Birth, Baby and Beyond is the go-to podcast for new parents. In the latest season Midwife Cath is refocussing her attention onto new dads and dads-to-be. Together with new dad Chris Taylor she unpacks everything men need to know about the highs and lows of pregnancy, giving birth and the complexities of parenting.   * Launches June 19, new episodes every week! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are all kinds of crazy ideas about how you can fall pregnant. Chris and Midwife Cath separate the facts from the fiction when it comes to fertility. No topic is taboo as they discuss ovulation, maximising sperm and just how often one can masturbate and still have strong swimmers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when all the things go right, you discover you’re pregnant and then your partner has a miscarriage? Cath’s co-host Chris Taylor has been through a miscarriage, so he understands what Midwife Cath calls “a very lonely grief”. They talk about what can lead to miscarriage, how to manage your grief, how to support your partner and where to get help.  24 hr hotline for miscarriage support: 1300 308 307  LINKS TO SUPPORT FOR MISCARRIAGE: https://www.sands.org.au/   https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/emotional-support-after-miscarriage  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the excitement of finding out you’re going to be a dad, the next nine months can be a bit of a mystery. Your partner is carrying the baby and feels all the things… but as men – we can’t feel so connected. In this episode Midwife Cath and Chris explore all the changes that happen during the nine months of pregnancy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now you know what’s happening in your partner’s body, how can you help them while they deal with all the nausea, pelvic pain and hormonal changes they’re going through?  Chris always wanted to be as involved as he could; in this episode he gets some tips from Cath on all the ways men can make life a little easier during pregnancy.  Maternal and Child Health Line Victoria: 13 22 29  LINKS: https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/   https://www.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/fact-sheets?gclid=Cj0KCQjwtO-kBhDIARIsAL6Lore3u9mHB-0xhz4szVm-5xsJ6EiE2r7l-s47IUUcGREVAm-dkWNyRqoaApozEALw_wcB  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You might think there’s only one way a baby is born – but you’d be wrong. In this episode Midwife Cath takes Chris Taylor through all the ways babies come into the world, including where and how they arrive. We’re talking public vs private hospitals, with or without pain relief and more.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve got a rough date for when the baby is due (or maybe you have a caesarean section booked in) but are you prepared for the big day? Having recently gone through the experience Chris has a few thoughts on what you might need to be best prepared, and Midwife Cath has some ideas as well. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s go time! The day has finally come! Midwife Cath takes you through when it’s time to head into the hospital, what labour looks (and sounds) like, what you can do to support your partner during contractions and much more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fair enough, blokes can’t breast feed, but there are plenty of things you can do to support your partner in this stage your newborn’s life. Midwife Cath explains what to expect in the first days and weeks of your baby’s life, as well as how you can bond with your baby (without needing boobs). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coming home from hospital can be scary. Suddenly, keeping a small human alive is up to you. The good news is both Chris and Cath have some very simple and practical tips on how to feel confident in the first weeks and months at home with your new baby.  LINKS:  https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/support-for-parents  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As life starts to settle back into some shape of normalcy, you may notice that there’s something missing. As a new parent that “something” is probably sleep. Sleep deprivation can be a challenge for new parents. Cath and Chris discuss ways we can manage the sleepless nights, particularly when you’ve gone back to work.  LINKS:  https://rednose.org.au/section/safe-sleeping  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Australia one in five women and one in ten men get post-natal depression, but how much do you know about post-natal depression? Cath and Chris talk about the symptoms of PND, how to support your partner and how to find help.  LINKS:  https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au/   https://panda.org.au/get-support/support-dads   https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/pregnancy-and-new-parents  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grandads are great aren’t they? They step in to help out when day care falls through, they spoil your kids (like they never spoiled you). But what are the unwritten rules of grandparenting? And how should new parents manage this relationship. Midwife Cath and Chris Taylor tackle these questions and more on the final episode of this season of Birth Baby and Beyond.