SARAH, was initially planning her first birth at home.  As one complication led to another, she found herself being induced at a large busy maternity unit. Sarah and her partner felt that they had the necessary confidence and knowledge to make informed decisions in their labour and birth but when an Obstetrician recommended a caesarean birth ASAP it took all their courage and strength to negotiate another safe alternative.

LISA is a mother of three and after thinking that she was finished  having baby’s , she agreed  to become a surrogate mum for her brother and sister in law.  Her story is one of generosity and love as she helped her family to become the parents that they had so desperately wanted to be. There was not a dry eye at this birth!

MAGGIE is an 80 year old who experienced 4 births in 2 different countries. With each birth Maggie advocated for her birth preferences.  Maggie is a joyful story teller.  She jokes that when her husband found out that she fell pregnant during their sailing journey from Canada to Australia, he wanted to sue the P&O cruise ship owners for not providing enough entertainment!   

When KIM found out that she was pregnant with her first child she intended to birth at a maternity hospital. But after experiencing a profound journey of self-belief throughout her pregnancy, she came to believe that she could home birth. In her story, she describes giving birth to her breech baby with her partner and midwife for support, surrounded by the Daintree forest.

SARAH was expecting a natural birth for her first child, however circumstances led her to an emergency caesarean section.  Sarah had a vacuum and episiotomy with her second birth but delivered vaginally.  Sarah's story tells of her disappointment at not having the births she planned for, and her journey of  acceptance that this is how her babies needed to be born.  Sarah is now pregnant again and due to give birth soon.  This time she is planning a birth without the need for intervention. Let’s hope she makes it to the festival to tell us how this baby was born!

KATE had a fantastic birth, in fact she gave birth practically on arrival to the hospital! So she was unprepared for the challenging and exhausting breastfeeding journey that she experienced in the following weeks after her birth. Breastfeeding is natural and easy!!  Kate’s story shows that this is not necessarily so for some women.

JESS knew 2 things from a young age; one that she was a lesbian and two that she wanted to be a mother.  She tells us about her complex decision to choose single parenthood through IVF pregnancy.