Today, Oni Blecher interviews Sally Cusack. Sally Cusack is a mother of two teenagers based in Northern NSW. She is the co-founder of PBB Media and now runs PBB Media’s weekly free baby and toddler clothes swap and drop in centre, best known as the PBB Hub which was born from the flood relief outreach hub. Sally been a member of Maternity Choices Australia since 2010 where she is currently Company Secretary.  Sally has recently been developing MCA's advocacy project called Best Birth Finder of which the interview is focussed on. Sally is a researcher with Local Futures Organisation. She dedicates her life to human and planet health through localisation and community building. 

This is a special interview for Oni as this will be her last podcast interview under Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond. She pays her respect to her time at Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond and PBB Media and expresses gratitide to all guests, listeners, and experiences. 



You can find Sally and Best Birth Finder below:

[email protected]

https://www.bestbirthfinder.org.au

And if you have any feedback, questions, or curiosities for Oni, you're welcome to contact her via 

@oni_keeperofthehearth

[email protected]

Today, Oni Blecher speaks with Zoë Rose Gameau to hear Zoë's breech birth story. Zoë is a mother of two girls and lover of nature. She lives with her daughters in a tiny studio home nestled amongst the trees and streams of the Northern Rivers of New South Wales. 

Her current work is in creative development as Executive Producer at a sustainable film production company, Green Thumb Media.  In the past, whilst being primary carer mothering two young children, she worked closer to home, founding How We Gather, a profit for purpose company facilitating health coaching for individuals and groups with creative methods and circle gatherings.  She also worked part time for the not-for-profit group Environmental Leadership Australia which further deepened her engagement with the reality of the challenge we face environmentally and some of the solutions available. Previously an actress, Zoë worked with almost every major TV network in Australia, also contributing behind the scenes and featured in the documentaries That Sugar Film and 2040.  As a published author she contributed to books 1 & 2 of That Sugar Guide - A Pan Mac Millan publication. 

The weaving of these worlds leads Zoë to where she is today; combining all her efforts to bring about the sharing of meaningful stories to help shape a healthy society and environment in a responsible, wise and artistic way, whilst taking time to enjoy the simplicity of her surroundings and raising her children lovingly.

Find Zoë at her film production company here: 

https://www.greenthumbmedia.com.au

Today, Oni Blecher speaks with Fiona O'Shaughnessy. This is the third part in a series discussing the issue of the proposed changes to privately praciting midwives insurance in homebirth. For more info and a background to this issue, please listen to the previous 2 episodes with Fi. They are short episodes and worth a listen! Fiona calls for letter writing to local MPs in this episode. Please see the letter template below. 

In this episode, Fiona also updates us on the birth trauma inquiry report and its successes, follow ups, and ways to assist the changes that have been suggested. 

Fiona is a mum of 3, doula, childbirth educator, independent consumer representative for the Northern NSW LHD and a consumer advocate, representing the charity Hygieia Health. She's speaking to us today in her capacity working with Hygieia.

Hygieia Health is dedicated to the sacred work of birth and the impact it has on the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of women, their families, and birth workers. We believe that “Peace on Earth begins at Birth,” as Jeanine Parvarti Baker so poignantly stated. As a non-profit organization with a charitable purpose of promoting the prevention and treatment of birth trauma, we strive to provide birth workers, obstetricians, midwives, and doulas with the knowledge and skills necessary to care for themselves and others, and to return birth to its rightful place as a profound rite of passage.

Letter Template & Call to Action: (Scroll down):

https://www.homebirthaustralia.org/call-to-action.html

Hygieia Heath:

https://hygieiahealth.org

@hygieiahealthltd

Homebirth Australia:

https://www.homebirthaustralia.org

History of PII (Professional Indemnity Insurance) for privately practicing midwives: 

https://www.homebirthaustralia.org/professional-indemnity-insurance.html

Born at Home Film:

https://bornathomefilm.com

Welcome to Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond: Contemporary Conversations where stories, science, traditions and new ideas meet. I’m Oni Blecher and your host today. Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond Media, our development team and contributors pay our respects to indigenous elders past, present and emerging. 

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land, the Arakwal people, the Minjungbal people and the Widjabul people of the Bundjalung Nation and the many other tribes that frequented this land. I pay my respects to elders past and present and emerging. As a team and organisation, we acknowledge the traditional owners of this land and waters whose cultures and customs have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. We acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded and recognition of culture, connection to land and waters and sovereignty of all aboriginal/indigenous peoples across Australia is a matter of current and vital importance.

Today, Oni Blecher speaks with Kirilly Dawn. Kirilly is a Barkanji woman, a doula, and she runs the postpartum postpartum care program for The Returning Indigenous Corporation. Kirilly has also been on the development team with us here at PBB Media for the past 5 years. The work of the returning relies on the generous support of donations from the community and if you support their work and what they’re doing, you can go to their website, www.thereturning.com.au and find many different ways to support this amazing NFP. 

