In this episode of We Are Mothers, Mikayla shares the full spectrum of her motherhood journey, from a traumatic first birth to a deeply healing VBAC.

We explore Mikayla’s first pregnancy and emergency C-section, including gestational diabetes, induction, infection, and the emotional impact of feeling isolated and unprepared.

She opens up about how that experience shaped her postpartum period and her determination to do things differently the second time around.

Mikayla also shares her journey through secondary infertility, IUI, and IVF, shedding light on how previous C-section scar tissue may have played a role.

She speaks honestly about the emotional toll of trying to conceive, advocating for herself within the medical system, and finally receiving her long-awaited positive pregnancy test.

Her second birth story is a powerful account of preparation, trust, and self-advocacy. Mikayla takes us through her VBAC experience, the moment she realised her body was capable, and how that birth became profoundly healing.

She also reflects on the unexpected challenges that followed, including her baby’s time in special care, and how motherhood continues to stretch and strengthen her.

This episode is a reminder that birth experiences matter, healing is possible, and women are capable of doing hard things.

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 Mikayla at:

https://www.instagram.com/mikaylanewport_/

https://www.tiktok.com/@mikaylanewport_?_t=8daz7f9vmMU&_r=1

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

Podcasts:

The Great Birth Rebellion

https://open.spotify.com/show/3gQRikeOcaHkJjWTtcT1B1?si=fec790acad964faf

The Midwives’ Cauldron

Gestational diabetes: the pregnancy perspective

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0uFokd2PlitplZUdHRZ5Ts?

si=e7bbe1c877c64266

Gestational diabetes: the baby’s perspective

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4s2vnvz6ZUtxoZXZ6Mj58p?si=f1660b3fc0954c93

In this episode of We Are Mothers, Taylor shares her birth story, one shaped by education, intuition, and the environment she chose to give birth in.

We talk about how learning more about physiological birth influenced her decisions, why safety and support were central to her choices, and how letting go of expectations allowed her to meet birth with calm and trust.

Taylor reflects on navigating doubt and exhaustion during labour, the importance of having plans in place if circumstances change, and how her relationship with birth evolved as the experience unfolded.

This episode explores:

• A home birth transfer after 26 hours of labour
• How environment impacts birth hormones
• Making informed decisions about where to give birth
• Trusting yourself while still planning for safety
• Navigating exhaustion and uncertainty in labour
• Meeting birth as it is, not how you imagined

A grounded listen for anyone preparing for birth or wanting to understand how information, support, and intuition can coexist.

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 Taylor at:

https://www.instagram.com/sweetnampsychology/

www.sweetnampsychology.com.au

She offers in home perinatal/postpartum psychology services across Gold Coast and Tweed Coast, alongside in person services both doing walk and talks and at my clinic space in Miami, plus Telehealth.

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

Midwife / IBCLC:

Tamika Newman

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/midwifetamika/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://tamikanewmanibclc.com/⁠

In this episode of We Are Mothers, Jaime shares the story of welcoming her daughter, Lilith, through a planned home birth, including navigating pregnancy after miscarriage and discovering her baby was breech late in pregnancy.

We talk about conception after loss, trusting the body through uncertainty, choosing private midwifery care, and how education and support shaped Jaime's confidence leading into birth.

Jaime reflects on protecting her mindset, letting go of fear, and trusting that birth can unfold safely in many different ways - including breech.

This episode explores:

• Pregnancy after miscarriage
• Planning a home birth with a private midwife
• Vaginal breech birth as a variation of normal
• Trusting intuition and protecting your birth space
• Letting go of the plan and surrendering to the process

A grounding listen for anyone preparing for birth, navigating fear, or wanting to understand what supportive, continuity of care birth can look like.

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 Jaime at:

https://www.instagram.com/simplehealth_withjaime/

https://www.simplehealthwithjaime.com/

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Midwife:

Jacinta Reid - Private Midwife

⁠⁠https://www.intuitivebirthcollective.com/about⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/intuitive_birth_collective/⁠⁠

Book:

Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering - Sarah Buckley

https://gentlenaturalbirth.com/product/gentle-birth-gentle-mothering-2nd-ed-australia-only/