In Your Own Kin

In this week's episode we are joined by Amberley. Amberley talks about life with her husband Josh, and their two children Lawson and Avery.

Amberley is a midwife in private practice, and the power house behind Maternal Instincts by Amberley.

Amberley and Josh conceived their first baby in 2011. At their 12 week scan they discovered that baby didn't have a heartbeat. It was a loss that Amberley describes as completely heart breaking. Amberley decided to decline a D&C, and she miscarried at home. After that experience, Amberley and Josh decided to travel. Amberley reflects on needing to take time and space before trying to conceive again.

In 2013, Amberley and Josh welcomed Lawson. At her baby shower, Amberley's midwife recognised that Lawson was breech. Amberley reflects on the shock she felt at this news, and how her midwife brain kicked in. She spent a lot of time trying to get Lawson to turn, and found a trusted care provider to support her in her decision for a vaginal breech birth. After a beautiful labour, Amberley's team recommended she get a caesarean section. Amberley speaks so beautifully about her birth day - she talks about the importance of having a team you know and trust, talking about your preferences with your support person and trusting your body and baby.

Amberley and Josh decided to extend their family when Lawson was 15 months old, and welcomed Avery. She talks about speaking to her team about a VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean), linking in with a private midwife, and the power of knowing your support person is just within hand's reach.

Amberley absolutely believes that parents need education, evidence-based information and unwavering support in order to shine at breastfeeding or chestfeeding. It is Amberley's aspiration to be the trusted Midwife you can call on to provide the time, vital guidance and unique knowledge that you need to reach your feeding goals. You can link in with Amberley and her amazing suite of offerings through her website or on instagram @maternalinstinctsbyamberley

This is such a beautiful episode. Amberley shares so much of her parenthood journey, and reflects on the adventures of family life. I can't wait for you to listen!

If you would like to see some more photos of Amberley and her beautiful family be sure to head on over to @kinbycharlotte

In this week's episode I am joined by Liv. Liv shares her parenthood journey, and reflects on life with her husband Kerem and their son Ediz.

Liv speaks so beautifully about balancing the personal and professional - sharing that she is first and foremost a mum (with the same niggling worries), who just happens to have a whole lot of experience caring for children and their families as a paediatric nurse.

At her 32 week appointment, it was confirmed that Ediz was breech. Together, Liv and Kerem decided to decline intervention to turn Ediz. Liv reflects on trusting her body, and her baby's decision to choose their own perfect position. At 39 weeks Liv and Kerem headed to the hospital to meet their littlest love in what she describes as a completely surreal experience.  Liv and Kerem welcomed Ediz in March 2020, just days before Melbourne went into lockdown. Liv speaks so openly and honestly about the joys and challenges of her first year of parenthood - from sleep deprivation, the sheer joy of watching Ediz grow, the endless admiration and respect she has for her Mum, and falling in love with impossibly gorgeous first pair of shoes. This is such a beautiful episode!

Be sure to head on over to @kinbycharlotte to see some photos of Liv and her divine family.

In this week's episode I chat with Steph. Steph talks about life as a family of three, and adventures with her husband Niall, and their daughter Neve.

Steph has a really close kinship network. Throughout her pregnancy Steph and Niall spent a lot of time preparing for the birth day and postpartum period. Steph reflects on the birth plan she had made with her support team, including her cousin who is a midwife, and embracing the twists and turns of her birth day. Following an induction of labour, Steph had an emergency caesarean section. Hearing Steph talk about those first few moments with Neve will give you prickly eyes.

A few weeks in to family life Melbourne went in to lockdown. Steph reflects on once again having to put her plans aside, embracing each day as it comes, the importance of a support network that will hold you no matter what, the need for real talk about parenting, and the power of asking 'how are you?'

This is such a gorgeous episode. Steph speaks so openly and honestly about the joys and challenges of parenthood.

Be sure to head on over to @kinbycharlotte to see some photos of Steph and her gorgeous family. If you're loving the show subscribe, and share it with your very own kin.

In this week's episode I chat with Jess. Jess is funny and wise and the kind of friend that is there for you in the sparkly and grey moments. Jess walks us through her parenthood journey. In 2011 Jess met her partner, Mads whilst on exchange in Denmark. Jess reflects on the ups and downs of an unplanned pregnancy in her final semester of university. Jess and Mads now  live in Denmark with their three divine children Matilda, Ida and Emilie.

Jess speaks openly and honestly about reconciling her Australian and Danish lives, being present, and finding ways to connect to a kinship network that works for you when it feels as though finding your village is impossible. Jess' story spans Denmark, Perth, Hobart and Greece. Jess also shares her experience of postpartum anxiety following the birth of her second daughter.

If you or someone you love is experiencing postpartum anxiety or feeling anxious I encourage you to reach out to PANDA, your GP, Family Health Nurse or someone you trust for support.

