Unscripted with Alex

Heart meds are everywhere—so what else can we do to help manage blood pressure and cholesterol after 50?In this episode, naturopath Tracee Blythe joins Alex to unpack resistant hypertension, the rise of statins, and why so many over-50s end up on multiple medications.They explore:How aged garlic stacks up against statinsThe role of magnesium, fibre, fish oil, and curcuminWhen functional testing could be usedHow lifestyle changes can outperform another scriptWhether you're a health pro or navigating your own heart health, this episode is full of practical insight.

In this episode, pharmacist Alex Shepherd chats with naturopath Tracey Gartner about the often-overlooked role of protein in menopause, and why it's essential for muscle strength, bone health, energy, and healthy ageing. They explore holistic strategies to support women through perimenopause and menopause — from plant-based protein and gut health to herbal support and hormone balancing.

In this episode, we unpack the real story behind menopause—and the symptoms that are often misdiagnosed or completely overlooked. We talk through fluctuating hormone levels, the limitations of testing, misunderstood symptoms like anxiety and brain fog, and the pharmacist's role in supporting women through this transition.From MHT myths to lifestyle foundations, this episode is packed with insights for any pharmacist wanting to provide better care and clarity for their patients navigating menopause.Guest: Bo Youn Kim | Instagram @menopharmacist | Business: EmpowHer MenopauseSponsored by Bold HealthBold is a high-strength protein powder designed for healthy ageing—ideal for patients who may be skipping meals or struggling with low energy.Now available for pharmacy shelves.Visit boldhealth.com.au or email alex@boldhealth.au to stock Bold in your store.

Join Naturopath Tracey Gartner and Consultant Pharmacist Alex Shepherd as they dive into the world of PPIs for reflux. Discover alternative management strategies, the role of gut bugs, and explore the long-term effects and potential overuse of these medications. A must-listen for anyone seeking holistic insights into reflux care!

When Maddison gave birth to her son, she had no idea that he would be born with a congenital heart defect. This is their story of how they coped with the diagnosis and the treatment they received. This story is one of hope, resilience and faith. In this episode we hear Maddison's birth story which involved an emergency C-section. Although it wasn't how she envisioned she would give birth, she still describes the experience as a positive one. When her little one was born, she didn't know that soon she would discover something wasn't quite right.At just 2 weeks old, Maddison talks about finding out her son had a hole in his heart. The road to discovering this and getting the diagnosis was not a pleasant one. She talks about their experience in the hospital. Her precious little one received blood test after blood test, the nights were long, and they were exhausted! The journey from here was a long and stressful one but the outcome is one you will want to hear!What we talk aboutBirth storyC-section recoveryHow her son was diagnosed with a heart defectThe treatment her son receivedHer son's health outcome and where they are at now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maternal assisted c-section births have been on the rise in recent years. It is a type of Cesarean section where the mother is actively involved to help to bring her baby into the world. As in, she literally helps pull her baby out! In this podcast episode we speak with Kelsie, a mum who has experienced it herself. We talked about what was involved and what she loved most about the process. We also get to hear about her first emergency C-section story and what she learnt from this experience to influence her second birth.Topics Covered:Her first Emergency C-section and why it occurred?Her C-section recovery and what helped the most?What a maternal assisted C-section is?How her and her husband came to this decision?What was involved in the maternal assisted C-section?How the day carried out?Her recovery after her second birth?Hosted byUnscripted with Alex is hosted by our pharmacist & Founder of Botika Co, Alexandra Shepherd.You can follow Alex on Instagram @alexshepherdpharmacist for behind the scenes footage, health tips, motivation, & product reviews and recommendations.Produced By: Botika Co Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This recording is part of our C-sections series where we listen to our guests positive birth stories.In this first episode we chat with Amanda. Amanada had planned to have a homebirth using a private midwife but in the end she needed to be transferred to hospital for a C-section. During our conversation she explains why and how this decision to transfer was made. She talks about the overall experience as a positive one and explains how she made it this way.For her second birth, she opted for a VBAC and talks us through this experience. She discusses how they came to the decision of having a VBAC, what her labour was like, and her recovery.Topics CoveredWhy she was transferred to hospital?Why she required a C-section?What her C-section recovery was like?Deciding to have a VBAC for her second birthVBAC experience Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mental health issues are on the rise in our teens and young people. But what is the reason for that? Seeing your child suffer, is heartbreaking for all parents but what if you aren't even aware of their suffering? Mental health issues can be silent. But according to psychologist Crystal and Jo from Core of Wellbeing, if we really tune in and become curious of any behavioural changes, we may be able to support them through these troubling times.In this week's podcast, I spoke with Crystal about some of the causes of depression and anxiety are in teens, how social media is impacting them, and how we as parents we can support their mental wellbeing.Topics CoveredWhy do you think depression and anxiety is on the rise in young people?How much is social media impacting the way our teens are able to interact with each otherand how do they see the world?What can parents do to help teach their children about the impacts of social media?What can parents do to help teach their children about living in a world that is so heavy on technology?How is social media linked with an increase in addictive behaviour?What are some self-care and mental wellbeing tips teens can try?What ways can parents help support their children during stressful times?How can a parent identify if their child is having difficulty with their mental health? What are some signs to lookout for?At Core of Wellbeing, Jo and Crystal offer a service where they work with families to help equip them and build their toolkit.Links MentionedCore of Wellbeing Website: https://coreofwellbeing.com.au/Instagram: @coreofwellbeingHosted byUnscripted with Alex is hosted by our pharmacist & Founder of Botika Co, Alexandra Shepherd.You can follow Alex on Instagram @alexshepherdpharmacist for behind the scenes footage, health tips, motivation, & product reviews and recommendations.Produced By: Botika Co Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mental health is an important issue for all ages, including our little ones. Supporting the mental wellbeing of our children can help them thrive now and in the future.As a mum, it's important to me that I help build resilience in my children. It's something that I know is going to be valuable for them throughout their lives. But what exactly is resilience, and how can we go about building it in our kids? In this week's episode I spoke with Psychologist Jo from Core of Wellbeing about how to help kids develop resilience so they can thrive when things get tough. But we also spoke about how to identify when their mental wellbeing may be suffering and what we can do to help support them.According to the World Health Organisation, around 450 million people suffer from mental health disorders worldwide. That's 15% of the global population! Considering that 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime, it's important that as parents we take steps to support our children's mental wellbeing. So in this conversation with Jo, I wanted to explore more on how as parents we can practical support and nurture our littles ones mental wellbeing and resilience.Topics Covered How prevalent is depression and anxiety in this age group?How can a parent identify if their primary school aged child is having difficulty with their mental health? What are some signs to lookout for?The use of technology starts early. How much does this affect their brain development and emotional stability?What is resilience and what are we trying to achieve with building it?What are some techniques or methods of helping our children build resilience?At Core of Wellbeing, Jo and Crystal offer a service where they work with families to help equip them and build their toolkit.Links MentionedCore of Wellbeing Website: https://coreofwellbeing.com.au/Instagram: @coreofwellbeingHosted byUnscripted with Alex is hosted by our pharmacist & Founder of Botika Co, Alexandra Shepherd.You can follow Alex on Instagram @alexshepherdpharmacist for behind the scenes footage, health tips, motivation, & product reviews and recommendations.Produced By: Botika Co Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As your child gears up for exams, you may be wondering if there's anything you can do to help boost their brain power. Well, it turns out that there are a few things you can feed them which will help them perform at their best. In this week's episode, we talked with Nutrition Coach Kellie Ashdown, about how to best fuel the brain during exam time.We discuss some of the best foods to boost cognitive function and memory, as well as improve overall concentration and focus. So whether your teen is studying for exams or just trying to do better in school, tune in for Kellie's top tips!Topics CoveredHow much nutrition really impacts our learningTop brain power foods to eat during study periodsFoods to avoid during exam timeBest ways parents can support their children and eating habits during the study periodInspiring lunchbox ideas to support brain powerKellie's goal as a nutrition coach is to offer guidance around making sustainable changes that will help improve a family's overall eating habits. By the end of this podcast, parents should feel inspired but also have a good idea of where they can start.Links MentionedInstagram: Small Steps Family Nutritions @small.steps.family.nutritionWebsite: www.smallstepsnutrition.com/Hosted byUnscripted with Alex is hosted by our pharmacist & Founder of Botika Co, Alexandra Shepherd.You can follow Alex on Instagram @alexshepherdpharmacist for behind the scenes footage, health tips, motivation, & product reviews and recommendations.Produced By: Botika Co Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we speak with Amber, one of the co-creators of the charity Tiny Sparks. This charity was created after the birth of Amber's 4th child. At only 25 weeks gestation, Amber's waters broke. From here she was flown to Perth's King Edwards Hospital from her home town in Bunbury. Here she was put on bed rest for 4 days at which her footling breeched son decided to make his appearance. But he didn't make his appearance in the way Amber had expected. Instead his little foot decided to push through Amber's cervix and as she describes it "flap around" in there. From here she was whisked off into theatre where her son would be born via emergency C-section.Amber proceeds to explain to us just what it was like having her son in the NICU for 100 days. She talks about the how her recovery was, how her and her family managed the juggle amongst parenting and caring for all 4 of her children, and what peer support was available at the time.From this experience sparked the creation of the new charity Tiny Sparks. By the time her son was past the major hurdles and into toddlerhood, her and 2 other families, who she became close with in the NICU, decided to join forces and create Tiny Sparks.The charity works to help support other families going through their own experiences in the NICU or for women who are put on bedrest in the hospital.To hear more about Amber's story and the charity tune into the episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this second part of Billie's story we hear about her third birth which was a home birth. She talks about how she was reaching her 42 week mark and getting close to being told she had to birth in hospital.She talks about being 6cm with no contractions on the morning of her birth. At 6cm she was not yet in active labour with no consistent contractions happening. She talks about what her and her partner did to help move baby into a better position to bring on labour.We also hear about her home set up and what birthing at home was like. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Billie and her husband have three babies under the age of 4. But falling pregnant with their first baby didn't happen straight away and wasn't straight forward. In fact it didn't come easily at all. After much thought back and forth, finding out she had a severe case of endometriosis, undergoing an ablation treatment, and having a back operation, Billie and her husband decided IVF was the way to go for them. For many couples, the IVF journey can be a long and tiring one, involving rounds on rounds of IVF. And although the process leading up to her first egg collection and fertilisation was a long one, they were over the moon that their first round was a success. She was pregnant! Baby's number 2 and 3 however, well these two happened even quicker AND naturally. That's right they happened without IVF!Topics CoveredIVF processTreating severe endometriosisBirth Story with an artificial membrane ruptureSecond baby and natural conceptionTandem feeding & Dry nursingSecond Birth StoryHaving a water birth with Gestational DiabetesDuring this conversation we hear 3 birth stories: 2 in hospital and 1 home birth (in part b). Billie talks us