a 32 year old plumber from Perth.

I love being outdoors, going to the beach, sailing and playing footy on the weekends.

During summer I try to get out on the water as much as possible.

I have been with my wife Laura for 13 years and we have really enjoyed living life together. We have traveled the world and more recently started a family with our new daughter Chloe.

Today on the show I speak to my friend and yoga teach Narelle Lullfitz. I am incredibly honoured that Narelle let me in on one of the most personal experiences of her life - the stillbirth of her baby boy Kuruna. Narelle had both her babies at home under a community midwifery program and she emphasis that she had a really beautiful experience with her midwife. The aftermath of what happened due to government regulations though sounded really traumatic. I hope by talking about this topic I may help others that have experienced stillbirth or help give understanding for those who have not. Stillbirth is a rarely talked about and somewhat taboo topic but something we should treat with respect, honour and reverence because this is life and every life matters. Every life has wisdom in it: no matter how short it is. I respect that not everyone may be wanting or ready to hear this story - please choose to listen if it feels right for you.

About Narelle:

Narelle works mostly with women in reclaiming understanding of their relationship with the natural cycles within a day, month, season, year and life. Her work is offered through Hatha Yoga classes, private sessions and workshops. She also shares her understanding of Ayurvedic medicine within private consultation, treatments. Nurturing herself daily with practices from Yoga and Ayurvedic medicine, she continues her learning of these sciences and their offering to modern lifestyle. Being a mother of a beautiful daughter Maya, she understands that life as a parent can be difficult at times. This is why she endeavours to make her daily home routine simple, efficient and nurturing. Narelle opened Palmyra Yoga Shala as a way to offer this into the community.

You can find more about Narelle and what she does here: https://www.palmyrayoga.com.au/

Today on the show I speak with former homebirth midwife and women’s mysteries teacher - Jane Hardwicke Collings. I was so excited to chat to Jane as her work totally resonates with me and the way I think. I love her Aussie, no bullshit approach! And I must admit I am a total fan girl of hers. We chat about her life to date and her journey from studying midwifery, becoming a homebirth midwife, then to the birth of her first child, a planned homebirth turned c-section, and then her subsequent home births for her next two babes. We also chat about what lessons are learnt from each birth and how this lesson needs to be brought to parenting that child. She talks about the growth from each birth and how massive that is and how she thought you could never have any more growth than that… until she went through menopause. We really touch on every rite of passage for women from menarche to menopause. Jane is an intelligent spiritual leader for this time and has so much wisdom and understanding of this world - particularly birth. I came away so inspired from this chat and I know you will do too.

About Jane: Jane Hardwicke Collings is a grandmother, former homebirth midwife for 30 years,

teacher, writer and menstrual educator. She gives workshops in Australia and

internationally on mother and daughter preparation for menstruation, the spiritual

practice of menstruation, and the sacred dimensions of pregnancy, birth and

menopause – a modern day Women’s Mysteries Teacher.

Jane practised as a homebirth midwife for 30 years, this work from her late 20’s to

early 50’s informed her worldview and brought focus to her knowing of what’s

possible when women feel safe. Through her own life experiences, her learning and

research of ancient and modern shamanic practices, evolutionary biology, psychology,

spirituality, the ecology of the Sacred Feminine, and as a student of the Earth, she has

found a common thread that weaves and connects our lives from one moment to the

next and to each other, everyone and everything. With this awareness and her

teachers’ guidance and help she developed a way to teach this.

Jane founded and runs The School of Shamanic Womancraft, an international

Women’s Mysteries School. The School, through Jane and other graduate Teachers

offers year, and two year long, in depth immersions into the self and one’s

relationship with all that is. The program offers a focus on ‘Know Thyself’ and is

more than anything a grand awakening for each individual woman as she comes to

know who she really is when she separates her self from the misogynist, power over

paradigm of the patriarchal culture. A profound and epic healing happens when

women reclaim their body and their functions and remember that they do not visit

Nature, they are Nature.

Reclaiming Feminine Power, through Reconnection with the Women’s Mysteries…

Today on the show I speak to German living in Australia Antonia Unger. Antonia’s first child was born in German at home with what she describes as a medwife. After this birth Antonia suffered a massive postpartum haemorrhage at home from what she believes was cord traction by the midwife. She felt uncared for and severely weak after this birth.

For her second pregnancy she was in Australia and found the care of an absolutely wonderful midwife. She had a fairly straight forward pregnancy and birth but suffered greatly in her postpartum period. Antonia’s midwife was her saving grace and her story really shows the value of a good midwife .

For her third pregnancy - Antonia was planning a freebirth. Even though she was planning a freebirth, she still hired the same midwife, as she really saw the value of having someone walk with her in pregnancy and especially the postpartum period. This last birth though, was everything Antonia had wished for and postpartum period was easy. She even describes this birth as pain free - something I haven’t experienced but think is totally possible!

