Tales From The Fourth Trimester

05 | Perfectionism + people-pleasing in postpartum, with Madeline McKenzie

Sun, 14 Jul 2024 16:00:00 +1000

In this episode, Madeline and I chat about how intellectualising, people-pleasing and perfectionism showed up for her in postpartum, parenting and her career - and how it's now shaped how she helps other women.

Madeline McKenzie is a mental health social worker and business owner at Sit with Self. Her specialty is working with high-achieving millennial women on what she calls the Millennial Trifecta.

She's running a free masterclass in August called Breaking the Burnout Cycle: lasting change for grown-up 'good girls' and you can sign up here.

04 | What you really need when you're having a baby, with Em Stone

Sun, 02 Jun 2024 18:00:00 +1000

You all know I'm all about support over stuff, but that doesn't mean that there isn't stuff out there that's incredibly useful! In this episode, I talk to Em Stone, founder of Babybee, about her two postpartums and what she discovered was useful (and what absolutely was not). Enjoy the episode!

This episode is brought to you by Babybee, Australian-owned and designed prams combining quality, safety and style. Not only does Babybee let you try their prams at home with free returns for nine months, they also offer an industry leading three year warranty for total peace of mind. With thousands of five star reviews, around the clock customer care and up to $200 of free accessories with every pram, what are you waiting for? Go visit www.babybeeonline.com - and use the code BABY20 to 20% off all full priced Babybee prams (cannot be used in conjunction with other offers).

03 | What mothers need, with Amy Carmody

Mon, 13 May 2024 20:00:00 +1000

This is part two of my epic chat with Amy Carmody, a yoga teacher, personal trainer, strength coach and pre- and postnatal exercise specialist,

In this ep, we talk all about what we can do, as mothers, to help support our mobility, strength and nervous systems in this crazy ride we're on. And how we do it amid the busy-ness of life with kiddos.

I love, love, love Amy's platform and have been working out with her for the past year. Check it out: www.amycarmodyyoga.com.au and on insta @amycarmodymovement

02 | Amy Carmody: "Postpartum taught me I can do hard things"

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 20:00:00 +1000

For this episode, I'm joined by the amazing Amy Carmody, a yoga teacher, personal trainer, strength coach and pre- and postnatal exercise specialist, for a conversation about her two postpartums, recovery from her caesarean births and regaining her strength. We couldn't shut up, so you'll from Amy again in two weeks time for a frank pep talk about movement and mothering - frankly I could have done a whole season with her.

Amy has changed how I think and feel about movement and I love her focus on function, future-proofing and, yes, fun. Highly recommend checking out her platform at www.amycarmodyyoga.com.au and follow her on Insta @amycarmodymovement

01 | Babywearing 101 - Brooke Maree's top tips

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 19:00:00 +1000

Welcome to a new season! Joining me for this fresh ep is Brooke Maree, a leading babywearing educator and Kangatraining instructor. I found Brooke when I had my first, velcro baby and her knowledge is immense - I hope this gets your babywearing journey off to a great start!

You can find her on Instagram here and her really helpful YouTube videos here

13 | #summerseries: Anger, unmet needs and modern mothering, with Yara Heary

Sun, 24 Mar 2024 21:00:00 +1100

This episode is sponsored by Hydramama, a sugar-free hydration support drink that's designed for pregnancy, postpartum and beyond. Chock-a-block with electrolytes, magnesium, methylated folate and vitamins B6 and C, Hydramama helps when you're growing a baby--particularly if you're struggling with nausea or morning sickness--and while breastfeeding, when you need at least an extra fluid a day. Get 20% off your order with the code COCOONBYNAOMI at www.miniandme.co

In this episode - one of my all time faves - I talk to perinatal psychologist Yara Heary of Life After Birth Psychology (https://www.lifeafterbirth.com.au/)

I don't even know how to describe this episode: just listen.

Find Yara on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterbirthpsychology/

12 | #summerseries: Top breastfeeding and sleep tips from Dr Eliza Hannam

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 20:00:00 +1100

This episode is sponsored by Addison, the chic and practical clothing label for the modern mum. Addison offers pregnancy and breastfeeding-friendly styles that are super cute, and they're giving you free shipping with the code FOURTHTRIMESTER.

Having a baby? You need to hear this episode. Dr Eliza Hannam (https://www.drelizahannam.com.au/) is a mother of three, an IBCLC, Possums sleep consultant and GP who shares heaps of excellent advice, tips and wisdom on breastfeeding and baby sleep as well as her own complex feeding journey.

11 | #summerseries: Keeping your relationship strong in postpartum, with Elly Taylor

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 20:00:00 +1100

This episode is brought to you by Babybee, Australian-owned and designed prams combining quality, safety and style. Not only does Babybee let you try their prams at home with free returns for nine months, they also offer an industry leading three year warranty for total peace of mind. With thousands of five star reviews, around the clock customer care and up to $200 of free accessories with every pram, what are you waiting for? Go visit www.babybeeonline.com - and use the code BABY20 to 20% off all full priced Babybee prams (cannot be used in conjunction with other offers).

Ninety two per cent of parents report increased disagreements with their partner in their first year of family. Sixty seven per cent are less happy in their relationship. And relationship concerns are a leading cause of anxiety or depression in pregnancy and early parenthood – affecting as many as 1 in 3 mothers and 1 in 5 dads.

Enter Elly Taylor, a perinatal relationship expert, author and founder of Becoming Us. She believes that partners can actually grow closer through parenthood, instead of growing apart: they can become a new, bigger, stronger, deeper version of “us”.

Parenthood is a turning point for a couple - and she thinks that with some knowledge, skills and support for the common changes and challenges of parenthood you can face them head on and come out stronger. Preparing and supporting parents for the gnarlier parts of parenthood - so they can enjoy the highs even more - is her passion.

To find out more about her work and the Becoming Us book and course, head to www.becomingusfamily.com

10 | #summerseries: What my second first 40 days taught me

Sun, 25 Feb 2024 20:00:00 +1100

I'm six weeks postpartum in this episode (from back in 2020) and I'm chatting about what I've been eating, the amazing meal train organised by friends, the role of my midwife and doulas, my physical recovery, breastfeeding, sleep, how my anxiety and mental health has been and lots more.

This episode is sponsored by The Whole Bowl Co, a fabulous meal delivery service in NSW, ACT, VIC and QLD. They make and deliver nourishing meals that not only help mothers replenish those nutrient stores that are under the pump during pregnancy and postpartum, but also take the stress off the whole family. Their recipes and ingredients are nutritionist approved, made using whole foods, and cooked to perfection in small batches. It's a great way to support yourself during postpartum--and makes for a wonderful gift for a new parent, or someone whol just needs a little TLC. Head to www.thewholebowlco.com.au to put in your order!

09 | #summerseries: Lily Nichols' unorthodox nutrition advice

Sun, 18 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +1100

This episode is sponsored by Hydramama, a sugar-free hydration support drink that's designed for pregnancy, postpartum and beyond. Chock-a-block with electrolytes, magnesium, methylated folate and vitamins B6 and C, Hydramama helps when you're growing a baby--particularly if you're struggling with nausea or morning sickness--and while breastfeeding, when you need at least an extra fluid a day. Get 20% off your order with the code COCOONBYNAOMI at www.miniandme.co

Lily Nichols is an influential prenatal/postpartum dietician and nutritionist who has made a name for herself by diving deep into the research and rethinking evidence-based ideas for eating in pregnancy and beyond. What she's discovered is that much of the advice given to pregnant women and new mums is outdated, not tailored for the needs of motherhood and doesn't help women build healthy babies. But she has some (delicious) solutions. Listen in on our chat and find Lily's work here: https://lilynicholsrdn.com/
Instagram: @lilynicholsrdn

08 | #summerseries: How to prep financially for a baby, with Rebecca Pritchard

Sun, 11 Feb 2024 20:00:00 +1100

Babies cost money - but how much exactly, and whether it will stress you out or you'll sail through, depends on your choices and planning. In this ep, I chat to financial coach Rebecca Pritchard, a mum of two who takes us through what she did and offers advice on where to save and what conversations to have that will help avoid common relationship pitfalls. She's helped me a ton!

If you'd like to chat to Rebecca: https://www.rebeccapritchard.com.au/

07 | #summerseries: Mum rage and going from one to two, with Lael Stone

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 09:00:00 +1100

I'm joined by Lael Stone (https://laelstone.com.au/) on this episode to talk all things Aware Parenting and how it can help us find a happy middle ground between authoritarian and permissive parenting, through holding space, setting loving limits, meeting our own needs, and working through our own baggage. I love Lael!

This episode is brought to you by Babybee, Australian-owned and designed prams cominging quality, safety and style. Not only does Babybee let you try their prams at home with free returns for nine months, they also offer an industry-leading 3 year warranty for total peace of mind. With thousands of five star reviews, around the clock customer care and up to $200 of free accessories with every pram, what are you waiting for? Go visit www.babybeeonline.com and check them out for yourself!

Use promo code BABY20 for 20% off all full-priced Babybee prams (cannot be used in conjunction with other offers).

06 | #summerseries: Creativity and motherhood, with Jessica Chapnik Kahn

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 20:00:00 +1100

Jessica Chapnik Kahn is a singer-songwriter, author and poet. She's also a mum - and an example of how motherhood and creativity don't need to be mutually exclusive. In fact, her experience shows just how becoming a parent can open up a new layer of inspiration.

Madre, the book of poetry that Jessica began during her postpartum (available here) is a raw account of the magic, mystery and unravelling that motherhood brings - it's bloody beautiful.

Interested in becoming a postpartum doula? Sign up to Newborn Mothers training - the live round kicks off on February 22 - using my link and I'll give you a free mentoring call to say thank you!

05 | #summerseries: Leigh Campbell on perinatal anxiety, relationship changes and heartbreak

Sun, 21 Jan 2024 15:00:00 +1100

Many of you will know Leigh Campbell through her popular podcasts (This Glorious Mess Little Kids and You Beauty), via her work for Mamamia and from Instagram. In this epsiode, originally published in 2019, we dive deep into her fertility struggles, perinatal anxiety, breastfeeding challenges, relationship changes and the strange combination of heartbreak and happiness that she found while dealing with a new baby and the terminal illness of her father at the same time.

This episode is sponsored by Addison, the chic and practical clothing label for the modern mum. Addison offers pregnancy and breastfeeding-friendly styles that are super cute, and they're giving you free shipping with the code FOURTHTRIMESTER.

04 | #summerseries: Is bedsharing dangerous? The evidence that might surprise you

Sun, 14 Jan 2024 20:00:00 +1100

In years gone by, the message has been loud and clear: bedsharing kills babies. But what does the science say? And why are big organisations like Unicef and the UK's Lullaby Trust now promoting safe bedsharing? Can you ever be safe when you sleep with your baby? And if you're part of the 75% of parents who do fall asleep with their babies at some point, exactly how do you reduce the risks?

I invited Carly Grubb, creator of The Beyond Sleep Training Project, to break down the research behind bedsharing and why these days many midwives and doctors avoid blanket 'co-sleeping is dangerous' advice and instead teach people the guidelines around safely sharing a sleep surface. Whether or not you think you'll bedshare, the message is clear: know how to do it safely, so you're not caught unawares.

