Life After Bump Diaries

“We saw him on a scan just before I delivered and I said to my husband, I just want to see him one more time alive. I want to see him and he’s happy and I feel like I’m protecting him. I think that’s the hardest thing about delivering a baby that’s not alive... it’s that you feel like you’ve failed but also that your body is its protection so in a way, once you’re out, I can’t protect you anymore.” 

Today's episode is dedicated to Charlie Mills who on 16 February 2018 was born still. Charlie's mum Luce wants to share hers and Charlie's story today - and it's an important one to tell and to hear. Luce hopes that by sharing her story she may be able to help someone feel less alone if they too experience the devastation that is a stillborn child. She also wants people to have hope that if this does happen, you can go on to have a healthy baby after loss. This episode is a tribute to beautiful Charlie Mills in honour of his memory. Please decide if this episode is right for you to listen to. 

If you’d like to donate to the charities that Luce mentioned, the details are below: 

Bears of hope 

Heartfelt

 Please join the community @lifeafterbumpdiaries

In this week’s episode I speak to Danielle, mum to Leon. Danielle shares her experience of being a mum in a same sex family, including her and her wife’s difficulty with finding an IVF clinic that made them feel welcome, and how they had to navigate an archaic system that struggled to support their family. Danielle speaks about facing language such as ‘mum and dad’ and her wife being given a band at the hospital that said ‘I became a dad today’. Danielle also covers their experience of choosing a donor and how she’s adjusted to becoming a mum as a senior professional.

Listen now on all podcast platforms and join the community! @lifeafterbumpdiaries

In this episode I speak to Steph, mum to Xavier. Steph shares her experience of having a prolapse, including how she was diagnosed, the emotions she went through as someone who was previously very active person, and how she’s since recovered. Steph has been seeing a counsellor since being diagnosed with post-natal anxiety and is on a journey of being kinder to herself. She shares what led her to the diagnosis and how she’s trying to show herself some compassion. Additionally, Steph speaks about how she’s struggled with her body image since having a baby and how she’s learning to accept the physical, mental and emotional journey she will have to go on with this. 

Steph on discovering her new identity: "It's such a shift from who you identified with before and trying to find who you are now... I think that’s something I’ve struggled with a little bit and am trying to make peace with being a new version of myself.  It’s not losing my old self and being someone totally new, but its just a new version of myself... and its ok to still have hobbies outside of being a mother but its also ok to say no to some things to be a mother."

Listen now on all podcast platforms and join the community: @lifeafterbumpdiaries 

In this week’s episode I speak to Dee, mum to Will. Dee’s husband is a doctor and she shares what happened when he was almost not allowed into the delivery room because of a COVID outbreak. She also shares how she sometimes struggles doing it alone because of her husband’s demanding job. Dee speaks very candidly about her breastfeeding experience and how it didn’t go to plan. She talks about the pressures mums feel to breastfeed and the great lengths she went to to make it work.

“There’s a lot of encouragement in the media for people to breastfeed, which is fantastic but that’s not always the best option for someone, and I think there needs to be more discussion and dialogue about the fact that sometimes these positive messages about breastfeeding make people feel like the other options aren’t suitable and you’re not doing as much for your family as you would be if you were breastfeeding,” Dee says.

After much heartbreak, Dee has found a solution that works for her and she shares this in this episode.  Listen now on all podcast platforms.

Please connect with me on Facebook or Instagram: @lifeafterbumpdiaries

In this week’s episode, I speak to Jem, mum to Tadhg.  Jem has a fascinating story, from having family overseas who haven’t been able to meet her son, to managing type one diabetes and what that meant during her pregnancy, birth experience and now as a mum (including how it impacted her breastfeeding journey). Jem also speaks about her son’s diagnosis of both reflux and cows milk protein intolerance including how they were identified and how they’re being treated. Jem also shares her experience of post natal depression and explains why she believes it’s important to tell the people around you.  Listen now on all podcast platforms. 

In this week’s  episode I speak to Lizzy, a mum to two boys, an academic, physiologist and freelance photographer. Lizzy has a lot going on – and she talks about how she manages it, including  what she and her husband did to reconnect in their partnership when their marriage took a backseat.  Lizzy also shares the parenting approaches she follows – which includes showing empathy in those moments where might you wonder WTF. She also describes how her background as a physiologist has influenced how she parents.  Plus if you’ve felt your identity has been turned upside down since becoming a mum, Lizzy’s perspective is refreshing - and one you don't want to miss.  Available on all podcast platforms. 

In this week’s episode, and the final for 2020, I speak to Brooke, mum to Ethan and Estelle. When Ethan was one, Brooke noticed that he wasn’t reaching his milestones, she reached out to her doctor who assured her everything was fine. After a year and a half of looking for answers, he was diagnosed with autism. Brooke talks about this journey and what it means for her family, including the strain it put on her relationship. Brooke also experienced post natal depression with both of her children. She speaks frankly about what she experienced leading up to her diagnosis, and the stigmas she faced when she opened up about it.

Thanks to Brooke for being so open and raw about her journey.

Listen now on all podcast platforms!

Please note there’s a brief mention of suicide in this episode. If you need help please call Lifeline on 13 11 14. 

Follow Brooke on instagram @handful.of.adventures

Thank you for supporting my podcast during 2020. I can't wait to share what I have planned for 2021. New episodes will return January 2021. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and safe and happy new year x

In this week’s episode I speak to Rhiannon, mum to Harper. Rhiannon shares her journey of becoming 'Rhiannon, the mum' including debriefing with the hospital after her delivery. She talks about how she let go of who she was before she had a baby and embrace her new life,  . Rhiannon also shares her pre-baby visions that she would find her best friends for life in her mother's group and when that didn't happen, what she did to find her people.  Plus - what international story helped her get through the new-mum doubt and trust that she was doing ok? Listen now on all podcast platforms! Available now.

In this week's episode I speak to Leah, mum to 11 month old Esther. Leah is an occupational therapist and shares how this has impacted her parenting style.  She also talks about the experience of being evacuated from her family home with her newborn daughter during Sydney's devastating bushfire season in 2020, including how she managed to pack up all of her memories while being in the newborn haze. Leah also discusses how important visiting a women's physio was to her, and how it helped her recover from her episiotomy - which is something all mums should consider once they've had their clearance from a doctor. Listen now on all podcast platforms.
You can follow Leah at: @our_small_companions where she shares experiences, ideas and writings from the perspective of a new mother and occupational therapist, and provides a platform to feature other paediatric allied health professionals to share baby development and parenting topics. 

In this week's episode I speak to Erika, mum to two year old Jay. Erika is an infant sleep specialist and runs a business called The Sleep Dept. Erika  shares so much of her knowledge including everything from how to settle your baby in the middle of the night, how to break a sleep association and introduce a positive one,  sleep cycles, what an awake time is, what time to put your baby to sleep, what safe sleeping is and so much more!

 Erika also shares her experience of finding out that her son Jay has a disability. She speaks candidly about the emotions she went through, how she found her community and what changed for her once she started speaking about it. Plus, how they’re managing and what the future looks like for her and Jay. Listen now on all podcast platforms!

Follow Erika and the Sleep Dept on Instagram

Erika mentions Special by Melanie Dimmitt