Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond

Oni Blecher spent twelve years preparing for motherhood from the moment she witnessed one of her sisters giving birth.  This event led her into exploring the many facets of women's work, in particular birth, where she served as a doula, and maternity services advocate, facilitator of the Earthed to Birth pregnancy and postpartum circle, presenter for this podcast, commenced training as a midwife and practising as a cranio sacral therapist.This deep preparation is rare in these times where many women begin their preparation when they fall pregnant.This is a follow up interview with Oni after an initial interview when she was 35 weeks pregnant with her first child.  The first interview with Oni prior to her birth can be found here: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-most-intentional-pregnancy-with-oni-blecher--68549829Now 18 weeks postpartum, Sally follows up with Oni who takes us through the last weeks of her pregnancy, her labour, birth and post partum period.  In particular we hear about:the impacts of having a big belly and contending with people's comments about ithow that shook her confidence in the last weekshow she regained her confidence prior to going into labourletting go of wanting the baby the come and just letting him choose the right timethanking her baby in early labour for the life changing experience of growing him and acknowledging their next journey together through the rite of passage of birthhow in spite of being at 41 weeks' gestation, she couldn't quite believe that she was really in labourlabour coping strategies (e.g., not saying 'No', insteading saying 'Yes' to contractions)birthing the baby in the waterbirthing the placentaher newborn's breast crawlpost partum supportclaiming the success of her birth as being in large part due to all her preparation, leaving no stone unturnedwhat she would do differently next timetips for expectant mumsEnjoy the many nuggets of golden wisdom Oni has to share for other mothers embarking on their journey.Also mentioned: Best Birth Finder for reviews of birth services www.bestbirthfinder.org.auLinks:www.oniblecher.comInstagram @earthedtobirthProduced and presented by Sally CusackGuest: Oni BlecherCopyright 2026 PBB Media and Sally CusackAll rights reserved.www.pbbmedia.org

Leila Armour is the Founder of Village for Mama, a project for bridging the gap in postpartum care by fostering a supportive and nourishing community for new mothers.In this episode Leila, so very generously shares her experiences of not one, but two twin pregnancies in the 40th week of her second twin pregnancy.  We hear how she navigated the complexities of navigating the maternity care system to get the level of care she wanted when birthing her first twins, while also managing to avoid the interventions she didn't want.  We explore the narratives surrounding twin pregnancies and how they're "usually" shorter and what Leila has found to be closer to the truth in her experience.  We also hear of her recommendations for postpartum with twins, importantly ensuring there's plenty of support for older children so a deep, deep dive into learning about the unique needs of two different newborns, who will want and need very different things.Leila also has a twin pregnancy and birth guide that she's very happy to share if you message her from her Instagram account.  The other resources she mentions that come with her twin pregnancy guide are a reference to the book the Holistic Guide to Twin Pregnancy, which helped inform her about the various types of twin pregnancy, as well as this episode of the Great Rebellion Podcast with Dr Stuart Fischbein: https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2148000895.Leila can be found at @villageformama on Instagram and www.villageformama.com.Image credit: @bennicreativeCopyright 2025 PBB Media and Sally CusackAll rights reserved.

Wendy Jackson, mother and retired midwife with 30 years' experience in the UK and Australian maternity care systems, has a lot to say about the massive cultural, social and political issues that surround the world of birth. Main topics covered:the importance of honouring and protecting the postnatal period/4th trimester, also known as matrescence,women need to know the realities of the maternity system, as well as their incredible biology and how to protect its optimal functioining in the system,defensive, interventionist (and often unquestioned) practices that have evolved over the millenia, especially over the last 100 years.a resource she has developed for women navigating the perinatal period - her book "Mother Becoming".Other references mentioned:Prof. Archie Cochrane "the father of evidence based medicine" who jokingly awarded obstetrics with the "wooden spoon".Jenny Allenson "The Golden Month"Transforming Maternity Care InitiativeDr Andrew Bissets, featured in "Birth Time"Human Rights in ChildbirthDr Carol de Costa "The Women's Doc" first professor of obs/gyn in AustraliaRobbie Davis FloydNOTE: At 15 mins 51 secs, when referring to Dr Liz Fowler "trying to get vaginal birth in", she neglected to include the word "breech", so "trying to get vaginal BREECH birth in".Copyright 2025 PBB Media and Sally CusackAll rights reserved.

A continuation of our series on the proposed ACM/RANZCOG legislation that will require that only trained registered professionals can "manage" the process of birth. https://ranzcog.edu.au/news/ranzcog-acm-call-on-health-ministers-to-end-freebirth-deathsThis time Sally speaks with Katherine Eden, doula, birth advocate and mother of two boys based in South Australia.  Eight years ago when birthing her second son, Katherine found herself freebirthing even though she wanted midwifery care, due to the climate of fear and retribution in Adelaide at the time, in large part due to this legislation and the attitudes surrounding it. She also asks whether women's choices would be better enabled through properly supporting private midwifery over the more restrictive, but Medicare funded homebirth services that run from public hospitals.After trying to sound the alarm years ago to the rest of the country with this blog article, we are now finally all ears.  Katherine's key message: when we work together we can achieve real improvements in maternity care.  (Birth intervention rates dropped during 2009-2010, a time of mass organisation across the country for improvements in birth, culminating in the Mother of All Rallies in Canberra.)Other podcasts referred to in this interview:Tessa Kowliwhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/from-south-australia-with-love-with-tessa-kowaliw--68691041Bashi Kumar-Hazardhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-to-criminalise-birth-with-bashi-kumar-hazard--68410484Katherine Eden is an integrative therapist, therapeutic social worker, doula, kinesiologist, ceremonialist, rites of passage guide, professional supervisor/mentor and trauma-informed spaceholder with a background in psychology, midwifery, and event facilitation. For nearly 20 years, she has been deeply involved in the Adelaide birth community, co-founding the Adelaide Birth Network and the Doula Network of SA, both of which have grown into thriving hubs of connection. Katherine's passion lies in trauma-informed, neuroaffirming, and embodied spaceholding, with a strong emphasis on integrity, ethical practice, and the significance of rites of passage. As birth trauma statistics continue to rise, she believes in the power of intentional and conscious spaceholding as well as trauma-informed eduation and supervision to shift these patterns. Her work supports spaceholders in cultivating ethical, heart-led, and attuned practices that foster inner safety and transformation.Website: www.katherineeden.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/katherineeden_rewildingFacebook: www.facebook.com/katherineedenrewildingBlog about the SA's Restrictive Birthing Practices legislation and Katherine's personal experience with it:  https://katherineeden.com/speaking-the-unspeakable-not-celebrating-homebirth/Other people/references mentioned:Rachel Reed's article on the Future of Midwifery and Homebirth in AustraliaKelli Zakharoff, Midwife CrisisAdelaide Birth Network, private Facebook group for Adelaide based women and birth workersCatherine Bell, Founder of The Birth Map and Managing Director of Maternity Choices AustraliaCopyright 2025 PBB Media and Sally CusackAll rights reserved.www.pbbmedia.org

We hear from Tessa Kowaliw (pron. ko-VAH-liyev) about birthing in South Australia since the enactment of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (South Australia) (Restricted Birthing Practices) Amendment Act 2013, which regulates who can "manage" women's births.  Tessa has 16 years a maternity services consumer advisor in a wide range of roles, but shares her views here as a well informed individual observer, and not representing any organisation.The Australian College of Midwives (ACM) and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) recently published a joint position statement calling for the rollout of this legislation across Australia. https://ranzcog.edu.au/news/ranzcog-acm-call-on-health-ministers-to-end-freebirth-deaths.We discuss: - The important role SA can play for advising legislators and policy makers with 12 years' experience with this legislation- The lead up to this law and the birthing landscape in SA since 2013- Where we are now, 12 years on- The risk of legislating and asking a broken system to apply this 'reasonably', unintended consequences- A more appropriate roadmap for offering support for women outside the maternity system with the right level of urgency, in particular rebuilding trust and strengthening consumer partnerships- Tessa and her colleagues' current efforts to compile a 'From SA With Love' info pack of their lived experiences under the restricted birthing practices law with a view to sharing this with interested consumer community leaders, advocates and decision makers interstate (due to be completed by early December)Contact can be made with Tessa either through this podcast or at [email protected].(Article mentioned by Tessa: https://www.rachelreed.website/blog/homebirthaustraliaBook mentioned near end of the interview: Tew, Marjorie, Safer Childbirth? A Critical History of Maternity Care, Chapman and Hall, 1993.)Tessa Kowaliw is a South Australian consumer advisor who has been working with birthing women, and the people and organisations which serve them, since 2009. In the 2010s, she was Coordinator for CARES (a former South Australian not-for-profit consumer group which supported women to make birth after Caesarean choices), she assisted national efforts to activate increased access to continuity of midwifery care under the National Maternity Services Plan (2010-2015), she has lobbied Health Ministers and local services to better address women's needs, and she founded (and still runs) 'VBAC Chat South Australia' - an active Facebook group of over 1.1K members designed to educate and support women and care providers.  Tessa has been a Special Purpose Director with Women's Healthcare Australasia, was a Councillor for RANZCOG for seven years, is co-author on the standard set of outcome measures for Pregnancy and Birth developed by the International Consortium for Health Outcome Measurement (ICHOM), and has presented internationally (incl. Washington, London, Utrecht) on value-based healthcare and 'what matters most' to healthcare consumers. By day, Tessa is a Business Architect and consultant, juggling corporate work around mothering duties, and her enduring passion for improving women's health.Copyright 2025 PBB Media and Sally CusackAll rights reserved.www.pbbmedia.org

