BirthHQ - Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond.

Carla is a clinical psychologist in Australia who has commenced a perinatal, child and family hub that collaborates with other professionals to care for mums and families by providing psychological and counselling support during the perinatal, fertility and family journey.  Midwives, Gillian and Hayley from BirthHQ talk to Carla about the resources available to families as they transition into parenthood.  www.birthhq.com.au www.perinatalchildfamilyhub.com  

The journey during pregnancy seems long when you know birth is only days away. The BIrthHQ midwives, Gillian and Hayley have a final chat with first time parents, Makayla and Jamie before they step into the life changing world of parenthood. The excitement of meeting their baby, the confidence of the knowledge gained in preparation for parenthood, and the anxiety of waiting for labour to begin, this is the main focus as the 40 weeks of pregnancy comes to an end.

Gillian and Hayley chat with Erin, a qualified midwife who specialises in IVF. Erin shares her passion of fertility and discusses the struggles that some parents have to go through to conceive a baby. She shares the highs and lows of fertility and provides us with a better understanding of the individual journey some parents go down. Erin summaries the magic of pregnancy so well "Pregnancy is a miracle, all the stars need to be aligned regardless of how you conceive your baby".

Breastfeeding education is incredibly important to improve awareness and understanding of this innate and learned ability between the mother and the baby. The education supports families to feel prepared and empowered as they embark on the journey of the unknown.  Midwives, Gillian & Hayley educate a young couple Makayla & Jamie as they become first time parents. Breastfeeding knowledge prior to the birth of their baby provides a clearer understanding of the immediate transition into parenthood.

Karen is a midwife who has worked in the Special Care Nurseries and Neonatal Intensive Care Units all around the world. With her extensive amount of knowledge, Karen has cared for unwell and premature neonates bonding with families as they journey through this vulnerable time in their lives. Karen talks openly to Gillian and Hayley about her experiences and what makes her job, according to Karen, "the best job in the world".

Makayla and Jamie are now 34 weeks pregnant. They are in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and learning about the tools and skills they may require to have an active and instinctive labour & birth. Midwives, Gillian & Hayley have provided educational support to Makayla & Jamie from the time they were 15weeks pregnant and are excited to follow the journey of this young couple as they become parents for the first time.

Kate is a remarkable woman who experienced the transition into parenthood feeling scared, alone and helpless. The emergency caesarean birth of her premature 34 week old baby was traumatic, from waking up alone and not knowing if her baby was alive or dead to having no contact with her baby for approx. 34hours after birth. Kate had no support from her abusive partner. After being discharged from hospital, Kate felt overwhelmed with loneliness due to being isolated in a rural part of Australia and being so far away from family who were on the other side of the world.  Kate endured physical, emotional and financial abuse but years later has turned all that around to become a strong and inspirational business woman who now supports other women going through similar struggles. Kate started a support group on Facebook called 'mums supporting mums' and also mentors women to become financially independent. 

Within the uterus this temporary organ accomplishes so much in the 40 weeks that the baby is developing. Gillian and Hayley marvel at the placenta and its achievement in assisting with the journey of life. Be amazed and appreciate every part of your pregnancy.

PART 1 - Having just found out just she is having her 2nd baby, Kaella is now reflecting on her first birth which had many unexpected interventions. Being 16 weeks pregnant, Kaella is considering her birthing preferences for baby number 2 and has lots to reflect on to help her decision making. Enjoy the journey she has shared with Gillian and Hayley and learn from her experience and knowledge. 

Maree is a mother who had 4 very different birthing experiences in the late 1970s.  During the chat with Maree, Hayley and Gillian discover how an individuals pregnancy, birth & beyond experience can be greatly influenced by society, the beliefs of those around us and the progression over time of what is considered natural. The 20th century marked many changes in the way women birth but at the end of the day we have arguably come full circle to learn that natural childbirth is holistically beneficial for the mum, the baby and the family. Pregnancy, labour & birth and postnatal classes that encourages evidence based education and knowledge is at the forefront to empowering women to be instinctive and in control of their informed decision making. 

