Birth Stories Mzansi

"Parenting after loss comes with anxiety I didn't ask for and joy I didn't know I'd get to have." -Bianca Johnson
In today's episode I sit down with Bianca Johnson; pregnancy loss coach, author of "All these lines", and mother to two living children. Over two episodes she takes us through her journey to motherhood (which spans 8 pregnancies, one elective termination, four miscarriages, one termination for medical reasons, and two vaginal births). We discuss joy, grief and anxiety. Bianca's open, genuine and positive tone in reflection is truly a rare and precious resource for parents dealing with loss and hope.We end this episode in the early post-partum after her first vaginal birth. In her next episode we use the story of her home birth to discuss the true healing that autonomy in labour can achieve after loss and birth trauma.
Bianca is also the founder of the Baby Bryce foundation, and an online community for loss moms in South Africa☎️ Get in touch with Bianca at: https://biancajohnson.me/bianca-johnson-pregnancy-loss-coach-south-africa/ Or on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/i.am.biancajohnson?stkn=MXdwdWV3MnRzcGk2Mg== 🔊 Birthing course and Birth Stories Mzansi platform: https://birthstoriesmzansi.base44.app
Like and follow for part 2 of Bianca's story

This is part 2 of Amy’s story. In this honest, thrilling account of unexpected turns on her road to becoming a mother again, Amy lays out what it took. After a cardiac arrest during fertility treatment she decided to take a break from her IVF journey before finding out she was pregnant. She went from an unexpected, miraculous and uncomplicated pregnancy, to an unexpectedly complicated birth and an NICU stay. Amy takes us through the tension of struggling to breastfeed, and how she finally let go without judging herself. Amy is passionate, engaging, and opens her heart to moms in this season.
 
If you missed part 1 you can find it here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ijqZK3bMRSopwWS7JIrgC?si=myUAqY45SFa2SugX-P8crg
 
Birth Stories Mzansi platform and Birth counselling: https://birthstoriesmzansi.base44.app 
Follow along for more: 
https://www.instagram.com/birthstoriesmzansi?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsi=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Amy shares her journey to motherhood through her first pregnancy and caesarian section after induction at 38 weeks. This story is deep, honest and contains a wealth of wisdom. Amy shares her journey through IVF after having a miscarriage She outlines step by step her process as well as the emotions throughout. She also tells us about losing one of her twins in her pregnancy and the grief - joy conundrum that ensues. She details the process of finding out her baby had a lung growth during her pregnancy, and preparing for the birth. She then had an induction which lead to caesarian section, however in her operation she nearly died. She takes us through each heartfelt and intense moment, and we can use this incredible story to laugh, grow and celebrate the wonder of life and motherhood.
Part 2 coming soon!
Follow along on instagram @BirthStoriesMzansi
Birth Course and Birth Counselling: https://birthstoriesmzansi.base44.app
 

You weren't just having a baby. You were becoming someone new.
 
What if the hardest part of motherhood isn't the sleepless nights... but the fact that no one tells you that **you are changing too**?
 
We prepare women for pregnancy. We prepare them for birth. We even talk about postpartum.
But almost no one talks about matrescence.
Matrescence is the profound physical, emotional, psychological, social and identity transformation of becoming a mother. It's as significant as adolescence—yet most women have never even heard the word.
Maybe that's why motherhood can feel so confusing.
One moment you're overflowing with love. The next you're grieving your old life. You feel stronger than ever, yet strangely unfamiliar to yourself.
You're not doing motherhood wrong.
You're experiencing one of the biggest human transitions there is.
When mothers understand matrescence, they stop asking, "What's wrong with me?" And start asking, "Who am I becoming?"
That shift changes everything.
In this episode, we unpack what matrescence really is, why every mother deserves to know about it, and how understanding this hidden transition can replace guilt with self-compassion.
Because motherhood isn't just about raising a child.
It's also about the birth of a new version of you.
Follow along on Instagram @BirthStoriesMzansi
Find outlr platform here: https://birthstoriesmzansi.base44.app
 

Anea shares her journey to motherhood, and the process of finding out that her second child has West Sydrome (a rare form of infantile epilepsy). She talks through the balance of working through pregnancy, as well as working full time with a child who has unconventional needs. She details the highs and lows and what has kept her mind, and her marriage strong through it all. This story is honest, inspirational, and well worth the listen.
Birthing course: https://birthstoriesmzansi.base44.app/audiostore
Follow on Instagram: @birthstoriesmzansi
Check out our other podcast: https://90310-wellness-cast.base44.app
See you next week 

Anne's story shares the depth of a lived experience through pregnancy loss that you may never before have heard so openly shared.
Anne takes us through her turbulent journey to motherhood: after planning a pregnancy through PCOS, she takes us through the decision to terminate the pregnancy due to extreme fetal anomaly. Being in faith based circles, she highlights the tensions and conflicts in this process as well as her subsequent miscarriage. She then describes her turning point to healing before two spontaneous pregnancies and caesarian sections. Her summary, and the healing experience of C-sections after two deliveries of miscarried babies in hospital, is truly worth the listen.
Let her story bring you to your own turning point of healing, and find common ground when it feels like no one knows what to say.
Get in touch:Community support groups: https://birthstoriesmzansi.base44.app
Birth Cards — evidence-based birth prep: https://birth-cards.base44.app
Want to share your own birth story with us? You can submit it directly through the app above.

Ilse takes us through discovering that they would need an assisted fertility route, the route itself, and deciding to stop trying. She then takes us through her spontaneous and unexpected pregnancies, and her two caesarian sections. Her open discussion on the emotional journey of IVF and the joy of being pregnant, is truly a precious resource worth listening to. 
Links from this episode:
Birth Cards — evidence-based birth prep: https://birth-cards.base44.app
Community support groups (Twins, Breastfeeding, NICU, and more): https://birthstoriesmzansi.base44.app
Got a birth story of your own? Submit it directly through the app above.
Thank you, Ilse, for trusting us with this one.

In this beautiful story Sam shares her journey to motherhood. She takes us through an unexpected pregnancy loss, and her subsequent pregnancy. Sam elected to birth in a Midwife unit and she details this process with care. Join us as we follow along on this uplifting and encouraging story.
For episodes by topic, as well as birth counselling bookings, or to share your story seee the whole Birth Stories Mzansi platform: https://birthstoriesmzansi.base44.app
Go to BirthCards app directly: https://birth-cards.base44.app 
Or follow along on Instagram @birthstoriesmzansi

Nomzamo is a mom of two. In this episode she opens up to us about her journey to motherhood and raising two children as a single mom. She walks us though her two pregnancies and deliveries, including a planned caesarian section for breech at term, and an unintentional VBAC. We discuss stigma and challenges facing single moms, as well as the importance of self advocacy. Her story also touches on many of the difficulties that we face in obstetric care in the public system, and the healing power of story telling.
 

In today's episode Jess takes us through waiting to fall pregnant, battling pregnancy symptoms, and mapping out her birth plan for an un-medicated vaginal delivery in private care. We talk through the importance of self advocacy and holding the space during labour, and the fine line between advocacy and responding to the moment during labour. In this honest account, Jess shares her journey to motherhood.
If you would like to contact myself or today's guest, whatsapp 0713582169 or look out for BirthStoriesMzansi on Facebook or Instagram