Episodes
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Standing up for Home Birth - yet again with Katelyn Commerford
Katelyn Commerford is a busy mum to three young children, a doula, a Next Birth After Caesarean (NBAC) guide, co-host of the Australian VBAC Stories podcast. And if that wasn't enough, she's also the President of Homebirth NSW and the Co-ordinator of Homebirth Australia, and it's in this capacity...
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Reaping the rewards of deep preparation with Oni Blecher
Oni Blecher spent twelve years preparing for motherhood from the moment she witnessed one of her sisters giving birth. This event led her into exploring the many facets of women's work, in particular birth, where she served as a doula, and maternity services advocate, facilitator of the Earthed…
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At the threshold of birthing twins - again - with Leila Armour
Leila Armour is the Founder of Village for Mama, a project for bridging the gap in postpartum care by fostering a supportive and nourishing community for new mothers. In this episode Leila, so very generously shares her experiences of not one, but two twin pregnancies in the 40th week of her…
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The Herstory of Birth with Wendy Jackson
Wendy Jackson, mother and retired midwife with 30 years' experience in the UK and Australian maternity care systems, has a lot to say about the massive cultural, social and political issues that surround the world of birth. Main topics covered: the importance of honouring and protecting the...
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Together we can Make a Difference with Katherine Eden
A continuation of our series on the proposed ACM/RANZCOG legislation that will require that only trained registered professionals can "manage" the process of birth. https://ranzcog.edu.au/news/ranzcog-acm-call-on-health-ministers-to-end-freebirth-deaths This time Sally speaks with Katherine Eden,...
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From South Australia with Love with Tessa Kowaliw
We hear from Tessa Kowaliw (pron. ko-VAH-liyev) about birthing in South Australia since the enactment of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (South Australia) (Restricted Birthing Practices) Amendment Act 2013, which regulates who can "manage" women's births. Tessa has 16 years a...
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A most intentional pregnancy with Oni Blecher
Sally speaks with Oni Blecher, former host on the Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond radio show and podcast, and committee member of our organisation, PBB Media since 2018. Oni has been a student of birth since she witnessed the birth of her niece 12 years ago, taking her to study midwifery, birth doula...
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Impacts for Rural Birthing: The Perfect Sh*tstorm with Alecia Staines
Sally speaks with Alecia Staines, Founder and Director at Maternity Consumer Network about the South Australian legislation that the Australian College of Midwives and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have called to be enacted across the country.…
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Freebirth is just birth with Catherine Bell
Sally speaks with Dr Catherine Bell, Maternity Choices Australia and Founder of The Birth Map about the South Australian legislation that the Australian College of Midwives and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have called to be enacted across the...
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How to criminalise birth with Bashi Kumar-Hazard
Sally speaks with Dr Bashi Kumar-Hazard, lawyer and Board Chair of Human Rights in Childbirth International about the South Australian legislation that the Australian College of Midwives and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have called to be enacted...
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Best Birth Finder with Sally Cusack
Today, Oni Blecher interviews Sally Cusack. Sally Cusack is a mother of two teenagers based in Northern NSW. She is the co-founder of PBB Media and now runs PBB Media’s weekly free baby and toddler clothes swap and drop in centre, best known as the PBB Hub which was born from the flood relief...
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My Breech Birth With Zoë Rose Gameau
Today, Oni Blecher speaks with Zoë Rose Gameau to hear Zoë's breech birth story. Zoë is a mother of two girls and lover of nature. She lives with her daughters in a tiny studio home nestled amongst the trees and streams of the Northern Rivers of New South Wales. Her current work is in creative...
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UPDATES For Proposed Changes To Homebirth And The Birth Trauma Inquiry Report with Fiona O'Shaughnessy
Today, Oni Blecher speaks with Fiona O'Shaughnessy. This is the third part in a series discussing the issue of the proposed changes to privately praciting midwives insurance in homebirth. For more info and a background to this issue, please listen to the previous 2 episodes with Fi. They are…
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First Nations Postpartum Care With Kirilly Dawn
Welcome to Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond: Contemporary Conversations where stories, science, traditions and new ideas meet. I’m Oni Blecher and your host today. Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond Media, our development team and contributors pay our respects to indigenous elders past, present and emerging....
