She Found Motherhood Podcast

Pregnancy may feel like a long nine months at times. But sometimes the arrival of baby and consequent planning and preparation can catch you by surprise! One such surprise can be feeling unprepared to go on maternity leave. It can be a big pause in a person’s career at a pivotal time, and transitioning into and out of it can be a tricker maneuver than it seems. This is precisely why today’s guest,...

Let’s talk about herpes! Between 60%-80% of the population has been exposed to the herpes virus. The nature of herpes is very pervasive and nothing to be ashamed of - if someone has been exposed to and carries the virus, they can transmit it even if they have never had an outbreak or symptoms themselves. But if you do get your first ever herpes infections during pregnancy please tell your care pro...

With today’s episode, we’re excited to introduce a new project that we’ve been working on! Presenting you a sneak peek of our upcoming Pregnancy to Parenthood Podcast Series , designed to support you week by week with informative episodes focused on the trimester and stage of pregnancy you are in. Tune in every week, or binge listen all at once and come back to the episodes you found most helpful...

Today’s guest shares with us her very unique birth story, managing several unexpected diagnoses as well as a due date coinciding with the stressful and highly unpredictable outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. But Katie managed to keep a positive outlook despite these factors which led to her pregnancy being rather medicalized, and even found some silver linings brought by the COVID-19 restrictions. J...

Maintaining some movement and exercise during pregnancy can help decrease aches & pains, prepares you for the physical act of labour, and can aid in postpartum recovery. But what about more intense work-out regimens or strength training? Dr. Alicia chats with Rebecca Tranter, registered massage therapist, Level 1 certified CrossFit trainer, and expectant mama-to-be about her pregnancy journey...

In this challenging time, now more than ever, we need to work together to support our mental health. So this week we are trying something different - a guided breath and body meditation for pregnant or postpartum people.  Mindfulness and meditation is powerful in supporting everyone's mental health, but also for preparing the body for pregnancy, labour, and birth.  Whether you are a freq...

In part two of our series with physiotherapist and pregnancy/postpartum pelvic health expert Krysta Norwick, Dr. Alicia discusses the very common issue of lower back pain in pregnancy. While it is highly likely to occur to most pregnant people at some point, that doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything to help reduce and/or treat the pain and symptoms! Join us as Krysta and Dr. Alicia discuss the...

Here is a little talked about fact: postpartum wrist pain is quite common! Officially named De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, this wrist pain occurs at the base of the thumb and is often aggravated postpartum by the frequent and possibly strenuous motions of lifting your newborn (while also supporting their head). Dr. Alicia talks with Krysta Norwick, registered physiotherapist and owner of Cairn Physi...

Today we are lucky to listen to Madelaine’s birth story! She shares with Dr. Alicia the births of her two little girls, the first by Cesarean section and the second with a successful and empowering vaginal birth after cesarean ( VBAC ). Baby Louise even makes a few cameos during the episode. Let’s jump in!

As we have said many times in the past, education is a form of healthcare. When it comes to your pelvic health, the better understanding you have of the physiology of the area and changes in pregnancy and childbirth, the more empowered you will feel! So today we are chatting with Aliya Dhalla, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, about the basic structure of the pelvic floor, the changes undergone durin...

With the ever-evolving state of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have put together this current and timely episode for you to help navigate the often overwhelming world of the COVID-19 vaccine, Omicron variant, boosters, and how those might affect you in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Our guest, Dr. Elisabeth Marnik has a PhD. in genetics and immunology, is a scientist, professor, and a passionate sci...

Today Dr. Alicia and Dr. Pip Houghton, founder of Making Mama Well, discuss a topic that is near and dear to their hearts - how to babyproof your relationship. The arrival of a newborn will undoubtedly create a new dynamic within your family unit, and while it brings great joy, we also run the risk of being blindsided by the challenges of this shift while also experiencing heightened stress due to...