Sally speaks with Oni Blecher, former host on the Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond radio show and podcast, and committee member of our organisation, PBB Media since 2018.Oni has been a student of birth since she witnessed the birth of her niece 12 years ago, taking her to study midwifery, birth doula care and craniosacral therapy that she provides for mothers and their babies, and facilitating pregnancy and post partum circles.  Now, she stands at the threshold of birth as she waits for the arrival of her first baby. This interview was recorded in the last weeks of Oni's pregnancy with the proviso that we wait until after her baby is born before we publish it.  Two months ago, her little one arrived, and Oni has given her permission to share this interview now.  We will catch up with her at some point in the future to hear what she'd like to share about the birth and the early months of motherhood.Sally interviewed another expectant parent in 2015 and again after the birth, but that time with a father, Paul Crebar.  You can hear that interview here: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/paul-crebar-on-expectant-fatherhood--7260253Links:www.oniblecher.comInstagram @earthedtobirthProduced and presented by Sally CusackGuest: Oni BlecherCopyright 2025 PBB Media and Sally CusackAll rights reserved.www.pbbmedia.org

Sally speaks with Alecia Staines, Founder and Director at Maternity Consumer Network about the South Australian legislation that the Australian College of Midwives and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have called to be enacted across the country.  This legislation seeks to prohibit "unlicensed and unregulated persons from undertaking the management of labour and birth"..https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1G2brGjDA9/Alecia discusses the issues women face in accessing maternity care in rural and regional areas.  Since the 1990's we've seen a steady closure of maternity services across the country, forcing women to drive hours from their homes to central services.  Naturally this leads to women choosing to birth outside the system.  Some of these women would like to engage a private midwife, but they are so hard to find, especially now with the requirement to have not one but two endorsed midwives at home births.  And is it possible this legislation could be used against the good Samaritan who stops to help a woman birthing before arrival on her way to a centralised service, or a grandmother or aunty helping a woman who has a precipitous labour and decides to stay at home to give birth.  Many questions remain, all due to proposals to further restrict women's access to choice and rights to informed decision making.Maternity Choices Australia has collaborated with Human Rights in Childbirth International and maternity advocacy groups from around the country to publish the following media release:https://www.maternitychoices.org.au/post/maternity-advocacy-groups-around-the-country-rally-together-to-protect-women-s-rights-in-birthLinks:www.maternityconsumernetwork.org.auProduced and presented by Sally CusackGuest: Alecia Staines, Maternity Consumer NetworkCopyright 2025 PBB Media and Sally CusackAll rights reserved.www.pbbmedia.org

Sally speaks with Dr Catherine Bell, Maternity Choices Australia and Founder of The Birth Map about the South Australian legislation that the Australian College of Midwives and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have called to be enacted across the country.  This legislation seeks to prohibit "unlicensed and unregulated persons from undertaking the management of labour and birth"..https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1G2brGjDA9/Catherine discusses the dangers to women's rights this legislation poses (and is already happening in South Australia), especially for women who feel they have no other choice than to birth outside the system, how communication between women and their carers can be improved and the pressures the system places on women to fit within the services it wants to provide.Maternity Choices Australia has collaborated with Human Rights in Childbirth International and maternity advocacy groups from around the country to publish the following media release:https://www.maternitychoices.org.au/post/maternity-advocacy-groups-around-the-country-rally-together-to-protect-women-s-rights-in-birthLinks:www.maternitychoices.org.auwww.thebirthmap.lifeProduced and presented by Sally CusackGuest: Dr Catherine Bell, Maternity Choices Australia, The Birth MapCopyright 2025 PBB Media and Sally CusackAll rights reserved.www.pbbmedia.org

Sally speaks with Dr Bashi Kumar-Hazard, lawyer and Board Chair of Human Rights in Childbirth International about the South Australian legislation that the Australian College of Midwives and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have called to be enacted across the country.  This legislation seeks to prohibit "unlicensed and unregulated persons from undertaking the management of labour and birth"..https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1G2brGjDA9/Bashi argues that this will have the effect of impacting women's human rights to birth wherever and with whomever they choose, as it already is in South Australia.  Instead, Bashi asks why governments and lobby groups aren't exploring what it is about their practice that has women choosing to avoid going to hospital.Human Rights in Childbirth and Maternity Choices Australia have collaborated, along with maternity advocacy groups from around the country, to publish the following media release:https://www.maternitychoices.org.au/post/maternity-advocacy-groups-around-the-country-rally-together-to-protect-women-s-rights-in-birthLinks:https://www.humanrightsinchildbirth.org/www.maternitychoices.org.auProduced and presented by Sally CusackGuest: Dr Bashi Kumar-Hazard, Human Rights in ChildbirthCopyright 2025 PBB Media and Sally CusackAll rights reserved.www.pbbmedia.org

Today, Oni Blecher interviews Sally Cusack. Sally Cusack is a mother of two teenagers based in Northern NSW. She is the co-founder of PBB Media and now runs PBB Media’s weekly free baby and toddler clothes swap and drop in centre, best known as the PBB Hub which was born from the flood relief outreach hub. Sally been a member of Maternity Choices Australia since 2010 where she is currently Company Secretary.  Sally has recently been developing MCA's advocacy project called Best Birth Finder of which the interview is focussed on. Sally is also a researcher with Local Futures. She dedicates her life to human and planet health through localisation and community building. This is a special interview for Oni as this will be her last podcast interview under Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond. She pays her respect to her time at Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond and PBB Media and expresses gratitide to all guests, listeners, and experiences. You can find Sally and Best Birth Finder below:[email protected]://www.bestbirthfinder.org.auAnd if you have any feedback, questions, or curiosities for Oni, you're welcome to contact her via @[email protected]

Today, Oni Blecher speaks with Zoë Rose Gameau to hear Zoë's breech birth story. Zoë is a mother of two girls and lover of nature. She lives with her daughters in a tiny studio home nestled amongst the trees and streams of the Northern Rivers of New South Wales. Her current work is in creative development as Executive Producer at a sustainable film production company, Green Thumb Media.  In the past, whilst being primary carer mothering two young children, she worked closer to home, founding How We Gather, a profit for purpose company facilitating health coaching for individuals and groups with creative methods and circle gatherings.  She also worked part time for the not-for-profit group Environmental Leadership Australia which further deepened her engagement with the reality of the challenge we face environmentally and some of the solutions available. Previously an actress, Zoë worked with almost every major TV network in Australia, also contributing behind the scenes and featured in the documentaries That Sugar Film and 2040.  As a published author she contributed to books 1 & 2 of That Sugar Guide - A Pan Mac Millan publication. The weaving of these worlds leads Zoë to where she is today; combining all her efforts to bring about the sharing of meaningful stories to help shape a healthy society and environment in a responsible, wise and artistic way, whilst taking time to enjoy the simplicity of her surroundings and raising her children lovingly.Find Zoë at her film production company here: https://www.greenthumbmedia.com.au

Today, Oni Blecher speaks with Fiona O'Shaughnessy. This is the third part in a series discussing the issue of the proposed changes to privately praciting midwives insurance in homebirth. For more info and a background to this issue, please listen to the previous 2 episodes with Fi. They are short episodes and worth a listen! Fiona calls for letter writing to local MPs in this episode. Please see the letter template below. In this episode, Fiona also updates us on the birth trauma inquiry report and its successes, follow ups, and ways to assist the changes that have been suggested. Fiona is a mum of 3, doula, childbirth educator, independent consumer representative for the Northern NSW LHD and a consumer advocate, representing the charity Hygieia Health. She's speaking to us today in her capacity working with Hygieia.Hygieia Health is dedicated to the sacred work of birth and the impact it has on the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of women, their families, and birth workers. We believe that “Peace on Earth begins at Birth,” as Jeanine Parvarti Baker so poignantly stated. As a non-profit organization with a charitable purpose of promoting the prevention and treatment of birth trauma, we strive to provide birth workers, obstetricians, midwives, and doulas with the knowledge and skills necessary to care for themselves and others, and to return birth to its rightful place as a profound rite of passage.Letter Template & Call to Action: (Scroll down):https://www.homebirthaustralia.org/call-to-action.htmlHygieia Heath:https://hygieiahealth.org@hygieiahealthltdHomebirth Australia:https://www.homebirthaustralia.orgHistory of PII (Professional Indemnity Insurance) for privately practicing midwives: https://www.homebirthaustralia.org/professional-indemnity-insurance.htmlBorn at Home Film:https://bornathomefilm.com