Find The Returning here:

www.thereturning.com.au

@the_returning_

Thanks for tuning in ! Feel free to be in touch with us at 

@pbb_media 

[email protected]

Today Oni Blecher interviews Jenny Blyth. 

Jenny has supported parents in natural birth for over 40 years. She is an independent birth educator, bodyworker, Associate Practitioner of Ortho-Bionomy, Spinning Babies® Approved Trainer, Spinning Babies® Aware Practitioner & Trainer, & Internal Pelvic Release Work Practitioner & Trainer. Her particular focus is on body preparation for birth & recovery, & encouraging greater self-responsibility in parents - to realise potential in birth & reduce birth trauma. She specialises in pelvic bodywork for wellbeing, balance, comfort & healing. Jenny regularly facilitates workshops in Australia & overseas. She is project co-ordinator for Lao Birthwork, teaching hands-on & emergency skills to health staff in remote areas of Northern Laos. She is also an author – The Down to Earth Birth Book, Birthwork, The little book of Pelvic Jiggling - & filmmaker -The Big Stretch films & A World of Birthworkers.

We are so happy to have Jenny on the show today. She is such a deep well of wisdom in the pregnancy, birth, postpartum and female health continuum. Jenny will be speaking at the upcoming Postpartum Conference which will be a great way to hear more of her lessons and wisdoms. Us from PBB will also be there and will be be doing interviews and taking comments from the participants. So if you’re there and want to meet us, come and say hello ! 

Jenny Blyth

www.birthwork.com 

Postpartum conference: 

https://www.gentletraditions.xyz/professional-conferences-well-supported-mothers-collective

Today Oni Blecher speaks with Anna Watts. Anna is the Founder of Celebration of Birth, and has been guiding women and their partners through the journey of pregnancy and birth for over 30 years. Anna believes in honouring and celebrating birth as a ‘rite of passage’ for mother, father and baby, supporting empowered birthing choices and strengthening the spiritual connection in pregnancy and birth.

Anna’s experience as a Childbirth Educator, Doula Trainer, Prenatal Yoga Teacher, Spiritual Healer, Counsellor and mother of two beautiful daughters both born at home – one a water birth – brings a depth and grounded warmth to her teaching. 

Anna also Co-Authored ‘Birthing the Spirit’ – Guide to Conscious Conception, Pregnancy and Birth – a beautiful set of cards with guidebook offering inspiration and guidance to support the spiritual connection at this transformative time. 

Anna is a passionate traveller and has spent time teaching, learning and assisting in birth communities around the world, including the FreMo Birth Centre, Nairobi, Kenya; Da-a-Luz Midwifery School, Andalucia, Spain; Midwife & Doula Community, Queretaro, Mexico. Sharing women’s wisdom with a diverse range of birth professionals has greatly enhanced Anna’s birthing knowledge and the way she passes on holistic skills to both pregnant women and doulas alike.

Anna recently became a Grandmother; which was an inspiration for this episode. We have had Anna on the show before and we were keen to hear about her transition into grandmotherhood. In the Maga season of her life, Anna is delighting in supporting her family to blossom and flourish by holding true holistic care at the centre of wellbeing for future generations. The red thread lineage continues to be grounded in deep trust for birthing wisdom.

To get in touch with Anna's offerings, see below

https://www.celebrationofbirth.com

@sacredbirthsacredearth 

Today, Oni Blecher speaks with Fiona O'Shaughnessy. Fiona is a mum of 3, doula, childbirth educator, independent consumer representative for the Northern NSW LHD and a consumer advocate, representing the charity Hygieia Health. She's speaking to us today in her capacity working with Hygieia.

This is an update episode from our last episode with Fiona titled 'Proposed Changes to Homebirth in Australia' around one month ago. If you haven't listened to this episode, we recommend that you do. This episode is an update on the survey that Homebirth Australia, and Hygeia Health circulated to advocate for optimal consumer access to privately practicing midwives and hombeirth. Today, Fiona shares the results of this sruvey as a part of the consultation process that is happening on a federal level. Have a listen and hear how you can best support the next steps. 

Below are some useful links to be updated on this issue. 