03 | #summerseries: NICU, newborn surgery and new beginnings - Sophie Gleitzman's story

Sun, 07 Jan 2024 08:00:00 +1100

It took four years for Sophie Gleitzman to fall pregnant. It took only moments at her 19 week scan to realise that her much-wanted baby's life might be at risk. As it turned out, her son Jack (now a happy and healthy primary schooler) needed heart surgery soon after he was born and Sophie's motherhood journey began in the NICU. But while the intensity of life in NICU was often heart-wrenching, Sophie says it gave her a priceless perspective that she believes has changed her approach to parenting - and life.

In this episode, Sophie shares her story - why her milk didn't fully come in until 3 weeks postpartum, what it was like to go home and find a way without the NICU regime and the relief of realising they could find their own way -- as well as advice for parents who find themselves in the NICU.

02 | #summerseries: Core & Floor Restore's Bernadette on healing your pelvic floor

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 15:00:00 +1100

Bernadette Lack is a midwife, personal trainer, mum and pelvic floor expert--she has helped hundreds of women sort out their post-baby pelvic floors with her Core and Floor Restore programs. Here, she shares her own experience with incontinence, pregnancy, home birth, and restoring her pelvic floor health... and gives plenty of tips on how you can too.

Side note: when we recorded this ep, I was pregnant and B was newly pregnant (but not publicly sharing that!). She's now a mum of two.

Follow her @coreandfloorrestore and find her programs at www.coreandfloor.com.au

01 | #summerseries My Story

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 14:00:00 +1100

This episode is brought to you by Babybee, Australian-owned and designed prams combining quality, safety and style. Not only does Babybee let you try their prams at home with free returns for nine months, they also offer an industry leading three year warranty for total peace of mind. With thousands of five star reviews, around the clock customer care and up to $200 of free accessories with every pram, what are you waiting for? Go visit www.babybeeonline.com - and use the code BABY20 to 20% off all full priced Babybee prams (cannot be used in conjunction with other offers).

To celebrate five years of conversations with postpartum women and experts in the space, I'm bringing you a summer series of the greatest hits of Tales from the Fourth Trimester!

And to kick it all off, I'm going right back to the first episode, where I shared my story of becoming a mum for the first time. If you've been around for a while, you've probably seen evidence of my less-than-picture-perfect first postpartum. The first weeks at home with my new baby were very beautiful, extremely brutal and, ultimately, what set me on an entirely new career path. Tune in to hear how my mothering, and business, began.

20 | On becoming a mother when you're motherless, with Ali Heppell

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 21:00:00 +1100

What is it like to have you beloved mother pass away before you have children, and ache for her when you do? How do you learn to mother yourself? Tune in to hear Ali Heppell's story. Ali is a circle facilitator, postpartum doula and matrescence educator in the Dandenong Ranges of Victoria. Find her @aliheppell_mothercare

19 | How a doctor found her own way during postpartum, with traditional Chinese & Western medicine, with Dr Kristal Lau

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 20:00:00 +1100

In this ep, we talk about Kristal's postpartums, including D-MER, postpartum depression and anxiety and military wife life, and how she navigated early motherhood.

Find Kristal's book and services here: https://mamaswingwoman.com/

18 | Postpartum mental health, with PANDA's Julie Borninkhof

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +1100

It's Perinatal Mental Health Week! In this conversation with Julie Borninkhof, clinical psychologist and CEO of Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia, we talk about my experience with postpartum anxiety, how to protect your mental health, what to do if you find yourself struggling - and how to help family and friends who have had a baby.

Julie is the CEO of Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia – or PANDA – an
organisation that supports the mental health of parents and families during pregnancy and in their first year of parenthood.

For 40 years, PANDA has worked to break down the barriers faced by expecting and new parents reaching out for help for mental health and wellbeing issues. It provides information, support and advice to parents affected by perinatal mental health and has Australia’s only free, national helpline service for women, men and their families affected by perinatal mental health.

If you or someone you love needs support:
● PANDA Helpline on 1300 726 306 (9am-7:30pm Monday-Saturday) or panda.org.au
● Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7) or lifeline.org.au

17 | Supporting loved ones through pregnancy and infant loss, with Rowie Davies

Sun, 29 Oct 2023 20:00:00 +1100

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month, and I hope that the stories shared on this podcast about postpartum after loss help with raising awareness of what that experience can be like. And with this episode, where I'm talking to Rowie Davies, a postpartum doula from NSW's Central Coast, I hope we take things a step further, with ideas, insights and advice on how to support friends, family or people in your community who may go through loss. A massive thank you to Rowie for her open-hearted and generous sharing of her and her son Billy's story and her honest advice. Find Rowie on Instagram @honouringyoubyrowena

16 | Weaving pleasure into mothering, with Regan Figg

Sun, 22 Oct 2023 21:00:00 +1100

Regan Figg sees motherhood not as a place where you lose yourself, but a place of opportunity. As a former exercise physiologist, yoga and meditation teacher, and health and wellness coach, Regan unexpectedly experienced postnatal depression and anxiety after the birth of her first son.

Now a mum of three, she mentors mothers to uncover the gold that exists in their motherhood experience, to create balance in blending business and motherhood and to lead pleasure-filled lives.

Join us for a juicy convo about why she banished the Good Mother, how she brings pleasure into her kid-filled life and what she thinks about people shouting "more self care" (spoiler alert: it doesn't work).

Website: https://reganfigg.com

Instagram: @regan_figg

Book

15 | Complicated & conflicting emotions, and holding them in postpartum, with Mazz Napier

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 11:00:00 +1100

In this episode, postpartum doula and infant massage instructor Mazz Napier joins to me to share her story. We talk about lots, with a focus on learning to get comfortable with the opposing emotions that often coexist in motherhood - for Mazz, the grief for the baby she'd lost and joy for the new baby in her arms. We cover tuning out the external noise, pressures and expectations, particularly around sleep. And Mazz's career shift and what she's so passionate about a well-supported postpartum that fosters personal growth.

Find Mazz
Grab her postpartum journalling guide

14 | Babies and sleep: what is biologically normal? With Dr Amber Hart

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 16:00:00 +1000

It's not what the books say. It's not what the sleep training industry says, or your cousin or the person in your mothers group. Today we're talking about what we know from research and studies into the brain development of babies and how that interacts and impacts their sleep. I really hope this helps kill some of the noise that exists around sleep that can be really stressful, worrying and filled with a sense of failure (at least that's been my experience when I had a baby who didn't do what the books said she *should* but was in fact very normal).

I'm joined by Dr Amber Hart, a mum of three girls, GP, lactation consultant (IBCLC) and director of Maternal and Infant Wellbeing Melbourne, a multidisciplinary clinic in Parkville, Victoria. She's also accredited through The Possums Clinic.

13 | Postpartum curve balls + planning for a break when business is booming, with Anna Lahey

Sun, 10 Sep 2023 17:00:00 +1000

Anna Lahey, mother of four and founder of Vida Glow, joins me to talk about her fourth postpartum - the one that she planned and prepared for meticulously, but which didn't go quite as she expected (to say the least). From a NICU stay and serious health scare to hyperlactation and mastitis, Anna shares what the experience has taught her, and what she knows about motherhood, and herself.

12 | What you need to know about your first week postpartum, with midwife Beth Ryan

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 17:00:00 +1000

The baby's out - what next?! A LOT. The first few days after you give birth is a potent cocktail of postpartum hormones, establishing feeding, afterpains and so much more. Things I had no idea about first time around! I'm joined by the wonderful Beth Ryan (@birthwithbeth) to talk about what to expect from your first week or so postpartum, and how to optimise your recovery and bonding in this intensive moment.

Find Beth's fabulous birth education course, Power Birth here

Follow Beth on Insta: @birthwithbeth

11 | Parenthood and intimate relationships - how the eff do we make it work? With Leonie Akhidenor

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +1000

In this episode, I'm chatting with Leonie Akhidenor about everyone's favourite juicy topic: sex and relationships. Specifically, what happens when you add a baby (or three) into the mix.

Leonie is a relationship coach, mum of 2 toddler boys, host and founder of the Parenthood Podcast, a podcast about parents for parents. Parents call in with confessions of what is keeping them up at night and Leonie explores these topics and provides unsolicited advice. The podcast explores all topics from sexless marriages, to surviving affairs and overcoming the daily resentment that can build in relationships. Leonie is also a property developer, part-time model and is well versed in juggling it all.

Find Leonie:

Follow the parenthood podcast on Insta @parenthoodpod

All other channels via https://linktr.ee/parenthoodpodcast

10 | Business, babies and birthing a new identity, with Rachael Rose

Sun, 23 Jul 2023 20:00:00 +1000

I have so much respect for Rachael Rose - mother, women's circle facilitator and educator - and I loved hearing her reflections on what postpartum changed for her, from how she saw herself in the world to how it changed how she works.

NAOMI will get you $150 off her women's circle facilitator course

You can find her on Instagram @the_rachael_rose

Aaaaaand you can find my new postpartum cookbook here for the special launch price of $29!

09 | Hip dysplasia, tongue tie, triple feeding, intolerances and joy: Dani Potter's postpartums

Sun, 09 Jul 2023 20:00:00 +1000

Join me and Dani Potter for a chat about her two different postpartum periods, filled with unexpected challenges.

Dani works with families on Sydney's Northern Beaches. Find her:
www.beyondbabydoula.com / @beyondbabydoula

Register for my free Cooking Hacks for Doulas class on July 21.

Download my free sweet potato, cannellini bean and mozzarella bake recipe here

08 | Returning to paid work after baby, with career coach Lily Eid

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 07:00:00 +1000

Returning to paid work after having a baby is a big moment of transition. And it's not just about the work: it's about daycare, the mental load, the identity shift, the division of household labour, illnesses and heaps more. It's BIG. In this episode, I'm joined by career counsellor and coach Lily Eid to talk about the common issues she sees, what she went through herself, and her top tips for returning to work after parental leave.

I have an info-packed class on returning to work for just $22 if you'd like further support and ideas (lots on settling into daycare and dealing with relationship shifts)

Find Lily:

Launch Mama on Instagram
Book a 60-minute Career Consultation with Lily here
Launch Mama Podcast – Apple Podcast & Spotify
Contact Lily directly to learn more about her service offering via lily.eid@theprofessionaledit.com
Follow The Professional Edit on Instagram & LinkedIn

07 | Friendship breakups, food and relationships in postpartum, with Jessica Prescott

Sun, 11 Jun 2023 17:00:00 +1000

Buy Life After Birth, Jess & Vaughne's new book here
Find Jess on Instagram here @jessica_prescott_

06 | Top tips for supporting baby and kid immune health, with naturopath Claire Luckman

Sun, 21 May 2023 20:00:00 +1000

This is an episode I was busting to record, because I do not want a repeat of winter 2022 when we all got sick constantly - I was very keen to learn what I could do to help support my kids' immune systems. Listen in as Claire and I discuss
the importance of gut health to immunity, key nutrients to use for immune boosting and ones you can use when kids get sick; tips for ear aches, bronchitis, etc, herbs for kids and how to get supps into kiddos!

