Today I chat with Chris, a registered nurse and midwife who has been working with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood's milk program for eight years. Chris takes us through the fascinating world of donor breast milk - from the rigorous screening process for donors to how this precious resource supports the tiniest and most vulnerable babies in neonatal intensive care units across Australia. Whether you're curious about donating your excess breast milk or want to understand how donor milk could support your premature baby, this conversation is packed with essential information that every parent, midwife, and doula should know.

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I rarely talk about supplements on here - mostly because so many aren't backed by real evidence, and as someone who's always reading the fine print, I'm pretty selective about what I'll share with you. But every now and then, something stands out. Mother Dose by Land Lab is one of those rare finds that cuts through all the confusion. What has really impressed me is that it's been formulated by doctors, dietitians, and naturopaths - every single ingredient is there for a reason, backed by evidence and aligned with current prenatal guidelines.

It includes the good stuff like choline for baby's brain development, folate in its most active form, and a clinical dosage of ginger that's actually proven to help with morning sickness. Over 50 health professionals have peer-reviewed the formulation, and they all said the same thing - it's an amazing blend that delivers the kind of care every woman deserves.

And here's what I love even more - through their charity arm, they provide completely free prenatals to women with an Australian healthcare card.

Whether you're pregnant, trying to conceive, Mother Dose takes the overwhelm out of choosing a prenatal.

Check out Mother Dose at Land Lab - thoughtfully dosed, high quality prenatal care when you need it most.

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In this episode, Jordan, a 28-year-old midwife from rural South Australia, shares her two incredibly positive birth experiences at the hospital where she works. Living 600 kilometres from Adelaide in the tiny farming town of Port Neill, Jordan navigated the unique experience of birthing alongside her colleagues whilst balancing her partner's demanding harvest schedule. Her first labour was a marathon 31-hour journey that tested her resolve, whilst her second was beautifully swift and powerful. Jordan's story beautifully illustrates the mind-body connection in birth, the invaluable support of the TENS machine, and how subsequent births can offer completely different but equally empowering experiences.

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To celebrate reaching 20 million downloads of the podcast, we are running a sale. Enjoy 20% off everything! Use the code: 20Mil. offer ends soon. Head to Australian Birth Stories

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Today Steph Claire Smith returns to share her second birth experience with daughter Billie. After Harvey's induction at 41 weeks, Steph was determined to experience spontaneous labour this time around. Her journey included navigating a breech presentation, trying every trick in the book to encourage baby to turn, and ultimately achieving the birth she'd always dreamed of.

Sponosor:

To celebrate reaching 20 million downloads of the podcast, we are running a sale. Enjoy 20% off everything! Use the code: 20Mil. offer ends soon. Head to Australian Birth Stories

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.