What does it take to be a birth doula, and how do you choose the right doula for you? Sarah Newling (she/her) is one of the most in demand birth doulas and prenatal yoga instructors in the Newcastle area, and has stopped by to share her answers to both those questions and more. In this interview, we cover
[This episode has one or two swears right near the end.]
Sarah's website: www.yogimama.com.au
Anna's website: www.annacusack.com.au
Instagram @sarah.yogimama and @annacusackpostpartum
For 15 years Mel Burgess has supported parents to learn how to understand, connect with and meet the needs of their children. In this interview Mel shares how, after a brutal first four years of parenthood, she came to learn these skills herself and begin teaching them to others. We also discuss:
You can find Mel and her weekly parenting tip newsletter at www.loveparenting.com.au
Find Anna, her book, free postpartum preparation guides, doula services, mothers' and parents' circles and more at www.annacusack.com.au
You kid is sick. It's the middle of the night. What do you do?
Paediatric nursing specialist Ilana Lawrence has been on duty at many an emergency room when concerned parents and caregivers bring their kids in. Sometimes these kids need immediate care, but a lot of the time parents and caregivers could have monitored and managed their child at home. The missing piece is education, which is exactly what Ilana aims to provide.
In this interview we cover
Keep an eye out from articles and special offers from both of us in the 2025 edition of the Newcastle Baby Magazine, which will be released later this month.
CONTACTS
You can find Ilana at www.thesicksense.com and as @the.sick.sense on Instagram and Facebook.
Connect with Anna and check out her in person, telehealth and group parent support options at www.annacusack.com.au
You can also find her as @annacusackpostpartum on Instagram and Facebook
KEY NUMBERS
Ambulance - 000
Poinsons infoline - 131 126
Healthdirect - 1800 022 222
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby - 1800 882 436
Lifeline - 13 11 14
What's it like to find out you're expecting more than one baby?
How does expecting multiple babies effect the experience of pregnancy, birth and postpartum?
And what do mothers and parents of multiples (and their personal and professional supporters) need to know to get through those incredibly intense early years feeling well?
As a psychologist, twin mother and host of the Fierce, Kind Mama of Multiples podcast, Dr Cristina Cavezza has the answers.
Cristina's Links Podcast: Fierce, Kind Mama of Multiples on Apple Podcasts
Cristina's programs and Free Resources (fiercekindmama.com)
Dr Cristina Cavezza (@fierce.kind.mamaofmultiples) • Instagram photos and videos
Connect with Anna
Check out Anna's membership, other services (birth mapping, postpartum planning, birth debriefing, parent support sessions, in home doula care, custom ceremonies), public articles, and upcoming mothers' circles and events at www.annacusack.com.au
You can also find her (sometimes) on Instagram @annacusackpostpartum and grab her book "Mama, You're Not Broken - Unmasking the Unspoken Emotions of Modern Motherhood" here: www.annacusack.com.au/book
There are over 1 million lone parent households in Australia, and the overwhelming majority of these are headed by single mothers. This doesn't mean however that single mothers are one homogenous group, all with the same backstory, immediate needs or hopes for the future. Klyne Love is a single mother working primarily with single parents. She brings her lived experience and professional insights to this conversation, shedding light on the nuances of the single motherhood experience. This conversation touches on the unique challenges single mothers face and how the rest of us (coupled parents, friends without children, older people without young dependent kids, support professionals, etc.) can show up for the single parents around us.
Content warnings - domestic violence, houselessness.
Connect with Klyne on Instagram @klyne.love or via the web www.klyne.love
Connect with Anna
Thinking of checking out Anna's online community membership? It's $15AUD/month (or $9 for concession/single parents) and features private member-only articles, a forum, regular zoom connection calls and more.
Connect with Anna's other services (birth mapping, postpartum planning, birth debriefing, parent support sessions, custom ceremonies), public articles, and upcoming mothers' circles and events at www.annacusack.com.au
You can also find her (sometimes) on Instagram @annacusackpostpartum and grab her book "Mama, You're Not Broken - Unmasking the Unspoken Emotions of Modern Motherhood" here: www.annacusack.com.au/book
We now know it's important to be on the lookout for signs of postnatal depression, anxiety and even psychosis in the early days, but what happens if a mother experiences a mental health crisis further down the track? In this interview, Emmeline Tyler (she/her) shares openly about her birth and blissful postpartum, and how these assisted in helping her be well. She explains how personal and societal factors influenced the unravelling of her mental health during the toddler years, which escalated into psychosis and hospitalisation 2.5 years after birth. Recorded a further 2.5 years down the track, Emmeline shares her insights into the mental health system, her path to recovery and ongoing mental health management, and how her family are seeking to build a life with mental wellness for all as their focus. We also go on a few feminist-y tangents and discuss books because it's us and how could we not?
Content warnings: birth interventions, medical and hospital trauma, psychosis.
Note: This episode was recorded in 2023 and discusses homeschooling. Both mine and Emmeline's children are in formalised educational environments this year (2024).
Links On use/misuse of certain words including "tribe": https://www.wellandgood.com/spirit-animal-native-american/ If you are interested in finding out more about the Newborn Mothers postpartum care and education course you can do so via this affiliate link: https://newbornmothers.simplero.com/products/172434-Postpartum-Education-and-Care?ref=46186-Anna-Cusack
The Talia Hibbert books we mentioned: https://www.goodreads.com/series/271642-the-brown-sisters
Where to find us Emmeline is the co-host of the soon-to-be-released "Explaining Autism" podcast with Julia Jones. She also has a YouTube channel where she does the hard yards of reading and reviewing a stack of fiction and non-fiction books so you'll never get stuck with a dud read again! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChzD1TesIcsfEkuitdQhXTQ Emmeline is also on Instagram @emmelineysun Connect with Anna's services (birth mapping, postpartum planning, birth debriefing and parent support sessions), articles and upcoming mothers' circles at www.annacusack.com.au
You can also find her (sometimes) on Instagram @annacusackpostpartum and grab her book "Mama, You're Not Broken - Unmasking the Unspoken Emotions of Modern Motherhood" here: www.annacusack.com.au/book
Alcohol and motherhood is an interesting topic for one that's so in the forefront of our lives but the margins of our conversations. In this episode I speak with Meg and Bella, cohosts of the She's Sober Sydney podcast. Our chat covers:
Megan Webb: https://glassfulfilled.com.au
Instagram: @glassfulfilled
Isabella Ferguson: https://isabellaferguson.com.au
Instagram: @letstalkalcoholaustralia
Instagram: @kidsandalcohol
As always, you can find Anna and her free Six Steps to Your Peaceful Postpartum eGuide, arrange a session with her or grab her book "Mama, You're Not Broken" via www.annacusack.com.au.
Anna is also on Instagram and Facebook @annacusackpostpartum
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