Welcome to Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond: Contemporary Conversations where stories, science, traditions and new ideas meet. I’m Oni Blecher and your host today. Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond Media, our development team and contributors pay our respects to indigenous elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land, the Arakwal people, the Minjungbal people and the Widjabul people of the Bundjalung Nation and the many other tribes that frequented this land. I pay my respects to elders past and present and emerging. As a team and organisation, we acknowledge the traditional owners of this land and waters whose cultures and customs have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. We acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded and recognition of culture, connection to land and waters and sovereignty of all aboriginal/indigenous peoples across Australia is a matter of current and vital importance.Today, Oni Blecher speaks with Kirilly Dawn. Kirilly is a Barkanji woman, a doula, and she runs the postpartum postpartum care program for The Returning Indigenous Corporation. Kirilly has also been on the development team with us here at PBB Media for the past 5 years. The work of the returning relies on the generous support of donations from the community and if you support their work and what they’re doing, you can go to their website, www.thereturning.com.au and find many different ways to support this amazing NFP. Find The Returning here:www.thereturning.com.au@the_returning_Thanks for tuning in ! Feel free to be in touch with us at @pbb_media [email protected]

Today Oni Blecher interviews Jenny Blyth. Jenny has supported parents in natural birth for over 40 years. She is an independent birth educator, bodyworker, Associate Practitioner of Ortho-Bionomy, Spinning Babies® Approved Trainer, Spinning Babies® Aware Practitioner & Trainer, & Internal Pelvic Release Work Practitioner & Trainer. Her particular focus is on body preparation for birth & recovery, & encouraging greater self-responsibility in parents - to realise potential in birth & reduce birth trauma. She specialises in pelvic bodywork for wellbeing, balance, comfort & healing. Jenny regularly facilitates workshops in Australia & overseas. She is project co-ordinator for Lao Birthwork, teaching hands-on & emergency skills to health staff in remote areas of Northern Laos. She is also an author – The Down to Earth Birth Book, Birthwork, The little book of Pelvic Jiggling - & filmmaker -The Big Stretch films & A World of Birthworkers.We are so happy to have Jenny on the show today. She is such a deep well of wisdom in the pregnancy, birth, postpartum and female health continuum. Jenny will be speaking at the upcoming Postpartum Conference which will be a great way to hear more of her lessons and wisdoms. Us from PBB will also be there and will be be doing interviews and taking comments from the participants. So if you’re there and want to meet us, come and say hello ! Jenny Blythwww.birthwork.com Postpartum conference: https://www.gentletraditions.xyz/professional-conferences-well-supported-mothers-collective

Today Oni Blecher speaks with Anna Watts. Anna is the Founder of Celebration of Birth, and has been guiding women and their partners through the journey of pregnancy and birth for over 30 years. Anna believes in honouring and celebrating birth as a ‘rite of passage’ for mother, father and baby, supporting empowered birthing choices and strengthening the spiritual connection in pregnancy and birth.Anna’s experience as a Childbirth Educator, Doula Trainer, Prenatal Yoga Teacher, Spiritual Healer, Counsellor and mother of two beautiful daughters both born at home – one a water birth – brings a depth and grounded warmth to her teaching. Anna also Co-Authored ‘Birthing the Spirit’ – Guide to Conscious Conception, Pregnancy and Birth – a beautiful set of cards with guidebook offering inspiration and guidance to support the spiritual connection at this transformative time. Anna is a passionate traveller and has spent time teaching, learning and assisting in birth communities around the world, including the FreMo Birth Centre, Nairobi, Kenya; Da-a-Luz Midwifery School, Andalucia, Spain; Midwife & Doula Community, Queretaro, Mexico. Sharing women’s wisdom with a diverse range of birth professionals has greatly enhanced Anna’s birthing knowledge and the way she passes on holistic skills to both pregnant women and doulas alike.Anna recently became a Grandmother; which was an inspiration for this episode. We have had Anna on the show before and we were keen to hear about her transition into grandmotherhood. In the Maga season of her life, Anna is delighting in supporting her family to blossom and flourish by holding true holistic care at the centre of wellbeing for future generations. The red thread lineage continues to be grounded in deep trust for birthing wisdom.To get in touch with Anna's offerings, see belowhttps://www.celebrationofbirth.com@sacredbirthsacredearth 

Today, Oni Blecher speaks with Fiona O'Shaughnessy. Fiona is a mum of 3, doula, childbirth educator, independent consumer representative for the Northern NSW LHD and a consumer advocate, representing the charity Hygieia Health. She's speaking to us today in her capacity working with Hygieia.This is an update episode from our last episode with Fiona titled 'Proposed Changes to Homebirth in Australia' around one month ago. If you haven't listened to this episode, we recommend that you do. This episode is an update on the survey that Homebirth Australia, and Hygeia Health circulated to advocate for optimal consumer access to privately practicing midwives and hombeirth. Today, Fiona shares the results of this sruvey as a part of the consultation process that is happening on a federal level. Have a listen and hear how you can best support the next steps. Below are some useful links to be updated on this issue. Survey results: https://actionnetwork.org/user_files/user_files/000/110/933/original/Homebirth_Australia_survey_report.pdf_2024-07-29_11_11_56.pdfHistory of issue: https://www.homebirthaustralia.org/professional-indemnity-insurance.htmlDonate to support our travel: https://www.homebirthaustralia.org/donate.htmlPetition for birth trauma reqs: https://www.betterbirthsillawarra.org.au/birthtraumapetition Hygieia Health is dedicated to the sacred work of birth and the impact it has on the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of women, their families, and birth workers. We believe that “Peace on Earth begins at Birth,” as Jeanine Parvarti Baker so poignantly stated. As a non-profit organization with a charitable purpose of promoting the prevention and treatment of birth trauma, we strive to provide birth workers, obstetricians, midwives, and doulas with the knowledge and skills necessary to care for themselves and others, and to return birth to its rightful place as a profound rite of passage. Their mission is to support women on their journey to childbirth, ensuring that they receive safe and trauma-free birth services and support. We aim to raise awareness of the occurrence and consequences of birth trauma and provide women and birth workers with the tools and support they need to prepare for and experience a safe, positive birth.Advocacy groups such as HH, Homebirth Australia, Maternity choices Australia, and us here at PBB Media spend a considerable amount of time translating some of these deeply rooted political stirrings or changes in to smaller bite sized information segments so that we can all come together in our united aim to ensure optimal freedom of choice in childbirth, however that may look for you. We always welcome your feedback and thoughts. Leave us a review, rating, instagram comment or DM, or simply be in touch via email through [email protected] Thanks for tuning in ! 

Today, Oni Blecher and Naomi Jannsen both speak with Dr. Oscar Serrelach. Naomi joins us as a guest interviewer for this conversation with Oscar Serrelach for the upcoming Postpartum Conference hosted by Well Supported Mother. Dr Oscar specialises in postnatal depletion and his medical expertise centres around optimising Mothers health and wellness. “He deeply believe that if Mothers are well, families can be well.  And if families are well, then society has a much better chance of being well." Researching Postnatal Recovery for almost 10 years, Dr. Oscar Serrallach has shared his knowledge on Postnatal Depletion and fourth trimester healing with his revolutionary book, “The Postnatal Depletion Cure.” Today, Dr. Oscar Serrallach continues to offer medical consultations and retreats around Byron Bay New South Wales in Australia, whilst building the resources and community for the MotherCare Project alongside his partner Caroline.For those of you who don’t know or are new to Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond; Dr Serrelach, his wife Caroline, and The Health Lodge have also been long time supporters of us here at PBB Media and have also contributed greatly to Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond podcast since its inception. Big thanks to you two for being such active, supportive, and generous members of our community. Naomi is a traditional medicine practitioner, with over 20 years of experience. She weaves a wealth of expertise from diverse healthcare settings to provide clinical care and education.  She is dedicated Advocate for Traditional Medicine especially in Women's Health and Birth/Reproductive Health services. She holds the vision of Culturally oriented and Mother centred experiences for Women during childbearing and rites of passage. Naomi often speaks at conferences and for podcasts to inform on the importance of Cultural Practices and Medicines in Women's Health. Pertinent to this interview, Naomi is hosting a postpartum conference in Coolangatta, Tweed in December.  Today, Naomi and I speak to Oscar, and each other about some of the sciences and themes that will be highlighted in Naomi’s upcoming conference where Oscar will be a key note speaker.  This was a really enjoyable conversation that reiterated my own sense of purpose or re stoked the fire of advocating for mothers and families with young children. Please see their website details below !POSTPARTUM CONFERENCE DETAILS:https://www.gentletraditions.xyz/professional-conferences-well-supported-mothers-collectivehttps://www.droscarserrallach.comhttps://www.gentletraditions.xyz

