In today’s episode I speak with Gestational Diabetes (GDM) Dietitian Helena McDonald where we discuss everything to do with gestational diabetes. 

From unpacking what gestational diabetes is and why we test for it in pregnancy to why you may be diet controlled vs insulin controlled as well as how you can best manage your diagnosis of GDM.

Within this episode Mon also discusses gestational diabetes from a midwives perspective including what your management may look like with GDM for pregnancy care, labour, birth & postpartum.

Today's Episode is brought to you by The Middee Society's birth classes.

Preparing to welcome a baby into the world can be daunting with so many unknowns & what ifs.

The Middee Society’s face to face + online group or private birth classes will leave you feeling empowered + confident about your labour & birth. Unlike many other child birth education classes our classes are taught by currently practicing midwives. It is our aim to provide you with the latest evidence based education which will enable you to advocate for yourself & your desired birthing experience.

Say goodbye to those generic textbook birthing classes. Our classes are designed in a modern, fun, informative, lighthearted & interactive way.

We know pregnancy & birth doesn't always fit the same mold. Here at The Middee Society it is our aim to best support you & what ever your desired birthing option may be. No women should be excluded from recieving high quality education based on their pregnancy being deemed as high risk.

To book a class head to our website here.

Today's Episode is proudly brought to you by Sleepy Belly.

In today’s episode I speak with Charlotte Kelly about her DCDA Twin pregnancy. This means that her twins had separate placenta’s & amniotic sacs which catagorizes them as a low risk twin pregnancy.

Charlotte faced her own fertility challenges, including two chemical pregnancies, before deciding to consult a fertility specialist. Following her fertility investigations, she was pleasantly surprised to find out she was pregnant with not one baby but two.

Today we delve into various aspects of twin pregnancy, including how Char’s planned elective c-section unexpectedly transformed into an empowering twin vaginal birth. Charlotte and I both aim for this episode to cast a positive spotlight on twin pregnancies and the potential for an empowering vaginal birth experience.

Let's find out more about today's sponsor Sleepy Belly

Are you worried about rolling onto your back or is the constant tossing and turning keeping you up at night? 

Sleepy belly’s , 3-piece adjustable support pregnancy pillow, is here to transform your sleep. Designed to provide comfort and support for expecting mothers, Sleepybelly ensures a deeper, more restful sleep.

Say goodbye to those uncomfortable nights. Sleepybelly's unique design caters to your back, side, and tummy, offering a personalized sleep experience. And here's the best part – Sleepybelly's adjustable width grows with your belly, adapting to each stage of your pregnancy. It's the maternity pillow that finally fits seamlessly into your bed.

So why wait on the sleep you deserve? Grab your Sleepy Belly today at www.sleepybelly.com.au and use our exclusive discount code "MIDDEE10" for 10% off your order.

In today's episode our host Mon dives deep into writing a birth plan or as she likes to call it your 'birth wishes'.

This episode covers topics such as:

Knowledge is power within the birth space & writing a birth plan is a great way to pave the path to your desired labour & birth experience.

In this weeks episode join us as Midwife Mon tells you everything you actually need to pack in your hospital bag and what you don't need.

The excitement of meeting your baby is just around the corner, and packing your hospital bag is an essential step towards preparedness. But before you throw your entire nursery in there, remember: less is more! As a midwife, I've seen it all, and trust me, you won't need everything you think you will. Let's dive into what to pack from a practical perspective, so you're all set for your birthing journey.

In this episode Mon discusses:

Happy packing!

Discount codes:

Bliss birth TENS hire: MIDDEEPOD for 10% off

Lactamo breastfeeding ball: Middee10

The R Y compression wear: MIDDEE

Join me in today's powerful episode as I talk with Emily Robinson about her extraordinary journey into motherhood.

From heartbreak and loss to resilience and hope, Emily shares her story with incredible honesty and vulnerability.

