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March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness of this chronic disease, which affects around 1 in 7 women (approximately 10%). Because endometriosis can take years to diagnose, this month focuses on increasing recognition of the condition, reducing delays in diagnosis, and promoting faster access to appropriate care. It also aims to ensure that people living with endometriosis feel seen, heard, and recognised.

In honour of Endometriosis Awareness Month, Dr Rangi De Silva is joined by Dr Samantha Mooney, a highly skilled gynaecologist & fertility doctor in Melbourne, with specialist training in minimally invasive surgical techniques. Sam is also an early career researcher and PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne with interests in endometriosis, persistent pelvic pain, and infertility.

This two-part episode will focus on Endometriosis and Pregnancy. This second part Rangi and Sam discuss

• The effects of pregnancy on endometriosis and vice versa
• Endometriosis symptoms in pregnancy
• Adenomyosis
• Limitations of current research
• What this means for my baby, my birth plan, and breastfeeding
• What happens to endometriosis once pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding conclude and periods return
• What happens later in life, after you have finished having your family
• Where to find more information

Endometriosis Resources

• Endometriosis Australia
• Pelvic Pain Foundation for Women
• Pelvic Pain Victoria
• Julia Argyrou Endometriosis Centre
• RANZCOG: Endometriosis
• Matilda Health
• World Endometriosis Society
• ESHRE

DISCLAIMER: This episode briefly mentions Pregnancy Loss, if you require support or resources, please visit:

• Centre of Perinatal Excellence | COPE
  • COPE provides families and health professionals with evidence-based perinatal mental health screening, resources, education and pathways to care.
• Miscarriage Australia - Navigating miscarriage together
  • Through our research and consultations with individuals, families and healthcare providers, we understand your need for evidence-based information, acknowledgement, and advice regarding miscarriage. We’ve designed this website to help you today, including the myths and facts about miscarriage, treatment options, how to care for yourself and where to seek help and support.
• The Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth
  • Access support services, online resources, and information for parents and families in Australia whose baby has died. These links include services offering counselling, practical support, and information to assist you to make to decisions during this difficult time.

Send us Fan Mail

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness of this chronic disease, which affects around 1 in 7 women (approximately 10%). Because endometriosis can take years to diagnose, this month focuses on increasing recognition of the condition, reducing delays in diagnosis, and promoting faster access to appropriate care. It also aims to ensure that people living with endometriosis feel seen, heard, and recognised.

In honour of Endometriosis Awareness Month, Dr Rangi De Silva is joined by Dr Samantha Mooney, a highly skilled gynaecologist & fertility doctor in Melbourne, with specialist training in minimally invasive surgical techniques. Sam is also an early career researcher and PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne with interests in endometriosis, persistent pelvic pain, and infertility.

This two-part episode will focus on Endometriosis and Pregnancy. This first part Rangi and Sam discuss:

• What is endometriosis?
• Is it preventable?
• Potential causes and risk factors
• When to seek help
• How endometriosis is currently diagnosed and the challenges
• Types/forms of endometriosis
• How endometriosis can affect other areas, such as fertility
• Current treatments and pain relief options when you are trying to conceive

In next week’s episode, Rangi and Sam will continue the discussion, focusing on endometriosis in pregnancy, labour, and beyond.

DISCLAIMER: This episode briefly mentions Sexual Trauma, if you require support or resources, please visit:

• 1800RESPECT via White Ribbon
  • This is a 24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
• Blue Knot Foundation
  • Blue Knot provides a safe space for Survivors to access the support and tools they need to heal from the impacts of violence and abuse, and for those supporting them to access the strategies and resources they need themselves.
• Australian Government Resources
  • Services are available to support people escape violence and be safe.

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In this episode, Dr Rangi is once again joined by midwife Erica Spessot as they conclude their six-part series exploring the stages of labour.

This episode focuses on the fourth and final stage of labour. It includes the bonding with your baby - the golden hour, contracting of the uterus, hormones, the start of breastfeeding, monitoring you and your baby, resting, going home, and the next steps.

Next week, in honour of Endometriosis Awareness Month, we’ll be sharing our two-part episode on Endometriosis and Pregnancy with Dr Sam Mooney. It’s a very insightful discussion, and we can’t wait for you to hear it. (And don’t worry, even though this six-part series has finished - Erica will be back again soon!)

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In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined by midwife Erica Spessot as they continue their six-part series exploring the stages of labour, right through to your baby’s Birth Day.

This episode focuses on the third stage of labour. It explores the delivery of the placenta and cutting of the umbilical cord.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Delivery of Placenta
  • active management (with medical intervention)
  • natural third stage, also called physiological or expectant management
• Postpartum bleeding/haemorrhage
• Cutting of umbilical cord

Stay tuned for the next episode, where Rangi and Erica take a deep dive into Stage 4 of Labour (recovery and bonding with baby).

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In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined by midwife Erica Spessot as they continue their six-part series exploring the stages of labour, right through to your baby’s Birth Day.

This episode focuses on the second stage of labour. It explores what Erica describes as the "TV show end", where you will be pushing and finally meeting your baby.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• 10cm Dilation of Cervix
• Baby's position and heart rate
• Birthing persons positions
• Duration of second stage and contributing factors
• Pushing
• The urge to open bowels (poo)
• Maternal Exhaustion
• When intervention may be required
• Meeting baby - getting involved

Stay tuned for the next episode, where Rangi and Erica take a deep dive into Stage 3 of Labour (bonding with baby and delivery of placenta).

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In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined by midwife Erica Spessot as they continue their six-part series exploring the stages of labour, right through to your baby’s Birth Day.

This episode focuses on the early (active) phase of the first stage of labour. It explores what is happening from when the contractions "are long, strong, regular and here to stay", right up until it is time to push.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Contractions
• Waters breaking
• When to contact your healthcare provider/present to hospital
• Pain relief options
• Transition, the final, most intense part of active labor

Stay tuned for the next episode, where Rangi and Erica take a deep dive into Stage 2 of Labour (meeting your baby).

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In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined by midwife Erica Spessot as they continue their six-part series exploring the stages of labour, right through to your baby’s Birth Day.

This episode focuses on the early (latent) phase of the first stage of labour. It explores the lead-up to pushing, which can begin days- or even weeks- before birth, as your body prepares and starts giving you signs of what’s to come.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Nesting
• Braxton Hicks contractions
• Prioritising self-care
• Changes to the cervix (thinning and shortening)
• Mucous plug and discharge
• Key hormones, including oxytocin and melatonin
• Contractions
• Other symptoms that may occur during this stage
• When to contact your healthcare provider for advice

Stay tuned for the next episode, where Rangi and Erica take a deep dive into the next phase of Stage 1- Active Labour - so you know what to expect every step of the way.

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In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined by midwife Erica Spessot to kick off a six-part series exploring the stages of labour, all the way to your baby’s Birth Day.

This 16-minute overview walks through every stage of labour, from the very first contraction to recovery and bonding with your baby, highlighting the key moments in between.

The Stages of Labour series includes:

• Overview
• First Stage: Latent (Early) Labour
• First Stage: Active Labour
• Second Stage
• Third Stage
• Fourth Stage

Stay tuned for upcoming episodes, where each stage is explored in greater detail so you know what to expect every step of the way.