Birth is often painted as a moment of pure joy, but what happens when the reality is far more complicated? In this deeply personal episode, Sophie Walker shares her journey through birth trauma, unexpected interventions, and the road to recovery.

From her meticulously planned birth plan unravelling in the delivery room amid worried family, to the emotional and physical toll, Sophie opens up about the challenges so many mothers face but few discuss.

Host Davina Smith also explores the importance of education and community support through Sophie’s podcast, ‘Australian Birth Stories’.

Need support? Head to the Gidget Foundation Australia website for more information.

Learn more about Sophie on her Instagram, @australianbirthstories or on their website, australianbirthstories.com

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When does ‘older’ motherhood begin, and why does the outdated label geriatric pregnancy still haunt women in their 30s and 40s? In this insightful roundtable, Dr Leah Hechtman (PhD), naturopathic clinician, joins clinical psychologist Dr Felicity Chandler from the Gidget Foundation to unpack the complex interplay of biology, age, and mental health on the path to parenthood.

From the surprising role of sperm quality in placental health to why sleep deprivation sabotages egg quality, Leah shares cutting-edge science rarely discussed in clinics. Meanwhile, Felicity tackles the hidden emotional toll, why phrases like "your body’s failing you" cut so deep, and how to reframe self-talk when conception struggles feel isolating.

Need support? Head to the Gidget Foundation Australia website for more information.

You can learn more about Dr Leah Hechtman on her website, drleahhechtman.com, or follow her on Instagram, @drleahhechtman

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At 47, Sheila - high-performance coach, former CFO, and self-proclaimed "late bloomer” - finally held her miracle baby in her arms. But the road to motherhood was anything but conventional.

In this deeply personal episode, Sheila shares her extraordinary journey of hope, heartbreak, and divine intervention, from freezing her eggs at 38 during a devastating breakup, to meeting her soulmate Tyson during lockdown, to surviving seven rounds of IVF before turning to donor eggs.

Gidget Foundation Australia has created a series of books called ‘Bunny Books’ to reach out to those that may be suffering. Available through booktopia here.

Need support? Head to the Gidget Foundation Australia website for more information.

You can learn more about Sheila by visiting her website, sheilav.co

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.