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.