In today’s episode our host Mon has the pleasure of speaking with Nath and Kate Stapleton about their journey into parenthood. Nath and Kate’s story captured the heart of Australia when it was aired on a current affair a few months ago after Nath sustained a severe spinal cord injury (SCI) on his return to amateur rugby league,  Kate was 7 months pregnant at the time. 

Nath was immediately paralysed, unable to breathe for himself and was deprived of oxygen for 16 minutes with an off duty Nurse keeping him alive. Both Kate and Nath share their experience of this and their journey since including discussing the moment Nath was able to be there for the birth of his second son Angus. 

Most importantly Nath shares how despite sustaining an injury that has taken so much from him, he wants his story to be so much more than just that and rather wants to provide hope for others and show that in times of adversity it is still possible to find a positive. 

Nath and Kate's love & support for one another and their family is truly inspiring & we are so pleased to welcome them to the show.

As mentioned in the show you can donate to Nath's Gofundme by clicking Here

Today's episode is proudly brought to you by ergoPouch

ErgoPouch, make premium, certified organic, and natural fibre TOG-rated sleepwear and sleep solutions. Their safe-sleep approved range covers ages newborn to 12 years and takes the guesswork of what to dress a child in for sleep. They have exceptional sustainability credentials, stylish prints and gorgeous products that are ergonomically designed for each age and stage of your mini's development in the first six years. Here at The Middee Society we love ergoPouch because they simplify how to safely dress your child for sleep, which is precisely what all tired parents need.

ergoPouch has just launched their fresh spring-summer collection in a range of new and exciting prints, designed and curated exclusively in-house in Melbourne, Australia.

ergoPouch are peeking into the garden and celebrating the creatures you'll find hidden beneath the blooms and trees.

Clutch your gumboots, pack a picnic, and waltz into the garden, where the bees are buzzing, and the critters are busy. Flowers are in bloom, and the garden is dancing to the smell of spring.

Inspired by cute critters and humming bees, this collection takes references from deep within the garden beds. Led by a sumptuous natural colour palette of warm ivory and golden honey, contrasted with powder blue, butter, crisp green, punch orange, blossom pink and rich earthy tones.

Point out and discuss your mini's favourite critter, butterfly, flower or buzzing bee as part of your night-time ritual. Then, settle in for the SS season with a party in the garden and a restful night's sleep in their award-winning TOG-rated sleepwear.

Head to ergoPouch here to grab your sleepware today!

In today’s episode our Host Mon speaks with Hannah Bryans about her journey into becoming a Mum. 

Hannah had always dreamt of becoming a Mum Ever since she started to learn more about conception and after a trip to bali with her highschool sweetheart, Hannah & her Husband found out they were pregnant  at 24. Working as a Midwife herself, Hannah felt well prepared for labour & birth. After spontaneously going into labour Hannah was progressing well, but her contractions began to slow when her birthing environment was changed and the suggestion was to break her waters to encourage labour to progress. 

This was the beginning of a cascade of interventions which ended up with an epidural, forcep delivery, episiotomy & a postpartum haemorrhage. Hannah explains her experience & the impact it had on her postpartum including the role that it still plays in her inability to work as a midwife in the birthing suite. 

Hannah shares with us her second healing birth story where she birthed her baby surrounded by love and support in the bath. 

Please welcome Hannah.

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 Marketing leader of Ergopouch Amanda Benson all about safe sleepwear & safe sleep when it comes to children.

Ergopouch is Australia’s biggest sleepwear company which focuses on empowering parents to feel confident in making safe-sleep decisions for their child and help them navigate their way through the tougher phases of their sleep journey. 

As a current parent or upcoming parent when it comes to the sleep of your child it can be so daunting - from choosing the right sleepwear, to tackling tricky milestones, juggling sleep deprivation, adjusting to warmer weather + the challenge of daylight savings.  

