The Lowdown with Bravemumma

LIVE Q&A - A step in the right direction

Today we talk about the new policy document to move away from 'Towards Normal Birth' which is what I would say led to my birth trauma and injuries.  'Connecting, Listening and Responding' is the new blueprint for action. While we can't fix or change childbirth overnight, this is positive to see some steps towards better birth.  Join the conversation next week:  Send your questions to contact@bravemumma and we can answer them each Friday on this short 10-minute LIVE show.  Request to join the online free support group for women living with prolapse. 

How to find what lights you up and feel like an awesome mum at the same time, with Rietta Boksha.

DESCRIPTION Today on the show, you are going to be hearing from amazing author and podcast co-host, Rietta Boksha. She is the mum of a wonderful young son and shares her personal reasons why after one baby, she knew her family was complete.  Rietta also shares her journey about how she would have liked to have been more supported throughout her difficult pregnancy and beyond.  Tune in to hear how Rietta is finding herself once again and finding her right balance.  This episode is for you if you want to know more about: constant sickness in pregnancy hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) how to decide if you're family is complete after one baby coping with judgement from those closest to you can sex really bring on labour and delivery  how to find the things that light you up LINKS FOR YOU Guest - Rietta Boksha  Continence Foundation of Australia Send a Direct Message to the team on Instagram @bravemumma Tips and Tricks eBook - here This episode is coming to you thanks to our partners at the Continence Foundation. Call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 and speak to a Nurse Continence Specialist for free confidential advice, Monday to Friday 8am-8pm. CREDITS Host - Stephanie Thompson Executive Producer & Editor - Dave Stokes Podcast logo artist - Khrystyna lukashchuk Brand Designer - Brodie-Rose Original Soundtrack - Steven Robinson

Discover the top tips for having an empowering labor and delivery with The Vagina Blogger, April Davis.

DESCRIPTION What would you consider to be successful labor and delivery? Because we would all have our different views, thoughts, and opinions about childbirth.  I'm guessing that you're here because you probably have more questions about this childbirth space than you've been able to find answers. And while we certainly don't pretend to have all the answers, this is why we invite special guests like April Davis to the show. You may know her from her Vagina Blog. What you may not know is that she also has many, many years in this birthing space in her previous life as a doula. And she was a birthing photographer as well. So April has seen it all. She has been to so many different types of birth. And what she's bringing to this conversation will give you so much value because it comes from a range of different perspectives. If you want to find out more about how to find a really good healthcare provider, that will sit down with you to say, how can I best serve and care for you? Then tune into this episode.  This episode is for you if you want to know more about: the many options for your childbirth  how to find a health care provider that best suits your needs tips for having the labor and delivery you want when to start the conversation about your next labor and delivery LINKS FOR YOU Guest Website: The Vagina Blog Modibodi Code: BRAVEMUMMA22 This episode is coming to you thanks to our partners at Modibodi. If you'd like to give Modibodi a go, use code BRAVEMUMMA22 for 15% off your first order excluding sale items, bundles, gift cards, and Maxi-24hrs. Expires 31st of December 2022. CREDITS Host - Stephanie Thompson Executive Producer & Editor - Dave Stokes Podcast logo artist - Khrystyna lukashchuk Brand Designer - Brodie-Rose Original Soundtrack - Steven Robinson 

Do you feel your birth was traumatic? Sandy Lowres shares her top tips to avoid trauma in your next birth.

