Alice’s birth story is a powerful reminder that birth doesn’t have to go according to plan to still be deeply empowering.

During her pregnancy, Alice and her husband were navigating profound grief after losing two important people in their lives. At the same time, she was flagged as high-risk for preeclampsia, which ultimately led to a medically necessary induction.

What followed was a 63-hour journey through cervical tape, a balloon catheter, hormone drip, and eventually theatre for delivery.

On paper, it might sound like the kind of birth many women fear.

But Alice’s experience tells a different story.

Through hypnobirthing, intentional mindset work, and advocating for time and space within the hospital system, she was able to stay grounded and connected to the process.

In this episode we talk about:

• Navigating grief while pregnant
• Being flagged as high-risk for preeclampsia
• Preparing mentally for birth
• The full reality of induction (cervical tape, balloon, hormone drip)
• Labouring for 12 hours and pushing for two
• A theatre birth with episiotomy and suction
• The power of slowing down hospital decisions
• Why mindset preparation matters just as much as physical preparation
• What empowerment in motherhood means after birth

Want more?

You can find episode photos over at:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/wearemotherspod/⁠

You can find me at:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsarahcusack/⁠

You can find Alice at:

https://www.instagram.com/__alicehillhouse/