In this episode I give you a step-by-step run through of what you need to think about, where to get a birth pool and how to make it run as smoothly as possible. First Things First: Choose the Right Pool Not all birth pools are created equal. Ideally, you want one that’s: Sturdy enough to lean on without collapsing. Deep enough so you can fully submerge your belly (think: shoulders and chest in too, if possible). Quick to inflate (preferably with an electric pump). Comfortable (some have cushione...
Jul 01, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 167
In this episode, you get just me, Ashley in a solo episode which was a bit fun as I haven’t done a solo episode all year! We celebrate 5 years of The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast, some of my favourite episodes (and yes I may have a few too many favs!) be sure to check them out if you haven’t listened yet. We cover: Top episodes: Hazel Keedle EP17 Dr Sarah Buckley EP30 Rachel Reed EP12 Dr K EP165 Emma 18 days ruptured waters, freebirth EP55 Katy’s planned homebirth turned hospital birth and ute...
Jun 25, 2025•50 min
In this thought-provoking episode, I sit down with the remarkable Dr K , a high-risk obstetrician and online doula who is walking the delicate line between the medical system and autonomous birth. With rare insight and fierce compassion, Dr K shares what it’s like to be an OBGYN working within a system that too often defaults to control, fear, and policy over people. Her mission? To bring balance back into the conversation and ensure that informed consent isn’t just a checkbox, it’s a sacred par...
Jun 12, 2025•1 hr 21 min
In this powerful episode, we sit down with a midwife-turned-mama who planned two homebirths and ended up birthing in hospital under very different circumstanceswith her first baby. This raw and revealing story offers insight into what happens when the tables turn, and the one who usually supports birth journeys must navigate her own. This is a VBAC story filled with nuance, informed decisions, intuitive pivots, and emotional depth. ✨ Inside this episode: The reality of planning a publicly funded...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 1 min
In this week's episode, I sit down with the lovely Ana , a mother of two boys living in Portugal, as she shares her inspiring journey from a medicalised breech birth to a midwife-supported VBAC at home . Ana’s first birth in late 2019 ended in a caesarean after going to 41+5 with a breech baby and navigating a tough hospital system. Her initial private OBGYN was unsupportive, pushing decisions without much collaboration—until Ana found a new provider who honoured her options and helped her feel ...
May 27, 2025•1 hr 19 min
This week on the podcast, I sit down with Lizzy , a mama of three and a graduate of my Homebirth Mentoring Program , who shares the deeply personal and powerful story of her second VBAC—a surprise pregnancy that became a profound journey of self-trust, healing and sovereign birth. With just 18 months between her babies, Lizzy found herself unexpectedly pregnant and unsure whether she would continue the pregnancy. But through deep inner work, radical honesty, and full-body alignment, she chose no...
May 22, 2025•1 hr 20 min
This week I’m joined by Claire Holloway , homebirth mother, yoga educator, and fierce advocate for reclaiming autonomy in pregnancy, birth and matrescence. Claire shares her own HBAC story and how her experience with both an emergency C-section and a homebirth transformed her relationship with her body—and with yoga. We dive deep into the true essence of yoga for birth , stripping away the fluff of 'prenatal stretch classes' and exploring how ancient philosophy offers a powerful framework for na...
May 14, 2025•1 hr 30 min
You’ve just birthed a whole human—so why are we so quick to rush mothers out the door, slap on a nappy, and tell them to “get on with it”? In today’s honest, soul-stirring chat, I’m joined by TEDx speaker and postpartum advocate Sonal Patal to unpack the reality of the fourth trimester —a crucial stage of motherhood that most people still aren’t talking about. We explore what the fourth trimester really means—not just in terms of hormones and healing, but in the radical rest, nourishment, and vi...
Apr 29, 2025•57 min•Season 1Ep. 160
In this emotional and deeply insightful episode, we hear from a powerful mama Aly McClain who shares the highs and lows of her four unique birth experiences. Each one teaching her something new about surrender, trust, and the strength of her body and spirit. From a pain-empowered second birth, to navigating an unexpected NICU transfer, to welcoming her birthday baby after 42 weeks, this episode covers the full spectrum of birthing experiences, including a moment of potential shoulder dystocia an...
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 159
In this deeply thought-provoking episode, I sit down with the incredible Billie Harrigan —birth worker, educator, and fierce advocate for women’s autonomy in childbirth. With over 40 years of experience supporting birthing families, Billie has seen firsthand how the medical cartel has reshaped birth, often prioritising control over care. We dive into the history of birth, the technocratic model, and the ripple effects of medicalised maternity care . Billie shares her powerful insights into what ...
