Podcast Episode #236
Birth Story with Noni [Pelvic Girdle Pain, Vaginal Birth, TENS, Returning to Running]
In this beautiful and honest birth story, I’m joined by Noni, a midwife, sonographer, and FitNest Mama member, who shares her personal journey from pregnancy to birth and beyond.
Noni takes us through her vaginal birth, how she prepared mentally and physically, and how the TENS machine became a key tool for managing contractions during labour.
As a midwife herself, Noni brings a unique perspective to birth preparation, labour strategies, and the emotional and physical changes of postpartum recovery.
Whether you’re preparing for birth or simply love hearing real stories from other mums, this is an episode filled with wisdom, warmth, and practical advice.
What We Cover:
- Noni’s pregnancy journey — managing pelvic girdle pain and adapting her exercise routine
- How Noni prepared for birth using affirmations, hypnobirthing principles, perineal massage and more
- The story of her vaginal birth — from stretch and sweeps to an artificial rupture of membranes (ARM)
- Using a TENS machine for pain relief and how it helped her stay active and in control during labour
- Navigating an unexpected heart rate drop and the quick decision to move things along
- Post-birth recovery — returning to running, pelvic floor challenges, and finding a new sense of self as a mum
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In this article you'll find tips to:
- Prepare for birth with breathing exercises, perineal stretching, and hypnobirthing techniques.
- Manage labour pain using a TENS machine, movement, and relaxation strategies.
- Reduce pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy with targeted exercises and physio-approved stretches.
- Build strength and confidence for postpartum recovery with pelvic floor exercises.
- Ease the transition into motherhood and rediscover your identity after birth.
- Plan for postpartum recovery, including organising support and meal prep before the baby arrives.
- Know when to seek help for pelvic floor issues, such as leaking or discomfort.
- Maintain an active lifestyle during pregnancy and return to exercise safely after birth.
Every birth experience is unique, and hearing real stories can help expectant mums feel more prepared and reassured. In this recent podcast episode, midwife and sonographer Noni shared her vaginal birth story, offering insights into her pregnancy, labour, and postpartum recovery.
Now six months postpartum, she reflects on what helped her prepare for birth, how she managed labour pain, and the challenges she faced in the early months of motherhood. If you’re pregnant or adjusting to life as a new mum, her story provides practical advice and encouragement.
Birth Story
Noni’s pregnancy was mostly smooth until the third trimester when she began experiencing pelvic girdle pain, making movement uncomfortable. Despite this, she remained active with safe pregnancy exercises and continued preparing for birth.
At 40 weeks and 6 days, after a stretch and sweep, her baby’s heart rate dipped slightly, leading to further monitoring. While there was no immediate emergency, doctors decided to artificially break her waters (artificial rupture of membranes or ARM) to encourage labour.
Labour progressed quickly, and Noni used a TENS machine, movement, and breathing techniques to manage the pain. She initially laboured in a water birth pool, as planned, but due to ongoing concerns about her baby’s heart rate, she had to move into a different position for pushing.
After four hours of labour and one hour of pushing, she gave birth to her son vaginally, with no significant tearing.
This experience reinforced her belief in preparing for birth while also staying flexible. Despite being a midwife, she was reminded that birth can be unpredictable, and the best approach is to stay informed while also trusting the process.
Birth Preparation
As a midwife, Noni had a strong understanding of birth preparation and made an effort to incorporate both mental and physical techniques to help her feel confident and ready for labour.
Together with her husband, she:
- Listened to an audiobook on hypnobirthing to understand techniques for managing contractions naturally.
- Created a calm birth space in their home with soft lighting, affirmations, and a playlist of their favourite music.
- Practised breathing exercises and soft-touch massage, which became a regular way to relax and connect before birth.
- Discussed fears and expectations with her husband, ensuring they were both prepared for the emotional and physical aspects of labour.
She also practised perineal stretching, which she learned from FitNest Mama, to help reduce the risk of tearing. This involved using massage techniques in the final weeks of pregnancy to gently stretch the perineal area, improving flexibility and helping her body prepare for birth.
By combining both mental preparation (breathing, affirmations, relaxation) and physical preparation (stretching, movement, and birth positioning), she felt as ready as she could be for labour.
TENS for Labour
One of the most effective pain relief tools Noni used during labour was a TENS machine (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation).
She learned how to use it properly by watching a tutorial inside FitNest Mama and found it incredibly helpful.
The TENS machine worked by:
✅ Providing non-invasive pain relief through small electrical pulses on her back.
✅ Distracting her from contractions, making them feel more manageable.
✅ Giving her a sense of control, as she could adjust the intensity of the stimulation as needed.
She used it throughout the earlier stages of labour, finding it particularly useful before contractions became more intense. Noni highly recommends it as a simple and effective pain relief option that doesn’t interfere with the body’s natural birthing process.
Pelvic Girdle Pain: Managing Discomfort in Pregnancy
During her third trimester, Noni began experiencing pelvic girdle pain (PGP), a common condition where the joints in the pelvis become stiff or painful due to hormonal and postural changes in pregnancy.
To manage this discomfort, she:
✔️ Followed pregnancy-safe exercises from FitNest Mama, focusing on gentle movement and stretching.
✔️ Used a physiotherapist-approved stretching routine, which included a seven-minute stretch session that became part of her daily routine.
✔️ Switched to low-impact activities like swimming and Pilates to stay active without aggravating the pain.
By making these small adjustments, she was able to remain mobile and physically prepared for labour while keeping discomfort under control.
Re-Discovering Identity During Motherhood
Postpartum recovery wasn’t just about healing physically—it also meant adjusting to a completely new way of life.
As a long-time runner, Noni struggled with the idea that she might never return to running in the same way she had before. She began a slow and structured return-to-running plan, but after experiencing some pelvic floor weakness, she realised she needed additional support.
She sought help from a pelvic health physiotherapist, who reassured her that some level of pelvic floor weakness was normal after birth. With the right exercises and gradual strengthening, she is now rebuilding her fitness and confidence.
For Noni, running is more than just exercise—it’s a way to:
✅ Maintain mental well-being.
✅ Feel independent.
✅ Connect with herself outside of her role as a mum.
Her journey highlights the importance of patience and listening to your body as you recover from birth and adjust to life as a parent.
Postpartum Recovery: What Helped the Most
Looking back, Noni identified several key things that made her postpartum recovery smoother:
- Pelvic floor checks: She advises all new mums to get their pelvic floor assessed early rather than waiting for problems to develop.
- Accepting help: Whether it’s meals, housework, or just having someone to talk to, she believes new mums should never hesitate to take support when offered.
- Planning for postpartum: Many women focus on birth preparation but forget to plan for recovery. She recommends arranging meals, support, and self-care strategies before the baby arrives.
She found FitNest Mama to be a valuable resource for postpartum exercises, especially for regaining strength and confidence after birth.
Noni’s vaginal birth story is a great reminder that preparation, support, and self-trust are key to a positive birth and postpartum experience. Whether it’s managing pelvic girdle pain, using a TENS machine, or prioritising recovery, small steps can make a big difference.
** This podcast has general information only. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health or medical condition.
Links
Free Register now: https://www.fitnestmama.com/pregnancyworkshop
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