What if we were taught..

In this episode, I'm joined by chiropractor Dr Rachael Davie to explore the role of chiropractic care in pregnancy, birth preparation, postpartum recovery, and infant wellbeing. Rachael specialises in perinatal and paediatric chiropractic care, and together we unpack many of the myths and misconceptions that still surround chiropractic work — particularly when it comes to pregnant women and babies. We discuss the different techniques used in chiropractic care (including gentle, low-force approaches), how bodywork can support pelvic alignment during pregnancy, and why this may help create optimal conditions for birth. We also explore the importance of collaborative care — including working alongside physiotherapists, lactation consultants, and other practitioners to support families throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. A large part of this conversation focuses on the role of chiropractic care in babies, particularly those experiencing feeding challenges, tension patterns, or difficulties related to tongue ties. Rachel shares how gentle bodywork can support babies by addressing fascial tension, improving movement patterns, and supporting the nervous system. This episode is a fascinating look at the role of bodywork in the perinatal period and offers a deeper understanding of how gentle structural support may benefit both mothers and babies. In This Episode We Discuss • What chiropractic care actually involves • Common myths and misconceptions about chiropractic treatment • The different chiropractic techniques used in pregnancy and paediatrics • Why pelvic alignment and symmetry may support birth physiology • The role of bodywork in supporting optimal fetal positioning • Pregnancy-related discomforts such as pelvic pain, sciatica and round ligament pain • Why collaborative care between practitioners is so important • The role of pelvic floor physiotherapy in pregnancy • Postpartum recovery and nervous system regulation • How posture and feeding positions impact the postpartum body • Gentle chiropractic care for babies • Feeding challenges, tongue ties and body tension in infants • The connection between the mouth, neck and nervous system • Why early bodywork may support breastfeeding and infant comfort • Primitive reflexes and early neurodevelopment in babies Dr Rachael Davie is a chiropractor and RMIT graduate, holding a Bachelor of Health Science and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Chiropractic. She has undertaken extensive postgraduate training, including a Diplomate in Paediatric Neurodevelopment, and further studies in Sacro-Occipital Technique, the Activator Method, cranial work and intra-oral fascia releasing, primitive reflex and tone assessment, and Applied Kinesiology. Dr Rachael Davie Dr Davie has a strong clinical interest in paediatrics and neurodevelopment, with a focus on cranial care, oral tie assessment, and collaborative work with orofacial myologists. She also performs neurodevelopmental assessments for school-aged children. Alongside her paediatric focus, Dr Davie works closely with women during pregnancy and in postpartum care, and has additional interests in TMJ dysfunction and sports chiropractic care. Through her work, Dr Davie is passionate about supporting nervous system health and helping patients of all ages achieve optimal function and development. For full show notes and all links mentioned, visit: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on ; Instagram: @whatifweweretaught and @the_pregnancy_collective Facebook: The Pregnancy Collective Follow Dr Rachael Davie Instagram — @solacebodyworkgc    Website —Solacebodywork Please note: All information shared in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.    

In this deeply thoughtful and expansive conversation, I'm joined by Naomi Jansson to explore early pregnancy loss through a cultural, historical, and physiological lens. Together, we unpack the lived experience of women navigating pregnancy loss and examine the broader context in which it exists — including the taboo that still surrounds miscarriage, the influence of culture and religion, and the gaps in current health infrastructure. We explore how traditional medicine systems acknowledge the physiology of pregnancy loss, and how different cultures manage and support women during this time. By looking beyond the Western model of care, we reflect on what is often missing — and what becomes possible when pregnancy loss is recognised as a significant rite of passage and honoured as a true postpartum experience. This episode places strong emphasis on nourishing and supporting the mother not only emotionally and psychologically, but biologically and hormonally. We discuss the importance of tending to the postpartum body after early loss, and how deeper recognition at an individual and systemic level can lead to more compassionate, comprehensive care. Naomi also shares practical examples of how care can look different, and introduces the "Complete Care Women's Wellness " model she is developing - a clinical and case-management approach designed specifically to better support women experiencing pregnancy loss. This is an important and necessary conversation for midwives, birth workers, and anyone wanting to better understand how we can meet women - and ourselves - with greater reverence, understanding, and care. Dr Naomi Jansson Is a second-generation Chinese Medicine Doctor and educator, and an integrative Clinical Nurse Consultant specialising in Women's Health and Complex Clinical Care, with over 25 years of experience. She works across private clinics, integrative health centres, and hospital settings, where she has held leadership roles including Clinical Lead and Perinatal Service Manager. In all settings, she is a dedicated advocate for Traditional Medicine, women-centred models of care, and culturally responsive practice. Naomi serves as an advisor on the STEM Committee at RMIT and sits on the Board of the Matrescence Birth Centre. She is the Founder and Clinical Director of The Well Supported Mothers Collective, which provides professional education and resources in women's health, pregnancy, and postpartum care. Raised in a Traditional Medicine household, Naomi developed an early, embodied relationship with classical healing systems. This foundation led to formal study and lifelong apprenticeship across multiple East Asian medical traditions, including Chinese Medicine (Zhongyi), Japanese Medicine (HariKyu), Tibetan Medicine (Sowa Rigpa), and Indian Medicine (Ayurveda). In addition to her classical training, Naomi has cultivated deep relationships with intercultural and folk medicine traditions for women's health. Her studies include learning from Indigenous Australian, South American, European, Middle Eastern, Irish/Celtic, and Russian teachers, midwives, and traditional practitioners. Her training encompasses pelvic steaming, Closing the Bones rituals, rebozo and faja abdominal binding, traditional womb and breast care practices, movement for birth, folk herbalism, and therapeutic foods and teas for recovery. Her work holds a particular focus on comprehensive postpartum recovery, honouring all pregnancy and birth experiences.   For full show notes and all links mentioned, visit: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on ; Instagram: @whatifweweretaught and @the_pregnancy_collective   Facebook: The Pregnancy Collective Follow Naomi Instagram — @gentle_traditions and @well_supported_ mother and @complete_care_womens_wellness Website —Gentle Traditions and The Well Supported Mothers Collective and Complete Care Womens Wellness Please note: All information shared in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.    

Ok Fella's..If you're listening to this episode, firstly — well done. Your role in birth is massive. You are not just a bystander. You are a core part of this experience, and in labour, she will look to you more than anyone else for safety, reassurance and grounding. In this episode, I'm sharing my top tips for partners on how to truly support your woman through pregnancy, birth and postpartum — in a way that builds connection, confidence and calm. I cover: Why getting educated about birth matters more than you realise (and how it changes everything) The conversations you need to have during pregnancy to understand what she actually wants What labour really looks like — and how to "read the room" Practical, in-the-moment tools: massage, hip squeezes, breath work, tone of voice, eye contact and nervous system regulation What to say (and what not to say) How to advocate for her if plans change Setting up the birth environment and protecting the "birth bubble" Why a doula can support both of you How to look after yourself during a long labour The emotional side of birth for partners — including fear, helplessness and overwhelm Postpartum: your new role as support crew, gatekeeper and emotional anchor We also talk honestly about: When birth doesn't go to plan (induction, epidural, caesarean, NICU) Birth trauma for dads Postpartum depression in men The huge identity shift that happens after baby arrives Skin-to-skin for partners and the powerful brain changes that come with it The questions men are often too afraid to ask  Plus, I share helpful resources to get you started. Here's what I want you to remember: You are there to witness, support and believe in her. It's natural to want to "solve" her pain (if she has pain) - but what she needs most is connection, presence and to feel heard. In birth and in postpartum. You will never forget the way your partner gives birth. And she will never forget the way you made her feel while she did it. You don't need to be perfect. You just need to be present. For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; whatifweweretaught the_pregnancy_collective Follow me on Facebook; The Pregnancy Collective Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

In this powerful conversation, I'm joined by Jane Hardwicke Collings — international speaker, author, and pioneer in the field of rites of passage for women. Together, we explore how we can begin reframing Menarche and the menstrual cycle, moving away from shame, silence, and purely clinical education, and towards a culture of understanding, respect, and embodied wisdom. This episode is especially for parents who feel like they're starting from scratch — those who were never taught about their own cycles in a holistic way and now want to do things differently for their children. We discuss ; How to educate both daughters and sons.  When these conversations can begin, and how to create a supportive household culture around the menstrual cycle. Jane shares her beautiful framework of the cycle as seasons, explores the emotional, mental, and physical rhythms across the month, and offers practical insights into hormones, and the body's innate wisdom. We discuss the significant role fathers play and how they can support their daughters. We also dive into rites of passage, honouring menarche in meaningful ways and what society could look like if we truly supported cyclical living. This episode is an invitation to help remove shame, empower families, and create a cultural shift so the next generation grows up informed, respected, and deeply connected to their bodies.                                 *********Book Giveaway**********   To honour Jane's work, I'll be running a giveaway of two of her beautiful books: Becoming a Woman: A Guide for Girls Approaching Menstruation and Blood Rites: The Spiritual Practice of Menstruation  Head over to the "What If We Were Taught" Instagram page HERE to find out more. For full show notes and all links mentioned, visit: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on ; Instagram: @whatifweweretaught and @the_pregnancy_collective Facebook: The Pregnancy Collective Follow Jane Hardwicke Collings Instagram — @janehardwickecollings and @schoolofshamanicwomancraft Facebook-Jane Hardwicke Collings Website — www.janehardwickecollings.com and www.schoolofshamanicwomancraft.com Please note: All information shared in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.  