Today on the She Found Motherhood podcast, Denie joins us and talks about the birth of her little girl, Iris. Dennie struggled with multiple miscarriages, a multiple day induction, and severe anxiety during her pregnancy into postpartum. She's very open and frank in our discussion, offering some great advice for those who are going through pregnancy and struggling with anxiety.   The Pre...

As we enter the last month of 2021, you might be thinking about putting up those holiday decorations, buying something special for those you love, and how the heck has another year gone by already!? While we’re equally lost on that last point, we are able to help you out when it comes to finding a perfect gift for you or that someone special who is pregnant or newly parenting! As you know, we are...

This week we are treated to Catie Mather’s birth story! She shares with us her adventures with multiple pregnancies and three deliveries, all while also adjusting to life with a Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis. She tells us about her experiences with induced labour, nursing, and the differences of being pregnant with your first child, as opposed to your third! We hope you enjoy listening as much as we d...

We want to remove the notion of guilt right off the bat - gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can happen to any pregnant person. Due to complex pathophysiological systems at play in pregnancy, that can cause insulin resistance among other things, sometimes gestational diabetes cannot be avoided. But today’s podcast, featuring Noelle Martin, RD, maternal dietician and co-founder of Nourished Beginn...

Hypertension is the fancy word for high blood pressure, a common condition where the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is strong enough that it may cause health problems. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are health issues associated with high blood pressure in pregnancy, and they are the leading cause of maternal death due to long-term health complications, such as cardiova...

There is a lot doctors and scientists still don’t fully understand about what includes labour, both pre and at term. But we do know that there are treatments that can reduce your chance of having a preterm birth, especially if you have had one in the past. Preterm birth can be especially traumatic for those living in remote communities which is why in our guests on today’s podcast, Drs. Kirsten Du...

As we all continue to navigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, today’s podcast is a recap of Dr. Sarah’s IGTV live discussion around the pandemic & vaccines in newborns and young kids with Dr. Rebekah Diamond, M.D. and founder of Parent like a Pediatrician! They discuss the COVID-19 vaccine in kids and newborns, how to manage visitors, and how to ask about vaccine status, among other things. ww...

Today’s special episode examines the often undiscussed topic of birth trauma. Our guest Teela Tomassetti, a therapist for over 15 years specializing in trauma, had decided to pursue a PhD in birth trauma in dedication to a close friend’s traumatic birth experience. She did not know at the time that she would be facing a birth trauma of her own. Teela generously shares her personal story with us, d...

Why do we even bother with car seats? Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of preventable death in children ages one through nine in Canada. Driving is one of the most dangerous things that we do, and most of us do it on a daily basis with our children in the mix. The good news is, child safety seats have been shown to reduce fatal injury by 71% for infants under 1 year, 54% for toddlers...

When is the best time to start introducing my baby to solid foods? How will I know they are ready? What kind of foods should I give them? Is it better to offer whole foods, or purées? How long do I wait between introducing them to new foods? What about allergens!? HELP! If any of these questions have crossed your mind, today’s podcast is necessary listening! Dr. Alicia and Nita Sharda, BSc, a Regi...

How does your blood type affect your pregnancy? Join Drs. Sarah and Alicia on today’s podcast as they break down how your blood type may put your baby at risk - but don’t worry! This only occurs in a very specific circumstance that is found in a percentually low number of people. And with proper screening and treatment, the risks of any complications to your, your baby, and any future pregnancies...

We’ll reveal the biggest secret discussed on today’s podcast right at the top: each baby is different. When it comes to sleep, what may work for one might not work for another, even for babies within the same family! Our guest today, Registered Social Worker, M.S.W, R.S.W and Infant + Child Mental Health Specialist Valerie Groysman, discovered this with her own two babies firsthand as well as by c...

Pregnancy is undeniably a time of accelerated body change, and for women who have had a history of avoiding their body or engaging in other types of negative body image perpetuating behaviors, body avoidance becomes impossible to pursue. And while this can be a huge struggle, it can also be a wonderful opportunity to begin the healing work around your own relationship with food and your body image...