Larni Jones knows what it’s like to have a birth experience that leaves you feeling deflated, disappointed and disconnected from your baby, but has also experienced the absolute joy of an amazing birth, not because everything went exactly to plan, but because she felt awesome and confident in herself. After the birth of her fourth child, she was inspired to guide, mentor and support other women on their journey through pregnancy, childbirth and beyond. Her mission is to help women achieve a positive, empowered birth and to enjoy a connected, confident postpartum period. As a Doula, Hypnobirthing Australia Practitioner and Childbirth Educator, she is passionate about guiding women through this life-changing transition into motherhood. Here she talks about the inspiration behind Sage Birthing and creating The Empowered Birth Program, the ultimate guide to preparing you for your own positive birth experience.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
I think there are a lot of things that have ultimately led me to the path I’m on today, but the catalyst for me, the real defining moment, was the birth of my fourth baby. After her birth and immediate postpartum, I knew that my calling in life was to support women, particularly with pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
Initially, I enrolled in a doula course with The Doula Training Academy and at the same time completed my certification with Hypnobirthing Australia to be a certified childbirth educator. I was pulled towards both of these courses as the way I view birth is as a natural, normal, physiological function of the body, and it was important for me to work with training organisations who shared the holistic view of birth.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
The biggest breakthrough for me was when I realised that I wanted my impact to be greater, and to be more accessible for women all over the country (and the globe really!). So, 12 months into my business, I created a course called The Empowered Birth Program. Education, radical ownership and self trust and belief are the foundations to preparing for birth, so I created a program that allows me to support women and their partners, wherever they are, to prepare for their birth journey.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Oh the elusive balance that we all strive to achieve! I don’t have it, to be perfectly honest! I have periods where I am deep in business creation and supporting clients, and then I have times where I am nailing mum life, home school life and being an amazing wife. Sometimes, these intersect and I feel like I have it all together for a little while, and sometimes it’s really hard. But my business and my family are all part of what makes me me and makes my life enjoyable and fun!
