Labour of Love: A Midwife's Stories of Birth, Life and Speaking Up for Women

by Oceane Campbell

‘I get changed into my scrubs, relieved for the focus on other women’s bodies, making sure they feel safe, strong and worthy of respect. I know exactly the sort of midwife I want to the sort that I need.’

From her first days as a junior midwifery student, through to birthing babies during lockdown measures, Labour of Love follows Australian midwife Oceane Campbell. In her first ten years catching babies she finds the courage to advocate for mothers, save lives, and soothe, grieve with, and celebrate new parents.

As a feminist, woman, mother and midwife, Oceane keenly observes the impacts of birth, and the power dynamics of a system that doesn’t always support women when they’re most vulnerable. 1 in 10 women in Australia report obstetric violence, and 1 in 3 report trauma from their birthing experience. Something needs to change.

Labour of Love explores issues of consent, risk, misogyny and autonomy that surround the monumental transition from woman to mother. Oceane’s stories will leave you in awe of the human body and the miracle of witnessing a baby’s first breath.

A midwife's stories of birth, babies and learning how to stand up for what she believes – and the women she supports.

Genres: Nonfiction

Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2025

Reviews

[Bridie Ohlsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I thought reading this while pregnant might be overwhelming, and, yes, there were a lot of tears (thanks hormones - somehow the acknowledgments had me audibly sobbing). But Oceane is funny and a clever storyteller, so I’ve finished this book feeling grounded and far more educated as the ‘primip’ I am. The conversation about consent, trauma and whether birth must be ‘medical’ is important for everyone. Hoping with all my heart I have midwives like Océane.

[Alma G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous! Heartwarming and life affirming.

[Soo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually love midwifery memoirs but this one didn’t hit the spot. It was poorly written by an amateur writer. I found the author irritating and sanctimonious.

[Jessica Cassimatis · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A labour of love” - a task done for pleasure, not reward. That title is exactly the picture author and midwife Oceane Campbell paints in the memoir of her career catching babies. Oceane shares stories of her work assisting women in childbirth, during their pregnancy and beyond in the early trenches of postpartum; she also tells her of her advocacy for safe and patient-focused care in and out of the hospital, and the flaws in the Australian maternal care systems. Her anecdotal storytelling is raw, fast paced and exciting, beautifully complemented in some parts by evidence based research or factual events.

I absolutely love listening to/hearing pregnancy and birth stories, so reading Labour of Love was a delight. Some parts were heartwarming, and others completely heart wrenching - lots of happy and sad tears were shed in the reading of this book 😭🥹 Whilst I know the author’s intent was to inspire, affirm and educate pregnant women, and I appreciate the honesty in her memoir, some of Oceane’s sections felt self-righteous and prescriptive, particularly with the agenda concerning an unmedicated, “natural” birth being the superior type of birth for women. Labour of Love is a must-read for any healthcare professional involved in pregnancy care, women passionate about advocating for themselves in pregnancy and birth, and any postpartum woman making sense of their pregnancy and birth experience.

[Annabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Critical book for our times, Labour of Love is a fiesty, funny, and hugely important book about birth, women’s bodies and how important it is we get this right.

Oceane shares personal stories and the flow and pace is intoxicating. I read this book in nearly one sitting and I’m gutted it’s finished! I want more ! Her descriptions
Of her life as a midwife are just stunning, and bring to life each experience she shares.

[Courtney Hellyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have many thoughts about this book. As a doula passionate about physiological, unmedicated & low intervention birth I’m encouraged by the amount of normal births Oceane shared and witnessed. I’m also quickly reminded on how a lot of doctors and some midwives practice, not offering full consent, pressuring women and likely changing their entire birth experience.

I learnt a lot, and truthfully I’ll probably read this book again, to take notes and take it all in.

[Jane Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read, deep insight into not only the world of birth and midwifery but also into issues of medical misogyny, women’s health and the maternity system. Loved the personal insight and generosity of stories shared from Oceane’s own life. Wish I could give it more stars. Such an important book for our time.

[Sally Tank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant book. Had me laughing and crying and wanting it to go on for longer. Fast paced, incredible stories of birth and loved the personal sharing from the author about her own life and journey through pregnancy and birth.

[Cilla Bashforth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me awhile! Purely because it's just the perfect book to read before bed, as a student midwife I just love hearing the stories of the midwives I now look up to when they were just midgirlfriends!

[Elizabeth Santaromita · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most beautifully constructed narratives on the maternal birthing experience - pure magic! The calm, the chaos! I could listen to these women’s stories forever. Such a healing experience, wrapped up with a pretty pink cover.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow .. another heartfelt memoir from Oceane. I couldn’t put this down .. a must read for every Mumma and Mumma to be out there

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ripped through this so fast, thank you, Oceane, for this wonderful book.

[Sue Gould · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving memoir - a personal and feminist perspective on childbirth.