Healing Birth

03/07/2025

Do you know what Birth Trauma Aotearoa’s 50 for 50 campaign is all about?

EVERY DAY in NZ around 50 women experience a traumatic birth. The 50 for 50 campaign aims to raise awareness of this.

New families deserve so much better

💙 Why 50? 💙
Research tells us that 1 in 3 birthing parents report their birth as traumatic.

This means that, in Aotearoa, around 50 birthing people PER DAY leave birth traumatised or feeling very negative about their experience.

50 Mums yesterday, 50 Mums today, 50 Mums tomorrow...

These numbers are huge.
And they need to change.

The 50 for 50 campaign aims to raise awareness of birth-related trauma as well as acknowledge and honour the 50 people per day who leave birth feeling broken.

How can you support the birth trauma community?
💙 Join us – choose a 50.
💙 The beauty of this campaign is that it meets you where you’re at meaning you decide the 50 you want to do.
You could cycle 50kms or raranga for 50 mins or ask 50 friends to each donate $1 to support our work or read 50 pages of your favourite book or call 5 friends and talk with each for 10 minutes, or spend an extra 50 seconds in the shower....
You can do it solo, or with friends; privately, or not.
Your 50 can be big or small, with others or by yourself, aim to raise funds for our work or just raise your voice.

We’d love to hear about your 50 for 50!
Tag us or DM us and tell us what you've done 💙

02/07/2025

Today Carla brings you a bit of a different episode. She’s joined by six women who, like she is, are core members of the Wise Women Network. This is a fast growing movement that aims to protect physiological birth and champion women-led care through connections with birth-workers and mothers who are seeking their support. Tune in to hear more about their ‘why’ and be inspired by their fire, heart and passion.

**If you want to be a part of the Wise Women Network, you can join us on the following social media pages**

Facebook group aimed at birth worker support and information: Wise Women Network NZ https://www.facebook.com/groups/538842372367843

Facebook group aimed at consumer support and information: Wise Women Network: Birth Support (to Birth YOUR Way) https://www.facebook.com/groups/622612260514529

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wisewomennetwork_nz/

Tune into the Healing Birth With Carla podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7quxDJg4gPWIfaVGQhBDtl?si=EP4dh-SuQCSD1XsQZMvlOA

Or watch podcast recordings on the Healing Birth YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/_qi2E-kCAeA?si=Cc4CBOx1rgFJgFtH

18/06/2025

Kate trained with me to become a Healing Birth practitioner at the end of 2023. She'd previously sought my support surrounding the upcoming birth of her second baby, given her first was a traumatic cesarean.

As the heart-fuelled, determined character that she is, Kate did all she could to set herself up for a positive home birth. Although she needed a cesarean in the end, she described her son's birth as a healing one (you can hear Kate share her story in full on the Healing Birth With Carla podcast episode titled, 'A Tale of 2 Very Different Cesareans, & Kate's Path to Training With Me' https://open.spotify.com/episode/1j8VNm2NqkDCxaHAJxmQxv?si=aK3glAlMQuiK-hrRE_OcwA)

A fire had been lit in Kate's belly. She knew she wanted to incorporate birth trauma healing into her Social Work role, after having learned how powerfully impactful such support can be. And that is what she did.

In her podcast interview, Kate says "...putting it out there to other women that have an inkling of feeling they're called to do this training, just do it. You will not regret it."

Is this training calling you?

Apply now! Spaces are limited. For course details and to apply, head here: https://www.healingbirth.co.nz/hb-practitioner-training

Or send me a DM and I'll get the link to your inbox 💜

17/06/2025

Meet Carla, the founder of Healing Birth and Healing Birth Practitioner Training.

With such a high incidence of birth trauma occurring, and knowing that the healing work she’s done with hundreds of families has been so helpful, Carla created a course to teach others how to offer similar support.

Her 10 week programme gives trainees the knowledge, skills and tools they need to truly support women in their healing journey.

