In this power-packed episode I chat with Somatic Sexologist Tamica Wilder aka @theorgasmicmama about sexuality, intimacy, eroticism, sensuality and identity in motherhood. Far from your average postpartum discussion about how to navigate sex after birth, this episode gets reeeaaal. Drawing from Tamica's personal and professional experiences you will hear all about:

- Navigating your identity, self-expression, sexuality and relationships as a mother 

- Somatic (bodily) empowerment, sexual trauma and other reasons mothers might choose to work with a sexologist 

- How prevailing narratives of womanhood, parenthood and partnership entwine with the individual experiences of motherhood

- Why sexual liberation for mothers is as a form of social activism

- How to role-model and speak to your (even very young) children to set them up for an empowered and sex-positive future.

Resources: 

1:1 Counselling support 

– Book a 1:1 counselling session with Gemma today

– Find out more about Gemma's 1:1 counselling sessions

Connect with Tamica

On instagram : @theorgasmicmama

FREE 3 part video series : confident communication in the bedroom https://www.theorgasmicmama.com/sexualconfidence   Grab your copy of Tamica's book Wild Honey : https://www.debutbooks.com.au/bookshop/p/wild-honey-by-tamica-wilder   Join the O'Mama Circle : https://www.theorgasmicmama.com/offers/xmYhiFaq   Enroll into the Omama 6 module program at : www.theorgasmicamama.com With a special podcast exclusive $100 off voucher :https://www.theorgasmicmama.com/offers/vXBBWS4a/checkout?coupon_code=OMAMA100

Trigger warnings

This episode discusses childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault concepts and birth trauma. 

Disclaimer

Please read my full disclaimer prior to listening.

In this episode we are joined by the lovely @soph__skipper. Soph is an event planner and motherhood blogger passionate about sharing her personal struggles with postpartum mental health and infertility. Using her platform, Soph is also an ambassador for @cope.org.au and @behers.org.au. Listen to my chat with Soph to find out how she navigated:  

- A gruelling four year unexplained infertility journey in her twenties 

- The impacts of infertility on her friendships (and how you can support others on this journey)

- Finding support through infertility on social media 

- Sharing her own experiences on her blog, including her breakthrough pregnancy

- Postpartum depression and anxiety resulting in increased early hospital care and use of medication 

- Continuing her blog through five years of motherhood and her secondary infertility journey

Resources: 

1:1 Counselling support 

– Book a 1:1 counselling session with Gemma today

– Find out more about Gemma's 1:1 counselling sessions

Connect with Soph

@soph__skipper

COPE resources 

https://www.cope.org.au/getting-help/self-help/types-treatment/

Trigger warnings

This episode discusses experiences of infertility and postpartum depression and anxiety in detail.

Disclaimer

Please read my full disclaimer prior to listening.

In this episode we are joined by one of my favourite professionals in the motherhood realm, Motherhood Studies Sociologist Dr Sophie Brock. Dr Sophie and I explore and unpack what Dr Sophie has conceptualised as the 'Care/Career Conundrum', which relates to the bind mothers often find ourselves in trying to simultaneously meet the polarising socially idealised states of both the perfect 'mother' and 'worker'. If you're navigating leaving, returning to or making changes to your career, this discussion is not to be missed! In this episode you will hear from Dr Sophie about: 

- The Care/Career Conundrum itself, what it is and how it was conceptualised

- How the 'ideal mother myth' and other pervasive cultural socialisations play into the 'Care/Career Conundrum' 

- The role of individuals, workplaces and broader communities in addressing the 'Care/Career Conundrum' 

- Finding a practical starting place from which to explore these pertinent maternal sociological concepts for yourself. 

Resources: 

1:1 Counselling support 

– Book a 1:1 counselling session with Gemma today

– Find out more about Gemma's 1:1 counselling sessions

Dr Sophie's bio

Dr Sophie Brock is a Motherhood Studies Sociologist and Mother living in Sydney, Australia. She provides analysis of Motherhood in our culture, exploring the ways individual experiences of Mothers are shaped by broader social constructs. Sophie supports professionals, business owners and creatives in revolutionising what Motherhood means in our society, and how individual Mothers are supported and understood. Sophie’s offerings include self-study courses for Mothers and practitioners, her podcast The Good Enough Mother, and her Motherhood Studies Practitioner Certification program.