We delve into the difficult decisions she faced, including the medical termination of pregnancy at 17 weeks, and the profound impact it had on her mental health.

But that's not where her story ends. Emily opens up about her subsequent pregnancy, her postpartum journey with her beautiful 5-month-old daughter Zoe, and the obstacles she had to overcome to find connection and joy in her new role as a mother.

This episode is a heartfelt exploration of infant loss, covering topics such as the induction process, conversations surrounding autopsy, and the importance of creating cherished memories. If this episode resonates with you, know that you're not alone.

We also have a rich library of other episodes to explore. Listen in and be inspired by Emily's strength and resilience.

In today’s episode I speak with Lauren Vickers about her motherhood journey. After a straightforward conception and pregnancy,  Lauren found herself being induced after 41 weeks. Lauren shares her induction experience and the birth of her son via forceps.

Despite having a birth plan Lauren shares how she found herself with an experience far from what she was ever expecting. With complications post birth of a postpartum haemorrhage & a haematoma Lauren shared how she had to advocate for herself whilst experiencing excruciating pain.

Although Lauren’s birth didn’t go to plan she highlights some of the special & most rewarding moments of being a Mum including her successful breastfeeding journey. Please welcome Lauren. 

If you loved what you heard and want to stay up to date with the latest interviews and midwifery education please hit the subscribe button and leave a 5 star review. If you wish to share your pregnancy and motherhood experience you can get in touch with me by emailing [email protected] and find us on instagram at @themiddeesociety or @monique_maitland. It is important to note that the topics discussed in this episode are not advice but rather education. If you have any concerns regarding your own pregnancy please seek medical advice from your own healthcare provider.

In today's episode I speak with Claire Falconer all about her life on the road living out of a caravan with her young family.

Claire is a Certified Women's Hormone Coach, Pre & Post-natal PT & Yoga teacher but has always had a taste for adventure. Claire & her husband decided to switch the modern lifestyle and instead travel around Australia in a caravan.

Claire is currently 33 weeks pregnant with baby number two and shares with us her previous birthing experiences including a positive induction and how she is navigating this pregnancy on the road.

Claire highlights how powerful a woman's body is and how she has full trust in her own body to grow, nourish & birth her baby. As well as this Claire also offers her tips and tricks for traveling with a young family.

Please welcome Claire. 

To follow more of Claire's adventures head to her instagram here

If you loved what you heard and want to stay up to date with the latest interviews and midwifery education please hit the subscribe button and leave a 5 star review. If you wish to share your pregnancy and motherhood experience you can get in touch with me by emailing [email protected] and find us on instagram at @themiddeesociety or @monique_maitland. It is important to note that the topics discussed in this episode are not advice but rather education. If you have any concerns regarding your own pregnancy please seek medical advice from your own healthcare provider.

As a parent choosing what pram is best for your family can be challenging, confusing & exciting all at once. With so many prams on the market it is hard to know what exactly to look out for when purchasing a pram.

Thankfully in today's episode I sit down with babybee founder, pram guru & Mum of two Em Stone about everything to do with how you can choose the right pram for your family.

Within this episode Em shares with us her tips on what all families need to consider when choosing their first pram, pram safety tips as well as answering some of those frequently asked questions.

Em shares with us about safe sleeping within a pram, preventing overheating of your little one as well as discusses how a pram can evolve to aid your child's development. She also discusses some of the differences between single and double prams plus comments on how you can upgrade your pram to accomodate for more children.

This episode is one that all expecting parents need to listen to before buying their first pram to ensure they find the perfect one. 

Check out the ultimate pram buying guide here.

If you loved what you heard and want to stay up to date with the latest interviews and midwifery education please hit the subscribe button and leave a 5 star review. If you wish to share your pregnancy and motherhood experience you can get in touch with me by emailing [email protected] and find us on instagram at @themiddeesociety or @monique_maitland. It is important to note that the topics discussed in this episode are not advice but rather education. If you have any concerns regarding your own pregnancy please seek medical advice from your own healthcare provider.

