![MORGANA'S TRUIMPH I'VE GOT ALL OF NZ BEHIND ME!](https://cdn.magzter.com/1472108748/1713154215/articles/ASzgMMe201713187826340/MORGANAS-TRUIMPH-IVE-GOT-ALL-OF-NZ-BEHIND-ME.jpg)
It's not too often women are heard raving about how much they love going into labour, but Kiwi actress Morgana O'Reilly is a proud birth-loving geek who's determined to change perceptions about welcoming babies into the world.
"I'm a birth nerd," chuckles the mum of two, who will star in the next season of hit US drama The White Lotus. "In another life, I'd be a midwife. I'd love to give birth again especially if I didn't have to do all the harder stuff that comes after!"
Morgana's love for labour made her perfect for the new series Friends Like Her. Having starred in local comedy Mean Mums and Aussie soap Neighbours, the 38-year-old felt ready to take on a "juicy drama" She plays working mum Nicole, who becomes a surrogate for her bestie Tessa, but things take a dark turn after an earthquake strikes their hometown of Kaikōura.
In contrast, Morgana says her path to parenthood with filmmaker husband Peter Salmon, 48, was "peaceful". Daughter Luna, eight, and son Ziggy, five, arrived via water births, with Morgana vividly recalling the magical moment she witnessed Luna take her first breath.
"She sounded like she was finishing a milkshake, then I watched this purple blob looking around with dark eyes," she recalls. "Her lips turned red and her cheeks flushed pink as her body took on its own air. It was awesome!
"Meanwhile, Ziggy cried and I thought he was cold, so I swished water onto him, which maybe wasn't the best idea since birthing pool water isn't particularly clean!"
Morgana has since become passionate about spreading positive messages around giving birth.
"We're brought up being told it's the most pain you'll ever go through and, yes, it's intense, but we do uncomfortable things for future gain all the time. The biggest hindrance is fear, and my industry has a lot to answer for because on-screen depiction of birth is always horrific and involves a terrified woman.
This story is from the April 07, 2024 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 07, 2024 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![JESS' TEARS OVER JUSTIN'S SHOCK ARREST!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1743274/Cb_TKLEwC1719223860564/JESS-TEARS-OVER-JUSTINS-SHOCK-ARREST.jpg)
JESS' TEARS OVER JUSTIN'S SHOCK ARREST!
Jessica Biel is reeling after her husband Justin Timberlake's shock arrest in the Hamptons during a night off from his Forget Tomorrow World Tour.
![NICHOLAS GALITZINE 'I WAS DRIPPING IN JEWELS!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1743274/9hn5JJceT1719223759677/NICHOLAS-GALITZINE-I-WAS-DRIPPING-IN-JEWELS.jpg)
NICHOLAS GALITZINE 'I WAS DRIPPING IN JEWELS!
The actor discusses working with Julianne Moore on Mary & George, from Wednesday on TVNZ+
![JUDGE JAY-JAY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1743274/M8re2qVgG1719223657366/JUDGE-JAYJAY.jpg)
JUDGE JAY-JAY
More FM radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas
![KIWI BROADWAY DARLING MY BATTLE WITH ANOREXIA](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1743274/Y-mf55dwk1719222945860/KIWI-BROADWAY-DARLING-MY-BATTLE-WITH-ANOREXIA.jpg)
KIWI BROADWAY DARLING MY BATTLE WITH ANOREXIA
Theatre queen Scarlett reveals her behind-the-scenes struggle
![EMMA'S PREGNANCY NIGHTMARE 'I SPENT ALL DAY VOMITING!'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1743274/O1C8PyJ2W1719223418031/EMMAS-PREGNANCY-NIGHTMARE-I-SPENT-ALL-DAY-VOMITING.jpg)
EMMA'S PREGNANCY NIGHTMARE 'I SPENT ALL DAY VOMITING!'
The Matakana mum's morning sickness was so extreme, she was hospitalised 20 times
![CHIEFS STAR EMONI'S HEALING JOURNEY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1743274/RDo5Zx7y81719222206315/CHIEFS-STAR-EMONIS-HEALING-JOURNEY.jpg)
CHIEFS STAR EMONI'S HEALING JOURNEY
How family helped the rising rugby star bounce back from his shattered Rugby World Cup dreams
![AMANDA KNOX'S NEW LIFE DOTING MUM & CRIME PODCASTER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1743274/pfIe_C9K71719222061308/AMANDA-KNOXS-NEW-LIFE-DOTING-MUM-CRIME-PODCASTER.jpg)
AMANDA KNOX'S NEW LIFE DOTING MUM & CRIME PODCASTER
From Italian prison to US podcast host, Amanda has reinvented herself in a big way
![SHORTY STARS EMMETT & HOLLY'S HIDDEN HEARTBREAK](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1743274/Uza1kgPox1719221667432/SHORTY-STARS-EMMETT-HOLLYS-HIDDEN-HEARTBREAK.jpg)
SHORTY STARS EMMETT & HOLLY'S HIDDEN HEARTBREAK
The acting duo reveal why a tragic loss has left them scared of starting a family
![PIRIPI & STEPH WHAT REALLY HAPPENED!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1743274/jwLXyifKP1719221232787/PIRIPI-STEPH-WHAT-REALLY-HAPPENED.jpg)
PIRIPI & STEPH WHAT REALLY HAPPENED!
The groom's TV confession left his bride reeling from the start
![POSH & BECKS SECRET DIVORCE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1743274/MHQBT0w8i1719220941846/POSH-BECKS-SECRET-DIVORCE.jpg)
POSH & BECKS SECRET DIVORCE
A bombshell book has opened up painful wounds for the family