In this episode we cover all things Oral restrictions - often known as tongue ties, with the incredible Tamika who is an Endorsed Midwife, IBCLC and Orofacial Myology therapist. It's a BIG complex topic and Tamika helps us unpack it all in a compassionate and nuanced way (because as you'll learn it's not black & white) we cover:

- What Oral restrictions are & signs & symptoms (inlcuding my own experiences).

- The whole body impact beyond the mouth

- Key things to look for when seeking support

- The importance of bodywork and a team approach

- The different options for treatment - conservative management Vs laser or other methods

- Why there is SO much controversy around this topic!

- Tamika's key message for families navigating this challenging issue

This season of The Midwife Memos is sponsored by Sleepybelly—my go-to for better pregnancy sleep - check them out here

Want to work with Lauretta to prepare for Birth - find all my offerings both in-person and online here 

Guest info: 

Tamika Newman - Private Midwife, IBCLC, Orofacial Myology Therapist

 Website: https://tamikanewmanibclc.com/

 Instagram: @midwifetamika

Disclaimer

The information and resources shared in this podcast are for educational purposes only and are not intended to replace medical or midwifery advice. Any decisions about your care should be made in partnership with your healthcare provider. If you’re a health professional, we encourage you to use this information as a discussion point within your workplace or professional practice.While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we cannot guarantee its completeness or relevance to your specific situation. The Midwife Memos podcast is not liable for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of this content. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional for any medical or midwifery concerns.

This week I’m joined by Hannah Willsmore — Midwife, Lactation consultant, Birth educator and NDC-accredited practitioner — for a reassuring, myth-busting conversation about infant sleep.

If you're pregnant my hope is that this episode supports you to go into the world of babies and sleep with realistic expectations, or if you’re already there - help you feel reassured and less worried that you or you baby are doing something wrong! 

We chat about:

• What’s actually 'normal' for baby sleep

• The NDC/Possums holistic approach and why it’s so freeing (and supportive for mental health, feeding and sleep!)

• The biggest myths that cause unnecessary stress for parents

• How parents can actually support their babies sleep 

This season of The Midwife Memos is sponsored by Sleepybelly—my go-to for better pregnancy sleep - check them out here Sleepybelly

Want to work with Lauretta to prepare for Birth - find all my offerings both in-person and online here 

Guest info: Connect with Hannah & the Held Midwifery Team Website: https://www.heldmidwifery.com.au

Instagram: @heldmidwifery

Hannah’s Course – Held in Sleep & Motherhood A beautiful, evidence-based online course to support infant sleep and maternal wellbeing

Resources Mentioned:

NDC / Possums ApproachEvidence-based sleep, feeding & mental health support

 https://possumsonline.com

The Discontented Little Baby Book by Dr Pamela Douglas https://possumsonline.com/product/the-discontented-little-baby-book/ 

Disclaimer: The information and resources shared in this podcast are for educational purposes only and are not intended to replace medical or midwifery advice. Any decisions about your care should be made in partnership with your healthcare provider. If you’re a health professional, we encourage you to use this information as a discussion point within your workplace or professional practice.While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we cannot guarantee its completeness or relevance to your specific situation. The Midwife Memos podcast is not liable for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of this content. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional for any medical or midwifery concerns.

In this episode of The Midwife Memos, I’m diving into the physical side of birth prep — and why we need to give it just as much attention as mindset work. 

I cover:

• Why body prep matters and how it influences baby’s position & movement through the pelvis

• What tension in the body can tell us — and how to address it

• 3 simple things you can do today to support your body for birth
  

Links mentioned:

• Free Birth Prep Guide 

• Your Birth Class (+in depth body prep) - online & in person classes

• Internal Pelvic Release Info

• Internal Pelvic Release Aus wide Practitioner Directory

  This season of The Midwife Memos is sponsored by Sleepybelly—my go-to for better pregnancy sleep - check them out here Sleepybelly

  Disclaimer: The information and resources shared in this podcast are for educational purposes only and are not intended to replace medical or midwifery advice. Any decisions about your care should be made in partnership with your healthcare provider. If you’re a health professional, we encourage you to use this information as a discussion point within your workplace or professional practice.

  While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we cannot guarantee its completeness or relevance to your specific situation. The Midwife Memos podcast is not liable for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of this content. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional for any medical or midwifery concerns.

  Disclaimer
  
  

Ask a Chinese Medicine Practitioner & Acupuncturist In this week's bite-sized episode we’re changing up the ‘ask a midwife’ to ‘ask a Midwife & Chinese medicine practitioner’ Kate is answering;

• Is Acupuncture safe in pregnancy?

• How often should you go as you move through pregnancy?

• How can Acupuncture help with preparing for birth?

