Birth & Baby - Advice You Can Trust

Welcome and thank you for listening! In this episode, we sit down with Lee van der Westhuizen, founder of Fit Expectations Pilates, to dive deep into movement, strength, and recovery during pregnancy and postpartum. Whether you're currently expecting, navigating postpartum healing, or curious about the truth behind pelvic floor health (yes, we tackle the infamous Kegel question!). Lee shares clear, compassionate, and evidence-based insights to help women move safely through every stage of motherhood. Lee van der Westhuizen is the owner and principal trainer of Fit Expectations Pilates in Robindale, Randburg. With over 10 years of experience as a certified BASI Pilates Instructor, Personal Trainer, and Group Training Instructor, Lee specializes in prenatal and postnatal movement. As a mother of two, she blends deep clinical expertise with authentic personal experience to help women build strength, stability, and long-term wellbeing. What We Cover in This Episode Meet Lee & Fit Expectations Pilates: Lee's journey into specialized prenatal/postnatal instruction and her holistic approach to movement. Safe Exercise During Pregnancy: Practical guidelines, key principles, and advice for staying active safely while pregnant. The Kegel Debate: Is the traditional Kegel still relevant, or are we missing the bigger picture when it comes to pelvic floor function? Preparing the Body for Childbirth: How functional movement, breathwork, and alignment actively benefit the labor and delivery process. Postnatal Recovery & Returning to Movement: Realistic, restorative advice for honoring your postpartum healing timeline without rushing the process. Birth & Baby Online Pre- & Postnatal Exercises: https://birthandbaby.co.za/pre-postnatal-exercise-classes If you found this episode helpful please leave us a review or give us a rating as that helps us get the show out to more people. And don't forget to subscribe! We'd love to stay in touch and keep you updated with all our latest content & resources to equip & empower you. So if you're a midwife or any type of birth and baby worker go to sensitivemidwifery.co.za/freegift If you're a mom, visit sisterlilian.co.za/freegift for more training and resources. That way we can keep you up to date when we release new episodes like this plus a few other bonuses. Remember you're making a big difference because you're shaping the future of humankind. Thanks for listening and I look forward to journeying with you.

Welcome and thank you for listening! Join us as we explore the world of waterbirth with Ester, a highly experienced advanced midwife. We'll discuss her journey, the benefits of waterbirth, address common concerns, and delve into the practicalities of this empowering birthing option. Ester is a qualified advanced midwife who has worked in private and government hospitals for over 10 years. She has recently returned from working in the UK as a midwife. Ester is a passionate midwife who supports mothers with continuity of care through pregnancy, labour, and birth, creating space for physiological, natural, and waterbirth. She believes that every woman should know the joy of a safe, comfortable birthing experience regardless of the type of birth you end up having. Reach out to Ester: www.midwifeoncall.co.za If you found this episode helpful please leave us a review or give us a rating as that helps us get the show out to more people. And don't forget to subscribe! We'd love to stay in touch and keep you updated with all our latest content & resources to equip & empower you. So if you're a midwife or any type of birth and baby worker go to sensitivemidwifery.co.za/freegift If you're a mom, visit sisterlilian.co.za/freegift for more training and resources. That way we can keep you up to date when we release new episodes like this plus a few other bonuses. Remember you're making a big difference because you're shaping the future of humankind. Thanks for listening and I look forward to journeying with you.

Welcome and thank you for listening! In this episode, Dr. Margreet Barnardt interviews Sarah Jones, a midwife who recently experienced an unexpected emergency C-section. Sarah shares her personal birth story, highlighting how she emotionally prepared for the possibility of a C-section despite her desire for a natural birth. We discuss: Preparing for the unexpected: How to emotionally and practically prepare for a potential C-section. The C-section experience: Sarah's personal account of her C-section experience. Post-C-section recovery: Tips for emotional and physical recovery after a C-section. Sarah Jones: Experienced midwife with a passion for supporting parents in making informed choices about their birth. Graduated from WITS University and completed her community service at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital. Founder of Great Expectations Midwives, a private midwifery practice. If you found this episode helpful please leave us a review or give us a rating as that helps us get the show out to more people. And don't forget to subscribe! We'd love to stay in touch and keep you updated with all our latest content & resources to equip & empower you. So if you're a midwife or any type of birth and baby worker go to sensitivemidwifery.co.za/freegift If you're a mom, visit sisterlilian.co.za/freegift for more training and resources. That way we can keep you up to date when we release new episodes like this plus a few other bonuses. Remember you're making a big difference because you're shaping the future of humankind. Thanks for listening and I look forward to journeying with you.