To date Carla has trained over 100 practitioners, she’s recorded 80+ podcast episodes, supporting and promoting healing from birth trauma, and she is about to launch the next round of Healing Birth Practitioner Training.

Are you ready to support mothers to reclaim their sense of self, find healing and re-write their birth stories?

For course details and to apply, head here: https://www.healingbirth.co.nz/hb-practitioner-training

Send a DM to arrange a call to talk through your questions 💜

10/06/2025

For a decade now, I’ve been working in the field of birth trauma support. Over this time I have developed my own unique methods and tools for helping people to unravel their trauma and find the healing they deserve. Hundreds of families have benefitted from my Healing Birth work - it’s such a privilege and a buzz to be a part of that incredibly important and special journey.

But I’m one person, and the need is great. So, since the beginning of 2021, I’ve been training people to do what I do! Over an intensive 10 week period of online study and connection, I teach my passionate students about how to become a confident and competent Healing Birth practitioner. It’s a pretty epic time! We meet and work together via Zoom once a week to discuss the weekly lesson (1.5 hour recording) content - these interactive Zooms are 🔥✨

Here’s what one of my past students have had to say about their training:

“This course deeply supported my own healing journey, alongside giving me the confidence, knowledge and skills to hold space for others to walk this path. I connected with a powerhouse group of soulful women, was seen/heard/validated in my experience and expression, and finished the course absolutely LIT UP by this revolutionary birth work.” Bella

The next training begins July 28th 2025.

For more information head here: https://www.healingbirth.co.nz/hb-practitioner-training

If you know you’re keen to apply, go for it! Tap on the above link and you’ll see the tab for applying.

Or, if you want to have a chat with me, let’s make a time to do that. Send me a DM now ✨

26/05/2025

🦋New episode out now🦋

Please note that this episode includes discussions of domestic violence and suicidal thoughts. Listener discretion is advised. If these topics are distressing for you, you may wish to skip this episode or listen with support. Relevant Aotearoa/NZ helplines are shared at the bottom of this post.

Naomi’s story is a troubling, heart-wrenching listen. She bravely lets us in on the abuse and trauma she endured as a young first-time mum in a violent relationship with a manipulative man who would later become her husband. Together they had two more children, both healing home births, but the domestic abuse continued.

One day, whilst working a shift as a midwife, Naomi spotted a brochure that stated, “family violence changes the brains of our children.” This realisation was the final straw for Naomi. She knew she needed to protect her babies from growing up in this abusive household, and she left their dad for the final time. He still had contact with the children, though no formal parental agreement was instated. Fuelled by anger and jealousy, when he discovered Naomi had met a new man, he took the children and told her she wouldn’t be getting them back. The police could do nothing.

Naomi desperately tried to get her children safely back into her care. But after many months of battling the system, and despite a clear history of abuse, including multiple protection orders, Naomi ultimately lost custody of her children to her violent ex. She was utterly powerless to protect her babies, something that nearly killed her.

Find out how Naomi not only found the will to live, but went on to have another baby to a beautiful man, and now works to help heal the hearts of other wounded mothers. Her story is both deeply disturbing and profoundly inspiring.

Also discussed in this episode:
* contemplating abortion
* protection orders for physical and psychological violence
* lack of bond with newborn
* Raynaud’s Syndrome (breastfeeding)
* pressured to give formula to baby
* Postnatal depression & anxiety
* Maternal Mental Health support - Aropax
* CBT
* Gambling addiction
* Court appointed psychologist (bias towards father)
* contemplating su***de
* 42 week pregnancy
* PROM & meconium stained waters
* healing & empowering cesarean
* sleep consultancy - responsive settling

Aotearoa/NZ Helplines
Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or free text HELP to 4357
Women’s Refuge 24/7 Crisis Line - 0800 REFUGE (0800 733 843)
Shine (DV support) - 0508 744 633
1737 - Need to talk? Free call or text 1737
Su***de Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865

Listen to the episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0lR9ZELpH9RdW2paGbuM8C?si=QMQJKt95SUqOgfDQlcACKw

16/04/2025

✨💜New episode out now💜✨

In strong labour, birthing her first baby at home, Michelle was unexpectedly met with the news that her baby was breech. Supported by a trusted care team, she went on to confidently birth her big boy in her lounge.

