Induction & Childbirth with Beth Ryan 

For pregnant women, the idea of induction is one that might sound a little daunting and scary.  My guest today is here to shed some light on induction and how it can still be a natural and beautiful experience, with a little extra help to get things moving along.  

My lovely guest today is Beth Ryan from Birth with Beth.  She is a registered midwife who provides a digital childbirth education service offering online classes to expectant mothers, all with the aim of helping women make informed choices regarding pregnancy, labour and the postpartum experience.

In this episode, Beth shares 5 evidence based strategies that you can try at home to help induce labour naturally, including a delicious sweet treat and some fun in the bedroom.  She also shares 5 great ways to help you set up your birth space in the hospital during medical induction so that you can maintain a positive and...

Kath from Fitnest Mama 

In an ideal world, we’d all learn about pelvic floor health in Highschool and be fully equipped to care for our pelvic floor muscles. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case, so in today’s episode we delve into pelvic floor health, answering questions I believe all women should know.

What are the pelvic floor muscles? 

Why do I need to know about them?

What do pelvic floor problems look like? 

When should I get help with my pelvic floor muscles?

How do I best look after my pelvic floor muscles?

This is generalized information and can’t replace personalized professional care, but I do hope it empowers you to take control of your pelvic floor health. In addition, I will run through a few exercises you can perform to begin strengthening your pelvic floor muscles.

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Free Online Class:                       ...

Ilana from The Energy Shift

I have a super interesting discussion for you today as I talk about all things energy with Ilana Kosakiewicz, one of Australia's leading kinesiologists, energy coaches and yoga and meditation teachers. I’ll be bold enough to say that it’s an episode that every woman should listen to.

We barely scratch the surface in this episode as Ilana shares about what kinesiology is and how, through muscle testing, it shifts energy in the body, restoring it back to balance. Ilana talks about the connection between the moon and a woman’s cycle and how we need to listen to our biological clocks instead of trying to keep up with the 24 hour clock we’re accustomed to. Ilana shares some great practical tips for how to get the best out of your day, depending on where you’re at in your cycle. 

I must confess I was a bit hesitant going into this conversation because I know nothing about kinesiology and thought...

Kath from Fitnest Mama

As a physio working in women’s health, I’m certainly an advocate for staying fit and healthy before, during and after pregnancy. Throughout pregnancy and during those first few months after birth, it’s sometimes difficult to know how to approach exercise and can be overwhelming to face in the midst of morning sickness, fatigue and sleep deprivation.

In this episode, I talk about some important things to consider when thinking about exercise and 4 common areas that can impede your after birth recovery. I discuss why some women stop exercising altogether and the impact this has on their physical and mental health. I talk about making sure your body is ready before you get back into running, understanding how to look after your pelvic floor muscles and seeking help where you need to.

Becoming a mamma is an amazing experience and also one that can take its toll on your physical and mental health. I hope this episode...

Rachelle Glendon from How To Live Slow 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, have a to do list as long as your arm or just craving a life of doing less, this episode is a must listen. Whether you’re pregnant, a new mama or finished having babies and in the thick of school run, play-dates and extracurricular activities, this episode is all about slowing down and tuning in to what you really want life to be about.

My special guest today is Rachelle Glendon, certified Life Coach from How to Live Slow. She joins me to talk about slow living, what it is and how we can implement the philosophy into our busy modern lives to live an intentional, fulfilled life.

Rachelle talks about ditching the hustle of modern life, learning how to say no and understanding what your priorities are so you can start shaping your life into something that’s enjoyable instead of stressful.  We talk about the importance of rest and why it’s important for our...

Spilling the Milk with Claire 

It’s my pleasure to share this episode with you today and introduce you to my beautiful guest and new mama, Claire. Having given birth only 5 short weeks ago at the time of recording, Claire opens up about being a single mama by choice and the arduous yet amazing story of how she finally became pregnant after numerous years of trying.

Claire and I discuss maternal assisted cesarean deliveries, being a single mum, recovering from a c-section and her experience leaking amniotic fluid all over her nursery, the car and hospital entrance!

Claire’s beautiful experience throughout pregnancy, childbirth and life with a newborn baby will encourage any listeners out there looking for some positivity at the moment.

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Free Online Class:  https://www.fitnestmama.com/free

5 Days, 5 Ways to Prepare for Birth: www.fitnestmama.com/challenge

Website: https://www.fitnestmama.com/

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Robyn from Royal Woman’s Hospital

Gestational Diabetes affects approximately 14% of pregnant women in Australia but many women are still uninformed about it. In today’s episode I’m talking to accredited, practicing dietician Robyn Compton all about it.

Robyn practices at the Royal Woman’s Hospital in Melbourne and works mainly helping women to manage Gestational Diabetes and its risk factors. Robyn enjoys assisting women understand how diet and exercise affect their health. She really believes that knowledge is power and wants to give women the power to have healthy, happy pregnancies and lives.

We discuss exactly what gestational diabetes is, and who is at risk to develop it. I ask Robyn what management looks like and what role diet and exercise play in monitoring blood glucose level. We look at what the risks are to both mum and bub, and Robyn tells me what she says to women just diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

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Top Tips for Pelvic Girdle Pain during Pregnancy 

I’m winging it today in this solo episode as I talk all about pelvic girdle pain, which is a really common issue that many women face during pregnancy. I talk about what it is, what might commonly irritate the pain, share my top tips on how to manage the pain and when you should seek professional advice.

Throughout my second pregnancy I struggled with pelvic girdle pain and I know how debilitating it can be. I share my story, the difficulties I faced seeking treatment with a toddler in tow and how that experience was a big driver toward establishing FitNest Mama.  

Every pregnancy is different and whatever your experience, there is always help available. If you’re struggling with pelvic girdle pain, this episode will give you a few quick tips to help you out and get you feeling more comfortable. 

 

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Is Calmbirth Useful Only For Those Wanting a Natural Childbirth? with Midwife Lauretta Hamilton 

You’ve likely heard of calm birthing, but do you know what it’s all about?  Perhaps you’re wondering if it’s for you.  If so, this episode is right up your alley as I take a dive into the ins and outs of calm birthing with special guest, Lauretta Hamilton.

Lauretta is a midwife based in Ballarat, mama of two girls and a calm birth and postpartum educator and acuneedling midwife.  She is passionate about helping all women have a birth and postpartum experience that empowers them, whatever that experience looks like.  Through online and in person calmbirth classes, Lauretta equips women with the tools to help them and their babies thrive on delivery day and beyond.   

In this episode, Lauretta shares 5 things we didn’t know about calmbirth, why it isn’t just for those wanting a natural birth...

Why Pregnant Women Shouldn't Feel Guilty if Diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes with Dr Tom Cade 

What do you know about gestational diabetes? Do you know why Australia screens every woman during pregnancy? Like a lot of women, the first time you might have heard about gestational diabetes is when you were tested for it yourself.  Who can forget that sickly sweet glucose drink and hours of waiting for blood test results?

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Tom Cade, an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in full time private practice at Epworth Freemasons and St Vincent’s Private Hospitals in Melbourne.  Dr Tom completed his research doctorate thesis on the modern management and implications of gestational diabetes, for which he won the Melbourne University prize for the most clinically impactful thesis in 2017.  

Dr Tom joins me today to shed some light on gestational diabetes, what it is and some of the...