Today I'm joined by Tara Power and Franziska Alderton, two visionary women working to bring "Gaia" a Holistic Birthing and Family Sanctuary to life on the Gold Coast. In this episode, we explore the why behind Gaia, the vision for a holistic birthing sanctuary, and the model of care they hope to offer families. Tara and Franziska share how Gaia differs from existing maternity care models, where they're currently at in the planning process, their anticipated timeline, and their call to action for practitioners who feel aligned with this work. This conversation is an invitation; to build momentum, community, and connection, and to call in the people needed to help bring this shared vision into reality.  Franziska Alderton Franziska brings nearly 20 years' experience in program and project management, infrastructure planning, and engineering across Australia and Europe. The vision for Gaia was born from her own lived experience of early motherhood and matrescence, and a deep desire to create a village of care, support, and connection for women and families. Tara Power Tara Power is the founder of Earth Mothers Community, supporting women through fertility, motherhood, and rites of passage using body-based wisdom, feminine energetics, and creative expression. Her work is informed by training in Ayurvedic health, yoga, trauma-informed therapy, and women's bodywork, and is deeply shaped by her own journey of transformation. About Gaia Gaia Holistic Birthing and Family Sanctuary's vision is to be; a heart-led, evidence-based, women-centred model of maternity and family care. Through a collaborative, multidisciplinary team, Gaia supports informed choice, continuity of care, emotional wellbeing, and community connection throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. For full show notes and all links mentioned, visit: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram: @whatifweweretaught @the_pregnancy_collective Follow Gaia Instagram — @gaiabirthingsanctuary Facebook- Gaia Holistic Birthing and Family Sanctuary Website — www.gaiabirthing.com.au Donation for Go Fund me HERE to help support the build of Gaia Please note: All information shared in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.    

Welcome to the final episode of 2025. In this special solo episode, I'm busting the most common misconceptions about hypnobirthing and clearing up what it really is — and what it definitely isn't. From myths around hypnosis to misunderstandings about pain, control, and mindset, this episode is all about separating fact from fiction so you can feel informed and empowered. This episode is also a celebration. We've officially reached 40 episodes and 15,000 downloads, and I want to say a heartfelt thank you to every single one of you for tuning in, sharing, and supporting the podcast this year. It has been another incredible year of sharing evidence-based, empowering conversations around pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and beyond — the things we so often aren't taught, but absolutely deserve to know. Thank you for being part of this community. I can't wait to be back with you Jan 14th 2026 For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; whatifweweretaught the_pregnancy_collective Follow me on Facebook; The Pregnancy Collective Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

In this episode, I'm joined by Jen Dugard. Jen Dugard is the founder of  MumSafe, creator of Safe return to Exercise certification and author of How to Love your Body as much as your Baby.. In this episode we take a deep dive into what MumSafe is, why it exists, and why safe, well-informed exercise guidance is so essential for every pregnant and postpartum woman. Together, we explore: • The importance of training in facilities that understand pregnancy and postpartum needs, and how this protects women from injury • Current exercise guidelines and how to prepare your body for birth • Pelvic floor awareness and why it should underpin all training • What women should look for when choosing a trainer or gym — including red flags and must-ask questions • What gold-standard screening looks like in practice • How to tell if a gym is genuinely pelvic-floor aware (including language, progression, and what NOT to hear) • The Mumsafe model, what makes it unique, and the ongoing education required for all Mumsafe trainers • How systems advocacy and public health awareness could transform the way we support mothers This is a powerful, much-needed conversation about raising the standard of care for mums through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum — and creating safer, more supportive spaces for every woman to move her body. And if your wanting to get your hands on a free copy of one of Jen's book head over to the "@whatifweweretaught " instagram page to check out the giveaway xx. For full show notes and all links mentioned, visit: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram: @whatifweweretaught @the_pregnancy_collective Connect with Jen Instagram — @jendugard and @mumsafemovement Website — https://www.jendugard.com and https://mumsafemovement.com Please note: All information shared in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

In this episode, Leah Itsines shares the deeply personal journey of her second pregnancy and the birth of baby Jesse. Planning a VBAC, Leah opens up about the extensive preparation she did for Jesse's birth and reflects on the challenges, surprises, and joys along the way. Raw, vulnerable, and often hilarious, Leah recounts her labour story with authenticity and humor, giving listeners a front-row seat to the highs and lows of bringing Jesse into the world. She also shares her postpartum experience and what it's been like adjusting to life as a family of four. A heartfelt and candid conversation, this episode is full of insights, laughter, and real-life parenting moments — you won't want to miss it. And if your wanting to get your hands on a free copy of one of Leah's amazing cook books head over to the "@whatifweweretaught " instagram page to check out the giveaway she is gifting xx. For full show notes and all links mentioned, visit: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram: @whatifweweretaught @the_pregnancy_collective Connect with Leah Instagram — @leahitsines Website — www.leahitsines.com.au   Please note: All information shared in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

In today's episode, we take a deep dive into the much-needed conversation around early pregnancy loss, exploring it through a holistic and compassionate lens with acupuncturist and fertility expert, Paige Waters. With over a decade of experience in fertility and women's health, Paige shares her wisdom and expertise as we discuss: The emotional and psychological impact of early pregnancy loss Common causes and contributing factors — from a holistic Chinese medicine perspective Recurrent pregnancy loss and how Chinese medicine can support understanding and healing The importance of aftercare and recovery following loss Prevention and early testing options Navigating the public system and current gaps in testing, support, and resources Paternal factors and their influence on pregnancy outcomes Nutrition, lifestyle, and preconception health — and their impact on fertility and future pregnancies This episode shines a light on an area too often overlooked — acknowledging the emotional, physical, and systemic layers of early pregnancy loss, while offering practical, holistic guidance for healing and hope. ✨ For full show notes and all links mentioned, visit: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow us on Instagram: @the_pregnancy_collective Connect with Paige: Instagram — @paigewatersacupuncture Website — www.paigewatersacupuncture.com.au Please note: All information shared in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

Today's episode explores a deeply important topic — early pregnancy loss. Early pregnancy loss (often referred to as "miscarriage") is defined as a pregnancy loss before 20 weeks' gestation. It affects 1 in 4 pregnancies and is an area that needs more information, education, support, and follow-up care. I'm joined by Dr Drew Moffrey, a Private Obstetrician and Gynaecologist based at Pindara Hospital on the Gold Coast. Drew also hosts the annual Circle of Support event, raising vital funds for families navigating early loss. Together, we explore: What defines early pregnancy loss and the various types — threatened, inevitable, incomplete, missed, and recurrent Signs and symptoms of early pregnancy loss Common causes Available investigations and management options Paternal factors — sperm quality, placental influence, and DNA integrity How nutrition, lifestyle, and preconception health impact outcomes Supportive approaches, including acupuncture Navigating the healthcare system — the GP's role, how families without a specialist can be supported. Preventative strategies and the importance of compassionate aftercare We also discuss recurrent pregnancy loss, including what defines it and key investigations and testing recommendations. And so much more.. Recommended support services and organisations: Pink Elephants Support Network Red Nose Grief and Loss SANDS  COPE – Centre of Perinatal Excellence Athena Hammond – The Birth Counsel You can donate directly to the Circle of Support here: Pink Elephants Fundraiser – Lara Melrose   For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective Check out Dr Drew on Instagram; @drdrewmoffrey Visit his website and connect here: drdrewmoffrey.com.au  Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

In this empowering episode, I'm joined by Acupuncturist and Fertility Specialist Paige Waters—affectionately known as The Fertility Detective—to dive deep into the menstrual cycle. Together, we explore the four distinct phases of the cycle through both a physiological and emotional lens, helping you understand what's really going on in your body, mind, and spirit each month. With over a decade of experience in fertility and women's health, Paige shares her wisdom on how tuning into the rhythms of the cycle can transform everything from relationships to productivity and emotional wellbeing. We cover: A simple breakdown of the menstrual cycle and key hormones Why your energy and emotions shift so much throughout the month How to align your lifestyle, work, and relationships with your cycle Practical self-care tips for each phase (Menstrual, Follicular, Ovulatory, and Luteal) How partners, families, and workplaces can offer better support The power of cycle tracking and body literacy Misconceptions around PMS, ovulation, and hormonal health Why this information is essential for teens, women in perimenopause, and everyone in between Whether you're trying to conceive, rebalance your hormones, or simply get to know your body better, this episode is a must-listen. Let's change the narrative around the menstrual cycle and start teaching the next generation what we wish we had been taught.   For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective Check out Paige on Instagram; Paigewatersacupuncture Visit her website and connect here: www.paigewatersacupuncture.com.au   Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