through needing to be induced with her first via an artificial rupture of the membranes but how she managed to stay off synthetic oxytocin. She also talks through how she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes (GD) in her second pregnancy. Women with GD most often need to be induced early (often leading to a C-section) but not Billie. Billie wanted a water birth and this wasn't going to happen if she was induced early and put on the drip. Listen to her story to hear how she managed to get her water birth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starting your little one at childcare for the first time can be an event that brings up all sorts of emotions. It can be a big process for lots of families. In this episode we speak with Shannon, the manager of Goodstart Early Learning Childcare Centre. Shannon answers all the common questions parents have about starting their baby or toddler at daycare. She gives tips on what to expect and how to prepare, both emotionally and logistically. Shannon also shares what parents can do to ease the transition for both themselves and their child. This is a must-listen for any parent who is starting the childcare journey.Topics CoveredHow to help your children adjust to daycare if they have separation anxietyWhat to pack in their little ones daycare backpack?What happens with nap time and how do the educators support the children to sleep?Meal time at daycare and questions around starting solids, drinking from bottle etc.How the childcare Centrelink subsidy works?What are the benefits of going to childcare in terms of the child's development, learning and social skills?Links MentionedGoodstart Early Learning: www.goodstart.org.au/Busselton Goodstart Instagram: @goodstartbusseltonGoodstart Australia Instagram: @goodstartmoments_Hosted byUnscripted with Alex is hosted by our pharmacist & Founder of Botika Co, Alexandra Shepherd.You can follow Alex on Instagram @alexshepherdpharmacist for behind the scenes footage, health tips, motivation, & product reviews and recommendations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jessica had never heard of obstetric cholestasis until she was diagnosed with it at 37 weeks pregnant. Since there is no cure for OC, the only real option was to deliver the baby at 38 weeks. In this episode Jessica discusses her induction and the first signs of this rare pregnancy condition. She also discusses her experience stepping into motherhood and her son's milk refusal.Topics CoveredPregnancy storyAbout Obstetric Cholestatis and the signsJessica's induction processJessica's Birth StoryPostpartum recovery and healing from a 3 degree tear during birthBreastfeeding experience and her son's milk allergyAt 37 weeks, Jessica says she started to get really itchy hands and feet. Not just a little bit of an itch but a real intense itching that was waking her at night. She quickly realised this wasn't normal so decided it was best to chat with her doctor.It was revealed at this appointment that she had a rare condition called Obstetric Cholestatis. It is a condition that affects how the woman's liver works when she is pregnant. It usually happens towards the end of pregnancy and generally gets better after the woman gives birth.And this is exactly what happened with Jessica.In this story we also hear Jess's induction process and birth story, about her 3c degree tear and what tools she utilised to recover after birth. We also hear about her breastfeeding experience and how she discovered her son had a true milk protein allergy. She talks about her son's milk refusal and how he would just scream at the boob pushing her away. He also showed a disinterest to regular formula milk. Eventually she discovered it was an actual allergy to the milk protein.Links Mentioned:Instagram: @nurtureherboutiqueHosted byUnscripted with Alex is hosted by our pharmacist & Founder of Botika Co, Alexandra Shepherd.You can follow Alex on Instagram @alexshepherdpharmacist for behind the scenes footage, health tips, motivation, & product reviews and recommendations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This blog post tells Alicia's story of becoming a mum through IVF and the anxiety that came with it. It is an honest look at the ups and downs of this journey.When Alicia found out she was pregnant, she was overjoyed. After years of struggling with infertility and rounds of IVF, this news was a dream come true. But the journey itself came at a cost. Not just financially but also emotionally. As Alicia describes the constant waiting that came with trying to conceive caused her anxiety to grow. This anxiety continued to be present even after the birth of her little one which she goes into explain during the episode.Topics CoveredDifferent Types of assisted fertilityAlicia's personal IVF journeySperm Health and How this ImpactedAlicia's Birth StoryBecoming a mumWe hope Alicia's story will help provide some comfort and support to other women who are going through or have gone through fertility treatments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we heard in the first part of this 2-part series, when Kate and her husband decided to start a family, they found out that they were struggling with infertility. Kate talks about coming to the decision to try in vitro fertilisation (IVF). We hear how her first round of egg collections led to only 2 viable embryos, neither of them made it. But during her second round of egg collections she was blessed with 12 viable embryos! She talks about looking at these embryos and thinking, ”wow I can't do this 12 times”. This is the moment when she started thinking about what would happen with any remaining embryos. We learn that through Kate's IVF journey she had 4 pregnancies but only 2 babies were born at full term. This meant she had some viable live embryos remaining. Embryos she didn't want to see go in the bin. She knew she wanted to give this opportunity of having children to another family.From here, Kate talks about how she and her husband came to the decision to donate her embryos to another single woman who was going through with her own fertility journey. So in this episode we also learn how Kate decides she wants to keep the conversation and open conversation with the family who received her embryos. That's right! The two families are keeping the donation transparent and they even receive updated photos every now and then. Here's Kate's Story.Topics CoveredIVFProcess to donate embryosApplying for donationChoosing a candidateHaving an open connection with the candidateFreezing embryosIf you're considering IVF or embryo donation, Kate's story might help give you some hope. It's a long process, but it can be so worth it in the end. If you are interested in learning more about embryo donation or want to donate your embryos, we cover a lot in this podcast episode.Thank YouWe would like to express our gratitude to Kate for being so open and brave in sharing her story. We hope that in sharing this story others going through a similar situation can find their way or roadmap by connecting with Kate's story.Links