- 14
- Episodes
- 2
- Ratings
- Weekly
- Cadence
- 2026
- First episode
About Belly2Birth Podcast
Welcome to the Belly2Birth Podcast. Join childbirth educator and Hypnobirthing practitioner Shari Lyon for evidence-based conversations that empower you through conception, pregnancy, birth, postpartum and pregnancy loss. Each episode features practical education, inspiring stories, and interviews with leading experts in maternity care, women’s health and parenting, helping you make informed decisions, trust your instincts, and create the journey that’s right for you. Because every woman deserves to feel informed, supported and empowered from Belly2Birth.
- Publisher
- Shari Lyon
- Category
- education
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 21 Jul 2026
- Latest episode
- 15 Oct 2026
Latest episodes
14 episodes in the feed.
15 Oct 2026
BIRTH STORY: “We Didn’t Know What We Didn’t Know” | Jenny & Dylan from The Block — Part 1
What happens when you go into birth thinking you’ll just go with the flow… and the experience unfolds very differently from what you imagined? In part 1 of this two-part conversation, I’m joined by my beautiful clients Jenny and Dylan, who you may recognise from the 2022 season of The Block, to share the pregnancy and birth story of their first son, Billy. Joining us in the studio is their youngest son Joey, making Dylan our first dad on the podcast and Joey our first little baby guest! Jenny takes us back to a pregnancy that changed course at 24 weeks, when contractions and concerns about early labour led to medication and bed rest. After reaching 39 weeks, concerns about possible pre-eclampsia prompted a recommendation for induction. Jenny and Dylan share what they understood about induction at the time, what they expected the day to look like, and how they felt as the experience unfolded. From having her waters broken and starting a Syntocinon infusion to an epidural and, later that night, an unplanned caesarean, Jenny speaks honestly about feeling unprepared for the different paths birth could take. Dylan also shares his perspective as a first-time dad: watching Jenny navigate the intensity of labour, wanting to support her, and facing his own emotions when their plans changed. Alongside their story, we explore the importance of understanding your options, asking questions and preparing for different birth experiences. We also acknowledge that medical intervention can be necessary, and that parents make decisions with the information and support available to them at the time. In this episode, we discuss: • Pregnancy complications and concerns about early labour. • The circumstances behind Jenny’s induction at 39 weeks. • Their expectations of induction and what actually happened. • Jenny’s experience of an epidural and limited mobility. • The emotional transition to an unplanned caesarean. • Birth from a partner’s perspective. • Recovery from surgery while caring for a newborn. • What they wished they had understood before their first birth. This is an honest conversation about becoming parents, facing the unexpected and looking back with greater understanding and compassion. In part 2, Jenny and Dylan return to share how they prepared differently for Joey’s birth through private hypnobirthing sessions with me, and the story of their vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC). Follow the Belly2Birth Podcast so you don’t miss the next chapter. Prepare for your own birth with Belly2Birth: Journey to Birth Online Hypnobirthing Course (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/hypnobirthing-online-course) Gold Coast Group Hypnobirthing Courses (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/gold-coast-hypnobirthing-courses) Explore private courses and further support (https://www.belly2birth.com.au) Download my free Questions to Ask Caregivers resource (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/questions) If this conversation resonates with you, share it with another parent or parent-to-be. Content note: This episode includes discussion of pregnancy complications, a difficult birth experience, unplanned caesarean and postoperative pain.