Antonia’s little girl Freya joins us for this interview so enjoy the baby gurgles towards the end!

About Antonia:

Im Antonia, Doula, radical birth advocate (who happily calls out the bullshit women are being fed) and freebirther. After yet another wild pregnancy and having two homebirths with a midwife present, I recently birthed my daughter free at our home here in Perth.

Through my own innate trust into a womens birthing body and then realising that that wasn’t the case for everybody I was lead to the work I do now. I support women on their journey of owning their birth in complete confidence, autonomy and sovereignty by leading them back to their intuition, guiding them on their way to their own individual break throughs, letting go of their own inner child(hood) trauma and releasing the patterns of their ancestral maternal lineage.

www.antoniaunger.com

Insta - the_antonia_unger

Today on the show I speak to Aboriginal Australian and Wiradjuri and Ngemba/Wayilwan woman Fleur Magick Dennis. Fleur is Mum to 4 children - 3 of whom she birthed on country - or as Fleur explains to me in our discussion the term she prefers is birthing as country. Her births sound amazing - almost idyllic and dream like. She talks about one birth and how she birthed outside by the river, in-between the gorges - truely magic. Fleur is incredibly insightful, eloquent and really gave me so much understanding of the Aboriginal culture surrounding birth. The spiritual teachings and preparations she talks about are really interesting and totally marry up with the science of birth - which is not surprising to me at all. Really we all have so much to learn from our first nations people and I am incredibly glad that Fleur agreed to come on the show and share her wisdom. She talks about the ceremonies for her placentas and her newborn babies that she did, also about birth and death being intrinsically linked and women’s business. She also talks about the fear from indigenous and non indigenous people about her decision to birth out bush. She explains to me about how up until the 60’s Aboriginal women weren’t even allowed to birth in hospitals (something I did not know) and how some family thought what she was doing birthing out in the bush was counterproductive to what they had fought for. Australia’s history with our indigenous people is unfortunately very dark and often hidden but Fleur’s work is really helping open up a lot of peoples eyes. Lastly she suggests - for those of us in a privileged position how we can help our indigenous sisters. I came away from this chat so inspired and wanting to know so much more - so I will have to have her back! Thank you Fleur. About Fleur - Fleur Magick Dennis is a Wiradjuri and Ngemba/Wayilwan woman and a mother of four boys. Fleur birthed three out of her four sons in the bush as sacred Aboriginal cultural births. Fleur and her mother & female family members undertook women’s business ceremonies in Country for each of her sons. You can access more about Fleur’s birth stories here: https://www.womenandbirth.org/article/S1871-5192(19)30259-8/fulltext To support Waminda’s Birthing On Country program go here: https://au.gofundme.com/f/birthing-on-country To learn more about Aboriginal cultural birthing issues and decolonisation of birth go here: https://instagram.com/birthingourway?igshid=1a5bryq4ggfa6

Today on the show I speak with Birthkeeper, educator and co- founder of H.E.R.B.A.L - Desirae Miller. Herbal is a Holistic Doula and Birthkeeper training and mainly focuses on Freebirth. Desirae really opened up my eyes to a whole new world of freebirth. We chat about the many varied reasons why women choose to freebirth and how important it is to respect a women’s autonomy regardless of their choices. What I also found really interesting was her telling me stories of supporting drug addicted mothers to freebirth. Such an important section of society to support as they can often be the most vulnerable and underserved. We also chat about her births, how mindset is 90% of birth preparation, doing your own medical prenatal in pregnancy and ultimately just everything Freebirth. Enjoy!

About Desirae:

Desirae Miller is a mother of 4, freebirther (X2), freebirth advocate, radical home birth lay attendant, co-founder of H.E.R.B.A.L. Doula and Birthkeeper training, and owner of The Pennsylvania Birthkeeper; Empowering Birth & Beyond. Her passions are unassisted/freebirth, female fertility, and serving women. Desirae is located in central Pennsylvania, serving those within 3 hours distance in multiple states who choose to forgo captive birth, and take control of their own birth in choosing freebirth. She firmly believes that unassisted birth is the only birth where the individual giving birth has complete control of their birth, and the only environment where she can fully support a woman in her autonomous choices. She likes to create a sacred bond and connection with those she serves; holding more of a friendship connection than a governing provider of services. https://www.facebook.com/empoweringbirthandbeyond & pennsylvaniabirthkeeper.com

Desirae speaks on and shares information pertaining to natural birth, freebirth, the spiritual and energetic aspects of child birth, as well as unassisted fertility, pregnancy, birth, and child rearing. She is currently working on the release of an in depth fertility course, and has an unassisted birth book in the works to be released in the upcoming year. In her free time she runs a freebirth advocacy project called The Birth Set Free Project, with multiple magazines pertaining to freebirth. The magazines include birth stories, photos, and informationals for those who may be considering freebirth, including information for their partners. You can learn more about Birth Set Free at https://birthsetfreeproject.org/

