This episode of Diary of a Birth contains graphic descriptions including blood loss and traumatic injury. Please proceed with caution. Additional resources can be found in the show notes.

A pop. A gush. And suddenly, a huge amount of blood running down her legs. What started as a peaceful first day of maternity leave became a fight for two lives when Sabrina Banayad experienced a rare and life-threatening placental abruption.

Sabrina shares the story of her second birth, that ended in a code green emergency cesarean. With extraordinary presence of mind, she called emergency services while home alone, calmly organising childcare and preparing for paramedics even as she continued to haemorrhage.

This powerful story is about maternal instinct, quick thinking, and the medical miracle that allowed both mother and daughter to thrive after one of the most dangerous birth complications possible.

Resources:

PANDA Birth Trauma And Recovery

Birth Trauma Australia

Gidget Foundation

Diary Of A Birth features mums telling their miraculous stories of bringing life into the world. If you’d like to share your birth story, we’d love to hear from you at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note here.

THE END BITS:
Support independent women's media
Follow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram

If you’re looking for something else to listen to, check out our hilarious and seriously unhelpful podcast The Baby Bubble hosted by Clare and Jessie Stephens.

Mamamia has a podcast for every stage of parenthood.
Our parenting podcast is This Glorious Mess.
If you’re pregnant, listen to The Delivery Room and Hello Bump.
And if you’re trying or preg-curious, Get Me Pregnant and Before The Bump are for you.

CREDITS:

Host: Ksenija Lukich

Birth Story: Sabrina Banayad

Obstetrician & Gynaecologist: Dr Bronwyn Devine

Producers: Ksenija Lukich & Tina Matolov

Audio Producer: Leah Porges

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From epidural to delivery in minutes—Nikolina's second baby Leo stunned even veteran doctors with his lightning-fast arrival.

Despite a physically "cruisy" pregnancy with her children just 16 months apart, Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh battled intense anxiety about giving birth a second time. After casually attending brunch during early contractions, her labor rapidly intensified. Just as doctors prepared for her curved spine complication during the epidural, Leo's heart rate dropped, and with a single push, he arrived—prompting one doctor to declare it the quickest birth in her 20-year career.

Nikolina's story reminds us that birth anxiety is perfectly normal the second time around, even when you've done it before.

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Diary Of A Birth features mums telling their miraculous stories of bringing life into the world. If you’d like to share your birth story, we’d love to hear from you at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note here.

THE END BITS:
Support independent women's media
Follow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram

If you’re looking for something else to listen to, check out our hilarious and seriously unhelpful podcast The Baby Bubble hosted by Clare and Jessie Stephens.

Mamamia has a podcast for every stage of parenthood.
Our parenting podcast is This Glorious Mess.
If you’re pregnant, listen to The Delivery Room and Hello Bump.
And if you’re trying or preg-curious, Get Me Pregnant and Before The Bump are for you.

CREDITS:

Host: Ksenija Lukich

Birth Story: Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh

Obstetrician & Gynaecologist: Dr Bronwyn Devine

Producers: Ksenija Lukich & Tina Matolov

Audio Producer: Leah Porges

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Waters breaking in public, a head popping out in the shower, and neighbours rushing to help—Kate Longley's second birth took a very different path than planned!

In today’s episode, Kate shares how her birth with Jesse took a surprisingly swift turn when, shortly after her waters broke at home, she found herself cradling her newborn in the shower before help could even arrive. With no time to reach the hospital, Kate's neighbours—who happened to be mothers themselves—stepped in to help as Jesse was born in their family home.

Kate reflects on how, despite the surprising speed of Jesse’s arrival, her calm mindset and supportive community helped create a positive birth experience.

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Diary Of A Birth features mums telling their miraculous stories of bringing life into the world. If you’d like to share your birth story, we’d love to hear from you at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note here.

THE END BITS:
Support independent women's media
Follow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram

If you’re looking for something else to listen to, check out our hilarious and seriously unhelpful podcast The Baby Bubble hosted by Clare and Jessie Stephens.