Apr 08, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 158
In this episode of VBAC Home Birth Stories, we’re diving into a topic that deserves real talk and respect—plus size pregnancy and birth. If you’ve ever been made to feel like your body is a medical condition rather than a life-giving force, this episode is for you. I share my personal experiences navigating the maternity system as a plus-size woman, from early pregnancy bias to the constant fear-mongering around birth choices. We also explore how plus-size women can reclaim their power, whether ...
Apr 01, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 157
In this episode, we dive into the incredible story of Emilie, a yoga instructor from Bribie Island, Queensland, who embraced her intuition and unapologetically stood in her power to navigate her birthing journey. Emilie’s story is one of resilience, trust in her body, and the beauty of natural birth after a Caesarean and surprise breech birth. (HBAC). Her journey includes a surprise breech birth, navigating care with private midwives, and staying centered in her inner strength. Emilie shares how...
Mar 19, 2025•1 hr 38 min•Season 1Ep. 156
In this episode, we welcome back Sarah, who shares her incredible journey of birthing her fourth baby at home—her second home birth after two caesareans, including a special scar birth. If you missed her previous episode ( EP67 | Sarah – Mindset Overhaul, Small Babies, 3 Planned Homebirths, HBA2C + Special Scar ), you can listen to her earlier birth stories on the podcast. Sarah’s pregnancy was smooth until around 35 weeks , when she started experiencing high blood pressure. This led to more hos...
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 155
In this episode, we hear from Victoria, a determined and inspiring mum who birthed on her own terms after a Caesarean. Living in Broome rural Western Australia, Victoria planned for a healing and autonomous birth, engaging deeply in birth education, self-care, and intuitive preparation. Her journey started with a planned Homebirth and the support of a birthkeeper who was set to fly in from Perth. The birthkeeper was meant to stay with Victoria in the week leading up to her due date—offering supp...
Mar 04, 2025•1 hr 36 min•Season 1Ep. 154
In this episode, we hear from Lise, an inspiring Canadian mum who achieved an unassisted VBA2C homebirth while managing Type 1 diabetes. Lise’s journey is one of resilience, self-trust, and unwavering determination as she navigated a system that often felt disempowering to take control of her birthing experience. After two previous Caesarean births, both prompted by concerns over reduced movements late in her pregnancies, Lise faced immense challenges. Both of her boys were taken to special care...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 30 min
In this powerful episode, we sit down with Jane Hardwicke Collings , a grandmother, former homebirth midwife, and internationally renowned teacher of women's mysteries. Jane’s work spans decades, focusing on the sacred dimensions of menstruation, childbirth, and menopause, helping women reconnect with their bodies and reclaim their power. Having trained as a midwife in the hospital system, Jane had a profound awakening to the institutionalised abuse within maternity care. This led her on a lifel...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 43 min•Ep. 152
In this continuation of our discussion, Ashley and Jade dive deep into the history of midwifery and its transformation over the years. They explore the ripple effects of medicalisation, the current roles of birth workers, and the challenges created by the fear-driven narratives surrounding free birth. With a focus on fostering collaboration and understanding, this episode shines a light on what’s needed to create a more inclusive and supportive birthing environment. What they discuss in This Epi...
Dec 24, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 151
In this eye-opening episode, Ashley is joined by Jade, a doula and mother of three, to explore the recent media scrutiny surrounding free birth. They dive into the sensationalised narratives dominating headlines, including a controversial ABC article that painted unregulated birth workers as dangerous. Together, they challenge these perceptions and offer a deeper understanding of why women choose freebirth. What we discuss in this Episode: 🌟 Why women choose free birth—and how those choices are...
Dec 18, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 150
Hey lovely, In today’s episode, I’m diving into one of my favourite tools for preparing for a VBAC: Mastering Your Circle of Control . This concept has been a game-changer for me and the women I support—it’s all about shifting your focus to what you can control and letting go of what’s outside your hands. Before you press play, make sure you grab your free Circle of Control workbook from my website here . It’s the perfect companion to this episode, and you’ll want it handy to get the most out of...
Dec 11, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 149
In this powerful episode, I share my speech from the Homebirth Australia Conference, where I shine a light on the struggles of VBAC homebirth women—the forgotten women in our maternity care system. These are the women who, despite their best efforts, find themselves unsupported, neglected, and often forced to navigate their birth journeys alone. I discuss how the system fails these women, the barriers they face in finding midwifery support, and the emotional toll of being pushed to freebirth or ...