Mentioned:Instagram: @_becoming_kateHosted byUnscripted with Alex is hosted by our pharmacist & Founder of Botika Co, Alexandra Shepherd.You can follow Alex on Instagram @alexshepherdpharmacist for behind the scenes footage, health tips, motivation, & product reviews and recommendations.Listed in the Top 20 Australian Parenting Podcast ListWe are proud to announce our podcast has been listed in the Top 20 Australian Parenting Podcast List!! To see who else is on the list visit https://blog.feedspot.com/australian_parenting_podcasts/Watch the full episode of Unscripted with Alex below…You can listen to or watch the full episode, of Unscripted with Alex right here or find it on all major podcasting platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcast and Google Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Triggering warning: This episode features a discussion about stillbirth and abortion.In today's video, we'll talk with Kate Munro, who will take us through her incredible journey with IVF and many years of trying to get pregnant. Her story is not smooth sailing as she talks about her experience with multiple pregnancies including heartbreaking stillbirth and late medical abortion/termination. First and foremost, we would like to thank her for being so honest and open in sharing her story.After having a successful first pregnancy using IVF, she endured the agony of stillbirth and having to terminate her 3rd pregnancy at 18 weeks due to genetic abnormalities. She did not give up hope, however, and continued down the IVF route to conceive her son in her fourth pregnancy. Kate will go on to describe her journey to IVF as a rollercoaster ride full of emotions. We'll learn about her first, second, third, and fourth pregnancies, as well as the experiences she had with each.This episode is part of a 2 part series. As you will hear, Kate and her husband choose to donate the remaining live embryos she has to another mum over East. We learn more about this process during the second episode.Links Mentioned:Instagram: @_becoming_kateHosted byUnscripted with Alex is hosted by our pharmacist & Founder of Botika Co, Alexandra Shepherd.You can follow Alex on Instagram @alexshepherdpharmacist for behind the scenes footage, health tips, motivation, & product reviews and recommendations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During this episode we chat with Megan Callegari and her pathway to being diagnosed with Adult ADHD. She discusses how she was possibly misdiagnosed after the birth of her second child as having post-natal anxiety. Upon reflection now, she suspects this was likely her ADHD and trying to parent 2 little ones under the age of 2!She describes ADHD as a very negative, noisy, and at times very overwhelming experience. She describes how her inability to focus or concentrate made her life a roller coaster ride which further clouded things. She also talks about her ADHD symptoms such as: difficulty focusing, shutting off and mentally restarting when overwhelmed, and becoming obsessed with certain tasks or activities that interest her while shutting out everything else that doesn't interest her.During our conversation she describes the signs she noticed that made her think maybe she had ADHD. She also talks about how having a better understanding of how her own mind works has helped her parent her little ones. How sometimes they too just need a little mind break.She describes ADHD as a very negative, noisy, and at times very overwhelming experience. She describes how her inability to focus or concentrate made her life a roller coaster ride which further clouded things. She also talks about her ADHD symptoms such as: difficulty focusing, shutting off and mentally restarting when overwhelmed, and becoming obsessed with certain tasks or activities that interest her while shutting out everything else that doesn't interest her.Megan outlines how difficult it was for her to focus on the most important things to her. Instead, she describes how she could hear the sound of a coffee machine and outdoor noise but couldn't concentrate on where she actually needed to. When discussing her ADHD diagnosis, she told how inquisitive she became at the time. She was concerned by the problem and wanted to know what was really going on. So she kept asking questions and doing her own research. Adult ADHD Topics CoveredHow ADHD feels to her and what she believes it is.The day Megan was diagnosed.Her all-encompassing approach to overcoming it.An explanation of her overall journey.Megan's message to ADHD patientsWhen asked what message she would like to convey to those suffering from ADHD, she simply stated, "Don't be afraid of it." ADHD is something that should be discussed openly because it is what it is. It's nothing if you take a comprehensive approach.She emphasised the importance of parents providing support to their children who suffer from conditions such as ADHD. She also advises parents to take care of their children's needs, assist them in staying focused, and allow them to do what they enjoy.More on this podcast's show notes can be found on www.botikaco.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During this part of Tiffany's story she talks through using a private midwife to support her through her second birth in the comfort of her own home. She talks about her home set up, the fairy lights, affirmation cards and birth pool. She even talks about sending her husband out to make the burning of the cord (umbilical cord) box while she was in the early stages of labour.This episode is an additional part of episode 14 "Tiffany's Birth Stories: Hospital Vs Home Birth". Unfortunately while uploading this episode the last part was cut off. So today we are sharing this second part as an episode on its own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, naturopath Tracy talks about her experience of being diagnosed with stage-3 cancer and how she overcame it all. This is the second edition of a two-part series. She explained the causes of the cancer and what was possibly feeding its growth. By cutting off these triggers, it will give you a chance to control the cancer, just as she did.Tracey had a lump on her breast that had been there for a long time and she was becoming wary of it. She initially did not respond because she believed she had already been through enough - it could not be breast cancer. But she was keeping an eye on how it was progressing. Her husband, however, encouraged her to see a doctor.She discusses having an ultrasound to determine if she had breast cancer. The delivery of this news was not given in the way she had hoped, leaving her feel shocked, vulnerable and basically shutting off. Stage 3 Breast Cancer Topics CoveredThe type of cancer and what may have caused it.The moment she was diagnosed.Her holistic approach to fighting it.What her overall journey looked like.She actually had two options for starting her diagnosis: surgery or chemotherapy first. But she did put many things in place, such as working with a naturopath (although a naturopath herself she needed the guidance