logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2025
32m 51s

The Birth You Wanted vs. The Birth You G...

ERIKA DE PELLEGRIN
About this episode
The birth you wanted vs. the birth you got ... For so many mums, that gap is filled with disappointment, guilt, and even grief. In this deeply honest conversation, we share our own birth stories — from placenta previa and breech presentations, to unexpected C-sections and the heavy judgments that followed. We open up about the stigma, the shame, and the hear ... Show More
Up next
May 10
How to Brainwash Yourself Into Becoming the 1% | Honia Kader
What does it really take to become her, the woman who creates abundance, wealth, success and a life that once felt impossible? In this powerful episode of The Balance Theory, I sit down with Honia Kader to unpack the mindset, identity work and self-belief required to become the 1 ... Show More
55m 59s
May 3
Stop Just "Going Through" Life & Start FEELING It Again! | Dr Louise Lambert
If you’ve ever felt like you’re just going through the motions of life… this episode is for you. On the outside, everything might look good. You’re doing what you’re “supposed” to do. But internally, something feels off. Like you’re not fully in your life. In this episode of The ... Show More
56m 54s
Apr 26
If You Want to Be More Confident, Communicate Like THIS | Shereen Mitwalli
What if confidence isn’t something you build… but something you express? In this episode of The Balance Theory, Erika sits down with Shereen Mitwalli to unpack one of the biggest misconceptions around confidence: that it comes from what you say, when in reality… it comes from how ... Show More
53m 25s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2025
Birth Is Not a Medical Emergency: The Fight for Autonomy in Women's Health with Dr. Stuart Fischbein from Birthing Instincts
<p dir="ltr">In this powerful episode, Dr. Stuart Fischbein—renowned OBGYN, midwifery ally, and co-host of the Birthing Instincts podcast—unpacks the truth behind modern obstetrics, the rise in unnecessary interventions, and what it really means to trust your body during birth.</ ... Show More
1h 44m
Apr 2024
Hypnobirthing 101: Simple Tools to Make Your Birth Better
Before I fell pregnant, I honestly couldn't have taken less interest in pregnancy, birth or babies & for the first two thirds of my pregnancy my attitude remained the same. Until I read a book & that book sparked an obsession and sent me deep down the rabbit hole and I am now utt ... Show More
53m 25s
Oct 2021
From C-Section to Free Birth
<p>One of the things I hear most often from women who had a transcendent, empowering, largely independent, birth experience, is that it wipes out the residue of former births they may have had, where they were more entrenched in the allopathic system. </p><p>Women who had C-secti ... Show More
1h 3m
Jan 2025
Imperfect Birth Stories with Sophie Walker
In this episode of our Summer School, we are joined by Sophie Walker, creator, and host of Australian Birth Stories. With over 17 million downloads, and 500 episodes, Australian Birth Stories podcast has been accredited by the Australian College of Midwives and has been instrumen ... Show More
1h 1m
Aug 2025
349. Natural Birth Expert: 95% Of Women Don't Know This About Childbirth (Even Doctors Won't Tell You)
"Natural birth is not just a choice: it’s your body’s intelligent design." – Shari LyonIn this eye‑opening conversation, I speak with Shari Lyon, founder of Belly2Birth. With over 13 years of experience as a childbirth educator, Shari reveals why natural, physiological birth is o ... Show More
1h 23m
Sep 2024
A Natural Hospital Birth Against All Odds
<p class="p1">From the very beginning of her first pregnancy, Aeriel encountered discouragement and doubt from medical providers about her ability to birth naturally.</p> <p class="p1">Unbelievably, she was even repeatedly encouraged to end her (unplanned, but wanted) pregnancy m ... Show More
47m 33s
Oct 2021
Intuitive Birth: Trusting Yourself and the Divine
<p>A natural, sovereign, empowered pregnancy and birth brings you:</p><ul><li>Confidence, boldness and the ability to stand up and speak your truth.</li><li>Knowing that you can do anything in your life. If you can do this.</li><li>An even stronger link with your intuition and di ... Show More
43m 26s
Aug 2024
Unmedicated Birth Story: Journey from a Traumatic Birth to a Healing Unmedicated Birth with Erika Bielska
<p>Today&apos;s birth story is a little bit different. Erika shares two very different birth experiences. She shares the trauma she experienced and had to process from her first birth, and how redemptive her next birth was. She does an excellent job of pointing out what did not g ... Show More
1h 3m
Apr 2025
Ditching Unrealistic Expectations: Postpartum Advice from Doula Caitlin Wilder
<p>In this heartfelt episode, I’m joined by the wonderful Caitlin Wilder, a doula who brings so much honesty and compassion to the postpartum space. We’re talking all about what it <em>really</em> looks like after baby arrives—normalizing the hard stuff, letting go of unrealistic ... Show More
47m 54s
Sep 2025
Birth Story: Unmedicated Birth Story & Baking Sourdough During Labor with Rachel Weaver
<p><b>Join the My Essential Birth Course by October 7th and get the exclusive Rise &amp; Birth Pack</b> featuring a calming Birth Affirmations Audio Track and 25 beautifully crafted, printable Birth Affirmation Cards to keep you grounded, confident, and inspired for birth. Learn ... Show More
1h 3m