What if we were taught..

One of the main things I hear women say when they first find out they are pregnant is ;“ I have no idea where to start”!  In this short solo episode I give my top 3 tips on what to do as soon as you find out you are pregnant. So if you are pregnant and wondering where to start with this minefield then this is the episode for you.   This also marks the final episode for 2024. Wishing each and everyone of you a very Merry Xmas. We will return Feb 2025 and boy do we have an exciting lineup install for 2025!!   For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective Follow me on Facebook; The Pregnancy Collective. www.boutiquepelvichealth.com   Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

Today’s episode is with new Mum Natalie. Natalie is currently 5 weeks into her Motherhood journey so I felt extremely honoured to hear this story (for the first time with you) during such a sacred and special stage. Often we hear this generalisation that “your first birth may be longer”, well Natalie is a beautiful example of how birth cannot be generalised but is individual and how we cannot predict the length of anyones labour! After just 4.5 hrs of labour, Natalie and Scott welcomed baby Nelly to their world! In this episode we chat about; What labour was like for her and how Scott was able to best support her How she planned for her birth and what she found useful Her positive experience of her hospital birth Her tips for the Postpartum And sooo much more.. This is a beautiful and inspiring story of birth and I thankyou Natalie for sharing it with us. To connect with me Head to www.thepregnancycollective.com.au/podcast for the show notes. Email: kate@thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram: the_pregnancy_collective Follow me on Facebook: The Pregnancy Collective Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.      

This episode was inspired by Lauren, a fellow Mum who joined us on Episode 21 where she shared her own beautiful and inspiring birth stories. Following that episode she asked if she could turn the table, so to speak, and interview me about my births. I loved so much connecting with Lauren and the dynamic of our heart felt conversations that I felt privileged to say yes. So today, I share with you my own birth stories of both Tallow- born in the hospital and Jax born at home.  In this episode we chat about; How I prepared for my birth How I chose my birth team How incredible Nelson, my partner was during my birth - he was everything, knew everything and I fell so much deeper in love with him during our births! What I learnt from my first birth. The differences I found between hospital verse home birth The struggles I faced during the Postpartum. It’s taken a while to share my journey. I sincerely hope it inspires, empowers and helps prepare you for not only birth but also The Postpartum- a time that truly needs to be about Resting, Restoring and Bonding.  For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective   Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

In today’s episode we are joined with 2 incredible women’s health physio’s; Zara and Renee.In it we explore in detail “Persistent pelvic pain”, which affects a significant number of women. So what is “persistent  pelvic pain”? And if we suffer from it what can we do about it?Today’s episode covers these questions and so much more. Zara Howard Zara has a strong interest in pelvic and sexual pain conditions. In 2018, Zara completed her Masters of Clinical Physiotherapy (Major in Continence and Women’s Health), at Curtin University. This dedication to her work and study allows Zara to be classified as an Australian Physiotherapy of Australia (APA) Titled Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.  Zara has worked alongside Urogynaecology doctors and nurses in the public health as the Senior Physiotherapist in the Physiotherapy-Led Pelvic Health Clinic (2016-2023). In this clinic she treated women with incontinence, prolapse, pelvic pain, bowel conditions, sexual dysfunction, and tears after birth. Prior to this Zara’s career experience was in inpatient and outpatient Women’s Health services. Research and best practice care is paramount to Zara. Over the last 7 years Zara has published peer-reviewed research articles surrounding Pelvic Health and optimal provision of healthcare utilising group-based programs.  Zara has her own private practice on the Gold Coast, and prides herself on blending evidence-based with intuitive care.    Renee Loughlin Renee graduated in 2014 with a combined Bachelor of exercise science and Master of Physiotherapy degree and has been working for QLD health in tertiary hospitals for the past 9 years. Over the years Renee became passionate about supporting those with persistent pain which has led to further professional development in persistent pain including a professional certificate in pain theory and concepts. Renee has helped people with all types of pain conditions in both individual consults and through group programs. Throughout the years Renee has worked with pain specialists and other members of the multidisciplinary teams. During her recent years her interest has also turned to women’s health, which has led her to working with women with persistent pelvic pain. Recently Renee has started running her own mobile physiotherapy business called “Future First Physiotherapy” as well as co-founding NURTURE which is a persistent pelvic pain program with Zara. Renee’s goal is to educate and empower all her clients to have the confidence in managing their conditions and equipping them with the tools and knowledge to achieve their goals In this episode we chat about; Both Zara and Renee’s professional and personal backgrounds that led them to specialise in “ Persistent Pelvic Pain (PPP)”. What is the definition of persistent pelvic pain and how common is it? The affects PPP can have on women’s lives. Zara and Renee’s unique program “Nurture” and their approach to PPP Why a holistic and integrative approach is important And sooo much more For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective Check out their program "Nurture" at: www.boutiquepelvichealth.com Follow Zara and Nurture program on Instram at; boutiquepelvichealth Follow Renee on Instagram at; futurefirst_physiotherapy   Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