Nov 27, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 148
In this heartwarming and insightful episode, I sit down with renowned childbirth educator and doula Rhea Dempsey to explore the world of VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) homebirths. With nearly 50 years of experience, Rhea shares her wisdom on embracing the power of physiological birth, managing the “crisis of confidence” during labour, and reframing pain as a sign of strength. Rhea also reflects on the evolving homebirth landscape in Australia, the importance of building a strong support tea...
Nov 20, 2024•1 hr 29 min•Season 1Ep. 147
In this episode, I talk about my experience at the 36th Homebirth Conference. I discuss some of the speaker topics and give a bit of an overview of the speeches, and some of my take-aways. I was also a speaker at the homebirth conference and shared more on my experience as a speaker for the first time at the homebirth conference. If you are curious about attending the next one, I encourage you to check it out and start planning now! Enjoy this episode. Ashley x Love the podcast? Bu...
Nov 14, 2024•44 min
In this powerful episode, I chat with Carissa, a mother of three, about her journey through the medical system and towards an empowered freebirth after two C-sections. Carissa shares her story of resilience and self-advocacy as she faced multiple challenges, including a history of PCOS, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and a series of surgeries. She recounts her experiences of navigating unsupportive systems, including the frustration of her first C-section being booked around her OBGYN’s holida...
Nov 06, 2024•1 hr 38 min
In this episode, I take you through a journey that intertwines the practical and the visionary: my latest creations on Etsy and some thought-provoking reflections on the future of birth as we navigate an increasingly artificial world. Episode Highlights: Etsy Creations and Birth Advocacy An update on the latest designs in my Etsy store, from baby shower essentials to birth affirmations and tools for doulas and mothers. How these creations connect with my mission of supporting natural, empowering...
Oct 30, 2024•35 min
In this episode, I share my recent experience as my husband's advocate in a hospital setting. He had a kidney stone that was very painful, and we had 3 different hospital trips from NSW to Queensland. We saw a range of different personalities, protocols and systems...and I had to step up as an advocate for him during this journey. I'm sharing my experiences in this episode of being my husband's advocate. This is the closest it will get for me feeling like a birthing woman's partner (trust me it ...
Oct 22, 2024•39 min
In this episode I speak with Brooke, who shares her journey of two contrasting birth experiences – a hospital birth followed by a supported home birth after caesarean (HBAC). Brooke, from Perth, opens up about her first pregnancy, which was unexpected and happened just before COVID hit. She recounts her long and challenging labour, which ended in a caesarean at the hospital. Despite thorough preparation, including hypnobirthing, Brooke faced numerous interventions that left her feeling unsupport...
Oct 02, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Are you planning a VBAC homebirth and wondering how to prepare for it? In this episode, I walk you through essential steps to get ready emotionally, mentally, and physically for your VBAC. From processing past birth trauma and building a solid support system to practical advice on creating a calm homebirth environment, I cover it all. You’ll also hear tips on nutrition, pain management techniques, and how to get your partner involved for a truly empowering birth experience. Whether you’re facing...
Sep 25, 2024•30 min
In this episode, we’re diving into a crucial topic that all new mums face—postpartum recovery after a vaginal birth. Whether you’ve just had your HBAC baby or are preparing for your upcoming VBAC homebirth, this episode will give you insights and practical tips on what to expect during recovery, along with a list of must-have items to help make the healing process smoother. In This Episode, We’ll Cover: Perineal Care : Tips on caring for your perineum post-birth, including the importance of a pe...
Sep 17, 2024•21 min
In this episode, I am sharing some information about some of the challenges that are happening for privately practising midwives here in Australia. It's important as VBAC Homebirth mamas that we use our voice for good and stand behind ourselves, and how we want to birth. If we can't do it for ourselves, why should anyone else do it for us! Even if you are freebirthing by choice, it's important that every woman has a choice to birth on her terms with a midwife if she chooses. Please consider send...
Sep 12, 2024•16 min
Hi, everyone! It’s Ashley here, and I’m thrilled to bring you another episode of the VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast. This week, I had the pleasure of chatting with another Ashley, who shares her incredible breech homebirth story. Her journey is both inspiring and empowering, and I can't wait for you to hear all about it. Before we dive in, just a quick reminder about my Homebirth Group Mentoring Programme. This is the last live round I'll be running this year, so now’s your chance to take advant...
Sep 04, 2024•1 hr 28 min