from someone else), a practitioner, a surgeon, an oncologist, and so on. She says she used physical therapies, supplements, a special diet, and even dry skin brushing to treat her condition. Fasting, according to Tracey, was the most important factor in her recovery, and she fasted for approximately 48 hours. She ended up choosing chemotherapy first, which helped shrink her cancer over the course of about 18 months.Tracey's experience with Stage 3 cancer has greatly influenced her goals and dreams, and she is now motivated to share whatever she learns. She prefers to continue her journey and assist as many people as she can by utilising all of her extensive life experience. If you want to contact her, you can do so through her social media accounts. But, as she stated, the best way to contact her is to go to her website and sign up for her mailing list.Listed in the Top 20 Australian Parenting Podcast ListWe are proud to announce our podcast has been listed in the Top 20 Australian Parenting Podcast List!! To see who else is on the list visit https://blog.feedspot.com/australian_parenting_podcasts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger warning – This episode includes conversation around stillbirth and birth trauma. If this is triggering for any of our viewers, we start this conversation around 35mins into the episode.In this episode naturopath Tracey Gartner shares her unimaginable story with Fibromyalgia, IVF and the loss of her darling Bae.This episode is part one of a two-part series. Tracey starts her story from her childhood years when she was training at an elite level for WAIS (Western Australian Institute of Sport) as a gymnast. During this time she was training for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. She explains the mental, emotional and physical challenges of this time.As the olympics moved closer, her training regimen became more strict. She talks about how parents were removed from watching their training, diet's became more strict, and their weight was highly scrutinised – to the point they were punished if they weren't meeting their weight targets. She speaks about how this was the likely cause of her Fibromyalgia.Fibromyalgia Topics Coveredthe signs and symptoms of her fibromyalgiawhat her treatment looked likehow this led her down the path of becoming a naturopath.IVF JourneyThis part of her story led us into her IVF journey. During this part of the episode Tracey talks us through what her IVF looked like and how it felt waiting for her results after each round.Before her final round of IVF Tracey and her husband decided if the next one wasn't viable they would no longer try. However as we hear in her story, this isn't what happened. She received a phone call from the clinic saying she had a beautiful embryo ready to implant! This one was successful and Tracey became pregnant. Her pregnancy was a beautiful one, happy, healthy and glowing.BaeAs Tracey went into labour her story turned to one that no parent should ever have to go through. During this part of her story Tracey shares the moment she lost her beautiful baby girl, Bae. She talks us through the moments leading up to this, giving birth to Bae, and the trauma of this birth and being rushed into surgery to remove her placenta.She also talks us through how she coped during this time and the holistic health steps she has and still is taking to heal.About Tracey as a naturopathTracey's story with trauma, loss and cancer (as you will hear in the next episode) have shaped who she is now as a naturopath. Her approach is gentle but honest, compassionate, and supportive. Where she uses her decades of experience both personally and professionally to her clients the tools to create the life they desire. If you are interested in consulting with Tracey or finding out more about her services, you can see her details below.Thank YouWe would like to thank Tracey for being courageous and vulnerable and for sharing her story with us. This is a story, we know would not be easy to share. But we hope in doing so others who have been through a similar experience may be able to find their own path to healing through connection with Tracey and her story.This episode is just the first of a two part series. During our next episode we Tracey talks to us about her diagnosis of breast cancer and her approach to successfully getting rid of it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we speak with Lactation Consultant and Midwife, Sarah Kocken. To start the show, Sarah shares her own positive birth story – a water birth at the Family Birthing Centre in Perth. She continues on to share the breastfeeding challenges her and her first born worked through, his tongue-tie and the process they went through to fix it. She shares the anxiety she felt around becoming a mum and the expectations she had on herself.After the birth of her son, Sarah continued her studies and become a qualified lactation consultant. So of course, we couldn't miss this opportunity to ask Sarah to answer some of the most common breastfeeding questions newborn mums have.Breastfeeding Topics We CoveredThe importance of the first feed – Golden HourHow to get a comfortable breastfeeding latchSolutions for breastfeeding with flat nipplesReasons why breastmilk supply could be lowHow to know if your child has fed enoughHow to prevent and manage mastitisSarah offers a range of private and group based classes including Antenatal Classes, Postnatal Classes, and Breastfeeding & Early Parenting Classes.One of the classes she speaks about during the podcast is where she meets with the parents during pregnancy and works with them to prepare for the forth trimester (the early days and weeks after birth). During this class, she helps both parents create a plan for managing breastfeeding, sleep, and the overall wellbeing of mum and baby.Sarah is based in Perth but consults throughout Australia via Telehealth. So, if you are interested in working with Sarah you can find her at the links below:Links MentionedInstagram: @mindfulmothering_perthWebsite: www.mindfulmothering.com.au/Hosted byUnscripted with Alex is hosted by our pharmacist & Founder of Botika Co, Alexandra Shepherd.You can follow Alex on Instagram @alexshepherdpharmacist for behind the scenes footage, health tips, motivation, & product reviews and recommendations.We are proud to announce our podcast has been listed in the Top 20 Australian Parenting Podcast List!! To see who else is on the list visit https://blog.feedspot.com/australian_parenting_podcasts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I speak with Midwife, Lactation Counsellor, and Mum of two – Tiffany Haddon. If you have given birth in the south west or are planning a birth, you quite possibly have bumped into Tiffany along the way. She is immersed in the community in the best of ways, to support and empower women through their pregnancy, birthing, and breastfeeding journey.Tiffany shares a comparison between her two birth stories – hospital vs home birth.She talks about her first pregnancy and birth and the mental health challenges she faced, the