Find Claire:
claireluckman.com.au/
Insta – claireluckman_naturopath
FB – Claire Luckman Naturopath
Kid’s Health Consults – online via video call or face to face in either my Leichhardt or
Coledale clinic.

Claire is a degree-qualified Naturopath and Nutritonist and a mum of 2 little people.
She has been in private practice for 6 years and working in the industry for over 10
years. She has a special interest in women & children’s health and loves supporting women in the pregnancy & postpartum season. She has been mentored for over 10 years with one of Sydney’s best fertility & women’s health Naturopaths, and is busy working one-on-one with clients in both her Leichhardt & Coledale clinics. She moved to the Illawarra from the inner west over 3 years ago now and loves life on the coast!

05 | Building a business as a postpartum doula, with Sami Stewart

Sun, 07 May 2023 20:00:00 +1000

Becoming a postpartum doula is exciting, daunting, wonderful and overwhelming, and in this conversation with preconception, pregnancy and postpartum doula Sami Stewart (https://www.theholddoulaco.com/) we talk about the highs, lows and lessons.

Tune in to hear us talking about finding a new calling, the ins and outs of getting a business up and running, imposter syndrome and finding confidence, building relationships with other doulas (and being mentored by me), finding clients and the parallels between birthing a baby and birthing a business.

This episode is sponsored by Newborn Mothers, the postpartum professional training that both Sami and I did.

If you're interested in doing the course, I offer a free 30 minute mentoring call if you use my affiliate link to do so! Here's my link, and please get in touch if you have any questions.

04 | Weaning my son, and how it went!

Sun, 30 Apr 2023 19:00:00 +1000

In this episode, it's just me! I had a lot of questions from people about how I weaned my two year old, and this episode hopefully answers those. I also share what I wish I'd done before I started the weaning process, because I really should have prepared more!

03 | How to help your hormones after having a baby, with Madeline Mackinnon

Sun, 23 Apr 2023 14:00:00 +1000

Madeline MacKinnon is a passionate nutritionist with ten years of experience helping women to recover from debilitating hormone imbalances. She is known for her popular hormone-balancing cooking classes she teaches live across Canada and has a new cookbook out: The Hormone Type Cookbook- Nourishing Recipes To Balance The7 Different Hormone Types

In this episode, we talk about how your hormones shift in postpartum, key nutrients to include in the diet postpartum that most women do not get enough of, how to look out for postpartum thyroiditis, and how to eat to support postpartum hormone health.

Find Madeline:
www.naturalhormonehealing.com
@naturalhormonehealing

02 | The truth about baby brain with Dr Bridget Callaghan

Sun, 16 Apr 2023 20:00:00 +1000

Have you found it hard to finish sentences since falling pregnant? Left keys in the door? Phone on the car roof? I know I have! There's so much negative press around the brain changes that happen in women and birthing people (deeply rooted in sexism and misogynism!), but the work that Dr. Bridget Callaghan and her colleagues are doing is showing that we're not getting stupider - we're actually seriously up-levelling. If you're worried about the fuzzy brain, this one's for you.

Dr. Bridget Callaghan is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she directs The Brain & Body Lab. Together with her students, she studies interactions between mental and physical health across development, and how early life experiences of adversity influence development. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, her Masters in Clinical Psychology, and her Ph.D. at the University of New South Wales, in Australia. She has worked clinically in the field of developmental psychology, and completed her postdoctoral training at Columbia University in New York in 2019. Dr. Callaghan’s research has been generously funded through the National Institutes of Mental Health, Brain Behavior Research Foundation, and National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.

Lab webpage: https://brainandbodylab.psych.ucla.edu/

Twitter: @Dr_BCallaghan

Lab Instagram: @bablab_UCLA

Online study for first time pregnant mums going on now: https://research.sc/participant/login/dynamic/63060D73-0478-4EB1-AAE7-BEC43C066940

1. Nathalie: gestational diabetes, postpartum pre-eclampsia, hospital birth & home birth, and going from one child to two

Sun, 02 Apr 2023 19:00:00 +1000

Welcome back! I'm kicking off season five of the podcast with a conversation with Nathalie, who shares the details of her two very different postpartum experiences.

NOTES:
Lily Nichols episode
Kinesiologist Erin Dubé

What I Wish I'd Known: Baby Sleep

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 11:00:00 +1100

HOOO boy, there is too much about baby sleep I wish I'd known, but in this episode I share two key principles that would have made a massive difference to the failure, angst and frustration I felt around by first baby's sleep.

My Cocoon Cookie Mix is available to pre-order for a limited time - grab your bag here

What I Wish I'd Known: Friendships

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 11:00:00 +1100

Join Cook + Cocoon - my new postpartum prep and fourth trimester cooking course - and get $50 off if you sign on by Sunday Nov 6 with the code EARLYBIRD!

I feel a bit vulnerable putting this episode out there but here goes! The highs and the lows, the nasty and pleasant surprises... and a few things I wish I'd done differently.

What I Wish I'd Known: The Mental Load

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 11:00:00 +1100

Just a few things I really wish I'd known about the mental load before having a baby, and how I got through it. I mention this book, which is great.

What I Wish I'd Known: BREASTFEEDING

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +1100

Welcome to a new, special season of the podcast! I'll be serving up mini solo episodes about all the things I wish I'd known more about before I had my first baby. This one is about breastfeeding - I mean, there was SO much I didn't know and if I had my postpartum would have been easier. Of course, I can't cover everything, but I hope that by sharing some of the things I've learned about vital postpartum areas will be useful. And if you're pregnant and want to be really well prepared for postpartum (and I really hope you do!) I have an online course coming out on November 2. Stay tuned!

10 | Mum rage, meeting your own needs, triggers and more, with perinatal psychologist Yara Heary

Sun, 19 Jun 2022 17:00:00 +1000

This is the final episode in season three! Thanks so much for listening. If you've gotten something out of these eps, please consider sharing with a friend or leaving a review, or both!

In this episode, I talk to perinatal psychologist Yara Heary of Life After Birth Psychology (https://www.lifeafterbirth.com.au/)

I don't even know how to describe this episode: just listen.

Find Yara on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterbirthpsychology/

09 | Going from one child to two, with Rose Ricketson

Sun, 12 Jun 2022 19:00:00 +1000

I hope you enjoy this conversation with birth worker, postpartum doula, community builder and woman of many talents, Rose Ricketson. We talk about her second postpartum, her first child's big feelings, tandem feeding, feeding other people's babies, creating community and having (or attempting!) a nourishing postpartum with a toddler in tow.

Find Rose here: https://www.rosierick.com/

Listen to Rose's first episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/tales-from-the-fourth-trimester/id1460569533?i=1000504246514

08 | Nat Rolland on FIFO parenting, exclusive pumping and calling the shots in motherhood

Sun, 05 Jun 2022 20:00:00 +1000

Nat Rolland is a content creator and small business owner who has embraced doing things her way in mothering. With a FIFO partner, Nat shares how she makes it work with her 5 month old - settling into motherhood while growing her business - and the strength she's found in going through infertility, IVF and more.

Follow Nat: @natsinisky
Find Altered Sense: https://alteredsense.com/

07 | Anna Cusack: building community, following your instinct and making motherhood work

Sun, 29 May 2022 19:00:00 +1000

Anna Cusack is an exercise physiologist and postpartum doula who loves to bust motherhood myths that abound in modern culture. In this episode, we talk about her own postpartum experience, the realities of baby sleep, her breastfeeding journey, trusting her intuition, returning to work, building community and finding her own damn way in this wild ride that is mothering.

06 | Pelvic floor 101: Katherine Baquie on how to protect yourself from pregnancy through to postpartum

Mon, 23 May 2022 19:00:00 +1000

Whether you're pregnant or postpartum, you need to listen to this episode: hear perinatal physiotherapist and mum of three Kath Baquie (https://www.fitnestmama.com/) share her tips, wisdom and hard-earned lessons. From how to prepare your pelvic floor for birth to what you need to know about recovery and returning to exercise, this chat is a must listen.

This episode is brought to you by Omm Label, a sustainable and stylish breastfeeding clothing label. Ethically made from 100% certified organic cotton, the brand was created by a mum who struggled to find clothes that worked for both breastfeeding and her personal style. Designed to empower women to feed anytime and anywhere with confidence, this is fashion that's feeding-friendly and fun - and it's great quality, too.

05 | Alice Godfree, the lawyer whose postpartum inspired a career change

Sun, 15 May 2022 19:00:00 +1000

In this episode I'm joined by Alice Godfree to talk about how her postpartum pushed her career into a new direction - find her here: https://www.villageforme.com/

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This episode is sponsored by Newborn Mothers. Newborn Mothers provides online courses for postpartum professionals and mothers worldwide who believe birth is about making mums too. The Collective course is what I did to become qualified as a postpartum doula, and I loved it. And as you’ll hear in this episode, my guest also made a career change after doing the same program! The evidence-based course, run by Julia Jones, dives into how to care for mothers with guidance on everything from nutrition to listening with a non-judgemental ear, setting up a business and settling a baby. And when you finish the course you gain access to the graduates group of postpartum professionals who are such a supportive bunch of people and a great sounding board - I call them my brains trust! There’s also ongoing education and classes, and I loved it so much I recommend the course to everyone who asks me! Julia has kindly offered a bonus for anyone who signs up using the code COCOON - you’ll receive the Professional Mindset and Money Blocks class. Let me tell you, becoming a postpartum professional isn’t just about learning the techniques, so much of it is about getting your head around this new role, how to charge and how to have boundaries… so this class is gold. Just use the code COCOON when you sign up, and you’ll get that free.

So, if you believe that when a baby is born, so too is a mother - and you want to support that mother - you should check out Newborn Mothers at www.newbornmothers.com.

04 | Leah Williams: finding your own way in birth, postpartum and motherhood

Sun, 08 May 2022 20:00:00 +1000

Leah Williams is a content creator and mother of three, and on this episode, she shares her three different postpartums and, after going through endometriosis, IVF, birth trauma and having a surprise home birth during Covid, how she's found her own way of mothering with confidence.

Find Leah on Instagram: @leahwwilliams_

This episode is brought to you by Omm Label, a sustainable and stylish breastfeeding clothing label. Ethically made from 100% certified organic cotton, the brand was created by a mum who struggled to find clothes that worked for both breastfeeding and her personal style. Designed to empower women to feed anytime and anywhere with confidence, this is fashion that's feeding-friendly and fun - and it's great quality, too.

If you’d like to try Omm Label for yourself, they’re giving away a $100 voucher - all you need to do is look out for the giveaway post on my Instagram page, @cocoonbynaomi, for all the details.

03 | Top breastfeeding and baby sleep tips from IBCLC & GP Dr Eliza Hannam

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 17:00:00 +1000

Having a baby? You need to hear this episode. Dr Eliza Hannam (https://www.drelizahannam.com.au/) is a mother of three, an IBCLC, Possums sleep consultant and GP who shares heaps of excellent advice, tips and wisdom on breastfeeding and baby sleep as well as her own complex feeding journey.