Link to Care/Career Conundrum diagram

 https://drsophiebrock.com/conceptualmodels

Connect with Dr Sophie

Website: https://drsophiebrock.com/

Instagram and Facebook @drsophiebrock 

Email: [email protected]

Disclaimer

Please read my full disclaimer prior to listening.

 

In my fifth snapshot episode, I share some answers to the big question on parenting, which is - why does it feel so hard when we try and do it "right"?! To answer this, I explore the following;

• What even is the current social “ideal” parenting philosophy? How does it work? Is it actually possible to achieve this ideal? Why does striving for an "ideal" philosophy feel so hard in practice? 

Within this, I cover two key topics for your reflection which are;

• Attachment theory, what it is and what the four main attachment styles are - exploring how these styles play out in childhood, adulthood and parenthood.
• The concept of reparenting and how do you may look to do this based on your own reparenting needs. 

Resources: 

1:1 Counselling support 

– Book a 1:1 counselling session with Gemma today

– Find out more about Gemma’s 1:1 counselling sessions

On parenting itself

Daniel Siegal – Parenting from the inside out: https://www.amazon.com.au/Parenting-Inside-out-Anniversary-Self-Understanding/dp/039916510X

Gentle/attachment/respectful parenting

I think I know why you’re yelling: https://www.janetlansbury.com/2013/02/i-think-i-know-why-youre-yelling/

Is gentle parenting too extreme?: https://www.janetlansbury.com/2022/07/is-gentle-parenting-too-extreme-and-impossible/

Respectful parenting in action: https://www.janetlansbury.com/2013/12/rie-parenting-basics-9-ways-to-put-respect-into-action/

Attachment and reparenting

Circle of security: https://circleofsecurity.com.au/

Attachment project: https://www.attachmentproject.com/

Dr Firestone on attachment impacts on parenting: https://www.psychalive.org/how-your-attachment-style-affects-your-parenting/#:~:text=The%20%E2%80%9Cworking%20model%E2%80%9D%20of%20relationships,able%20to%20connect%20with%20others.

Re-parenting ourselves to break intergenerational cycles: https://www.janetlansbury.com/2021/02/reparenting-ourselves-to-break-intergenerational-cycles-with-leslie-priscilla-arreola-hillebrand/

Learn to reparent yourself: https://psychcentral.com/blog/imperfect/2019/11/learn-to-reparent-yourself

Self care

Black dog self-care questionnaire: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/COVID-19_Self-Care-Planning_Black-Dog-Institute.pdf

Fatherhood

Madsen, S.A. (2009) 'Men's mental health: fatherhood and psychotherapy', The Journal of Men's Studies, 17(1), 15+, available: https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A197410459/AONE?u=anon~a5b0d4ad&sid=googleScholar&xid=b2e16e52 

Trigger warnings

This episode contains discussion about attachment in childhood and the associated potential impacts to children/ adults of missattuned early parenting. 

Please read my full disclaimer prior to listening.

"One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through, and it will be someone else’s survival guide" - Brené Brown

Trigger warning - This episode and its description contain in-depth content regarding termination for medical reasons, newborn death and broad discussion about perinatal loss.

In this episode we are joined by the lovely Sara Grant, Red Nose Bereavement Support Worker and mother of two living daughters, Holley and Belle, and two angel babies, son Jesse and daughter Bo. In memory of Jesse and Bo, and to highlight the life-changing support provided by Red Nose to bereaved families, in this episode Sara eloquently details her journey into and within parenthood, including how she navigated: 

- Termination for medical reasons and stillbirth of her first child, son Jesse at 21 weeks

- Pregnancy and birth after loss 

- Joy and grief coexisting while parenting her second child, daughter Holley 

- The sudden, unexpected death of her third baby, daughter Bo, at five hours old 

- Parenting an older child after loss 

- Utilising bereavement support resources and groups

- The complexity of choosing to have another child

- Balancing gratitude with graciousness for her own polarising feelings as she parented her two girls

- Keeping the memory of Jesse and Bo alive and strong within her family

Sara describes third daughter Belle's arrival as the moment she knew her family was complete and later found fulfilment both in and outside of parenting, beginning by volunteering with Red Nose and more recently becoming a paid employee for their world-leading Hospital to Home program. I hope you find this episode as poignant to listen to as I did to host, thank you Sara.  

