Pregnancy with Physio Laura

To kick off this third episode in this podcast series I am sharing the second half of my birth story. In this episode I discuss: The pushing phase and how it wasn’t what I expected The positions that felt most comfortable for me The feelings and emotions I felt when I first met my daughter  Delivery of my placenta  The events that occurred after birth Today’s episode is episo...

To kick off this second episode in this podcast series I am sharing the first half of my birth story. In this episode I discuss: How early labour looked for me The physical sensations I didn’t expect The mental challenges of a long labour  How my husband helped to support me The only 2 techniques that really gave me any relief Today’s episode is episode 2 of 7 in this series. If y...

To kick off this podcast series I am sharing my most recent pregnancy journey. In this episode I discuss: My original intention to have a maternal-assisted C section The ways in which I had to navigate the maternity system The eventual decision I landed on in how I wanted to birth my baby The lessons I learnt along the way Today’s episode is episode 1 of 7 in this series. If you want to list...

To kick off this fifth episode in the Kids Physio series we are discussing baby toys, gadgets and activity centres. Nicole Pates, a paediatric physiotherapist, discusses: The different options on the market and whether or not they speed up development Safety issues to be aware of The importance of timing and frequency when using these activity stations  The one activity centre Nicole doesn&rs...

To kick off this fourth episode in the Kids Physio series we are discussing baby carriers. Nicole Pates, a paediatric physiotherapist, discusses: The different types of carriers to consider The link between carriers and attachment What to look for for a safe and appropriate position for your baby When to turn them forward facing Today’s episode is episode 4 of 5 in this series. If you want t...

To kick off this third episode in the Kids Physio series we are discussing the crawling milestone. Nicole Pates, a paediatric physiotherapist, discusses: The realistic (and varied) timeframes to expect this milestone to occur The different ways in which a baby might crawl/move Why you don’t need to panic if a baby doesn’t do hands and knees crawling straight away Easy ways to change yo...

To kick off this second episode in the Kids Physio series we are discussing the importance of tummy time and different ways to do this activity rather than just lying flat on the floor. Nicole Pates, a paediatric physiotherapist, discusses: Why tummy time is important for development How to prevent flattening of your baby's head Why tummy time was introduced in the first place What to do if your c...

To kick off this Kids Physio series we are discussing the importance of play in healthy baby development and how to reduce the anxiety and stress in parenting and instead find joy. Nicole Pates, a paediatric physiotherapist, discusses: The importance of play in healthy development How to find more joy in the parenting journey and worry less about milestones Getting to know your unique baby through...

To kick off this sixth episode in the Birth with Confidence series we are discussing crises of confidence, common stages in labour when women may start to doubt themselves and their strength.  Rhea Dempsey, a birth worker, counsellor, childbirth educator and incredible author talks us through: The common points in labour when a crisis of confidence may present  The importance of having t...

To kick off this fifth episode in the Birth with Confidence series we are discussing the current issues in modern day birth culture and ways to naturally boost your pain tolerance. Rhea Dempsey, a birth worker, counsellor, childbirth educator and incredible author talks us through: Importance of understanding your birth environment The current birth stats in Australia Why natural physiological bir...

To kick off this fourth episode in the Birth with Confidence series we are discussing the importance of reframing labour pain as being normal and physiological rather than pathological.  Rhea Dempsey, a birth worker, counsellor, childbirth educator and incredible author talks us through: The current birth culture and demonising of labour pain  The difference between pathological versus p...

To kick off this third episode in the Birth with Confidence series we are discussing the hormones involved in late stage labour and the importance of understanding the difference between a woman feeling exhausted versus being endorphined.  Rhea Dempsey, a birth worker, counsellor, childbirth educator and incredible author talks us through: The key role that endorphins and adrenaline play in l...

To kick off this second episode in the Birth with Confidence series we are discussing the importance of the queen oxytocin hormone and how we can set up a beautiful oxytocin routine at home.  Rhea Dempsey, a birth worker, counsellor, childbirth educator and incredible author talks us through: The main body centres to help stimulate oxytocin How to build the ultimate “oxytocin recipe&rdq...