DESCRIPTION We are going to continue to recognize and acknowledge birth trauma awareness week. Even though it's a designated one week out of the year, we feel that it's something that can continually be talked about 365 days of the year.  Today on the show, you are going to hear from a beautiful woman called Sandy Lowres. She's a podcast host, and has her own magazine for women beyond 40. Sandy talks about all things, menopause, and women's pelvic health.  I love that Sandy is able to share her story with so much heart. She also then talks about the practical things that we could be doing to try to avoid having to tell these stories anymore. Tune in to this episode, if you would like to find out more about how we work towards the future for our girls and to make this childbirth space better. This episode is for you if you want to know more about: maternal mental health  traumatic birth  navigating the legal system with birth trauma  finding support and help to heal living beyond birth trauma  Obstetric shock   LINKS FOR YOU Guest - Women Beyond 40 - Sandy Lowres Continence Foundation of Australia Send a Direct Message to the team on Instagram @bravemumma Tips and Tricks eBook - here This episode is coming to you thanks to our partners at the Continence Foundation. Call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 and speak to a Nurse Continence Specialist for free confidential advice, Monday to Friday 8am-8pm. CREDITS Host - Stephanie Thompson Executive Producer & Editor - Dave Stokes Podcast logo artist - Khrystyna lukashchuk Brand Designer - Brodie-Rose Original Soundtrack - Steven Robinson

LIVE Q&A - It’s Okay Not to Be Okay - Are you tired of riding this rollercoaster?

Today we talk about the healing journey of a pelvic organ prolapse diagnosis and how it's not linear.  Join the conversation next week:  Send your questions to contact@bravemumma and we can answer them each Friday on this short 10-minute LIVE show.  Request to join the online free support group for women living with prolapse. 

Can We Talk About This? (Of course we can) Speaking about birth and prolapse with Amber-Lee.

Today we are doing something a little bit different. We're switching it up. I'm on the other side of the microphone. Amber Lee from 'The Power of Birth' is interviewing me on her podcast called; Can We Talk About This? It's an amazing show that talks about all things, Women's Health, and the things that you're just too afraid to say out loud. Amber Lee is an amazing host. She actually gets me talking about things that I don't even think I've really mentioned here in the podcast or in the book. We are sharing this episode with you this week to continue to acknowledge the importance of Birth Trauma Awareness Week. While you're listening to this episode if some things start to come up for you. Please make sure you reach out to someone who can assist you, support you and help you through this.  Thank you Amber-Lee.  Listen to more episodes here: Can We Talk About This Podcast The Power of Birth Insta  

How birth trauma survivor, April Hagan has come full circle to live a happy and fulfilling life, despite pelvic organ prolapse

DESCRIPTION Today, April Hagen is bringing you her journey that talks about her birth trauma for about a split second. And the reason why I'm sharing this with you is that she talks a lot about what happened next... I think it's important to know how women can work through this trauma space, and seek appropriate, help and support to come out the other side to continue living a fulfilling life.  What I think you're going to love the most is that after her experience and despite living with pelvic organ prolapse, she has still created an amazing business that started as a simple side hustle on something that she just loved doing. Now she has this amazing business where prolapse is not the center of her universe and her life, and her career are back on track. So if this is you and you've been through a birthing experience that was traumatic, you've been left with pelvic organ prolapse or other injuries, and you are looking for some hope, for some light at the end of the tunnel, you'll need to listen to this episode with April Hagan.  This episode is for you if you want to know more about: pelvic organ prolapse  maternal mental health  traumatic birth  navigating the legal system with birth trauma  finding support and help to heal living beyond birth trauma  living with pelvic organ prolapse  LINKS FOR YOU Tips and Tricks eBook - here Guest - April Hagan Continence Foundation of Australia Send a Direct Message to the team on Instagram @bravemumma Season 1 Episode with Dr. Elizabeth Skinner - listen now This episode is coming to you thanks to our partners at the Continence Foundation. Call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 and speak to a Nurse Continence Specialist for free confidential advice, Monday to Friday 8am-8pm. CREDITS Host - Stephanie Thompson Executive Producer & Editor - Dave Stokes Podcast logo artist - Khrystyna lukashchuk Brand Designer - Brodie-Rose Original Soundtrack - Steven Robinson

