What if we were taught..

In this episode, we’re joined by Sal Howe, a breath training expert who breaks down the science and strategy behind functional breathing. Sal explains how dysfunctional breathing patterns—like chronic mouth or chest breathing—can impact stress, energy, sleep, and even labor. She also discusses how breath training is about retraining the respiratory system for optimal everyday function. We explore the four pillars of functional breathing—biomechanics, biochemistry, psychophysiology, and habit—the crucial role of nose breathing and CO₂ tolerance, and how breath directly influences the nervous system via the vagus nerve. Sal also shares how breath training during pregnancy can be a game-changer for both labor and postpartum recovery. Sal Howe Sal Howe is a Surf Coach and Functional Breathing & Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist who helps individuals enhance their physical and mental well-being through breath and orofacial retraining. Her approach is grounded in evidence-based methodologies, including The Oxygen Advantage, Buteyko, Survival Apnea, and ongoing studies in Breath Science. Sal teaches practical, accessible techniques to restore healthy breathing patterns—supporting improved energy, focus, sleep quality, and emotional resilience. Key Topics Covered: What breath training really is—and how it differs from breathwork Signs of dysfunctional breathing and how to spot them Why nose breathing is more efficient than mouth breathing Chest vs. diaphragmatic breathing and the stress connection The science of CO₂ and the Bohr effect Breath as a tool to regulate the nervous system Practical applications for breath training in pregnancy and labor 📄 Full show notes and mentioned links: 👉 www.thepregnancycollective.com.au 📸 Follow me on Instagram: 👉 @the_pregnancy_collective Check out Sal Howe at: 🌐 Visit Sal’s Website 📸 Follow Sal on Instagram Please note: All information shared on this podcast by the host or guests is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for individual guidance.  

Are you curious about what’s really going on behind your child’s big feelings and challenging behaviours? Do you want to better understand your little one—and yourself—during those tough parenting moments? Wondering how we can connect more deeply with our children, help them build emotional resilience, and parent differently from the way we were raised? In this episode, I’m so excited to be joined by the incredible Gen Muir. We explore: • The emotional layers beneath our children’s behaviours • How our own triggers show up in parenting, and what it really takes to stay regulated when things feel like they’re spiralling • How to recognise the “emotional climb” and step in early before things escalate • Brain development in young children and what their emotional capacity really is • The importance of setting core rules and boundaries—and what to do when our kids push against them • How to co-regulate with our children, and so much more   About Gen Muir Gen is the author of Little People, Big Feelings. She’s an experienced parent educator, Obstetric Social Worker, and mum of four boys. Gen is widely known for her compassionate and practical approach to supporting families through the highs and lows of early childhood. This episode is such an important one. For so many of us trying to parent differently than how we were raised, it can feel challenging—especially when we’re trying to do what was never shown to us. Whether you have kids, are planning to have them, or work with children in any way, I invite you to listen in. BOOK GIVEAWAY! As always, when I interview an author, I run a giveaway of their book over on my Instagram page. This giveaway will run for two weeks—so if you’d love a chance to get your hands on Little People, Big Feelings by Gen Muir, head over to: https://www.instagram.com/the_pregnancy_collective/ For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit: https://thepregnancycollective.com.au/ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_pregnancy_collective/ Check out Gen Muir at: https://www.connectedparenting.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.

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.