Can We Talk About This?

Episode 41: Tips for Finding the Right Therapist

This episode is a little different as your host, Amber-lee offers some practical tips and experiences with finding the right psychologist or mental health professional during the perinatal period. This episode offers an exploration of unique challenges that arise during the perinatal period and why it is crucial to seek a mental health professional who has specialised knowledge in perinatal mental health - because specialised knowledge matters!

Amber-lee, a passionate advocate for maternal wellbeing, draws from personal experiences and shares valuable insights on navigating the process of finding the ideal psychologist who understands the needs and complexities of this time, the importance of researching their experience and training, feeling comfortable and safe, who validates your experience. Amber-lee emphasises the benefits of working with professionals who have expertise in various therapeutic approaches, who offer tools, techniques and skills to support your healing journey.  

 

“I hope this episode empowers you to reach out for help if you are struggling and make informed choices in choosing those who will support you.” – Amber-lee

 

While this episode mainly focuses on 'psychologists' you can certainly apply the tips to any mental health professional who will support you - psychiatrists, occupational therapists, counsellors, psychotherapists, social workers, mental health nurse, GPs and so on. 

 

Here are some free organisations within Australia that can provide a range of support services to you:

For our international listeners, a great place to start is Postpartum Support International www.postpartum.net

COPE.org.au has a wide range of resources and information AND a perinatal mental health professional directory within Australia: www.cope.org.au 

PANDA: www.panda.org.au  

ABTA: www.birthtrauma.org.au

Gidget Foundation: www.gidgetfoundation.org.au 

Brisbane/Logan QLD only - Peachtree: www.peachtree.org.au 

If you or someone you know is at risk of harm to themselves or others, please call 000 (or your national emergency services number). 

Disclaimer: The tips provided in this podcast episode for finding the right psychologist are intended for informational purposes only

 

Episode 40: C-Section Recovery & Pelvic Floor Health with a Perinatal Physiotherapist

In this episode, join me as I sit down with Kath from FitNest Mama to talk about all things c-section recovery, and your pelvic floor does not escape this conversation! We explore a range of important aspects surrounding this subject, shedding light on what to expect during the recovery process, signs and symptoms something isn’t right, safe sequential and functional exercises postpartum, and so much more.

Kath and I also emphasise the significance of seeking support from Women’s Health Physiotherapists. Our conversation extends into our hopes for improved healthcare practices to prevent women from living with preventable and treatable pelvic health conditions.

Tune in to gain valuable insights into c-section recovery, pelvic floor health, and discover actionable tips for a smoother postpartum journey. Whether you’re a new mum who has had a belly birth or simply interested in women’s health, this episode offers a wealth of information.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their post birth recovery, whether that be from a c-section or vaginal birth, please consider seeking assessment and support from a Women’s Health Physio near you. Here is a pamphlet with more information: https://www.thepowerofbirth.net/printable-pdfs or check out: https://www.thepowerofbirth.net/pelvic-health

 

You can find Kath on socials @fitnestmama

View her website and courses: https://www.fitnestmama.com/

 

 

Please note, like all episodes, the advice given on this podcast is of a general nature and should not be considered as personalised or professional advice.

Episode 39: Danni’s Story: Navigating Infertility and IVF in Rural Australia

In this episode, your host Amber-lee, speaks to Danni-Leigh about her experiences and challenges with infertility living in rural Queensland, Australia, receiving a late diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), the emotional rollercoaster of navigating in-vitro-fertilisation (IVF), and the unforeseen emergency surgery to drain her ovaries and remove her fallopian tubes.

 

Throughout the conversation, Danni sheds light on the physical, emotional and financial toll infertility takes on her life. She speaks candidly about the unspoken struggles and longing for a family that she has been fighting for relentlessly for years. With refreshing honesty, Danni addresses the lack of education surrounding menstrual cycles and conditions like PCOS, emphasising the importance of early education about our bodies for empowerment, particularly when wanting to start a family.

 

Danni also delves into the loneliness, anger and sadness during her IVF journey. By sharing her vulnerabilities, Danni highlights the need for greater understanding, empathy, and support for those battling infertility.

 

Can We Talk About This? is available on all podcast platforms for your listening pleasure.  

 

If you are struggling with infertility there are some amazing organisations out there with support, blogs, resources and more including:

https://fertilitysupport.org.au/

Episode 38: The Birth Evolution from Mother to Doula

In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Sarah Z, a courageous mother and founder of Birth Made Mindful, who shares her transformative journey through birth experiences and her subsequent path to becoming a doula. Sarah's story begins with a difficult birth that unexpectedly turned into a caesarean section with her first baby. Determined to have a different experience in her subsequent births, Sarah embarked on a quest for knowledge and empowerment.

