Pregnancy, Birth And Beyond

Maternal Mental Health Matters talks Birth Trauma with Dr Sarah Buckley.Birth Trauma Awareness Week 2020 runs from 7-13th September. Throughout the week, tune in to insightful, thought-provoking and deeply honouring stories and discussions with people who have experienced birth trauma, clinicians and researchers in this area and maternity advocates working to change the system.Sally speaks with Dr Sarah Buckley about the hormones of birth and how we can maximise them for the most efficient (and maybe even enjoyable) birth. The key to this is to feel private, safe and unobserved, then we instinctively release the right cocktail hormones at the right time.Dr Sarah Buckley on the hormones of birth. Dr Buckley is a GP/family physician with qualifications in GP-obstetrics and family planning. She is the mother of four home-born children, and is also a PhD candidate at the University of Queensland,, where her research is focused on oxytocin and the autonomic nervous system in labour and birth, and the impacts of

This week is Birth Trauma Awareness Week 2020, where we are working with other maternity health advocacy groups to raise awareness around traumatic birth and the wider implications for inadequate care throughout the pregnancy, birth and postnatal periods of life. Here, Oni Blecher speaks to Rhea Dempsey; esteemed and highly sought after childbirth educator, counsellor, speaker, author and birth attendant with experience at over one thousand births. She is respected, both in Australia and internationally, as an insightful thinker and presenter on the topic of working with pain- both physical and psychological- in childbirth, and the implications of this for normal physiological birth and postnatal wellbeing. Here, Rhea explores, within the context of her work, how we can move forward in a culture that normalises traumatic birth.

Maternal Mental Health Matters talks Birth Trauma with Professor Jenny Gamble. Birth Trauma Awareness Week 2020 runs from 7-13th September. Throughout the week, tune in to insightful, thought-provoking and deeply honouring stories and discussions with people who have experienced birth trauma, clinicians and researchers in this area and maternity advocates working to change the system.Professor Jenny Gamble is Head of Midwifery at Griffith University (Australia) and Director of the Transforming Maternity Care Collaborative. She speaks to the coontributing factors to psychological trauma in childbirth, women and birthing pooled reporting that their birth was traumatic and the development of trauma symptoms. Professor Gamble also looks at helpful early responses and supportive preventive practices.Transforming Maternity Care Collaborative:https://www.transformingmaternity.org.auProduced, edited and presented by Annalee AtiaPregnancy, Birth and Beyond comes to you from Bundjalung Country at Cavanbah or Byron Bay

We're discussing working through big feelings surrounding racism and discrimination, being a woman and the power we have in our hands in this moment, being with what is, not what should be.Vanessa Alexandra Wood a local to the Northern Rivers, born to a Peruvian Mother and Argentine Father on the border of NSW & VIC in Albury/Wodonga. As a child and young woman growing up in a predominantly white Australian culture Vanessa experiences various forms of discrimination and racism and holds these experiences tight to herself, often locked away. As an adult, mother and practitioner she revisits these big feelings and gives them room, air and space to be felt, honoured and when needed, worked through. Vanessa is the mother of two creative and beautiful young boys and life partner to Chris. Ten years a Naturopath, Vanessa now cooks and nourishes residents in rehabilitation and recovery from addiction and mental health conditions. Vanessa’s connection to Pachamama has always been the pillar in her life and the g

Dr Bronwyn Bancroft is a Bundjalung woman and elder, an acclaimed artist and mother to three children, Jack, Ella and Rubyrose. In this episode, Bronwyn shares her experiences giving birth at home in the 1980’s with her oldest two children, and her third vaginal birth at a birth centre at 42 years.Bronwyn’s story dives into the way that she found and embodied the strength and courage to birth in the way that was right for her, and speaks to the importance of women reclaiming our sovereignty over our bodies and births for the betterment of society at large.A powerful storyteller and courageous woman, Bronwyn’s words are medicine to those seeking to find, as Bronwyn puts it, the most courageous person inside ourselves, to help us birth the way we envision it.Bronwyn has also written and/ or illustrated over 41 children’s books. Those listening in NSW who have given birth recently might recognise Bronwyn’s books ABC and 123 which NSW hospitals give to new mums and bubs to take home. We’re so grateful to Bronwyn