Desirae along with her business partner Taylor with H.E.R.B.A.L., train individuals in person all across the US on how to support women in their child bearing years. Teaching on fertility, unassisted lifestyle, pregnancy, labor, birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum support, placenta preparation, and more. Their online academy holds 3 certifying courses (with 2 more on the way!); Doula & Birthkeeper, Placenta Preparation Specialist, and Peer Lactation Consultant. There are also multiple educational courses, as well as free informational webinars pertaining to pregnancy and birth. The courses can be viewed by clicking this link: https://herbal.teachable.com/?affcode=274683_htw1ma-j. A 20% discount for all online courses is being offered to all of the Renegade Mama listeners! To take advantage of this deal, use code RENEGADEMAMA at checkout. To learn more about H.E.R.B.A.L. head to herbal-training.com

Today on the show I speak with my good friend Karis Harlon. Karis is currently 9 weeks pregnant and is having a wild pregnancy and freebirth. The theme of the podcast is conscious conception and fertility (or infertility depending on the way you look at it!). We talk in detail about her journey to conception this time (which took about 7 months) and the differences of the conception journey with her daughter Finn which took about 3 years. We also talk about Finn’s birth, her struggles breastfeeding, morning sickness, periods, and why she chose not to take a pregnancy test. We have a few good laughs and question everything about why we do what we do in pregnancy and birth. Karis is open minded, truthful, aware and great to chat with. Enjoy!

About Karis:

Hi! My name is Karis Harlon. I am a passionate, loyal, honest and caring sovereign being, mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend. I love nothing more than connecting women and watching the magic unfold. Birth, pregnancy and motherhood are some of my favourite topics. I truly believe that each conception, pregnancy, birth and postpartum period launches us into some of the most profound growth and expansion of our lives. My three year old daughter was born at home, with the support of a private midwife after an almost 3 year journey to conceive her. I am currently pregnant with my next spirit baby after an incredible 9 month conception journey. This will be a wild pregnancy for us and I am planning on giving birth at home with the support of... well, me. Feel free to follow my very honest and vulnerable journey on my Instagram account Sovereign_mother or connect with me through my business Sovereignbeings.

Love and Blessings,

Karis Harlon

Today on the show I speak with Canadian teacher and homeschooler Jessica Wallace. Jessica part time homeschools her own children as well as tutoring other homeschooled children. She chats about prioritising the joy of learning and how we can view learning as exciting and inspiring rather than a task. We also chat about the Finnish system where transversal life skills are prioritised over a strict focus of academics. When kids really want to learn - it all becomes so much easier! Jessica experience teaching everywhere from Canada, to the cayman island to Australia in various methodologies has produced her very interesting and unique view on education. Enjoy!

About Jessica:

For the last twenty years Jessica Wallace has been developing and teaching inspirational curriculum (including Waldorf, Montessori, Mainstream, Private Schools, Outdoor Schools, Pre-schools, University and College) in Australia, Canada and the Caribbean, to a wide range of students, community members and organizations diverse in age, socio-economic status, and cultural backgrounds. In the Cayman Islands, Jessica worked as the Education Manager for the National Gallery, the Art Teacher for both the Primary and High side of St. Ignatius Catholic School, an Adjunct Professor for the University College of the Cayman Island’s Teacher Training Program, as well as the Humanities Instructor for International College of the Cayman Islands. Combined with teaching at Haliburton School of Art and Design, Sir Sandford Fleming College of Fine Arts since 2006, completing her Honours Psychology Thesis on “Self-Fulfilling Prophecies and Teacher Expectations in Education” and years of teaching elementary school in Ontario, Canada, Jessica’s experiences have allowed her to create and implement numerous empowering, cross-curricular, nature and community based, student-directed learning opportunities (while integrating all educational aspects of the Australian, Canadian, U.K., and Cayman National Curriculums). Jessica is currently the Director of Inspired Education Perth, a private tutoring company for home-schooled/unschooled/free-schooled students and co-founder of Conscious Education Eco Centre Perth, with Gillian Howarth.

As a published author, Jessica has recently had the opportunity to reach beyond the limits of the education system to work with WA’s ancient Indigenous People, co-authoring the “Biboolmirn Welcome to Country” with local {Ab} Original, Joe Collard. Jessica’s books continue to communicate her passion, energy, and commitment to educating and empowering communities by encouraging creative, hands-on, flexible and open-ended activities that can help people resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, develop a growth mindset and achieve insight.

