In this conversation, Carla shares her profound journey through birth, midwifery, and the challenges of motherhood. She reflects on her own birth lineage, the beauty of home births, and the importance of empowering women during childbirth. Carla discusses her experiences as a midwife, the trauma that can arise from birth experiences, and the need for supportive spaces for healing. She emphasises the significance of listening to women's stories and the impact of disempowerment in the birthing process, ultimately leading to her work in supporting those affected by birth trauma.

Carla explores the complexities of birth experiences, focusing on the importance of validating women's stories and unpacking feelings of guilt and shame associated with birth trauma. She highlights the need for proper preparation and understanding of physiological processes to empower women in their birthing choices. The conversation also touches on the differences between home and hospital births, the significance of support systems, and the necessity of educating birth workers about trauma and interventions. Carla shares her insights on mental health in the context of hearing traumatic birth stories and the healing power of shared experiences.

Find Carla on Instagram

@healing.birth

Key takeaways

• Home births can provide a more empowering experience for mothers.
• The importance of having a supportive birth environment is crucial.
• Many women experience trauma during childbirth due to disempowerment.
• Listening to women's birth stories is essential for healing.
• There is a lack of adequate support for birth trauma in the healthcare system.
• Empowerment in childbirth can lead to better postpartum experiences.

• Understanding the systemic issues in midwifery can help improve care. Holding space for others is a simple yet rare practice.
• Many women feel guilt and shame about their birth experiences.
• Preparation and knowledge are crucial for a positive birth.
• Understanding physiology can help unpack trauma narratives.

• First-time mothers often underestimate the importance of preparation.
• Standard antenatal education often lacks depth in critical areas.
• Women are not broken; the system often fails them.
• The impact of interventions on birth is often overlooked.
• Sharing stories can be a powerful tool for healing.

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Keywords

birth, home birth, midwifery, birth trauma, maternal health, support, healing, motherhood, empowerment, personal stories, birth trauma, home birth, hospital birth, antenatal education, birth preparation, maternal mental health, oxytocin, birth stories, healing birth, birth support