In this epsiode, Oni Blecher speaks with Edie Barltey. Edie is a Sexologist and Art therapist with a background in psychotherapy. Edie has also complted her doula training and has assisted birth. Her approach as both a therapist and a human being is open minded, non-judgmental and heart centred. Edie’s work aims to normalise conversations around sex and pleasure and the social and cultural discourse around both. She sheds light on topics relating to nervous system health, navigating stress and overwhelm, self worth, self compassion and acceptance, dealing with chronic pain or illness, menstrual cycle health, consent, boundaries and relationships. In this interview we also cover menstrual shame; the topic of Edie's thesis. Edie’s work expands into realms of the grater human experience, with healing and wellbeing. She offers a safe space, where anything and everything can be spoken, acknowledged, seen and acceptedIn this conversation, we span many topics and curiosities; all aligning to embracing the body at many different life stages. Enjoy this conversation and check out Edie's work here:https://[email protected]

Today I speak with Sali McIntyre and Naomi Jannsson.Sali is an antenatal educator, author midwife, Arvigo practitioner and teacher, and mother of four adult children, all born at home. She also runs Heart and Soul of Wellness which is a wellness centre in Murwillumbah where she runs pregnancy and postpartum groups, amongst many more offerings. Naomi is a traditional medicine practitioner, with over 20 years of experience. She weaves a wealth of expertise from diverse healthcare settings to provide clinical care and education.  She is dedicated Advocate for Traditional Medicine especially in Women's Health and Birth/Reproductive Health services. She holds the vision of Culturally oriented and Mother centred experiences for Women during childbearing and rites of passage. Naomi often speaks at conferences and for podcasts to inform on the importance of Cultural Practices and Medicines in Women's Health.Together, these two run a festival called Birth Wellness festival, which is a coming together of parents, families, and practitioners and clinicians in the area for greater connection of community and services relevant to the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period. In this interview we speak a lot about the importance of gathering in real life embodied spaces to create greater sense of care and togetherness in community. Birth Wellness Festival: https://events.humanitix.com/birth-wellness-festival-2024Sali: https://heartandsoulofwellness.com.auNaomi: https://www.gentletraditions.xyz/

In this episode, Oni Blecher speaks with Fiona O'Shaughnessy. Fiona is a mum of 3, doula, childbirth educator, independent consumer representative for the Northern NSW LHD and a consumer advocate, representing the charity Hygieia Health. She's speaking to us today in her capacity working with Hygieia. Hygieia Health is dedicated to the sacred work of birth and the impact it has on the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of women, their families, and birth workers. They believe that “Peace on Earth begins at Birth,” as Jeanine Parvarti Baker so poignantly stated. As a non-profit organization with a charitable purpose of promoting the prevention and treatment of birth trauma, they strive to provide birth workers, obstetricians, midwives, and doulas with the knowledge and skills necessary to care for themselves and others, and to return birth to its rightful place as a profound rite of passage. Their mission is to support women on their journey to childbirth, ensuring that they receive safe and trauma-free birth services and support. They aim to raise awareness of the occurrence and consequences of birth trauma and provide women and birth workers with the tools and support they need to prepare for and experience a safe, positive birth.Advocacy groups such as Hygieia Health, Homebirth Australia, Maternity choices Australia, and us here at PBB Media to name a few, spend a considerable amount of time translating some of these deeply rooted political stirrings or changes in to smaller bite sized information segments so that we can all come together in our united aim to ensure optimal freedom of choice in childbirth, however that may look for you.You may have a relative, a friend, a neighbour who is interested to birth at home. You may know a midwifery student who has the aim to become a privately practicing midwife. Even if home birth is not on your radar, you may even just empathise with the right to choose a birth environment that feels safe and right. Advocacy groups do so much work, but lets not forget our own capacity to advocate for our fellow human beings, even if their choices look different to ours. The meaning of advocacy is ‘public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy’. We always welcome your feedback and thoughts. Leave us a review, rating, instagram comment or DM, or simply be in touch via email through [email protected] We have left some great links below in relation to information sources that Fi mentions throughout the interview. Thanks for tuning in ! @hygieiahealthltd@bumps_birth_and_beyond @homebirth_australia@bornathomefilmSurvey link: https://tr.ee/pENQCpTihh Excerpt from Hygieia Health Instagram regarding proposed changes:“You may have seen a video circulating yesterday where Senator @larissawaters asked the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer (CNMO) about proposed changes to insurance for homebirth during Senate Estimates - we’d like to thank Senator Waters for her questions. If you're wondering what this all means, please keep reading.We feel the collective anger, fear and in some cases hopelessness about this issue, understanding it's deeply rooted in the lived experiences of women and midwives who have had to fight for women’s rights in childbirth for decades.What We Do Know: The Government will conduct a consultation process in the coming months, aiming to have details finalised by the end of the year.  The proposed insurance would only be available for midwives providing homebirth care to women with 'low risk' pregnancies. This could mean that midwives might not be legally able to provide homebirth services to women outside this definition.Currently, the definition of ‘low risk’ and who defines it is yet to be determined. However, comments made by the CNMO suggest it could exclude women with common risk factors such as previous c-section, high BMI, gestational diabetes, lack of social support and more. The CNMO also stated that if women deemed ‘high risk’ still want a homebirth, they will need a consultation with an obstetrician to be told to give birth in a hospital. Our Goal: It’s not too late to influence this process and protect the choice to homebirth as a right for all women. HBA has been promised a seat at the table and we are pushing for this to be a public consultation.Urgency: Women who will become pregnant from September onwards will be directly impacted, so we will reiterate the urgency of this throughout the consultation process.Your Feedback Matters: We’ve put together a survey as a first step to gather your feedback so we can head into the consultation process and represent the needs of our community. Who Should fill out the Survey: • Have you had a homebirth previously? • Are you planning a homebirth? • Are you a homebirth midwife?Take Action: Complete our survey (link above)

"This is so needed!" PBB weaving love into our communityIn this episode, Annalee and Sally, two of the founders of PBB Media and former presenters of our show, get together to discuss the history of our Outreach Hub, how it started and how it has evolved over time and all that it has to offer our community.The PBB Outreach Hub offers free baby and toddler clothes every Friday from 10am at the CWA Hall in Mullumbimby (corner of Tincogan and Gordon Sts).  We welcome any good quality donations of clothes to keep them circulating.  We also hear from two mums, Calindy and Hope, who have found some clothing treasures for their little ones.  Alice also shares her story of being supported by the hub in the early days after the 2022 floods when her first child was only 6 months old.  Alice still loves to come and visit, catch up with friends and swap some kids' clothing, now with her second child in tow.And finally we hear from one of our volunteers, Jess, a mum of 3 who gives her time to help run the hub and play with the little ones while mums look through the clothes and shoes.We thank everyone who contributed to this podcast and look forward to seeing you at the Hub!  If you are interested in volunteering at the hub, we just ask for 4 hours of your time per month and in return you have a lovely social time, making cups of tea and sorting the donated clothes into the boxes.  Enquiries: [email protected]

In this episode, Oni Blecher interviews Tallulah and Xanthe. Both are Bachelor of Midwifery students in the final year of their studies.  Tallulah grew up on Bundjalung Country and was immersed in a community that favoured an integrative approach to healthcare and wellness, Tallulah felt an innate pull to participate. Along her journey, she felt a deep calling to support women and families, naturally falling into midwifery. Xanthe first felt the calling of midwifery at 14 years old. She spent the next decade thinking about the seed that was planted from such a young age, eventually realising that this calling could no longer be ignored. She truly loves midwifery with her whole heart, and feels incredibly privileged to be walking into a profession that is so rich in culture and practice since the beginning of humanity.Tallulah’s philosophy is to be led by women and families. As Culturally Safe care is inherently defined by the perspectives of those receiving care, Tallulah aspires for the women she serves to feel the power handed back to them as the primary decision makers. Tallulah hopes to fulfil a graduate position in Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) and go on to facilitate home births as a private practice midwife, whilst offering a sliding scale of cost to make safe birth more accessible. Xanthe hopes to work alongside some of our most vulnerable people groups in the community as a midwife, also within a continuity of care model. She is driven by the desire to provide holistic care, where women, birthing people, and families feel deeply respected and heard. She strongly believes in the potential of the childbirth continuum being a time that can have deep and lasting positive change for families and communities when care is provided well. Both Tallulah and Xanthe had the privilege of undertaking an overseas placement in remote Papua New Guinea in November 2023 of which they talk about during this interview. It was here that their love for midwifery was solidified. They were reminded of the role of midwifery as primary healthcare, servicing families and communities. Being remote and without basic resources or staffing, the two learnt the value of teamwork, being resourceful and acting on instinct. Tallulah and Xanthe cherish the relationships they build with women and their families and see the art and profession of midwifery as an immense privilege, they can’t imagine doing anything else!If you have any questions for these two, feel free to send us an email at [email protected]

