Connected Hypnobirthing

12/07/2025

Birth Trauma Awareness Week in 2025
14th -20th of July 2025
The theme this year is “This is Birth”, which is about acknowledging individual experiences and stories of birth, that each birthing journey is different and unique and recognising that each experience matters.

Birth Trauma Awareness Week is held each year to help people understand what birth trauma is and that birth can cause physical and/or emotional trauma and to highlight the need for better care, support and understanding.

This year there is a focus to advocate for safe, respectful and compassionate maternity care for all and to highlight the inequalities faced by various groups during pregnancy, birth and postnatal care.


Birth is a right of passage and it shapes us and stays with us for our whole life. Both physical and emotional safety are equally important when someone is giving birth. Birth trauma looks different for everyone, it may be physical, emotional or both, for some it is straight after birth and for others it may months or years later to realise and/or acknowledge and/or accept they feel their birth was a traumatising experience. All birth trauma is valid, it matters and everyone deserves the opportunity to have support. Health care providers can experience birth related trauma as well. 

Birth Trauma Australia are a great support page and if you have experience birth trauma you can head to their website and share your story as part of the awareness campaign, also check out their resources to support anyone going through birth trauma.

I have also written a blog post with the local support for any one experiencing birth trauma.
https://www.connectedhypnobirthing.com.au/resources/birth-trauma-and-mental-health-support-services-in-adelaide

29/06/2025

24/06/2025

Hypnobirthing Australia’s End of Financial Year Sale is here!
From now until the 30th of June at 11:59pm AEST you can get 25% off The Positive Birth Program Online Course using the Coupon Code - EOFY25!

https://www.hypnobirthingaustralia.online/a/2148018596/kTVgNWio
Or visit the link in my bio to purchase, don’t forget to use the code to get the discount.

If you can’t attend a group workshop this is the next best thing and you can then also upgrade to a private session upon completing the course if you feel like need have some questions answered, clarify any learning, run through a script then this is amazing way to get additional support of reach out if you feel you need it.

21/06/2025

Connected Hypnobirthing Client Catch Up!
Clients have been asking so I have listened and put on a mid year Client Coffee Catch Up, next Tuesday the 1st of July, 10am-12pm at Village Grounds Cafe!
There will be coffee, plenty of play space for kids so all ages welcome, we will be inside at a booked table and all are welcome - past and present hypno clients, those interested in hypnobirthing and want to come and find out more and midwife clients welcome too.
Let me know if you can join us ☺️

21/06/2025

Price increase from 1st July 2025
Due to the rising costs of venue fees there will be a slight increase to group class costs from the 1st of July from $550 per couple to $570 per couple so book a class before then to get the current pricing.
There will also be a price increase for private sessions, check out my website for more details.
www.connectedhypnobirthing.com.au

06/06/2025

International Home Birth Day 2025

Home birth matters to many people for various reasons but one of the most significant aspects of home birth is that provides women choices and autonomy. Being able to choose control over her experience with choosing who is present and supporting her, setting the tone of the space that may already feels comforting and safe and it can lower chances of medical interventions especially for low risk pregnancies it can improve birth outcomes, particularly when attended by skilled midwives. This choice is empowering and can provide a family centered experience.
For me the choice to birth at home was where I felt most safe and gave a family centered experience (as you can see in the photos from my 3rd birth).
I understand home birth is not the right choice for everyone but what is so important is that women have the choice to birth where they choose.
I support that choice hence why I am moving into the privately practice home birth midwife space, I’m currently awaiting for my endorsement approval… stay tuned, some changes to Connected Hypnobirthing are coming.

I would love to know why home birth matters to you?

22/05/2025

August Group Hypnobirthing Class 2025

Given June is all booked out (it’s not even June yet so thank you to the 8 couples I have coming along). Please note I am not holding a group in July which means August is up next and it is already filling so I better get on with posting!

2 Full Sundays 3rd & 10th of August from 10am-5:30pm.

Held back in the north/west in Semaphore upstairs at the beautiful venue that is Vitality Semaphore 69 Semaphore Rd.

Ideal time to do a class is anywhere between 20-34 weeks of your pregnancy but I have had couples between 18-38weeks of pregnancy in my classes before.
8 couples per group class, the cost is $550 per couple if you book before the 1st of July; after the 1st price is going up to $570 per couple due to increase in venue fees. You get two days of education with a Registered Midwife, morning and afternoon tea provided, your hypnobirthing booklet and ongoing learning resources and ongoing email support from me is included.
Contact with Nikki to find out more with a DM or email at nikki@connectedhypnobirthing.com.au or you can book in directly via my website that is linked in my bio.