LIVE Q&A - Where to From Here

How it started, where we are now, and where we are going in the future.  Hear a little of our backstory and where we want to take you next on this prolapse journey.  To celebrate 10K downloads, for the next 10 days you can receive $10 off our new Tips & Tricks for Living with Pelvic Organ Prolapse eBook Buy here: https://bravemumma-tipsandtricks.mailerpage.io/ Help decide the future directions of our online support group by answering these 10 questions.  Survey here: https://subscribepage.io/tipsandtrickssurvey

Are you new to prolapse and feeling lost? Start here with Dr Nidhi Sharma

DESCRIPTION I know that you are going to get so much from this episode today. I'm chatting with Dr Nidhi Sharma, who is a pelvic floor physiotherapist from New York.  You'll love her honesty, her knowledge of the pelvic floor, and her clear and actionable steps that you can take right now to start feeling better while living with pelvic organ prolapse. You will want to tune in if you've ever considered electrical stimulation devices to treat pelvic organ prolapse. Dr. Sharma also shares her wealth of information via her Instagram reels. And this will be especially helpful for those who are new on this pop journey.  This episode is for you if you want to know more about: pelvic organ prolapse  bladder and bowel leakage  pessaries  electrical stimulation devices for prolapse treatment  what changes we need to see to help improve pelvic health outcomes. LINKS FOR YOU Leave your review - here Guest - Dr Nidhi Sharma Continence Foundation of Australia Send a Direct Message to the team on Instagram @bravemumma This episode is coming to you thanks to our partners at the Continence Foundation. Call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 and speak to a Nurse Continence Specialist for free confidential advice, Monday to Friday 8am-8pm. CREDITS Host - Stephanie Thompson Executive Producer & Editor - Dave Stokes Podcast logo artist - Khrystyna lukashchuk Brand Designer - Brodie-Rose Original Soundtrack - Steven Robinson

LIVE Q&A - Do We Just Have to Resign Ourselves to the Fact We Feel Broken with Prolapse?

Today we answer the question from one of our community members about how to live with prolapse now.    Join the Tips & Tricks for Women Living with Prolapse Support group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tipsandtricksforwomenlivingwithpop/   NEW Tips & Tricks for Living with Prolapse eBook https://bravemumma-tipsandtricks.mailerpage.io/   Let us know what you think? Was this helpful? Leave a comment at the bottom of this episode.    Join the conversation next week:  Send your questions to contact@bravemumma and we can answer them each Friday on this short 10-minute LIVE show.   

Get Colour and Joy back into your (prolapsed) life with these positive tips from the host of ’Why Mum’s Don’t Jump’ Podcast, Helen Ledwick

DESCRIPTION Today we connect to chat with fellow podcaster and prolapsed Mumma, Helen Ledwick.  She shares her journey with prolapse and how she's been able to move forward by talking with other women and finding connection and community via her podcast 'Why Mum's Don't Jump'.  We have a serious chat about how prolapse changed our lives as well as finding parts where we can have a laugh and feel joy again.   This episode is for you if you want to know more about: pelvic organ prolapse  c-section birth, breach birth, VBAC prolapse and motherhood finding hope living with pelvic organ prolapse how to find connection with other prolapsed women LINKS FOR YOU New eBook - www.bravemumma-tipsandtricks.mailerpage.io/ Guest Helen Ledwick - Why Mum's Don't Jump  Continence Foundation of Australia This episode is coming to you thanks to our partners at the Continence Foundation. Call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 and speak to a Nurse Continence Specialist for free confidential advice, Monday to Friday 8am-8pm. CREDITS Host - Stephanie Thompson Executive Producer & Editor - Dave Stokes Podcast logo artist - Khrystyna lukashchuk Brand Designer - Brodie-Rose Original Soundtrack - Steven Robinson 

You no longer have to feel alone with incontinence. Find out when and where to get support to stop leaking.