Amanda is a sleepwear expert and helps reassure + educate us on ways you can best support not only yourself but also your baby from 0-5 years old.

ergoPouch master series:

I’m super Excited to announce I’ve teamed up with @ergopouch for their master sleep series alongside some incredible Women ✨💤😴

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 our host Mon speaks with Mum of four & Midwife, Lauren Brenton. Lauren's journey into motherhood began when she was just 19. For Lauren, being pregnant at a young age also came with the fear of being judged by others for being a 'teen Mum'. When it came to attending birthing classes Lauren couldn't face the potential judgement she would receive & rather chose not to attend. Lauren reflects on this experience & how having such little knowledge at the time allowed her to be pushed through the medical system. This journey sparked her desire to become a midwife & since then Lauren has broken down the stereotype of a 'teen Mum' going on to run a very successful Midwifery page & creating a hospital policy on Maternal Assisted Caesarean's. Lauren touches on her other experiences including her own maternal assisted caesarean & how having knowledge is power in advocating for the birth you desire.   

Ergopouch master series:

I’m super Excited to announce I’ve teamed up with @ergopouch for their master sleep series alongside some incredible Women ✨💤😴

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 honour of father’s day this week our host Mon speaks with Dad of four beautiful kids Stuart Bainbridge where he shares with us his journey into becoming a parent. In this episode we discuss some of the emotions that come with finding out you’re going to be a Dad for the first time, how Dad’s can be proactive in preparing & educating themselves for whats to come & ways you can support your partner in labour & when settling in at home.  

Often the focus can be on the Mother & the newborn however, becoming a Dad also comes with some challenges. Stuart shares what it felt like to return to work as a parent, some of the pressure to earn an income to support a family & some of his own tips on how to manage life with 4 little ones.

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 our host Mon speak's with Sarah Duncanson about her journey into parenthood. 

Sarah is a Mum to 4 beautiful children & a passionate paediatric ICU nurse & educator. Throughout her first pregnancy Sarah was often faced with the term “big baby” requiring multiple growth scans and an Induction of Labour.

As a first time Mum this left Sarah feeling very vulnerable & in a negative mindset when preparing for labour and birth as she lacked trust with her body & the ability to birth her baby vaginally. However, Sarah overcame this fear and rather believed in her body, going on to have 4 empowering Vaginal births of baby’s larger than 4kg. 

Sarah talks about her postpartum journey with her children and highlights how every child’s needs are different & that no two baby’s are the same or follow the same routine. We discuss the unrealistic expectation many women place on themselves to raise their children following strict guidelines rather than following their own intuition.

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 our host Mon speaks with Sarah Weller about going into motherhood solo. 

After a lengthy fertility & conception journey consisting of 4 stimulation cycles & two failed IUIs baby Hartley was successfully conceived via IVF. Sarah discusses some of the challenges she had to overcome prior to becoming pregnant including the pressure she felt by the always ticking fertility clock, making healthy lifestyle choices & preparing to tackle Motherhood by herself in the middle of a pandemic. 

Sarah touches on her 'Private Hospital' experience including choosing her mode of birth, requiring a cervical suture & her special care journey with a premature baby.

Haaka Discount Code:

I've teamed up with HAAKAA - use the discount code 'MIDDEE10' for 10% off your purchase.

Head to their website now.

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 our host Mon speak's with Madi Dodd about her unique journey into motherhood. After an emergency caesarean with her first baby, Mads knew she wanted to try for a vaginal birth when pregnant with her second - and that's exactly what she did. However, after an empowering labour and birth Mads found herself in a position she could have never imagined 2 weeks postpartum - her vagina had been sewn completely shut and she had been diagnosed with female genital mutilation at the hands of a doctor.. 

Mads shares with us her raw & personal recovery journey including birth trauma, miscarriage , mid trimester loss and how her experience has played a role in what she does today.

Haaka Discount Code:

I've teamed up with HAAKAA - use the discount code 'MIDDEE10' for 10% off your purchase.

Head to their website now.

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