In today's episode, we dive deep into the topic of birth trauma — its impact, prevalence, and the many ways it can shape a woman's and couple's journey into postpartum, future births, and beyond. We explore: What birth trauma is and how common it really is Why trauma isn't always physical — it can also be emotional or psychological The challenges of living with trauma in the postpartum period How birth trauma can influence future pregnancies and births The increased vulnerability of women with a history of sexual assault The first steps toward healing and reclaiming your journey Resources and support options for those navigating trauma Practical tools and small steps to help reduce trauma for both women and their partners What birth professionals — midwives, obstetricians, doulas, and other care providers — can do to support change The bigger picture: systematic changes needed to address this serious issue Athena Hammond Is a trauma therapist who is also a registered Midwife with her phd. She has worked in and around the maternity care sector for more than two decades; as a doula, midwife, researcher, university lecturer, group facilitator and educator. In addition to this she also works in private psychotherapy practice and is trained as a person-centred therapist with extra training around trauma, polyvagal theory, Internal Family Systems theory and interpersonal neurobiology. She has taught counselling skills at university and consults on the topic of birth trauma, including briefing the Select Committee of the Parliamentary Inquiry into Birth Trauma in 2023. This conversation is for parents, partners, and professionals alike, offering understanding, support, and tools for both healing and prevention. Resources for women, partners and proffesionals experiencing distress: Birth Trauma Australia PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) Gidget Foundation Centre for Perinatal Psychology   Additional links for support around sexual assault & childhood trauma.   https://www.steppingout.org.au  https://blueknot.org.au/ https://www.survivorsintransition.co.uk/   Additonal support for Midwives:   https://www.nmsupport.org.au/ For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective Check out Athena on Instagram; The Birth Counsel Visit her website and connect here: https://www.thebirthcounsel.com.au   Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

In this episode, I'm joined by Mel — a Doula, Mum of 2 and passionate advocate for supported, empowered birth and postpartum  — to dive deep into the world of doulas.  In this episode we chat about; What is a Doula? The role of a Doula in pregnancy, birth & postpartum The training involved in becoming a Doula The different types of Doulas you can have How a Doula supports birth, postpartum, partners and the entire family How to choose the right doula for your family About Mel  Mel is the heart behind Hello Mama. With a deep commitment to emotional, physical, and practical support, she walks alongside families throughout their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journeys — creating space for connection, healing, empowerment and care. Disclaimer  Mel is not only a brilliant guest, she's also the proud mum of an outrageously cute fur baby named Frank. You may catch him making an unscheduled cameo in the background of this episode. We recommend embracing the joy that is Frank, smiling generously at his fluffy presence, and settling in—because this is one episode you won't want to miss. For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective Check out Mel on Instagram; @hellomama.doula Follow on Facebook at; Hello Mama Doula  Email Mel at: [email protected] Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

In this episode, we're joined by Sal Howe, a breath training expert who breaks down the science and strategy behind functional breathing. Sal explains how dysfunctional breathing patterns—like chronic mouth or chest breathing—can impact stress, energy, sleep, and even labor. She also discusses how breath training is about retraining the respiratory system for optimal everyday function. We explore the four pillars of functional breathing—biomechanics, biochemistry, psychophysiology, and habit—the crucial role of nose breathing and CO₂ tolerance, and how breath directly influences the nervous system via the vagus nerve. Sal also shares how breath training during pregnancy can be a game-changer for both labor and postpartum recovery. Sal Howe Sal Howe is a Surf Coach and Functional Breathing & Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist who helps individuals enhance their physical and mental well-being through breath and orofacial retraining. Her approach is grounded in evidence-based methodologies, including The Oxygen Advantage, Buteyko, Survival Apnea, and ongoing studies in Breath Science. Sal teaches practical, accessible techniques to restore healthy breathing patterns—supporting improved energy, focus, sleep quality, and emotional resilience. Key Topics Covered: What breath training really is—and how it differs from breathwork Signs of dysfunctional breathing and how to spot them Why nose breathing is more efficient than mouth breathing Chest vs. diaphragmatic breathing and the stress connection The science of CO₂ and the Bohr effect Breath as a tool to regulate the nervous system Practical applications for breath training in pregnancy and labor 📄 Full show notes and mentioned links: 👉 www.thepregnancycollective.com.au 📸 Follow me on Instagram: 👉 @the_pregnancy_collective Check out Sal Howe at: 🌐 Visit Sal's Website 📸 Follow Sal on Instagram Please note: All information shared on this podcast by the host or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for individual guidance.              

Are you curious about what's really going on behind your child's big feelings and challenging behaviours? Do you want to better understand your little one—and yourself—during those tough parenting moments? Wondering how we can connect more deeply with our children, help them build emotional resilience, and parent differently from the way we were raised? In this episode, I'm so excited to be joined by the incredible Gen Muir. We explore: • The emotional layers beneath our children's behaviours • How our own triggers show up in parenting, and what it really takes to stay regulated when things feel like they're spiralling • How to recognise the "emotional climb" and step in early before things escalate • Brain development in young children and what their emotional capacity really is • The importance of setting core rules and boundaries—and what to do when our kids push against them • How to co-regulate with our children, and so much more   About Gen Muir Gen is the author of Little People, Big Feelings. She's an experienced parent educator, Obstetric Social Worker, and mum of four boys. Gen is widely known for her compassionate and practical approach to supporting families through the highs and lows of early childhood. This episode is such an important one. For so many of us trying to parent differently than how we were raised, it can feel challenging—especially when we're trying to do what was never shown to us. Whether you have kids, are planning to have them, or work with children in any way, I invite you to listen in. BOOK GIVEAWAY! As always, when I interview an author, I run a giveaway of their book over on my Instagram page. This giveaway will run for two weeks—so if you'd love a chance to get your hands on Little People, Big Feelings by Gen Muir, head over to: https://www.instagram.com/the_pregnancy_collective/ For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit: https://thepregnancycollective.com.au/ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_pregnancy_collective/ Check out Gen Muir at: https://www.connectedparenting.com.au/   Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

One of the main things I hear women say when they first find out they are pregnant is ;" I have no idea where to start"!  In this short solo episode I give my top 3 tips on what to do as soon as you find out you are pregnant. So if you are pregnant and wondering where to start with this minefield then this is the episode for you.   This also marks the final episode for 2024. Wishing each and everyone of you a very Merry Xmas. We will return Feb 2025 and boy do we have an exciting lineup install for 2025!!   For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective Follow me on Facebook; The Pregnancy Collective. www.boutiquepelvichealth.com   Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

Today's episode is with new Mum Natalie. Natalie is currently 5 weeks into her Motherhood journey so I felt extremely honoured to hear this story (for the first time with you) during such a sacred and special stage. Often we hear this generalisation that "your first birth may be longer", well Natalie is a beautiful example of how birth cannot be generalised but is individual and how we cannot predict the length of anyones labour! After just 4.5 hrs of labour, Natalie and Scott welcomed baby Nelly to their world! In this episode we chat about; What labour was like for her and how Scott was able to best support her How she planned for her birth and what she found useful Her positive experience of her hospital birth Her tips for the Postpartum And sooo much more.. This is a beautiful and inspiring story of birth and I thankyou Natalie for sharing it with us. To connect with me Head to www.thepregnancycollective.com.au/podcast for the show notes. Email: [email protected] Follow me on Instagram: the_pregnancy_collective Follow me on Facebook: The Pregnancy Collective Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.      

This episode was inspired by Lauren, a fellow Mum who joined us on Episode 21 where she shared her own beautiful and inspiring birth stories. Following that episode she asked if she could turn the table, so to speak, and interview me about my births. I loved so much connecting with Lauren and the dynamic of our heart felt conversations that I felt privileged to say yes. So today, I share with you my own birth stories of both Tallow- born in the hospital and Jax born at home.  In this episode we chat about; How I prepared for my birth How I chose my birth team How incredible Nelson, my partner was during my birth - he was everything, knew everything and I fell so much deeper in love with him during our births! What I learnt from my first birth. The differences I found between hospital verse home birth The struggles I faced during the Postpartum. It's taken a while to share my journey. I sincerely hope it inspires, empowers and helps prepare you for not only birth but also The Postpartum- a time that truly needs to be about Resting, Restoring and Bonding.  For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective   Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

In today's episode we are joined with 2 incredible women's health physio's; Zara and Renee.In it we explore in detail "Persistent pelvic pain", which affects a significant number of women. So what is "persistent  pelvic pain"? And if we suffer from it what can we do about it?Today's episode covers these questions and so much more. Zara Howard Zara has a strong interest in pelvic and sexual pain conditions. In 2018, Zara completed her Masters of Clinical Physiotherapy (Major in Continence and Women's Health), at Curtin University. This dedication to her work and study allows Zara to be classified as an Australian Physiotherapy of Australia (APA) Titled Women's, Men's and Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.  Zara has worked alongside Urogynaecology doctors and nurses in the public health as the Senior Physiotherapist in the Physiotherapy-Led Pelvic Health Clinic (2016-2023). In this clinic she treated women with incontinence, prolapse, pelvic pain, bowel conditions, sexual dysfunction, and tears after birth. Prior to this Zara's career experience was in inpatient and outpatient Women's Health services. Research and best practice care is paramount to Zara. Over the last 7 years Zara has published peer-reviewed research articles surrounding Pelvic Health and optimal provision of healthcare utilising group-based programs.  Zara has her own private practice on the Gold Coast, and prides herself on blending evidence-based with intuitive care.    Renee Loughlin Renee graduated in 2014 with a combined Bachelor of exercise science and Master of Physiotherapy degree and has been working for QLD health in tertiary hospitals for the past 9 years. Over the years Renee became passionate about supporting those with persistent pain which has led to further professional development in persistent pain including a professional certificate in pain theory and concepts. Renee has helped people with all types of pain conditions in both individual consults and through group programs. Throughout the years Renee has worked with pain specialists and other members of the multidisciplinary teams. During her recent years her interest has also turned to women's health, which has led her to working with women with persistent pelvic pain. Recently Renee has started running her own mobile physiotherapy business called "Future First Physiotherapy" as well as co-founding NURTURE which is a persistent pelvic pain program with Zara. Renee's goal is to educate and empower all her clients to have the confidence in managing their conditions and equipping them with the tools and knowledge to achieve their goals In this episode we chat about; Both Zara and Renee's professional and personal backgrounds that led them to specialise in " Persistent Pelvic Pain (PPP)". What is the definition of persistent pelvic pain and how common is it? The affects PPP can have on women's lives. Zara and Renee's unique program "Nurture" and their approach to PPP Why a holistic and integrative approach is important And sooo much more For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective Check out their program "Nurture" at: www.boutiquepelvichealth.com Follow Zara and Nurture program on Instram at; boutiquepelvichealth Follow Renee on Instagram at; futurefirst_physiotherapy   Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

