S7 EP186: Vanessa Harding: Two Home births / 26-Hour Posterior Labour at 41+4 / House Renovation + Wild Pregnancy

Vanessa joins me from Coffs Harbour to share the story of birthing both of her daughters at home… her first during lockdown in a tiny studio apartment after a 26-hour posterior labour at 41+4 weeks, and her second in the quiet stillness of dawn - a sunrise water birth that unfolded almost exactly as she had envisioned.After reflecting deeply on her first birth experience, Vanessa immersed herself in emotional womb healing, mantra, and the teachings of freebirth philosophy. Her second labour became an exploration of mindset, responsibility, and self-trust… labouring alone through much of the night and anchoring into a simple phrase that transformed her experience.In this episode we discuss:Posterior labour and going 41+4Labouring at home without scans or medical testingThe role of mindset in physiological birthEmotional womb work and releasing stored tensionLabouring solo and conscious birth preparationHaving an older child witness birthPlacenta encapsulation and postpartum recoveryTaking responsibility for your birth choicesThe power of “knowing”This is a conversation about transformation… about shifting from endurance to intention, and from hoping for a positive birth to consciously choosing one.Resources & Mentions:Personal Instagram:@coramba_cottageBooks:📖 Portal by Yolande Norris-ClarkInstagram: @bauhauswifeBirth Sling:@the.birth.slingPregnancy Yoga (Coffs Harbour):@wildernessyoga.coffsWomb & Pelvic Healing Work with Chaitanya:@wombtemple.healing Sydney Midwife (First Birth):@janineatibirthIf this episode resonated with you, please leave a review on your podcast platform to help us reach more women around the world.To stay connected between episodes, follow along on Instagram @positivebirthaustralia.Mentioned in this episode:Sacred Birth Affirmations Track This gentle affirmation track was created to help you feel safe, confident, and connected in pregnancy and birth. Perfect for daily mindset work or to play during labour.Positive Birth AustraliaEsfera Designs Wellness (Birth) BallCreate a calm, supportive space during pregnancy and postpartum with Esfera Designs. Use code: PBA20 for $20 off your order. Esfera Designs