02 | Jodi Wilson: on packing up a house during postpartum to live in a caravan, and living simply when life is full

Sun, 17 Apr 2022 20:00:00 +1000

Jodi Wilson is a mother, a writer, a yoga teacher and an all-round wise woman. I look up to her immensely as someone who is a few steps ahead of me in the motherhood game and is living life with intention, purpose and clarity. Yep, I'm a fully fledged fan girl! In this episode, we chat about her new book, how on earth she managed to pack up her life and go travelling in a caravan with her brood and how to live more simply when life with kids often feels anything but.

I hope you enjoy the ep!

Follow Jodi @practisingsimplicity
www.practisingsimplicity.com

01 | Keira Rumble: Birth after infertility, postpartum while launching a new business and everything in between

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 21:00:00 +1000

A new episode! And it's with the divine Keira Rumble, the CEO of Krumbled Foods (those Beauty Bites are the bomb) and Habitual Beauty, and a mother of one (not including her two amusing sausage dogs). In this chat, we talk about Keira's long and intense journey to motherhood, her premature labour and hospital stay, how she managed that around launching her new business (!), the rollercoaster of breastfeeding, and why she won't sleep train. Also: our nipples. Enjoy!

Follow Keira: @krumble

Buy Beauty Bites (Triple Choc Chip are my fave): https://krumbledfoods.com/collections/beauty-bites

Enjoy the gorgeous skincare: https://habitualbeauty.co/

If you enjoy this episode, please consider sharing with a friend and leaving a review x

Life--and season 3--update!

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 19:00:00 +1000

A quick hello on what's been happening in my life, what's going on with the podcast, and what's been keeping me busy (mostly, the Cocoon Cookie Mix, which is on pre-sale until the end of the week, link to order below)

https://cocoonbynaomi.com/shop

10 | What is going ON with modern motherhood? With Dr Sophie Brock

Sun, 10 Oct 2021 19:00:00 +1100

It's the season finale, and I hope you enjoy this conversation with Dr Sophie Brock as much as I did.

Sophie is a mother and a sociologist, and she believes that the ‘social’ lens of understanding Motherhood is a critical part of the revolution in Motherhood.

Her vision is for a Motherhood liberated from patriarchal structural constraints, and a practice of mothering that is empowered.

Find Sophie at https://drsophiebrock.com/

As ever, you can find me @cocoonbynaomi and www.cocoonbynaomi.com

My books are open for 2022 in-home postpartum support and the cookie mix will be here soon! Stay tuned for an update on that and season 3 will be here before you know it.

09 | An intro to going low tox with a little one, with Alexx Stuart

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 15:00:00 +1100

Pthalates, BPAs, triclosan, oh my! When we get pregnant and have a baby, we want to avoid anything that could be harmful - which is why it's so devastating to realise that toxins linked to everything from developing alleriges and asthma to the damage of sex organs in fetuses are found in so many everyday items.

When Alexx Stuart started learning about what was in the products she used in her home, on her body and for her family, she wasn't planning on starting a business - but that's exactly what Low Tox Life has become, educating families around the world on lowering their toxic load and deciphering labels.

Listen in for info on:
*how to avoid guilt and overwhlem
*how to outsmart sneaky brands that green wash
*how to get educated
*the one word you should always watch for on labels

Alexx's book, Low Tox Life, is a great place to start and you can find info about her courses, as well as lots of free info, here: https://www.lowtoxlife.com/

08 | Body image, bounce-back culture and the sane way to get fit and healthy, with Lyndi Cohen

Sun, 26 Sep 2021 16:00:00 +1000

Lyndi Cohen is a dietician, nutritionist and mum to an 8 month old, who used to struggle with food and her weight - and she's open about how pregnancy and postpartum have challenged her all over again.
I love Lyndi's BS-free approach to wellbeing, both mental and physical, and her commitment to calling out diet culture.
In this episode, we talk about her experience of postpartum, as well as her thoughts on the bounce-back culture we're held hostage to after we have a baby, and how we can raise a generation of kids who have positive relationships with food and their bodies.
You can find Lyndi at www.lyndicohen.com and on instagram @nude_nutritionist

07 | Big feelings, boundaries, siblings and mother rage - the Aware Parenting approach, with Lael Stone

Sun, 19 Sep 2021 16:00:00 +1000

I'm joined by Lael Stone (https://laelstone.com.au/) on this episode to talk all things Aware Parenting and how it can help us find a happy middle ground between authoritarian and permissive parenting, through holding space, setting loving limits, meeting our own needs, and working through our own baggage. I love Lael!

"We want to send them a message that says we deeply love and accept all of you. For a lot of us, we received the message as children that we were loved when we were behaving well, and achieving, but when we were angry or upset or sad, love and connection was withdrawn. And then we become adults who need therapy because we have stories around not being enough."

06 | How one woman found her voice while navigating NICU and special care, with Bec Mackey

Sun, 12 Sep 2021 07:00:00 +1000

In this episode, mum of two Bec Mackey shares how her second birth and immediate postpartum made her and her baby "square pegs in round holes" in the hospital system. Complications during the birth, her determination to establish breastfeeding and Covid restrictions eventuated in Bec being forced to navigate the system in a way that left her, literally, on the floor. Her story is both illuminating in how easily women can fall through the cracks and a testament to Bec's strength in forging her own path despite serious obstacles and a lack of support.

05 | Breastfeeding, sleep, and why "lazy" parenting works, with Pinky McKay

Sun, 05 Sep 2021 16:00:00 +1000

Pinky McKay is one of Australia’s most recognised and respected babycare experts.

In this episode, we talk about Pinky's own experience mothering four children and shutting out the "shoulds", what to expect from breastfeeding and baby sleep, and "lazy" parenting.

She’s an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), and best-selling author of 4 titles including Parenting By Heart and Sleeping Like a Baby. Pinky specializes in gentle parenting styles that honour mothers’ natural instincts to respond to their babies.

https://www.pinkymckay.com/

04 | Multigenerational, blended households and postpartum nutrition without the pressure, with Megan van Genderen

Sun, 29 Aug 2021 14:00:00 +1000

Megan van Genderen is a mother of two, stepmother of two and full time carer of her mother in law, who has dementia and Alzheimer's. Her fourth trimester with her second child was, let's say, a little different given her family makeup - they all live under one roof.

In this episode, we talk about the challenges she's faced, and how she--as a nutritionist--nourished herself during her postpartum.

Find Megan on insta @mvg_nutritionist and Oma @omasapplesauce

03 | Birth as a rite of passage, parenting as a spiritual practice, with Julie Tenner

Sun, 22 Aug 2021 18:00:00 +1000

Julie Tenner is a mother of four, an experienced facilitator of deep women’s work, a naturopath, nutritionist, herbalist, counsellor, doula, intimacy and relationships coach and co-host of the Nourishing the Mother podcast.

Julie’s wisdom has been such an influence on my parenting journey, and I’m so honoured to have her on the podcast.

In this episode, we have a juicy chat about birth and motherhood as a rite of passage, parenting as a spiritual practice and so much in between.

To connect with Julie, head to www.julietenner.love

02 | How Chinese medicine influenced a first time mum's postpartum, with Kate Thomson

Sun, 15 Aug 2021 17:00:00 +1000

Today I'm chatting to Kate Thomson about how her professional experience as a midwife and Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor informed her postpartum, and how she helps other women.

~ Traditional Chinese medicine protocol for postpartum
~ food prep
~ home birth
~ breast feeding supply issues
~ donor milk
~ matrescence

And heaps more. Find Kate here: https://www.themamasalchemist.com/
and here: @themamasalchemist

If you enjoy this episode, please share it with a friend!

01 | How to keep your relationship strong and connected in postpartum, with Elly Taylor

Sat, 07 Aug 2021 21:00:00 +1000

Ninety two per cent of parents report increased disagreements with their partner in their first year of family. Sixty seven per cent are less happy in their relationship. And relationship concerns are a leading cause of anxiety or depression in pregnancy and early parenthood – affecting as many as 1 in 3 mothers and 1 in 5 dads.

To find out more about her work and the Becoming Us book and course, head to www.becomingusfamily.com

Guess what's coming?

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 09:00:00 +1000

SEASON TWO, BABY! It's on the way, and the first episode is dropping on Sunday. Here, a little on what to expect, as well as a bit of a life update.
See you Sunday!

87 | Season 2 coming soon + a little life update from me

Sun, 11 Apr 2021 16:00:00 +1000

@cocoonbynaomi
www.cocoonbynaomi.com

86 | "I wanted my baby born into an Aboriginal context" - Bridget Brennan on Indigenous maternal care, grief, and birth during COVID

Sun, 28 Mar 2021 16:00:00 +1100

In this week's episode, Bridget Brennan, journalist and former Europe correspondent for the ABC, tells her story of returning from London mid-pandemic to become a first-time mother. Despite moving back in large part for family support, border closures put an end to that plan. And after the crushing realisation that her mother wouldn't be able to be with her for the birth and postpartum, her father passed away just a day after her little boy was born.

We talk about everything from the incredible Malabar midwives program for indigenous women, breastfeeding struggles, mothers group, what happened when Bridget's husband returned to work, sleep angst, asking for help and lots more.

Malabar Midwives: https://www.royalwomen.org.au/areas-of-the-royal/departments/malabar-midwifery-services

Rhea Dempsey: https://www.birthingwisdom.com.au/

85 | Siblings and babies and big feelings, oh my! With respectful parenting coach Alex Emms

Sun, 14 Mar 2021 16:00:00 +1100

Going from one child to two was without a doubt the hardest part of my fourth trimester this time around, and I know I'm not alone. Whether it's your second child or your sixth, the change of family dynamics is a big shift that is keenly felt by our older children (and us!). In this episode, respectful parenting coach Alex Emms (@kidsflourish) shares her wisdom as she goes through this shift herself, as a mum of a 3 year old and an 8 week old.

Find Alex at www.kidsflourish.net
If you loved this episode, please consider sharing it with someone who will enjoy it too, and don't forget to leave a review - it's really appreciated x

84 | "The body keeps the score" - Jess, on sexual trauma, PNDA and conquering her past

Sun, 07 Mar 2021 17:00:00 +1100

Jess, a mum of one with another little one on the way, shares her rollercoaster postpartum and how she conquered anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. With the help of a counsellor, she found the link between a past sexual trauma in her twenties and her birth trauma, processed it and is now expecting her second child.

If this brings up anything for you, please consider talking to a counsellor on the PANDA helpline: 1300 726 306 (Monday-Saturday 9am-7.30pm AEDT)

83 | "My postpartum transformed me" - Mel Richardson

Sun, 28 Feb 2021 17:00:00 +1100

Melanie Richardson shares how she went from a self-confessed control freak to surrender in this episode. We talk bedsharing, mother guilt, sex (or lack thereof), overactive pelvic floor and lots more.

82 | Starting solids with Boob to Food's Luka McCabe

Sun, 21 Feb 2021 17:00:00 +1100

When should you start a baby on solids? What are the best first foods? How do you time it with milk feeds? What's the deal with baby led weaning and purees?

I asked Luka McCabe--midwife, mum and nutrition consultant--to share some of her extensive wisdom on how to feed our tiny people and I learned a ton!