In today's episode we are joined by Danielle and Daniel Lamb where they share their incredible VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) story. This is a beautiful heartfelt episode where both Daniel and Danielle authentically share the challenges of their first birth with baby Noah which resulted in a Caesarean, through to the transformative VBAC birth of baby Zara. It is so special to be joined by both parents to hear their own experiences of two very different births. In this episode; They share the challenges they found during their first birth, the hindsight's and insights they took from this experience and the changes they then applied to their second birth. How communication as a couple was such an essential element to their second birth. They share the importance of the environment, the team and preparation for birth. They share what techniques they employed and the mindset shifts they adopted for their second birth and Danielle shares her top tips for the support partners of birth. Daniel beautifully shares his perspective of birth as the support person and what helped him the most for their second birth. I wish to acknowledge Danni and Dan for sharing their story here. I feel so deeply honoured to have met them. Thankyou both for sharing your story with us all.  For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective Follow Danielle on Instagram: danielle_betamenutritionist Find out more about Danielle at; www.betame.com.au   Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

Today's episode is a very very short one just to let you know that I'll be hitting pause for 3 months while we take our boys around oz!!!  What does this mean for the podcast? It simply means you will be hearing monthly episodes during this time rather than fortnightly! Trust me they will still be awesome! In this episode I share why we are doing this trip and what book inspired us and that we are basically basing this trip on!!! And if you would like to follow the trip check out: Instagram the_pregnancy_collective and my personal family one (this is more a hobby one where is share food and fun family stuff) cookupsandcamping    

If you have only ever seen birth on  TV shows and movies you'll notice it tends to go for drama and often portrays birth as a medical, painful and dramatic event right? But is this really what birth is like? Most people have never seen what a physiological birth can actually look like- let alone a home birth. If this is so, they have not seen the POWER, the MAGIC and the HEALING ability that birth truly can be.  Finally, we have a film that shows us what birth can truly look like. Born at Home is a stunning documentary film exploring what it takes to have a positive and transformative birth experience and emphasises that where and how women choose to birth matters. So today we are joined with Producer and co creator Amanda Banks and Eleanor Currie -co creator as well as documentary filmmaker, videographer, photographer of this incredible film. If you are wishing to explore the possibilities of birth and learn about the different choices available, then this is the episode for you. In this episode we chat about; The creative process behind the scenes of this film The overall message or "feeling" that they wanted this film to portray Eleanor shares her traumatic birth experience with her first baby and how making this film empowered her to have her own home VBAC! What inspired Amanda to make this film a reality The incredible panels that they produce at screenings in Australia And so much more. If you have the chance to see this film on the big screen I highly encourage you too- or bring a screening to your own town through demands films which we chat about in this episode and you can check out HERE. This episode is an important one. For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective Check out Born at Home over at; www.bornathomefilm.com.au Follow on Instagram at; @bornathomefilm   Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

In this episode we take a deep dive into the Postpartum and why it is so important we plan and prepare for it. We know we need a village to support a Mother, so how do we create a modern "village" in 2024? So who better to chat about this with than Leila Armour. Leila Armour Leila Armour is a Postpartum Doula, Holistic Nutrition Consultant and Mother of three living in south-east Queensland. She is the author of the postpartum recipe book, Village for Mama - Nourishment for the Fourth Trimester. Her book has been created to help expectant mothers gather their village and organise homemade meals during their fourth trimester. Each book includes 30 recipe gift cards with a pre-written letter explaining the importance of the postpartum period and the essential role loved ones play in shaping a new mother's experience. Leila is dedicated to helping new mothers feel held and supported through nourishing food and a village.   In this Episode we chat about; Leila's personal experience with HypnoBirthing How she prepared for her first birth, a planned home birth Her experience of private continuity Midwifery care Her positive hospital twin birth The inspiration behind Village for Mama The benefits and importance of planning for the postpartum What makes her book a truly unique postpartum preparation book How her work prepared her for her twins   And so much more.. This episode is an important one. For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective Check out Leila Armour over at; www.villageformama.com Follow Leila on Instagram at; @vvillageformama   Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

If you are thinking about having a baby then this is the episode for you! In this episode I am joined with Lisa Hendrickson-Jack to talk all about her new book Real Food for Fertility which she co authored with Lilly Nichols. When I first heard about this collaboration I was beyond excited because I understood the immense collective knowledge that these two power house women would bring to this much needed space. In Real Food for Fertility, they show how preconception nutrition and lifestyle choices support your health and vitality and lay the essential groundwork for your baby's development. From promoting optimal egg and sperm quality to regulating your menstrual cycle and reducing the risk of pregnancy complications, the benefits of this investment are priceless. But this book isn't just about nutrition. They delve into topics like the menstrual cycle, fertility awareness, birth control, stress management, toxins, artificial reproductive technology, and the most common reproductive health challenges affecting your fertility. It is a book that I truly believe has the potential to dramatically change the current trajectory of fertility issues for the better. Lisa Hendrickson- Jack Lisa Hendrickson-Jack is a certified Fertility Awareness Educator and Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner who teaches women to chart their menstrual cycles for natural birth control, conception, and monitoring overall health. She is the author of three bestselling books The Fifth Vital Sign, the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook, and her most recent book Real Food For Fertility, which she co-authored with Lily Nichols RDN. Lisa works tirelessly to debunk the myth that regular ovulation is only important when you want children by recognising the menstrual cycle as a vital sign. Drawing heavily from the current scientific literature, Lisa presents an evidence-based approach to help women connect to their fifth vital sign by uncovering the connection between the menstrual cycle, fertility, and overall health. With well over 4 million downloads, her podcast, Fertility Friday, is the #1 source for information about fertility awareness and menstrual cycle health In this Episode we chat about; The concept behind the book and who wrote which part What a normal healthy menstrual cycle should look like Why we should consider the menstrual cycle as a vital sign How our society normalises dysfunction rather than addressing the underlying issue Dispelling common myths that most of us were taught (and are NOT true) surrounding our cycle. How the pill works Potential side affects of the pill When is the ideal time to come off the pill if we are thinking of conceiving. What fertility awareness is and how it help with conception. Male fertility! We chat about the the current sperm guidelines and how they were developed, and why they don't represent what would be 'optimal' for conception. The impact the sperm has on placental development What men can do to optimise their sperm quality How fertility awareness can help men with low sperm count conceive And so much more.. This episode is an important one. I invite ALL health care professionals to listen to this so that we can provide women with current research surrounding nutrition for fertility and the role our menstraul cycle plays. For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective Check out Lisa Hendrickcon- Jack over at; https://fertilityfriday.com Follow Lisa on Instagram at; fertilityfriday Check out Lisa's Podcast at; Fertility Friday Radio Check out Real Food For Fertility (and download the first chapter for FREE) at; https://realfoodforfertility.com Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

Today's episode is a special one. Lauren is a Mum of 2 who I connected with through this podcast during her second pregnancy. After many back and forth messages, where we completely hit it off, I asked if Lauren would be willing to come on the show and tell her story. I feel deeply privileged to have shared this honest, raw and real conversation with Lauren and hear about her amazing 2 (very different) pregnancy and birth stories. What I love about Lauren is her deeply authentic nature with how she openly shares her experiences- the highs and the lows. She walks us beautifully through both pregnancies and the different lifestyle approaches and provider choices she applied second time round and the difference they made. This conversation had me smiling, laughing and crying all in the 1 hour. It was a deeply beautiful chat and I thank-you Lauren for sharing it with us. In this episode we chat about; The importance of birth preparation The importance for having trust with your provider or team The importance of feeling safe in your chosen birthing environment The challenges she found during her first pregnancy and what she changed that made her second pregnancy  COMPLETELY different than her first. Her frankly hilarious story of how she found out she was pregnant What she has learnt on this Mothering journey And her tips for the Postpartum And so much more. You are going to want to listen to this one in its entirety. To connect with me Head to www.thepregnancycollective.com.au/podcast for the show notes. Email: [email protected] Follow me on Instagram: the_pregnancy_collective Follow me on Facebook: The Pregnancy Collective   Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

