Episodes

In this episode Karen speaks with Melanie Francis about perineal trauma. They discuss perineal trauma, what is normal and easily recoverable, what can be done to lessen or prevent severe perineal trauma, and ways to improve postpartum recovery. Both Mel and Karen are midwives and as you will hear, they are very passionate about this topic. Mel is also a clinical educator with Gyzone, a specialized online education platform that provides accredited, video-based training for midwives, doctors, a...

I know it may seem at odds to put the words Relaxation and Birth in the same sentence but in actual fact relaxation is essential for birth. In this episode Peter and Karen talk about why relaxation techniques are so important for birth and how Calmbirth teaches the Relaxation Response in a more in depth and deeper level for you to not only work with birth, but really importantly, to prepare for birth.

Join Karen as she talks with Dr Oscar Serrallach about the research and science behind Matrescence and what couples and their community can do to support and protect this incredibly important and transformation time for mothers. Don’t forget to grab Oscar’s book “The Postnatal Depletion Cure”. It’s a must read for not just Mum’s but for partners and anyone who is, or is going to be, supporting a new mum. And you can check out his courses at https://www.droscarserrallach.com/.

In this episode Karen explores with Lily Nicoles the importance of good nutrition for Pregnancy. They discuss not only what good nutrition and “Real Food” means but ways in which pregnant women and people ensure they are eating well for themselves and their babies. Karen and Lily also talk about gestational diabetes (GDM) and ways in which those who are diagnosed with GDM can use their diet to help reduce the impact of a GDM diagnosis. Lily Nichols is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Certif...

This episode is all about exploring the wonders of the Female pelvis. Karen and Fiona share their passion for the Pelvis and how it adapts in birth. They go on to discuss how birthing women and people can prepare their pelvis to create space for birth, because after all, birth is all about creating space.

In this episode Karen discusses different Fetal Monitoring options ,and the research behind them, for labour with Kirsten Small, a retired Obstetrician, researcher and educator. Kirsten has a passion for ensuring that women and birthing people have all the information they need to make informed decisions around their choices for monitoring in labour. After listening, if you would like to take a deeper dive with Kirsten into this topic we recommend that you have a look at Kirsten’s course “Feta...

In this episode, Karen and Bashi are having a raw and frank conversation about informed consent and birth. It is our hope that by honouring and hearing those women who have experienced trauma in our maternity system and by having important and yes at times, confronting conversations such as this one, we may be able to reduce the incidence of preventable birth trauma for future women. It’s important to acknowledge there are many Doctors and Midwives who work in our maternity system who are very...

Bashi Kumar-Hazard is an Australian competition and consumer rights lawyer and the principal of B W Law, a legal practice established to support and assist women and children. She is also the chair of the international organisation Human Rights in Childbirth and works tirelessly to advocate for women’s rights and birthing people worldwide. In this episode, Bashi and Karen discuss the outcome of the NSW Birth Trauma Inquiry and the recommendations handed down in the report. They cover some impor...

In this episode, Karen discusses the two different approaches and perceptions of pain in labour. These are the medical approach where pain in labour is seen as dysfunctional and something to be ‘fixed’, and the holistic (midwifery) approach where it is seen as a functional discomfort that is purposeful and therefore important to ‘work with’. It is a fascinating conversation that we hope will plant many seeds that will continue to change the way we think and feel about labour and birth for the be...

Join Karen McClay as she talks with Dr Sarah McKay about her new book “Baby Brain: The Surprising Neuroscience of How Pregnancy and Motherhood Sculpt Our Brains and Change Our Minds”. Karen and Sarah take a fascinating dive into what the research is showing us about the neurological changes that occur within a woman’s brain as they travel through pregnancy and motherhood, while at the same time demything the cultural assumption that ‘baby brain’ is a negative side-effect of this transformative ...

Join Karen McClay and Dr Marina Weckend as they discuss Marina's research into the natural pauses of labour and the importance of normalising these plateaus or rest periods. By seeing these natural pauses as normal fluctuations in labour Marina hopes that we can reduce the time pressures placed on women and birth people during birth and to reduce many of the potentially unnecessary interventions in our current maternity system. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdfXwekKMFk For more information ...

Karen and Emma discuss the importance of the microbiome for pregnant mamas and people, and their babies, and how we can maintain and create an optimal environment for a healthy microbiome during pregnancy birth and postpartum.

Dr Sarah Buckley is a GP/family physician with qualifications in GP-obstetrics and family planning. In this podcast, she talks about oxytocin and its impact on birth.

In Episode 16 of the Calmbirth Conversation Podcast Calmbirth Director, Karen McClay talks to our wonderful Calmbirth Educators and Yoga Instructors, Maja Batista and Karen Shlegeris about the benefits of pregnancy yoga in preparation for labour and birth.

In Episode 15 of the Calmbirth Conversation Podcast, Calmbirth Director, Karen McClay talks to Dr Carla Brion & Nadia Parisi about the Golden Month - an in-home postpartum service they have created based on Traditional Chinese Medicine & Ayurvedic practices to nourish and nurture women in the postnatal period. Dr Carla Brion is a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncturist & Women’s Health Specialist while Nadia Parisi is a Women’s Health Massage Therapist, Fertility, Prenatal & Postn...

In Episode 14 of the Calmbirth Conversation Podcast, Karen McClay talks to Dr. Nicole Highet who is the Founder & Executive Director of COPE, the Centre of Perinatal Excellence and how COPE is providing support for the emotional challenges of becoming a parent.

How the work of Possums & Co prepare, educate and support families through the challenges of the first 12 months: Baby sleep; cry fuss problems; parent mood; and attachment.

Karen McClay chats with Psychologist Rachel Bridge about creating a safe, calm and private environment in the fourth trimester.

Discussion with Hazel Keedle, a Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC) Researcher and Lecturer and Academic Course Advisor of the Bachelor of Midwifery and PhD candidate in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Western Sydney University

Tune in to this episode of the Calmbirth Conversation Podcast with Director Calmbirth, Karen McClay, who chats with the leading obstetrician here in Australia on breech birth delivery, Dr Andrew Bisits.

In the episode I am speaking with Lael Stone and Marion Rose. Both Lael and Marion are Aware Parenting facilitators and have a real passion for guiding and supporting parents to become aware and conscious parents. The philosophy of Aware Parenting very much aligns with Calmbirth as it is about being present and listening to our babies and children to become the Parents that our children need us to be.

In this Episode, Karen chats with @melindawebb_healthpractitioner about the benefits of Chinese Medicine and acupuncture for pregnancy, labour and birth. Melinda is a Dr of Chinese Medicine, specialising in Women's Health in Rozelle NSW. She also works closely with families as a Doula and Calmbirth Educator.

In this episode I chat with Professor Hannah Dahlen for Western Sydney University about the importance of choosing the best model of care and the right caregiver to support you with your wishes for your pregnancy and birth. We talk about why this decision is so important and what the latest research is showing. Happy listening!

In this episode I Chat with Catherine Bell, a Birth Cartographer @birthmapping, about her book "The Birth Map". This is a fantastic tool to assist women and their partners navigate their journey of birth. The Birth Map enables them to open the lines of communication with each other and their caregivers and most importantly, make informed decisions for the best birth for not only themselves but for their babies.