In this episode, you'll hear an unbelievable story of hidden pregnancy and surprise childbirth. Today, I'm joined by Nazlee (she/her) from Zimbabwe, who is finishing up her university course in Italy. She is a mother to her four-year-old son.

Nazlee's path to motherhood was anything but typical. One day, after a night out, she was rushed to the hospital with excruciating stomach cramps and received a shocking diagnosis...she was in labour!

Don't miss out on hearing this remarkable story!

Follow our Instagram @growingupraisinguspodcast for photos of our weekly guests and updates on new episodes.

The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠.

This podcast was partially recorded on the lands of Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. This always was and always will be the land of the First Nations peoples.

Joining me today are Georgia (she/her) and Paddy (he/him), who share their unique journeys into parenthood. Paddy became a father at the young age of 21 in a previous relationship, and now he and Georgia have been together for four years, raising their adorable 6-month-old son, Reuben, while co-parenting his now 7-year-old daughter.

In this episode, I'm joined by Claudia (she/her). Before becoming a parent, Claudia was working as a hairdresser, in a relatively new relationship, and did not live with her partner. They have now bought their own property and are parents to their two and a half year old daughter.

The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠.

This podcast was recorded on the lands of Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. This always was and always will be the land of the First Nations peoples.

In this episode, I'm joined by Cartier (she/her). Cartier and her now fiancé had only been dating for 3 months before a surprise pregnancy led to some big and exciting life changes for them. They are now parents to a 17 month old daughter and excitingly, have a second baby on the way.

We speak about Cartier's birth with her daughter and how that was impacted by covid restrictions, navigating becoming a parent while in a fresh relationship, her breastfeeding journey and her daughter's tongue tie, her postpartum anxiety, her friendship and identity changes, and how she’s feeling about becoming a parent of two. 

I would like to provide a trigger warning as in this episode we discuss Cartier’s postpartum anxiety and the feelings she experienced with that. If the topic feels too much for you right now, you may want to come back to the episode at a later time, and if it does bring anything up for you I have listed some resources below that I encourage you to visit.

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, Cartier. It was so lovely to hear!

Follow our instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@definitelybabypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ for photos of weekly guests, and episode updates and releases.

The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠.

Beyond Blue: https://www.beyondblue.org.au

PANDA: https://panda.org.au/

Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE): https://www.cope.org.au/family-community/

This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Wadawurrung, the Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. This always was and always will be the land of the First Nations peoples.

Hey everyone, welcome to episode 7. In this episode, I’m joined by my lovely partner Hagan (he/him). Together we’re parents to our 16 month old daughter. Before you listen to this episode, you may want to go back and listen to my story from last week’s episode 6. 

Hagan shares his perspective on our parenting journey so far. Before becoming a parent, Hagan strongly identified with his career as an English teacher and aspiring writer. He found navigating the identity changes and the pull away from his school and into family life interesting and, at times, conflicting. We speak about his experience of deciding to become a parent while being in a fresh relationship, how his friendships and our relationship has shifted since we’ve become parents, and some surprises that have arisen along the way.

Follow our instagram ⁠@definitelybabypodcast⁠ for photos of weekly guests, and episode updates and releases.

This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. This always was and always will be the land of the First Nations peoples.

Hey everybody! Welcome to episode 6. In this episode, Michaela, from episode 2, interviews me about my story. 

Before becoming a parent, I was studying to be a teacher. Then half way through my master's degree an unplanned pregnancy brought some huge, yet beautiful, life changes for my partner and I. 

In this chat, Michaela and I talk about the great support we had during the postpartum period and how I actually found the most challenging period to be after my daughter was around 6 months old and that support began to wane, navigating both my partner and I going back to work, my positive breastfeeding journey (apart from a few bouts of mastitis), identity and relationship changes, and my struggles with my body image. 

The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Follow our instagram ⁠@definitelybabypodcast⁠ for photos of weekly guests, and episode updates and releases.

This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. This always was and always will be the land of the First Nations peoples.