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A Well of Wisdom: Birth Work and Pelvic Health with Jenny Blyth
Today Oni Blecher interviews Jenny Blyth. Jenny has supported parents in natural birth for over 40 years. She is an independent birth educator, bodyworker, Associate Practitioner of Ortho-Bionomy, Spinning Babies® Approved Trainer, Spinning Babies® Aware Practitioner & Trainer, & Internal Pelvic...
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Grandmother Doula with Anna Watts
Today Oni Blecher speaks with Anna Watts. Anna is the Founder of Celebration of Birth, and has been guiding women and their partners through the journey of pregnancy and birth for over 30 years. Anna believes in honouring and celebrating birth as a ‘rite of passage’ for mother, father and baby,...
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UPDATE and Next Steps for Proposed Changes to Homebirth in Australia With Fiona O'Shaughnessy
Today, Oni Blecher speaks with Fiona O'Shaughnessy. Fiona is a mum of 3, doula, childbirth educator, independent consumer representative for the Northern NSW LHD and a consumer advocate, representing the charity Hygieia Health. She's speaking to us today in her capacity working with Hygieia. This...
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Progressive Postpartum Approaches with Oscar Serrelach and Naomi Jansson
Today, Oni Blecher and Naomi Jannsen both speak with Dr. Oscar Serrelach. Naomi joins us as a guest interviewer for this conversation with Oscar Serrelach for the upcoming Postpartum Conference hosted by Well Supported Mother. Dr Oscar specialises in postnatal depletion and his medical expertise...
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Embracing The Body With Edie Bartley
In this epsiode, Oni Blecher speaks with Edie Barltey. Edie is a Sexologist and Art therapist with a background in psychotherapy. Edie has also complted her doula training and has assisted birth. Her approach as both a therapist and a human being is open minded, non-judgmental and heart centred....
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The Importance of Gathering for Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum with Sali and Naomi
Today I speak with Sali McIntyre and Naomi Jannsson. Sali is an antenatal educator, author midwife, Arvigo practitioner and teacher, and mother of four adult children, all born at home. She also runs Heart and Soul of Wellness which is a wellness centre in Murwillumbah where she runs pregnancy…
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Proposed Changes to Homebirth in Australia with Fiona O'Shaughnessy
In this episode, Oni Blecher speaks with Fiona O'Shaughnessy. Fiona is a mum of 3, doula, childbirth educator, independent consumer representative for the Northern NSW LHD and a consumer advocate, representing the charity Hygieia Health. She's speaking to us today in her capacity working with...
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PBB Outreach Hub: Origins and Evolution, with Sally and Annalee
"This is so needed!" PBB weaving love into our community In this episode, Annalee and Sally, two of the founders of PBB Media and former presenters of our show, get together to discuss the history of our Outreach Hub, how it started and how it has evolved over time and all that it has to offer…
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In The Life of Two Midwifery Students, Xanthe and Tallulah
In this episode, Oni Blecher interviews Tallulah and Xanthe. Both are Bachelor of Midwifery students in the final year of their studies. Tallulah grew up on Bundjalung Country and was immersed in a community that favoured an integrative approach to healthcare and wellness, Tallulah felt an innate...
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Gentle Traditional Medicine with Naomi Jansson
In this episode, Oni Blecher interviews Naomi Jannson. With over 20 years of experience as a health professional, Naomi weaves a wealth of expertise from diverse healthcare settings to provide clinical care and education. Naomi inherited a strong relationship with Traditional Medicine from birth,...
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Born at Home Film with Amanda Banks
In this epsiode, Oni Blecher speaks with Amanda Banks, co creator and producer of the new film Born at Home. Empowered by the homebirth of her second child in 2020, Amanda, together with long term dear friend Eleanor, set out to create a film exploring Homebirth in QLD. Amanda is mother of two...