Resources: 

1:1 Counselling support 

– Book a 1:1 counselling session with Gemma today

– Find out more about Gemma's 1:1 counselling sessions

Red Nose 

About Red Nose Day Red Nose Day: Get silly for a serious cause!

Donate to Sara’s Red Nose Day Fundraiser Red Nose Day - Sara Grant

Follow the journey on Instagram Drive To Remember PHIL GRANT (@drive_to_remember) • Instagram photos and videos

Sands Peer Support Services Peer support for families who have lost a pregnancy ,baby or child

Hospital to Home Program  Hospital to Home to continue

Hospital to Home Program Hospital to Home | SANDS - MISCARRIAGE STILLBIRTH NEWBORN DEATH SUPPORT

Trigger warnings

This episode contains in-depth content regarding termination for medical reasons, newborn death and broad discussion about perinatal loss.

Disclaimer

Please read my full disclaimer prior to listening.

 

 

 

Trigger warning - this episode contains strong themes related to medical complications in pregnancy, NICU and miscarriage. 

In this episode we are joined by the absolute ray of sunshine that is @danniirodgers, founder of @mummyrepublic. With a background in high-level corporate finance, Dannii had an unexpectedly tricky transition into motherhood when her long-term relationship came to an end shortly after the birth of her first child. Dannii would also later face medical complications in her second pregnancy that would change the course of her life forever. In this episode you'll hear how Dannii navigated: 

- Juggling solo parenthood and her finance career for a number of years

- Meeting her (now) husband and deciding to have a child together

- A diagnosis of Micrognathia at her 20 week scan (and later Pierre Robin Sequence) - resulting in the very real possibility of losing her baby during pregnancy, birth or his first year of life

- Quitting her role in corporate finance to work for herself

- And experiencing two recent miscarriages as a public figure in the motherhood space. 

Despite the adversity Dannii has faced, she has a knack for making people smile and connecting with others. Dannii has had great success growing a large, welcoming and fun Instagram community, podcast hosting and creating epic events for mothers to further connect with themselves and each other. We love you Dannii! 

Resources: 

1:1 Counselling support 

– Book a 1:1 counselling session with Gemma today

– Find out more about Gemma's 1:1 counselling sessions

Follow Dannii 

@danniirodgers

@mummyrepublic

@banterthepodcast (Dannii's new poddy - coming soon) 

Trigger warnings

This episode discusses relationship breakdown, miscarriage and medical complications resulting in possible stillbirth or infant death. 

Disclaimer

Please read my full disclaimer prior to listening.

In this episode we are joined by Georgina @geroginamaysleep, an evidence-based sleep educator specialising in helping parents with very wakeful babies and toddlers. Georgina has a corporate business and marketing background and entered the 'sleep world' after her own experience trying to find and navigate conflicting sleep information when parenting her own very wakeful son. In this episode you'll hear all about how Georgina utilised her research and business skillsets gathering and presenting evidence-based information:

- During her long conception journey through an endometriosis diagnosis

- To find a solution to her son's frequent waking, which had caused her a debilitating level of sleep deprivation  

- To help other parents with very wakeful children ensuring they have access to information, resources and genuine support. 

Resources: 

1:1 Counselling support 

– Book a 1:1 counselling session with Gemma today

– Find out more about Gemma's 1:1 counselling sessions

Sleep resources

- Find Georgina  Website (full site to be launched next month): www.georginamaysleep.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georginamaysleep Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georginamaysleep

- BASIS UK https://www.basisonline.org.uk/ A great resource for evidence-based information on biologically normal infant sleep - The Beyond Sleep Training Project Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1844822782469496 A really helpful and supportive environment for parents struggling with wakefulness / sleep (who want to avoid sleep training). They share a lot of evidence-based information and resources on infant sleep in the group, and also on their website.  - BBC Article https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220131-the-science-of-safe-and-healthy-baby-sleep One of the best, most evidence-based overviews of baby sleep Georgina has ever seen. - Sleep Patterns Study - Price et al https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259353638_Children's_sleep_patterns_from_0_to_9_years_Australian_population_longitudinal_study This is the study Georgina mentioned in the episode - one of a few that has found there to be a wide variation in the total amount of sleep babies and children have (you can actually access the full article via this link). 

Enfometriosis resource  - Endometriosis Australia Discussion Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/296979063762535 A great resource for anyone in Australia with (or suspecting they may have) endometriosis looking to access evidence-based information on the disease in general, and treatment options. 

