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In this episode, Ali and Rangi discuss birth plans — and more importantly, the value of having a flexible birth plan.

They cover the essentials of creating a birth plan, starting with the reminder that there’s no one right way to do it. Your birth plan can be as general or as detailed as you like — it’s entirely up to you.

Key points they explore include:

• Pain management options
• Labour and delivery environment (e.g. music, scents, lighting)
• Support people during labour
• Medical interventions - being informed and making choices
• Postpartum considerations, such as skin-to-skin contact
• Care for other children during birth

Above all, they emphasise that it's perfectly okay to deviate from your birth plan. Think of it as a guide, not a script.

Also mentioned in this episode is The Birth Book by Professor Stephen Tong — a helpful resource to prepare for the big day. You can find out more about it here.

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In this episode, Ali and Rangi discuss information overload during pregnancy.

They explore the benefits of social media, such as finding a sense of community, while also highlighting the dangers, including misinformation and misdiagnosis.

They also share tips on handling both solicited and unsolicited advice from well-meaning family members and provide guidance on where to find reliable information.

Most importantly, they’ll remind you why your healthcare provider should always be your go-to source for the real facts.

Here are the resources mentioned in the episode:

Mercy Perinatal

Raising Children Network

The Royal Women's Hospital: A-Z Fact Sheets

Red Nose: What is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?

RANZCOG: Resource Hub

ACM: Australian College of Midwives

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In this episode, Ali is joined again by guest co-host, Professor Sue Walker AO, maternal fetal medicine sub-specialist at the Mercy Hospital for Women, and Co-Director of Mercy Perinatal.

Ali and Sue discuss Miscarriage and address key questions, such as:

• What is Miscarriage? Why do they occur?
• What is the treatment for a Miscarriage?
• What is involved in the recovery of a Miscarriage?
• What does this mean for future pregnancies?
• How can I support a loved one through a Miscarriage?
• Where can I seek support?

Please note that this episode discusses miscarriage/pregnancy loss, which can be distressing to some listeners. Resources are available including:

• Sands Australia via their webpage www.sands.org.au or their 24/7 phone support on 1300 308 307.
• Red Nose via their webpage www.rednose.org.au or their 24/7 support on 1300 308 307
• The Pink Elephants via their webpage www.pinkelephants.org.au
• Beyond Blue via their webpage www.beyondblue.org.au or 24/7 support on 13 11 14 via Lifeline

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In this episode, Ali is joined again by guest co-host, Professor Sue Walker AO, maternal fetal medicine sub-specialist at the Mercy Hospital for Women, and Co-Director of Mercy Perinatal.

Ali and Sue discuss Fetal Growth Restriction answer your burning questions, such as:

• What is Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR)?
• How is FGR detected?
• What are the causes of FGR?
• Can FGR be prevented?
• What happens once my baby has been diagnosed with FGR?
• What does this mean for the birth and my babys future?

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In this episode, Ali is joined by guest co-host, Professor Sue Walker AO, maternal fetal medicine sub-specialist at the Mercy Hospital for Women, and Co-Director of Mercy Perinatal.

Ali and Sue discuss COVID-19 in pregnancy and labour and answer your burning questions, such as:

• What does a COVID-19 infection mean for me and my baby?
• Are COVID-19 vaccines safe in pregnancy?
• Do I need to tell my healthcare provider if I have COVID-19?
• Does COVID-19 change my pregnancy care and birth plan?
• Can I still breastfeed?
• Where can I get more information on COVID-19 in pregnancy?

As discussed in the episode, Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), is a good source of information, you can visit their website here, as well as talking to your healthcare provider.

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In this episode Ali and Rangi chat with Professor Lisa Hui about Congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV), and discuss what is cCMV, how it is contracted, and what it means for your pregnancy and your child later in life, and also what actions you can take to prevent it.

Prof Lisa Hui is a maternal fetal medicine specialist with research interests in cell-free fetal nucleic acids, prenatal screening and diagnosis. She is a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Melbourne and Team Leader in the MCRI Reproductive Epidemiology group. She holds clinical appointments at the Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg VIC, and The Northern Hospital, Epping VIC.

As discussed in the episode, CMV Australia has resources and information available to families who are interested in learning more, you can visit their webpage here: https://www.cmv.org.au/

Resource for Clinicians: CPD Education Module, Infections in Pregnancy, What's new in congenital CMV and syphilis

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In this episode Rangi and Ali welcome back Professor Stephen Tong to Prepare. Prof Tong is a specialist obstetrician at the Mercy Hospital for Women, Professor at The University of Melbourne, Co-Director of Mercy Perinatal and author of The Birth Book.

With Prof Tong, the team discuss Preeclampsia, what is it, how common is it, what does a diagnosis mean for you and your baby, how is it treated, what are the symptoms and what is on the horizon for treatment.

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In this episode, Ali and Rangi chat with Associate Professor Fiona Brownfoot about Fetal Monitoring, and discuss key points, including:

• What is Fetal Monitoring?
• Why does my baby need Fetal Monitoring?
• What does Fetal Monitoring involve? What are the different methods?
• When does Fetal Monitoring start in a pregnancy?
• How long does it take?
• What does the future look like for Fetal Monitoring?

A/Prof Fiona Brownfoot is a specialist female obstetrician in Melbourne with extensive qualifications and experience in obstetrics and gynaecology. A/Prof Brownfoot is an obstetrician at the Mercy Hospital for Women and Epworth Freemasons, and is a clinician scientist at The University of Melbourne. She leads a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists focused on developing therapeutics and diagnostics to treat the most dangerous pregnancy complications. A/Prof Brownfoot is also co-founder of Kali Healthcare.

Please note that this episode briefly mentions miscarriage/pregnancy loss, which can be distressing to some listeners. Resources are available such as through Sands Australia via their webpage www.sands.org.au or their 24/7 phone support - 1300 308 307.