In this episode, Oni Blecher interviews Naomi Jannson. With over 20 years of experience as a health professional, Naomi weaves a wealth of expertise from diverse healthcare settings to provide clinical care and education.  Naomi inherited a strong relationship with Traditional Medicine from birth, growing up within a Traditional Medicine household and now practising as a second generation Chinese Medicine Doctor.  She obtained her degree as a Registered Nurse and practised in Australia and the UK in Emergency Medicine, further completing her Masters in Chinese Medicine and attended extensive postgraduate training in Australia, Japan, China, the UK, Europe, and the USA. With a deep respect for the Ancestors, History and Cultures of Traditional Medicines she practises her craft and maintains long term apprenticeship with Master practitioners in Australia, Japan and USA whilst studying the traditional manuscripts and learning opportunities with lineage teachers.  Traditional Medicine is Naomi’s life calling and she has truly dedicated herself to the Medicine and those who seek to receive or learn from her. A dedicated Advocate for Traditional Medicine especially in Women's Health and Birth/Reproductive Health services. She holds the vision of Culturally oriented and Mother centred experiences for Women during childbearing and rites of passage. Naomi often speaks at conferences and for podcasts to inform on the importance of Cultural Practices and Medicines in Women's Health. Naomi has also planned an upcoming postpartum conference on the 20 and 21st of April. ‘The Whole Picture’ postpartum conference is a dynamic 2 day event with inspiring speakers, offering CPD points and showcasing interdisciplinary innovations for optimal outcomes. Find Naomi and her offerings here:https://www.gentletraditions.xyz@gentle_traditions

In this epsiode, Oni Blecher speaks with Amanda Banks, co creator and producer of the new film Born at Home. Empowered by the homebirth of her second child in 2020, Amanda, together with long term dear friend Eleanor, set out to create a film exploring Homebirth in QLD. Amanda is mother of two children, both born at home. She has always had a passion for health which led her to works as an Acupuncturist in Brisbane, supporting families through fertility, pregnancy and beyond for over 8 years. Amanda was the former Convenor for Homebirth QLD for 2.5 years until mid 2023 and worked as a maternity consumer representative on the QLD Normal Birth Strategy.Supporting women has always been a passion of hers and after absorbing current research on the mainstream maternity system working with Homebirth QLD, she was driven to advocate for evidence based maternity care, women’s rights and access to safe birthing options and education. Amanda believes in the physiological process of birth, that birth is a rite of passage and a positive, supported birth experience can create a mother who feels confident in herself and in her parenting journey, amongst many other beneficial maternal and infant outcomes. We hope you enjoy this conversation and learning more about the film ! To check out more details and the upcoming film screenings, look at the links below ! https://www.bornathomefilm.com.auhttps://au.demand.film/born-at-home/

In this interview, Oni Blecher interviews Dr Michelle Gerbi. With a background as a chiropractor, perinatal health coach, functional medicine provider, certified perinatal health coach, postpartum corrective exercise specialist, and international board-certified lactation consultant, Michelle has had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the challenges, questions, and triumphs that come with being a mom. With over 17 years of experience focusing on postpartum women, Dr. Michelle Gerbi has helped thousands of moms overcome the most common and challenging issues that come with motherhood. In this episode, they discuss many topics but provide a special focus on breastfeeding, tongue tie, and the culture of under prepared postpartum. Michelle shares her extensive professional experince as well as her own personal birthing and breastfeeding journey. Enjoy this conversation and find Michelle through the links below. Instagram: @postpartummotheringmentorWebsite: www.drgerbi.com

Public Service Announcement: Would you like to support us ? We are raising money for our NFP and podcast to obtain an office space and podcast recording studio for 2024. Our goal is $10, 000 AUD and any donation big or small is helpful ! If you're interested in supporting us, please email us at [email protected] for more information. If you're not familiar, Check out our work at pbbmedia.org In this interview, Oni Blecher interviews Dr. Howard Chilton has been a neonatologist (a baby’s physician) for over 45 years. He was born in York, England and studied at St Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London. After wonderful years in London in the swinging sixties he graduated then interned at Addington Hospital on the beach in Durban, South Africa. Following this, he was accepted for a Senior House Physician appointment in Neonatal Medicine at Harari Hospital in then, Salisbury Rhodesia, now, Harare, Zimbabwe). After more training, Howard eventually obtained paediatric appointments at the Hammersmith Hospital and the Westminster Children’s Hospital, then, after obtaining his MRCP (UK) degree, the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford where he also did a short fellowship. He then became a SHO at the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London in the Department of Respiratory Medicine. He did a mandatory Neonatal Fellowship in the US at Denver Children’s Hospital which included two years in a centre of excellence in high tech neonatology including doing neonatal ground and air retrievals, really taught him how to look after the sickest, smallest babies.Before starting this fellowship though, he had a long stopover in Sydney doing locum Respiratory and Paediatric jobs, to check out job prospects. During one job at Prince Henry Hospital he met a beautiful nursing sister called Tamara.At the end of the fellowship, Howard was appointed as the Director of Newborn Services at the Royal Hospital for Women in Sydney, where he held this position for over twenty years, resigning in 1999 to concentrate on clinical work and parent education. Apart from looking after babies and their parents, Howard now spends a lot of his time talking: to parent groups, or to conferences in Australia and overseas, and to media outlets about ‘responsive parenting’ and the myriad issues which arise for parents when they take their new baby home. He believes knowledge of the biology of the baby can help parents understand and meet their baby’s needs and enables them to relax and enjoy the wonderful experience of parenting.He married Tamara soon after arriving back in Sydney from the USA and she remains the light of his life. They have two daughters, Georgina and Isabella and five grandchildren ! all under 5 years of age. Find out more about Dr. Chilton, including his well renowned books at babydoc.com.au

In this episode, Oni Blecher speaks with Tahnee Taylor. Tahnee is a yoga teacher with a deep and resonant love of Yin Yoga and how it meets the alchemical magic of Taoism. She is also a practitioner of Chi Nei Tsang, which is a Taoist abdominal massage and she is a passionate advocate for the inherent shamanic wisdom of the body - hers, yours, ours. She is the mama of two home-birthed babies and co-parent of SuperFeast, the Taoist tonic herb company founded by her husband, Mason. Tahnee co-hosts the SuperFeast podcast and educates around yoga, Taoism, health and motherhood.In this interview, Tahnee shares how her deep experience and resonance with yin and Taoist principles and the intersection between them has influenced her motherhing and her interaction with her many roles as a woman and human. Enjoy this interview. Find Tahnee here:@tahneeyogatahneetaylor.com

In this episode, Oni Blecher speaks with Ruth Schubert. Ruth is a physiotherapist for 20 years. She Schubert is inspired to help her clients lead a beautiful life. She believes in building resilience through developing a strong body and calm mind. Throughout her career, Ruth realised her passion in caring for women, and her own pregnancy and recovery found her fascinated with Women’s Pelvic Health. She has a specialist interest in pelvic pain, pelvic floor dysfunction and working with pre and post-natal women. She has undertaken extensive post-graduate training in the treatment of Women’s pelvic health and has completed a professional certificate in pelvic organ Prolapse management through UniSa and Pinc cancer rehabilitation certification. Along with her extensive clinical knowledge, Ruth takes a holistic approach to assessing and treating her patients, incorporating education, manual therapy, therapeutic exercise and mindfulness. Her unique ability to treat the internal and external pelvic structures has led to outstanding results and a loyal client base.Find Ruth here: @exhale_physiotherapywww.exhalephysio.com.auFind PBB Media here @pbb_media www.pbbmedia.org

In today's episode, Oni Blecher speaks with Natalie Woods. Natalie Woods is a twin mother to two boys, River and Jarrah. She lives in the Northern Rivers with her partner Dan. She’s also a writer and community builder, which has led her to think deeply about the storytelling that is available for parents of multiples and also the importance of finding a community of parents who share similar experiences to your own. Enjoy this conversation Find Nat here: @nat.woods_Sign petition here:https://equalityformultiples.good.do/HELPNOW/MULTIPLES-NEED-SUPPORT/

