When I first found out I was pregnant with Jeanie, I remember a friend suggesting to me that I listen to the Australian Birth Stories Podcast if I wanted to learn more about birth itself.
She wasn’t the only person to suggest this to me in the early days. The same suggestion was given to me by my midwife, doula, work colleague, and family friends…and with good reason.
Having interviewed over 300 women and with over 8 million downloads the Australian Birth Stories podcast is a clear favourite amongst parents and birth professionals alike.
This weekly podcast, hosted by mother of three Sophie Walker, showcases women’s first-hand accounts of pregnancy and childbirth in Australia, and shares personal stories of fertility challenges, labour, birth and postpartum life.
Started by Sophie after the birth of her first son, which left her carrying significant physical and emotional trauma, the ABS podcast has changed the trajectory of many women’s birth experiences (mine included) through the sharing of stories.
Women have positive births every day – in the comfort of their home, in surgical theatres, in birth centre bathtubs and on the bed in hospital labour wards. And the foundation of these positive birth experiences? Birth education. – says Sophie.
The podcast is a beautiful collection of stories that have become a powerful, informative and, often entertaining, resource for first-time pregnant people, parents wanting to have better subsequent births, and birth enthusiasts who love to hear and tell birth stories.
As well as the ABS Podcast, Sophie has developed a series of online education courses that feature interviews with leading specialists in perinatal health, including ‘Welcome to the First Trimester’, ‘The Birth Class’, & ‘Discovering Motherhood’.
Today I am sincerely giddy with excitement to have the opportunity to interview Sophie Walker herself, as we discuss the journey of ABS, top tips for new mums, her ‘truths’ about motherhood, and some exciting news for 2023!
Read on below.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to launch ‘Australian Birth Stories’.
I live in Melbourne with my husband and our three boys, ages 8, 6 and 3. I have a Masters in Public Health and a strong interest in women’s health.
I’ve always been interested in birth so when I fell pregnant with my first son, Niko, I delved into research. I planned a drug-free, birth-centre birth but 36 hours after the first contraction I had experienced a whole gamut of intervention including induction, epidural, episiotomy and forceps. I had birthed my beautiful baby but I suffered a postpartum haemorrhage and was left with an overwhelming sense of trauma – physical and emotional.
When I fell pregnant with my second son I realised that facts would only get me so far; I needed birth skills to experience the intervention-free, birth-centre birth I desired. So I delved into the birth world and found myself listening to podcasts on anything birth related. Louis’ birth was a beautiful one and it inspired me to create Australian Birth Stories, a place to collate women’s birth stories in the hope that it would inspire and educate pregnant women and their partners.
ABS is a huge part of my life now. I’ve interviewed over 300 women about their pregnancies and births and they’ve shared their stories with grace and vulnerability. It’s a privilege to hear these stories and an honour to share them and with over 8 million downloads and counting, I know that the podcast is an invaluable resource to pregnant women, new parents and health professionals.
I am such a huge fan of your podcast and everything you do for the birth community. I think many women would agree that the stories you share on ABS have changed the trajectory of their birthing journey for the better. Can you tell me about what your aim was when you started ABS and how that has changed over the years?
I didn’t have any aim; I literally started because I thought my family and friends may be interested in listening to my birth story. It has grown very organically and as each month passes, there are more listeners and social media followers. I’ve added a range of resources alongside the podcast, including online education courses that have received glowing reviews: Welcome to the First Trimester, The Birth Class and Discovering Motherhood.
What kind of things do you look for when choosing stories to feature on ABS?
I have a submissions page where people can share details about themselves and their birth experience. Ultimately I try to balance a range of backgrounds and experiences; private and public hospital births, homebirths and birth centre births, physiological and caesarean, induced and spontaneous, instrumental births, births with intervention. I also aim to highlight rare experiences, pregnancy complications, premature labours, NICU experiences, baby loss, chronic health conditions. I’m also consious of sharing stories from different women; a variety of cultural backgrounds, sexual preferences and family units. There’s a lot to consider!
If someone out there has never listened to your podcast. What would be some episodes that you would recommend they start with?
Jodi episode 105
Anna episode 169
Andrea episode 312
What are some of your top tips in preparing for a new baby and motherhood?
If you are planning to breastfeed, download my breastfeeding guide – understanding the intricacies of breastfeeding before your baby is born is a really practical step to take. And actively prepare for postpartum. It is a sacred, overwhelming, beautiful and challenging season of life and our society does not value or respect a new mothers need to rest, heal and bond with their baby. My new book outlines practical ways to do this.
What are your recommended 5 essentials for soon to be mums?
TENS machine for labour
Ergopouch zip-up swaddle bags
Haka breast pump
Mere Botanicals
Mothermates Hydrogel discs
Motherhood can be beautiful, tricky, exhausting and the most amazing thing ever all wrapped into one. Yet we don’t often talk about the real truths of learning to become a mother. What are some of your ‘truths’ when it comes to motherhood?
I don’t think there’s balance in motherhood, especially if you’re working. I stopped trying to attain balance long ago and instead embrace the juggle. I’ve also learnt to savour the small, quiet moments that are scattered throughout my days.
What is some of the best advice you have received as a mother?
Love bomb your children; when they’re tired, cranky, happy, content, throwing tantrums and testing your patience. They always respond well to love and cuddles. Of course, boundaries are important, too. But you can’t go wrong with love.
What’s next for Australian Birth Stories?
My first book will be published in February 2023 by Murdoch Books. The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth is an informative and empowering guide to pregnancy and birth in Australia. It’s conversational and accessible; a kind companion that will gently guide you through from pre-conception to early postpartum.
You can listen to the Australian Birth Stories Podcast by categories on the ABS website or where you listen to your favourite podcasts, and follow along on Instagram at @australianbirthstories
Photography by Hilary Walker