Hazel Keedle is a midwifery researcher and lecturer at Western Sydney University and a PhD candidate. Hazel has worked in midwifery group practices, an aboriginal medical service, a variety of hospital settings and as a privately practising midwife in both city and regional locations.  Hazels passion for VBAC followed her own experience of having a VBAC with her daughter in 2008 and since then has published research on women's experience of having a homebirth after caesarean and on her PhD work exploring women’s experiences of planning a VBAC in Australia.Links discussed during this podcast:1. VBAC Matters page (lots of info & videos): https://www.facebook.com/VBACmatters2. Hazel's Research, Women’s experiences of planning a vaginal birth after caesarean in different models of maternity care in Australia: https://bit.ly/3aB353jHazel is also involved in a new survey exploring the experiences of Australian childbearing women in relation to the COVID19 pandemic, you can take the survey here: https://bit.ly/3

In this episode, Oni Blecher speaks with 'Get Promoted Life'; a high level performance and life coach, specialising in optimising the relationship with self and others. This includes effective communication and how to connect more thoroughly and respectfully with self and others. She works with people of all ages but has a special ability and affinity with working with children, allowing and encouraging various ways of communication. During this conversation, we cover many topics, but most importantly how parents can help support their children in connecting with themselves and communicating their needs and desires effectively. We also speak about how parents can support their own learning experiences communicating with their children and the web-like symbiosis of families. Enjoy this conversation.

What does it mean to have an embodied pregnancy and birth experience? How can we tap into, and move forward, from our inner knowing? And how can we reclaim the sacredness of birth?In this episode of Pregnancy Birth and Beyond, Kirilly Dawn speaks with Maha Al Musa - internationally acclaimed independant childbirth educator and fierce advocate for centering the sacredness of birth in maternity care.Maha is a mother of three children, and is the founder of EmbodyBirth, and author of 'Dance of the Womb: The Essential Guide to Belly Dance for Pregnancy and Birth'. She birthed her third child, daughter Aminah in a home water lotus birth, at 46 years old, and breastfed her until she self weened at 8.5 years, when Maha was 54.5 years old. As such, Maha is an advocate for extended breastfeeding, home birth, and women being the authorities and experts in what is right for them and their babies.You can find out more about Maha at www.mahaalmusa.com or Instagram @maha_al_musaThe EmbodyBirth program: https://sales.mahaal

Sally speaks with Paulette Bray-Narai, a certified Nonviolent Communication (NVC) instructor about how we can reframe the challenges we find in life through the practice of NVC.NVC was developed by Dr Marshall Rosenberg in the US in the 1960's and has been used since that time to bring groups with vastly opposing views together to form peaceful agreements. The NVC process has 4 main steps:1. When faced with a situation, observe what is happening objectively.2. Sense your feelings in response to the situation.3. Connect your feelings with a need.4. Make a request (of yourself or the other person), without having attachment to your particular request.This process is described in full in Dr Rosenberg's book "Non-Violent Communication".In this podcast we examine some common statements that can lead to disagreement, and then reframe these statements using NVC. Through this process we come to see how judgements in the use of certain words close down curiosity and open-minded discussion, and how by contrast the NV

In this episode, Oni Blecher interviews Sali McIntyre. Sali is an Australian midwife, antenatal educator at Tweed hospital, Arvigo practitioner and teacher, and mother of four adult children, all born at home. Sali founded and runs 'Heart and Soul of Wellness', a wellness centre in Murwillumbah and has just released her first book; a comprehensive guide and to and history of Yoni or vaginal steaming. Oni and Sali had this conversation during the first COVID lockdown in NSW. Since then, her book, 'Womb Medicine, The Art of Yoni Steaming for Women’s Health' has been released. Sali is an elder woman, passionate about re earthing feminine ancient wisdom and integrating it into our society and through attitudes toward motherhood and womanhood. Enjoy this conversation and find out more of Sali and her offerings through heartandsoulofwellness.com.au

