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Welcome to Held in Motherhood - Conversations on Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond. I’m your host, Hannah Willsmore - I'm a Mum, Registered Midwife and Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), and NDC Possums Practitioner. I’m here to share my knowledge, practical tips and insights so you too can have positive birth and transition to parenthood. I’ve worked with hundreds of families as they welcome their baby, so I know all about the highs, the lows, and everything in between. From conception to birth, breastfeeding, sleep and the first year of motherhood - we discuss it all! This podcast is real, practical and super informative. I am so excited you are here!
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Feeling anxious, worried, or even fearful about giving birth? You’re not alone! In this episode I explore why fear around birth is so normal, how our brain’s protective instincts show up, and ways to turn worry into a helpful guide for your birth preparation. Learn practical strategies for working with fear instead of fighting against it, including what questions to ask, how to get informed, and the importance of building a supportive birth team. We also discuss the influence of care p...
Ready for an honest chat about one of the most common breastfeeding challenges? In this episode I dive into the reality of nipple pain and damage for breastfeeding mums, exploring why it happens, what actually helps healing, and which widely promoted products to avoid. Whether you’re struggling now or want to prevent problems before they start, this episode gives you tips and actionable advice from a passionate lactation consultant. Interested in personalised support? We offer both in-home ...
In this weeks episode I chat with Perinatal Mental Health Occupational Therapist Rachel Howe from Belonging in Motherhood. Rachel has a special interest in supporting ADHD, autistic and neurodivergent women in pregnancy and motherhood, so if you've ever felt like your brain works a little differently, or wondered if this is just new mum forgetfulness or something else, then this episode is for you! We discuss: What Rachel does as a perinatal occupational therapist, and how she supports women ...
As I prepare for my own upcoming birth, I’ve been reflecting on what I learned from my last birth - what I want to do the same, and what I’ll do differently this time around. In this episode I talk about the small but important things that I will do differently this time (like getting that birth pool filled early and starting the TENS machine from the first twinges of labour!) and why I’ve chosen a slightly different support team this time, and who will be present at out birth. I also s...
If you’re preparing for birth in Adelaide (or anywhere really), this episode is for both you and your birth partner. We discuss the often-overlooked power of a well-prepared partner and how their calm, confident presence can havea huge impact on your birth experience. Too often partners feel underprepared or unsure of what to do - in this episode, I share insights from our Held Birth Classes on how couples can prepare together, practice hands-on techniques, and create a supportive birth...
In this episode I’m diving into one of the biggest myths in the baby sleep world -bloody awake windows! You’ve probably seen those instagram posts or charts online telling you exactly how long your baby should be awake between naps… but the truth is, there’s no good evidence behind them. We’ll chat about why these rigid “rules” can actually make things much harder, how they often interfere with feeding and connection, and what to focus on instead. You’ll learn how to tune into your baby’s cue...
An honest chat about nausea, fatigue, emotions, and what’s actually normal in early pregnancy. The first trimester can be exciting but overwhelming, and it often feels like you're just trying to make it through. In this episode I’m sharing my own experience of those early weeks of pregnancy (I’m currently 15 weeks now) and some of the things that really helped me get through. We chat about the very real challenges of nausea, food aversions, and that bone-deep fatigue that takes you by surpris...
Feeling like you’re constantly juggling a million things? Me too! In this episode, I share my favourite mum hacks that make daily life a little easier - from time-savers and home organisation tricks to apps and gadgets that help lighten the load (both mentally and physically). These are simple, realistic ideas that have genuinely helped me create more calm and ease in the chaos of motherhood. I would love to hear your thoughts, questions, and ideas for future episodes so please get in touch o...
In this episode I’m sharing my own journey weaning my toddler from breastfeeding - the why, the how, and the emotions that came with it. We’ll talk about the mix of reasons that led me to make this decision, what the process looked like for us, and the strategies that made it easier along the way. I’ll also share some of the challenges, the emotional ups and downs, and what surprised me most about this transition. As both a mum and a lactation consultant, please know there’s no one right way ...
