Birth & Baby - Advice You Can Trust

Welcome and thank you for listening! In a world saturated with digital "sleep gurus" and rigid, one-size-fits-all routines, new parents are facing unprecedented anxiety when it comes to infant sleep. In this episode, we sit down with veteran healthcare professional Sister Marion Wing, who brings over 45 years of clinical wisdom, passion, and heart to the table. We cut through the commercial noise...

Welcome and thank you for listening! Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are incredibly common, but when they become a recurring nightmare—or flare up during pregnancy and postpartum—the stakes become much higher. Many women find themselves trapped in a cycle of repeated antibiotic use, relying on traditional remedies like cranberry juice that don't quite deliver. In this episode, we are busting the b...

Welcome and thank you for listening! What happens when your dream of a 'natural birth' turns into a whirlwind of medical interventions? In this episode, we sit down with Gabriella Szabo—homeschooling mom and advocate for informed birth—as she pulls back the curtain on her deeply personal experiences navigating the maternity care system. Gabriella's first birth was the "textbook" cascade of interve...

Welcome and thank you for listening! In this episode, I sat down with Lilo Mthembu, a private midwife based in Johannesburg who views her role in birth work as a true ministry. Lilo shares her deep-seated philosophy that pregnancy and birth are natural life events rather than medical conditions, advocating for every woman to begin her journey with a midwifery-led, natural approach. We dive into th...

Welcome and thank you for listening! Did you know your gut is often called your "Second Brain"? From your mood and mental clarity to your immune system's strength, it all starts in your microbiome. In this episode, we sit down with Jason Stewart, the founder of Probitec, to peel back the layers of gut health. We move past the marketing jargon to discover why many probiotics on the shelf today fail...

Welcome and thank you for listening! We hit the big 1-0-0! To celebrate this incredible milestone, your host steps into the guest chair to offer a rare, deep dive into the "why" behind the entire movement: Sensitive Midwifery and the Sister Lilian Centre. In this clear, celebratory, and informative self-interview, we peel back the curtain on the foundational mission driving Birth & Baby Advice You...

Welcome and thank you for listening! As a midwife, Lungile Gamede started noticing a surge in conditions like debilitating periods, PCOS, and endometriosis among the young girls in her community. But her journey started even closer to home: Lungile herself struggled with intense bloating, severe PMS, and symptoms the doctors couldn't resolve. This personal health battle—combined with her professio...

Welcome and thank you for listening! This episode features a conversation with Professor Welma Lubbe, a leading expert in the field of prematurity. Professor Welma Lubbe is a professor in nursing and midwifery at North-West University. Her research focuses on the care of premature babies, and she is the founder of Little Steps®, South Africa's first evidence-based prematurity support platform. A r...

Welcome and thank you for listening! In this episode, we sit down with Ian Wheeler, the founder of Pegasus Homeopathics, to demystify the world of homeopathy and explore its safe and effective use during pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Ian shares his fascinating journey from a traditional pharmacist to a pioneer in the field of homeopathic medicine. For over 30 years, he owned and operated pharmacie...

Welcome and thank you for listening! In this heartfelt and informative episode, we sit down with Jude Polack, the visionary founder of the original Genesis Clinic in Saxonworld, Johannesburg. Jude takes us on a journey through the history of this beloved birthing facility, from its inception in 2009 to its unexpected closure and inspiring rebirth. Jude shares the story of why she initially sold th...

Welcome and thank you for listening! In this powerful episode, we sit down with Simphiwe Joyce Delhi, a passionate Donated Breastmilk Coordinator. As a mother, mentor and advocate for breastfeeding, Joyce shares her inspiring journey and her work with the South African Breastmilk Reserve (SABR). Join us as Joyce explains: The vital importance of breastmilk for both baby and mother, and the profoun...

Welcome and thank you for listening! In this insightful episode, Dr. Margreet sits down with Dr. Howard Manyonga, a distinguished Ob-Gyn and the visionary founder of Network One Health (Pty) Ltd. Join us as Dr. Manyonga shares his rich background and diverse experiences in the healthcare sector, from his extensive practice as an independent Ob-Gyn to his senior management roles in both non-profit...