induction processes, and fighting for her voice to be heard. We talk about how this birth led her down a new personal and career pathway – learning, discovering and creating her own value system as a midwife, a mother and a birthing women.She finished up talking us through her beautiful positive home birth story with her own private midwife.Topics Covered:Hospital birth story & induction experiencePerinatal depressionCareer path to becoming a midwife and lactation counsellorWorking with a Private Midwife in the South West WABeautiful home birth experienceBurning of the umbilical cordHypno-birthing tool kitTiffany shares some of her own tips that helped her through her home birth as well as the birthing and breastfeeding classes she offers through the public health system.Links MentionedTo get in touch with Tiffany Haddon, you can find him at the following links:Instagram: @tiffany_haddonPrograms through WA Country Health:The Positive Cesarean ProgramThe Forth Trimester and Early Parenting ProgramAntenatal ClassesHosted byUnscripted with Alex is hosted by our pharmacist & Founder of Botika Co, Alexandra Shepherd.We are proud to announce our podcast has been listed in the Top 20 Australian Parenting Podcast List!! To see who else is on the list visit https://blog.feedspot.com/australian_parenting_podcasts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a parent you just want the best for your child. So when they are faced with a medical diagnosis like autism, you want to help them reach their full potential. In this podcast episode we speak about the unique challenges parents face with autism including the diagnosis process, understanding their child's brain and development, navigating the healthcare system, and pulling in help from different allied health services.To help us get a better understanding of parents are going through, we asked Dr Matty Moore from Mode Healthcare, to join us on the podcast again. Dr Moore has a unique perspective here as a prescriber and as a parent of an autistic child. He explains how he shares his empathy with other families and is able to help them through this difficult process.The focus of this podcast, was to specifically talk about how Medicinal Cannabis is used in some cases of autism. Dr Moore specialises in prescribing plant therapies such as medicinal cannabis (CBD Oil) in both adults and paediatric conditions. In this episode he talks about how it might be used to manage certain areas of autism*.Topics CoveredWhat age is autism normally diagnosed?What is the process of diagnosing autism?What are the theories around why they develop normally until 18months or 2 years and then stop developing or even lose some skills after that?How does CBD oil work for autism?What type of CBD is used for autism?2 Case studies where CBD oil has been used in autismFor more general information around the use of Medicinal Cannabis and CBD Oil in Children see our first podcast episode with Dr Matty Moore - where he covers commonly asked questions such as conditions it is used for, safety profile in children, current research & evidence for its use, and how parents can start the conversation with their GP/specialists.*Please note: this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Dr Moore is very clear about how it may not be suitable for everyone.Links MentionedTo get in touch with Dr Matty Moore, you can find him at the following links:Instagram: @drmattymoore or @modehealthcareFacebook: @modehealthcareWebsite: www.mattmooremd.com/Hosted byUnscripted with Alex is hosted by our pharmacist & Founder of Botika Co, Alexandra Shepherd.You can follow Alex on Instagram @alexshepherdpharmacist for behind the scenes footage, health tips, motivation, & product reviews and recommendations.We are proud to announce our podcast has been listed in the Top 20 Australian Parenting Podcast List!! To see who else is on the list visit https://blog.feedspot.com/australian_parenting_podcasts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the South West WA, we have probably moved through the peak of Covid-19 however it is still quite prevalent in the community. BUT what about long covid? How many people are having difficulty with this and what exactly is it? Also what are our risks of getting long covid?Lots of questions still in the air about this virus however we do know that exercising during an infection or getting back into exercise too quickly after having covid can increase your risk of long covid.In this episode we chat with exercise physiologist, Clayton Trigwell, from Busselton Physiotherapy Centre, about the risks of getting long covid and how exercise comes into play. We also talk about how all of this relates to young families - the kids and the parents!What we talk aboutWhat is Long Covid?Symptoms of Long CovidWho is at Risk of Long CovidHow to return to fitness after covidLifestyle changes that can help your immune healthHow you might work with an exercise physiologist to return to exercisePlease note: there are still a lot of unknowns in this area and the topics we cover are what we know to date. Always speak with your health care professional before implementing any changes to your routine. If you are noticing symptoms of long covid it is important to see your doctor to rule out any other conditions.Links MentionedFacebook: Busselton Physiotherapy Centre @BusseltonPhysioWebsite: busseltonphysiotherapy.com.au/Hosted byUnscripted with Alex is hosted by our pharmacist & Founder of Botika Co, Alexandra Shepherd.You can follow Alex on Instagram @alexshepherdpharmacist for behind the scenes footage, health tips, motivation, & product reviews and recommendations.Produced By: Botika CoRecorded at: Loop2 Digital Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mealtime Battle is a real thing!! It can be such a stressful time for parents. You may even be feeling anxious or worried that your child is not eating well or enough! So we decided to call in Family Nutrition Coach Kellie Ashdown to help us solve some of these commonly asked questions around children's eating habits. In this podcast we talk about what could be causing/contributing to fussy eating habits in children and provide some easy to follow tips that parents can implement to help improve it.What we talk aboutCommon causes of fussy eatingImproving your child's microbiomeWays to help your child accept more foodsPlain vs flavoured foodsWhat to do when your child isn't accepting foodsWhat to do when your child is unwell and doesn't want foodEasy ways to determine how much protein, carb and fat your child should eatDoing a pantry reset for the whole familyKellie's goal as a nutrition coach is to offer guidance around making sustainable changes that will help improve a family's overall eating habits. By the end of this podcast, parents should feel inspired but also have a good idea of where they can start to improve things. This may mean booking in with you to help set up their pantry and fridge.Links MentionedInstagram: Small Steps Family Nutritions @small.steps.family.nutritionWebsite: www.smallstepsnutrition.com/Hosted byUnscripted