Order her book, Milk to Meals, at www.boobtofood.com and follow her on Instagram @boobtofood

81 | "I felt like I'd failed as a mother" - Kate Hassett

Sun, 07 Feb 2021 20:00:00 +1100

Kate is the deputy editor of Insight Out and a mother of two. In this episode, Kate generously shares her experiences with endometriosis, surprise pregnancy, c-section, attempted VBAC, tongue tie, mixed feeding and more.

80 | Sleep and reflux myth busting with Dr Howard Chilton

Sun, 31 Jan 2021 20:00:00 +1100

I'm thrilled to have renowned neonatal paediatrician Dr Howard Chilton join me for this episode. He's a wealth of knowledge, so I asked for his take on two questions that occupy new parents' minds: what's going on with my babies sleep? And do they have reflux?

I found his take on both these issues both reassuring and revolutionary when I first came across his work when Margot was small. I hope you find them interesting too!

Apologies for the change in sound halfway - our Zoom call dropped out repeatedly so I had to continue the chat over the phone.

You can find out more about Dr Chilton at www.babydoc.com.au

79 | "The second time, I allowed everyone to do everything for me" - Gabby Woodward

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 16:00:00 +1100

In this ep, Gabby - an old friend and yoga teacher - discusses her two really different first and second births (one hospital and one home birth) and postpartums (one that she didn't feel ready for and the next that she was very supported through). We chat about everything from placenta previa to breastfeeding and mum guilt, birth trauma and the stretch from one child to two. Thank you Gabby xx

78 | "We kept things simple and supported" - Rosie Ricketson on her positive postpartum

Sun, 03 Jan 2021 16:00:00 +1100

Rosie Ricketson is an artist and mother from Braidwood, New South Wales, and she offers women holistic pregnancy and postpartum support, education and coaching. In this episode, she shares the work she did and the support she set up to have a positive postpartum period with her daughter.

To find out more about Rosie and how you can work with her: www.rosierick.com or @_rosierick_

Side note: Rosie took the SheBirths course - if you're keen to do the online course I have a discount code (cocoon10).

77 | Postnatal depletion: the signs, symptoms and how to get it sorted, with naturopath Kate Harrison

Sun, 27 Dec 2020 17:00:00 +1100

Okay, you're past the first few months of motherhood, and you're just feeling... a bit crap. Listen in to hear the signs of postnatal depletion, what the physiological markers are and what exactly to do about it with naturopath, postpartum doula and mum of two, Kate Harrison. Because, as Kate says, you don't want feeling like crap to be your new normal.
Find Kate:
www.littleyarrow.com
Instagram @littleyarrow

76 | "I didn't have that love bubble, and I wasn't myself" - Amber Giles

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 16:00:00 +1100

Amber Giles is a journalist and mum of one, and in this episode she shares her experience of discovering pre-eclampsia during labour, successful breastfeeding, postpartum anxiety - and what happened when she didn't feel that in-love buzz she'd expected. Amber chats about how she got through a tricky start with the help of her partner, family, friends and professionals and how she navigated the huge identity shift that motherhood brought. Oh and keep your ears peeled for her UberEats hack for avoiding the dodgy hospital food!

75 | "The best way to deal with trauma is to talk about it" - Kyra Lee

Sun, 13 Dec 2020 17:00:00 +1100

Kyra Lee is a social worker who specialises in working with pregnant women and new parents in difficult circumstances - and when she fell pregnant herself, she had to work hard to let go of all the trauma and worst-case-scenarios that she'd seen and heard. In this episode, we talk about hypnobirthing, her labour (induction, postpartum haemorrhage, fourth degree tearing), birth trauma, recovery complications and PTSD. But it's not all grim! A positive breastfeeding experience, good physical recovery and a masterclass in asking for help from professionals, friends and family (including the importance of debriefing) have all helped Kyra work through the challenging aspects of her birth.

74 | "New motherhood was the loneliest time of my life" - Rhiann McGarry

Sun, 06 Dec 2020 17:00:00 +1100

Rhiann McGarry describes her fourth trimester as "treacherous". An older first time mum, she endured multiple losses before having an ultimately successful and smooth IVF pregnancy... only to be faced with a lonely and shocking fourth trimester - shocking, she says, because her expectations were way off, her baby was unsettled and not fond of sleep, and her friends had had kids a decade before she had. Listen in to hear the wisdom she's earned from her rocky but ultimately rewarding transition to motherhood.

73 | 10 top birth and beyond tips from nurse, midwife, Calmbirth educator and mother Jen Troy

Sun, 29 Nov 2020 17:00:00 +1100

How does a nurse, midwife and Calmbirth educator do birth and beyond? In this week's episode, Jen Troy of Seasons of Mama joins me to share it all - and her top tips.
If you're pregnant, this ones a must listen!
Find Jenna (and her beautiful products, including affirmation cards) at @seasons_of_mama
She's kindly shared a 15% off code for listeners, too: cocoon15

72 | "Nurturing myself was the best thing I did for my postpartum" - Elle Blanks

Sun, 08 Nov 2020 18:00:00 +1100

ICU nurse and mum of one, Elle Blanks, had an "amazing" first three months of motherhood, thanks to investing in her postpartum period, both by nurturing herself and allowing others to nurture her. In this episode, Elle chats to me about her experience with IVF, the birth of her little boy, and how despite breastfeeding issues, sleep deprivation and limited family support she had a wonderful postpartum period.

71 | "Home birth transformed my postpartum experience" - Zoe Roxon-Hunter

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 14:00:00 +1100

It's home birth awareness week, so I wanted to share this story - one of the many positive home birth stories i soaked up as I prepared to birth my son. Zoe's two postpartums were quite different, and she attributes a lot of that to the way she birthed. Enjoy!

70 | How to heal your pelvic floor, with Bernadette Lack

Sat, 24 Oct 2020 16:00:00 +1100

Bernadette Lack is a midwife, personal trainer, mum and pelvic floor expert--she has helped hundreds of women sort out their post-baby pelvic floors with her Core and Floor Restore programs. Here, she shares her own experience with incontinence, pregnancy, home birth, and restoring her pelvic floor health... and gives plenty of tips on how you can too.

Side note: when we recorded this ep, I was still pregnant and B was newly pregnant (but not publicly sharing that!). She's now in her third trimester!

Follow her @coreandfloorrestore and find her programs at www.coreandfloor.com.au

69 | Emmeline Tyler: "How having Asperger's helps me mother"

Sun, 18 Oct 2020 16:00:00 +1100

Fellow postpartum doula and mother of one Emmeline Tyler shares her experience of what it's been like for her to go through pregnancy, birth and postpartum as an autistic woman. Tune in to hear about her surprise pregnancy, living and working in Arnhem Land, and her positive birth experience.

Emmeline has a background in anthropology and linguistics, with experience working and living in remote Aboriginal communities. Through this experience, she has witnessed an authentic community and has seen what it looks like for parents and children to operate within a strong network of support. Her vision is for every family to have their own abundant village support. Find her at www.projectvillage.net

68 | Robin McLeavy: "Pregnancy, birth and motherhood is a profound spiritual journey"

Wed, 07 Oct 2020 15:00:00 +1100

Robin McLeavy is a doula, hypnobirthing educator and actor who is able to articulate the experience of becoming a mother like no one else. Our conversation spans birth and postpartum, of course, but then we went into home birth, feminism, matrilineage, the mother wound, raising boys, parenting styles, gender politics, relationships and oh so much more. This conversation absolutely lit me up.

For some reason my voice is a bit muffled on this recording - my apologies. But fortunately, the person who has the most interesting stuff to say (not me!) is nice and clear. Please note that this was recorded before I gave birth, so we talk about my birth in the future tense.

Find Robin on Instagram @birthtemple and at www.birthtemple.com

67 | Anne-Marie Cheney: "Going from a full-on career to the slowness of motherhood was a hard transition"

Sun, 27 Sep 2020 17:00:00 +1000

So often we think of postpartum as a six week period that ends with a GP check. Why aren't we talking more about the massive shift that occurs for women way beyond those early weeks? Whatever you want to call it: psychological, spiritual, psychic... the identity shake up is real, and so is the change of pace.

This week Anne-Marie joins me for a chat about her transition to motherhood and how she's handled a busy, successful career with parenting her two girls.

66 | What my (second) first forty days taught me

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 20:00:00 +1000

A little six week update from me! I'm chatting about what I've been eating, the amazing meal train organised by friends, the role of my midwife and doulas, my physical recovery, breastfeeding, sleep, how my anxiety and mental health has been and lots more.

65 | What food your body really needs during pregnancy and postpartum, with dietician Renee Jennings

Sun, 30 Aug 2020 17:00:00 +1000

Dietician Renee Jennings joins me on the podcast to chat about all things nutrition - she specialises in maternal health and is a mum herself. When she was pregnant with her first baby, she thought she knew all the right things to eat, but she's since discovered some surprising menu items that she's now incorporating into her second pregnancy, and she's sharing it all with us. As well as all her expert advice (including how to make the best porridge and all her tricks for making the most of freezer space), Renee shares her own postpartum experience, including how her daughter went through breast refusal at nine weeks old (and what she did to get through it).

Follow Renee on Instagram @nurturetheseed for heaps of pregnancy, postpartum and baby feeding ideas.

64 | The birth of Cormac Chrisoulakis

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 11:00:00 +1000

It's taken me a few weeks to get my head around Cormac's birth: after a long, slow wait for his arrival at 42 weeks (on top of the pregnancy that took me through the horror bushfire season and the start of the pandemic) and a measured start to labour, at the end it was all fast and furious. Amazing but also confusing: what just happened? How did I not know he was coming? Wait, was I in transition?

In this episode, my lovely doula Jerusha Sutton (www.jerusha.com.au) talks me through this amazing, intense, surreal, ecstatic home birth. Please forgive me jumping back and forth--I am STILL getting my head around the timeline!

I hope you enjoy hearing all about it.

63 | Tara Ali: navigating a relationship breakdown during pregnancy and postpartum

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 12:00:00 +1000

Tara Ali is a writer and mother of two, and in this episode she shares her two very different postpartums: her first baby was born after eight years of trying to conceive, and five rounds of IVF. When she fell pregnant with her second child, she found herself facing serious relationship challenges. Listen in to hear how she navigated complex issues as her pregnancy progresses and separated from her partner during her postpartum period, all while managing the needs of a toddler and a newborn. Tara, I take my hat off to you: you are amazing.

62 | How to navigate new motherhood like a boss: maternity leave planning with Arianna Taboada

Sun, 09 Aug 2020 19:00:00 +1000

Arianna Taboada is a Maternal Health Consultant for entrepreneurs: she helps make their maternity leave and transition to motherhood smoother – while keeping their business thriving. Whether you work for yourself or someone else, what we're focusing on in today's episode could totally change the way you think about planning for your postpartum... it did for me! Her eco map is a brilliant way to plan your move into parenthood (whether for the first or third time). We also talk about harnessing the right kind of support, the different layers of support you need, and how to set boundaries.

