Hello mamas and welcome back to the Pregnancy with Physio Laura podcast. 

Today we are kicking off with episode 5 in the Birth with Confidence series, diving into the current birth culture here in Australia. In this episode we’ll discuss the current culture around birth and the up to date statistics on what birth truly looks like in this country, how the epidural has changed a lot in the birth space culture and women’s ability to cope with pain as well as ways you can try and boost your bodies natural pain tolerance. This is episode 5 of a 6 part Birth with Confidence series with the incredibly wise Rhea Dempsey, a birth worker, childbirth educator, counsellor and best-selling author of the incredible books Birth with Confidence and Beyond the Birth Plan. 

And don’t forget we have already released the first 4 episodes in this series, where we chat with Rhea all about the natural hormonal dance between a mother and baby, the importance of queen oxytocin and how to set up a beautiful oxytocin bubble at home, the role of endorphins and adrenaline in late stage labour and the importance of understanding and reframing labour pain. So make sure you go back and listen to those episodes when you get a chance as there are some absolutely nuggets of wisdom in them!

Now let’s get into episode 5 in our 6 part Birth with Confidence series. This is an eye-opening but powerful episode about current birth culture and hopefully it helps us to understand a little better why Rhea thinks natural, physiological birth is on the brink of extinction. Enjoy!