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Breastfeeding and Postpartum: Navigating Transition with Dr. Michelle Gerbi
In this interview, Oni Blecher interviews Dr Michelle Gerbi. With a background as a chiropractor, perinatal health coach, functional medicine provider, certified perinatal health coach, postpartum corrective exercise specialist, and international board-certified lactation consultant, Michelle has...
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Dr. Howard Chilton: Baby's Brains and Responsive Parenting
Public Service Announcement: Would you like to support us ? We are raising money for our NFP and podcast to obtain an office space and podcast recording studio for 2024. Our goal is $10, 000 AUD and any donation big or small is helpful ! If you're interested in supporting us, please email us at...
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Yin and Taoist approaches to parenthood with Tahnee Taylor
In this episode, Oni Blecher speaks with Tahnee Taylor. Tahnee is a yoga teacher with a deep and resonant love of Yin Yoga and how it meets the alchemical magic of Taoism. She is also a practitioner of Chi Nei Tsang, which is a Taoist abdominal massage and she is a passionate advocate for the...
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Pelvic Physio: Optimising Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum with Ruth Schubert
In this episode, Oni Blecher speaks with Ruth Schubert. Ruth is a physiotherapist for 20 years. She Schubert is inspired to help her clients lead a beautiful life. She believes in building resilience through developing a strong body and calm mind. Throughout her career, Ruth realised her passion…
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Twin Life with Natalie Woods
In today's episode, Oni Blecher speaks with Natalie Woods. Natalie Woods is a twin mother to two boys, River and Jarrah. She lives in the Northern Rivers with her partner Dan. She’s also a writer and community builder, which has led her to think deeply about the storytelling that is available for...
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Stillbirth: A Father's Story, with Nyck Jeanes
In this interview, Oni speaks with local father Nyck Jeanes. Nyck is also a musician, producer, independent journalist, and as one close friend describes him; a social engineer; he’s out to help change the way we relate to one another, understand the world around us and live our lives. This...
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Parenting As Social Activism with Robin Grille
Robin Grille Is a psychotherapist, psychologist, author, mentor, speaker, and educator. His work seeks to restore relationships to their natural flow and balance: include family relationships, partnerships, workplace relationships, and relationship to self. His work enlivens relationship to...
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Motherhood: Holding it Tenderly with Jacqui Lewis
This episode is a conversation between Oni Blecher and Jacqui Lewis. Jacqui Lewis is a meditation teacher, mentor, an author of four books, a Tedx Speaker, and hosts leadership programs globally. She co-founded The Broad Place, a global school sharing ancient knowledge and modern neuroscience,...
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Samantha Neal: In Deep Relationship with The Menstrual Cycle
In this episode, Oni Blecher brings you an interview with menstrual educator Samantha Neal. Samantha has been working for over six years, contributing to the field of menstruation by way of workshops, comprehensive online education programs, private mentorship and circle facilitation. Samantha is...
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Jane Hardwicke Collings: Bringing Birth Trauma Out of the Dungeons
In this Episode, Oni Blecher interviews Jane Hardwicke Collings. Jane has spent decades in the realms of birth education and ther wider work of reconnecting women with their sacred rites of passage. Jane started and runs the School of Shamanic Woman Craft and the Charity organisation Hygieia...
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Rhea Dempsey on BayFM's Make a Change show
Dione from Make a Change on BayFM interviews Rhea Dempsey and Sally Cusack on birth trauma and related events coming up in the region for #birthtraumaawarenessweek 16 - 22 July 2023. Rhea Dempsey, childbirth educator, counsellor and author, will be in conversation with Jerusha Sutton from the…
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Tane Luna: Evolving Obstetrics
In Today's episode, Oni Blecher will be interviewing Tane Luna, A Spanish obstetrician that is working as the head os Obstetrics at Lismore Base Hospital. Tane has had vast experience working in many models of care, including a period of time with Medicins Sans Frontiers in Africa and the Middle...