Welcome and thank you for listening! In this episode, Dr. Margreet Barnardt interviews Ruwaida Moola, an experienced midwife and founder of Birth on 5th, a birthing unit in Linden, Johannesburg. They discuss the benefits of Midwife-Led Care, including: Lower intervention rates: Fewer medical procedures like inductions and cesarean sections. Increased client satisfaction: More personalized and empowering birth experiences. Improved breastfeeding outcomes: Increased support for breastfeeding initiation and continuation. Ruwaida explains what Midwife-Led Care entails, emphasizing its focus on low-intervention, personalized care and continuity of care. They explore the situations where Midwife-Led Care is most appropriate, such as low-risk pregnancies and those seeking a more natural birth experience. Key Takeaways: Understand the benefits and potential limitations of Midwife-Led Care. Learn why every community should have access to quality midwifery services. Gain insights into the importance of continuity of care in pregnancy and birth. Website: http://www.birthon5th.co.za Find a Professional: https://sisterlilian.co.za/midwives-allied-health-professionals/ If you found this episode helpful please leave us a review or give us a rating as that helps us get the show out to more people. And don't forget to subscribe! We'd love to stay in touch and keep you updated with all our latest content & resources to equip & empower you. So if you're a midwife or any type of birth and baby worker go to sensitivemidwifery.co.za/freegift If you're a mom, visit sisterlilian.co.za/freegift for more training and resources. That way we can keep you up to date when we release new episodes like this plus a few other bonuses. Remember you're making a big difference because you're shaping the future of humankind. Thanks for listening and I look forward to journeying with you.

Welcome and thank you for listening! In this episode, Dr. Margreet welcomes director of the BabyGym Institute, Cozette Laubser, to discuss her groundbreaking new book, Newborn Brain Essentials: A Healthy Start to Development. This invaluable resource provides parents with essential insights into the fundamental building blocks of baby development, offering a solid foundation for their parenting journey. Cozette, internationally qualified Childbirth Educator, Birth Doula and a mom of two, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. Fueled by years of dedicated research alongside her mother, Dr. Melodie de Jager (founder of the BabyGym Institute), Cozette has created a comprehensive guide that empowers parents and their chosen birth team to support their newborn's healthy development. Join us for an enlightening conversation as Cozette shares her expertise on the BabyGym Institute's approach to early childhood development. In light of Premature Awareness Month, we also delve into the specific challenges faced by parents of premature babies and explore how to provide these little ones with the optimal support they need to thrive. If you want to find out more about the BabyGym Institute and/or order Newborn Brain Essentials: A Healthy Start to Development, visit https://babygym.co.za/ If you found this episode helpful please leave us a review or give us a rating as that helps us get the show out to more people. And don't forget to subscribe! We'd love to stay in touch and keep you updated with all our latest content & resources to equip & empower you. So if you're a midwife or any type of birth and baby worker go to sensitivemidwifery.co.za/freegift If you're a mom, visit sisterlilian.co.za/freegift for more training and resources. That way we can keep you up to date when we release new episodes like this plus a few other bonuses. Remember you're making a big difference because you're shaping the future of humankind. Thanks for listening and I look forward to journeying with you.

Welcome and thank you for listening! In this Podcast Episode, Jane Sebidi, MomConnect Program Manager, discusses the program's 10-year anniversary. With over 30 years of experience in maternal and child health, Jane has been a driving force behind MomConnect's success. She's passionate about using technology to improve access to quality healthcare for women and their families. MomConnect, a South African National Department of Health initiative, uses SMS and WhatsApp to provide maternal and child health support. To register, dial *134*550*2# or WhatsApp message "join" to 079-6312456. If you found this episode helpful please leave us a review or give us a rating as that helps us get the show out to more people. And don't forget to subscribe! We'd love to stay in touch and keep you updated with all our latest content & resources to equip & empower you. So if you're a midwife or any type of birth and baby worker go to sensitivemidwifery.co.za/freegift If you're a mom, visit sisterlilian.co.za/freegift for more training and resources. That way we can keep you up to date when we release new episodes like this plus a few other bonuses. Remember you're making a big difference because you're shaping the future of humankind. Thanks for listening and I look forward to journeying with you.

Welcome and thank you for listening! In this episode, Dr Margreet talks with Janay Alexander-Gilchris about antenatal education and the importance of empowering families for a positive birth journey. More than qualifications (though she has plenty!), Janay Alexander-Gilchrist is a passionate advocate for families, especially mothers, to have a positive birthing experience. A wife, daughter, friend, and most importantly a mother herself, Janay understands the profound impact of childbirth.Janay's mission is to remind women of their inherent strength and guide them on a journey of self-discovery during childbirth. She believes preparing for birth is the greatest gift a mother can give to herself, her partner, and her baby. Janay's journey began in 2005 as a clinical hypnotherapist witnessing the struggles of many women with postnatal depression. She discovered a common thread: all these women had experienced birth trauma. Determined to help prevent this, Janay embarked on a mission to empower women for a more positive birth experience. This quest led her to Hypnobirthing. Through this method, Janay equips women and their partners with tools and techniques for a calmer, more confident birthing process. The results are clear: positive birth experiences not only benefit mothers' mental and emotional well-being, but also strengthen relationships and family bonding. Want to book a session or get in touch with Janay? Website: vibrantlyu.com SocialMedia: VibrantlyU If you found this episode helpful please leave us a review or give us a rating as that helps us get the show out to more people. And don't forget to subscribe! We'd love to stay in touch and keep you updated with all our latest content & resources to equip & empower you. So if you're a midwife or any type of birth and baby worker go to sensitivemidwifery.co.za/freegift If you're a mom, visit sisterlilian.co.za/freegift for more training and resources. That way we can keep you up to date when we release new episodes like this plus a few other bonuses.