05/05/2025

Happy International Day of the Midwife 💜
It is an honor and privilege to do what I get to do, I feel it is a calling and it is nice to have a day like today to pause and reflect. For me to be able to do this ‘work’ if I can call it that, I want to acknowledge those that make it possible and also support me, firstly my husband and my children who let me go for long days and overnight even at times they want me more, they know what I do is important and that I love it. For that I am forever grateful. My parents for being there for me, to listen and care for my kids when needed so can do what I love.
The midwives I work with now and have worked with in the past, have all taught me how to be the midwife I am today. Always being there to support, listen, and care not only for women but also for each other.
To the women whom we get to care for and be present with at the most powerful, vulnerable, transitional moments in their lives. It’s bigger than words can describe. I want to thank you.

There are times this work feels big, heavy and hard, there are parts people don’t see or we can’t share, there at times it feels like there is progress in this profession then times it feels like it goes backwards. It is challenging often but also so rewarding.

Lastly to my own midwives… thank you 🙏 I am grateful 🥹 .paterson.lactation

02/05/2025

June Group Hypnobirthing Class 2025

Down South in the beautiful McLaren Vale at Manna Studio

2 Full Sundays 15th & 22nd of June from 10am-5-5:30pm.

Held in the studio behind the cafe, 211 Main Road, McLaren Vale.

Please note there is no group class in July and back in Semaphore for August.

Ideal time to do a class is anywhere between 20-34 weeks of your pregnancy but I have had couples between 18-38weeks of pregnancy in my classes before.
8 couples per group class, the cost is $550 per couple for the two days of education from a Registered Midwife, morning and afternoon tea provided, your hypnobirthing booklet and ongoing learning resources are included.
Contact with Nikki to find out more with a DM or email at nikki@connectedhypnobirthing.com.au or you can book in directly via my website that is linked in my bio.

24/04/2025

April - Cesarean Awareness Month

I am grateful to be given permission from a beautiful client Jess to share her thought provoking and moving words for Caesarean Awareness Month.

‘Celebrating all the bodies who have had the experience of a Caesarean birth and recovery.

I remember trying to sit up to see, unable to move my lower half to support my baby entering the world. I remember being stuck in bed for 12+ hours needing the midwife to lift my baby to me everytime she needed me. I remember the pain of getting out of bed for the first time, unable to stand up straight. My body still remembers with the random pains of scar tissue sticking or unexplained itches. Whilst we move on and our initial wounds heal, our children grow, our body still remembers.

A few little thoughts,

“Well at least baby is safe and healthy”
- I heard this quite a few times after my c-section. I have not heard it once since my VBAC even though due to his premature arrival we were lucky he was safe and healthy.

“I want to know all about your birth story”
- I have heard this a lot in the last 4 months. Reflecting on my first birth I was rarely asked. Fear of asking... maybe
Fear of upsetting me... maybe
My c-section birth still had lots of twists and turns of crazy, excitement and empowerment. Why don’t we ask c-section mums their stories and celebrate them too.

The biggest one since my recent birth
“Oh you did it naturally, Congratulations that is so good”
Yes they mean well and it should 100% be celebrated. But the congratulations after a c-section were completely different - they were celebrating the arrival of a baby they were not celebrating the birth too.

Let’s celebrate all Mums, let’s hold and support because the journey is a wild one.’
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

02/11/2024

Today, one of the biggest (and fastest) wins we could have possibly imagined has happened for homebirth families and midwives.

This major milestone simply wouldn’t have been possible without the fierce dedication and advocacy of mothers, midwives, and supporters of homebirth! 💪❤️ 6,000 women filled out surveys, more than 1200 sent emails to their local member of parliament and many of you met with your MPs.

Less than five months ago we came together to stop the Government from putting restrictions on where women choose to birth by excluding women. Unfolding before our eyes we saw a pathway where only ‘low-risk’ women would be able to birth at home with an endorsed midwife.
Today, the government has announced a completely new approach to how midwives will be insured when they support a woman during birth.

They have abandoned the "low-risk" definitions to a framework that truly respects midwives' clinical judgment. Now, intrapartum homebirth services will be covered as long as they comply with the NMBA’s Safety and Quality Guidelines (SQG) – a huge win for safe, accessible, and empowered birthing options! 🌈🏠

Whilst we pinch ourselves, we know the work is not finished and that as always, we still need to be watchful to protect women’s birth choices.

This huge win reflects the power of our collective voices, highlighting how people power can shift the course of policy and make real change for families and providers. 🗣️💬 We spoke and the Government listened - this is truly woman-centered care in action.
Thank you to all who raised their voices – the future of homebirth just got a whole lot brighter! ✨

28/10/2024

Homebirth Awareness Week 2024

It’s a week that celebrates homebirth, raises awareness about homebirth, it’s for sharing stories, the evidence around the benefits and safety of homebirth. It’s so people know that is a choice if they feel it is right for them.

There is beauty and rawness in homebirth, for some it’s choosing it for the comfort, others safety, empowerment, connection and involvement as a whole family.

This year as part of the week, it is being asked how would you describe homebirth in just one word. So if you have experienced a homebirth, how would you describe your homebirth experience in just ONE word?

For me, one word I would use for all 3 would be safe; for each individual birth it would be a different word and so I will share in the comments. So what’s one word you would use if you have experienced a homebirth?
Would love for you to share below!