Midwives Gillian and Hayley introduce Aneta Sutarov, a yoga teacher with extensive knowledge and guidance supporting prenatal and postnatal yoga. A collaboration of skills and techniques provide mothers with the empowering knowledge to support the physical and mental changes that occur during pregnancy, labour & birth and postnatal.  Aneta discusses the ancient wisdom that brings mothers to the present moment, to feel grounded and encourages the emphasis on connection, strength, empowerment and acknowledgment of our primal nature and ability to give the gift of life. 

Midwives, Hayley and Gillian talk to 3 young siblings and get their perspective on life as they discover their mum is pregnant. Their individual understanding is very different according to their age and it reassures us to how innocent and pure children can be. Becoming a parent is more than the pregnancy and birthing experience, it's important to understand the journey you are taking and the influence you will make on the growth and development of your unborn child. BIrthHQ educational classes provide a looking glass into parenthood to increase confidence and empower parents.

Makayla and Jamie are now 25 weeks pregnant. Gillian and Hayley discuss the expected journey in preparation for parenthood. We provide the parents-to-be with information on what they may need when this baby is born. This episode increases their knowledge of parenthood beyond the birth. We empower them to make informed decision and discuss things from immunisations to what to pack for hospital. 

Gillian and Hayley interview Pearl, a loving mother and qualified teacher librarian. Pearl shares stories about the experiences she has had with children when they find out they are becoming a big brother or big sister. The discussion uncovers the imaginative tales children create about pregnancy and the baby.  Throughout the podcast, Pearl recommends a variety of children's books for parents to read to their child.  Please visit your school teacher librarian and discover these resourceful books which are available to assist children to better understand the life changing journey of pregnancy, birth and beyond. Pearl's recommended reading- Big Sisters are the Best by Fran Manushkin My No, No, No Day! by Rebecca Patterson Mummy Laid an Egg! by Babette Cole  

Hayley and Gillian interview their own partners to share stories about labour and birth. Remembering this journey can be so special for every person, talk to each other and share each other's perspective of what happened during labour & birth. Together enjoy the reward of that beautiful baby, reminisce  and journey into parenthood. 

Midwives, Gillian and Hayley discuss the expected journey of a baby that is 22 weeks gestation. First time parents, Makayla and Jamie share their individual experiences as they reflect on what is classified as normal and the unexpected outcomes that may occur during pregnancy, labour and birth.  Visit www.birthhq.com.au

Midwives Gillian and Hayley interview Deb, a mother who has had 5 very different births and is now expecting her 6th baby. Deb discusses the unexpected outcomes with each birth and her journey into becoming a parent of six children. Each pregnancy and birth presented unique experiences which Deb has cherished and has provided us with an insight to her individual journey of pregnancy, birth and beyond.  G9P5M3 = 9 x pregnancies, 5 x live births,  3 x miscarriages

Makayla and Jamie reveal something very exciting.... Being nearly 20weeks we discuss the antenatal journey so far and what to expect at antenatal appointments. Hayley and Gillian use evidence based knowledge to share the journey of pregnancy.  

We introduce Makayla and Jamie to labour and birth by completing the BirthHQ normal labour & birth antenatal class. We discuss their expectations prior to the class and then again after the class. Midwives, Hayley and Gillian explore how education empowers parents to make informed decisions and reduces the fear of the unknown, which in turn relaxes parents and encourages the natural labour and birthing process that is instinctive and unique for each woman.

Hayley and Gillian talk about their individual journey into becoming midwives. Although their careers as midwives started differently, their passion and love for providing advocacy, education and empowerment to women is unmistakably heartfelt. Together with their knowledge, professionalism and passion, Gillian and Hayley are BirthHQ.

Makayla and Jamie are first time parents who are currently 15 weeks pregnant. With support from the BirthHQ midwives, Makayla and Jamie will embark on a knowledgeable journey through pregnancy, birth and beyond. They will share stories and experiences from 15weeks gestation to when their baby is 6 weeks old. We look forward to this nurturing journey into parenthood.