Jessica Wallace has been an avid artist for her entire life, opening her first solo-exhibition before she turned sixteen, exhibiting internationally, and establishing herself as a Professional Artist across the globe. Shortly after she curated the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands UP Exhibition, she began her certification as a Yoga Instructor. Jessica completed her Yoga and Nia Teacher Training in Canada and provided years of children’s yoga classes to local children. Since moving to Perth, Jessica has become deeply engaged with learning from and connecting to nature, permaculture and providing educational opportunities for all ages, outside of the box.

Today on the show I speak with postpartum doula and author of the book Nourishing Newborn Mothers - Julia Jones. Julia’s passion is about making sure newborn mothers are just as well looked after as newborn babies. Julia talks about her first and second postpartum period and how she needed for something more. By her third she got it right and had what she calls her ten thousand dollar postpartum. In a world where so much focus is just on the birth - I admire her work in this area and encourage you to explore how you can be looked after in your postpartum. Enjoy!

Julia Jones is a postnatal doula leading a worldwide renaissance in the way we care for Newborn Mothers. She has created a new paradigm for postpartum care by merging traditional medicine and culture with cutting-edge research on hormones and neurology.

Julia is the author of both Nourishing Newborn Mothers - Ayurvedic Recipes to Heal your Mind, Body and Soul after Childbirth and Newborn Mothers - When a Baby is Born So is a Mother (www.newbornmothers.com/books/). Julia is also the creator of the worldwide leading education resource for postpartum professionals: Newborn Mothers Collective (www.newbornmothers.com/training).

Today on the show I speak to Dr Clare Davison. Clare is a privately practising midwife who attends births at home as well as in hospital. She is also an academic who holds a PhD and she is a lecturer in midwifery at Edith Cowan University here in Perth, Western Australia. Clare and I chat all things birth and feminism. We start by chatting about her own births - always my favourite way to start an interview. We then chat about working inside the system, working outside the system, changing the system or maybe creating a new one? Ultimately a birth revolution! Clare is the woman who is changing the face of birth by educating the next generation of midwives and I am very grateful for her work, knowledge and passion.

Dr Clare Davison is a midwife, academic and feminist. Clare is passionate about promoting and supporting physiological birth and working with women so that they can be empowered in their birth choices. Clare combines these passions by working as an independent midwife, providing holistic continuity of care to women; and as an academic teaching and hoping to inspire the next generation of midwives.

Today on the show I speak with Billie Harrigan who has worked in the birth world for over 35 years. This is the interview that has it all! Having 7 children of her own - she has experienced a lot first hand herself as well as with other families she has helped. We chat everything from hospital birth to homebirth, doulaing to being a birth companion, breastfeeding, homeschooling and I learn about trauma informed care. I love speak to our elders who have been there and done it - so much wisdom in their words. Thank you Billie - enjoy the listen! Billie’s Bio: I've been working with birthing families for 35 years as a mentor, breastfeeding counsellor, childbirth educator, doula, and traditional birth attendant. As a trainer for doulas, childbirth educators and breastfeeding counsellors, I taught students and medical professionals in over 120 countries and was a contributing editor for continuing education for nurses and midwives. I'm the Founder and Director of Birth Trauma Ontario, which is an advocacy and educational agency to help equip all maternity professionals in the skills of trauma informed care and to understand the causes of and solutions for birth-related trauma. I authored the world's first accredited certification course for becoming a trauma-informed professional specific to caring for the perinatal client. I've been blessed with 38 years married to one terrific guy, 7 wonderful children, and a few adorable grandchildren. I home schooled for 20 years along the way as well as invested in learning about holistic health care and developed a love of making herbal potions. When I'm not advocating, educating, concocting, or at a birth, I enjoy time with my riotous, hilarious, and fantastic family.

Today on the show I speak with American Yoga teacher and Freebirther Erica Davis. Erica free birthed her first baby a little over a year ago, here in Perth, Western Australia. We chat right from the pre-conception phase and her experience of having an IUD removed to her long but beautiful birth. We end talking about the postpartum period and how important it is for us to take responsibility in asking for help, putting in boundaries and ultimately making sure we are looked after. We end speaking about the importance of women connecting and being in their power - and how this can scare some men! Erica is real, fun and has some great insight and views about birth. Enjoy!

Bio:

Erica Davis has always been on a radical path, in search of herSelf.

Wanderlust brought her to Southern California to study photography, then onto Hawaii to study yoga.

Her teaching travels eventually took her to Australia where she met her future husband on a 60km bicycle ride. They’ve been inseparable since.

Erica’s yoga teaching led her to New Zealand where she directed the best studios in Auckland and cultivated a thriving yoga community for 7 years.