Mamamia has a podcast for every stage of parenthood.
Our parenting podcast is This Glorious Mess.
If you’re pregnant, listen to The Delivery Room and Hello Bump.
And if you’re trying or preg-curious, Get Me Pregnant and Before The Bump are for you.

CREDITS:

Host: Ksenija Lukich

Birth Story: Kate Longley

Obstetrician & Gynaecologist: Dr Bronwyn Devine

Producers: Ksenija Lukich & Tina Matolov

Audio Producer: Leah Porges

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One embryo. Two heartbeats. After years of fertility treatments, Laura Parr found herself staring at an ultrasound screen showing the impossible—her single frozen embryo had split into identical twins.

In today's episode, Laura shares her extraordinary journey from having her son Lucas through IVF, to the shock of discovering her second embryo—frozen for two years—had developed into identical twins - with no history of twins in the family. She takes us through the emotional rollercoaster of multiple ovarian induction cycles that finally yielded nine precious eggs and the complex reality of carrying monochorionic diamniotic twins who shared a single placenta but had separate amniotic sacs.

From severe morning sickness to a dramatic caesarean at 34 weeks, Laura's precious twins transformed their families life forever.

Diary Of A Birth features mums telling their miraculous stories of bringing life into the world. If you’d like to share your birth story, we’d love to hear from you at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note here.

THE END BITS:
Support independent women's media
Follow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram

If you’re looking for something else to listen to, check out our hilarious and seriously unhelpful podcast The Baby Bubble hosted by Clare and Jessie Stephens.

Mamamia has a podcast for every stage of parenthood.
Our parenting podcast is This Glorious Mess.
If you’re pregnant, listen to The Delivery Room and Hello Bump.
And if you’re trying or preg-curious, Get Me Pregnant and Before The Bump are for you.

CREDITS:

Host: Ksenija Lukich

Obstetrician & Gynaecologist: Dr Bronwyn Devine

Producers: Ksenija Lukich & Tina Matolov

Audio Producer: Leah Porges

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Christmas morning, you're on all fours and your dad's just accidentally broken your waters.

This wasn't how Francesca Hung imagined birth - but we all know motherhood often arrives unexpectedly. In today's episode, the model and presenter shares the dramatic story of finding herself in active labour just 30 minutes after her first contraction, creating a Christmas morning her family will never forget.

Francesca recounts her daughter Bridie's remarkably swift arrival—a birth that completely defied all expectations of first-time deliveries. While this whirlwind experience brought a healthy baby girl into the world, Francesca honestly reveals how the shock of such an intense birth took weeks to process, creating a story that's both extraordinary and real.

Diary Of A Birth features mums telling their miraculous stories of bringing life into the world. If you’d like to share your birth story, we’d love to hear from you at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note here.

THE END BITS:
Support independent women's media
Follow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram

If you’re looking for something else to listen to, check out our hilarious and seriously unhelpful podcast The Baby Bubble hosted by Clare and Jessie Stephens.

Mamamia has a podcast for every stage of parenthood.
Our parenting podcast is This Glorious Mess.
If you’re pregnant, listen to The Delivery Room and Hello Bump.
And if you’re trying or preg-curious, Get Me Pregnant and Before The Bump are for you.

CREDITS:

Host: Ksenija Lukich

Birth Story: Francesca Hung

Obstetrician & Gynaecologist: Dr Bronwyn Devine

Producers: Ksenija Lukich & Tina Matolov

Audio Producer: Leah Porges

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At 38, with no partner but unwavering determination, Bree embarked on a fertility journey that would test her resilience but ultimately fulfill her lifelong dream.

After navigating the emotional rollercoaster of two failed IUIs, Bree's persistence led her interstate where she accessed the Seattle sperm bank. From nine retrieved eggs emerged one perfect embryo—her miracle in waiting.

The most remarkable chapter? Bree opted for a rare maternal-assisted C-section, literally pulling her son Oscar into the world with her own hands—a moment of profound empowerment that challenges everything we think we know about C-section births.