PANDA - Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia supports families across Australia affected by anxiety and depression during pregnancy and in the first year of parenthood. PANDA operates Australia’s only National Helpline for individuals and their families to recover from perinatal anxiety and depression, a serious illness that affects up to one in five expecting or new mums and one in ten expecting or new dads.

I recommend that all families follow PANDA on instagram @pandanational for bite sized pieces of reliable information, and so that you always have their details on hand.

If you are enjoying the show please be sure to subscribe so that you always get the latest episode. I would love it if you could leave me a review. Be sure to head on over to @kinbycharlotte to see some pictures of Jess and her beautiful family.

In this week's episode I share the mic with Elisha. Elisha is truly one of the kindest and wisest souls you could ever have the pleasure of crossing paths with. Elisha is a transitions facilitator and mama to the sweetest fur babe around, Malu.

Elisha guides us through a grounding exercise. I hope this week's episode gives you the time and space to put yourself first. To put your own life mask on before assisting others. To fill your own cup. To reset and recharge.

You can find Elisha on instagram, @ebuffone_celebrant There you will be able to see Elisha's full suite of offerings, so that she can guide you through all of life's twists and turns.

If you're enjoying the show be sure to subscribe, so that you get the latest episodes on your preferred platform as soon as they drop. You can also head on over to @kinbycharlotte to get all of the latest updates from me, and to see more images of all of the amazing guests that join me on the show.

In this week's episode I chat with the divine Kate. Kate talks about her Liddle family, life in regional Australia and how her work as a naturopath shaped her journey.

Kate and her husband Neill live in a gorgeous coastal town called Esperance in south east Western Australia. Kate reflects on the opportunities and challenges living in Esperance presented in her pregnancy and birth. Kate talks really eloquently about the circles of choice available to families in regional Australia, a realisation she had after devouring Australian Birth Stories. Kate, Neill and big brother Dylan welcomed darling Ren in late 2020. Kate shares her very own beautiful birth story, and reflects on the importance of a strong kinship network or nest to nurture and nourish new families.  You can follow @kate_naturopath for perfectly uncurated look in to Kate's adventures as a naturopath.

Be sure to head over to @kinbycharlotte to see more photos of Kate and her gorgeous family.

In this week's episode I interview the amazing B. B is a wearer of many hats. B is a midwife, PT, the creator of Core and Floor, a published author, a wife, a mama and all round legend.

B walks through the beginnings of her parenting journey alongside her husband, Mick, as the two became foster parents. B and Mick shared many adventures across Australia and the Solomon Islands, before deciding to try to conceive. B is mama to the A Team - Banjo (Amos) and Aloysius. B speaks really openly and honestly about conceiving, pregnancy, birth and parenthood. This is the kind of episode that will have you snort laughing, and give you prickly eyes. I'll pop a language warning on this one too - both B and I can get a little sweary!

B is the creator of Core and Floor. This is the kind of program you are going to be shouting about from the rooftops! The Core and Floor program has four series - Pregnancy,  Restore, Strengthen and Men. 

B is a must follow on social media. She shares her experiences and expertise so generously. You can find B at @coreandfloorrestore Rest assured she will be sharing content that will remind you that you're not alone in this journey. B filmed an amazing antenatal course during lockdown, and you can find that on her facebook page coreandfloorrestore

B talks openly and honestly about her mental health journey. COPE, PANDA, Lifeline, and Beyondblue are resources every family should have in their toolkit.

I hope you enjoy today's show!

In this week's episode I interview the divine Elise. Elise talks about deciding to start a family with her partner, John, and shares her two very different birth stories. Elise talks very openly and honestly about experiencing birth trauma in the birth of her second daughter. She also talks about her mental health journey, and the joys and challenges of parenting her two little loves.

Elise mentions a range of excellent resources and services that she reached out to, including the PANDA hotline.
PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia) and COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence) are two services that every family should have in their toolkit. You can follow PANDA and COPE on Instagram, so you always have their details on hand.

All three of our little loves join us at different parts of the show, so we hope you enjoy listening to some VIP guests!

This  is a really beautiful episode. Elise speaks so eloquently about the need to lean in to your village, and the importance of her kinship network. You can head on over to @kinbycharlotte to see some images of Elise and John and their gorgeous family.

In this week's episode I share the mic with my partner, Piet. We talk about our parenting journey from deciding to start a family, conceiving, pregnancy, birth and beyond. There's nothing off the table - we talk about our experience of relationship changes, intimacy, life in lockdown and the realities of navigating the joys and challenges of parenthood. I get  a bit sweary, so a content warning for you. We hope you enjoy the show!

If you would like to see more pictures of our gorgeous family, head on over to kinbycharlotte on instagram.

Welcome to In Your Own Kin! This week I will share a little bit about my parenthood journey, and the birth of my biz bebe - kin. I can't wait to walk alongside you as we navigate the grandest of adventures - parenthood.