Phoebe: When “Normal” Postpartum Pain Was Actually Osteoporosis

This episode of Kiwi Birth Tales is proudly sponsored by Woolworths NZ in support of the Little Miracles Trust.

This week on Kiwi Birth Tales I speak with Phoebe about her journey to motherhood with her daughter Amelie.

Phoebe’s pregnancy was mostly textbook until late in her third trimester when repeated growth scans showed her baby was measuring large. After discussions with Auckland Hospital, Phoebe chose to be induced at 38-39 weeks due to concerns around shoulder dystocia and baby’s size.

In this episode Phoebe shares her two-day induction, intense labour, emergency csection birth and the scary moments after Amelie was born and unable to breathe independently, resulting in a short NICU stay.

We also talk through Phoebe’s incredibly difficult postpartum experience. Around 12 weeks postpartum she developed severe back pain which was eventually diagnosed as Pregnancy and Lactation Osteoporosis (PLO), a rare condition that caused multiple spinal fractures while breastfeeding.

Phoebe speaks honestly about birth trauma, postpartum mental health, physical recovery, self advocacy and navigating another pregnancy after such a challenging first experience.

In this episode we cover:

• Textbook pregnancy and easy conception
• Growth scans and suspected large baby
• Choosing induction at 38-39 weeks
• Two-day induction at Auckland Hospital
• Epidural and labour slowing down
• Emergency caesarean birth
• Baby requiring NICU support after birth
• Birth trauma and postpartum emotions
• Breastfeeding and cluster feeding
• Severe postpartum back pain
• Multiple spinal compression fractures
• Pregnancy & Lactation Osteoporosis (PLO)
• Weaning and recovery
• Preparing for baby number two after trauma
• Postpartum depression
• 
  

Your Birth Project Online Hypnobirthing Course

https://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/book-a-free-nurse-consult

Please seek support for any mental health concerns. Some helpful links are below:

Mental Health in Pregnancy

Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Aotearoa

Plunket - Dads Mental Health

Little Shadow - Private Counselling NZ

Find me @kiwibirthtales and @yourbirthproject

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