Find more out about Arianna and her work at www.ariannataboada.com

61 | Emma Emmanuel: IVF, ovarian hyperstimulation, kidney defect and postnatal anxiety

Sat, 25 Jul 2020 16:00:00 +1000

How do you prepare for postpartum when you know your baby will be born with health challenges? In this episode, I chat to Emma Emmanuel, who's a mum to a one year old little boy and has had a bumpy ride to parenthood. She went through IVF, followed by severe ovarian hyperstimulation... and then found out that her little one was going to be born with a kidney defect. A difficult birth--for both Emma and her baby--was followed by her son developing sepsis at 10 weeks old. Add surgeries into the mix and Emma and her family have been through more than most in the first few months of parenthood. What I loved about this conversation is hearing how Emma dealt with the challenges with immense grace. It gave me a real sense of perspective, and I hope you all find it valuable too.

60 | What does the ultimate postpartum care look like? A chat with postpartum doula and chef, Rachael Hollinger

Sun, 19 Jul 2020 17:00:00 +1000

Rachael Hollinger is a postpartum doula and chef who lives and looks after women in Pennsylvania - and she's one of the loudest advocates for the nourishment and nurturing of new mamas.

In this episode, we chat about the state of postpartum care, what we'd love to see happening for women at this sacred time, what new mums can do to look after themselves and what we do as postpartum doulas with a strong food focus.

I highly recommend Rachael's postpartum cookbook which you can find at https://www.nourisherdoula.com/ and following her for fantastic tips @nourisherdoula

59 | Nadine Richardson: the She Births founder on how to have an empowered birth and postpartum

Sun, 12 Jul 2020 17:00:00 +1000

Nadine Richardson is Australia's leading birth educator and the founder of She Births, the only scientifically proven antenatal course that demonstrates significantly reduced need for pain medication, ceasarean section and tears.

In this episode, I'm chatting to Nadine about her own birth preparation and postpartum, as why she believes the principles that ground an empowered birth (however it happens) are also key to a calm and confident postpartum period and parenting journey.

To explore She Births birth education and support, go to shebirths.com, and enter the code cocoon10 to receive 10% off the full online program.

58 | Arabella Hampshire: a surprise pregnancy, anxiety, disordered eating and learning how to look after the pelvic floor

Sun, 05 Jul 2020 16:00:00 +1000

Arabella Hampshire is a health coach, Pilates teacher and mum of two--and in this episode, we chat about how she unexpectedly fell pregnant just five months into a new relationship, her two very different births and postpartums and how anxiety and disordered eating have impacted her motherhood experiences. Plus! Don't miss her advice on exercising after having a baby, and how to best protect your pelvic floor. Thank you Arabella!

57 | How I'm prepping for birth and beyond: a third trimester update

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 07:00:00 +1000

My third trimester has been a ride! In this ep, recorded at 38 weeks pregnant, I'm talking (to myself) about what's been going down over the last three months or so, and how I've been preparing for birth and postpartum on a practical, emotional and psychological level. From what I've bought and what birth education I'm doing to who I've enlisted for support, what I've read and the differences between this pregnancy and my first (coronavirus aside), I hope this is helpful!

I chose the SheBirths online course for my birth education, and if you'd like to get a 10% discount on the course here's a code for you: COCOON10

56 | "I felt out of control and sad and lonely" - Ashe Davenport on parenthood and writing about it in her new book, Sad Mum Lady

Sun, 21 Jun 2020 20:00:00 +1000

I've never met Ashe in person, but I'm quite convinced she's the funniest woman I know. Because I am sure I know her, in a weird way - the way she writes about mothering, and her kids and her partner and her mother and her life is just so uncomfortably familiar that I'm quite sure we're destined to be best friends, if only she'd realise Sydney is better than Melbourne. Please enjoy this rambling, fan girling (on my part) chat about babies and postpartum and leaky orifices and feeling lonely.
Follow Ashe on Instagram @ashedavenport and buy her very funny, painful and delightful book Sad Mum Lady here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/sad-mum-lady-ashe-davenport/book/9781760877637.html

55 | Why pregnancy and postpartum nutrition advice needs an overhaul--and what to eat instead--with Lily Nichols

Sun, 14 Jun 2020 17:00:00 +1000

Lily Nichols is an influential prenatal/postpartum dietician and nutritionist who has made a name for herself by diving deep into the research and rethinking evidence-based ideas for eating in pregnancy and beyond. What she's discovered is that much of the advice given to pregnant women and new mums is outdated, not tailored for the needs of motherhood and doesn't help women build healthy babies. But she has some (delicious) solutions. Listen in on our chat and find Lily's work here: https://lilynicholsrdn.com/
Instagram: @lilynicholsrdn

This episode is sponsored by Modibodi, Australia’s favourite underwear for periods, pee, perspiration, pregnancy and postpartum. Head to www.modibodi.com for 15% off orders over $120, with the code NAOMI15.

54 | "I didn't expect the challenges that having a second child brought" - Sarah Grant

Sun, 07 Jun 2020 18:00:00 +1000

Career-focused but keen to start a family, Sarah Grant found herself having a whirlwind romance, engagement and pregnancy within a year. She found first-time motherhood a little tricky to adjust to - but it was nothing compared to when she subsequently welcomed her second daughter into the world. In this episode, she shares how she dealt with having a very different baby to her first, what happened when postnatal depression hit her, why she pushed for answers around her daughter's unsettledness--and how a diagnosis of silent reflux changed everything.

53 | "I was so scared of birth and babies but my experience was beautiful" - Kate Byron

Sun, 31 May 2020 19:00:00 +1000

In this episode, Kate shares just how worried she was about getting pregnant, giving birth and becoming a mother - and how it all turned out better than she could have hoped. While she hadn't put much thought into her postpartum, circumstances put her into a position where she was able to ease into early parenthood with a quiet and peaceful fourth trimester. Thanks Kate!

52 | "I exclusively pumped for 5 months--and then my baby began breastfeeding" - Alana Adye's amazing feeding journey

Sun, 24 May 2020 20:00:00 +1000

There are many ways to feed a baby, and while many of us hope to breastfeed, it's not always the easiest thing. Alana Adye had breastfeeding issues from the beginning--nevertheless, she persisted. She sought help, eventually deciding to exclusively pump her milk for her little one... and then, by the time we had our chat, her baby finally learned how to breastfeed. I hope you find Alana's determination as inspiring as I did!

51 | "Motherhood shook me to my core" - Chanelle

Sat, 16 May 2020 16:00:00 +1000

A tricky birth, breastfeeding struggles and the lack of that instant in-love feeling left Chanelle feeling "like a failure". We chat about how the first few months of motherhood shook her, and how she came out the other side.

50 | The money ep! How to prep for a baby with financial advisor Rebecca Pritchard

Sun, 10 May 2020 20:00:00 +1000

Babies cost money - but how much exactly, and whether it will stress you out or you'll sail through, depends on your choices and planning. In this ep, I chat to financial advisor Rebecca Pritchard, a mum of one who takes us through what she did and offers advice on where to save and what conversations to have that will help avoid common relationship pitfalls. She's helped me a ton!

If you'd like to chat to Rebecca: https://www.rebeccapritchard.com.au/

49 | Fiona MacDonald: "I became a CEO while I was pregnant and returned to work when my baby was 8 weeks old"

Sat, 02 May 2020 16:00:00 +1000

Fiona MacDonald is a journalist and CEO of ScienceAlert - a job she was offered when she was 10 weeks pregnant with her first baby. It meant she would need to return to work, slowly, before her baby turned three months, but Fiona embraced the opportunity... and thrived. She shares her experience with an elective caesarian, avoiding visitors, choosing the right care for her daughter and how a supportive work culture has made her decision the right one.

48 | How to have a beautiful postpartum during COVID-19: a conversation with Julia Jones

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 20:00:00 +1000

Okay, so having a baby in the midst of a global pandemic wasn't exactly what you'd planned. Now what? Join me and Julia Jones, my postpartum doula teacher and wise woman, as we talk practical ideas, emotional support and mindset shifts that can help you have a truly lovely first few weeks and months with your little one.

Find out more about Julia's new course, head here, and her postpartum doula training can be found here

47 | "I went into labour the same day as my city locked down": Meg Frawley's birth and postpartum during Covid-19

Sun, 19 Apr 2020 20:00:00 +1000

Meg Frawley had her birth and postpartum all planned: the Australian had booked in a doula to help her navigate the American medical system in her new home of San Francisco, her parents would fly in from Sydney to help her and her husband adjust to life with a new baby and she'd joined all the local mother's groups.

But as Covid-19 hit America, hard, her parents cancelled their trip. And the day her labour niggles began, she received a phone call from her doula: no one would be allowed to attend her birth, including her husband.

Listen in to hear how Meg navigated the birth of her baby, and why, even though the first five weeks of new motherhood weren't how she'd imagined, they've proved to have many silver linings.

46 | Pregnancy and maternity leave in the age of self-isolation

Sun, 29 Mar 2020 17:00:00 +1100

This week, Josie Rozenberg-Clarke, editor of pedestrian.tv and mama of a nine week old, messaged me with an idea for an episode: how new mums are dealing with self-isolation during what is often a quite lonely season. "The days feel so long, it's lonely, we're all going stir crazy and if it rains you're literally just cooped up inside," she wrote. "I've had to cancel my mum in law's regular Wednesday visit, and my mum is coming this week but that will be the last time for a while. The things I looked forward to that broke up my day/week are now gone." I don't think Josie was expecting me to not just take up her idea but invite her to come on and talk with me about what's happening for her, but she graciously agreed and that's exactly what we did. We talk about how we're staying positive while also acknowledging our feelings, the new ways we're connecting and what TV shows we're binging on (recommendations welcome!)

45 | Becoming more self-sufficient and sustainable with a baby

Sun, 22 Mar 2020 17:00:00 +1100

I recorded this episode a few weeks back with Monique Llewellyn, a mama of one who runs @holisticluxeliving and https://www.holisticluxeliving.com/, because I wanted to share ideas for people who are interested in becoming more eco-friendly in their family practices. Well, now, with covid-19 meaning there are restrictions and shortages on disposable nappies, wipes and other options that were previously easy, more people are interested in becoming self-sufficient, even just a little bit. From period undies to homemade wipes, we cover some ideas that we hope you'll find helpful and empowering during these weird old times.

44 | Kelly Hume: "I'm still recovering from birth three years down the track"

Sun, 15 Mar 2020 17:00:00 +1100

I knew I wanted to have my friend Kelly on the podcast since I started it--not only is she smart and articulate, she's bloody hilarious. A fashion stylist by trade, we bonded while working together at Stellar and I loved how she applies her sense of humour to birth injuries that she's still feeling the effects from. I hope you enjoy Kel's unique perspective on birth and the fourth trimester and find her story as interesting as I did.

43 | Your breastfeeding questions (part 2), answered by IBCLC Cathy Shortt

Sun, 08 Mar 2020 20:00:00 +1100

Thanks for bearing with me while Cathy and I lined up a time to finish our chat! In this second episode, we talk about breastfeeding while starting bottles, introducing solids, returning to work and weaning your little one, plus heaps more.

42 | Caitlin Kay-Smith: "I vomited 15 times a day until my baby was born"

Mon, 02 Mar 2020 08:00:00 +1100

What would it feel like to be ill, not just in your first trimester, but throughout your entire pregnancy? To vomit 15 times a day, not be able to keep anything down and continue chucking throughout labour? Caitlin Kay-Smith, of Hyperemesis Gravidarum Australia, shares her experience and how it affected her postpartum (and beyond). Listen in to hear how she had to fight to be believed, why she tried to get herself sectioned in order to receive care and how she's now fighting for other women who have HG.