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Diary Of A Birth features mums telling their miraculous stories of bringing life into the world. If you’d like to share your birth story, we’d love to hear from you at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note here.

THE END BITS:
Support independent women's media
Follow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram

If you’re looking for something else to listen to, check out our hilarious and seriously unhelpful podcast The Baby Bubble hosted by Clare and Jessie Stephens.

Mamamia has a podcast for every stage of parenthood.
Our parenting podcast is This Glorious Mess.
If you’re pregnant, listen to The Delivery Room and Hello Bump.
And if you’re trying or preg-curious, Get Me Pregnant and Before The Bump are for you.

CREDITS:

Host: Ksenija Lukich

Birth Story: Bree Vare Lucas

Obstetrician & Gynaecologist: Dr Pat

The Kick Pregnancy Podcast

The GrowMyBaby Website

The GrowMyBaby Program

(Listeners can use the code ‘DOAB’ at checkout for 20% off) https://growmybaby.thrivecart.com/grow-my-baby/

The Kick Ep 34. What is a VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean) and is it for you?

Producers: Ksenija Lukich & Lee Stamps

Audio Producer: Leah Porges

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Minnie's home birth plans shifted to a hospital delivery after two days of stop-start labor, she didn't just accept her "Plan B" – she got creative. Her unexpected strategy? Dressing "like a celebrity avoiding paparazzi" complete with sunglasses, headphones, and clothes pulled over her head.

Despite synthetic oxytocin making contractions feel "like being hit by lightning," Minnie found herself overcome with relief and joy during the final moments, laughing her daughter Charlie out into the water and her husband's waiting hands.

From birth pool to home by dinner time, Minnie's story proves that positive births aren't about location but feeling empowered through every contraction.

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Diary Of A Birth features mums telling their miraculous stories of bringing life into the world. If you’d like to share your birth story, we’d love to hear from you at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note here.

THE END BITS:
Support independent women's media
Follow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram

If you’re looking for something else to listen to, check out our hilarious and seriously unhelpful podcast The Baby Bubble hosted by Clare and Jessie Stephens.

Mamamia has a podcast for every stage of parenthood.
Our parenting podcast is This Glorious Mess.
If you’re pregnant, listen to The Delivery Room and Hello Bump.
And if you’re trying or preg-curious, Get Me Pregnant and Before The Bump are for you.

CREDITS:

Host: Ksenija Lukich

Birth Story: Minnie Collins

Obstetrician & Gynaecologist: Dr Bronwyn Devine

Producers: Ksenija Lukich , Tina Matolov & Lee Stamps

Audio Producer: Leah Porges

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know that having a strong support system is vital during pregnancy and birth—but what happens when you're pregnant and your relationship is simultaneously falling apart? In today's episode, Simone Holtznagel discusses how her pregnancy journey coincided with relationship challenges that led to her becoming a single mother when her daughter Gia was just a few weeks old.

Simone also shares how she handled an epidural despite an insane fear of needles, an unexpected spinal injury complication, and how placenta encapsulation helped her postpartum recovery. Despite facing the unforeseen challenges of new motherhood alone, Simone's refreshingly optimistic perspective offers inspiration for anyone navigating parenthood through difficult circumstances.

Diary Of A Birth features mums telling their miraculous stories of bringing life into the world. If you’d like to share your birth story, we’d love to hear from you at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note here.

THE END BITS:
Support independent women's media
Follow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram

If you’re looking for something else to listen to, check out our hilarious and seriously unhelpful podcast The Baby Bubble hosted by Clare and Jessie Stephens.

Mamamia has a podcast for every stage of parenthood.
Our parenting podcast is This Glorious Mess.
If you’re pregnant, listen to The Delivery Room and Hello Bump.
And if you’re trying or preg-curious, Get Me Pregnant and Before The Bump are for you.

CREDITS:

Host: Ksenija Lukich

Birth Story: Simon Holtznagel

Obstetrician & Gynaecologist: Dr Bronywn Devine
Producers: Ksenija Lukich & Tina Matolov
Audio Producer: Leah Porges

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.