DESCRIPTION We have been blessed to have a Nurse Continence Specialist join us for World Continence Week 2022.  Janine is a Nurse Continence Specialist who unpacks what it means to be incontinent and how to move through that journey to becoming continent again. She shares some practical tips on where to start if you’re experiencing any type of leakage and assures us that no leakage is ‘normal’. Common maybe, but not normal. So if this is you, tune in today to hear how and where you can start to get the help you deserve This episode is for you if you want to know more about: incontinence  light bladder leakage  incontinence and intimacy  support products for urinary incontinence how and where to get support for incontinence  LINKS FOR YOU New Book - Tips & Tricks for Living with Pelvic Organ Prolapse  Continence Foundation of Australia This episode is coming to you thanks to our partners at the Continence Foundation. Call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 and speak to a Nurse Continence Specialist for free confidential advice, Monday to Friday 8am-8pm. CREDITS A very special thank you to Laura Byrne for stepping in for this sick Mumma this week. You are an absolute gem!  Host - Stephanie Thompson Executive Producer & Editor - Dave Stokes Podcast logo artist - Khrystyna lukashchuk Brand Designer - Brodie-Rose Original Soundtrack - Steven Robinson 

Everything you ever wanted to know about prolapse and why we currently can’t repair Levator Ani Avulsions, with specialist surgeon Dr. Ray Hodgson.

DESCRIPTION It's exciting to be bringing you something that we've never done before on the show, we're sharing a conversation I had with our very first male guest. I know this is women's health. I know this is our pelvic health space I think after a couple of minutes of listening, you're going to realise why I invited this guest, in particular, to come and talk to us. His name is Dr. Ray Hodgson. He is a gynecologist. Also a specialist pelvic organ prolapse surgeon, here in Australia and also in Nepal. He's written a book called Heartbreak In The Himalayas, which shares his journey of how he came to be a volunteer surgeon in Nepal, helping women as young as in their early twenties with prolapse. This is a long episode and for good reason, there's so much valuable information about prolapse, surgery, and what we can be doing today to manage living with prolapse.  This episode is for you if you want to know more about: pelvic organ prolapse  prolapse surgery  Levator Ani Avulsions  prolapse surgery in Australia and Nepal  prolapse research  forceps in vaginal childbirth managing daily life with prolapse  LINKS FOR YOU Join the Bravemumma community Guest website - Dr. Ray Hodgson Support this wonderful cause and purchase the book Heartbreak in The Himalayas. (this is a 3 part series)   Continence Foundation of Australia This episode is coming to you thanks to our partners at the Continence Foundation. Call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 and speak to a Nurse Continence Specialist for free confidential advice. Monday to Friday 8am-8pm.   CREDITS Host - Stephanie Thompson Executive Producer & Editor - Dave Stokes Podcast logo artist - Khrystyna lukashchuk Brand Designer - Brodie-Rose Original Soundtrack - Steven Robinson 

LIVE Q&A - Should I Join a Prolapse Forum?

Today we answer this question from one of our community members, along with some tips and tricks to help manage online support groups.  Let us know what you think? Was this helpful? Leave a comment at the bottom of this episode.    Join the conversation next week:  Send your questions to contact@bravemumma and we can answer them each Friday on this short 10-minute LIVE show.  Request to join the online free support group for women living with prolapse. 

