FTM, severe hyperemesis gravidarum and hospital care, choosing unassisted homebirth (freebirth), long placenta birth || L's birth of Henry at home (Victoria)

Episode 75 is shared by L. A first time mum living on the land of the Wurundjeri and Bunurong Peoples. 

She shares her pregnancy story and how her frequent engagement with the hospital system due to her debilitating hyperemesis gravidarum influenced her decisions around what model of care she wanted and hoped for. 

Ultimately, despite back and forth and advocating for the same, L was unable to access midwifery continuity of care or a homebirth through the publicly funded model. She then made the decision to birth unassisted with the support of her partner. 

I met L in the later part of the third trimester as she was navigating this decision and was shocked by some of the experiences L had especially considering how her pregnancy had already significantly impacted her mental health and wellbeing.  

Resources: 

• Hyperemesis Gravidarum 
• Birth of the Placenta (Ep from Great Birth Rebellion)