In this episode, I'm joined by Emily (she/her), a mother who found herself navigating the difficult breakdown of a 10-year relationship (and recent marriage) while parenting her young toddler. Emily talks about the challenges of not only becoming a single parent, but also being single for the first time since she was 16 years old. She also speaks on the struggles of minimal postpartum support and the sense of loss of not having a relationship with her own mother.

We delve into the ups and downs of Emily's breastfeeding and weaning journey, sleep challenges, and co-sleeping. She also discusses the close bond she shares with her sister, Hannah, who shares her story in episode 4, and how they have supported each other through their respective motherhood journeys.

Despite the hardships, Emily has shown incredible strength and resilience as a mother, and we are honoured to have her share her story with us.

This episode was mastered by @sleeplessfootscray. 

Follow our instagram ⁠@growingupraisinguspodcast⁠ for photos of weekly guests, and episode updates and releases.

This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Wadawurrung, the Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. Australia always was and always will be the land of the First Peoples. Every month, I Pay The Rent and so can you - click⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to learn more.

In this episode, I’m joined by Hannah (she/her), who, with her husband, is a mother to her one year old daughter, and two angel babies, Iris and Oaka, who Hannah very sadly lost in her pregnancies with them.

We discuss Hannah’s breastfeeding journey, some periods of challenging sleep, not having her mum during her parenting journey, her close relationship with her sister, Emily, the support she receives from her friends, family and husband, and the identity shifts that come with parenthood.

I thank you so much, Hannah, sharing your story today. You’re a wonderful woman!

TW: Miscarriage & Pregnancy Loss

I would like to include a trigger warning because this episode discusses miscarriage and pregnancy loss. If these topics feel too much for you right now, you may want to come back to the episode at a later date. If the contents of this episode are triggering for you, I have included some resources below that I encourage you to visit.

PANDA: https://panda.org.au/

Beyond Blue: https://www.beyondblue.org.au

Pink Elephants: https://www.pinkelephants.org.au/

SANDS: https://www.sands.org.au/

Follow our instagram ⁠@growingupraisinguspodcast for photos of weekly guests, and episode updates and releases.

This episode was mastered by @sleeplessfootscray.

This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Wadawurrung, the Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. Australia always was and always will be the land of the First Peoples. Every month, I Pay The Rent and so can you - click⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to learn more.

In episode 1, I interview Tanvi (she/her). Tanvi and her husband are from India and have lived in Melbourne for 6 years, and they are first time parents to their 14 month old daughter.

Before becoming a parent, Tanvi worked as a classroom teacher working with kids and teenagers with special needs. She has a keen interest in emotional literacy and social emotional teaching. She has previously worked in schools across India and Melbourne as a special needs educator, teacher trainer and teacher aide. And, as we discuss in this episode, she recently began doing this work again.

Tanvi and I talk about the challenges of entering parenthood when most of her family still live in India, the feelings of mum guilt around feeding decisions, navigating cultural differences in parenting, the changes in relationships and identity after having a baby, and the importance of prioritising self care in the process.

The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at @sleeplessfootscray.

Follow our instagram ⁠⁠@definitelybabypodcast⁠⁠ for photos of weekly guests, and episode updates and releases.

This podcast was recorded on the lands of Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. This always was and always will be the land of the First Nations peoples.

In episode 2, I’m joined by Michaela (she/her). Michaela is a single mother to her daughter. Before becoming a mum, Michaela had worked as a paediatrician for over 10 years. She has always had a fascination with babies and children’s development and has therefore loved watching Claudia develop her language and motor skills. We talk about how her profession has positively impacted her experience of becoming a parent, as well as some things she has found both surprising and challenging. Her experience as a paediatrician was also useful in her birth, in which she had a Maternal Assisted Caesarean. 

This episode was mastered by ⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠. The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠.

Follow our instagram ⁠⁠⁠@definitelybabypodcast⁠⁠⁠ for photos of weekly guests, and episode updates and releases.

This podcast was recorded on the lands of Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. This always was and always will be the land of the First Nations peoples.