How To Manage the Complexities of a Prolapse Journey, with Tor Palfrey

DESCRIPTION In this conversation, you will hear the true and raw emotions that can come with traumatic birth and living with pelvic organ prolapse. Tor has a way of sharing her story that helps us feel less alone. She's been through many phases of a prolapse journey, including feeling better in time for a second birth than having her prolapse return with fecal incontinence, which lead to surgery.  We’ve invited Tor to come back and continue this conversation because there is so much more to it. This episode really only scratches the surface and I feel that women who have either lived through this would really want to discover practical ways to be able to come out the other side and be okay.   This episode is for you if you want to know more about: pelvic organ prolapse maternal exhaustion in childbirth incontinence  episiotomy   postpartum bleeding and blood transfusion  fitness and prolapse  prolapse surgery  peri-menopause incontinence  e-stim for prolapse treatment  pessaries for prolapse (trial and error)  prolapse and intimacy  having another baby after trauma and prolapse  mental health with prolapse  hysterectomy  prolapse forums     LINKS FOR YOU Join the Bravemumma community Tor Palfrey Instagram- Prolapse, Parenthood, and Prosecco Continue Foundation of Australia This episode is coming to you thanks to our partners at the Continence Foundation. Call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 and speak to a Nurse Continence Specialist for free confidential advice. Monday to Friday 8am-8pm.   CREDITS Host - Stephanie Thompson Executive Producer & Editor - Dave Stokes Podcast logo artist - Khrystyna lukashchuk Brand Designer - Brodie-Rose Original Soundtrack - Steven Robinson 

LIVE Q&A - Will My Prolapse Go Away On It’s Own?

Will My Prolapse Go Away? Today we answer this question, along with some tips and tricks to help with prolapse symptoms.  Let us know what you think? Was this helpful? Leave a comment on this episode.  Send your questions to contact@bravemumma and we can answer them each Friday on this short 10-minute LIVE show.  Check out our friend Jackie from These Moms Write: www.instagram.com/jackieamsden/ Request to join the online free support group for women living with prolapse.     

Your Ultimate Pelvic Wellness Guide for Life, with Kim Viponi

DESCRIPTION We have coaching for learning, fitness, and life, but have you ever heard of a coach for your vagina?  Today we talk with the Vagina Coach - Kim Viponi, who has been working in this pelvic health space for over 20 years. She has helped thousands of women (including herself) learn how to do pelvic floor exercises, ditch the incontinence pads, eliminate their prolapse symptoms and get back to living life to the fullest!  Together we unpack some of the hard stuff, including prolapse surgery, sex and prolapse, and how to start the conversation about overall pelvic health and prolapse with your children, doctors, and those close to you.  We like to acknowledge the founder for the Association for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Support, Sherrie Palm for leading the charge for us women with prolapse. Today marks the start of Pelvic Organ Prolapse Awareness Month thanks to her hard work and dedication to this space.  Stick around to the end of this episode to see how you too can be part of POP Awareness Month.  This episode is for you if you want to know more about: what is an EPI-NO pelvic organ prolapse incontinence pelvic floor physiotherapy and exercise breaking down barriers to women's health normalising anatomy terminology how to get support with prolapse and pessaries  bio-feedback sex and prolapse  how to start pelvic health conversations in your family  Hypopressives  prolapse and surgery LINKS FOR YOU Join the Bravemumma community  Guest Website: The Vagina Coach Modibodi Code: BRAVEMUMMA22  This episode is coming to you thanks to our partners at Modibodi. If you'd like to give Modibodi a go, use code BRAVEMUMMA22 for 15% off your first order excluding sale items, bundles, gift cards and Maxi-24hrs. Expires 31st of December 2022.   CREDITS Host - Stephanie Thompson Executive Producer & Editor - Dave Stokes Podcast logo artist - Khrystyna lukashchuk Brand Designer - Brodie-Rose Original Soundtrack - Steven Robinson 