In today’s episode I bring my sister Emma back onto the pod for part 3 of her motherhood journey where we dive deep into her postpartum journey. Covering everything from the first few moments after birth to the depths of sleep deprivation & adjusting to this new identity shift of motherhood. Emma shares her perineal recovery with us including how she dealt with an infected episiotomy site, swelling, pain & her struggles with incontinence postpartum. Emma also speaks openly about her battle with sleep deprivation and how this took a big physical & mental toll, not only her but also her Husband Cal. Emma shares some of her tips on how to best manage this period as well as what she wished she did differently to help herself, including asking for & accepting help. There are so many other goodies within this episode so we cannot wait for you to sit back & listen!

Now time to hear about our incredible sponsor TheRY - the leaders in graduated compression garments. 

Get ready to rock your pregnancy with TheRY Maternity Tights—your new best friends for comfort, style, and improved circulation. These tights have got your growing belly covered, literally! Say goodbye to swelling and hello to feeling fabulous.What makes TheRY so special? They're all about optimized circulation! Their graduated compression technology promotes healthy blood flow, just like those fancy TED socks they give you in the hospital, but way cuter. With a pressure rating of 15-20mmHg, these leggings and socks will have you living your life with enhanced circulation. It's like a spa day for your legs! Not only are TheRY Maternity Compression Garments comfortable and stylish, but they also have the official stamp of approval from the TGA. And hey, if your health insurer is feeling generous, you might even score a rebate of up to 100%. Definitely worth sussing out!

As a midwife I can’t recommend this product enough so head to their website or check out their instagram and use discount code MIDDEE for 15% off your first purchase.

The episode you have all been waiting for is finally here.... The birth story of Cohen! (aka my Nephew)

Today's episode is part two of my sister Emma's motherhood journey where we sit down to discuss her labour & birth story which I was so fortunate to be apart of.

Following from part one, Emma shares with us how the rest of her pregnancy unfolded including the challenges of morning sickness & how she best prepared herself for labour & birth by attending a hypnobirthing course as well her experience with antenatal expressing.

At 36 weeks Emma completed her group b streptococcus (GBS) swab which she tested positive to. What this meant was that if her waters broke prior to labour it would be recommended for her to be induced. At 39 weeks Emma's waters broke and she found herself being induced. Emma shares her positive induction story including how she used her labour tools such as her breath & mind to get through an 18 hour induction with no pain relief other than water. Both Em and myself reflect on her labour sharing some of our favourite memories as well as highlight the power of support & advocating for yourself within the birthing space.

Emma had a really positive labour however after pushing for a prolonged period things started to take a turn. The calm birthing environment she envisioned soon became quite medicalised as she required an episiotomy and ended up having a postpartum haemorrhage. This required her to go to theatre and be put to sleep. Meaning that she was unable to enjoy the 'golden hour' with her son Cohen.

This episode is full of lots of great insights surrounding educating yourself for birth, learning how to advocate for yourself & how it is okay to view your labour and birth as two different experiences.

Stay tuned next week to find out how Emma's postpartum journey unfolded.

Thank you to this weeks sponsor Sleepybelly:

There is nothing better than a restful night's sleep but with a growing bump, squished bladder & most likely fighting your partner for more space in the bed a good night's sleep can seem almost impossible. That’s why you need your Sleepybelly pregnancy pillow. A 3-piece adjustable support pregnancy pillow proven to aid better sleep. With an adjustable width that grows with your belly through each stage of your pregnancy you are guaranteed to be able to find that comfortable position to experience a deeper, more restful sleep while having back, side & tummy support. The best part is… Sleepybelly offers a 30-night money back guarantee so you can try it risk free. We know how important sleep is for all Soon to be Mama's so grab your Sleepy Belly today at www.sleepybelly.com.au Or follow Sleepy Belly on instagram at @sleepybellyau and use our exclusive discount code “MIDDEE10” for 10% off your order.