1 in 5 Mothers, 1 in 10 Fathers

Following our episode with Sophie Walker of Australian Birth Stories , who shared her traumatic first birth experience, this season’s final roundtable discussion unpacks how the mental and physical toll of a birth not going to plan can extend well beyond that day. To discuss birth trauma and why communication could be key in avoiding it, host Davina Smith is joined by Dr Peter Wood, obstetri...

Birth is often painted as a moment of pure joy, but what happens when the reality is far more complicated?  In this deeply personal episode, Sophie Walker shares her journey through birth trauma, unexpected interventions, and the road to recovery. From her meticulously planned birth plan unravelling in the delivery room amid worried family, to the emotional and physical toll, Sophie opens up...

When does ‘older’ motherhood begin, and why does the outdated label geriatric pregnancy still haunt women in their 30s and 40s? In this insightful roundtable, Dr Leah Hechtman (PhD), naturopathic clinician, joins clinical psychologist Dr Felicity Chandler from the Gidget Foundation to unpack the complex interplay of biology, age, and mental health on the path to parenthood.  From...

At 47, Sheila - high-performance coach, former CFO, and self-proclaimed "late bloomer” - finally held her miracle baby in her arms. But the road to motherhood was anything but conventional.  In this deeply personal episode, Sheila shares her extraordinary journey of hope, heartbreak, and divine intervention, from freezing her eggs at 38 during a devastating breakup, to meeting her soulm...

Having a baby is life-changing, but so is the financial shock that comes with it. In this candid roundtable with personal finance expert Kate Browne from Compare Club and Gidget Psychologist Alicia Moss, we tackle the money fears no one warns you about, from navigating paid parental leave (without missing superannuation) to surviving the cost-of-living crisis with a newborn. We discuss the hidden...

When Luke - a musician, performer, and devoted dad - found himself lying on the floor in tears, overwhelmed by the weight of fatherhood, he faced a silent battle many men never admit to: postnatal depression. In this raw and deeply personal conversation, Luke shares how the arrival of his twins, and the pressure to be the "strong" provider, left him feeling lost, guilty, and unable to speak up.&nb...

In this roundtable discussion, host Davina Smith explores the realities of young parenthood with Dr Arianne Reis from Young Well Being’s and psychologist Dr Felicity Chandler from the Gidget Foundation. They share insights on the mental health challenges young parents face, the intersection of adolescence and matrescence, and how societal stereotypes often overlook the resilience of young fa...

From a cheeky Snapchat message to raising two daughters under three, Georgia and Zac's story is raw, hilarious, and deeply relatable. In this episode, they open up about falling in love fast, becoming parents before they felt “ready,” and the emotional highs and lows of navigating pregnancy, birth, and postpartum in their 20s.  Georgia shares what it was like giving birth to a sur...

Join Davina Smith as she zooms out from individual stories to tackle the complex world of fertility struggles. Joined by Fertility specialist Dr Lionel Reyftmann and Registered Psychologist Matt Aquilina from the Gidget Foundation Australia, this conversation explores the tyranny of statistics and the mental marathon of treatment, but also, the impact of celebrity narratives and the quiet grief ma...

You may know her as the bright, bubbly Wiggle lighting up stages for kids across the country, but behind the scenes, Caterina Mete was on a deeply personal mission: to become a mum, on her own terms. In this heartfelt episode, Caterina opens up to Davina about the emotional rollercoaster of choosing solo motherhood and going through IVF alone. She talks about the unexpected comfort she found in co...

Join host Davina Smith, Paediatrician Dr Golly, and Clinical Team Leader & Registered Psychologist at the Gidget Foundation Matt Aquilina as they unpack the pressure men feel to be the “fixer,” how fatherhood can stir up old wounds, and why many dads feel emotionally sidelined just when they’re needed most. But they also go deeper, into the part of parenting no one talks abou...

For Frank, becoming a dad wasn’t just life-changing, it was life-defining. But instead of joy, early fatherhood brought his past crashing to the surface. In this raw and revealing episode, Frank shares how buried trauma and the fear of vulnerability led him down a path of addiction, and how hitting rock bottom forced him to make the most difficult choice of his life: keep running or fight fo...