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Researcher Alysha-leigh Fameli: PTSD in Birth
This epsiode is a conversation between Annalee Atia and Alysha-leigh Fameli. Alysha-leigh is PhD student/Registered Psychologist University of Sydney. Alicia-leigh has already undertaken important research to recognise childbirth related PTSD and it's impact on the early mother-infant…
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What's IVF like? With Holly Rankin-Smith
In this episode, host Rose Ricketson talks with community development worker Holly, about her experience with IVF in Australia. Holly shares a very personal IVF journey that impacted every corner of her life, shedding light upon a very common experience, so we can each have more awareness of what...
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Birth After Caesarean with Hazel Keedle
Rose Ricketson talks with Hazel Keedle, PhD, Lecturer of Midwifery at Western Sydney University and author of her recently released book Birth after Caesarean: Your Journey to a Better Birth. They discuss her research and findings around VBAC in Australia, as well as her work in midwifery. Hazel...
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When Midwives give Birth. New research with Sharon Stoliar
It would be reasonable to assume that the care one provides is the care one would be happy to receive. But this is not what new research reveals. Today on Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond Annalee Atia speaks with Sharon Stoliar - researcher, academic, midwife and Mother. Sharon received her Bachelor…
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Rural maternity care with Catherine Bell
Today our host Rose is chatting with Catherine Bell about the need for better maternity care for rural women, consent and communication in maternity care, the need for rural midwives and policy change, and more. Catherine Bell is the Birth Cartographer and creator of The Birth Map, an innovative...
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The Realities of Single Motherhood with Klyne Love
Today's episode is with Klyne Love, who shares generously about her experience with single motherhood throughout floods, housing crises and a lot of grief. Despite being a heavy topic, Klyne has a spirit of hope and optimism and holds a beautiful vision of a more mother-centred world, reflected…
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'Birth Time' in Retrospect With Jerusha Sutton
Jerusha Sutton is a doula, birth videographer, actor, and recently, one of the faces behind the documentary 'Birth Time'. In this episode, Oni Blecher speaks with Jerusha about life since Birth Time; what's happening in the Birth Time movement and where key researchers are at with the aligning...
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Longform episode: Maternal Mental Health
Welcome to Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond! Today we bring you a special podcast recorded in May 2020 for World Maternal Mental Health day. Birth Trauma Awareness week 2022 just concluded with a powerful theme this year on Birth Injuries. Our panel discussion raising awareness of maternal mental and...
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'Parturescence' and the birth of a parent with midwife Ella Kurz
Dr Ella Kurz is a midwife from Ngunnawal Country in the ACT. Today we chat through her work in maternal and child health research at the University of Canberra, as well the term 'parturescence' she coined in her PhD to refer to the opportunities for transformation made possible through…
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Maternal eco-psychology with Allison Davis
Allison Davis joins us today from New Mexico, USA. Allison is a counsellor, educator and researcher of maternal mental health. Today we discuss the ecological domain of matrescence - learning to approach the challenges and struggles with a viewpoint of growth and transformation. We look at how…
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Down to Birth Midwifery with Sarah Smits
Today's guest is Sarah Smits, who joins us from Lake Atitlan in Guatemala where she is learning traditional Mayan practices. Sarah is a home birth midwife, lactation consultant and body worker who incorporates her experience of travelling the world and learning about traditional midwifery...
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Northern Rivers Devastating floods and the heartening Community Response
Hi out there to our listeners, its Annalee. It is Tuesday, 8th of March in 2022. We are bringing you a special bulletin on the catastrophic flooding in Northern NSW, Australia. In the early hours of Monday 27th February, a little over a week ago, heavy rains causing what was already severe...
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A vagina in the house. Motherhood, blended parenting, painful & vital talk and love with Lissie Turner
Lissie Turner is our guest today on Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond. Lissie is a mother, blended family parent, foster carer, grandmother and an accomplished radio host and producer in the music industry. She is the creator of several renowned Yoga and wellbeing programs and spaces including The Yoga...