Top Tips To Feeling Better with Prolapse And Intimacy ~ Vanessa Tarfon

DESCRIPTION This is what I love most about podcasting because we can have our little earbuds in our ears and no one has a clue what we are actually listening to. Today we are chatting with Vanessa Tarfon, a qualified sex and intimacy therapist.  If you are living with pelvic organ prolapse and/or incontinence and find it difficult to have a conversation about sex with a partner, Vanessa is going to teach you how to connect with yourself first (because that's so important). Then to be able to connect with your partner in ways you've probably never heard of before her practical tips are simple to implement. And the best thing is that you can just do it at your own pace. This episode is for you if you want to know more about: intimacy with prolapse and incontinence learning that self-pleasure is okay   how to have conversations with your partner about sex (prolapse or not)  'squirt blankets' for incontinence  navigating pornography  how we as parents can start conversations about intimacy with our kids, at the appropriate age.    LINKS FOR YOU Join the Bravemumma community Guest website - Vanessa Tarfon - Authentic Awareness Reviewers website - Empowered Motherhood Program Continue Foundation of Australia This episode is coming to you thanks to our partners at the Continence Foundation. Call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 and speak to a Nurse Continence Specialist for free confidential advice. Monday to Friday 8am-8pm.   CREDITS Host - Stephanie Thompson Executive Producer & Editor - Dave Stokes Podcast logo artist - Khrystyna lukashchuk Brand Designer - Brodie-Rose

How To Parent Your Children To Set Them Up For Life, with Nellie Harden

DESCRIPTION I know, I get it. Using the words 'how to parent' in the heading could possibly put you off. We all feel like we’re constantly being told how to do things. But this one is different. Hear me out… While I do my best and have some experience working with kids (20 years in education), there are so many elements of parenting that I have no clue what I'm doing. And I'm not talking about the cleaning, cooking, or washing on repeat. It's the moments when I don't feel like I'm not even being a 'good' Mumma. When I yell. When I have no tolerance. When all I want to do is run away. When I worry too much. When I want to be better, but don't know how.   Join us for this chat with Nellie Harden today. It really made me feel like there is hope and another way to view parenting that allows us to feel like we are making a positive difference, without pulling our hair out (in the best way we can).   Because let's face it, we all want our kids to be okay in this world.   This episode is for you if you want to know more about: twin pregnancy and birth  parenting birth to 9 and then the second half of childhood (9 to 18)  how to live through adversity and create a life you want  octopus parenting  how to build strong family foundations  infertility and miscarriage  getting your family to be a team with you in the captain's seat parenting anxiety  setting up your children for a successful adulthood    LINKS FOR YOU 1. Join the Bravemumma community 2. Guest website - Nellie Harden 3. Continue Foundation of Australia   This episode is coming to you thanks to our partners at the Continence Foundation.  Call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 and speak to a Nurse Continence Specialist for free confidential advice,Monday to Friday 8am-8pm.   CREDITS Host - Stephanie Thompson Executive Producer & Editor - Dave Stokes Podcast logo artist - Khrystyna lukashchuk Brand Designer - Brodie-Rose Original Soundtrack - Steven Robinson 

3 Things You Can Do Right Now to Feel Empowered, with Physio Laura

DESCRIPTION What is empowerment anyway? What does it look like? And how can you start to feel empowered today?  Join us for this conversation with Women's Health Physiotherapist, Laura Callea (also known as Physio Laura), as we dive deep into what it means to feel (really) empowered.  Stick around until the very end to see if you can start to implement the three things suggested in the reflections of this episode. You can share your wins with us over on Instagram @bravemumma   This episode is for you if you want to know more about: the spectrum of childbirth pelvic organ prolapse incontinence pelvic floor physiotherapy breaking down barriers to women's health normalising anatomy terminology importance of ongoing health education finding balance in rehabilitating your body, and the 3 things you can do today to feel empowered   LINKS FOR YOU 1. Join the Bravemumma community 2. Book: The Day My Vagina Broke 3. Modibodi Code: BRAVEMUMMA22  This episode is coming to you thanks to our partners at Modibodi. If you'd like to give Modibodi a go, use code BRAVEMUMMA22 for 15% off your first order excluding sale items, bundles, gift cards and Maxi-24hrs. Expires 31st of December 2022.   CREDITS Host - Stephanie Thompson Executive Producer & Editor - Dave Stokes Podcast logo artist - Khrystyna lukashchuk Brand Designer - Brodie-Rose Original Soundtrack - Steven Robinson