Trigger warnings

This episode discusses endometriosis diagnosis and severe sleep deprivation. 

Disclaimer

Please note, this episode is recorded with a sleep educator who sells sleep programs. This episode does not claim to give specific answers to the sleep needs of your child or family and is the viewpoint of one evidence-based practitioner. Please read my full disclaimer prior to listening.

In this episode we are joined by Rosie Luik. Rosie is a mother of four, Queensland's first altruistic surrogate (to twin girls) and a sepsis survivor turned model who is now the owner of her own influencer agency for mothers. In this episode you'll hear about how Rosie:  - Bolstered aligned birth support for subsequent births after having a fourth-degree tear with her first baby  - Navigated life as a young mother with multiple children - Became Queensland's first altruistic surrogate for her friend who was experiencing infertility  - Made it through multiple life-threatening infections and surgeries (including having a hysterectomy at 27)  - Chased her dreams to become a successful model and now pays it forward as the owner of her own talent agency dedicated to mothers

Trigger warnings

This episode includes discussion about; ease of conception, ease of early parenthood, physical and emotional birth trauma, post-birth complications, neonatal intensive care, chronic pain, anxiety and illness almost causing death. 

Resources

Book 1:1 counselling with me here to debrief about your pregnancy, birth or postpartum experiences. 

Find Rosie on Instagram here. 

Check out Rosie's agency 'Mum Network' on Instagram here. 

 

In this episode we are joined by Bree, co-host and Instagram lead for the ever helpful and wildly successful motherhood podcast - The Matrescence Podcast. Having taken us (via Instagram) through her transition to second time parenthood in the last 12 months, I use this episode to chat with Bree about how her experiences relate to many of the common considerations women have during the journey to and within early second-time parenthood. In this episode you'll find out more about how Bree: 

- Overcame a rough first postpartum/ early matrescence journey to feel ready for a second child at a time that felt right for her and her family 

- Navigated the emotions of shifting dynamics toward her relationship with her eldest child throughout her second pregnancy 

- Changed the way she birthed to gain a more empowering and aligned birth experience 

- Very intentionally planned her second postpartum to feature bolstered support networks and individual mindset shifts for a more positive second vs first time experience 

- Approached meeting competing demands of both children in a way that aligns with her ideal parenting styles and individual needs

- Has ultimately found early second-time parenthood a freeing, rewarding and healing experience

Resources: 

1:1 Counselling support 

- Book a 1:1 counselling session with me today

- Find out more about my 1:1 counselling sessions

The Matrescence Podcast 

- Find Bree on instagram: @matrescence.podcast 

- Birth of a Mother/ The Matrescence Podcast website: https://birthofamother.com.au/podcast/

Postpartum Planning

- Find Kathryn on instagram: @_motherup

- MotherUp website: https://www.motherup.com.au/

Trigger warnings

This episode discusses pregnancy + infant loss and ease of conception. I would also like to acknowledge the normative narrative of the context of this episode - noting those who do not plan to have a second child and those who are parents of or expecting multiples and those who have experienced miscarriage, infant or child loss and who do not identify with the term "second child". 

Please read my full disclaimer prior to listening.

In our fourth snapshot episode, Gemma shares new insights on how and why trauma shows up in the perinatal period from one of the presentations at the National Perinatal Mental Health Conference she recently attended. You'll hear about:

• What trauma is
• Where trauma comes from
• How trauma shows up in the perinatal period
• Practical tips for working with trauma 
• How Gemma works with trauma 

Please read my full disclaimer before listening. 

Trigger warnings

This episode contains a number of deeply triggering items due to discussing where trauma comes from and how it is triggered. It is advised you do not listen to this episode if you do not wish to hear about a multitude of potential trauma triggers. 

Resources:

Book your 1:1 session with me here: https://www.halaxy.com/profile/together-pregnancy-and-postpartum/location/703391

Find out more about how my sessions work here: https://togetherpnp.com.au/perinatal-counselling/ 

Birth trauma information (please note I will do a whole seperate episode on birth trauma): https://www.birthtrauma.org.au/

Instagram accounts to follow: 

@repairing_the_nervous_system

@somaticexperiencingint

@stephaniesomatics

@annatheanxietycoach

Information about Dr. Sophie and Jace:

The Birchtree Centre 

Books: 

"The Fourth Trimester" 

"Call of the wild" 

Both by @kimberly.ann.johnson