Today on the show we are speaking with Dr Belinda Barnett. Dr Barnett is a maternal health researcher, psychologist and community advocate for the protection of mothers’ human rights.Belinda recently completed a PhD at the University of Queensland, her thesis titled “Becoming a mother and mattering in early 21st century Australia”.Confired on March 27th, 'Becoming a mother and mattering in early 21st century Australia: An exploration of women's perinatal transitions and equity in wellbeing' looks at the value of mothers in our society. We discussed her personal and professional experiences that led her her current work, her research and a recent submissions to the QLD human rights commission. Information mentioned in this podcast:1. Application of the Human Rights Act of Queensland to the provision of public maternity services in Queensland Policy brief for the Queensland Human Rights Commission2. Maternal health brief for meetings with Queensland Health Minister, Queensland Shadow Health Minister, State Mem

Oni Blecher speaks to Naturopath and soon-to-be mother, Layla Metcafle about her observations of often mysterious and misunderstood condition Endometriosis. Layla shares from her well experienced professional vantage point and from her own personal seven year journey with Endometriosis. In March, the Australian government invested approximately nine million dollars in funding toward research of Endometriosis. As more women speak out about their pain, the less we will collectively normalise painful symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle. The recognition of and research into women's health and related dysfunction and disease is integral in changing how we priotisise and see women thrive as pillars of society. Enjoy this great conversation with practicing naturopath Layla Metcalfe !

In 2018 the Australian Human Rights Commission stated that the trend towards incarceration saw a 77% increase of women in prison, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women making up the majority of this increase. Indigenous women and girls are the fastest growing group of people being incarcerated in 'Australia'. Approximately 90% of women in prison are mothers, and the majority of these mothers are single parents. Statistics also stated that almost 1 in 50 women reported being pregnant while in prison.In this episode of Pregnancy Birth and Beyond, presenter Kirilly Dawn speaks with Debbie Kilroy OAM, founder of Sisters Inside, about the targeted impact of the Prison Industrial Complex on mothers, women and girls. Debbie is one of Australia’s leading advocates for protecting the human rights of women and children through decarceration - the process of moving away from using prisons and other systems of social control in response to crime and social issues. In this conversation, Debbie discusses why she

This is a special edition of Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond that commemorates our last broadcast after 9 years and 9 months of continuous weekly shows from 99.9 BayFM in Byron Bay. HOWEVER! Our weekly podcasts will continue each and every week.Catch some of the history from our current and previous team in this episode. This is a cut down version from our Facebook Live event recorded on 27 June 2020, which you can view here:https://www.facebook.com/PregnancyBirthAndBeyondRadio/videos/2440410122918294/More about the history of PBB Media can be found at: https://www.pbbmedia.org/our-history.htmlEpisodes mentioned:Paul Crebar on becoming a father: https://www.spreaker.com/user/pregnancybirthandbeyond/paul-crebar-on-expectant-fatherhoodhttps://www.spreaker.com/user/pregnancybirthandbeyond/paul-crebar-on-becoming-a-fatherSean's show on male privilege: https://www.spreaker.com/user/pregnancybirthandbeyond/pbb05022018lukeaddinsallmalepriviledge-1Caroline's show with Anna Watts on the chakras of birth: https://www.spr