In this interview, Oni speaks with local father Nyck Jeanes. Nyck is also a musician, producer, independent journalist, and as one close friend describes him; a social engineer; he’s out to help change the way we relate to one another, understand the world around us and live our lives.This interview was recorded nearly two years ago and with floods, and other events, it is only now we are airing it.PBB met Nyck in his former role as the president of BayFM, our local community radio station; the very place that Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond started so many years ago. Nyck has always been a truth seeker who comes from a place of an eternal wonder like an inquisitive child but with wise and sharp intellect to investigate and articulate the wonder. He is a friend of many and has been a backbone for so many in the community.Nyck has a big heart, and enthusiasm to tell the story. In this interview, his story is a rich and deep story that includes a pivotal moment in his life; the birth and death of his first child. Nyck generously and wisely shares this story with us decades later. It includes the story of an inquest and the braveness of acting in a painful and challenging time.Oni was honoured to sit and witness Nyck talk as a father, after us sitting next to him at the radio station for many years as our show used to air just after his finished. It was only years later, after a spontaneous conversation at a cafe did Oni realise what Nyck had gone through as a father. Thank you Nyck and we hope you appreciate this conversation. Please see below for details of helplines if you or your loved ones need helpOrganisations for support: (via www.iamstillborn.com)Sands – Sands provides support, information and education to anyone affected by the death of a baby before, during or shortly after birth. They have helplines you can call up and they also have face to face events. There is lots of info on their website. http://www.sands.org.au/Bears of Hope – Bears Of Hope Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support provides leading support and exceptional care for families who experience the loss of their baby. Bears of Hope has a great Facebook group for grieving parents. There is also one group set up just for Dads. http://www.bearsofhope.org.au/The Stillbirth Foundation Australia is the only Australian charity dedicated to stillbirth research. We are 100 percent community funded. It was launched by Emma McLeod in October 2005 after Olivia, Emma’s second child and first daughter, died unexpectedly in utero and was born still on 31 July 2002. They have a birth remembrance on their website for all the babies gone too soon. They also have information for parents who are dealing with their grief. http://stillbirthfoundation.org.au/

Robin Grille Is a psychotherapist, psychologist, author, mentor, speaker, and educator. His work seeks to restore relationships to their natural flow and balance: include family relationships, partnerships, workplace relationships, and relationship to self. His work enlivens relationship to vocation, to community, and to the natural world that surrounds and nourishes us. Robin speaks at international conferences, on a range of themes presented in his books. He conducts international trainings for psychotherapists, and for parents and offers private psychotherapy/counselling/coaching sessions.Robin was born in Uruguay to migrant parents. Spanish was his first language, French his second and Romanian his third language before coming to Australia when he was 10 years old. So far he has written and published; 'Heart to Heart Parenting', 'Parenting for a Peaceful World', and a chapter in a book called 'Social Ecology, Applying Ecological Understanding to our Lives and our Planet'. We hope you enjoy this conversation.Find Robin at https://www.robingrille.com or @robingrille

This episode is a conversation between Oni Blecher and Jacqui Lewis. Jacqui Lewis is a meditation teacher, mentor, an author of four books, a Tedx Speaker, and hosts leadership programs globally. She co-founded The Broad Place, a global school sharing ancient knowledge and modern neuroscience, tools and experiences for higher grade living with Arran Russell. She focuses on philosophy and tools for greater clarity, creativity and consciousness and bringing a grounded, innovative and resilient approach into the lives of her students and clients. A student of Eastern wisdom, neuroscience and psychology, she continues to study and integrate these teachings into her work.In this interview, Jacqui shares her diverse and personal experience as a mother, including motherhood and work, creativity, and tuning in to your own wisdom in a world saturated with information. We also discuss Jacqui’s book ‘Mothers Mind Cleanse’ and hear about her own impetus and writing process. Enjoy this conversation To tune into Jacqui's work, head to:https://thebroadplace.com.auInstagram: @thebroadplace

In this episode, Oni Blecher brings you an interview with menstrual educator Samantha Neal.Samantha has been working for over six years, contributing to the field of menstruation by way of workshops, comprehensive online education programs, private mentorship and circle facilitation. Samantha is within a new wave of menstrual educators, approaching the field slowly and carefully with the utmost sanctity and respect; researching and writing while based in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales, Australia.She has worked with all ages, supported thousands of women and girls in their understanding and integration of menstrual awareness. Her widely loved online course, the Cyclical Living Immersion, has been received and celebrated by participants from around the world. Most recently, she has started an online container called ‘Altered’, a 4 week course exploring the liminal dimensions of menstruation. She is always tending budding projects as well as serving weekly tea ceremonies, continuing her deep studies and exploring under the guidance of her mentors Dr. Lara Owen and Moana Pearl.This interview is full of deep explorations around relationship; with self, with cycles, and with those who teach us. Enjoy ! To connect or work with Sam, have a look at her website: https://samantha-neal.comOr her Instagram:@samanthaneal_

In this Episode, Oni Blecher interviews Jane Hardwicke Collings. Jane has spent decades in the realms of birth education and ther wider work of reconnecting women with their sacred rites of passage. Jane started and runs the School of Shamanic Woman Craft and the Charity organisation Hygieia Health; revolutionising maternity care in Australia to minimise and prevent birth related trauma.Jane has many gifts of wisdom from her decades of experience in regards to birthing well. Not only is Jane and her school a wellspring of knowledge but she is a keen collaborator and her generosity to other groups and organisatins including ours is a testament to her ability to evolve our field and work together for a better future.Below are links to the Northern Rivers based events mentioned in Jane's interview. FREE birth trauma event:https://janehardwickecollings.com/events/red-thread-birth-trauma-a-conversation-with-jane-hardwicke-collings-rhea-dempsey/ https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/birth-trauma-awareness-event-tickets-623425651907 Red Thread Birth Trauma - A Conversation with Jane Hardwicke Collings and Rhea Dempsey

Dione from Make a Change on BayFM interviews Rhea Dempsey and Sally Cusack on birth trauma and related events coming up in the region for #birthtraumaawarenessweek 16 - 22 July 2023.Rhea Dempsey, childbirth educator, counsellor and author, will be in conversation with Jerusha Sutton from the Birth Time documentary team on Thursday 13 July 2023 at 6:30 - 8:30pm at Vali Byron.Bookings can be made through PBB Media here or here.Rhea will be visiting this region from Melbourne to also present at this Birth Trauma Awareness Event at Lennox Head on 18 July 2023.https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/birth-trauma-awareness-event-tickets-623425651907Aired on bayfm.org on 5 July 2023.Copyright Dione Green, Make a Change 2023

In Today's episode, Oni Blecher will be interviewing Tane Luna, A Spanish obstetrician that is working as the head os Obstetrics at Lismore Base Hospital. Tane has had vast experience working in many models of care, including a period of time with Medicins Sans Frontiers in Africa and the Middle East. She shares her views and experience of Obstetrics as an evolving profession. Please excuse the ambient sound on the recording as we had to meet and record in a public place. Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond Media, our development team and contributors pay our respects to indigenous elders past, present and emerging. This interview was recorded and edited on Bundjalung land. We acknowledge that we live, work, and benefit from these unceded lands. PBB Media as a NFP organisation is fully volunteer run. We are grateful for our loyal and long-lasting listener ship and believe the content we share around Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum, and parenting is vital for healthier communities. Leave us a comment or a review, or send on our episodes to anyone you think would benefit. We also have a backlog of 100s of rich and varied episodes. Have a look! On July 18th, Tane and a group of other practitioners and clinicians specialising in birth and postpartum will be running a free event to raise awareness around birth trauma. I will pop the details about this below in our show notes. Enjoy this interview ! https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/birth-trauma-awareness-event-tickets-623425651907

This epsiode is a conversation between Annalee Atia and Alysha-leigh Fameli. Alysha-leigh is PhD student/Registered Psychologist University of Sydney. Alicia-leigh has already undertaken important research to recognise childbirth related PTSD and it's impact on the early mother-infant relationship. She has also worked on a study titled ‘Assessment of childbirth-related post traumatic stress disorder in Australian mothers: Psychometric properties of the City Birth Trauma Scale’. As part of her new and current research, she is seeking the participation of mothers with infants aged 0-6 months for participation in a clinical interview, observation and online survey. If this is you, check out our links below to see how you can be involved. Your experiences matter and recording them safely and officially helps to prevent future harm and creates the space for others to have their experiences validated. As you may know, the rates of PTSD in childbirth are growing. These statistics are ones that us here at PBB Media are not okay with. We will also leave some mental health resources below. If you are feeling like you need mental health support in relation to your birth or postpartum, know that you are not alone. Mental health support for expecting and new parents:https://forwhenhelpline.org.au / Call 1300 24 23 22 National Helpline on 1300 24 23 22 is now live between 9.00am-4.30pm – Monday to Friday.Call ForWhen helpline, which is a national service and you can look up your area and link you in to support close to you 1300 24 23 22, forwhenhelpline.org.au To be involved in Alysha-leigh's study:To support and participate in this vital research (for this project, anyone with babies 6 months and younger), you can reach her here:[email protected] and www.australianbirthstudy.comUpcoming free Birth Trauma event in Lismore:https://www.instagram.com/p/CsDxQZTru4I/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