Survey results: https://actionnetwork.org/user_files/user_files/000/110/933/original/Homebirth_Australia_survey_report.pdf_2024-07-29_11_11_56.pdf

History of issue: https://www.homebirthaustralia.org/professional-indemnity-insurance.html

Donate to support our travel: https://www.homebirthaustralia.org/donate.html

Petition for birth trauma reqs: https://www.betterbirthsillawarra.org.au/birthtraumapetition 


Hygieia Health is dedicated to the sacred work of birth and the impact it has on the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of women, their families, and birth workers. We believe that “Peace on Earth begins at Birth,” as Jeanine Parvarti Baker so poignantly stated. As a non-profit organization with a charitable purpose of promoting the prevention and treatment of birth trauma, we strive to provide birth workers, obstetricians, midwives, and doulas with the knowledge and skills necessary to care for themselves and others, and to return birth to its rightful place as a profound rite of passage. 

Their mission is to support women on their journey to childbirth, ensuring that they receive safe and trauma-free birth services and support. We aim to raise awareness of the occurrence and consequences of birth trauma and provide women and birth workers with the tools and support they need to prepare for and experience a safe, positive birth.

Advocacy groups such as HH, Homebirth Australia, Maternity choices Australia, and us here at PBB Media spend a considerable amount of time translating some of these deeply rooted political stirrings or changes in to smaller bite sized information segments so that we can all come together in our united aim to ensure optimal freedom of choice in childbirth, however that may look for you. 

We always welcome your feedback and thoughts. Leave us a review, rating, instagram comment or DM, or simply be in touch via email through [email protected] 

Thanks for tuning in ! 

Today, Oni Blecher and Naomi Jannsen both speak with Dr. Oscar Serrelach. Naomi joins us as a guest interviewer for this conversation with Oscar Serrelach for the upcoming Postpartum Conference hosted by Well Supported Mother. 

Dr Oscar specialises in postnatal depletion and his medical expertise centres around optimising Mothers health and wellness. “He deeply believe that if Mothers are well, families can be well.  And if families are well, then society has a much better chance of being well." Researching Postnatal Recovery for almost 10 years, Dr. Oscar Serrallach has shared his knowledge on Postnatal Depletion and fourth trimester healing with his revolutionary book, “The Postnatal Depletion Cure.” Today, Dr. Oscar Serrallach continues to offer medical consultations and retreats around Byron Bay New South Wales in Australia, whilst building the resources and community for the MotherCare Project alongside his partner Caroline.

For those of you who don’t know or are new to Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond; Dr Serrelach, his wife Caroline, and The Health Lodge have also been long time supporters of us here at PBB Media and have also contributed greatly to Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond podcast since its inception. Big thanks to you two for being such active, supportive, and generous members of our community.

Naomi is a traditional medicine practitioner, with over 20 years of experience. She weaves a wealth of expertise from diverse healthcare settings to provide clinical care and education.  She is dedicated Advocate for Traditional Medicine especially in Women's Health and Birth/Reproductive Health services. She holds the vision of Culturally oriented and Mother centred experiences for Women during childbearing and rites of passage. Naomi often speaks at conferences and for podcasts to inform on the importance of Cultural Practices and Medicines in Women's Health. Pertinent to this interview, Naomi is hosting a postpartum conference in Coolangatta, Tweed in December. 
Today, Naomi and I speak to Oscar, and each other about some of the sciences and themes that will be highlighted in Naomi’s upcoming conference where Oscar will be a key note speaker.  This was a really enjoyable conversation that reiterated my own sense of purpose or re stoked the fire of advocating for mothers and families with young children. 

Please see their website details below !

POSTPARTUM CONFERENCE DETAILS:

https://www.gentletraditions.xyz/professional-conferences-well-supported-mothers-collective

https://www.droscarserrallach.com

https://www.gentletraditions.xyz

In this epsiode, Oni Blecher speaks with Edie Barltey. Edie is a Sexologist and Art therapist with a background in psychotherapy. Edie has also complted her doula training and has assisted birth. Her approach as both a therapist and a human being is open minded, non-judgmental and heart centred. 

Edie’s work aims to normalise conversations around sex and pleasure and the social and cultural discourse around both. She sheds light on topics relating to nervous system health, navigating stress and overwhelm, self worth, self compassion and acceptance, dealing with chronic pain or illness, menstrual cycle health, consent, boundaries and relationships. In this interview we also cover menstrual shame; the topic of Edie's thesis. Edie’s work expands into realms of the grater human experience, with healing and wellbeing. She offers a safe space, where anything and everything can be spoken, acknowledged, seen and accepted

In this conversation, we span many topics and curiosities; all aligning to embracing the body at many different life stages. 

Enjoy this conversation and check out Edie's work here:

https://www.ediebartley.com

@with.edie

Today I speak with Sali McIntyre and Naomi Jannsson.

Sali is an antenatal educator, author midwife, Arvigo practitioner and teacher, and mother of four adult children, all born at home. She also runs Heart and Soul of Wellness which is a wellness centre in Murwillumbah where she runs pregnancy and postpartum groups, amongst many more offerings. 