Hello dears! Annalee here.. Today's episode of Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond is all about optimising natural vaginal childbirth, I am so happy to be having Anna the Spiritual Midwife on the show today. Anna is a midwife and childbirth educator who is passionate about helping women optimise their chances of having natural vaginal childbirth. She runs online courses and in person support groups and one on one sessions in the northern rivers of NSW and hosts the wonderful podcast The Natural Birth Podcast sharing empowering birth stories from women around the world. We're going discuss how to optimise your chances of having a physiological vaginal birth and the importance of listening to positive natural birth stories during your pregnancy and changing the birth narrative.Find out more about Anna's work and access the special discount for Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond listeners (25% off online programs, use code: EMPOWEREDBIRTH) here - www.thespiritualmidwife.netListen to The Natural Birth Podcast here - www.ancho

In this show Sally speaks with mother, doula, author and maternity services advocate, Catherine Bell, about the importance of thoroughly exploring your options for life after birth, the postnatal period and having a clear plan in place. As Catherine says "birth is just the beginning" - the beginning of a marathon in the first weeks, months and years of your baby's life, and like all marathons, preparation is necessary to get the most out of this time.References:Catherine is the author of The Birth Map, a guide for parents preparing for birth and postnatal life: www.bellabirth.org."Matrescence" - the time of "mother-becoming" (Dana Raphael) - https://www.pbbmedia.org/matrescence.htmlSafe co-sleeping guidelines - important to set up for this even if you don't intend co-sleeping, as there are very high chances it could happen inadvertently, so you want to make sure it's safe (ie, NOT on the couch): https://cosleeping.nd.edu/Safe Motherhood for All (check out their First Baby Campaign): https://www.safemotherhoo

Oni Blecher interviews Dani Wolff about her experience in learning and teaching food growing, earth building, and creating intentional community through earth nurturing principles. Having recently become a mother herself, Dani talks about how to apply community to Motherhood and Motherhood to the community. She also gives some practical advice for food growing through these shifting times.

Oni Blecher interviews Steven Kennedy about his work with Birthing Dads and inquires into Steven's birth story. Steven speaks to preparing fathers for birth and the postnatal period. He speaks about how fathers and male birth support are the 'sleeping giants' of the birth world and if fathers are more prepared, they could assist and take extra weight and responsibility off midwives. When Steven suffered depression and trauma after the birth of his son in 2017 he turned to academic literature to research the experiences of expectant fathers at birth. He discovered a grim picture of modern society’s relationship with childbirth. A common theme was the suggestion that care providers prepare expectant fathers to better support themselves and their families in the perinatal period.  Steven knew he had to act when further exploration revealed the research was being ignored. See more at birthingdads.org

This episode is in two parts:Firstly Sally speaks with Moran Liviani, mother of 3 girls and doula based in Brisbane. Moran talks about the trends she's noticing with her clients during the COVID-19 pandemic. She says all of her clients would choose homebirth, if they could afford it. And that these are families who would have never considered homebirth before but they have now come to see birthing in hospital as dangerous and birthing at home safer. She also discusses the significant drop in inductions of labour.A recent Lancet study on the safety of homebirth for low risk women: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100319Moran and her work as a doula and childbirth educator can be found at: www.2life.com.au.In the second half, Nicola Liebke, mother of 3 boys and one step-daughter, teacher, postnatal doula and parent group leader shares why she believes self-care for mothers is so important during this time where so many find themselves teaching their kids at home while also balancing their work and othe

Hello there wonderful people, its Annalee from PBB, in this episode of Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond I am chatting with Dr Igor Tabrizian from the Byron Bay Health Lodge (in Australia). The Health Lodge takes a modern and advanced approach to medicine and healthcare and provides meaningful continuity of care to its patients. Practitioners come with a holistic whole-person attitude to healthcare and work together as a team. Clients can access the care, experience and support of Integrative General Practitioners, Naturopaths, Psychologists, Acupuncturists, Physiotherapists, Health Coaches and more, all in one place. If needed the team of care providers work together to support the one patient, pooling valuable insights and solutions together. Dr Igor Tabrizian is an integrative GP with a Functional Medicine approach. Working in hospital medicine for 14 years and then going into combined private and general practice specialising in nutritional medicine. He looks ay at inflammation, genetics, cytokines (inflammator