Feeling unsure what questions to ask in your antenatal appointments? Many women tell me they leave their visits wishing they’d asked more, or worrying later about how their care provider’s approach might influence their birth (and not necessarily in a good way) In this episode, I’m sharing five simple but powerful questions you can take into your next appointment. These will help you understand where your care provider stands, whether their philosophy matches your hopes for birth, and how you...
I’m so excited to be back behind the mic after a little podcast break! It feels so good to return with a fresh new name that reflects what this podcast is really about - being Held in Motherhood. In this episode, I share why I took a podcast break, what’s been happening in my business and life, and what you can look forward to in the months ahead. Here’s what I cover: Why I took an impromptu break from the podcast and why now feels like the right time to returnThe story behind changing ...
In our final episode for the year I discuss how to navigate the festive season with a new baby. I share tips on balancing the joy of Christmas with the demands of early parenthood. In this episode we cover... Protecting postpartum in the festive seasonBreastfeeding and avoiding mastitis. Why your baby carrier will be your best friend. Breastfeeding and alcohol consumptionNavigating family events and opinions on your parenting. Hot weather and babiesA final wrap up for the year!...
If you are currently breastfeeding a toddler this episode is for you! I answer the many questions I receive regularly about this topic - We'll cover setting boundaries, night weaning, breastfeeding through pregnancy, tandem feeding and how to handle other people's opinions. We also discuss the benefits of breastfeeding beyond 12 months, both for your toddler's health and your own. I also share strategies for how to stop the twiddling, wiggling and the annoying 'toddler aerobics' that c...
If you're a mum navigating the challenges of life with a new baby this one is for you. I’m diving deep into how I personally implemented the Neuroprotective Developmental Care (Possums) approach with my son, who’s now 2.5 years old. Register for my FREE Support your Baby's Sleep without Sleep Training Workshop here. It's on Monday Dec 9th 2024 at 1pm ACDT but the recording will also be sent to everyone who registers. NDC is an evidence-based method that integrates the latest research ...
In this weeks episode I am sharing three simple strategies that you can implement today to get started on your birth preparation! I know life is busy and often preparing for birth can keep getting pushed down the to do list, especially at this time of the year! But after listening to this episode there will be no more excuses because you'll have some easy and quick tools to implement. Lets go! This episode is brought to you by Coast Yoga. Coast Yoga is located in Glenelg, South Austra...
Our services have never been more accessible or affordable - click here to see all of the ways that we can support you on your pregnancy and postpartum journey! In today's episode of the Changing Birth Podcast, I dive into some brilliant new changes announced last week for private midwifery care in Australia. These updates include the removal of mandatory collaboration requirements with medical providers and improved access to Medicare rebates and PBS medication listings for endorsed ...
In this episode, I share a quick personal and business life update with you! If you haven't heard already - we recently moved house, which has been a huge journey, especially with a toddler. But amidst the chaos, I've been working on something exciting - I am making my Preconception + First Trimester Online Course FREE to access for the rest of the month! Click here to get your FREE access to Hannah's Preconception + First Trimester Online Course! I know how exciting it is when you first ...
In this episode of the Changing Birth podcast, I discusses the topic of gestational diabetes, which affects 20% of pregnant women in Australia. Drawing from personal experience and professional insights, I aim to provide positive tips, empowering information, and practical strategies to help you manage gestational diabetes. We cover the physiological causes of gestational diabetes, testing methods, controversies around diagnosis criteria, and lifestyle changes such as dietary changes and exer...
In this episode we welcome Brooke Maree Babywearing Consultant to discuss all things baby carriers and babywearing! We discuss how to choose the right carrier, ensuring proper fit, tips for when babywearing is uncomfortable, and what to do if your baby doesn't like the carrier. Brooke also talks about her role in the Australian Babywearing Association as well as Kangatraining Australia - which provides postnatal workouts for mums while wearing your baby in a carrier - so cool! To celebrate ...
In this episode of the Changing Birth Podcast, we explore how to prepare your partner to be the best support during labor and birth. We discuss the importance of open communication, addressing their fears, understanding the birth plan, and playing to their strengths. Practical advice includes watching birth videos together, practicing massage techniques and comfort measures for labour and more! This episode aims to provide actionable steps to ensure your partner is calm and confident when it ...
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