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part one of Birth Baby and Beyond's special sleep series, Midwife Cath shares her guide to all things sleep-related for your baby. From the first night home with a newborn, to her effective Bath Bottle and Bed routine, to her proven formula for starting passive-settling with your baby. If you’re the parent of a young baby and you’re desperate for a good night’s sleep, then you’ve come to the right place. Follow Midwife Cath on instagram: midwifecathSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part two of Birth Baby and Beyond's special sleep series, Midwife Cath answers all your questions on sleep. Questions like: 'Why can’t my baby self-settle?' and 'Why has my four-month-old suddenly stopped sleeping?' If you are a new parent desperate for a good night’s sleep and you have LOTS of questions, this episode is for you.  Follow Midwife Cath on instagram: midwifecathSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Midwife Cath chats to one of Australia’s leading IVF and fertility expert Dr David Wilkinson. They discuss the reasons why people might struggle to fall pregnant naturally and what fertility solutions are available to them if they are struggling.  Follow Midwife Cath on instagram: midwifecath  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that 1 in 6 pregnancies end in miscarriage? In this episode Midwife Cath unpacks this devastating but common experience with Obstetrician Dr Stephen Cole. He explains some of the factors that contribute to recurrent miscarriages, and the tools available to help women impacted. Dr Stephen Cole also discusses some amazing innovations in his field, including maternal-assisted caesareans and fetal surgery. Follow Dr Stephen Cole on instagram: @dr_stephencole Follow Midwife Cath on instagram: @midwifecathSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode, the Australian Government’s Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Professor Alison McMillan joins Midwife Cath to discuss the safety and effectiveness of getting the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy. Pregnancy is already such an anxious time for women, and throwing COVID-19 into the mix means it’s even harder to figure out how to make the best decisions for you and your baby. In this chat Professor McMillan shares with Cath the most up-to-date evidence-based advice around the risks of COVID-19 for pregnant women, and the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. They discuss: Why pregnant women are at greater risk from COVID-19 than othersWhy advice around pregnancy and getting vaccinated changed and what the most up-to-date advice is nowWhy women can get the vaccine at any time during pregnancyHow the vaccine can also help protect your baby in uteroWhat immunisation side effects you can expect during pregnancyAnd so much more If you want to learn more about this topic, here are some useful links: Health.gov.au Official information about the coronavirus pandemic, how to protect yourself and your family, where and when you can get vaccinated.The Shared decision making guide for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy is updated as new information becomes available. Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) Pregnancy and COVID-19 Vaccination Webinar Experts discuss COVID vaccination in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and those planning to be pregnant, dispelling myths and highlighting the global evidence, which has shown that vaccines are safe for women and their babies. The panel includes Dr Michelle Giles, Dr Clare Whitehead, Dr Vijay Roach, and Professor Sue Walker.English: https://vimeo.com/606222671Translated versions: https://linktr.ee/RANZCOG Australian Academy of Science - Pregnancies, periods and COVID-19 vaccines: what you need to know A deep dive into some of the discussions happening around COVID-19 vaccines, fertility and menstruation to sift through the claims and the evidenceLink: https://www.science.org.au/curious/people-medicine/pregnancies-periods-and-covid-19-vaccines-what-you-need-know Australian College of Midwives - COVID-19 vaccination online e-learning space This online repository equips midwives and pregnant women with the latest information about COVID-19 vaccinations. It and has resources, videos, online courses and more. Link: http://acmcovid19info.org/ Jean Hailes Podcast This special episode of the Jean Hailes podcast features Associate Professor Nigel Crawford Head of Immunisation Services at The Royal Children’s Hospital. Professor Crawford answers your questions about the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines for women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeedingLink: https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/resources/vaccines-safety-and-women See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) CEO Caterina Giorgi joins Midwife Cath to explain why women shouldn't drink during pregnancy. Caterina and Cath discuss so much in this chat, including: Why there is no safe level of drinking alcohol whilst pregnantWhy even drinking while you are trying to conceive can be dangerous for your babyThe science behind the damage drinking while pregnancy can do, even if it's just one or two drinks per weekWhy there is still some confusion amongst women about whether they can drink or not during pregnancyWhat Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is and how it can impact people into adulthoodWhat the partner's role is in all of this This episode of ‘Birth, Baby & Beyond’ was made in partnership with the Foundation for Alcohol Research & Education. Visit everymomentmatters.org.au for more information. The Every Moment Matters project is endorsed and funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If your waters break does this mean labour has initiated? Listener questions answered on waters breaking!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.