41 | Returning to exercise - without ending up with postnatal depletion or a prolapse!

Sun, 23 Feb 2020 19:00:00 +1100

Exercise and movement is vital for our mental health, energy levels and getting strong and fit. BUT. If you just have a cursory 6 week check by a GP (who isn't a specialist in pelvic floor health) and then throw yourself back into your beloved pre-baby workouts, you could be in for trouble. I asked Sarah Fehlberg, a personal trainer and naturopath, to tell us exactly how to get back into exercise so we end up feeling great, not even worse than when we started.

And! I'm running a giveaway - I have 5 packets of my delicious organic goji berry, coconut and choc-chip lactation cookies to send to anyone in Australia who leaves a review for this podcast. Will it be you?!

40 | Sheree: Parenting in a same-sex couple, prolapse, relationship challenges & co-sleeping

Sun, 16 Feb 2020 20:00:00 +1100

A couple of months ago, Ree sent me a sweet DM saying how much she loved this podcast - and sharing her thoughts in response to something I'd wondered about being in a same-sex relationship. "I'm in a same-sex relationship, and for us the dynamic is much the same as a heterosexual couple..." But then there's the roles they play, how family and society sees them, and how her lovely baby boy came to be. Of course I wanted to hear all about it - and, more broadly, how new motherhood has been for her - and this is the resulting chat.

39 | Jen Dawson's pre-eclampsia, prematurity, separation at birth, reflux and doing it differently second time around: "I didn't feel that in-love feeling for six weeks"

Sun, 09 Feb 2020 17:00:00 +1100

A complicated pregnancy, a premature baby and a very difficult birth that led to both of them fighting for their lives: Jen Dawson started postpartum first time around very much on the back foot (and that's before she found out she was going to be posted overseas to a country where she didn't speak the language or know anyone). Yet her postpartum with her next child, a daughter, was "both sacred and an unravelling". Listen in to hear what changed for her, and what she chose to do differently.

38 | Top tips and troubleshooting from lactation consultant and midwife Cathy Shortt

Sun, 02 Feb 2020 16:00:00 +1100

Cathy Shortt helps mums on their breast and bottle feeding journeys every day of the week - and she's a midwife, too. I asked her to share all her best advice, recommendations and tips for mamas to be, mums in the thick of it and mothers down the track whose feeding journeys are evolving. Plus, she answers your questions - although we didn't get a chance to talk about all of them, so look out for another episode where we get to those ones!

You can find out more about Cathy at milkandmumsco.com.au

37 | My pre-conception and first trimester experience

Sun, 26 Jan 2020 17:00:00 +1100

I'm 15 weeks pregnant! In this episode, I'm talking about how I tried to mentally and physically prepare to get pregnant again (including dealing with some birth trauma and finding great care providers) and how the last few months have been going.

36 | "Parenting was a rebirth for me" - Courtney Fletcher on navigating relationship changes and mothering styles

Sun, 19 Jan 2020 21:00:00 +1100

A self-confessed "anal Virgo", Courtney found herself veering away from her own expectations of parenthood after she gave birth to her daughter. She'd imagined order, routine and schedule; she found something quite different. And despite being in a relationship with her husband for 15 years before having her baby, it didn't insure the couple from the changes and challenges most of us experience during postpartum.

35 | "It was exquisite, difficult bliss" - Jessica Chapnik Kahn on creativity and motherhood

Sun, 12 Jan 2020 20:00:00 +1100

Jessica is a singer-songwriter, author and poet. She's also a mum - and an example of how motherhood and creativity don't need to be mutually exclusive. In fact, her experience shows just how becoming a parent can open up a new layer of inspiration.

Madre, the book of poetry that Jessica began during her postpartum (available here) is a raw account of the magic, mystery and unravelling that motherhood brings - it's bloody beautiful.

34 | How to make parenting choices with confidence

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 21:00:00 +1100

"How can you be confident when your parenting methods and values don't align with the "norm"?" When this question popped up on my Instagram, I knew that it would make a great podcast topic--and that Jade Cottee would be a great person to help me answer it. Whatever choices you make in your parenting, learning how to feel good about them--and how to deal with any flak you may cop, well-meaning or otherwise--can be a steep learning curve. Hope you enjoy the ep!

33 | Sonia Shoukath: "I didn't leave my parents' house for four weeks"

Sun, 08 Dec 2019 21:00:00 +1100

Sonia Shoukath is a physiotherapist, mum of two and one of my mother's group alumni. When she told me about her postpartum experience, I remember feeling envious: her Indian mother lavished her with care, attention and food, with Sonia moving in with her parents to experience a modern take on the traditions her mother had herself experienced in Kerala. Here Sonia shares that period in her life, the transition from one child to two and how motherhood shifted her identity.

32 | Leigh Campbell: "How can the best possible thing and the worst possible thing happen at once?"

Sun, 01 Dec 2019 21:00:00 +1100

Many of you will know Leigh Campbell through her popular podcasts (This Glorious Mess Little Kids and You Beauty), via her work for Mamamia and from Instagram, where she "snackfluences" and shares snippets of life with her delicious baby, Alexander. In this epsiode, we dive deep into her fertility struggles, perinatal anxiety, breastfeeding challenges, relationship changes and the strange combination of heartbreak and happiness that she's found while dealing with a new baby and the terminal illness of her father at the same time.

31 | Postpartum sex + relationships, part 5

Sun, 24 Nov 2019 21:00:00 +1100

The final episode in this series, I sit down with my husband for some real talk on how our relationship changed after having a baby--and why it ended up being the best thing that could have happened.

30 | Postpartum sex + relationships, part four

Sun, 10 Nov 2019 21:00:00 +1100

Emily Fishman is a mother of four, including a set of 18 month old twins. While she's had three different postpartum experiences, the common theme has been a big strain on her relationship - both with her ex-husband and current partner.

Emily and I chat about how birth and breastfeeding can result in an overwhelming sense of responsibility and loss of freedom, feeling resentful when partners returned to work and the "I can cope" attitude that left Emily feeling isolated and unsupported.

Having a birth injury which left her unable to walk for four months after her twins arrived via emergency c-section meant that she was in a position where she was unable to look after herself or her children - but relying on the support of others turned out to be an incredibly valuable experience.

We talk about why Emily and her partner created YUM, a game for couples that aims to increase connection, the strategies she's learned to feel fulfilled and grounded, and how she's found ways to connect with her partner when they're time poor.

To find out more about YUM: https://www.playyum.com/

Emily's twin breastfeeding cushion recommendation: https://www.babybunting.com.au/my-brest-friend-products.html

29 | Postpartum sex + relationships part 3

Sun, 03 Nov 2019 20:00:00 +1100

Eavesdrop on a candid conversation with one of my oldest (and most honest) girlfriends, Chloe. We talk all things sex and relationships around bedsharing, military marriages, libido loss, kids walking in on you, getting back in your body, love languages, prolapses, queefing and SO much more.

28 | Postpartum sex + relationships, part two

Mon, 28 Oct 2019 08:00:00 +1100

Ooft. This was hard to record, you guys - but I did it, and I wasn't even drunk!
In this episode, I (over)share about how I navigated sex and my relationship after I had my daughter in this second part of this special series.

Show notes

The mental load article:
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a12063822/emotional-labor-gender-equality/

The Esther Perel book:
https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-state-of-affairs-esther-perel/book/9781473673540.html

The Drop the Ball book:
https://www.booktopia.com.au/drop-the-ball-tiffany-dufu/book/9780241973127.html

27 | Postpartum Sex and Relationships Part 1

Sun, 20 Oct 2019 18:00:00 +1100

You asked for it, so here it is! A series of podcasts deep diving into what happens to your intimate relationship and sexual life after you have a baby (or three!). In this episode, I asked Dasha Clarke, a relationship doula, to share her thoughts on what the hell goes wrong when you have a baby, the particular stresses on a postpartum relationship - and the silver lining/opportunity that postpartum provides to completely rethink and reshape your relationship.

26 | Jo Chan: "I had to rethink who I was"

Sun, 13 Oct 2019 22:00:00 +1100

Jo's a get-shit-done kind of woman, who prides herself on being up with the latest restaurants, talks and cultural happenings around town. At least, she did. Then she stopped work, had a baby and her mum moved in with her and her partner. Faced with the Chinese tradition of confinement, Jo found herself in a very different world all of a sudden. In this episode, she shares why her mum's traditions were some of the best things about her postpartum, why Instagram lies and how she had to come to terms with her new identity as a mother.

25 | Christina Palmer "My husband got six months paid parental leave"

Sun, 06 Oct 2019 21:00:00 +1100

You might have heard me talking about Annabel Crabb's fantastic Quarterly Essay on the state of working parenthood. There was plenty of hope and one particular case study stood out - of a man whose work offered him a whopping six months of parental leave on full pay when his fourth child was born. Well, that man's wife reached out to me on Instagram, describing it as a miracle - and now she's sharing here what it was like to have that amazing experience.

24 | Friendships after baby: when you feel let down and how to find a mama tribe

Sun, 29 Sep 2019 20:00:00 +1000

I'm chatting to myself this episode! A lot of you wanted to hear my thoughts on what happens when you feel let down by the people close to you and how to deal with it. I'm far from an expert, but I'm sharing some of my experience and what I'd do differently. Plus! You wanted some ideas on how to make new parent friends - after all, one of the big bonuses of having kids is that you're opened up to a whole new social world! - so I'm giving you some ideas, along with suggestions from women who have been there, done that.

23 | Heidi Sze: "If you're supported you can fully embrace how much your baby needs you"

Sun, 22 Sep 2019 20:00:00 +1000

What a pleasure it was to have Heidi Sze of Apples Under My Bed--and new book Nurturing Your New Life--join me in this episode to talk about her two, quite different postpartum periods with her children Joan and Walt, the food that's fuelled her motherhood journey and how she uses her blog and Instagram to get real about motherhood. We cover everything from building community to dealing with prolapses; frankly, we could have talked for much longer!
Heidi's book, Nurturing Your New Life, is out this week and you can find her on Insta @heidiapples or at applesundermybed.com

22 | "We have the village" - Nikki Kinstlinger on motherhood as an observant Jew

Sun, 15 Sep 2019 17:00:00 +1000

I learned so much from my conversation with Nikki, an old work friend who converted to Judaism after meeting her now-husband. She lets us in on what life is like as an observant Jewish woman, and we talk about everything from sex and periods to rituals and the mental load. I could have talked to Nikki for HOURS - I hope you find her perspective as interesting as I did.

21 | Sophie Gleitzman: "Starting motherhood in the NICU changed everything"

Sun, 08 Sep 2019 20:00:00 +1000

It took four years for Sophie Gleitzman to fall pregnant. It took only moments at her 19 weeks scan for her to realise that her much-wanted baby's life might be at risk. As it turned out, her son, Jack (now a happy and healthy two year old) needed heart surgery soon after he was born and Sophie's motherhood journey began in the NICU. But while the intensity of life in the NICU was often heart-wrenching, Sophie says it gave her a priceless perspective that she believes has changed her approach to parenting, and life. In this episode, Sophie shares her story - why her milk didn't come in fully until three weeks postpartum, what it was like to go home and have to relax out of the regime of timed feedings, the relief of realising they could do things their own way, and why she loved the pump room - as well as advice for parents who find themselves in the NICU.