When it comes to book recommendations for pregnancy there is 1 book that makes my TOP recommendation to read and that is real food for pregnancy by Lily Nichols. When it comes to nutrition in pregnancy we are often told what NOT to eat, but rarely what we SHOULD and NEED to actually nourish our bodies and our babies as well as minimise a range of pregnancy and neonatal complications. Lily Nichols books - Real Food for Gestational Diabetes and Real Food for Pregnancy are by far the most evidence based and meticulously researched pregnancy nutrition books I have ever read! If you are wanting to be informed on what to eat then this is the episode for you!! AND.. in this episode Lily gives us a sneak peak into her third book Real Food for Fertility, which hits publication today!!! And lastly, if you are wanting to get your hands on a free copy of Real Food For Pregnancy then head over to my Insta page @the_pregnancy_collective to see how.   Lily Nichols Lily Nichols is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator, researcher, and author with a passion for evidence-based prenatal nutrition. Her work is known for being research-focused, thorough, and critical of outdated dietary guidelines. She is founder of the Institute for Prenatal Nutrition™, co-founder of the Women's Health Nutrition Academy and the author of two books, Real Food for Pregnancy and Real Food for Gestational Diabetes. Lily's bestselling books have helped tens of thousands of mamas (and babies!), are used in university-level maternal nutrition and midwifery courses, and have even influenced prenatal nutrition policy internationally. She writes at https://lilynicholsrdn.com   In this Episode we chat about; Lily's extensive background and qualifications and what led her to write her first book Real Food for Gestational Diabetes and her second book Real Food for Pregnancy. Gestational diabetes and how the "conventional" approach is failing women We debunk the outdated guidelines and myths surrounding low fat diets and explain what healthy fats are and why they are so essential Why protein is so essential in pregnancy and the true amount that we should be getting (hint it's way more than what conventional guidelines say!!) The implications of low protein intake The implications of LOW Vit A intake  Eating liver during pregnancy  The importance of choline in pregnancy Glycine in pregnancy- its role and where to find it What you need to know if you are vegetarian or vegan The postpartum and why we need to prepare for this. And so much more.. This episode is an important one. I invite ALL health care professionals to listen to this so that we can provide women with current research surrounding nutrition in pregnancy.    For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective Check out Lily Nichols over at; https://lilynicholsrdn.com Follow Lily on Instagram at; https://www.instagram.com/lilynicholsrdn/ Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

Welcome and happy new year 2024!! We kick off 2024 with a Dad's perspective of Pregnancy, Birth and the Postpartum!!! Joining us for this special episode is Josh, who recently became a new Dad in Dec2023!! I had the deep honour and privilege of meeting Josh and his partner Dani during their pregnancy and teaching them the HypnoBirthing International course.  Right from the start meeting this couple was beautiful. They were both fully committed to the program, both incredibly open and both dived head first and did every bit of preparation possible for birth and the postpartum for Dani! But what we didn't cover in our preparation was preparing the Father for the postpartum! Josh is, as he says, "an open book" and he so openly and honestly talks about what the birth and postpartum was like for him, the amazing time it was but also the struggles and what his personal experience was like, which he wasn't prepared for. He is authentic and vulnerable and I deeply thank him for sharing his experience. Because of Josh I know I will now be incorporating preparing our fathers for the postpartum in my future education, so thankyou Josh for all you have taught me. In this episode we chat about; The importance of birth preparation The importance for having trust with your provider How important it is for Men to prepare for birth ESPECIALLY if they think they will struggle to support their partner at that time. The importance of the hour after birth The unexpected feelings that showed up for him in the postpartum and how he navigated this and his tips for Dad's to be. And so much more. You are going to want to listen to this one in its entirety. To connect with me Head to www.thepregnancycollective.com.au/podcast for the show notes. Email: [email protected] Follow me on Instagram: the_pregnancy_collective Follow me on Facebook: The Pregnancy Collective  

Bonus end of year episode! The end of the 2023 is around the corner and I wanted to do a quick solo episode to say thank you to you for all the listens and dowloads and shares! I have been blown away by all the messages and feedback (I read every single one).  I'd also like to thank and acknowledge all the guests we had on the show for its first year (I go through the incredible lineup in today's show). Every single guest agreed to come on before this podcast even commenced and that is a testament to the work they do, their dedication and that they share the belief that there is more that we could be "taught". I cannot wait for you to see what is in stall for 2024!! Listen for a sneak peak of one of my favourite author and researcher who will be joining us in 2024! Also, I would love to hear from you! What do you wish you had of been taught? Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to hear about? Send me a email or message on social, I'd love to hear from you. Finally, I am taking some time for quality family connection in January so this podcast will recommence 1st Feb 2024! See you all in the new year! Kate Martyn Kate has over 13 years experience as a Midwife, over 15 years as an Emergency Nurse and has been teaching HypnoBirthing and for 11 years. She is also a Mum to two boys, both born in water, 1 born in hospital and 1 a planned home birth and both with private midwifery continuity of care. Her passion is education and informed choices. As a Midwife and Mum she believes there is so much more we can offer in terms of education from preconception to postpartum and with that in mind she created and is the host of the "what if we were taught" Podcast. On this she brings experts from around the world to share their knowledge, research and wisdom in all of these fields, whilst weaving empowering birth stories amongst it.  We need a a village to raise a child, we also need a tribe/ team for our pregnancy to postpartum journey. To offer the best woman centre care Kate believes a true collaborative care approach is essential and continuity of care is ideal.  To connect with me Head to www.thepregnancycollective.com.au/podcast for the show notes. Email: [email protected] Follow me on Instagram: the_pregnancy_collective Follow me on Facebook: The Pregnancy Collective

Almost all birth workers have at some point heard the phrase "once a caesar always a caesar". So let's examine the research surrounding vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC). And who better to discuss this with than Author and Researcher Dr Hazel Keedle. Dr. Hazel Keedle  Dr Keedle a Senior Lecturer of Midwifery at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University. She has over two decades of experience as a clinician in nursing and midwifery, educator, and researcher. Her research interests are vaginal birth after caesarean, birth trauma, and maternity experiences, which she explores primarily using feminist mixed methodologies.  Dr. Keedle's work is recognised nationally and internationally. She has made many invited conference and seminar presentations, and her research has been widely published in academic journals and books. She is the author of the book "Birth after Caesarean: Your Journey to a Better Birth," which is based on her PhD findings. Dr. Keedle is also the lead researcher on the largest maternity experiences survey, The Birth Experience Study. In September 2022, she became the Editor in Chief of The Practising Midwife Australia from All4Maternity. Dr Keedle is passionate about improving the experiences of women during childbirth. She is committed to using her research to advocate for women's rights and to ensure that all women have access to respectful, supportive maternity care.  In this episode we; Break down the actual statistical risks associated with VBAC as well as the risks associated with repeat caesarean Bust the myth surrounding this "100 year outdated" saying "once a ceasar always a ceasar". Hear about Dr Keedle's own birth's and how they became the catalyst of her researching journey which then ultimately led to the writings of her book. Discuss how women can best be supported in their VBAC journey And so much more.. This episode is an important one and you will want to stay around till the very end to hear a very very exciting announcement by Dr Keedle!! I invite ALL health care professionals to listen to this so that we can provide women with current research surrounding VBAC and ultimately true Informed consent.   For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to www.thepregnancycollective.com.au/podcast Follow me on Instagram: the_pregnancy_collective Follow me on Facebook: The Pregnancy Collective   Check out Dr Hazel Keedle on Instagram ; hazelkeedle   Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

In episode 13 of the podcast we chatted with Cat McArthur on "Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) and our Pelvic Floor" and we received a tonne of feedback from this episode! So we opened up the doors for any questions anyone has related to their pelvic floor and prolapse and suffice to say we got an entire episode worth, so here they are. Your questions answered.  If you haven't already heard episode 13 I invite you to listen. In it we discuss what POP is, symptoms, contributing factors to developing POP, our pelvic floor and so much more as well as my own personal journey with having a prolapse. Cat McArthur Cat is a Gold Coast based Physiotherapist with additional training in Pelvic & Continence health. Drawing on her own experience as an Olympic athlete, Cat strives to work with her clients to ensure they are working towards their own goals and providing them with the tools in which they need to prevent injury throughout all stages of life. Educating and empowering others in order to become the master of their own bodies and health is how Cat practices as a physiotherapist. Cat loves to work in all settings – practicing out of two clinics in Robina and Tweeds Heads, taking community-based exercise classes and offering home visit physiotherapy appointments as well as telehealth to ensure patients can access good quality healthcare in any environment they choose.   In this episode we discuss; Cat's background as an Olympian and what led her to become a women's health physio. Current research findings surrounding pessaries Symptoms of POP and when to seek support If there is a degree to which a prolapse would preclude having a vaginal birth The affects on existing prolapse with subsequent pregnancies and births How a tight pelvic floor affects birth Abdominal separation, when it becomes an issue and how to manage Does doing our pelvic floor exercise make sex better? Do yoni eggs and other devices help our pelvic floor? And so much more… For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to www.thepregnancycollective.com.au/podcast Follow me on Instagram: the_pregnancy_collective Follow me on Facebook: The Pregnancy Collective   Check out Cat McArthur ; https://www.catmcarthurphysio.com Follow Cat on Instagram: cat.pelvichealthphysio   Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