In today’s episode we are joined by Danielle and Daniel Lamb where they share their incredible VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) story. This is a beautiful heartfelt episode where both Daniel and Danielle authentically share the challenges of their first birth with baby Noah which resulted in a Caesarean, through to the transformative VBAC birth of baby Zara. It is so special to be joined by both parents to hear their own experiences of two very different births. In this episode; They share the challenges they found during their first birth, the hindsight’s and insights they took from this experience and the changes they then applied to their second birth. How communication as a couple was such an essential element to their second birth. They share the importance of the environment, the team and preparation for birth. They share what techniques they employed and the mindset shifts they adopted for their second birth and Danielle shares her top tips for the support partners of birth. Daniel beautifully shares his perspective of birth as the support person and what helped him the most for their second birth. I wish to acknowledge Danni and Dan for sharing their story here. I feel so deeply honoured to have met them. Thankyou both for sharing your story with us all.  For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective Follow Danielle on Instagram: danielle_betamenutritionist Find out more about Danielle at; www.betame.com.au   Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

Today’s episode is a very very short one just to let you know that I'll be hitting pause for 3 months while we take our boys around oz!!!  What does this mean for the podcast? It simply means you will be hearing monthly episodes during this time rather than fortnightly! Trust me they will still be awesome! In this episode I share why we are doing this trip and what book inspired us and that we are basically basing this trip on!!! And if you would like to follow the trip check out: Instagram the_pregnancy_collective and my personal family one (this is more a hobby one where is share food and fun family stuff) cookupsandcamping    

If you have only ever seen birth on  TV shows and movies you’ll notice it tends to go for drama and often portrays birth as a medical, painful and dramatic event right? But is this really what birth is like? Most people have never seen what a physiological birth can actually look like- let alone a home birth. If this is so, they have not seen the POWER, the MAGIC and the HEALING ability that birth truly can be.  Finally, we have a film that shows us what birth can truly look like. Born at Home is a stunning documentary film exploring what it takes to have a positive and transformative birth experience and emphasises that where and how women choose to birth matters. So today we are joined with Producer and co creator Amanda Banks and Eleanor Currie -co creator as well as documentary filmmaker, videographer, photographer of this incredible film. If you are wishing to explore the possibilities of birth and learn about the different choices available, then this is the episode for you. In this episode we chat about; The creative process behind the scenes of this film The overall message or “feeling” that they wanted this film to portray Eleanor shares her traumatic birth experience with her first baby and how making this film empowered her to have her own home VBAC! What inspired Amanda to make this film a reality The incredible panels that they produce at screenings in Australia And so much more. If you have the chance to see this film on the big screen I highly encourage you too- or bring a screening to your own town through demands films which we chat about in this episode and you can check out HERE. This episode is an important one. For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective Check out Born at Home over at; www.bornathomefilm.com.au Follow on Instagram at; @bornathomefilm   Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

In this episode we take a deep dive into the Postpartum and why it is so important we plan and prepare for it. We know we need a village to support a Mother, so how do we create a modern “village” in 2024? So who better to chat about this with than Leila Armour. Leila Armour Leila Armour is a Postpartum Doula, Holistic Nutrition Consultant and Mother of three living in south-east Queensland. She is the author of the postpartum recipe book, Village for Mama - Nourishment for the Fourth Trimester. Her book has been created to help expectant mothers gather their village and organise homemade meals during their fourth trimester. Each book includes 30 recipe gift cards with a pre-written letter explaining the importance of the postpartum period and the essential role loved ones play in shaping a new mother’s experience. Leila is dedicated to helping new mothers feel held and supported through nourishing food and a village.   In this Episode we chat about; Leila’s personal experience with HypnoBirthing How she prepared for her first birth, a planned home birth Her experience of private continuity Midwifery care Her positive hospital twin birth The inspiration behind Village for Mama The benefits and importance of planning for the postpartum What makes her book a truly unique postpartum preparation book How her work prepared her for her twins   And so much more.. This episode is an important one. For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective Check out Leila Armour over at; www.villageformama.com Follow Leila on Instagram at; @vvillageformama   Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