High on magical birth hormones, basking in the glory of what she’d just achieved and marvelling at the gorgeous human she’d created, Michelle was unaware that she’d sustained a decent tear. But that wasn’t a problem. It went on to heal naturally, without fuss. The real challenge came with breastfeeding.

Michelle couldn’t make sufficient milk to meet Beren’s needs, and had to supplement feed throughout his babyhood. This was a source of absolute struggle and heartbreak for Michelle.

Today she shares with us the trials and tribulations of her breastfeeding journey, both with her first born, and then with Willis, her second child, also born at home (but this time, head down). Even now, as she reflects on her 12 years old story, the emotions run high. Oftentimes birth is a breeze compared to the breastfeeding challenges that some are met with. Michelle’s story is a testament to this.

Also discussed in this episode:
* importance of good relationship with midwife
* holding boundaries
* Meconium
* Maggie Banks’ books - Homebirth Bound & Breech Birth Woman Wise
* partially torn cord with birth of head
* consuming placenta
* donor breast milk
* LLL support
* supplemental nursing system
* water birth
* sibling at birth

🎧Listen now on your favourite podcast platform. Here’s the link to listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/23zNZmWdRQoj5mB04H4s5X?si=X51V6mFpTveavDjsvzeE1A

👀 Or watch on the Healing Birth YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/NdYHWT9AZ_Q?si=AiaMxIRaXe2T-nga

27/03/2025

You may have noticed a lack of posts from me lately, and that I have fallen behind with regular fortnightly podcast episodes (and if you’re on my mailing list, that I haven’t sent out an email in ages)... there’s been a lot on this mama’s mind and heart.

This is not my usual type of post, but a vulnerable share about what has been consuming a lot of my emotional and mental bandwidth of late. Thank you for taking the time to read through the slides.

I was planning to attend the Convergence of Rebellious Midwives Conference in Sydney in August, but need to sell my ticket (and my ticket to the Friday night dinner) as I need the money to help fund my daughter’s treatment. If you know someone who might be interested in buying them off me, please flick me a DM. I’d be so grateful.

It was a particularly emotional day for me yesterday... I shared the Givealittle page I’d created to raise funds for Laura’s treatment and was so humbled by the generosity and kindness of friends and family. It’s a lot easier to give than it is to receive! But I am learning, and so so grateful. Here’s the Givealittle page link: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-us-end-lauras-7-years-battling-ill-health

Don’t forget to give Laura’s page a follow if you’re interested in following her journey… Laura Sargent
💕✨

21/03/2025

🌸 New podcast episode out now 🌸

It was the following Suzanne Arms quote that inspired my podcast guest, Sharon Robinson, to become a midwife: “If we are to create a nonviolent world where respect and kindness replace fear and hatred, we must begin with how we treat each other at the beginning of life, for that is where our deepest patterns are set. From these roots grow fear and alienation, or love and trust.”

As a new grad, Sharn left her home in the US to practice midwifery in NZ because of our “gold standard” maternity care system. However, she was met with challenges - hierarchies, power plays, professional jealousy, over-medicalisation - that stifled her ability to practice where and how she wanted to, and in the ways she knew women deserved.

Sharon shares with us some of the trials and tribulations she has faced throughout her personal and professional life, including childhood abuse at the hands of her father, a mastectomy for breast cancer 10 years ago, and then, last year, being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. We discuss what the role of a midwife is, how the way a woman is treated in birth matters a lot more than her mode of birth, and what birth and midwifery are like in different parts of the world.

