Trigger warning: This episode discusses premature birth, postpartum depression and anxiety

For those who haven’t experienced it, premature birth may seem like a simple concept. The baby is born early.

But for those who have gone through it, it can be a traumatic, all consuming event that can have long lasting effects on their mental health and the very way they function as a parent.

In this episode we speak to my friend Steph Wanless, an incredible woman who has co-founded and directs the publication FOUND Regional, all while juggling the life of a mother of two children who were both born premature.. She enjoys good grammar, good gin and good times. A self-confessed perfectionist with a penchant for Saturday night lounge room discos, when she's not writing a story, interviewing someone for a story or editing a story, she's usually staring into space planning her next 10 stories.

In this episode Steph shares:

- Her early career before becoming a mother and the life she built

- The process of reconciling she had to give up some things to be a mum

- The pivotal moment in their relationship when their child was born prematurely

- Her experience in the neonatal ward

- How she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety as a parent

- The anxiety she feels about her children even now

- The process of having a second premature birth

- Parenting challenges and experiences

- What it was like balancing work and childcare

- Shift in focus from finance and tech to storytelling

- The growth and challenges of the magazine

Key Quotes

“The first time I actually saw ted (my baby) was in a photo.”

“I couldn’t be with him and I had to trust other people to keep him alive and that was really confronting.”

“I was so used to physically seeing on a screen that they were breathing. So when I brought them home and I didn’t have the assurance of that machine, I panicked.”

More about Steph Wanless

You can check out FOUND Regional via their website: https://www.foundregional.com.au/

Or follow them on socials.

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/found_regional

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FOUNDRegional

You can get involved with the podcast online

On facebook in our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/challengesthatchangeus

Or on Instagram: @challengesthatchangeus

If you want to find out more about what Ali does, check out her business via the website:

http://www.trialtitudeperformance.com.au

For her other business you can find it through the websites:

www.altitudefitnessarmidale.com.au

Or you can follow them on Instagram:

@Altitudefitnessarmidale

@trialtitudeperformance

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