Free birthing her first child fully radicalised her into wild mothering, feminism, sovereignty, and freedom. It’s now her greatest honour to guide women back to their wild and wise selves through sisterhood and support. You can find her at thewildkeeper.comn the show I speak with American Yoga teacher and Freebirther Erica Davis. Erica free birthed her first baby a little over a year ago, here in Perth, Western Australia. We chat right from the pre-conception phase and her experience of having an IUD removed to her long but beautiful birth. We end talking about the postpartum period and how important it is for us to take responsibility in asking for help, putting in boundaries and ultimately making sure we are looked after. We end speaking about the importance of women connecting and being in their power - and how this can scare some men! Erica is real, fun and has some great insight and views about birth. Enjoy!

Bio:

Erica Davis has always been on a radical path, in search of herSelf.

Wanderlust brought her to Southern California to study photography, then onto Hawaii to study yoga.

Her teaching travels eventually took her to Australia where she met her future husband on a 60km bicycle ride. They’ve been inseparable since.

Erica’s yoga teaching led her to New Zealand where she directed the best studios in Auckland and cultivated a thriving yoga community for 7 years.

Free birthing her first child fully radicalised her into wild mothering, feminism, sovereignty, and freedom. It’s now her greatest honour to guide women back to their wild and wise selves through sisterhood and support. You can find her at thewildkeeper.com

Today on the show I speak with Free Birth Society’s Emilee Saldaya. We chat about Emilee's journey to now, her 13 years of doula work and how she got to where she is today with her Radical Birth Keeper School. We also chat about her epic 52 hour birth, feminism and birth, the backlash she has received and how she deals with it. We end talking about walking your talk, having integrity and the hope for the future. A birth revolution is happening and it starts with you! Bio: Emilee Saldaya is the trail blazing leader and founder of Free Birth Society. She was a doula for over ten years, until the reality of her complicity with the obstetric system and the harms that it does to women and babies prompted her to find a better way. In aligning with freebirth, Emilee's dharmic path became clear. She quickly evolved into a "Radical Birth Keeper" who serves women birthing outside the system. She founded Free Birth Society prior to the conscious conception of her first child, and went on to give birth to her daughter freely, on Maui, Hawaii. Emilee’s acclaimed podcast (“The Free Birth Society Podcast”) quickly became a fan favorite and has reached millions of people. Emilee is an inspiring and inspired coach, with the ability to immediately hone in on the self-sabotage and mental blocks that keep women stuck in unproductive patterns. Her approach is warm, kind, ferocious, and transformational, giving her clients the spacious witnessing that allows them to step into their power. Emilee lives in Colorado, and frequently travels internationally as a speaker, coach, and leader.

Today on the show I speak with Finnish architect, philosopher and creator of The Free To Heal method Maria Nordin. Maria’s journey is an interesting one. Born with two uteruses she had two highly medicalised pregnancies including one c-section. In her journey to health and realising her own power Maria’s 3rd pregnancy was completely different and she had a beautiful homebirth. Something she never thought was possible. We chat about breech birth and how using her method she was able to help her baby turn from breech to head down. I really love her work and currently doing her course which is super interesting so far. Enjoy!

Biography:

I studied architecture at Aalto University in Helsinki and philosophy of architecture in ETSAB, Barcelona. I hold a Master of Science in Architecture degree with an emphasis in history and theory of architecture. After my studies I became interested in the impact that architecture and indoor air and have in human health, and so I became an Indoor Air Specialist. I worked as as specialist of hyper-healthy housing a and office spaces for almost 10 years. During that time I fell mysteriously ill and became hypersensitive to environmental factors. I searched help form doctors, specialists with no success. My personal experience encouraged me to investigate the power of the mind and consciousness. In few months I cured from my sensitivities and other health problems by using a neuroplasticity. For two years I studied the power of the mind and developed a method that leverages concepts of neuroplasticity, microbiome modification and unconscious stress elimination to truly transform your health & life. And this is something I want to teach everyone else. With gratitude and love, Maria

Maria's website: www.freetoheal.org

Today on the show I speak with Dr Rixa Freeze. Rixa's PhD is all about Freebirth in America and she herself has also had a combination of free births and midwife attended births at home. We chat through her 4 births - including one birth where she preformed resuscitation on her baby girl. We also chat about Rixa’s non for profit organisation - Breech with out Borders and how vaginal breech birth in todays world is nearly extinct. Rixa is a lively academic who has studied birth extensively but also has lived it herself. I really like our conversation.

Please visit the below links to find more about Rixa and support her important work.