Also discussed in this episode:
* creating birth plans
* stillbirth
* deep grief vs trauma
* abusive and fraudulent maternity ‘care’ in Sth Africa
* rights in birth
* informed decision making and consent
* post dates
* induction of labour
* differing roles of midwives and obstetricians
* defensive, risk-centric practice
* home birth midwifery
* colleague support from likeminded midwives

Listen on your favourite podcast platform 💜

You can also watch this episode, and others, on the Healing Birth YouTube channel 🙌🏽

✨ Become part of the Wise Women Network NZ - a global (despite the name) Facebook group for birth workers and birth-passionate consumers who are seeking a reclamation of empowered, undisturbed, physiological birth, supported be wise woman midwives ✨

09/03/2025

I’m Carla, an ex-midwife, ex Biology teacher, podcast host (the Healing Birth With Carla podcast) and founder of Healing Birth (2015) which is predominantly a birth trauma support, education and training business. Offering holistic antenatal education is a breath of fresh air among the heaviness of a lot of the work that I do. And it’s great to be able to put my vast knowledge surrounding birth trauma, into the preventative work of informative and empowering antenatal education.

Thanks to the generous funding available via The Village NZ and The Wright Family Foundation, this important education is available to you and your partner (or other birth support person) at no cost.

Classes are held in the Education Room below the Bethlehem Birthing Centre, and you can choose to attend a weekend course or a weekday (Monday) course that runs over 4 weeks.

Here are the dates that currently have availability:

March 15th & 16th, 9am - 3pm
March 31st, April 7th, April 14th & April 21st, 6 - 8.30pm
May 3rd & 4th, 9am - 3pm
May 19th, 26th, June 2nd & 9th, 6 - 8.30pm

Email me on [email protected] to enrol in one of these courses 💜

09/03/2025

I'm Carla, an ex-midwife, ex Biology teacher, podcast host (the Healing Birth With Carla podcast) and founder of Healing Birth (2015) which is predominantly a birth trauma support, education and training business. Offering holistic antenatal education is a breath of fresh air among the heaviness of a lot of the work that I do. And it's great to be able to put my vast knowledge surrounding birth trauma, into the preventative work of informative and empowering antenatal education.

Thanks to the generous funding available via The Village NZ and The Wright Family Foundation, this important education is available to you and your partner (or other birth support person) at no cost.

Classes are held in the Education Room below the Bethlehem Birthing Centre, and you can choose to attend a weekend course or a weekday (Monday) course that runs over 4 weeks.

Here are the dates that currently have availability:

March 15th & 16th, 9am - 3pm
March 31st, April 7th, April 14th & April 21st, 6 - 8.30pm
May 3rd & 4th, 9am - 3pm
May 19th, 26th, June 2nd & 9th, 6 - 8.30pm

Email me on [email protected] to enrol in one of these courses 💜

18/02/2025

🌺New episode out now🌺

Millie’s father passed away just prior to her first pregnancy. She was consumed by grief and had no capacity to take birth preparation on board. Just shy of 42 weeks pregnant, Millie agreed to an induction and a sequence of disempowering, sometimes traumatising, events played out, including a 3rd degree tear which required 2.5 hours of surgical repair, separating her from her newborn at this critical time.

Now, 6 weeks postpartum with her second baby, Millie has quite a different story to share of pregnancy and birth. Encouraged by her midwife, Millie chose a home birth this time, and she did the inner work necessary to set herself up for a vastly different, very empowering, experience.

Tune in to hear all about the self work that’s required to honour the need for a healing birth. Millie shares all of her top tips and invaluable resources.

Also discussed in this episode:
* ARM/Syntocinon
* TENS
* Unconsented student midwife involvement
* FSE
* Cervical lip - told not to push
* Painful catheterisation
* Fetal heart decelerations
* PPH
* haematoma
* physical trauma
* Soulful Birth course
* Acupuncture
* 40 minute physiological 3rd stage
* Journaling

🎧 Listen now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0SWQyfHYBRr2VAhoL2LcGf?si=NFQii2_3QoyaetgPecmnSQ

Or watch the interview on the Healing Birth YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/OLgaBZfzA4U?si=UWWg7bwogvm_W7yz

🌻 Click on the following link to find information on the holistic birth and postpartum preparation course I run called Soulful Birth: https://www.healingbirth.co.nz/soulfulbirthgroup