078 - Eleanor | post dates induction, epidural, c-section, meconium aspiration, NICU, maternal sepsis
Release Date: 02/12/2026
078 - Eleanor | post dates induction, epidural, c-section, meconium aspiration, NICU, maternal sepsis
Birth Tales
In this episode we’re hearing from Eleanor about her first pregnancy and birth during lockdown. Having learned lots about birth from her midwife sister and planning for a homebirth, her estimated due date came and went with no sign of labour starting. At nearly 42 weeks she accepted an induction and was able to return home to wait for things to begin. When her contractions became regular, Eleanor and her husband went to the midwife-led unit where she laboured in the pool until concerns were raised about meconium in her waters. After an epidural, a period of rest and infection concerns for...
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077 - Ella | fertility awareness method, mizan therapy, doula, biomechanics, homebirth transfer
Birth Tales
In today’s episode we’re hearing from Ella about her son’s birth. She explains how using the fertility awareness method helped her to conceive, how much she loved being pregnant and why she chose to plan a homebirth with the support of a doula. Ella talks honestly about finding it mentally challenging to go beyond 40 weeks and describes her long labour at home, including the coping techniques she leant on. After hours of pushing the decision was made to transfer, which was a scary experience for both Ella and her partner. Thankfully all was well with the baby and after the doctor...
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076 - Loren | ICSI, talipes, homebirth, BBA, physiological birth
Birth Tales
In today’s episode we’re hearing from Loren, who reflects on her homebirth at just 9 weeks postpartum. She generously shares the challenges she faced conceiving, how she processed her son’s talipes diagnosis and how she and her partner are navigating his ongoing treatment. Loren talks us through her labour, which was surprisingly quick, with the midwives arriving just after her baby was born. Despite the unexpected twists along the way, she reflects on the birth as a positive experience and talks about how incredibly well supported she felt throughout. I’m so grateful to Loren for...
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075 - Molly | positive induction, continuity of care, dilapan rods, ARM, failed epidural
Birth Tales
In today’s episode we’re hearing from Molly about her daughter’s birth. Having loved being pregnant, the biggest challenge she faced was deciding whether or not to accept an induction. Molly talks us through her decision-making process and shares her experience of the different stages of her labour in the hospital. She reflects on the importance of feeling well supported, the brilliant care she received throughout and how that helped her come away from the experience feeling really positive, even with a failed epidural along the way. It’s so lovely to be able to share a genuinely...
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074 - Lara | precipitous birth, PCOS, membrane sweep, physiological birth, foetal ejection reflex, 2nd degree tear
Birth Tales
In today’s episode we’re hearing from Lara about her precipitous birth. When she found out she was pregnant she threw herself into reading, researching and preparing for labour. She hoped to give birth in the midwife lead unit, but when her contractions started it became clear her baby was coming very quickly. Lara and her partner called the paramedics who managed to get her to the hospital and her baby was born after just 95 minutes of labour. Lara talks about the mental challenge of convincing herself the baby was coming early, the intensity of such a short labour and her plans for her...
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073 - Sarah | 2nd baby, doula, PGP, heart condition, polyhydramnios, unstable lie, planned c-section
Birth Tales
In today’s episode Sarah is back on the podcast to share her second birth story. Having had a difficult experience first time around, she knew what mattered most to her this time; to feel strong, to advocate for her wishes and to feel like she had more agency. She hired a doula, planned a VBAC, changed hospitals and got lots of independent support to help her prepare for the birth. Unfortunately she faced endless obstacles along the way, which resulted in her birthing her daughter via planned caesarean. Sarah talks us through the grieving process of letting go of the VBAC she had hoped...
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072 - Anna | freebirth, doula, waterbirth, physiological birth
Birth Tales
In today’s episode we’re hearing from Anna who freebirthed her son with the support of her partner and doula. Having always felt trusting of the birthing process, Anna knew she wanted to have her baby at home. She shares how amazing it was to have the reassuring presence of a doula through her pregnancy and labour, about the pressure she felt to comply with maternity care that didn’t feel right for her and why she ultimately chose to give birth without any midwives present. 9th December FREE hypnobirthing session: Anna’s IG: My website: My IG:
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071 - Maria | ectopic pregnancy, positive induction, hypnobirthing, 3rd degree tear, closing the bones
Birth Tales
In today’s episode I’m chatting to Maria about her two pregnancies. Her first was very sadly an ectopic pregnancy and she shares her journey of expectant management, which left her feeling very lonely and anxious. When she conceived again and got through the first trimester, Maria loved her second pregnancy. She planned to birth her baby at home but ended up accepting an induction at 42+2. She talks about her experience of a 3rd degree tear, the amazing postnatal care she received and how healing her birth felt following her loss. I’m so grateful to Maria for sharing so honestly about...
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070 - Tassy | small baby, hypnobirthing, planned c-section, breastfeeding challenges
Birth Tales
In this week’s episode I chat to Tassy about her planned c-section. She conceived quickly after coming off the pill and Tassy really enjoyed being pregnant and learning about birth. At 32 weeks her midwife flagged concerns around her baby’s small size and after accepting some additional growth scans she quickly realised the birth centre birth she had hoped for was becoming increasingly unlikely. Tassy shares how empowering it felt to choose a caesarean over the induction she was being recommended and how ultimately it felt like a really special and positive way to birth her baby. This is...
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069 - Serena | 2nd baby, homebirth, doula, waterbirth, continuity of care, hypnobirthing, physiological birth
Birth Tales
In today’s episode I’m sharing my own story of birthing my second son, Sidney. I talk about how I experienced pregnancy with a toddler in tow, the choices I made differently this time and how much I loved birthing my baby at home. After a long and physically exhausting previous birth, this labour challenged me mentally so I share all the coping techniques and comfort measures that helped me through when self-doubt arose. Throughout pregnancy and labour I was cared for by the most awesome midwife Annie, so a strong theme of my birth story is how incredible it was to receive continuity of...
info_outlineIn this episode we’re hearing from Eleanor about her first pregnancy and birth during lockdown. Having learned lots about birth from her midwife sister and planning for a homebirth, her estimated due date came and went with no sign of labour starting. At nearly 42 weeks she accepted an induction and was able to return home to wait for things to begin.
When her contractions became regular, Eleanor and her husband went to the midwife-led unit where she laboured in the pool until concerns were raised about meconium in her waters. After an epidural, a period of rest and infection concerns for both mum and baby, a caesarean was recommended.
Eleanor shares the challenges their family faced in the weeks that followed, including being separated from her baby after the birth, navigating visiting hours, pumping and breastfeeding in the NICU and Enid’s recovery at home on oxygen.
This is a fascinating and really valuable episode about navigating the unexpected and staying strong and positive through it all.
Eleanor's IG: https://www.instagram.com/elebusing/
My website: www.serenalouth.com