Today on Diary of a Birth, we hear the remarkable story of how two women came together to bring baby Lily into the world through surrogacy. When Trudy Bateman was down to her last embryo and unable to carry her own child, she found an unexpected angel in Julie - a "retired" surrogate via a Facebook group. This dramatic story shines a light on the altruistic act that is becoming a surrogate through Australia's complex laws.

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Follow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram

Diary Of A Birth fans can get off the Dr Golly Sleep and Toddler Toolkit online programs (lifesaver!). Use code MAMAMIA20 here (expires 31/12/25). Not valid for the purchase of gift vouchers).

If you’re looking for something else to listen to, check out our hilarious and seriously unhelpful podcast The Baby Bubble hosted by Clare and Jessie Stephens.

Mamamia has a podcast for every stage of parenthood.
Our parenting podcast is This Glorious Mess.
If you’re pregnant, listen to The Delivery Room and Hello Bump.
And if you’re trying or preg-curious, Get Me Pregnant and Before The Bump are for you.

CREDITS:

Host: Ksenija Lukich

Birth Story: Trudy Bateman & Julie Laherty

Australia’s Favourite Paediatrician: Dr Golly
Executive Producer: Thom Lion
Audio Producer: Scott Stronach

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Georgia Inglis suffered a spinal cord injury at age 10, she didn't let it stop her from becoming a Commonwealth Games silver medalist in wheelchair basketball. But her greatest challenge and triumph would be becoming a mother. In this powerful episode of Diary of a Birth, Georgia shares her remarkable journey of adapting to pregnancy and childbirth with a disability. This rare and inspiring story showcases the strength of mothers living with disability, a perspective that's seldom shared in Australian media.

Diary Of A Birth features mums telling their miraculous stories of bringing life into the world, and we have all medical questions and concerns cleared up by Australia’s favourite paediatrician, Dr Golly.

If you’d like to share your birth story, we’d love to hear from you at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note here.

THE END BITS:
Support independent women's media
Follow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram

Diary Of A Birth fans can get off the Dr Golly Sleep and Toddler Toolkit online programs (lifesaver!). Use code MAMAMIA20 here (expires 31/12/25). Not valid for the purchase of gift vouchers).

If you’re looking for something else to listen to, check out our hilarious and seriously unhelpful podcast The Baby Bubble hosted by Clare and Jessie Stephens.

Mamamia has a podcast for every stage of parenthood.
Our parenting podcast is This Glorious Mess.
If you’re pregnant, listen to The Delivery Room and Hello Bump.
And if you’re trying or preg-curious, Get Me Pregnant and Before The Bump are for you.

CREDITS:

Host: Ksenija Lukich

Birth Story: Georgia Inglis

Australia’s Favourite Paediatrician: Dr Golly

Executive Producer: Thom Lion

Producer: Ksenija Lukich

Audio Producer: Scott Stronach

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Charlotte, a nurse living on the Sunshine Coast tells her incredible story of Koa's premature birth when at 27 weeks, her waters broke. Charlotte's story highlights the tireless work of our NICU doctors and midwives, and also the fascinating mindset she adopted to overcome the challenges having a premature baby present.

Diary Of A Birth features mums telling their miraculous stories of bringing life into the world, and we have all medical questions and concerns cleared up by Australia’s favourite paediatrician, Dr Golly.

If you’d like to share your birth story, we’d love to hear from you at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note here.

THE END BITS:
Support independent women's media
Follow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram

Diary Of A Birth fans can get off the Dr Golly Sleep and Toddler Toolkit online programs (lifesaver!). Use code MAMAMIA20 here (expires 31/12/25). Not valid for the purchase of gift vouchers).

If you’re looking for something else to listen to, check out our hilarious and seriously unhelpful podcast The Baby Bubble hosted by Clare and Jessie Stephens.

Mamamia has a podcast for every stage of parenthood.
Our parenting podcast is This Glorious Mess.
If you’re pregnant, listen to The Delivery Room and Hello Bump.
And if you’re trying or preg-curious, Get Me Pregnant and Before The Bump are for you.

CREDITS:

Host: Ksenija Lukich

Birth Story: Charlotte Fussel

Australia’s Favourite Paediatrician: Dr Golly

Executive Producer: Thom Lion

Audio Producer: Scott Stronach

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lou Brown's journey seemed familiar - three healthy pregnancies with boys had prepared her for what she thought would be another straightforward experience. When she discovered she was expecting a girl, Lou was bursting with joy and confident for the road ahead.

However, a rare listeria diagnosis would dramatically alter her path. Isolated on a remote cattle property in rural Queensland, Lou found herself 130km from the nearest town Toowoomba, far from critical medical support. Her greatest strength would ultimately be her own remarkable resilience to meet the girl she yearned for.

Diary Of A Birth features mums telling their miraculous stories of bringing life into the world, and we have all medical questions and concerns cleared up by Australia’s favourite paediatrician, Dr Golly.

If you’d like to share your birth story, we’d love to hear from you at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note here.

THE END BITS:
Support independent women's media
Follow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram

Diary Of A Birth fans can get off the Dr Golly Sleep and Toddler Toolkit online programs (lifesaver!). Use code MAMAMIA20 here (expires 31/12/25). Not valid for the purchase of gift vouchers).

If you’re looking for something else to listen to, check out our hilarious and seriously unhelpful podcast The Baby Bubble hosted by Clare and Jessie Stephens.

Mamamia has a podcast for every stage of parenthood.
Our parenting podcast is This Glorious Mess.
If you’re pregnant, listen to The Delivery Room and Hello Bump.
And if you’re trying or preg-curious, Get Me Pregnant and Before The Bump are for you.