To kick off this first episode in the Birth with Confidence series we are discussing the natural hormonal dance that occurs between a mother and baby and the importance of not disturbing this magical event.  Rhea Dempsey, a birth worker, counsellor, childbirth educator and incredible author talks us through: The difference between natural oxytocin hormones versus synthetic hormones The incred...

To kick off this fifth episode in the Yoga & Doula series we are discussing ways in which you can connect more with your baby in pregnancy and practice more mindfulness in every day life.  Louise Maguire, our pregnancy and birth guide, nurse, yoga instructor and birth doula, discusses: The journey that your baby takes through pregnancy and birth How to connect in with your little one Simp...

To kick off this fourth episode in the Yoga & Doula series we are discussing the benefits of using yoga and meditation during pregnancy.  Louise Maguire, our pregnancy and birth guide, nurse, yoga instructor and birth doula, discusses: How yoga and meditation help to build the mind/body connection The importance of relieving physical and mental tension during pregnancy and birth How these...

To kick off this third episode in the Yoga & Doula series we are discussing fear in childbirth and ways in which we can overcome this to have a beautiful and empowering birth experience.  Louise Maguire, our pregnancy and birth guide, nurse, yoga instructor and birth doula, discusses: How the medicalisation of birth may be a factor in our current fear pandemic The importance of connecting...

To kick off this second episode in the Yoga & Doula series we are discussing the role of a doula in the post-partum space. Louise Maguire, our pregnancy and birth guide, nurse, yoga instructor and birth doula, discusses everything you need to know about the support provided by a postpartum doula.  Today’s episode is episode 2 of 5 in this series. If you want to listen to this entire...

To kick off this first episode in the Yoga & Doula series we are discussing the role of a doula in the pregnancy and birth space.  Louise Maguire, our pregnancy and birth guide, nurse, yoga instructor and birth doula, discusses: The different types of doulas The role of a doula in the pregnancy and birth space The history of the doula support person Today’s episode is episode 1 of 5...

To kick off this seventh episode, I’m sharing the live recording of the recent Q & A we did for our Ask the Midwife series. Beth Ryan, our midwife and childbirth educator will discuss: The GBS test Strategies for posterior labour Reducing the need for forceps or vacuum Cervical lips Pros and cons of an ECV Expressing colostrum Tips to reduce perineal tearing Advice for women with fear ar...

To kick off this sixth episode in the Ask the Midwife series we are discussing inductions and vaginal examinations.  Beth Ryan, our midwife and childbirth educator will discuss: The rationale behind these interventions Why you don’t need throw out all your amazing birth skills if you are induced The power, passage and passenger analogy that helps midwives assess how labour is progressin...

To kick off this fifth episode in the Ask the Midwife series we are discussing C-section birth preferences. Beth Ryan, our midwife and childbirth educator will discuss: The role of the midwife in a C-section birth Preferences to consider to make it a beautiful and welcoming environment Importance of early skin to skin if possible Why it’s OK to ask your birth team to stop chatting and keep n...

To kick off this fourth episode in the Ask the Midwife series we are discussing post-partum support planning. Beth Ryan, our midwife and childbirth educator will discuss: The value of antenatal breastfeeding education The importance of expressing colostrum before birth How to support yourself at home if discharged from hospital early  Practical tools to support you after birth  Why nappi...

To kick off this third episode in the Ask the Midwife series we are discussing how to navigate respectful conversations with your birth team, asking questions and managing interventions that may be presented to you.  Beth Ryan, our midwife and childbirth educator will discuss: Asking questions respectfully so you and your birth team can work together rather than feeling like it’s an us...

To kick off this second episode in the Ask the Midwife series we are discussing the best ways to create a beautiful birth environment once you arrive at hospital.  Beth Ryan, our midwife and childbirth educator will discuss: The realities of “bed flow” in a hospital system Why presenting in very early labour may put you on “the clock” Tips to create a beautiful birth e...