In this deeply moving episode, we speak with Hannah, a midwife and lactation consultant from the Southern Highlands, who shares her profound journey through two very different birth experiences. Hannah takes us through her first pregnancy with daughter Beatrix, including the unexpected discovery of a breech presentation, her decision to pursue vaginal breech birth at Westmead Hospital, and the challenging NICU journey that followed. She then courageously shares the story of her son Alby, whose life was tragically cut short at 17 months due to complications from congenital CMV - a preventable condition that Hannah is now passionate about raising awareness for. This episode is both heartbreaking and educational, highlighting the importance of CMV screening in pregnancy and the incredible strength of families navigating complex medical journeys.

In honour of World Breastfeeding Week today I sit down with Dr. Amber Hart, a Melbourne-based GP and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Dr. Hart shares her expertise on the realities of breastfeeding, the importance of antenatal education, and addresses the controversial rise in tongue tie diagnoses. Amber offers a refreshing perspective on supporting new mothers through their feeding journeys whilst prioritising mental wellbeing and realistic expectations.

In this powerful episode, lawyer and mother-of-two Tessa shares her contrasting birth experiences in Darwin, Northern Territory. Her first birth with daughter Frankie was everything she'd hoped for - a quick, low-intervention delivery at a private hospital with excellent postnatal care.

Sophie Pearce shares her transformative journey through three pregnancies complicated by severe hyperemesis gravidarum. Sophie opens up about her early miscarriage, the challenge of PUPPs during her first pregnancy, and how she navigated the transition from medicine to motherhood whilst dealing with significant pregnancy-related mental health challenges.

Lisa shares her profound journey through two vastly different birth experiences that ultimately shaped her perspective on motherhood and advocacy. From battling severe hyperemesis gravidarum during COVID lockdowns to experiencing a challenging induction and difficult postpartum period, Lisa's first birth was marked by isolation and trauma.

In this week's episode, I chat with Claire about her two very different birth experiences at public hospitals in Melbourne. Claire's journey began with meticulous preparation - she and her partner Aaron spent six months optimising their health with a naturopath before trying to conceive. Her first pregnancy was textbook perfect, leading to a beautiful physiological birth with her daughter Amelia. However, her second pregnancy brought new challenges when growth scans indicated a "big baby," leading to discussions about potential induction that Claire navigated with confidence and research.

In this episode, Mel shares her comprehensive journey to motherhood with her partner Peta in Melbourne. As a same-sex couple, their path to parenthood required careful planning, patience, and resilience through the assisted reproductive treatment system. Mel's story beautifully illustrates the unique challenges and joys of same-sex conception while highlighting the importance of flexible birth planning and supportive care providers.

In this deeply moving episode, I chat with Anthea about her three very different birth experiences, including a challenging third pregnancy that required months of strict bed rest during COVID lockdowns with two toddlers at home.

In this week’s episode I chat to Natalia about her two home water births with her daughters Estelle and Coco. Natalia’s story encapsulates her connection with her Indigenous family, the Ngarrindjeri people of South Australia. During her first visit to country she learnt to weave with her elders, a traditional ritual to welcome a woman into motherhood and only three months later she was pregnant.

In this episode, I chat with Katherine about her journey to motherhood through IVF and her birth experience with daughter Zendaya. Katherine shares her story of discovering her partner Aaron's rare diagnosis of azoospermia (where there is sperm in the body but none in the ejaculate), their IVF journey, and her eventual birth at the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne.

In this week's episode, I chat with Gemma, a writer and Pilates instructor living on the lands of the Awabakal and Wurrumi people in Newcastle, NSW. Gemma shares her three distinctly experiences, culminating in a healing VBAC after two caesarean births.

Sarah lives in Sydney with her partner Jad and their three children – Remy (5), Navy (3), and newborn Hugo (just two weeks old). Her story beautifully illustrates how birth experiences can evolve with knowledge, preparation and support, taking us from a highly medicalised first birth to an empowering water birth with her third baby.

In this extraordinary episode, Prue shares her remarkable 11-year journey to motherhood, culminating in becoming the third woman in Australia to give birth following a uterus transplant. Her story is one of incredible perseverance, medical innovation, and the profound desire to become a mother against seemingly impossible odds.