CREDITS:
Host: Ksenija Lukich
Australia’s Favourite Paediatrician: Dr Golly
Executive Producers: Thom Lion & Georgie Page
Audio Producer: Scott Stronach

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jules Robinson tells her incredible birth story with Carter. After doing everything ‘right’ in pregnancy, Carter had his own plans and entered the world in an exhausting and dramatic fashion! Jules details how she worked to stay in tune with her own body during a challenging labour and post-partum period, and shares her struggles with pre-eclampsia. Dr Golly explains this condition and what you can do to avoid it.
Follow Jules's insta page for mums here.

Diary Of A Birth features mums telling their miraculous stories of bringing life into the world, and we have all medical questions and concerns cleared up by one of Australia’s favourite paediatricians, Dr Golly.

If you’d like to share your birth story, we’d love to hear from you at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note here.

THE END BITS:
Support independent women's media
Follow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram

Diary Of A Birth fans can get off the Dr Golly Sleep and Toddler Toolkit online programs (lifesaver!). Use code MAMAMIA20 here (expires 31/12/25. Not valid for the purchase of gift vouchers).

If you’re looking for something else to listen to, check out our hilarious and seriously unhelpful podcast The Baby Bubble hosted by Clare and Jessie Stephens.

Mamamia has a podcast for every stage of parenthood.
Our parenting podcast is This Glorious Mess.
If you’re pregnant, listen to The Delivery Room and Hello Bump.
And if you’re trying or preg-curious, Get Me Pregnant and Before The Bump are for you.

CREDITS:
Host: Ksenija Lukich
Expert: Dr Golly
Executive Producer: Georgie Page
Audio Producer: Scott Stronach

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monika Radulovic has one of the most dramatic birth stories you can imagine - involving a last-minute breech baby literally hanging out of her and a crazy ambulance dash to hospital. You will not believe how this New Years baby came into the world.
Monika tells this story with heart and humour, and we have Dr Golly's advice on dealing with scares and shocks in pregnancy.

Diary Of A Birth features mums telling their miraculous stories of bringing life into the world, and we have all medical questions and concerns cleared up by Australia’s favourite paediatrician, Dr Golly.

If you’d like to share your birth story, we’d love to hear from you at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note here.

THE END BITS:
Support independent women's media
Follow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram

Diary Of A Birth fans can get off the Dr Golly Sleep and Toddler Toolkit online programs (lifesaver!). Use code MAMAMIA20 here (expires 31/12/25. Not valid for the purchase of gift vouchers).

If you’re looking for something else to listen to, check out our hilarious and seriously unhelpful podcast The Baby Bubble hosted by Clare and Jessie Stephens.

Mamamia has a podcast for every stage of parenthood.
Our parenting podcast is This Glorious Mess.
If you’re pregnant, listen to The Delivery Room and Hello Bump.
And if you’re trying or preg-curious, Get Me Pregnant and Before The Bump are for you.

CREDITS:
Host: Ksenija Lukich
Expert: Dr Golly
Executive Producer: Georgie Page
Audio Producer: Scott Stronach

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This birth story involves a cervix that just wouldn’t dilate, an epidural that didn’t quite do its job, and a baby delivered with forceps. But it turned out to be an incredibly positive experience for the mum, Diary Of A Birth’s host Ksenija Lukich. Ksenija shares her own touching story of birthing Mimi.

Diary Of A Birth features mums telling their miraculous stories of bringing life into the world, and we have all medical questions and concerns cleared up by Australia’s favourite paediatrician, Dr Golly.

If you’d like to share your birth story, we’d love to hear from you at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note here.

THE END BITS:
Support independent women's media
Follow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram

Diary Of A Birth fans can get off the Dr Golly Sleep and Toddler Toolkit online programs (lifesaver!). Use code MAMAMIA20 here (expires 31/12/25. Not valid for the purchase of gift vouchers).

If you’re looking for something else to listen to, check out our hilarious and seriously unhelpful podcast The Baby Bubble hosted by Clare and Jessie Stephens.

Mamamia has a podcast for every stage of parenthood.
Our parenting podcast is This Glorious Mess.
If you’re pregnant, listen to The Delivery Room and Hello Bump.
And if you’re trying or preg-curious, Get Me Pregnant and Before The Bump are for you.

CREDITS:
Host: Ksenija Lukich
Expert: Dr Golly
Executive Producer: Georgie Page
Audio Producer: Scott Stronach

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clare Stephens endured an exhausting and sometimes terrifying birthing experience - and came out of it with an amazing perspective that every pregnant mum needs to hear.

Clare’s experience covers pregnancy anxiety, a long labour and a difficult epidural and her story-telling makes this an amazing listen.

Diary Of A Birth features mums telling their miraculous stories of bringing life into the world, and we have all medical questions and concerns cleared up by Australia’s favourite paediatrician, Dr Golly.

If you’d like to share your birth story, we’d love to hear from you at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note here.

THE END BITS:
Support independent women's media
Follow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram

Diary Of A Birth fans can get off the Dr Golly Sleep and Toddler Toolkit online programs (lifesaver!). Use code MAMAMIA20 here (expires 31/12/25. Not valid for the purchase of gift vouchers).

If you’re looking for something else to listen to, check out our hilarious and seriously unhelpful podcast The Baby Bubble hosted by Clare and Jessie Stephens.

Mamamia has a podcast for every stage of parenthood.
Our parenting podcast is This Glorious Mess.
If you’re pregnant, listen to The Delivery Room and Hello Bump.
And if you’re trying or preg-curious, Get Me Pregnant and Before The Bump are for you.

CREDITS:
Host: Ksenija Lukich
Expert: Dr Golly
Executive Producer: Georgie Page
Audio Producer: Scott Stronach

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.