In this episode, Ashleigh shares her journey through loss, IVF, and two very different birth experiences — and what changed the second time around.

After a first birth that she reflects on as traumatic, but pivotal, Ashleigh went into her second pregnancy with one clear intention: she wanted it to be different.

What unfolds is a powerful exploration of:

• Pregnancy after loss and the heightened fear that comes with it
• The difference between standard hospital care and private midwifery support
• The reality that many choices in the system don’t always feel like true choices
• How seeking evidence, information, and continuity of care changed everything
• The emotional and physical shift from a medicalised birth to an empowering one

Ashleigh speaks candidly about:

• Feeling like options in the system were presented in a way that made it hard to say no
• Wanting informed consent and autonomy the second time around
• Choosing a private midwife early in pregnancy and the impact of continuous, personalised care
• The contrast between a birth she describes as “traumatic, but pivotal” and one that felt “empowering, incredible and magic”

It’s a powerful episode that we hope you enjoy.

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 Ashleigh at:

https://www.instagram.com/ashleighburgis/

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Midwife / IBCLC:

Tamika Newman

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/midwifetamika/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://tamikanewmanibclc.com/⁠