15 Oct 2026
BIRTH STORY: Knowledge, Teamwork & a 4.3 kg Baby — Jenny & Dylan’s VBAC | Part 2
“We didn’t know what we didn’t know.” In Part 1, Jenny and Dylan shared the unexpected journey through their first son Billy’s birth. This time, they’re back to share what they did differently as they prepared to welcome Joey. You may recognise this beautiful couple from The Block. For me, they’re also clients I had the privilege of supporting through private Journey to Birth hypnobirthing sessions. During their second pregnancy, Jenny knew she wanted to explore a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC). Together, she and Dylan set out to understand their options, prepare questions and learn practical ways to work through labour as a team. In this episode, we talk about how that preparation changed their conversations with their obstetrician, Dylan’s understanding of his role and the resources Jenny could draw on when labour became intense. And there is plenty of laughter as Dylan shares what he originally thought hypnobirthing would involve! Jenny takes us through the wait beyond her estimated due date, discussions about Joey’s size and possible induction, choosing a stretch and sweep, and the overnight labour that followed. She shares why breathing was such an important anchor, how movement, TENS and counterpressure helped her, and why having Dylan close mattered so much. Their story also includes unexpected challenges. When Joey’s shoulders became stuck during birth, the team responded quickly. Jenny sustained a third-degree tear and speaks openly about her recovery, alongside the pride and joy she felt after her VBAC. We finish with Billy meeting his little brother, the emotions of becoming a mum of two, and what both parents would tell their past selves. In this episode, we explore: • Preparing for birth after a previous caesarean. • Discussing VBAC options and individual risks with your caregiver. • How education helped Jenny and Dylan ask more questions. • Birth preparation from a dad’s perspective. • Waiting beyond the estimated due date and navigating changing recommendations. • The breathing and comfort techniques Jenny found most helpful. • Making decisions during labour as circumstances changed. • Joey’s birth, shoulder dystocia and a third-degree tear. • Recovery, sibling introductions and adjusting to two children. This is a story of an experience that felt deeply empowering to Jenny, with honest space for the intensity, complications and recovery too. If you’re a birth partner, this is a beautiful episode to listen to together. Resources and support Book discussed: Birth After Caesarean: Your Journey to a Better Birth by Dr Hazel Keedle. Explore Journey to Birth online hypnobirthing (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/hypnobirthing-online-course) Join a Gold Coast group course (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/gold-coast-hypnobirthing-courses) Explore private preparation and further support (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/) Download my free Questions to Ask Caregivers resource (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/questions) Read RCOG information about birth options after caesarean (https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/birth-options-after-previous-caesarean-birth/) This episode shares personal experiences. Discuss your own birth options, benefits and risks with your maternity care team. Content note: Discussion includes previous difficult birth experiences, early pregnancy bleeding, intense labour, shoulder dystocia and third-degree tearing. Follow the Belly2Birth Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube, and share this conversation with someone preparing for birth.
8 Oct 2026
BIRTH STORY: Six Years Trying to Conceive, Then Two Homebirths | Taylor’s Story
After around six years of trying to conceive, two rounds of IVF egg retrievals and an unsuccessful embryo transfer, Taylor was beginning to imagine that motherhood might not be part of her story. Then, two weeks later, she discovered she had fallen pregnant naturally. In this episode of the Belly2Birth Podcast, I sit down with my beautiful past client Taylor for an honest and emotional conversation about fertility, pregnancy, birth, loss and becoming a mum. Taylor shares the highs and lows of her fertility journey, her unexpected endometriosis diagnosis, and why seeing those two lines on a pregnancy test brought fear alongside the joy. We talk about how preparing for birth with her husband James through my private Journey to Birth hypnobirthing sessions helped them understand their options, ask better questions and get clear on what mattered to them. That preparation led them to reconsider their maternity care and choose a planned homebirth with private midwife Nicole Garrett. And her two birth stories? They could not have been more different. From the long, exhausting labour that brought her daughter Billie into the world to the fast and intense arrival of her son Mason, Taylor shares the moments that challenged her, the support that helped her, and what she discovered about herself along the way. In this episode, we explore: • The emotional reality of fertility treatment and pregnancy after years of trying. • Moving beyond people-pleasing and choosing a caregiver who aligns with your needs. • How hypnobirthing preparation supported both Taylor and James. • Navigating a long first labour with rest, movement, affirmations and support. • Miscarriage and the uncertainty of waiting for answers. • Preparing for a second birth while caring for a toddler. • Two very different homebirths and the transition into life with two little ones. • The value of feeling held and supported during postpartum. This is a beautiful conversation about finding your voice, making informed choices and the transformation that unfolds as you become a mother. Content note: This episode includes personal experiences of infertility, IVF and miscarriage. Want to feel more calm, confident and informed as you prepare for your own birth? Explore my Belly2Birth Journey to Birth hypnobirthing courses: Online, self-paced course: https://www.belly2birth.com.au/hypnobirthing-online-course (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/hypnobirthing-online-course) Gold Coast group courses: https://www.belly2birth.com.au/gold-coast-hypnobirthing-courses (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/gold-coast-hypnobirthing-courses) Private sessions, live Zoom support and hypnosis bundles: https://www.belly2birth.com.au (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/) Free Questions to Ask Caregivers resource: https://www.belly2birth.com.au/questions (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/questions) If Taylor’s story resonates with you, share this episode with someone who would love to hear it, and follow the Belly2Birth Podcast for more honest birth stories and conversations to support your journey.