When we first become pregnant it can be confusing knowing where to start and what birthing options are even available to you. Many people aren't aware that there are actually many different models when it comes to antenatal, birth and postpartum care. So for this podcast I'm joined with a Midwife that's done it all- she has worked in both the private and public sector and recently made the shift to becoming a private practicing Midwife. This episode is all about explaining the different birth models available, so that you can make the right informed choice for you.  Nicole Garratt  Nicole is a mama and a Midwife who now works in a continuity model of care, across all aspects of pregnancy and postpartum care, including home birth and supporting women who choose to birth in hospital. Nicole believes in family centred holistic midwifery which places women as the leaders in their care and supports them to connect with their baby, their body and awaken their intuition.  She supports women to blossom into mothers and it's blooming wonderful.    In this episode we discuss; The Public health model- high risk and low risk Shared care What postpartum care looks like in the public sector Midwifery group practice /case load and what this involves for the antenatal, birth and postpartum Private obstetric care for antenatal, birth and postpartum Private Continuity of care with a Midwife- its individualised approach to antenatal, birth and postpartum care  The role of the private Midwife in home birth and when/if transferred to hospital Why it's so important we consider what our birth goals and postpartum goals are How having a support person such as a midwife in the hospital can be so beneficial   And so much more.. For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to www.thepregnancycollective.com.au/podcast Follow me on Instagram: the_pregnancy_collective Follow me on Facebook: The Pregnancy Collective Check Nicole Garratt ; https://www.bloomingmidwifery.com.au/ Follow Cat on Instagram: bloomingmidwiferygc  Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

Something I wish I had of been taught as a Midwife and as a Woman is about my Pelvic Floor and all the things that can contribute to Prolapse. This episode is a big and personal one for me as I share my own experience of having a Prolapse. I am joined with an incredible Women's Health Physio who has helped me in my own personal journey with a prolapse as well as countless other women. Cat Mc Arthur Cat is a Gold Coast based Physiotherapist with additional training in Pelvic & Continence health. Drawing on her own experience as an Olympic athlete, Cat strives to work with her clients to ensure they are working towards their own goals and providing them with the tools in which they need to prevent injury throughout all stages of life. Educating and empowering others in order to become the master of their own bodies and health is how Cat practices as a physiotherapist. Cat loves to work in all settings – practicing out of two clinics in Robina and Tweeds Heads, taking community-based exercise classes and offering home visit physiotherapy appointments as well as telehealth to ensure patients can access good quality healthcare in any environment they choose. This episode is a big and long one but you'll want to hang around for the whole thing believe me!   In this episode we discuss; My own personal journey with a prolapse and the emotional, physical and psychological aspects of this What is our pelvic floor? How to do our pelvic floor exercises and why we need an individualised approach to this Why it's equally important that we know how to relax our pelvic floor as well as tighten it What is POP -Pelvic Organ Prolapse? What are the contributing factors that contribute to prolapse How to decrease your risk of developing a prolapse  Diaphragmatic breathing and it's implications on your pelvic floor  How our Glute's and posture affect our pelvic floor Coached pushing and it's affects on our pelvic floor Symptoms of prolapse How to manage prolapse symptoms Pessaries What should we be doing/not doing during our postpartum to protect our pelvic floor? Preparing for our postpartum And so much more… For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to www.thepregnancycollective.com.au/podcast Follow me on Instagram: the_pregnancy_collective Follow me on Facebook: The Pregnancy Collective   Check out Cat McArthur ; https://www.catmcarthurphysio.com Follow Cat on Instagram: cat.pelvichealthphysio   Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

In this episode we get real about Motherhood and have a heartfelt chat about self worth, self enquiry and Mothering. Shea Gready Shae is a certified yoga and meditation teacher, with a particular interest in subtle energy systems, sound healing, Yoga and Buddhist philosophy, as well as other ancient cultures and transcendental practices and beliefs.  Deeply connected to Mother Earth, Shae's energy is grounding. Behind everything she does is the intention to inspire a great remembering of our inherent interconnectedness to each other, all sentient beings and our shared home.  Shae loves to explore with different practices of mindfulness, meditation and movement that bring us into the present moment and into our bodies.  When she isn't geeking out on yoga stuff or meditating, you can find Shae at the beach, in the rivers, at the farmers markets, dancing, singing and shaking off the seriousness of life with her beautiful family, two young daughters, husband/best friend and two appropriately spoilt Labradors Daphne and Delilah. In this episode we discuss; Our own stories and how they show up The real struggles of Mothering Triggers How to do it differently Where to start with "the work" Reframing and recognising Mothering and Fathering as the most important job in the world  And so much more. This is a real honest heart felt chat and I'm sure you will get so much out of it. For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to www.thepregnancycollective.com.au/podcast Follow me on Instagram: the_pregnancy_collective Follow me on Facebook: The Pregnancy Collective Check out Shae Gready ; Instagram: shae_yoga

"Women crave emotional connection and being heard… Men just want to "fix it". Does this sound familiar? In this episode we are joined once again with Dan Hanson to take a deep dive into self enquiry and explore the differences between Men and Women. This is such a refreshing conversation to hear the masculine and feminine perspective from a man that is incredibly humble, honest and has done the work. What does this have to do with a Pregnancy, Birth and Parenting podcast…..?? EVERYTHING! Because we are raising little humans, we are shaping their emotional intelligence and how we (parents) communicate to one another shapes how they communicate.  Dan Hanson Dan Hanson was an extremely well known Myofunctional Dentist up until 2021 when he temporarily retired due to the covid response restrictions. Up until 2021, Dan was helping to prevent children from needing orthodontic treatment using Myofunctional Orthodontics, as well as helping infants to feed, performing oral surgery for congenital mouth defects. Dan remains active in this space- lecturing on such subjects, speaking at conferences and educational events worldwide. But it doesn't stop there- Dans expansive knowledge and wisdom extends so much further than dentistry. In more recent years he has founded "The Community Solution" and is author of the book 'The Community Solution – A Vision for Connecting Humanity'. Dan's mission with 'The Community Solution' is to inspire and guide others to set up and facilitate sustainable, decentralised communities like his own. His intention is to birth a time when people sit face to face regularly, have fun, and support each other through challenges while forming unshakable bonds. Dan is also a 'men's guide' and group personal development facilitator with a passion for self-inquiry. He creates and facilitates 'self-inquiry' events for both men and women who have the desire to better know themselves and to understand and transform their relationships to self and other . To this end he founded Breathe Health Retreats, which provides transformational self-awareness and leadership events as well as  Rites Of Passage programs encouraging emotional growth and self-awareness in young men during their transition to manhood.  To sum up I feel deeply privileged to have the opportunity to talk and to have worked with Dan. His knowledge base is extensive and he truly walks the talk of a holistic health professional that deeply wants to positively impact those around him. He is one of the most humble and inspiring life teachers I have ever had the privilege of knowing and I am sure you will learn a lot from this episode and future episodes to come. In this episode we discuss ; Self enquiry and how our own upbringing shapes our parenting journey Dans own Personal struggles with sleep apnea and bodily symptoms and how that introduced him into breath-work and an intense health exploration journey How his marriage crises was a pivotal point into self enquiry and self work How he identified his own self judgment and his realisation that he is a equal contributor to his relationship How his own childhood trauma profoundly influenced him as an adult and the work he had to do to unpack that  How meeting the woman's emotional needs helps in the bedroom How we are a culture that is deeply uncomfortable with feelings and emotional releases How women just want to be heard and men just want to "fix it", how to navigate this, serve each other and have a better understanding of the masculine and feminine. Where to start with the work What Dan's Men's retreats and Men's groups look like Exploring your "shadow" self and Ego The father and sons rights of passage he facilitates The importance of rights of passage for boys Women's cycles and the profound impact it had on his own relationship when he had this understanding The community work he is doing And so much more… For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to www.thepregnancycollective.com.au/podcast Follow me on Instagram: the_pregnancy_collective Follow me on Facebook: The Pregnancy Collective   Check out Dan Hanson ; Self Enquiry and Rites of Passage work  Breathe Health Retreats Check out his Community Solution work here The Community Solution Check out his work with Myofunctional therapy here; Myofocus Education Follow Dan Hanson on Facebook  Dan Hanson Facebook Breath Health Retreats Facebook: The Community Solution Follow Dan on Instagram: Breath Health Retreats Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

Can acupuncture and Chinese medicine help with conception, fertility, pregnancy, labour, birth and the Postpartum?!! I'm joined today with Chinese medicine expert Tabitha Fennell to answer this very question and take a deep dive into the physiology of Chinese medicine and its many modalities. Tabitha Fennell Tabitha runs a busy acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinic on the Gold Coast Australia and within these 23 years she has specialised and treated all aspects of hormonal imbalances, fertility and pregnancy. Chinese medicine for Tabitha and her family is a life style,  supporting their health on all levels along the way. While being pregnant and a mum of 3 Tabitha learnt how powerful TCM theory was and continues to spread this knowledge to all her clients along their journey. After having three births of their own Tabitha and her husband Brad made an online acupressure course for labour as having used these points during their births they knew how profound it was for the birthing women and their birthing partner to have these effect tools in child birth. In this episode we chat about: The philosophy behind traditional Chinese medicine  The individual and whole body approach to Chinese Medicine  How it can be used preconception for both the female AND the MALE! It's role with the nervous system and how acupuncture can takes us from fight or flight to our calm parasympathetic system- which is optimal for conception, pregnancy and birth It's role in infertility for both the woman AND the MAN Sperm health and how we can optimise it! Now we are pregnant - should I continue acupuncture and Chinese medicine? How it can be helpful with labour and birth Acupressure in labour- some hot tips from Tabitha Tips for the partner during labour Tabitha's tip for a nourishing and supportive postpartum And so so much more…. For full show notes and links for this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram the_pregnancy_collective Check out Tabitha over at: www.studioqi.com.au Follow Tabitha on Instagram at: studioqi tabithajfennell Please note all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice

What is HypnoBirthing? What does it teach? Will it prepare me for birth? Will it prepare my partner for birth? Am I " under hypnosis"? Can I do Hypnobirthing if I am planning intervention or a hospital birth (yes you absolutely can is the answer btw!)?  When we first become pregnant it can be confusing and over whelming knowing where to even start with birth preparation education. So for this episode we are going to chat all about what HypnoBirthing is and what it offers as well as debunk some of the many myths surrounding this comprehensive childbirth preparation class. And who better to chat HypnoBirthing with then the Vice President of the HypnoBirthing® International Institute- Anthea Thomas!  Anthea Thomas In addition to being the Vice President Internationally for HypnoBirthing, Anthea is also the director and Faculty Trainer of HypnoBirthing International in Australia. Anthea is a passionate health professional, an experienced Antenatal Educator with over 17 years experience, a public speaker and a Clinical Hypnotherapist supporting families in conception, pregnancy, birthing and parenting as well as a Global Presence Ambassador for Parenting 2.0 and Former Vice President of CAPEA QLD (Childbirth and Parenting Educators of Australia).  Anthea is working with therapy based on the philosophy that our unconscious minds can heal our bodies, and control the delicate process of conception and birthing. She is focused on helping people find their unlimited potential in all areas of life, and on helping women to rediscover their natural birthing instincts and works  to provide couples with information about their bodies, the birth process, how their mind affects conception and birth helping to empower them to take control of their own journey.  In this episode we chat about: Anthea's own incredibly heartfelt inspirational story of how she first learnt about HypnoBirthing Anthea's own personal experience with having a VBAC and how HypnoBirthing completely removed her partners and her own fears for that birth. We take a deep dive into what this course involves and what makes it such a comprehensive childbirth class We discuss the Autonomic Nervous System and the impact it has on birth We discuss labour and birth physiology We discuss how HypnoBirthing prepares our partners for birth and the postpartum We debunk the many myths surrounding hypnobirthing And so so much more… I guarantee it will inspire and inform you.   For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective Check out Hypnobirthing International over at; In Australia https://hypnobirthing.com.au Internationally https://hypnobirthing.com Follow HypnoBirthing International on Instagram at; https://www.instagram.com/hypnobirthinginternational/ Please note all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice

The postnatal time should be one of replenishing, restoring and bonding right? Yet in Western Cultures it seems this time is rarely treated as such. We live busy lives, are surrounded by the "social media super mums", receive little education surrounding the postpartum and culturally don't view it as a right of passage or even a time of "rest and restoring". But at what cost is this to the health of the Mother? What is the Postpartum? What is Postnatal depletion? How can we best prepare for this time? To answer these questions and so much more I am honoured to be joined with Dr Oscar Serrallach for today's episode.  Dr Oscar Serrallach Dr Oscar Serrallach is a functional medicine Doctor who is well known in the Postnatal field.  His journey into this area was inspired following his partner Carolines home births and her postpartum experience. Through his own personal and professional experience Dr Serrallach realised the huge impact that nutrition, lifestyle and environment have on the postnatal period. He is the author of the Postnatal Depletion Cure" an incredible book where he shares his knowledge surrounding the postpartum and his unique protocols developed to avoid and/or treat postnatal depletion. In this episode we chat about: Dr Oscar's own personal experience with the home births of his children and how his partner Caroline's postpartum experience was the catalyst of his journey into learning about the postpartum. How he identified the lack of information and studies surrounding the postpartum His research into traditional cultures with postpartum care Neuroinflammation- what is it and what are its affects? How he developed the term Postnatal Depletion  What Matresecence is and how we need to honour this as a right of passage What is happening hormonally and neurologically during pregnancy What is happening hormonally with the birth of the placenta How to prepare for the postpartum and avoid depletion The myth of the "super mum" Why we need a village and how to create it in 2023! His tips for Dads and their role in the postpartum period How to set us up for a supportive postpartum How nutrition through pregnancy needs to be prioritised and how important that is for the postpartum And so so much more… This episode is a must listen and share!! I guarantee it will inspire and inform you.   For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective Check out Dr Oscar Serrallach over at; https://www.themothercareproject.com Follow Dr Serrallach on Instagram at; https://www.instagram.com/droscarserrallach/ Please note all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice

This episode needs to be listened and shared with every pregnant Mumma and Birth worker! I am beyond excited to bring Dr Sarah Buckley onto this show where she takes a deep dive into the hormones and physiology of pregnancy, labour, birth and bonding. If you want to be informed, inspired and understand how our bodies and babies work together during the lead up to birth, labour and bonding then this is the episode for you.   Dr Sarah Buckley Dr Sarah Buckley is a trained GP (family physician) with qualifications in GP obstetrics. She has been writing and lecturing to childbirth professionals and parents since 1997 and is the author of the internationally best-selling book Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering.  Sarah has a special interest in the hormones of physiological labour and birth and the impacts of interventions. In 2015 she completed an extensive report on this topic called the Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing. This report is extensive with over 1000 references and has been described as and i quote "…one of the most revolutionary and influential publications on maternity and newborn care ever issued." She has contributed to many professional texts and parenting books and is is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Queensland, researching oxytocin in labour and birth and the impacts of maternity-care interventions. She has co-authored numerous peer reviewed papers on oxytocin in labour, birth and breastfeeding and has presented at over 120 workshops and conferences in Australia and worldwide. "Dr Buckley's work critiques current practices in pregnancy, birth, and parenting from the widest possible perspectives, including scientific, anthropological, cross-cultural, psychological, and personal. She encourages us to be fully informed in our decision-making; to listen to our hearts and our intuition; and to claim our rightful role as the real experts in our bodies and our children." This episode we chat about; How her own birth experience influenced and inspired her to study the hormones of labour We explore the hormonal physiology of pregnancy, labour, birth and bonding. How our hormonal systems build and prepare during pregnancy for birth The incredible role of the placenta during pregnancy and labour How the actual onset of labour is a complex and misunderstood process The biological and hormonal processes that our bodies and babies have before labour even starts How our hormones during labour promote bonding after birth Oxytocin- the complexity and role of this incredible hormone The impact our environment can have on our labour and birth How to support our limbic systems during hospital births What disrupts our hormonal process The difference between synthetic and natural oxytocin Epidurals-what they are and their affects on labour and birth The importance of skin to skin and baby led attachment How to restore hormonal gaps when interventions/ inductions/ caesareans occur And so so much more… This episode is a must listen and share!! I guarantee it will inspire and inform you.   For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective Check out Dr Sarah Buckley over at; https://sarahbuckley.com/ Follow Dr Buckley on Facebook at; https://www.facebook.com/drsarahbuckley Please note all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

How does it make you feel when your toddler or child has  "tears and tantrums"? How do you respond to this? How would you like to respond? If you answered with love or compassion, are unhappy with perhaps how you have responded in the past or are just curious if there is a different way to approach our children's behaviour. Then this is the episode for you. I am beyond excited for you to hear today's episode with the incredible Marion Rose PhD. Marion Rose PhD, holds a degree in Psychology, has trained and worked as a Psychosynthesis Psychotherapist and holds a PhD in postnatal depression and the mother baby relationship. She is an Aware Parenting instructor and has also developed her own work - the Marion method for psychospiritual parenting and reculturing. She is also the host of the Aware Parenting Podcast an incredible podcast with over 2 million downloads worldwide. Marion's first book, co authored with Lael Stone, 'Raising Resilient and Compassionate Children' has recently been released and quickly rose to a best seller on amazon and is a must read!  In this episode we talk about ; Marion Rose's own birth and upbringing how that influenced and led her down the path of "Aware Parenting". Her 10 year professional and self development work that she did to prepare for becoming a Mum! What is Aware Parenting and what differentiates it from attachment parenting? We discuss rewards and punishments and the deeper implications that these may have Her work and passion in prenatal psychology How babies have feelings right from when they are in Utero How it is SO essential that we ALWAYS look for the feelings behind the behaviour. The importance of self work for parents. And so much more.... This work is truly life changing. Whether you are pregnant, a parent, a grandparent, a friend, a teacher…this episode will be relevant to you and is a must listen! For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective Check out Marion Rose PhD over at; https://marionrose.net/ Follow Marion on Instagram at; _marion_rose_ Please note all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

