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+4 Labouring at home without scans or medical testing The role of mindset in physiological birth Emotional womb work and releasing stored tension Labouring solo and conscious birth preparation Having an older child witness birth Placenta encapsulation and postpartum recovery Taking responsibility for your birth choices The 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_cottage Books: 📖 Portal by Yolande Norris-Clark Instagram: @bauhauswife Birth Sling: @the.birth.sling Pregnancy Yoga (Coffs Harbour): @wildernessyoga.coffs Womb & Pelvic Healing Work with Chaitanya: @wombtemple.healing Sydney Midwife (First Birth): @janineatibirth If 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: Free Birth Debrief with Shari from Belly2Birth + 10% Off All Programs Use code: POSITIVEBIRTH10 for 10% off all programs including Journey to Birth + a free birth debrief. Esfera Designs Wellness (Birth) Ball Create a calm, supportive space during pregnancy and postpartum with Esfera Designs. Use code: PBA20 for $20 off your order. Esfera Designs

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S7 EP186: Vanessa Harding: Two Home births / 26-Hour Posterior Labour at 41+4 / House Renovation + Wild Pregnancy is an episode from Positive Birth Australia by Skye Waters.

This episode is 01:44:41 long.

This episode was published on Feb 21, 2026.

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