In this episode, host Rose Ricketson talks with community development worker Holly, about her experience with IVF in Australia. Holly shares a very personal IVF journey that impacted every corner of her life, shedding light upon a very common experience, so we can each have more awareness of what the IVF is like for the women and couples in our communities, and how we could better support them through it all. We also explore the issues related to the IVF industry and the inequality of access, and look at ways we can help amplify the stories of people navigating this journey. Holly Rankin Smith is a community development worker with a passion for advocacy, activism and social change. With over 15 years experience in the sector, she has worked on projects addressing a range of social challenges from isolated elderly in aged care to at to at risk rural youth. She is also a marriage and funeral celebrant and is fascinated by the ceremonies and rituals through life and death. Holly is passionate about shifting the stigma around IVF since her experience of 3 years trying to conceive with a very broad diagnosis of 'unexplained infertility'. A light through this dark experience was stories and connections with other women experiencing infertility, but this seemed hard to find which is strange when it's experienced by 1 in 6 Australian couples. Holly hopes by sharing her story she can help people who are experiencing infertility feel less alone and help give context for those who know someone going through it.Contact: @hollyrsIt Starts With The Egg - The book Holly referenced https://www.amazon.com.au/Starts-Egg-Second-Naturally-Miscarriage-ebook/dp/B07NJ85ZFJ

Rose Ricketson talks with Hazel Keedle, PhD, Lecturer of Midwifery at Western Sydney University and author of her recently released book Birth after Caesarean: Your Journey to a Better Birth. They discuss her research and findings around VBAC in Australia, as well as her work in midwifery. Hazel has more than two decades of experience as a clinician in nursing and midwifery, educator and researcher. Hazel’s research interests are vaginal birth after caesarean, birth trauma and maternity experiences explored primarily using feminist mixed methodologies. Hazel's work is recognised nationally and internationally, with more than50 conference and seminar presentations including 15 as an invited speaker. Hazel has a developing publication track record as an early career researcher, with 15 peer reviewed publications and a best selling book for women based on her PhD findings, Birth after Caesarean, your journey to a better birth.Linktree: https://linktr.ee/hazelkeedle (this has all the links to my papers, events, etc)Instagram: @hazelkeedleFacebook: @VBACmattersTwitter: @HazelKeedleBook on Amazon.com.au: https://tinyurl.com/2jmrfb9p

It would be reasonable to assume that the care one provides is the care one would be happy to receive. But this is not what new research reveals. Today on Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond Annalee Atia speaks with Sharon Stoliar - researcher, academic, midwife and Mother. Sharon received her Bachelor of Nursing in 2006 and Graduate Diploma in Midwifery in 2008 from UTS. She later obtained a Master of Public Health and Master of International Public Health from UNSW. Her recently published research around maternity care providers choices in childbirth, sparked some curious public debate around the ethics, equity and the quality of maternity care in Australia. Guest: Sharon StoliarProduced and presented by Annalee AtiaRecorded on Bundjalung Country on August 13th, 2022Links:> Sharon's website plus pre order Sharon's new book Scars of Gold - www.sharonstoliar.com> A national survey of Australian midwives’ birth choices and outcomes - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187151922200302X?dgcid=author> Insider knowledge as a double-edged sword: an integrative review of midwives’ personal childbearing experiences - https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-022-04962-yThe Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond show is part of a wider nonprofit community media and journalism project, PBB Media Incorporated.All rights reserved.www.pbbmedia.orgPregnancy, Birth and Beyond comes to you from Bundjalung Country at the Cavanbah or Byron Bay and we acknowledge with respect and reverence the Arakwal people of the Bundjalung nation, neighboring clans and people for caring for this country since time immemorial.

Today our host Rose is chatting with Catherine Bell about the need for better maternity care for rural women, consent and communication in maternity care, the need for rural midwives and policy change, and more. Catherine Bell is the Birth Cartographer and creator of The Birth Map, an innovative approach to birth preparation. She is undertaking her PhD to evaluate the potential of The Birth Map in facilitating communication and decision making in maternity services.As a community activator, she is not afraid to volunteer to ensure the future is one of compassion and connectedness. She sits on the board of Maternal Health Matters, is the ACT President of Maternity Choices Australia, treasurer for Braidwood Youth Performing Arts Association and a committee member for the Braidwood Community Association. She is also a Director of Tender Funerals Canberra Region, a not-for-profit, community-led approach to funeral care, seeking to establish.You can find her at www.birthmap.life IG @birthmapping and FB/TheBirthMapHttps://chf.org.au/social-prescribingTo our wonderful listeners. We love hearing from you and receiving your notes, questions and ideas.. how do you feel about this episode?If you have any questions/comments at any time about this, other interviews or our work at PBB Media, get in touch. You can email us through [email protected] or catch us on socials @pbb_media.

Today's episode is with Klyne Love, who shares generously about her experience with single motherhood throughout floods, housing crises and a lot of grief. Despite being a heavy topic, Klyne has a spirit of hope and optimism and holds a beautiful vision of a more mother-centred world, reflected in the work she does with mothers. Single motherhood has taught Klyne so much about herself, about care, community, wellbeing and complex social and cultural issues relating to how we look after each other, and how we don't. Klyne's story is so important, for all of us who wish to know how to support single mother's better, and for single mothers to know they are not alone in many of the common struggles faced when mothering without support. Klyne is a radical advocate for Mother-centred care and feminine embodiment. She works in postpartum education and care, having completed trainings with Julia Jones from Newborn Mothers, Sophie Ward Koren from Milk & Seed and Rachelle Garcia Seliga from Innate Traditions. She is also a Qoya teacher and ultimately these two threads weave together as sacred spaces for women to connect deeply to themselves and access their intuitive Knowing and self-healing. At the core of her work is a burning passion for a collective returning to community and thriving life (not just survival).She runs both in-person and online workshops. Connect with her here. https://www.klyne.love/about-4Instagram: @ klyne.loveWebsite: www.klyne.loveIf you loved this episode, please leave us a review or get in touch with us! @pbb_media

Jerusha Sutton is a doula, birth videographer, actor, and recently, one of the faces behind the documentary 'Birth Time'.In this episode, Oni Blecher speaks with Jerusha about life since Birth Time; what's happening in the Birth Time movement and where key researchers are at with the aligning Birth Experiences Study.Enjoy this conversation and find Jerusha through@jerushasutton [email protected]

Welcome to Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond! Today we bring you a special podcast recorded in May 2020 for World Maternal Mental Health day. Birth Trauma Awareness week 2022 just concluded with a powerful theme this year on Birth Injuries. Our panel discussion raising awareness of maternal mental and other health issues with experts and mothers is as timely and relevant as ever. We hope you enjoy todays long form discussion. For questions and comments on this podcast email us at [email protected] live-stream event took place on Wednesday 6th May and was streamed through Facebook live via Maternal Mental Health Matters. The focus for the panel discussion is celebrating mothers and marking World Maternal Mental Health Day in a positive way (prevention, solutions-based approach, support etc) - a panel of experts, practitioners and mothers coming together to discuss the latest in maternal health and wellbeing.Maternal Mental Health Panellists:* Dr Oscar Serrallach - Integrative Doctor with a special interest in maternal health and postnatal wellbeing. Dr Serrallach was the first to recognise something he termed Postnatal Depletion. The Postnatal Depletion Cure is his first book.
* Callie Brown - Mother, Coach, writer, speaker and life enthusiast.
* Dr Sophie Brock- Sociologist, mother, and founder of The Good Enough Mother: a podcast and platform for mothering discussion and resources. Sophie is also AMIRCI President.
* Alecia Stains - Mother, Maternity Advocate, Director of Maternity Consumer Network and Hypnobirthing Educator.
* Mary Kirk - Midwife and maternity advocate. Mary is Vice-President of International Confederation of Midwives and founder of Safe Motherhood For All - First Baby Campaign Inc.
* Ella Noah Bnacroft, proud bundjalung woman, artist, published author, mentor, consultant and founder of “The Returning Indigenous Corporation”. The Returning is an Indigenous charity that brings health and wellness through a nature based approach and connection back to country led by Indigenous facilitators
* Kirilly Dawn, Barkindji woman, doula and embodiment practitioner. Kirily is also a Development Director at PBB Media Incorporated. 
The panel is hosted by Sally Cusack from our acclaimed Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond podcastProduced and directed by Annalee Atia, co-founder and Development Director at PBB Media Incorporated.This panel discussion was recorded on Gadigal lands on Wednesday, 6 May 2020 
This event is brought to you by four major Australian nonprofits: Maternity Choices Australia, Safe Motherhood for All, Maternity Consumer Network and PBB Media Incorporated.#maternalmhmatters #birthtraumaawarenessweek

Dr Ella Kurz is a midwife from Ngunnawal Country in the ACT.Today we chat through her work in maternal and child health research at the University of Canberra, as well the term 'parturescence' she coined in her PhD to refer to the opportunities for transformation made possible through childbirth. Ella was awarded the Stephen Parker medal for outstanding thesis for this work. She recently co-edited the anthology What We Carry: Poetry on Childbearing (Recent Work Press, 2021) and authored My Mother is a Midwife. What We Carry: www.amazon.com.au/What-We-Carry-Poetry-Childbearing/dp/0645009091www.ellakurz.com