Reteach Breech fundraiser: https://chuffed.org/project/reteachbreech

Breech Without Borders: breechwithoutborders.org

Stand and Deliver: http://rixarixa.blogspot.com/

Inga’s birth story and video with neonatal resuscitation: http://rixarixa.blogspot.com/2011/03/ingas-birth-story-part-1.html

Bio:

Dr. Rixa Freeze has a PhD in American Studies from the University of Iowa. Her doctoral studies focused on the history of healthcare and medicine with specialization in pregnancy, childbirth, and maternity care. Her dissertation examined why women in North America choose unassisted home births. She has published two articles about home birth: “Staying Home to Give Birth: Why Women in the United States Choose Home Birth” (JMWH 2009) and “Attitudes Towards Home Birth in the USA” (Expert Review of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2010). In 2018 she published the article “Breech birth at home: Outcomes of 60 breech and 109 cephalic planned home and birth center births” with BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth. She published another article about breech in Midwifery Today ("The Bottom Line on Breech") and a book chapter “Freebirth in the United States” in the book Birthing Outside the System: The Canary in the Coal Mine.

Rixa's current research interests include human rights in childbirth, autonomy and informed consent, and vaginal breech birth. She worked as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Wabash College from 2011-2019. In 2018 she founded Breech Without Borders, a nonprofit organization dedicated to translating existing material about breech into multiple languages and to making information about breech more accessible to both parents and health care professionals. In addition to running Breech Without Borders, she teaches vaginal breech training workshops with Dr. David Hayes.

Today on the show I speak with Anita Katherine better know as The Midwitch. Anita describes herself as a womens circle facilitator, birth activist and run her own podcast - The Midwitch. We start off speaking about women’s circles and how they were a catalyst for her stepping into her own power. We then talk about her first birth - which was a homebirth with the community midwifery program. She says she had a beautiful midwife and a beautiful birth but didn’t realise she had choices - she just felt “lucky” she had been accepted into the program and that she better “tow” the line. She discusses - not thinking for herself at times in this birth - something I can completely relate to! Her second pregnancy though - she decided to step into her full power and had wild pregnancy and freebirth. We also touch on fears and doubts when you have decided to freebirth, siblings at birth and struggles in the post part period. I really enjoyed talking to Anita as she was so on the same page as me and I hope you do to!

Biography: Anita is a mama of 2 and a birth and space holder, walking women through the inner work of birth preparation.

She believes women and birth are nature and spirit led and combines ritual, womancraft and birth education, in inviting mothers into their birthing power.

She is the Midwitch Podcast and Midwitch School Membership founder and creator, and facilitates Women’s Circles, 1:1 and group mentoring.

Today on the show I speak with The Brighter Mama - Shóna McFox. Her first birth was a planned birth centre birth and her second birth was a planned homebirth with the community midwifery program. At the 11th hour in her second birth, Shona decided to have a freebirth - something she had really wanted from the start. What I love about Shóna is her complete transparency, and also her awareness of herself and her processes during her pregnancy and labour. We also talk about conditioning and how strong it is and how it can sometimes override our intuition. Shona is relatable, has an open heart and is a great story teller. Did I mention she has a wonderful Irish accent too!

Shóna's Bio:

Shóna is a mum of two incredible girls...two girls who have inspired her to go within herself and really peel back the layers on who SHE IS! Since having her first daughter 4.5 years ago she has realised her calling...not only to be a mother...but to provide spaces where she could honour the reverence of what it truly means to be a mother. She holds space and creates ceremonies for mother blessings, mother circles and healing birth circles honouring and blessing all mothers she has the privilege of holding space for. After the "accidental" free birth of her second daughter she realised the true power and strength of the birthing women and realised that she has everything she needs inside of her and she has made it her mission to ensure her girls never believe otherwise but to also ignite this belief and flame in every woman she meets.

Today on the show I speak with 90 year old, French obstetrician Michel Odent. Michel has dedicated his life to studying the primal period of life, that being fetal life, birth and the months following. Michele marries together what we know intuitively as Mothers with science. He has wrote many, many, books including; Primal health, Do we need midwives and The future of homo. Michel is incredibly knowledgable and just has so much to share. I had a lot to ask him and we only hit the tip of the iceberg in this interview, but he’s promised to come back again. He’s a warm, generous and fascinating man.

Biography:

Michel Odent studied medicine in Paris and was educated as a surgeon. He has been presented in Lancet as “one of the last real general surgeons”. Dr. Odent was in charge of the surgical and maternity units of the Pithiviers Hospital (France) from 1962 to 1985, where he developed a special interest in environmental factors influencing the birth process. He introduced concepts like home-like birthing rooms and birthing pools in maternity hospitals, and singing sessions for pregnant women. After his hospital career he was involved in home birth. He founded the Primal Health Research Centre in London, and designed a database (primalhealthhresearch.org) in order to compile epidemiological studies. These studies explore correlations between what happens during the “Primal period” and health later on. Odent is the author of the first articles about the initiation of breastfeeding during the hour following birth, the first article about the use of birthing pools during labor, and the first article applying the “Gate Control Theory of Pain” to obstetrics. In a book published in 1986 (“Primal Health”), he provided evidence that homeostasis is established during the “primal period” (fetal life, birth and the months following birth): this is the phase of life when human basic adaptive systems are adjusting their “set point levels”. Odent is the author of 13 books published in 22 languages. In his books he constantly refers to the concept of reduced neocortical activity as a key to rediscover the basic needs of laboring women and to make possible a real “fetus ejection reflex”.

