1 in 5 Mothers, 1 in 10 Fathers

Following our episode with Sophie Walker of Australian Birth Stories, who shared her traumatic first birth experience, this season’s final roundtable discussion unpacks how the mental and physical toll of a birth not going to plan can extend well beyond that day.

To discuss birth trauma and why communication could be key in avoiding it, host Davina Smith is joined by Dr Peter Wood, obstetrician and gynaecologist who has delivered more than 3,000 babies, who shares his message of healing for mothers feeling that they are ‘broken’, and Katie Peterson, clinical team leader and psychologist from Gidget Foundation, who explains why good mental health is such a crucial part of recovering from birth trauma.

Need support? Head to the Gidget Foundation Australia website for more information. 

You can learn more about Dr Peter Wood on his website, drpeterwood.com.au.

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Birth is often painted as a moment of pure joy, but what happens when the reality is far more complicated?  In this deeply personal episode, Sophie Walker shares her journey through birth trauma, unexpected interventions, and the road to recovery.

From her meticulously planned birth plan unravelling in the delivery room amid worried family, to the emotional and physical toll, Sophie opens up about the challenges so many mothers face but few discuss.

Host Davina Smith also explores the importance of education and community support through Sophie’s podcast, ‘Australian Birth Stories’. 

Need support? Head to the Gidget Foundation Australia website for more information. 

Learn more about Sophie on her Instagram, @australianbirthstories or on their website, australianbirthstories.com  

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When does ‘older’ motherhood begin, and why does the outdated label geriatric pregnancy still haunt women in their 30s and 40s? In this insightful roundtable, Dr Leah Hechtman (PhD), naturopathic clinician, joins clinical psychologist Dr Felicity Chandler from the Gidget Foundation to unpack the complex interplay of biology, age, and mental health on the path to parenthood. 

From the surprising role of sperm quality in placental health to why sleep deprivation sabotages egg quality, Leah shares cutting-edge science rarely discussed in clinics. Meanwhile, Felicity tackles the hidden emotional toll, why phrases like "your body’s failing you" cut so deep, and how to reframe self-talk when conception struggles feel isolating.  

Need support? Head to the Gidget Foundation Australia website for more information. 

You can learn more about Dr Leah Hechtman on her website, drleahhechtman.com, or follow her on Instagram, @drleahhechtman 

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At 47, Sheila - high-performance coach, former CFO, and self-proclaimed "late bloomer” - finally held her miracle baby in her arms. But the road to motherhood was anything but conventional. 

In this deeply personal episode, Sheila shares her extraordinary journey of hope, heartbreak, and divine intervention, from freezing her eggs at 38 during a devastating breakup, to meeting her soulmate Tyson during lockdown, to surviving seven rounds of IVF before turning to donor eggs. 

Gidget Foundation Australia has created a series of books called ‘Bunny Books’ to reach out to those that may be suffering. Available through booktopia here. 

Need support? Head to the Gidget Foundation Australia website for more information. 

You can learn more about Sheila by visiting her website, sheilav.co 

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Having a baby is life-changing, but so is the financial shock that comes with it. In this candid roundtable with personal finance expert Kate Browne from Compare Club and Gidget Psychologist Alicia Moss, we tackle the money fears no one warns you about, from navigating paid parental leave (without missing superannuation) to surviving the cost-of-living crisis with a newborn. We discuss the hidden expenses that blindside even the most prepared parents, including the real cost of raising a child and why that terrifying ‘$1 million’ figure isn’t the full story. 

Gidget Foundation Australia has created a series of books called ‘Bunny Books’ to reach out to those that may be suffering. Available through booktopia here. 

Need support? Head to the Gidget Foundation Australia website for more information. 

Discover more from compare club on their website, compareclub.com.au 

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When Luke - a musician, performer, and devoted dad - found himself lying on the floor in tears, overwhelmed by the weight of fatherhood, he faced a silent battle many men never admit to: postnatal depression. In this raw and deeply personal conversation, Luke shares how the arrival of his twins, and the pressure to be the "strong" provider, left him feeling lost, guilty, and unable to speak up. 

From the chaos of emergency C-sections to the identity crisis of trading rap lyrics for nappy changes, Luke breaks down the stigma around men's mental health with host Davina Smith.  

Gidget Foundation Australia has created a series of books called ‘Bunny Books’ to reach out to those that may be suffering. Available through booktopia here. 

Need support? Head to the Gidget Foundation Australia website for more information. 

Follow Luke on his Instagram, @itslukemac_ 

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In this roundtable discussion, host Davina Smith explores the realities of young parenthood with Dr Arianne Reis from Young Well Being’s and psychologist Dr Felicity Chandler from the Gidget Foundation. They share insights on the mental health challenges young parents face, the intersection of adolescence and matrescence, and how societal stereotypes often overlook the resilience of young families. Hear powerful stories of young mums reclaiming their narrative, from battling isolation to pursuing education and careers while parenting. This conversation highlights why support, not judgment, can make all the difference.  

Gidget Foundation Australia has created a series of books called ‘Bunny Books’ to reach out to those that may be suffering. Available through booktopia here. 

Need support? Head to the Gidget Foundation Australia website for more information. 

You can learn more about and register for Young Well Beings here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From a cheeky Snapchat message to raising two daughters under three, Georgia and Zac's story is raw, hilarious, and deeply relatable. In this episode, they open up about falling in love fast, becoming parents before they felt “ready,” and the emotional highs and lows of navigating pregnancy, birth, and postpartum in their 20s. 

Georgia shares what it was like giving birth to a surprise breech baby, the mental toll of a second pregnancy while parenting a toddler, and the guilt of feeling like she “missed” nine months of her eldest’s life. Zach offers a rare glimpse into modern fatherhood, from the helplessness of early labour to learning that sometimes, the best support is just listening. 

Thanks to Homb for making this episode possible. To learn more about Homb’s services, visit homb.com.au.  

Need support? Head to the Gidget Foundation Australia website for more information. 

Keep up with Georgie & Zac on their TikTok, @georgieandzac 

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Join Davina Smith as she zooms out from individual stories to tackle the complex world of fertility struggles. Joined by Fertility specialist Dr Lionel Reyftmann and Registered Psychologist Matt Aquilina from the Gidget Foundation Australia, this conversation explores the tyranny of statistics and the mental marathon of treatment, but also, the impact of celebrity narratives and the quiet grief many carry.

Gidget Foundation Australia has created a series of books called ‘Bunny Books’ to reach out to those that may be suffering. Available through booktopia here.

Need support? Head to the Gidget Foundation Australia website for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may know her as the bright, bubbly Wiggle lighting up stages for kids across the country, but behind the scenes, Caterina Mete was on a deeply personal mission: to become a mum, on her own terms.

In this heartfelt episode, Caterina opens up to Davina about the emotional rollercoaster of choosing solo motherhood and going through IVF alone. She talks about the unexpected comfort she found in connecting with other solo mums, the pressure to stay positive in the face of uncertainty, and the power of choosing joy - even when the journey is scary.

Thanks to Homb for making this episode possible. To learn more about Homb’s services, visit homb.com.au. 

Need support? Head to the Gidget Foundation Australia website for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.