In this episode I am joined by the talented & lovely Bek, Artist, children’s book author & illustrator, Thermomix demonstrator, and mother. Bek’s children’s book “ABC Naturally me” is sure to be a hit with your family. She very graciously opens up about her birthing journeys; from hospital births to giving birth not once but TWICE without knowing she was in labour at home. Her stories are truely phenomenal and show us the vast power & innate knowledge our bodies hold to birth our babies. I am forever grateful for women like Bek who are open to sharing their birthing and motherhood journeys. You can connect with Bek and purchase her children’s books at this link: https://linktr.ee/Ohsewbekyy

This special episode is an interview with Steph, the creator and founder of Spirited Hearts® which is a multi-service community supporting children, families and educators. She is a Parenting Support Counsellor, Aware Parenting Instructor and Early Childhood Educator.

Steph has spent the better part of two decades, dedicated to child development, trauma and providing support to children, their families and early childhood educators.

She created her Natural Learning & Healing Haven (registered Family Day Care) alongside her husband, Lukas to provide the strongest emotionally supportive environment in the industry, which is trauma-informed, and where children have the space and freedom to be their beautiful, unique selves.

Steph will be soon be launching the very first live round for her Certification Program for the Spirited Hearts Approach to Early Childhood & Learning. This is for teachers, educators, parents and anyone wanting to create their own trauma-informed natural learning haven from home and in their community.

Steph provides 1:1 support for parents all over the world, providing a space filled with unconditional acceptance, compassion, empathy and deep listening. Assisting parents with their own childhood traumas, as well as offering healing solutions for many parenting challenges from tantrums and crying to sleep and separation anxiety.

Steph has two children of her own who are homeschooled, as well as a chocolate lab, ragdoll cat and six chickens. We talk all things Aware parenting, including offering suggestions & examples of common difficulties parents experience with ways to manage & support our children through these.

To find out more about Steph please visit her website https://spiritedhearts.net or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spirited or listen to her podcast https://spiritedhearts.buzzsprout.com/

Steph’ Qualifications include:

BA (Psychology)

Diploma of Complementary Therapies

Diploma Holistic Counselling

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Postgraduate studying in counselling (trauma, child development, grief and loss)

Certified Aware Parenting Instructor.

Welcome back to part 2 of the exclusive conversation I had with Corryn, an Aussie midwife who has worked inside and outside the system. In this episode we share some wisdom about medical error, child safety & services, maternity care reform and what that looks like in other countries, as well as a little about our own birthing choices as midwives who freebirthed. Be sure to sign up to the newsletter on my website to gain exclusive access to The Ultimate Guide to Birthing in Power; opening for enrolments soon. If you would like to be interviewed on the podcast, or would just like a yarn send me a message on Instagram, Facebook or via email. Www.theawakenedmidwife.com.au

Part 1 of an exclusive interview with Corryn, an experienced midwife who has worked in the maternity care system, as well as outside of it. She has attended births in the hospital, at home, along with having freebirthed her own babies as well. We discuss things we have learned & realisations we’ve had as midwives who believe there’s a “better way” to provide midwifery care. Part 2 coming soon. Make sure you subscribe to the mailing list for early access & discounts to The Ultimate Guide to Birthing in Power. All the info at www.theawakenedmidwife.com.au

This episode is a special one! I share how my final weeks of this pregnancy have been + what’s been going on for us. My son had surgery yesterday & I speak about guilt in parenthood. The dentist I mentioned is Dr Shereen Lim. Her book Breathe, Sleep, Thrive is excellent. Here’s a link to her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/drshereenlim

Some myth busting, and golden nuggets about all things breastfeeding! Here’s where you can get support for your breastfeeding journey- by asking your local midwives & community who your local Lactation Consultant is, and from the following resources. https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au (Australian Breastfeeding Association ph- 1800mum2mum), https://www.llli.org (La Leche League International), The Milk Meg, Holistic Lactation, Pinkie McKay.

In this episode I read you an interesting story about cats…. And why we need to stop asking for permission, just do the thing we want to do. I also touch on the inner journey of pregnancy & birth. I also drop some details about my upcoming manifestation course! Be sure to follow me on social media (@awakenedmidwife on Insta and The Awakened Midwife on fbook). You can send me a PM or email me [email protected] to get early access & a special listener discount to my new manifestation course launching soon.

In this episode, I answer some common questions about midwifery: what is a midwife, how does one become a midwife, and what is midwifery regulation and is it a good thing? That last one I explain but leave it up to you to decide! Sending love to all the midwives out there today, all the student midwives and all the birth keepers. All my love, Alice xx

In this episode we deep dive mother blessings- what are they, why would someone choose this over a baby shower and what they usually are made up of! I have also done a live on Instagram about this, so check that out if you are a visual learner. The meditation I mentioned is “letter to the women of the world” by Sarah Blondin. You can listen here: https://youtu.be/6hxGvKxcQUI

This week I share my first pregnancy journey with my son Cameron. I had Hyperemesis Gravidarum with his pregnancy- severe morning sickness. I share what I learnt, how I coped and my tips and tricks on preventing it next time (hint- get on top of your mineral deficiencies). Stay tuned for Cameron’s birth story- coming soon. Here is the link to the Treatment of Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy document from NPS I mentioned: https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/treatment-of-nausea-and-vomiting-in-pregnancy.