Allison Davis joins us today from New Mexico, USA. Allison is a counsellor, educator and researcher of maternal mental health. Today we discuss the ecological domain of matrescence - learning to approach the challenges and struggles with a viewpoint of growth and transformation. We look at how our evolution can mirror the evolutionary processes of nature and how we can align ourselves with nature's desire for growth. Allison's work focuses on the development of mothers' psycho-ecological growth in matrescence, aiming to reframe eco-related distress as resilience, and offering a path through the mental health dangers of idealised 'green motherhood' towards lifestyles that are psychologically healthy, and ecologically sustainable. Through articulation and application of an ecofeminist-informed developmental approach, she fosters ecological thinking and contact with nature for psychotherapeutic healing and growth.She works in private practice at Mother Nature Therapy, teaches in the Master of Counseling program at Alliant International University, and researches in the Maternal Psychology Lab at Teachers College, Columbia University. Links:https://www.instagram.com/dr.allisondavis/https://www.instagram.com/mothernaturetherapy/https://www.mothernaturetherapy.com/climate-circles

Today's guest is Sarah Smits, who joins us from Lake Atitlan in Guatemala where she is learning traditional Mayan practices. Sarah is a home birth midwife, lactation consultant and body worker who incorporates her experience of travelling the world and learning about traditional midwifery practices, to provide holistic care to women and families, whilst supporting other birth workers on the path of reclaiming birthing wisdom as women’s wisdom.Today we discuss home birth midwifery practice, traditional approaches to maternal care, self-responsibility, community care, postpartum wellbeing and more. W: www.downtobirthmidwifery.comInstagram @down_to_birth_midwiferyDetails for The Midwife Project Guatemaya Website: www.midwifeproject.netGo fund me: www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-midwife-project-guatemayaTo our wonderful listeners.We love hearing from you and receiving your notes, questions and ideas.. how do you feel about this episode? If you have any questions/comments at any time about this, other interviews or our work at PBB Media, get in touch. You can email us through [email protected] or catch us on socials @pbb_media.

Hi out there to our listeners, its Annalee. It is Tuesday, 8th of March in 2022. We are bringing you a special bulletin on the catastrophic flooding in Northern NSW, Australia. In the early hours of Monday 27th February, a little over a week ago, heavy rains causing what was already severe flooding, took a fast turn and created what has been deemed by some scientists as a ‘rain bomb’. The scenes across Northern NSW have been nothing short of harrowing and the community response as a result a powerful reminder of immense good that is available within us all. I'm catching up with PBB’s Oni Blecher who’s on the ground in Mullumbimby, one of the region’s badly hit towns. We address the current needs in the community, what our organisation is doing to support families and lessons for the wider community. MUSIC:The music you will hear on this podcast is by local Artist and song- weaver Olivia Rosebery, her potent song REMEMBER echoing a message of hope for everyone in need during these trying times. Find Olivia on socials @olivia.rosebery.music and www.oliviarosebery.comDONATEPregnancy, Birth and Beyond Fundraiser for Northern Rivers Birthing Families https://gofund.me/777ad721EPISODE INFORMATION:Guest: Oni Blecher. Oni is a PBB Media Producer and Creator, Craniosacral, Arvigo, Visceral + Myofascial release practitioner and Poet @thetempleofwords and Village keeper @@earthedtobirth. Find Oni @oni_keeperofthehearthGet in touch and info about The Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond Community Hub www.pbbmedia.org / [email protected] SEEK/GIVE support at Northern Rivers Community Volunteer Directory NRVD.ORGGuardian Article Anatomy of a ‘rain bomb’: scientists strive to understand phenomenon that caused Australia’s east coast floods https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/05/anatomy-of-a-rain-bomb-scientists-study-phenomenon-2022-australia-east-coast-floodsMore links coming soon. Produced by Annalee Atia for PBB Media. All rights reserved. www.pbbmedia.orgThis episode was recorded on Gadigal lands and Bundjalung Country.Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond comes to you from Bundjalung Country at the Cavanbah or Byron Bay and we acknowledge with respect and reverence the Arakwal people of the Bundjalung nation, neighboring clans and people for caring for this country since time immemorial.

Lissie Turner is our guest today on Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond. Lissie is a mother, blended family parent, foster carer, grandmother and an accomplished radio host and producer in the music industry. She is the creator of several renowned Yoga and wellbeing programs and spaces including The Yoga Shack along with her Husband Shane, both of whom avid surfers. Lissie is also a fellow Vagina (as we are lovingly called by the producer of the Vagina Conversations, Zenith Virago) and is working on her next piece for the show, which we touch on too in our conversation. It’s been a while that we have wanted to interview Lissie for the show, she is a wonderful female role model in our community with a colourful past and a powerful salubrious journey of redemption. As women do, we gathered and circled and touched on several themes from this evocative journey. You can find Lissie on on the Living Harmoniously Podcast and through the links below. Show Links:https://www.lissieturner.com/IG @lissieturnerTo our wonderful listeners.We love hearing from you and receiving your notes, questions and ideas.. how do you feel about this topic? Have you had a similar experience or would like to share your insights?If you have any questions/comments at any time about this, other interviews or our work at PBB Media, get in touch. You can email us through [email protected] or catch us on socials @pbb_media. Guest/Interviewee: Lissie TurnerRecorded January 2022Produced and presented by Annalee AtiaThe Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond show is part of a wider nonprofit community media and journalism project, PBB Media.All rights reserved.www.pbbmedia.orgThis episode was recorded on Bundjalung Country.Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond comes to you from Bundjalung Country at the Cavanbah or Byron Bay and we acknowledge with respect and reverence the Arakwal people of the Bundjalung nation, neighboring clans and people for caring for this country since time immemorial.

Midwifery in Private Practice, Mothers & Babies 2021, March of Midwives and deskilling in Maternity CareIn this episode of Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond, we catch up with privately practicing Australian Midwives Astra Joynt and Sunae Reilly. We chat deskilling in midwifery and the maternity care profession, the latest Mothers and Babies report from the Australian Institute of Health Welfare, March of the Midwives in the UK, vexatious reporting in Midwifery and what it takes to be a Jedi Midwife in today’s healthcare landscape. We also touched on Homebirth, vaginal birth of twins, breech birth and being prepared for childbirth. About our guests:Sunae Reilly is a private midwife living and working in the Northern Rivers of NSW on the land of the Bundjalung people of the Bundjalung Nation. She finds great joy in seeing women and birthing people find their inner strength and power in pregnancy and birth and supporting them in their transition to parenthood. Sunae is available for antenatal, labour and birth, and postnatal care between Byron Bay and Grafton. You can find her at Artemis Midwifery. www.artemismidwifery.com.au and @artemismidwifery on InstagramSince 2008 Astra Joynt (Endorsed Midwife) has worked in a variety of settings in both large urban and small regional hospitals, in the community and at home. She passionately believes in maternity care that puts the needs and desires of the woman and her family at the centre of the experience, and that building a trusting relationship is the best way to achieve this. Astra offers Medicare rebatable antenatal & postnatal care to all women, regardless of planned place to birth, with bulk-billing available. Home-birth packages also available. To discuss how Astra can work with you email [email protected] during the interview:>> Dr Denis Walsh: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/expertiseguide/health-sciences/dr-denis-walsh-.aspx>> Australia's Mothers and Babies Report December 2021: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mothers-babies/australias-mothers-babies/contents/about>> Dr Neel Shah interview: https://www.spreaker.com/user/pregnancybirthandbeyond/dr-neel-shah-csection>> Dr Stu (Stuart James Fischbein, MD): http://www.birthinginstincts.com/>> Dr Andrew Bisits: https://wch.med.unsw.edu.au/people/associate-professor-andrew-bisitsTo our dear listeners!We'd love to hear from you - how do you feel about deskilling in maternity care? Have you had an experience where you were unable to access appropriate maternity healthcare because of deskilling or a lack of those services in your area (such as publicly funded homebirth or Midwifery continuity models)? And if you have any questions/comments at any time about this, other interviews or our work at PBB Media, get in touch. You can shoot us a line at [email protected] or catch us on socials @pbb_media ! Guests: Astra Joynt and Sunae ReillyProduced, edited and presented by Annalee AtiaThe Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond show is part of a wider nonprofit community media and journalism project, PBB Media.All rights reserved. www.pbbmedia.orgThis episode was recorded on Gadigal Lands (Sydney). Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond comes to you from Bundjalung Country at Cavanbah or Byron Bay and we acknowledge with respect and reverence the Arakwal people of the Bundjalung nation, neighboring clans and people for caring for this country since time immemorial.