S3 EP: 3 Ellena - Two Births, Emergency Caesarean, HBAC, Homebirth, Eclampsia, Miscarriage, ICU, NICU, Special Care, 42+1 weeks, 2nd Degree Tear.

In today’s episode, we are joined by Ellena, who shares the deeply personal and transformative stories of both of her births. Ellena’s first birth journey was marked by unexpected challenges, as she faced an emergency caesarean at 34 weeks after being diagnosed with eclampsia. She opens up about the subtle, often overlooked signs of the condition during her pregnancy and reflects on the surreal experience of having her son under general anesthesia after suffering an eclamptic seizure. Ellena describes the emotional and physical hurdles she faced as her baby spent time in NICU and she herself was in ICU, while also navigating the complexities of breastfeeding a premature baby.

For her second birth, Ellena sought out a private midwife and chose to have a homebirth, giving birth to her daughter at 42+1 weeks. She discusses how she took a proactive approach, conducting extensive research and preparing herself mentally and physically, aware of the slim possibility of experiencing eclampsia once more—yet this time, her journey was different. Ellena beautifully recounts how she created a birth experience that felt empowering, culminating in the peaceful birth of her daughter on her own bed, in the comfort of her home.

Ellena’s Instagram 

Links:

• Eclampsia in Australia & NZ: A prospective population-based study
• Australian Action on Pre-Eclampsia Website 
• RANZCOG - high blood pressure & pre-eclampsia 
• The great birth rebellion podcast - preventing preeclampsia 
• The great birth rebellion podcast - so you’ve got preeclampsia