Naomi is a traditional medicine practitioner, with over 20 years of experience. She weaves a wealth of expertise from diverse healthcare settings to provide clinical care and education.  She is dedicated Advocate for Traditional Medicine especially in Women's Health and Birth/Reproductive Health services. She holds the vision of Culturally oriented and Mother centred experiences for Women during childbearing and rites of passage. Naomi often speaks at conferences and for podcasts to inform on the importance of Cultural Practices and Medicines in Women's Health.

Together, these two run a festival called Birth Wellness festival, which is a coming together of parents, families, and practitioners and clinicians in the area for greater connection of community and services relevant to the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period. In this interview we speak a lot about the importance of gathering in real life embodied spaces to create greater sense of care and togetherness in community. 

Birth Wellness Festival: 

https://events.humanitix.com/birth-wellness-festival-2024

Sali: 

https://heartandsoulofwellness.com.au

Naomi: 

https://www.gentletraditions.xyz/

In this episode, Oni Blecher speaks with Fiona O'Shaughnessy. Fiona is a mum of 3, doula, childbirth educator, independent consumer representative for the Northern NSW LHD and a consumer advocate, representing the charity Hygieia Health. She's speaking to us today in her capacity working with Hygieia. 

Hygieia Health is dedicated to the sacred work of birth and the impact it has on the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of women, their families, and birth workers. They believe that “Peace on Earth begins at Birth,” as Jeanine Parvarti Baker so poignantly stated. As a non-profit organization with a charitable purpose of promoting the prevention and treatment of birth trauma, they strive to provide birth workers, obstetricians, midwives, and doulas with the knowledge and skills necessary to care for themselves and others, and to return birth to its rightful place as a profound rite of passage. Their mission is to support women on their journey to childbirth, ensuring that they receive safe and trauma-free birth services and support. They aim to raise awareness of the occurrence and consequences of birth trauma and provide women and birth workers with the tools and support they need to prepare for and experience a safe, positive birth.

Advocacy groups such as Hygieia Health, Homebirth Australia, Maternity choices Australia, and us here at PBB Media to name a few, spend a considerable amount of time translating some of these deeply rooted political stirrings or changes in to smaller bite sized information segments so that we can all come together in our united aim to ensure optimal freedom of choice in childbirth, however that may look for you.

You may have a relative, a friend, a neighbour who is interested to birth at home. You may know a midwifery student who has the aim to become a privately practicing midwife. Even if home birth is not on your radar, you may even just empathise with the right to choose a birth environment that feels safe and right. Advocacy groups do so much work, but lets not forget our own capacity to advocate for our fellow human beings, even if their choices look different to ours. The meaning of advocacy is ‘public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy’. 

We always welcome your feedback and thoughts. Leave us a review, rating, instagram comment or DM, or simply be in touch via email through [email protected] We have left some great links below in relation to information sources that Fi mentions throughout the interview.

Thanks for tuning in ! 

@hygieiahealthltd

@bumps_birth_and_beyond 

@homebirth_australia

@bornathomefilm

Survey link: 

https://tr.ee/pENQCpTihh 

Excerpt from Hygieia Health Instagram regarding proposed changes:

“You may have seen a video circulating yesterday where Senator @larissawaters asked the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer (CNMO) about proposed changes to insurance for homebirth during Senate Estimates - we’d like to thank Senator Waters for her questions.
If you're wondering what this all means, please keep reading.

We feel the collective anger, fear and in some cases hopelessness about this issue, understanding it's deeply rooted in the lived experiences of women and midwives who have had to fight for women’s rights in childbirth for decades.

What We Do Know: The Government will conduct a consultation process in the coming months, aiming to have details finalised by the end of the year.  The proposed insurance would only be available for midwives providing homebirth care to women with 'low risk' pregnancies. This could mean that midwives might not be legally able to provide homebirth services to women outside this definition.

Currently, the definition of ‘low risk’ and who defines it is yet to be determined. However, comments made by the CNMO suggest it could exclude women with common risk factors such as previous c-section, high BMI, gestational diabetes, lack of social support and more. The CNMO also stated that if women deemed ‘high risk’ still want a homebirth, they will need a consultation with an obstetrician to be told to give birth in a hospital. 

Our Goal: It’s not too late to influence this process and protect the choice to homebirth as a right for all women. HBA has been promised a seat at the table and we are pushing for this to be a public consultation.

Urgency: Women who will become pregnant from September onwards will be directly impacted, so we will reiterate the urgency of this throughout the consultation process.

Your Feedback Matters: We’ve put together a survey as a first step to gather your feedback so we can head into the consultation process and represent the needs of our community. 

Who Should fill out the Survey: • Have you had a homebirth previously? • Are you planning a homebirth? • Are you a homebirth midwife?

Take Action: Complete our survey (link above)