If you are thinking about having a baby then this is the episode for you! In this episode I am joined with Lisa Hendrickson-Jack to talk all about her new book Real Food for Fertility which she co authored with Lilly Nichols. When I first heard about this collaboration I was beyond excited because I understood the immense collective knowledge that these two power house women would bring to this much needed space. In Real Food for Fertility, they show how preconception nutrition and lifestyle choices support your health and vitality and lay the essential groundwork for your baby's development. From promoting optimal egg and sperm quality to regulating your menstrual cycle and reducing the risk of pregnancy complications, the benefits of this investment are priceless. But this book isn't just about nutrition. They delve into topics like the menstrual cycle, fertility awareness, birth control, stress management, toxins, artificial reproductive technology, and the most common reproductive health challenges affecting your fertility. It is a book that I truly believe has the potential to dramatically change the current trajectory of fertility issues for the better. Lisa Hendrickson- Jack Lisa Hendrickson-Jack is a certified Fertility Awareness Educator and Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner who teaches women to chart their menstrual cycles for natural birth control, conception, and monitoring overall health. She is the author of three bestselling books The Fifth Vital Sign, the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook, and her most recent book Real Food For Fertility, which she co-authored with Lily Nichols RDN. Lisa works tirelessly to debunk the myth that regular ovulation is only important when you want children by recognising the menstrual cycle as a vital sign. Drawing heavily from the current scientific literature, Lisa presents an evidence-based approach to help women connect to their fifth vital sign by uncovering the connection between the menstrual cycle, fertility, and overall health. With well over 4 million downloads, her podcast, Fertility Friday, is the #1 source for information about fertility awareness and menstrual cycle health In this Episode we chat about; The concept behind the book and who wrote which part What a normal healthy menstrual cycle should look like Why we should consider the menstrual cycle as a vital sign How our society normalises dysfunction rather than addressing the underlying issue Dispelling common myths that most of us were taught (and are NOT true) surrounding our cycle. How the pill works Potential side affects of the pill When is the ideal time to come off the pill if we are thinking of conceiving. What fertility awareness is and how it help with conception. Male fertility! We chat about the the current sperm guidelines and how they were developed, and why they don't represent what would be 'optimal' for conception. The impact the sperm has on placental development What men can do to optimise their sperm quality How fertility awareness can help men with low sperm count conceive And so much more.. This episode is an important one. I invite ALL health care professionals to listen to this so that we can provide women with current research surrounding nutrition for fertility and the role our menstraul cycle plays. For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode head over to: www.thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram; the_pregnancy_collective Check out Lisa Hendrickcon- Jack over at; https://fertilityfriday.com Follow Lisa on Instagram at; fertilityfriday Check out Lisa's Podcast at; Fertility Friday Radio Check out Real Food For Fertility (and download the first chapter for FREE) at; https://realfoodforfertility.com Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.

Today’s episode is a special one. Lauren is a Mum of 2 who I connected with through this podcast during her second pregnancy. After many back and forth messages, where we completely hit it off, I asked if Lauren would be willing to come on the show and tell her story. I feel deeply privileged to have shared this honest, raw and real conversation with Lauren and hear about her amazing 2 (very different) pregnancy and birth stories. What I love about Lauren is her deeply authentic nature with how she openly shares her experiences- the highs and the lows. She walks us beautifully through both pregnancies and the different lifestyle approaches and provider choices she applied second time round and the difference they made. This conversation had me smiling, laughing and crying all in the 1 hour. It was a deeply beautiful chat and I thank-you Lauren for sharing it with us. In this episode we chat about; The importance of birth preparation The importance for having trust with your provider or team The importance of feeling safe in your chosen birthing environment The challenges she found during her first pregnancy and what she changed that made her second pregnancy  COMPLETELY different than her first. Her frankly hilarious story of how she found out she was pregnant What she has learnt on this Mothering journey And her tips for the Postpartum And so much more. You are going to want to listen to this one in its entirety. To connect with me Head to www.thepregnancycollective.com.au/podcast for the show notes. Email: kate@thepregnancycollective.com.au Follow me on Instagram: the_pregnancy_collective Follow me on Facebook: The Pregnancy Collective   Please note; all information shared on this Podcast by myself or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.