As Sarah delved into birth preparation for her second and third pregnancies, she came to the realisation that the challenges she faced were not her fault. Through her personal experiences, she discovered that essential elements were missing from traditional birth education that could empower women in any birthing scenario.

During our conversation, Sarah candidly shares her birth experiences and the valuable insights she gained along the way. Her wisdom extends beyond specific birthing techniques and encompasses a holistic perspective on motherhood. No matter where you find yourself on your own motherhood journey, you'll find inspiration and valuable takeaways from Sarah's profound insights.

Can We Talk About This? is available on all podcast platforms for your listening pleasure.

Sarah is located in Salt Lake City, Utah USA and you can find her birth courses online for birth and motherhood:

Our listeners can receive 30% off either course by using the code:  thepowerofbirth at www.birthmademindful.com

@birthmademindful

 

Episode 37: Embracing the Challenges and Beauty in Raising Neurodiverse Children

Neurodiverse people make up about 12% of Australians and are often underrepresented and misunderstood and so it is really important to have conversations and bring awareness to such a deserving topic. In this episode, Sarah, mum of 3 children, 2 with neurodiversity, chats to me about her experiences becoming a mother and realising her children were different and seeking answers. Sarah talks about the challenges of raising children with neurodiversity in a neurotypical world but also the beauty that it brings, looking at the world through a different lens. Sarah speaks to her motherhood journey and fighting an eating disorder, relationship changes and struggling to find where her family fits on the spectrum. Sarah has a wealth of knowledge and experience and offers her experience raising neurodiverse children to help other families walking the same path.

In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Sarah Z, a courageous mother and founder of Birth Made Mindful, who shares her transformative journey through birth experiences and her subsequent path to becoming a doula. Sarah's story begins with a difficult birth that unexpectedly turned into a caesarean section with her first baby. Determined to have a different experience in her subsequent births, Sarah embarked on a quest for knowledge and empowerment.

As Sarah delved into birth preparation for her second and third pregnancies, she came to the realisation that the challenges she faced were not her fault. Through her personal experiences, she discovered that essential elements were missing from traditional birth education that could empower women in any birthing scenario.

Can We Talk About This? is available on all podcast platforms for your listening pleasure.

You can follow Sarah on socials @sarahkaywatts or her blog: www.sarahkaysway.com

 

Music is called "Flowers" by Limujii and can be found on YouTube, SoundCloud and Spotify.

Episode 36: What Makes Birth Traumatic? All Things Birth Trauma with Dr Rosie Pajak

In a world where 1 in 3 women describe their birth experience as traumatic and up to 1 in 10 go on to develop PTSD following childbirth, conversations like this are a necessity. Raising awareness and openly talking about ways to recognise and seek support. I had the pleasure of chatting with Dr Rosie Pajak, a clinical psychologist about all things birth trauma. We go into detail about the varying levels of trauma and what they look like, the importance of psychological safety, what makes birth traumatic, vicarious trauma, consequences of birth trauma in motherhood, ways we can prepare for another birth after trauma and healing. Dr Rosie is a wonderful clinical psychologist dedicated to helping families recover from birth trauma and this episode is full of wisdom for anyone preparing for a birth, birthing after trauma or even if you work with birthing women and families!

 

You can find Rosie @birth_healing_collective or @dr_rosie_psychologist

Her website: www.rosannapajak.com or www.thebirthhealingcollective.com  

 

If you or someone you know is struggling with their birth experience please consider reaching out to:

ABTA www.birthtrauma.org.au

PANDA www.panda.org.au

Episode 35: Bec’s Story: Termination For Medical Reasons (TFMR)

With the ongoing political & religious debate on abortion, a mother of a genetic disorder opens up about her experience of TFMR and the impact this has had on her. Bec shares information about her genetic disorder and how that changed what her family would look like, having a 'missed miscarriage' D&C and a 'chemical miscarriage' after the birth of her healthy daughter. Bec opens up about finding out her baby had a chromosomal condition (BFLS) and the decision to terminate and the hoops she had to jump through to have that happen. Bec describes TFMR as a “no choice choice” and the taboo of baby loss and her story is worth considering in conversations around abortion.  

 

Please consider what you are consuming before deciding to tune into this episode as this includes sensitive content.    

 

If you have experienced pregnancy loss including TFMR and need support please head to: https://www.pinkelephants.org.au/ 

 

Website / organisation mentioned in the episode: https://www.childrenbychoice.org.au/ 

 

 

Episode 34: The Truth About Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC) and Understanding Obstetric Violence

In Australia we have a high caesarean section rate (37%) and a very low VBAC rate (12%). Dr Hazel Keedle is a VBAC researcher and VBAC mama herself and she joins me to chat about why it is so challenging for women to have a VBAC, the truth about risk of uterine rupture and vaginal tearing, what to do to increase your chances of a VBAC, advocating for yourself and what to do if you have been scared out of one when you want one. Dr Keedle also shares details about her recent study on obstetric violence where they found 1 in 10 women experience obstetric violence. She highlights the importance of acknowledging obstetric violence on political and national levels as well as normalising violence in maternity practice where women have been abused, assaulted, coerced, threatened and bullied into procedures they never wanted and/or were never necessary.