1 Oct 2026
Birth Archetypes Part 2: The Guardian, Free Spirit & Advocate
How do you naturally respond when birth feels uncertain? Do you become more focused on safety and what could go wrong? Do you instinctively trust your body and prefer to go with the flow? Or do you want to understand your options, ask questions and have a strong voice in your care? In Part 2 of my Birth Archetypes series, we’re exploring the final three archetypes: ✨ The Guardian — who values safety, certainty and feeling protected. ✨ The Free Spirit — who is drawn towards intuition, trust, flexibility and surrender. ✨ The Advocate — who values autonomy, informed choice and having a voice in her care. Just like I shared in Part 1, your Birth Archetype is not about putting you into a box. It’s about expanding your awareness of the strengths you already have, recognising where you may feel challenged, and discovering the qualities you could learn to access from the other archetypes. Because birth may ask different things of you at different moments. The Guardian may need to borrow some of the Free Spirit’s ability to surrender. The Free Spirit may benefit from some of the Planner’s preparation and knowledge. And the Advocate may discover that using her voice doesn’t always mean fighting; sometimes advocacy is asking questions, taking time, listening, collaborating and then making an informed decision that feels right for her. Ultimately, I want you to have access to all five archetypes. To prepare like The Planner. Connect like The Nurturer. Create boundaries like The Guardian. Surrender like The Free Spirit. And use your voice like The Advocate. Because we may not be able to control exactly how birth unfolds, and we can prepare ourselves with the knowledge, confidence, tools and resources to navigate the journey as it unfolds. If you haven't discovered yours yet, take my FREE Birth Archetypes Quiz: Take the FREE Birth Archetypes Quiz (https://sharilyon.kartra.com/survey/birth-archetype?utm_source=chatgpt.com) And once you receive your result, don't just focus on “Which archetype am I?” Ask yourself: “What strengths do I already have… and what could I learn from the other archetypes to become more adaptable as I prepare for birth?” Then go back and listen to Part 1, where I introduce The Planner and The Nurturer and explain why I created the Birth Archetypes in the first place. Which Birth Archetype are you? And if you are ready to learn more on how to prepare for your birth then I invite you to check out my online Hypnobirthing Course options https://www.belly2birth.com.au/hypnobirthing-online-course (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/hypnobirthing-online-course) Use the code: PODCAST10 and save 10% off the online or face to face Hypnobirthing Courses on the Gold Coast
24 Sept 2026
How Will You Approach Birth? Meet The Planner & The Nurturer Archetypes
How will you approach birth when things feel uncertain, plans change, or you’re faced with decisions you weren’t expecting? After more than 14 years of supporting women and couples through pregnancy and birth, I’ve noticed that we all bring different strengths, beliefs, fears and ways of coping into the birth space. That’s why I created the Birth Archetypes. In this episode, I introduce you to the first two archetypes: The Planner and The Nurturer. We explore the beautiful strengths each archetype can bring to pregnancy and birth, where they may feel challenged, and most importantly what they can learn from the other archetypes to become more flexible, confident and adaptable. Because your Birth Archetype isn’t designed to put you in a box. It’s a starting point. The goal is to recognise who you are now, how you naturally approach birth, and who you may want to become as you prepare for one of the biggest transitions of your life. And if you discover you’re a Planner who likes certainty and control, or a Nurturer who naturally puts everyone else’s needs before her own, this episode will give you plenty to think about.✨ Discover your Birth Archetype Take my FREE Birth Archetypes Quiz HERE (https://sharilyon.kartra.com/survey/birth-archetype?utm_source=chatgpt.com) And if you’re ready to go beyond simply knowing your archetype and develop the knowledge, mindset, tools and resources to feel more confident and adaptable for birth, come and explore my Journey to Birth Hypnobirthing programs with Belly2Birth. (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/) Because we can’t control every part of birth but we can prepare ourselves for how we meet it.