Welcome and thank you for listening! Join us as we explore the world of waterbirth with Ester, a highly experienced advanced midwife. We'll discuss her journey, the benefits of waterbirth, address common concerns, and delve into the practicalities of this empowering birthing option. Ester is a qualified advanced midwife who has worked in private and government hospitals for over 10 years. She has...

Welcome and thank you for listening! VBAC: Exploring Your Options for a Subsequent Birth with Sarah Jones In this episode, Dr. Margreet Barnardt interviews Sarah Jones, an independent midwife specializing in VBACs (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). We discuss: What is a VBAC? Understanding the process and factors that contribute to successful VBACs. Finding the right care provider: The importance of...

Welcome and thank you for listening! In this episode, Dr. Margreet Barnardt interviews Sarah Jones, a midwife who recently experienced an unexpected emergency C-section. Sarah shares her personal birth story, highlighting how she emotionally prepared for the possibility of a C-section despite her desire for a natural birth. We discuss: Preparing for the unexpected: How to emotionally and practical...

Welcome and thank you for listening! In this episode, we explore the crucial link between oral health during pregnancy and the lifelong dental well-being of children. We are joined by Dr. Tshepiso Mfolo, President of the South African Association of Paediatric Dentistry and a leading authority on maternal and child oral health. Dr. Mfolo reveals invaluable insights and dispels common myths, such a...

Welcome and thank you for listening! In this episode, Dr. Margreet Barnardt interviews Ruwaida Moola, an experienced midwife and founder of  Birth on 5th , a birthing unit in Linden, Johannesburg. They discuss the benefits of Midwife-Led Care, including: Lower intervention rates: Fewer medical procedures like inductions and cesarean sections.    Increased client satisfaction: More personalized and...

Welcome and thank you for listening! Celebrating Five Years of Birth & Baby Show: A Heartfelt Thank You It's the end of another year, and I'm taking a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've shared together on the Birth & Baby Show. We've celebrated five years of connecting with amazing guests, listeners, and viewers, and I'm so grateful for your continued support. As we wrap up another...

Welcome and thank you for listening! In this episode, Dr. Margreet welcomes director of the BabyGym Institute, Cozette Laubser, to discuss her groundbreaking new book, Newborn Brain Essentials: A Healthy Start to Development. This invaluable resource provides parents with essential insights into the fundamental building blocks of baby development, offering a solid foundation for their parenting jo...

Welcome and thank you for listening! In this episode, Dr Margreet talks with Janay Alexander-Gilchrist about optimizing early oral development for your child's long-term health. Janay, the General Manager of the Kids & Baby Division at Curaden South Africa, is a passionate advocate for early oral development. With a wealth of experience as a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Psychotherapist, Hypnobirthing...

Welcome and thank you for listening! In this Podcast Episode, Jane Sebidi, MomConnect Program Manager, discusses the program's 10-year anniversary. With over 30 years of experience in maternal and child health, Jane has been a driving force behind MomConnect's success. She's passionate about using technology to improve access to quality healthcare for women and their families. MomConnect, a South...

Welcome and thank you for listening! For Breastfeeding Awareness Week, Dr. Margreet talked with Samantha Crompton, Lactation Consultant, Midwife, wife and mother of two teenage boys. Samantha talks about expectations versus reality of Breastfeeding and unpacks the most common misconceptions. She explains what support looks like for a new, breastfeeding mom.  She did her Bachelors of Nursing & Midw...

Welcome and thank you for listening! In this episode, Dr Margreet talks with Janay Alexander-Gilchris about antenatal education and the importance of empowering families for a positive birth journey. More than qualifications (though she has plenty!), Janay Alexander-Gilchrist is a passionate advocate for families, especially mothers, to have a positive birthing experience. A wife, daughter, friend...

Welcome and thank you for listening! In this episode Margreet chatted with her sister Ellen about her experience with pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood. Ellen talked about the importance of preconception health and how she prepared her body for pregnancy. She emphasizes trusting the process throughout pregnancy and childbirth. Ellen journeyed with an independent midwife and gave birth in her ho...

Welcome and thank you for listening! In this episode Dr Margreet Barnardt is having a conversation with two Sensitive Midwives, Melissa Hudek and Susan Bolke, about their experiences working in different sectors of midwifery in South Africa.  In this insightful conversation you will learn about the rewarding parts as well as the challenges of working as a midwife as well as how to make an informed...