Please consider what you are consuming as this episode does contain sensitive content.    

Find Dr Hazel Keedle @hazelkeedle or on facebook @vbacmatters 

Buy her book: https://stores.praeclaruspress.com/birth-after-caesarean-your-journey-to-a-better-birth-by-hazel-keedle/

Attend a workshop: https://linktr.ee/hazelkeedle

Read the Obstetric Violence Research Paper: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10778012221140138

If you would like to watch the Birth Time documentary: https://www.birthtime.world/watch-now

 

If you are experiencing emotional distress relating to your birth please reach out to:

PANDA  https://panda.org.au/

Human Rights in Childbirth https://www.humanrightsinchildbirth.org/

Gidget Foundation   https://gidgetfoundation.org.au/

Episode 33: Dismantling ‘Perfect’ Mothering and Becoming Our Own Version of a Good Enough Mother

This is an episode FULL of gems!! Have you struggled with the pressures of being a perfect mother or never feeling good enough?! Ali Pember, a coach and psychotherapist for 10 years who works with mothers shares a snippet of her experience becoming a mother unexpectedly later in life and the role matrescence played in her life choices. Ali also shares her wisdom on the pressures of motherhood, the cultural narrative and the perfect mother myth, valuing the work we do as mothers and how important the language we use is in valuing ourselves, how to feel good enough rather than trying for perfect, comparing ourselves, the ‘conspiracy of silence’ and shame in motherhood and maternal ambivalence.

We only just scratch the surface on this topic and it is most certainly worth understanding your own personal perfect mother myth and realigning yourself with what you deem to be a good enough mother.    

Ali is based in the UK and you can find her on socials @goodenoughmamas and www.goodenoughmama.co.uk

Helpful topics to further this conversation and understanding:

Sharon Hayes – Intensive Mothering

Dr Sophie Brock – The Perfect Mother Myth

Andrea O’Rielly – Matricentric Feminism

Donald Winnicott – Parent – Infant Relationship (mentioned in the episode)

Episode 32: Research Project: Perceptions of Birth and Wellbeing After Birth Debriefing Among Women Who Describe Their Birth as Traumatic

This episode is a little different as it is just me, Amber-lee, your host behind the mic chatting about my recent Honours research study on subjective birth trauma and birth debriefing and my findings but also what led me down the childbirth rabbit hole 18 months ago. There’s a lot of information in this episode but I hope you find it interesting!

 

If you would like a copy of the results of this study please email me thepowerofbirth@outlook.com

 

Thank you to everyone who promoted and/or completed the study. Your voice is so needed in this space and I appreciate you sharing your experiences with me.

 

If you have experienced birth trauma and require support please reach out to:

Australasian Birth Trauma Association www.birthtrauma.org.au

PANDA www.panda.org.au

Postpartum Support International www.postpartum.net

 

References:

 

Bryanton, J., Gagnon, A. J., Johnston, C., & Hatem, M. (2008). Predictors of Women’s Perceptions of the Childbirth Experience. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 37(1), 24–34. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-6909.2007.00203.x

 

Chadwick, R. (2018). Bodies that Birth: Vitalizing Birth Politics. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315648910

 

Grekin, R., & O’Hara, M. W. (2014). Prevalence and risk factors of postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 34(5), 389–401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2014.05.003

 

Johanson, R., Newburn, M., & Macfarlane, A. (2002). Has the medicalisation of childbirth gone too far? BMJ : British Medical Journal, 324(7342), 892–895.

 

Kjeldgaard, H. K., Vikanes, Å., Benth, J. Š., Junge, C., Garthus-Niegel, S., & Eberhard-Gran, M. (2019). The association between the degree of nausea in pregnancy and subsequent posttraumatic stress. Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 22(4), 493–501. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-018-0909-z

 

Reed, R., Sharman, R., & Inglis, C. (2017). Women’s descriptions of childbirth trauma relating to care provider actions and interactions. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 17(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-016-1197-0

 

Sheen, K., & Slade, P. (2015). The efficacy of ‘debriefing’ after childbirth: Is there a case for targeted intervention? Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 33(3), 308–320. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2015.1009881

 

Watson, K., White, C., Hall, H., & Hewitt, A. (2021). Women’s experiences of birth trauma: A scoping review. Women and Birth: Journal of the Australian College of Midwives, 34(5), 417–424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2020.09.016

 

Music is called "Flowers" by Limujii and can be found on YouTube, SoundCloud and Spotify.