18 Sept 2026
BIRTH STORY - “My Baby Was Breech” How Jazmin Advocated for a Vaginal Breech Birth
What happens when you’re told your baby is breech late in pregnancy… and the birth you had imagined suddenly feels like it’s being taken off the table? In this episode of the Belly2Birth Podcast, I’m joined by my beautiful client Jazmin, who shares the incredible birth story of her second daughter, Goldie a frank breech baby who was ultimately born vaginally after a journey filled with research, advocacy, difficult decisions and one very unexpected turn in the birth suite. After discovering Goldie was breech, Jazmin tried acupuncture, moxibustion, positioning techniques, releasing and alignment exercises... everything I had taught her.. and an ECV in the hope that her baby would turn. When her ECV was unsuccessful, Jazmin was told that an elective caesarean would be the option available with her current obstetrician. Rather than immediately accepting that as her only pathway, she started researching. At 37 weeks pregnant, Jazmin made the incredibly difficult decision to change obstetricians and found a caregiver experienced in supporting vaginal breech birth. Jazmin waited and allowed her body to go into labour naturally... It was happening... and all so beautifully.....And then her birth took another turn. During labour, Goldie’s heart rate became concerning, and as a precaution, Jazmin agreed to go into theatre for a caesarean as her main goal was to bring her baby girl into the world safely. She received a spinal and thought the vaginal birth she had worked so hard for was over. Then her obstetrician checked her. Goldie’s bottom was already being born. Within minutes, Jazmin gave birth to her breech baby vaginally in theatre. This conversation is about so much more than one mode of birth. We talk about informed decision-making, understanding risk, asking better questions, changing caregivers, trusting yourself, finding experienced support and recognising that sometimes the first option you are presented with is not necessarily the only option available to you. Jazmin’s message to another woman who discovers her baby is breech is simple:....Educate yourself. Because empowered birth isn’t about achieving one particular type of birth. It’s about feeling informed, heard, supported and actively involved in the decisions surrounding you and your baby. If you’re preparing for birth and would like to feel more informed, confident and prepared for the different pathways birth can take, you can also explore my Journey to Birth Hypnobirthing programs. (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/) Podcast listeners can use the code PODCAST10 to receive 10% off my online and face-to-face programs, as well as my meditation and hypnosis bundles. Please note: This episode shares Jazmin’s individual experience and is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace individual medical advice. Always discuss your personal circumstances, options, benefits and risks with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
10 Sept 2026
HYPNOBIRTHING: What Is the ‘Hypno’ Part & Why Are We Conditioned to Fear Birth?
What if some of the fears you have about birth aren’t actually yours? In this solo episode of the Belly2Birth Podcast, I’m unpacking the “hypno” part of Hypnobirthing — and no, it’s not about swinging pendulums, losing control or clucking like a chicken! We explore how your unconscious mind is constantly learning from what you see, hear and experience, and how from childhood many of us have been exposed to cultural messages that portray birth as painful, frightening, dangerous and out of our control. So what happens when you become pregnant and all of those old stories, images and beliefs suddenly come to the surface? I explain the connection between fear, safety, the nervous system and birth, why I don’t believe Hypnobirthing should promise to eliminate fear completely, and how education, hypnosis, repetition and practical tools can help you begin creating a different relationship with birth. This episode will encourage you to ask: Where did my beliefs about birth come from... and are they the beliefs I want to take into my own experience? If you're ready to prepare your mind and body for birth, explore my Journey to Birth Hypnobirthing & Childbirth Education programs and use code PODCAST10 to save 10%. 🎧 Listen, subscribe and share this episode with someone preparing for pregnancy or birth.