Guest Info: Kate is a Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Privately Practicing Midwife located south of Perth in Western Australia. She is passionate about supporting women throughout all stages of life. Kate loves working in partnership with women providing knowledge, education and support. You can find her here https://www.themamasalchemist.com/ & on instagram @themamasalchemist

Based in Ballarat or Bacchus Marsh?Explore how Lauretta supports women with Acuneedling (based on Chinese medicine - provided by a Midwife for pregnancy, birth & postpartum).

Find out more here

Disclaimer:

The information and resources shared in this podcast are for educational purposes only and are not intended to replace medical or midwifery advice. Any decisions about your care should be made in partnership with your healthcare provider. If you’re a health professional, we encourage you to use this information as a discussion point within your workplace or professional practice.

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we cannot guarantee its completeness or relevance to your specific situation. The Midwife Memos podcast is not liable for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of this content. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional for any medical or midwifery concerns.

The Memo: Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture for Pregnancy, Labour & Postpartum with Private Midwife + Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Kate Thomson from The Mamas Alchemist

This week, Lauretta sits down with Kate — a privately practising midwife, Chinese medicine practitioner, and mum of two — for a beautiful, honest conversation on how Eastern medicine can support women across pregnancy, labour and postpartum.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Kate’s lessons from her pregnancies & births

• What Chinese medicine actually is (and why it’s more than just needles)

• The “40 days for 40 years” philosophy for postpartum recovery

• What a typical treatment looks like across trimesters

• How we can all apply chinese medicine practices in simple ways

• How Kate blends her midwifery and Chinese Medicine background to support women

Guest Info: Kate is a Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Privately Practicing Midwife located south of Perth in Western Australia. She is passionate about supporting women throughout all stages of life. Kate loves working in partnership with women providing knowledge, education and support. You can find her here https://www.themamasalchemist.com/ & on instagram @themamasalcehmist

Based in Ballarat or Bacchus Marsh? Explore how Lauretta supports women with Acuneedling (based on chinese medicine provided by a Midwife within the scope of pregnancy, birth & postpartum)

Find out more here 

This season of The Midwife Memos is sponsored by Sleepybelly—my go-to for better pregnancy sleep - check them out here Sleepybelly

Disclaimer:The information and resources shared in this podcast are for educational purposes only and are not intended to replace medical or midwifery advice. Any decisions about your care should be made in partnership with your healthcare provider. If you’re a health professional, we encourage you to use this information as a discussion point within your workplace or professional practice.

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we cannot guarantee its completeness or relevance to your specific situation. The Midwife Memos podcast is not liable for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of this content. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional for any medical or midwifery concerns.

This week I'm talking to Fiona Rogerson - a Perinatal & Trauma Counsellor, my hope is that it will be helpful if you're preparing for birth to learn about what can contribute to experiencing trauma and how to seek support if you resonate with what Fiona shares. We cover;

• What birth and perinatal trauma really means — and why it’s not just about “bad births”

• How trauma is rooted in a lack of safety (not disappointment or unmet expectations)

• The full perinatal spectrum: how trauma can arise during conception, pregnancy, birth or postpartum

• The nervous system's role in how we experience trauma — and how symptoms can show up emotionally, physically, cognitively, and behaviourally

• Common but misunderstood signs of trauma, including “mum rage”, avoidance, panic, or disconnect

• How partners can also experience trauma, and what that might look like

• The overlap between trauma and mental health

• How trauma affects relationships and parenting

• What is EMDR and somatic approaches for trauma

• What to look for when seeking support from a practitioner

• Fiona’s memo moment & takeaway message

  If you feel you need support please speak to your GP or contact PANDA or COPE

  Guest info: If you'd like to connect with Fiona her website is linked here & she is on Instagram @fionarogerson.counsellorperth

  Disclaimer: This season of The Midwife Memos is sponsored by Sleepybelly—my go-to for better pregnancy sleep - check them out here Sleepybelly

  Want a weekly 'midwife in your inbox?' Join my newsletter, The Birth Buzz – Get midwife-approved insights, birth prep tips & all the resources mentioned in each episode straight to your inbox. The Birth Buzz 

  ✨ Ready to take charge of your birth, your way? Your Birth Class – My midwife-created, holistic birth class (online or in-person - Ballarat & Bacchus Marsh)

  Find everything in one place: My Website 

  
  

  Disclaimer

  The information and resources shared in this podcast are for educational purposes only and are not intended to replace medical or midwifery advice. Any decisions about your care should be made in partnership with your healthcare provider. If you’re a health professional, we encourage you to use this information as a discussion point within your workplace or professional practice.

  While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we cannot guarantee its completeness or relevance to your specific situation. The Midwife Memos podcast is not liable for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of this content. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional for any medical or midwifery concerns.

  
  

Navigating birth trauma, partner fears, and growing confidence the second time around

In this episode, I’m joined by Gemma — a mum of two — who shares her two birth stories: her first in an MGP program & a hospital, assisted birth during Melbourne’s 2020 lockdown, and a slower, calm, home-birth in a publicly funded home birth program with her second.