20 | Rachael Rose: "I thought life would just continue as normal"

Sun, 01 Sep 2019 21:00:00 +1000

Doula, mother and kickass writer of Instagram captions, Rachael Rose has long been my Instagram crush. I'd heard bits and pieces of her motherhood story, I'd slid into her DMs but for this episode I met her in person to hear the whole story. From standing up against the hospital system to becoming a badass breastfeeder despite a rocky start (and a foray into 'anxiety death bubbles') Rachael shares it all. Find her at rachaelrose.com.au and on Instagram @the_rachael_rose

19 | Claire Obeid: "Motherhood floored me"

Sun, 25 Aug 2019 19:00:00 +1000

Can motherhood be a spiritual journey? How does becoming a parent act as a catalyst for personal growth? Claire Obeid, life and wellness coach and mother of two, joins me to share how becoming a mother humbled her and gave her new power.

18 | Is bedsharing dangerous? What you need to know--whether you plan to co-sleep or not

Sun, 18 Aug 2019 20:00:00 +1000

*Trigger warning: SIDS and infant mortality* In years gone by, the message has been loud and clear: bedsharing kills babies. But what does the science say? And why are big organisations like Unicef and the UK's Lullaby Trust now promoting safe bedsharing? Can you ever be safe when you sleep with your baby? And if you're part of the 75% of parents who do fall asleep with their babies at some point, exactly how do you reduce the risks?

I invited Carly Grubb, creator of The Beyond Sleep Training Project, to break down the research behind bedsharing and why these days many midwives and doctors avoid blanket 'co-sleeping is dangerous' advice and instead teach people the guidelines around safely sharing a sleep surface. Whether or not you think you'll bedshare, the message is clear: know how to do it safely, so you're not caught unawares.

17 | Dr Harvey Karp: the world-famous paediatrician shares his tricks for soothing and settling (so everyone can get more sleep)

Sun, 11 Aug 2019 11:00:00 +1000

This man has done so much for our understanding of the way newborns develop, what their needs are--and how to meet them without losing our minds! He brought the term 'the fourth trimester' into the mainstream and his ideas on the famous '5 S's' are to thank for the resurgence in swaddling babies, white noise machines and more. And now he's taken it to the next level with a smart bassinet, the Snoo, that claims to help babies and their parents get more sleep. I loved chatting to Dr Karp and could have gone on for hours if only we had the time. I hope you find his work as fascinating as I do.

16 | Dasha Clarke: "My four week old was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis"

Sun, 04 Aug 2019 17:00:00 +1000

Dasha Clarke is a relationship doula who specialises in coaching couples through the challenges of early parenthood, and a mother of two boys. I was so moved that she chose to share her story of coming into motherhood, redefining her relationship and then being hit by a bombshell when her second baby was just a month old and he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. The way Dasha handled and continues to handle parenthood is a constant inspiration to me. If you'd like to find out more about her coaching services, visit www.dashaclarke.com.au and follow her on Instagram @dashclarke.

15 | Naturopath Hannah Boyd's top tips on having a better postpartum period

Sun, 28 Jul 2019 14:00:00 +1000

Hannah is my naturopath in Sydney's inner west and she formulated the Milky Tea that we're releasing this week! (Orders open on Tuesday). I only wish I'd found her sooner: I didn't meet her (or see a naturopath since before I fell pregnant) until Margot was four months old. She's got no-nonsense advice on how to set up for a great postpartum and super practical suggestions for getting through it with your mental and physical health intact. Hope you enjoy our chat! You can visit www.new-leaf.com.au for more info on Hannah and her services.

14 | Alana Saphin Polchleb: "I had to build my village from scratch"

Sun, 21 Jul 2019 18:00:00 +1000

In this week's episode, I interview Alana, a mum of two living and working in New York City. During her twenties, Alana imagined that having a baby wouldn't interfere much with her life and career--she'd schedule a c-section and get on with it. But yoga teacher training just before her wedding--and an introduction to natural birth--changed her plans. Alana shares how, with the help of hypnobirthing, she had a 'euphoric' first birth in Singapore. Yet despite having a good support system, she reverted back to that "getting on with it" mindset during her postpartum, pushing herself with exercise, being out and about... and watching it impact both her milk supply and her mental health.
Alana's story is both hard and inspiring: from her experience of miscarriage and postnatal depression to a second postpartum period that started well but was disrupted by a sudden move to New York when her baby was eight weeks old, and how she built a community of friends from the ground up. To hear all about it, tune into this week's show.

13 | Jocelyn Brewer: from screen time to sharenting, how this digital psychology expert makes devices work for her family

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 06:00:00 +1000

Jocelyn Brewer is a psychologist and expert in "digital nutrition". She's also a mum to a two and a bit year old, so she's navigating the same challenges most of us are: how much screen time is too much? Is all our mindless scrolling while breastfeeding doing damage? And is it okay to have a crush on Bandit, Bluey's dad?

Our chat covers a lot: we start with Jocelyn's positive birth and postpartum (and the biggest reason she thinks the latter went as smoothly as it did). Then we dive deep into the guilt-inducing topic of kids and devices... and why perhaps the answer isn't banning screens or doing some kind of digital detox, but a more moderate approach that allows for scrolling (and that thing you have for Bandit).

12 | Megan Gale: "I felt like I was failing"

Sun, 07 Jul 2019 18:00:00 +1000

Megan Gale is one of Australia's most recognisable faces, having graced our screens, billboards and magazines for two decades. But while her life might look shiny and perfect, Megan's the first to admit that first-time motherhood tested her like nothing else - and when it came to falling pregnant a second time, her experience changed the course of her life and career. In this episode, Megan shares how she dealt with grief and loss during her first postpartum, why she wonders if she had postnatal depression, how breastfeeding challenged her and the way a miscarriage made her reassess her life. She candidly discusses consciously slowing down, taking the leap into creating her new business Midful Life and why she'll always prioritise her relationship. Thank you so much for sharing the beauty and brutality of postpartum with us, Megan!

11 | Sophie Lazarski's top tips on staying nourished as a new mother

Sun, 30 Jun 2019 21:00:00 +1000

Sophie Lazarski cooks for new mums over in Paris - yes, like I do for the mamas of Sydney! I was thrilled to discover Sophie and her work and despite the prohibitive time difference she's become a great sounding board and buddy... we love talking about what to make for new mums. So I wanted to get her on to talk about how she got into this work (hint: she has two boys and is an ex-pat) as well as her top tips for eating well and harnessing help. Know a mama in Paris? Have Sophie cook for her: https://nourishparis.fr/

10 | Laura Hoare: "I thought I was going crazy"

Sun, 23 Jun 2019 21:00:00 +1000

When Laura and her new husband decided to get pregnant, things started off smoothly. Having type 1 diabetes she knew she'd have to be extra careful, but all seemed well. As you'll hear in this episode, though, the road to having a baby had a few bumps. What was to come once Laura, an architect, welcomed Freddy into the world was the most unexpected part: trauma from an accident resurfaced when she faced complications during childbirth. Laura never expected to face mental health issues, but when Freddy was still small she found herself having intrusive thoughts, anxiety and OCD tendencies. She shares honestly how that affected her experience of early motherhood, how she got help and what made the biggest difference.

9: Yoga teacher Monique Blackwell chats unfiltered about three babies, therapy--and being my first client!

Sun, 16 Jun 2019 21:00:00 +1000

When I first met Monique, I was six months postpartum. Her yoga classes really helped me find my feet, get moving and ease into motherhood--so it was a huge honour when she asked me to be her postpartum doula for her third baby, Artie. In this episode, Mon and I have an unfiltered chat about mental health, yoga, food, pelvic floor control (or lack thereof!), therapy and what changed for her over the course of three babies.

8 | Karlie Rutherford: "We need to talk about the identity shift motherhood brings"

Sun, 09 Jun 2019 20:00:00 +1000

Karlie Rutherford is a journalist for one of Australia's biggest daily newspapers. When pregnancy complications forced her to slow down before her first daughter was born, she thought it had a silver lining: she was being placed in good stead for a life beyond deadlines and hectic schedules. Nevertheless, she was surprised by the huge identity shift motherhood brought. Karlie shares how she harnessed support from family and friends to make her postpartum relatively smooth - but how she wishes she'd known more about 'matrescence' - the transition into motherhood that's one of the most significant physical and psychological changes a woman can go through.

7 | Caitlin Dyer: "I felt really out of my depth"

Sun, 26 May 2019 19:00:00 +1000

Caitlin was prepped for birth and breastfeeding - but admits when it came to beyond that, she just hadn't thought about it. Without any family in the country, a husband who even take the day off when their son was born, recovering from an episiotomy and adjusting to life with a new baby without that support - it all took it's toll. But as Caitlin shares, it was a whole different story the second time around.
These days, Caitlin is a Hypnobirthing Australia practitioner and a postpartum doula up in Brisbane (she makes food too!). You can find her at https://motherdownunder.com/

6 | Midwife Alicia Ferris shares her top tips for the first few days with a baby

Sun, 19 May 2019 17:00:00 +1000

If you're an expectant mama, you neeeeeed to listen to this episode! I chatted to Alicia, a gorgeous midwife in the Victorian public health system, about how to get the best from the first few days after you've given birth - and how to make the most of hospital care.

4 | Chloe Tobin: postpartum after loss

Sun, 05 May 2019 17:00:00 +1000

Chloe's an old friend of mine who's had two beautiful daughters and is pregnant with another baby due later this year. But before this pregnancy, Chloe experienced two miscarriages, including a late loss. We talk (and cry) about having a newborn when your partner's in the armed forces, what people don't tell you about losing a pregnancy and how you still go through a postpartum period - without a baby.
Thank you for sharing your story with me, Chloe. You are braver than you know.

3 | Shez Lee and her live-in confinement nanny from Malaysia

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 21:00:00 +1000

A woman who cooks special food for you, takes care of the baby so you can rest and plays with your toddler: no, not an angel but a confinement nanny in the Chinese tradition. I chat to mum of two, Shez Lee, about her experience with hiring live-in help and how it utterly transformed her postpartum period the second time around.

2 | Home visiting midwife Bronwyn Davies Fry's advice on how to find your way with a new baby

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 20:00:00 +1000

Bron was my home visiting midwife and beacon of hope in the early days of bleary-eyed motherhood - she's a bloody gem. We chat about all things postpartum, including her advice for sleep and settling, feeding and finding your way.

1 | My Story

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 19:00:00 +1000

If you've checked out my Instagram, you've probably seen evidence of my less-than-picture-perfect postpartum. The first weeks at home with my new baby were beautiful, brutal and, ultimately, what set me on an entirely new career path. I'm Naomi Chrisoulakis and I'm a postpartum doula and cook. This podcast is dedicated to the fourth trimester--sharing stories and wisdom about what happens after you bring the baby home. So let's go back to where it all began for me...