549 | Anthea - Three Births, Bed Rest, and Finding Strength in Unexpected Challenges

Australian Birth Stories

In this deeply moving episode, I chat with Anthea about her three very different birth experiences, including a challenging third pregnancy that required months of strict bed rest during COVID lockdowns with two toddlers at home. After experiencing an ectopic pregnancy and a nine-month journey to conceive, Anthea went on to have two hospital births - Harriet via induction at 38 weeks and Florence after spontaneous labor at 37 weeks. Her third pregnancy took an unexpected turn at 12 weeks when she was diagnosed with a subchorionic hematoma, leading to complete bed rest until Oliver's early arrival at 34 weeks and 6 days. Anthea's story beautifully illustrates how we can find resilience we never knew we had when faced with extraordinary circumstances, and offers hope to anyone navigating pregnancy complications.

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A birth support partner offers physical and emotional support throughout labour and birth. Your birth partner should be mentioned in your birth plan, particularly in regards to how they will advocate for you to your midwife or doctor.

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