with Alex is hosted by our pharmacist & Founder of Botika Co, Alexandra Shepherd.You can follow Alex on Instagram @alexshepherdpharmacist for behind the scenes footage, health tips, motivation, & product reviews and recommendations.Produced By: Botika CoRecorded at: Loop2 Digital Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our conversation, we hear Megan's story with postnatal depression and her lived experience. We also talk about the common struggles we go through as mums and the transition into motherhood.In our conversation Megan explains what her night anxiety was like. She describes it like this:“At night, I would kind of avoid going to sleep. It was like a train that would just take off and I had no control over it. And it would just go to very, very, very dark places. At nighttime when I went to bed, I was living in the past. And then during the day I was living in the future. I was scared all the time during the day, because all this stuff could happen. And at nighttime I was angry about the past and all the stuff that had happened. I was not present at all. It's like me as a person had taken a back step where I was literally watching myself take off in a negative way and have no control.”The purpose of this chat is to try normalise the conversation around postnatal mental health and the often unrealistic expectations we can put on ourselves as parents to “be a certain way”. According to PANDA it is very difficult to estimate exactly the rates of perinatal mental illness however we do know that it is common and it is recognised as an important public health issue. It is roughly estimated that 1 in 5 women report feeling depressed or anxious either during pregnancy or in the first 12 months after birth.This is why we want to make these conversation, like the one I have with Megan, common practice so that women don't feel afraid to ask for help. The earlier we are able to identify changes in a mother or father's mental health the better.What we Talk aboutBirth Story and emergency C-SectionMegan's transition into motherhoodThe early signs Megan identified that she wasn't copingMegan's experience as a FIFO mumNight time anxietyAsking for help and being diagnosed with Postnatal DepressionFinding your personAcupuncture, Keto Diet and Gut HealthFinding Radiance and their support groupsLinks MentionedInstagram: Megan's new Podcast @_real_mumma_Radiance Website: https://www.radiancesouthwest.com.au/Radiance Instagram: @radiancesouthwestPANDA FoundationCOPE FoundationLifeline: Phone number 13 11 14 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This conversation is one of raw honest truth. A story that sounds harrowing, yet is beautifully empowering and shows the incredible strength of a women and a mother! In this story Edwina talks about the moment she realised something wasn't right during her home birth and her transfer to hospital. But first, we talk about the challenges she faced during pregnancy...Singer and new mum, Edwina Mason talks about the constant challenges she faced from pregnancy right through to her early motherhood months - About suffering with severe nausea (Hyperemesis) throughout her whole pregnancy, her plans for a home birth and the moment she knew something wasn't right, her hospital transfer and C-section, and her transition into motherhood.Summary of what we talk aboutPregnancy and managing HG (severe nausea and vomiting)Birth StoryThe moment she new something wasn't rightHospital transferHer C-sectionVaginal seeding babyPURPLE crying - unsettled newbornCreation of A Body of Art ProjectLinks MentionedEdwina's Instagram: @the.edwina.massonA Body of Art Project: @a_body_of_art_projectAware ParentingHosted By Alexandra ShepherdProduced ByBotika CoStudio SpaceLoop2Digital Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yoga is a spiritual practice that has been around for thousands of years. It has been used by many to promote a better overall health, both mentally, physically and spiritually. In fact, it is actually one of the most powerful ways to maintain a healthy body and mind during pregnancy. In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with mum, yoga instructor and doula, Jenise Russell. During our conversation, she spoke about the benefits of yoga during pregnancy, in preparing for birth, and in the birth itself. We also got to hear her beautiful positive birth story!!What we Talk about:What happens in pregnancy yogaThe health benefits of pregnancy yogaWhen you can start pregnancy yogaHow yoga poses can be used during birthWhat a doula and a post-natal doula isWhat happens in mum and baby yoga classLinks MentionedInstagram: @jenise.yoga.doulaHosted By: Alexandra ShepherdProduced By: Botika Co Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sleep is often a pretty controversial and sensitive topic. Mum's in particular are usually very sleep deprived & vulnerable when these conversations happen. They are only just scraping through with the very little emotional, physical and mental energy they have left.The immense amount of conflicting information out there and safe sleeping rules makes it even harder for women to see a path forward. This information is also generally framed as being “the right way” which just causes even more anxiety for parents.In this conversation we chat with sleep consultant Sarah from Sleep by Sarah to gain a better understanding about what's biologically normal when it comes to baby sleep.During our conversation we talk aboutWhat's going on during “sleep regressions” or developmental leaps.Nap adjustments and how they may help some babies's night sleepWhen's the best time to make changes to a baby's sleep and how long to stick with itDebunk common baby sleep myths.What's developmental normal for a baby's sleep.Some tips for what a parent can do for their own energy during those wakeful nights. Links MentionedSleep By Sarah: sleepbysarah.com.auInstagram: @sleepbysarahMama Tribe: www.mamatribe.com.auHosted byAlexandra ShepherdBought to you by Botika Co Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We chat with Women's Health Physiotherapist, Issy Downie, about vaginal health after childbirth.This is an open and candid chat that discusses rates of prolapse, returning to sex or urinary incontinence after giving birth.The aim of our discussion is to help women feel empowered with knowledge around what's to be expected after birth. We also chat about what is involved with having an assessment by a women's health physiotherapist. During our conversation we touch on:What a women's health physio is and what they do?What is a prolapse and how common it is after childbirth The assessment process, what an internal examination is and informed consentHow you can help minimise or prevent a prolapseReturning to sex after having a babyWhy urinary incontinence occurs and what you can do about itLinks mentioned during the show:Issy Downie Instagram: @fempower_physiotherapyLatitude Physio Vasse: https://latitude337physio.com.au/Hosted byAlexandra ShepherdBought to you by Botika Co Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giving