In this episode, Maddy shares the raw and evolving story of her three births. Each one radically different, each one shaping her identity as a mother and ultimately leading her into the world of birth work.

With no prior exposure to birth, Maddy entered her first experience trusting the system, only to be met with an intense, fast-paced augmented birth that left her shocked.

Her second birth became a turning point - a deeply empowering, low-intervention experience that opened her eyes to what birth could feel like when supported and understood.

By her third, Maddy chose a home birth, grounded in trust, education, and intuition, navigating both the beauty and unexpected challenges, including a postpartum haemorrhage.

This episode is a powerful reflection on how knowledge changes experience, how support shapes outcomes,and how birth can transform not just a moment… but an entire life path.

In this episode we cover:

• ​Falling pregnant young and navigating birth with little exposure
• ​The intensity of induction and rapid labour
• ​The difference between physiological labour and syntocinon-led birth
• ​Feeling let down by lack of education and support
• ​Discovering hypnobirthing and informed consent
• ​A completely different second birth experience
• ​The moment that led Maddie to become a doula
• ​Choosing a home birth for baby number three
• ​Navigating a postpartum haemorrhage at home
• ​The importance of advocacy and support in birth
• ​Preparing for postpartum with intention
• ​How birth can reshape identity, career, and worldview

Want more?

You can find episode photos over at:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/wearemotherspod/⁠

You can find me at:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsarahcusack/⁠

You can find Maddy at:

https://www.maddythedoula.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/maddy.thedoula/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100075920515191

Maddy is a mother of three and a birth and postpartum doula based in Hobart, Tasmania, who has spent nearly five years supporting women and their partners in the birth space. Her own births and experiences of maternity care are what led her into this work and continue to shape the way she cares for women and families.

She shares openly about motherhood, birth, and the importance of birth partner support on her socials if you’d like to follow along. In this episode, Maddy opens up about her own three personal birth stories and how they shaped her understanding of birth and maternity care, ultimately leading her to the path of working with families as a doula.