What happens when parenthood triggers your deepest wounds? In this vulnerable and vital roundtable conversation, host Davina Smith unpacks the complex journey of becoming a parent as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. With guests Tara Hunter from FullStop Australia, alongside Gidget Psychologist Dr Martina Zangger, they explore the invisible triggers of parenthood, breaking generational cycles,...

Dusk Liney grew up thinking she needed to be ‘fixed’ before she could become a mother. A survivor of childhood sexual assault, she tells Davina how she carried the weight of shame, silence and fractured trust. She shares the painful paradox of parenting with trauma, the moment she realised motherhood wasn’t about perfection, and the radical act of letting love take over. Follow D...

In this powerful roundtable conversation, host Davina Smith sits down with the CEO & Director of Disability Maternity Care, and Gidget Psychologist Dr Erin Seeto to unpack the challenges of parenting when the world isn’t built for you. Together, they explore the daily adaptations no one warns you about, how to navigate healthcare systems that underestimate parents with a disability, brea...

Australia’s most decorated Paralympian, Ellie Cole, thought she knew what success felt like. Until, she held her son Felix for the first time. Speaking with host Davina Smith, she opens up about the emotional roller-coaster of IVF and miscarriage, how parenthood and living with a disability have surprising similarities, and how motherhood challenged her identity more than any competition did...

From reality television to talking about the reality of parenthood, Jack Millar & Courtney Stubbs share their experience from navigating a challenging pregnancy to embracing life as parents. They share their struggles with Courtney's adjustment disorder and how Jack felt helpless in easing her pain. Discover how dads can truly support their partners, tackle the guilt of returning to work, and...

A silver lining in a devastating miscarriage gave Ash the courage to explore the newfound maternal parts of herself. With coaching, she discovered matrescence—the emotional, biological, and physical changes experienced by women as they become mothers. In a candid chat with Davina Smith, Ash shares how this knowledge empowered her to face anxieties with compassion and accept further support when ne...

Going into her 31-week scan, Pieta was expecting the usual – a jelly-covered belly and the thrill of seeing her baby grow. But what started as a routine scan ended with Pieta facing one of the most challenging decisions of her life. One in 22 babies has a ‘major congenital anomaly’, and in this episode, Pieta shares her own experience navigating uncertain medical information, the mental toll of gr...

After years of battling mental health struggles, Kylianne received an unexpected prescription: movement. Embracing physical activity for pure joy rather than aesthetics marked the beginning of her healing and a new career, ultimately making her business ‘Movement for Mental Health’ the largest third-party fundraiser for the Gidget Foundation. Before this incredible feat however, the onset of prola...

When Cathy Ngo – the daughter of Vietnamese refugee’s - became a mother, the wounds of her past tore open. In a deeply moving conversation with host Davina Smith, Cathy reveals her struggle to balance her heritage with the desire to forge her own path. She bravely shares her experiences with racism, family violence, and how the birth of her son triggered a wave of depression and anxiety that with...

Throughout Alexandra (Ali) Collier’s life, the ticking of her biological clock was almost silent… until it wasn’t. By the time she heard the hands moving, her work, life, and relationship status did not align with her now deafening desire. Still, she decided to upheave her life in New York and return to Australia to pursue life as a solo parent by choice. Ali, author of the book 'Inconceivable', t...

Silje Andersen-Cooke's jaw dropped when her OBGYN uttered the word ‘triplets’. Shock, joy, and a flood of anxieties ensued. From grappling with financial worries to fears about her body and the babies' health, Silje shares her rollercoaster journey with host Davina Smith in this raw and honest conversation. Discover how she went from shock to advocacy as Director of the Multiple Births Association...

Ellidy Pullin’s most courageous act was becoming a mother, but that doesn’t make it easy. On sleepless nights, through the baby-blues, and even in moments of pure bliss, grief doesn’t stop. Speaking to host Davina Smith, Ellidy reveals the bittersweet moments of Minnie’s first couple of months at home, and how she learnt to balance both joy and sorrow in one hand; a task she’s still practicing tod...

In the wake of her beloved Nan passing, Jami, a proud Wiradjuri Woman, waited in anticipation for the placenta burial that would connect her newborn daughter to her Ancestors and Country. Tragically, this day would never come. Speaking to host Davina Smith, Jamidescribes the anguish this caused and the domino effect it had on her mental health. Jami also speaks of the profound moment that made her...