3 Sept 2026
From Hyperemesis to a Spiritual Birth and the Postpartum No One Warned Her About | Cleo Massey
What happens when the pregnancy you imagined looks nothing like the reality....yet the birth becomes more powerful than you ever dreamed? In this deeply honest episode of the Belly2Birth Podcast, I sit down with Cleo Massey, founder of Pass Around the Smile (https://passaroundthesmile.com/), to talk about her journey through severe hyperemesis, the mental and emotional toll of pregnancy, preparing for birth through Hypnobirthing and mindset work, and the incredible spiritual birth of her daughter, Indigo. Cleo shares how she went from fear and unexpected complications when her labour started with blood loss to feeling as though she had “gone to the stars” to meet her baby and why learning to surrender when birth changed course became one of her greatest lessons. We also go beyond the birth story and into a conversation that needs to be heard more often: postpartum identity, feeling emotionally numb months after having a baby, finding yourself again after motherhood, and the very real fear Cleo now holds around becoming pregnant again after experiencing HG. This conversation is raw, funny, emotional and incredibly beautiful....a reminder that pregnancy, birth and motherhood can be hard and magical at exactly the same time. 🎧 Listen or watch the Belly2Birth Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube. If this episode resonates with you, please follow the podcast, leave a review and share it with another woman who needs to hear Cleo’s story. For more information about my Hypnosis and Meditation Bundles then CLICK HERE (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/hypnosis-meditation-bundles) To book into one of my Hypnobirthing courses on the Gold Coast CLICK HERE (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/gold-coast-hypnobirthing-courses) To purchase the Journey to Birth Online Course CLICK HERE (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/hypnobirthing-online-course) As a special gift of listening to the podcast Use the code: PODCAST10 to save
27 Aug 2026
You’re Pregnant… Now What? A Midwife’s Guide to Pregnancy, Tests & Maternity Care
In this episode of the Belly2Birth Podcast, I’m joined by our resident midwife, Nicole Garrett from Blooming Midwifery (https://www.instagram.com/bloomingmidwiferygc/), to answer one of the biggest questions after seeing those two lines… “I’m pregnant—now what?” We talk about what Nicole recommends women consider in early pregnancy, the different models of maternity care available in Australia, choosing the right caregiver, understanding pregnancy tests and screening, informed decision-making, and the importance of quality childbirth education. Our hope is that this episode helps you realise that you have choices in pregnancy and birth and the earlier you understand those choices, the more confidently you can navigate your care. Download my free guide to help you ask the right questions and find a caregiver who aligns with you: https://www.belly2birth.com.au/questions (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/questions) 🤎 Journey to Birth Online Hypnobirthing Course https://www.belly2birth.com.au/hypnobirthing-online-course (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/hypnobirthing-online-course) 🤎 Gold Coast Face-to-Face Hypnobirthing Courses https://www.belly2birth.com.au/gold-coast-hypnobirthing-courses (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/gold-coast-hypnobirthing-courses) 🎧 PODCAST LISTENER DISCOUNT: Use code PODCAST10 when booking your Belly2Birth course. If you loved this conversation, follow the Belly2Birth Podcast, leave a review and share this episode with someone who is pregnant or preparing for pregnancy. 🤎 FREE RESOURCE — Questions to Ask Your Caregivers Prepare for birth with Belly2Birth
20 Aug 2026
Birth Hurts!!... So Lets Talk About It!
