Support for Twin & Multiple Birth Families: Funding, Recognition & Advocacy | AMBA's Silje Andersen-Cooke

If you're a family with twins, triplets or in the community - this might be one of the most important episodes. We’re joined by Silje Andersen-Cooke - lawyer, triplet mum, and National Chair of the Australian Multiple Births Association (AMBA). Silje shares her personal triplet journey and why she’s now one of Australia’s loudest advocates for twins, triplets and higher-order multiples, pushing for equal government funding, consistent medical care, and real support for families navigating high-risk pregnancy, NICU, childcare and school systems.Whilst this is Australia focused, the same issues are globally relevant. We hope this helps all our listeners become more educated, and advocate for a "fair go" in every country.We will unpack why twins still aren’t officially not recognised as a “multiple birth”..(!!) in Australia, how this impacts parental leave, healthcare access and cost of living, and why support for multiples has actually gone backwards since the 1970s. Silje also explains what AMBA does, how they support families nationwide. This episode covers:👶 The journey to surprise triplets (+ 1)✨ What is AMBA 🏥 The Gaps: Twin & triplet pregnancy, birth, NICU, and family support  ⚖️ Why twins are NOT recognised as a “multiple birth” in Australia... 💰 Advocating for equal government funding for multiples (a fair return on tax dollars versus single births) 🧸 The challenges with childcare access for twins & triplets 🏫 Multiples in school (together or seperate?) - why parents should decide, not policies 📉 How support has gone backwards since the 1970s🌏 Countries leading global best practice for twins & triplets - why their policies work🤝 What AMBA does, how they support families, and how YOU can help drive change Essential listening for current OR expecting twins, triplets parents and practitioners supporting high-risk multiple births.🎧 Don’t forget to click ✨subscribe✨ — we’ve got a lineup you won’t want to miss: parenting relationship psychologists, celeb, inspirational and intriguing twin and multiple, or multiple... multiples parent stories- real, raw, from the frontlines of life with two (or more!) Plus, top global multiple-focused experts, laughs, and a whole lot of “OMG!” moments.FREE Twin Parent Top Time Back Products & Hacks Guide (more time for sleep!):❱ https://dwoh.group/products/free-new-parent-efficiency-hacks-products-guide🎙️Hey There Thrivival: Twins+ & Parenthood Podcast:I help Gen Y and Gen Z multiples parents be better set up to THRIVE (rather than just survive!). Global experts, inspiring parent stories. I'm Emily Haigh, a twin (with x17 twins in my family) AND recent twin mama. I have researched extensively, curating the most modern (frump-free) tips, efficiency hacks, expert advice - as well as the most recent research and data. Books, white papers, medical papers, online groups, articles - sifted through it all, for you.💬 CONNECT WITH OUR TWIN, TRIPLET+ PARENT COMMUNITY: Instagram | @HeyThere_EmilyFacebook Podcast Page | Hey There Thrivival PodcastTikTok | @HeyThere_EmilyYouTube | @Hey There EmilyPodcast | Hey There Thrivival (on most Podcast platforms)Facebook Podcast Community Chat Group | HEREWebsite | www.dwoh.group/pages/podcastEmail |  [email protected] - guest submissions (expert, product or parent story), ideas, feedback EPISODE LINKS:AMBA: https://www.amba.org.au/  Multiple Births Awareness Week 15 - 22 March: https://www.amba.org.au/mbaw Donate to AMBA here: https://www.paypal.com/au/fundraiser/charity/3957490 Connect with Silje on instagram: silje.ac 🎧 PLAY & SUBSCRIBE TO NEVER MISS AN EPISODE: ❱ Spotify Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/5suG1hI...❱ Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...❱ (On most platforms)❱ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@HeyThere_Emily⁩YOU MIGHT ENJOY OUR YOUTUBE PLAYLISTS (Shorts and full VIDEO episodes)..❱ Hear from ALL our Twin+ Experts |    • 😔A Wife With Post Natal Depression After T...❱ Hear from ALL our Parent Stories - Twin, Triplet, Quadruplet, Double Multiples (yes twins AND Triplets!)  |    • Quadruplet Mum Taylah on Post Natal Depres...❱ Twin Dad/ Partner Playlist |   • Twin Dad and Soon Triplet Dad: He Came, He...❱ How to Help Twins Sleep  |    • 👶👶 The 6x Twin Sleep Strategies Finally Ex...❱ Feeding and Breastfeeding Twins |    • How Can Twin Dads of Breastfeeding Twin Mu...❱ Twin Mum Skin, Body, Abdominal Separation Expert Care Tips |    • Things I Wish I Knew On Caring for Skin Af...❱ Identifying and Managing Twin+ Parent Mental Health and Post Natal Depression (parent stories, dads, expert psychologist) |    • 😮‍💨 Twin P...