birth is a beautiful experience, but for many women it can also be a time of great challenge – both physically and emotionally.In Australia, one in five women experience mental health problems during pregnancy or in the first year after giving birth. This can range from mild mood swings to more serious conditions such as postnatal depression, anxiety or psychosis.Sadly, many women don't seek help until they are in the grip of a full-blown mental health crisis. By that time, it may be too late. The good news is there are now some amazing support groups like that of Radiance.In this episode, we speak with Anne, one of the creators of the foundation Radiance. Anne tells us all about their work in supporting women during their postnatal recovery, in particular their focus on nourishing mental wellbeing.The Radiance foundation was created to provide community support and practical resources to mothers during the challenging postnatal period. Through their support groups, Anne and her team help women to connect with others who are going through a similar experience. This podcast is a great opportunity to bring awareness to the importance of postnatal mental health and to highlight some of the excellent work that Radiance are doing in this area. During this episodeIn this conversation with Anne we discuss:How Radiance was startedAbout Radiance and what they doWhat can a partner, family member or friend do to support a mum and her mental wellbeing?What you shouldn't say to a mum who confides in youWhat women can do to help nurture their mental wellbeing in those early parenthood yearsThe mental health of the dads and partners?Links MentionedRadiance Website: https://www.radiancesouthwest.com.au/Radiance Instagram: @radiancesouthwestPANDA FoundationCOPE FoundationLifeline: Phone number 13 11 14Hosted byUnscripted with Alex is hosted by our pharmacist & Founder of Botika Co, Alexandra Shepherd.You can follow Alex on Instagram @alexshepherdpharmacist for behind the scenes footage, health tips, motivation, & product reviews and recommendations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we are joined by mother of two and peer advocate at Radiance, CJ. During this podcast episode, CJ opens up to us about her experience with postnatal psychosis and depression after the birth of her first child. Her story is a raw and vulnerable one that helps shine a light on the importance of supporting women's mental wellbeing after birth.During this episodeDuring our conversation CJ talks about:Her pregnancy and birthWhat happened during the early days after giving birthThe early signs of postnatal psychosisHer experience in the mum and baby unitHer battle with postnatal depressionThe birth of her second childHer recoveryHow her donation kick started the creation of the community network Radiance Thank youWe would like to thank CJ for being courageous and vulnerable and for sharing her story with us. Finally, we invite our listeners to get involved with the South West, WA group Radiance and support this important foundation. For those that don't know them, Radiance is a community network connecting parents to local services to support emotional well being during early parenthood. This episode is just the first of a two part series. During our next episode we chat with one of the Radiance Founders, Anne Mackay and how Radiance was brought to life. We will hear how Anne's journey with Radiance was kicked off by the generous donation CJ made from a clothes swap fundraiser she held. Links MentionedCJ Instagram: @cjheinsradianceRadiance: www.radiancesouthwest.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recently, medicinal cannabis has been thrust into the national spotlight as a potential treatment for a variety of conditions in both adults and children. While the debate around its use continues, one thing is for certain: medicinal cannabis is becoming an increasingly common treatment option for a variety of ailments.In this podcast show, we chat with Dr Matty Moore about the use of medicinal cannabis in children. Dr Moore is an internationally-trained GP/ED physician and an Authorised Prescriber of medicinal cannabis in Australia. This conversation aims to provide parents with a better understanding of the medicinal use of cannabis in children.During the show, we cover:what conditions it is used forthe safety profile in childrenthe current research & evidence for its use, andhow parents can start the conversation with their GP/specialists.LINKS MENTIONEDHonahlee - A guide to Medicinal Cannabis: honahlee.com.au/medical-cannabis-guide-australia/To get in touch with Dr Matty Moore, you can find him at the following links:Instagram: @drmattymoore or @modehealthcareFacebook: @modehealthcareWebsite: www.mattmooremd.com/Dr Matty Moore's Practice: www.modehealthcare.com.au/HOSTED BYAlexandra Shepherd (Pharmacist)This show was bought to you by Botika Co Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As parents we are bombarded with information. It's all right at our fingertips. And in those early days as a new parent we can find ourselves scrambling for information on Google - “how to help baby sleep through” “how to manage colic” “should my baby be eating finger foods”. The search list is endless. So what happened to trusting our intuition? Have we tapped out from our inner voice. How do we gain that back and allow that to be the voice that guides our parenting & lifestyle choices? In this conversation we speak intuitive coach and mum of three, Tash Hanham, about her journey into motherhood. Tash talks about getting diagnosed with a major auto-immune condition, lupus, when her baby was born. We speak about how this lead her to re-shuffling her lifestyle and creating a career that sat better with her new role as a mum and fitted her family life.Some topics we dive into include:managing lupus with a newbornwhat's involved with a one-on-one intuitive coaching sessionwomen circlescreating your vision or finding your new career goalsLINKS DISCUSSEDFacebook & Instagram: @tashdiariesWebsite: tashdiaries.blogUpcoming program - Discovering Me https://hub.tashdiaries.blog/discovering-meHOSTED BYAlexandra ShepherdInstagram: @alexshepherdpharmacist Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Unscripted with Alex, we chat with Whitney Tuna, Business Owner, Muay Thai Fighter and Mum, about staying fit during pregnancy. As a parent we want our children to live happy and healthy lives. One of the best ways we can help them do that is by being a great example for them and showing up. So how can we expect our children to live an active fit lifestyle if we ourselves are not making fitness a priority in our own lives. But having a baby is a massive game changer. Finding time to exercise can be tricky, finding energy & motivation to exercise might be even harder. Then there's the recovery period for a woman after having a baby and everyone's recovery will look different.To follow Whitney Tuna on socials, you can find her on Instagram at @whitneytuna or on Champions Gym's Facebook @championsgym Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.