Birth Hurts… So Let’s Talk About It | Understanding & Reframing Pain in Birth For years, parts of the Hypnobirthing world have tried to remove the word pain from birth. Call it pressure.Call it tightening.Call it intensity.Call it a surge. And while all of those words can absolutely describe the sensations of labour, I think that in trying to take the fear out of birth, we may have unintentionally created another expectation for women… That birth shouldn’t hurt. So in this episode, I want to talk honestly about PAIN. Because yes — birth can hurt. And feeling pain doesn’t mean you’re doing Hypnobirthing wrong. It doesn’t mean you’ve lost control. And it doesn’t automatically mean that something is wrong. There is an important difference between physiological pain and pathological pain. Most of the pain we experience throughout our lives is our body’s warning system — something is wrong, protect yourself. Labour can be different. During physiological labour, powerful sensations can accompany the incredible work your uterus, cervix, pelvis and baby are doing together. Rather than simply fearing those sensations, understanding why they are happening and what they mean can completely change the way we respond to them. In this solo episode of the Belly2Birth Podcast, I unpack: The difference between physiological and pathological pain What is actually happening in your body during a contraction Why labour can hurt even when everything is progressing normally Why I believe we need to stop promising women a “pain-free” birth My goal as a Hypnobirthing educator isn’t to convince you that birth doesn’t hurt. It’s to help you understand that pain doesn’t automatically mean danger and give you tools to meet the intensity of labour with knowledge, resources and confidence. This isn’t about enduring pain or proving how strong you are. And choosing medical pain relief doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It’s about preparation, understanding, choice and knowing your options. If this episode changes the way you think about birth pain, please share it with another pregnant woman who needs to hear this conversation. Gold Coast Journey to Birth Group Hypnobirthing & Childbirth Education Courses https://www.belly2birth.com.au/gold-coast-hypnobirthing-courses (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/gold-coast-hypnobirthing-courses) Join me in person on the Gold Coast and learn the knowledge, practical tools and techniques to help you and your birth partner feel informed, prepared and confident for birth. Journey to Birth Online Hypnobirthing & Childbirth Education Course (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/hypnobirthing-online-course) https://www.belly2birth.com.au/hypnobirthing-online-course (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/hypnobirthing-online-course) Can’t attend in person? Prepare from anywhere, in your own time, with my comprehensive online birth education program. USE THE CODE: PODCAST10 for a discount off my course Subscribe to the Belly2Birth Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube so you don’t miss upcoming conversations about pregnancy, birth, postpartum and everything in between. Birth isn’t about being fearless. It’s about understanding what’s happening, knowing your options and having the tools to navigate whatever path your birth takes. Prepare for birth with Belly2Birth
13 Aug 2026
BIRTH STORY — Lia's Journey from an Unplanned Caesarean, Postpartum Depression & IVF to an Empowering VBAC
In this episode of the Belly2Birth Podcast, mum of two Lia Wall joins me in the studio to share two very different birth and postpartum experiences. Lia’s first pregnancy was unexpected, and during COVID she completed my online Hypnobirthing course in preparation for birth. After a long labour, she reached full dilation, but her baby remained high due to a deflexed head position and brow presentation. Her birth ultimately ended in an unplanned Caesarean, followed by separation while her baby received special care. Lia speaks incredibly honestly about what came next — struggling to feel connected to her baby, postpartum depression, anxiety and rage, and eventually reaching out for professional support as she adjusted to her new identity as a mother. When Lia and her husband Matt decided to have another baby, their journey unexpectedly led them to IVF. After conceiving their son George through their first embryo transfer, Lia turned her attention towards what she called “Operation VBAC.” Along the way she navigated early pregnancy bleeding and gestational diabetes, while preparing physically and emotionally for a vaginal birth after Caesarean. Lia and Matt also returned to complete a face-to-face Hypnobirthing refresher with me — something Lia says was a game changer, particularly in helping Matt feel prepared to support her. Then came the birth… including a rather dramatic drive to hospital! Lia made it there and, supported by Matt, achieved the beautiful and empowering VBAC she had prepared for. Yet Lia’s story didn’t end there. When she began recognising the signs of postpartum depression returning, this time she sought help early and entered a specialist postpartum support facility where she could receive professional care while remaining with her baby. This is a raw, vulnerable and beautiful conversation about birth, motherhood, mental health, asking for help and discovering that healing can look different for every woman. If you are struggling during pregnancy or postpartum, support is available through PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) (https://www.panda.org.au/) and COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence), as well as your GP or qualified healthcare provider. Prepare for birth with Belly2Birth: Explore my Journey to Birth Online Course (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/hypnobirthing-online-course), Gold Coast face-to-face Hypnobirthing & Childbirth Education courses (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/gold-coast-hypnobirthing-courses), refresher sessions and postpartum coaching at belly2birth.com.au. 🎧 Listen to the Belly2Birth Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. If Lia’s story resonates with you, please subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with another woman who needs to hear it.