How do we want to raise our kids?  For many the answer is obvious- compassionately, loving and resilient right? Yet how do we do this in today's world and how do we do it without using punishments and rewards? Can we even do that? How do we provide our kids with emotional intelligence so that our children can move through lifes challenges in healthy ways? How do we respond to tantrums, sibling rivalry, hitting and shouting? How do we prepare our older children for the arrival of a new baby? Often the only way we know how to parent is how we ourselves were parented. But how do we move beyond historical paradigms of parenting that consisted of shaming, power over, rewards and punishment? I am beyond excited for you to hear todays episode with the incredible Lael Stone as she answers these questions and so much more. Lael Stone is an educator, TEDx speaker, author, mother, and parenting counsellor who has been working with families for over 20 years. Her work as a birth educator, post-natal trauma counsellor, and parenting educator has seen her work with thousands of families consulting about newborns all the way to the teen years. She spent over 5 yrs in secondary schools working with teens around sexuality, well-being, and relationships and her great aim is to empower parents to create connections and stronger relationships with their children.  Lael's first book, co authored with Marion Rose PhD, 'Raising Resilient and Compassionate Children' has recently been released and quickly rose to a best seller on amazon and is a must read!  Lael is the the co-creator of Woodline Primary School, an innovative new school based on emotional well-being and connection. She was also the co-host of The Aware Parenting Podcast - an incredible podcast with over 1.5 million downloads and is an absolute must to add to your podcast list. She is a sought-after public speaker who talks candidly about her experiences and her great passion; creating wellness in families through connection and communication. As well as sitting on a few advisory boards and consulting with organisations around emotional awareness and trauma-informed practices, she has teamed up with The Resilience Project to deliver presentations about raising resilient children all over Australia in 2022/2023. She is the mother of three big kids - who are teenagers and young adults and she is currently putting all her research into practice with them! In this episode we talk about ; What is Aware Parenting and what differentiates it from attachment parenting? We discuss rewards and punishments and the deeper implications that these may have We talk about the feelings behind behaviour and how to address these so that we foster communication, trust, love and promote healing in our babies and children. We discuss the importance of setting clear boundaries, saying no and "loving limits". We discuss permissive parenting (which I am completely guilty of)  and how that often leads to exhaustion and no resolution with behaviours.  How play fosters attachment and helps move feelings, heal from trauma and so much more.  We discuss how to prepare our children and toddlers for the arrival of a baby and navigating sibling rivalry.  The importance of meeting our own needs as parents so that have capacity to meet the needs of our children. We explore self work, intergenerational trauma, self enquiry, self dialogue and invite you to look into what is behind the triggers in parenting. And so much more.... This work is truly life changing. Whether you are pregnant, a parent, a grandparent, a friend, a teacher…this episode will be relevant to you and is a must listen! For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective Check out Lael Stone over at; http://www.laelstone.com.au/ Follow Lael on Instagram at; laelstone Please note all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

In this episode with Dan Hanson we explore breathing and feeding dysfunction, Myofunctional therapy and the controversial topic of tongue ties. We take a deep dive into the root causes of dysfunction and what we can do to decrease occurrence, how to identify symptoms that may indicate a underlining dysfunction and so much more. Dan Hanson was an extremely well known Myofunctional Dentist up until 2021 when he temporarily retired due to the covid response restrictions. Up until 2021, Dan was helping to prevent children from needing orthodontic treatment using Myofunctional Orthodontics, as well as helping infants to feed, performing oral surgery for congenital mouth defects. Dan remains active in this space- lecturing on such subjects, speaking at conferences and educational events worldwide. But it doesn't stop there- Dans expansive knowledge and wisdom extends so much further than dentistry.  In more recent years he has founded "The Community Solution" and is author of the book 'The Community Solution – A Vision for Connecting Humanity'. Dan's mission with 'The Community Solution' is to inspire and guide others to set up and facilitate sustainable, decentralised communities like his own. His intention is to birth a time when people sit face to face regularly, have fun, and support each other through challenges while forming unshakable bonds.  Dan is also a 'men's guide' and group personal development facilitator with a passion for self-inquiry. He creates and facilitates 'self-inquiry' events for both men and women who have the desire to better know themselves and to understand and transform their relationships to self and other . To this end he founded Breathe Health Retreats, which provides transformational self-awareness and leadership events as well as  Rites Of Passage programs encouraging emotional growth and self-awareness in young men during their transition to manhood.  To sum up I feel deeply privileged to have the opportunity to talk and to have worked with Dan. His knowledge base is extensive and he truly walks the talk of a holistic health professional that deeply wants to positively impact those around him. He is one of the most humble and inspiring life teachers I have ever had the privilege of knowing and I am sure you will learn a lot from this episode and future episodes to come. In this episode we discuss ; Dan and what lead him down the path from traditional dentistry into holistic dentistry and the field of myofunctional therapy.  How his own health crisis lead him to explore the Buteyko method of breathing. What myofunctional therapy is. What are the root causes of dysfunction and what can we do to prevent them? Do dummies/pacifiers and bottles affect function and can they suppress feelings?  If we have used bottles of dummies and we identify our child has dysfunction what can we do to correct this?  How to Identifying symptoms that may indicate dysfunction.  We delve into the controversial subject of tongue ties. The importance of initiating early breastfeeding and skin to skin.  He talks about symptoms that may indicate a underlining tongue tie Why are we seeing a higher prevalence in tongue ties? And so much more… For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to www.thepregnancycollective.com.au/podcast Follow me on Instagram: the_pregnancy_collective Follow me on Facebook: The Pregnancy Collective   Check out Dan Hanson ; Self Enquiry and Rites of Passage work  Breathe Health Retreats Check out his Community Solution work here The Community Solution Check out his work with Myofunctional therapy here; Myofocus Education Follow Dan Hanson on Facebook   Dan Hanson Facebook Breath Health Retreats Facebook: The Community Solution Follow Dan on Instagram:  Breath Health Retreats Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

Are you planning to breastfeed your baby? Did you know that your lactation journey starts as early on as the first trimester and that your labour, birth and the first week postpartum sets the foundation and determines the longevity of your breastfeeding success? In this episode, I'm joined with International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Tamika Newman. Tamika currently works as a private practicing IBCLC on the Gold Coast, Australia. She has practiced as a Registered Nurse and Midwife since 2005 and has worked in a large tertiary hospital setting for over 10 years. In recent years she has completed training in Orofacial Myology to expand her knowledge and clinical skill base. She has a special interest in oral restrictions, re- lactation, gut health/human microbiome, epigenetic's as well as biologically normal infant sleep and feeding practices.  This is a fun conversation where we explore; What colostrum is and why is it so important. The physiological changes that occur immediately following birth that impacts our milk production and the changes that occur in the first few days and months Postpartum. The importance of demand feeding and how you feed in those first few days postpartum lays the path for the longevity of your breastfeeding journey! How our culture normalises dysfunction  What are biologically normal feedings patterns Interventions during labour and birth and how they affect milk production and breastfeeding The hormonal orchestra of labour and birth that is perfectly designed for breastfeeding. What we can do to enhance our breastfeeding hormones Why immediate skin to skin after birth is so important When intervention occurs and there is separation at birth of Mum and Baby what we can do to facilitate bonding and breastfeeding And so much more...   For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to www.thepregnancycollective.com.au/podcast Follow me on Instagram: the_pregnancy_collective Check out Tamika Newman's work over at :www.tamikanewmanibclc.com Follow Tamika on Instagram: tamikaibclc   Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

Melinda Olliver is a Dietitian, the founder of She Oak Nutrition and is absolutely obsessed when it comes to gut health, hormonal health, womens health and all areas of fertility!! She has a passion for helping women through the preconception into pregnancy journey; supporting them in pregnancy and nourishing them in the Postpartum. So I felt it was absolutely fitting to have her extensive knowledge feature on this show. So if your pregnant or wanting to become pregnant and wondering how best to nourish yourself and your baby or where to even start on the nutrition side of things- then this is the show for you. In this episode we chat about; How Mel began her journey in nutrition and dietetics and what led her to where she is now in the fertility space. The gap she saw in "standard dietitian training" when it came to fertility, epigenetic's and the work she had to do to further expand her knowledge. Her approach to fertility and how she helps support the conception journey for the women as well as the importance of looking into sperm health for the man. The importance of pathology testing and specifically what we should be looking for. What nutrients we what to ensure we are getting enough of during our pregnancy journey. Busting the myth of eating for 2 Why quality good fat is so important to consume during pregnancy and what are the good fats we are looking for. What are prebiotic's and why are they important and how can we get these through our food. How to prepare for subsequent pregnancies and ensure we are replenished and restored Preparing for our postpartum- Mel's tips to prepare for this time and how it's so essential we focus on restoring and replenishing the Mother Supplementation - how sometimes it's not just the well known ones with good marketing that are the best. How supplementation ideally needs to be individualised and what to look for in marketing labelling For full show notes and links mentioned on this episode head over to www.thepregnancycollective.com.au/podcast Follow me on Instagram: the_pregnancy_collective Check out Melinda Olliver over at : https://www.sheoaknutrition.com.au Follow Melinda on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheoaknutrition_womenshealth/ Please know that all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

Welcome, to the first episode of the "What if We Were Taught.." Podcast.  In this first episode I give a little bit of a background into my journey as a Midwife and Mother and how my own experience highlighted that there is so much more we could be taught pre conception to prepare us for pregnancy. As well as during pregnancy to prepare us for our labour, birth, postpartum and parenting journey. I'll share my vision and dreams for this podcast and give a sneak peak at some of the amazing lineup that is to come. Head to www.thepregnancycollective.com.au/podcast for the show notes. Follow me on Instagram: the_pregnancy_collective Follow me on Facebook: The Pregnancy Collective

Welcome to the "what if we were taught.." podcast with your host Kate Martyn. A Midwife and Mum who knows first hand that there is just sooo much more we could offer our future parents to be.. A podcast developed to bring a collective amount of resources, wisdom and knowledge to couples surrounding Pregnancy, Birth, the Postpartum and Parenting.  Here is just a sneak peak and what is to come. Enjoy You can follow me on Instagram at: the_pregnancy_collective Or visit my website : www.thepregnancycollective.com.au for a range of resources, Podcast show notes and offerings.   Thank-you and it would mean the world to me if you could share this trailer with a friend so together we can get this information out to the world.