We talk about;

• What she would go back and tell her first time birthing self 

• Dealing with a posterior labour, her experience with an epidural and staying ‘in’ labour with one

• Dealing with Birth trauma & how it can be stored in the body 

• Navigating getting on the same page with your partner around birth choices

• The difference between her hospital and home-birth

• Why expectations can be the enemy

• Gemma’s Memo moment & key takeaway for other birthing women

A quick heads up: In this episode, Gemma shares her first birth experience, which she experienced as traumatic.

If you need support, you can contact: COPE – Centre of Perinatal Excellence

PANDA – Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia or 1300 726 306

You can also speak to your GP, midwife or Obstetrician for further support.

This season of The Midwife Memos is sponsored by Sleepybelly—my go-to for better pregnancy sleep - check them out here Sleepybelly

Free resources & courses: www.midwifelauretta.com.au

Disclaimer- The information and resources shared in this podcast are for educational purposes only and are not intended to replace medical or midwifery advice. Any decisions about your care should be made in partnership with your healthcare provider. If you’re a health professional, we encourage you to use this information as a discussion point within your workplace or professional practice.While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we cannot guarantee its completeness or relevance to your specific situation. The Midwife Memos podcast is not liable for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of this content. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional for any medical or midwifery concerns.

In this bonus episode #08 -  I’m sharing part of a talk I gave at a local event in Ballarat ‘The Wisdom She weaves’ by the very inspiring Sarah from LOTS financial planning. The topic was What I Wish Women Knew — and in this episode, I’m sharing;

• What I wish women knew about Birth

• What I wish women knew about self advocacy & trusting your Gut (for birth & life!)

• I also share a bit about my own experience as a Midwife & learning to hold less tightly to what I couldn't control & to focus on my small circle of influence in a micro way - which might be helpful for my fellow Midwives:)

Next week, I’m chatting with Gemma — a mum of two — about her hospital and home births.

Want more support for your birth prep? Check out

Your Birth Class - Fully online at your own pace or in person group classes, now launching in Bacchus Marsh & Ballarat.

This season of The Midwife Memos is sponsored by Sleepybelly—my go-to for better pregnancy sleep - check them out here Sleepybelly

Disclaimer: The information and resources shared in this podcast are for educational purposes only and are not intended to replace medical or midwifery advice. Any decisions about your care should be made in partnership with your healthcare provider. If you’re a health professional, we encourage you to use this information as a discussion point within your workplace or professional practice.

In this short 'Ask A Midwife' episode, I’m answering two questions:

- “What if I just want to wing it?”

-“What if my care provider doesn’t believe in birth plans?”

Free Guide: Plan Like a Pro Download the guide 

Birth Plan Template My one-page, midwife & obstetrician approved template 

Your Birth Class Fully online at your own pace or in person group classes → Your Birth Class

Have a question you’d like answered in a future Ask A Midwife episode?You can reply to the podcast email or send me a DM on Instagram @midwifelauretta

This season of The Midwife Memos is sponsored by Sleepybelly—my go-to for better pregnancy sleep - check them out here Sleepybelly

Disclaimer

The information and resources shared in this podcast are for educational purposes only and are not intended to replace medical or midwifery advice. Any decisions about your care should be made in partnership with your healthcare provider. If you’re a health professional, we encourage you to use this information as a discussion point within your workplace or professional practice.

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we cannot guarantee its completeness or relevance to your specific situation. The Midwife Memos podcast is not liable for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of this content. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional for any medical or midwifery concerns.

In this episode I’m diving deep into something that often stirs up mixed opinions: birth plans. You’ve probably heard the phrase “you can’t plan birth,” but that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare — and that’s exactly what this episode is about.

We explore;

• What a birth plan actually is & why it can be a powerful tool

• What the research says about their impact

• Why creating one with your care provider is key

• What to include 

• How to make it nice and clear

Need some help? Check out my FREE Birth Plan Guide: Plan Like a Pro Download the guide 

Birth Plan Template Grab my one-page, midwife & obstetrician approved template plus what to consider for each section ($15).

This season of The Midwife Memos is sponsored by Sleepybelly—my go-to for better pregnancy sleep - check them out here Sleepybelly

Birth Plan Study Reference

Bell, M. C. H., Muggleton, S., & Davis, D. L. (2022). Birth plans: A systematic, integrative review into their purpose, process, and impact. Midwifery, 111, 1-11. Article 103388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2022.103388

Disclaimer: The information and resources shared in this podcast are for educational purposes only and are not intended to replace medical or midwifery advice. Any decisions about your care should be made in partnership with your healthcare provider. If you’re a health professional, we encourage you to use this information as a discussion point within your workplace or professional practice.

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we cannot guarantee its completeness or relevance to your specific situation. The Midwife Memos podcast is not liable for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of this content. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional for any medical or midwifery concerns.