6 Aug 2026
Let’s talk about ‘Due Dates’ or should we say ‘Probably NOT Date’
Due Dates… or Should We Say “Probably NOT Date?” What if I told you your baby’s “due date” has only around a 4–5% chance of actually being the day they are born? In this evidence-based episode of the Belly2Birth Podcast, we’re unpacking one of the most misunderstood concepts in pregnancy. Where did due dates come from? What is Naegele’s Rule? Why are pregnancies still dated using a formula created over 200 years ago? And what does the research actually say about when babies are born? We’ll explore: The fascinating history of pregnancy dating before ultrasound. The story behind Naegele’s Rule and why it’s only an estimate. How cycle length and ovulation can significantly influence your estimated due date. The role of first-trimester ultrasound and its limitations. The normal range of human gestation. Statistics on when women actually go into spontaneous labour. Why your due date is a guide—not an expiry date. How language like “overdue” can shape your pregnancy experience and birth decisions. My hope is that this episode helps you replace fear with understanding, so you can feel more informed, confident and empowered as you navigate the final weeks of pregnancy. If you’d like to prepare for birth with comprehensive, evidence-based education that goes far beyond the due date, I’d love to support you. ✨ Journey to Birth Online Course: (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/hypnobirthing-online-course) https://www.belly2birth.com.au/hypnobirthing-online-course ✨ Gold Coast Group Hypnobirthing & Childbirth Education Courses: https://www.belly2birth.com.au/ (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/events)
30 Jul 2026
More Than a Midwife: Nicole Garratt's Mission to Transform Birth
In this episode of the Belly2Birth Podcast, I'm thrilled to introduce our resident Midwife, Nicole Garratt from Blooming Midwifery. Nicole shares her inspiring journey into midwifery. From her university training and clinical placements, to working within the public maternity system, progressing into leadership, and ultimately making the courageous decision to leave the hospital system to become a Private Practising Midwife. Together we have an honest conversation about the realities of maternity care in Australia, the differences between the various models of care, and why continuity of midwifery care is considered the gold standard for women wanting a safe, supported and physiological birth. We also explore: • What it's really like to train and work as a midwife. • Why Nicole chose private midwifery and homebirth. • The current challenges facing our maternity system. • Why choosing your care provider is one of the most important decisions you'll make during pregnancy. • The investment involved in different models of care and why many families see it as one of the most valuable investments they make. Whether you're planning your first baby or adding to your family, this episode will empower you with knowledge to help you make informed decisions about your pregnancy, birth and postpartum journey. Free resources mentioned in this episode: ✨ Questions to Ask Your Care Provider + Free Hypnobirthing Meditations https://www.belly2birth.com.au/questions (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/questions) ✨ Discover Your Birth Archetype (Free 2-minute Quiz) https://www.belly2birth.com.au/birth-archetype-quiz (https://www.belly2birth.com.au/birth-archetype-quiz) If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love it if you subscribed, left a review, and shared it with someone preparing for birth. Every woman deserves to know her options, feel informed, and be supported to create a positive birth experience.
21 Jul 2026
The Birth that Sparked a Mission! This is where my story begins.
The Birth That Sparked a Mission: This Is Where My Story Begins In this very first episode, I’m taking you right back to where it all began. I share the moment I first discovered I was pregnant with my son and the overwhelming fear I carried about birth. What followed was one of the most transformative journeys of my life. I immersed myself in learning everything I could, determined to prepare for a positive birth experience. Yet despite all of that preparation, I became one of the one in three women who experienced birth trauma. It wasn’t because my body failed me. It wasn’t because I wasn’t prepared. It was because of the communication, the language, and the way care was delivered in the birth space. I walked away from my birth feeling unheard, and less than and blaming myself for not speaking up for myself. And though, instead of letting that experience define me, it ignited something deep within me. It sparked a mission. A mission to become a childbirth educator and Hypnobirthing Practitioner. A mission to create my own evidence-based birth education program. And a mission to advocate for women so they feel informed, supported, respected and confident in their choices throughout pregnancy, birth and beyond. This episode is the beginning of that journey. It’s the story behind Belly2Birth, why I created this podcast, and why I’m so passionate about changing the way we prepare women and families for birth. My hope is that through these conversations, education and interviews with leading experts, more women will know their options, feel safe in their decision-making, communicate with confidence, and ultimately help reduce the rates of birth trauma across Australia and around the world. This is where my story begins… and I’m so grateful you’re here to be part of it. Shari. To learn more about my Hypnobirthing program and Birth Trauma support or to purchase any of my online resources or courses, visit www.belly2birth.com.au (www.belly2birth.com.au)
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