Today on the show I speak with Holistic Birth Consultant Yolande Norris-Clarke. Yolande is the Bauhaus wife and co-runs the Radical Birthkeeper School. We chat about her births starting at her own birth, then her first pregnancy when she was 19 and end at her last birth 8 babies later. We talk about midwifery attended birth, freebirth, miscarriage, ultrasound, midwifery regulations and so much more. Yolande and I had such fun in our conversation and I feel so completely aligned with what she said. I really hope you enjoy it as much as I did. About Yolande: Yolande Norris-Clark is a holistic birth consultant, and writer. Her passion and mission in life is to dispel the myth that childbirth is an ordeal from which we must be “delivered”, and to celebrate birth as the catalyst that it is: for insight, self-love, healing, and spiritual transformation. Yolande is a sought-after coach, and supports women and families all over the world on their path to peaceful birth, and as they recover and heal from birth trauma. She is the co-founder of the Radical Birth Keeper School, a program that trains women in the work of authentic midwifery, and she recently gave birth to her eighth baby, who, like his siblings, was born free, at home.

Today on the show I speak to American midwife, birth educator and freebirther Augustine Colebrook. We talk about her 3 births which include a 5 kg baby, a postpartum haemorrhage and shoulder dystocia which she handled by herself at home. We also talk about birth trauma, birth sovereignty and debate about the law of attraction. While I don’t agree with everything Augustine says and we go around in circles at times - I do love a healthy debate and differing opinions, and I hope you do to . Enjoy! About Augustine: Augustine is a nationally recognized midwifery educator, experienced business executive, and veteran midwife with a heart focused on the underserved. She respects a woman’s need for the empowering feeling of being undisturbed during labor. She balances this attention to the sacred with 20 years experience attending births in hospitals, birth centers, and homes in rural, urban and suburban environments in the US and abroad. Augustine’s focus is finely attuned to the process of letting go and opening to the unknown in labor and in life. Her life's mission is to mainstream midwifery and deconstruct the culture of fear and misinformation that surrounds the maternity world. To that end, Augustine 'midwife's the midwife' through her many education programs, consulting services, product development, podcast and private coaching services for midwives, students, maternity practice owners, and birth center administrators. It is her profound honor to illuminate the sacred path to joyful and sustainable midwifery practice. She has been teaching midwives and students for more than a decade and delights in seeing the 'lightbulb' when a new skill or concept is mastered. Augustine caught her first client’s baby on Mother’s Day 1999 in South Carolina. Over the last 20 years she has been blessed to work with over a 1000 families and hundreds of students. She is a certified professional midwife and a member of the Midwives Alliance of North America, a preceptor with 8 different MEAC accredited schools nationwide, a certified preceptor with the North American Registry of Midwives and a member of the Association of Midwifery Educators. Her newest creation is the Worldwide Midwifery Podcast, uniting the midwives of the world through sharing information, education, support and story. Augustine has been interviewed for Mothering, Parents, and Parenting Magazine, is featured in a chapter of "The Business of Baby" by Jennifer Margulis and appears in the documentary, "The Vaccine Wars" on Frontline NBC. Additionally, Augustine has a master’s degree from Bastyr University in Seattle, WA where she majored in Maternal/Child Health Systems. In her spare time, Augustine leads adventure retreats for women hesitant about the unknown. She loves to travel and is passionate about real food, sustainable communities and clean energy, tiny houses and safe birth that feels sacred.

Today I speak with Gillian Howarth an early childhood teacher who spent 18 years teaching in Australian and overseas schools. After a long decision making process Gill has recently decided to homeschool her 3 boys. Gill is relatable, thoughtful and says that her biggest message is to empower women.

About Gill:

Gill Howarth is an experienced educator, mother of three and yoga/meditation teacher who believes the secret to conscious education lies beyond the boundaries of the school system. With over 18 years experience working in education and studying spirituality, Gill created Born Wise as a space to teach children, families and educators to reconnect with natural learning & inner wisdom. A storyteller at heart and a lover of nature, Gill’s intention is to empower children and adults to revolutionise education for a sustainable future

Today on the show I speak with The Unconventional Parent Adele Allen. We talk about her 3 free births (and how they don’t always have to be perfect or pretty), siblings at birth, extended breastfeeding, self weaning, unschooling, and vaccinations. Adele is bright, honest, knowledgable and like all my guests has so much integrity. Enjoy!

Adele’s Biography:

My name is Adele, I’m 36 and I live very differently to most conventional parents.

I’m married to Matt who is also not your conventional 9-5 working father. He is quite a super hero to us and as well as working part time to support our family, he also battles an autoimmune condition, raises and helps home educate the kids as well as running an allotment, wild sea swimming most days and making delicious healthy food to keep us going!

We have three kids: Ulysses 9 years, Ostara 5 years and Kai 20 months. All our children are beautiful, unvaccinated and highly sensitive spirits. We don’t tell them what to do through arbitrary rules but we do cooperate & set boundaries alongside them through mutually respectful discussions. They learn through imitation and natural consequences. We also practice full term breastfeeding and natural-term weaning.

Ulysses is still learning to read & write, Ostara is Very active and advanced for her age and both Kai and Ulysses still l’Ile to cosleep in our room.

I don’t believe in comparing children to society’s ‘milestones’ and expectations, they are all uniquely different and ready to acquire skills at their own pace and in their own way. No child should ever be judged as being ‘behind’. I love animals and nature and am a pet parent to Noah, a rescue dog and soon to be three rescue hens as well 🐕 🐓🐓🐓 When I was young I wore glasses 👓 and was a selective mute 🤐 up until secondary school. I’m an introvert (probably slightly autistic too if you wanted to label me) and hate groups, preferring to be barefoot in nature & away from people.

I ❤️ to advocate for women, parents & children through media projects, social media and writing ✍️ We live on a shoe string budget in a beautiful council house by the sea in Brighton UK. We claim basic benefits to help with rent but do not use any financial help from the healthcare (NHS) system or the nursery/schooling system. We live frugally, no car 🚗 no holidays 🌞 freecycle & use charity shops.

I love traveling ✈️ One day I would love to world school 🌎& expand our earning potential through my passions.

This week I interview Mary Josephine Parkes. After a traumatic hospital birth with her first where she nearly lost her life, she decided to take full responsibility for her next birth and freebirthed her second child in Bali. We talk about the hospital system, the legalities of freebirth, epiphanies, orgasmic birth, finding your power and many other interesting things. Mary is articulate, bold and super interesting...you won’t want to miss this one. Mary’s Bio: Mary confronted her fear of death and healed her faith in humanity with the freebirth of her Son, Adam. She mentors entrepreneurs to achieve the freedom, legacy and impact they desire with her online business and personal brand. You can connect with her on social media as 'Mary Josephine Global'.

Laura Shanley is the author of the groundbreaking book Unassisted Childbirth. We talk about what she believes are the key components for a successful freebirth, her own births and the joys of an unassisted birth.

We also touch on breech birth, siblings at birth, being a grandmother and prenatal scare.

Laura's Biography:

Laura Kaplan Shanley is an author, freelance writer, speaker and childbirth consultant. She has been featured in media outlets such as ABC News, 20/20, The Doctors, BBC, Discovery Channel, the New York Times, and the Washington Post, among many others. In addition, she works with women one-on-one providing them with childbirth education and emotional support before and during pregnancy. Laura maintains a website dedicated to natural childbirth, www.unassistedchildbirth.com, and is also active on Facebook, www.facebook.com/laurashanley. All four of Laura’s children were born at home, unassisted.

Norafiah works both in the hospital system and as an independent homebirth midwife. We talk about her work in the system, the hurdles she and her clients face and a womens’ right to choose.

Norafiah’s Biography:

Norafiah (nearly 50 summers old)

Star being, birthkeeper, huna and energy facilitator, endorsed midwife

Loves to hike but not in summer (too bloody hot)

Truth seeker and collector of magical items

Woo-woo experiencer

Natural mystic

Avalon runs Blossoming Woman and describes herself as a Midwife of Transformation. We talk about mothers as visionary leaders in times of change and how we’ve dealt with and perceived Covid19. We also chat about her ecstatic freebirth and the modern day witch hunt that processed via the media. We also talk about business, taking action and being perfectly imperfect.

Avalon's Biography

Avalon’s work is both energetic and practical. She is a Midwife of Transformation and founder of the Divine Mother Temple, a sacred online space for women. On an energetic level, Avalon guides women into deep connection with their heart, womb and soul, to find their own truth and wisdom, clear unhealed parts, and embody their power, beauty and radiance.

On a practical level, Avalon helps women untangle the threads of their lives and weave them into a beautiful new tapestry, aligned with purpose and vision. She helps women evolve, clarify and birth their sacred work and rise into visibility, wealth and sovereignty while doing what comes naturally from their unique zone of genius. Avalon guides women to trust their innate wisdom, know that they are part of a larger ecology, and helps them map out next steps so they can take guided action on their path, while contributing to the flourishing of life on Earth.

See more at www.blossomingwoman.com.au

This is a brief introduction to the Renegade Mama from your host Natalie Rees. She describes what the Renegade Mama is about and what she wishes to explore in upcoming episodes.