Birth & Baby - Advice You Can Trust

Welcome and thank you for listening! Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are incredibly common, but when they become a recurring nightmare—or flare up during pregnancy and postpartum—the stakes become much higher. Many women find themselves trapped in a cycle of repeated antibiotic use, relying on traditional remedies like cranberry juice that don't quite deliver. In this episode, we are busting the biggest myths around urinary tract health and diving deep into the science of prevention and treatment. Joining us is Jason Stewart, the driving force behind Probitec Health, to unpack the fascinating connection between the gut, the vaginal microbiome, and the bladder. We explore why pregnancy makes women more vulnerable to UTIs, the clinical risks of leaving them untreated, and the breakthrough science behind "Activated Cranberry" and advanced probiotic delivery. What We Discuss in This Episode: The Perinatal Vulnerability: Why UTIs are more common during pregnancy, why they become more serious, and the potential risks to both mother and baby. The Conception & Postpartum Window: Why addressing urinary and vaginal health before trying to conceive is crucial, and why these issues often flare up after giving birth. Busting the Cranberry Myth: The scientific reality of what cranberry actually does (hint: it doesn't kill bacteria!) and why most standard cranberry products fail. The Power of PACs: What Proanthocyanidins are, why dosage matters, and how they physically prevent bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract. The Microbiome Connection: Why combining 30 billion probiotic bacteria with cranberry is a game-changer for long-term urinary tract resilience. Delivery Technology Matters: What Phytosome® technology is and how it ensures active ingredients and probiotics actually survive to do their job. Resources Mentioned: Learn More about Probitec: ProBitec South Africa Part 1: Why Most Probiotics Fail: Gut Health & Your Second Brain 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! VBAC: Exploring Your Options for a Subsequent Birth with Sarah Jones In this episode, Dr. Margreet Barnardt interviews Sarah Jones, an independent midwife specializing in VBACs (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). We discuss: What is a VBAC? Understanding the process and factors that contribute to successful VBACs. Finding the right care provider: The importance of choosing a healthcare provider who supports and has experience with VBACs. Challenges and considerations: Exploring potential challenges such as labor induction and the possibility of a repeat C-section. About Sarah Jones: Experienced midwife with a passion for supporting parents in making informed birth choices. Graduated from WITS University and completed her community service at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital. Founded 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, we explore the crucial link between oral health during pregnancy and the lifelong dental well-being of children. We are joined by Dr. Tshepiso Mfolo, President of the South African Association of Paediatric Dentistry and a leading authority on maternal and child oral health. Dr. Mfolo reveals invaluable insights and dispels common myths, such as the idea that bleeding gums during pregnancy are normal and not a cause for concern. She also provides practical tips, like dietary recommendations, for expectant parents and healthcare providers. We'll uncover the unique oral health challenges pregnant women face, emphasize the importance of preventative care, and explain why those seemingly temporary milk teeth play a vital role in a child's future smile! 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! Celebrating Five Years of Birth & Baby Show: A Heartfelt Thank You It's the end of another year, and I'm taking a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've shared together on the Birth & Baby Show. We've celebrated five years of connecting with amazing guests, listeners, and viewers, and I'm so grateful for your continued support. As we wrap up another year, I, Dr. Margreet Barnardt, wanted to take a moment to reflect on the work we do and the personal journey that fuels my passion. In this episode, we'll delve into my recent research and a newly published peer-reviewed article focusing on Strategies to facilitate upscaling midwifery practice in South African maternity units. Based on challenges faced by midwives, we've developed two strategies to promote woman-centered care. These strategies emphasize creating an enabling work environment that empowers midwives to provide high-quality care and equips women to actively participate in their healthcare decisions. To further elevate midwifery practice in South Africa, we need to address issues like independence, autonomy, and ensuring midwives' voices are heard. Additionally, the curriculum for midwifery education and training should be aligned with the standards set by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM). Let's explore these critical aspects and discuss how we can collectively work towards a more supportive and empowering healthcare system for women." James S, Wibbelink M, Thomson A, Strategies to facilitate upscaling midwifery practice in South African public units. Afr J Midwifery Womens Health 2023. https://doi.org/10.12968/ajmw.2022.0037 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-Gilchrist about optimizing early oral development for your child's long-term health. Janay, the General Manager of the Kids & Baby Division at Curaden South Africa, is a passionate advocate for early oral development. With a wealth of experience as a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Psychotherapist, Hypnobirthing Practitioner, Buteyko Breathing Practitioner, and Master NLP Practitioner, Janay brings a unique perspective to her role. As a mother herself, Janay understands the profound impact that healthy oral care has on a child's long-term well-being. Her belief in the power of empowering parents drives her mission to help families make informed decisions about their children's health. "Having a child is a life-changing experience," Janay says. "When parents feel knowledgeable and confident, they can trust their instincts and create a supportive environment for their little ones." Janay emphasizes the far-reaching effects of optimal oral development, extending beyond just dental health. By ensuring proper jaw, tongue, and palate development, parents can positively impact their child's breathing, feeding, eating, nutrition, speech, swallowing, digestion, and overall systemic health. Join us as Janay shares her insights on creating a healthy oral care routine for your child and how it can set them up for a lifetime of well-being. 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! For Breastfeeding Awareness Week, Dr. Margreet talked with Samantha Crompton, Lactation Consultant, Midwife, wife and mother of two teenage boys. Samantha talks about expectations versus reality of Breastfeeding and unpacks the most common misconceptions. She explains what support looks like for a new, breastfeeding mom. She did her Bachelors of Nursing & Midwifery at the University of Witwatersrand (WITS). While she was breastfeeding her first son, she realised that breastfeeding wasn't taught enough during her midwifery training. Seeing that women also lost their 'village' they don't receive enough breastfeeding support anywhere. Samantha decided to do the South African Certified Lactation Consultant (SACLC) Course and have been practicing as a SACLC ever since. You can find Samantha on Social Media @Thebabylady. Resources: Online Breastfeeding Course 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 Margreet chatted with her sister Ellen about her experience with pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood. Ellen talked about the importance of preconception health and how she prepared her body for pregnancy. She emphasizes trusting the process throughout pregnancy and childbirth. Ellen journeyed with an independent midwife and gave birth in her home. She discusses the challenges of waiting past her due date and the pressure to intervene medically. She also details the intensity of her birth experience, including birthing while standing. Ellen talks about the joys of motherhood and how it has come naturally to her. She also offers advice to moms-to-be and new moms, including: trusting your process, staying confident in your choices, taking it easy postpartum, and preparing for the demanding newborn stage. 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 our latest Birth & Baby episode, Dr. Margreet Barnardt is joined by Dr. Farah Seedat, a highly qualified Paediatric Dentist, and Naseema Osman, an oral hygienist and mom of two. Naseema's personal experience with airway struggles has fueled her passion for educating families about the link between oral health and overall well-being. Dr. Seedat and Naseema join Dr. Margreet for a comprehensive discussion on all things oral health, from pregnancy through to childhood. They delve into how pregnancy affects a woman's mouth, explore the essentials of baby oral care, and address common oral health problems seen in young children. But most importantly, they share preventative tips and tricks to help parents ensure their little ones develop healthy, beautiful smiles. Key Discussion Points Pregnancy and Oral Health Pregnancy hormones can increase a woman's risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Frequent vomiting during pregnancy can erode teeth. Regular dental checkups are important during pregnancy to identify and address any potential oral health problems. It is safe to get X-rays during pregnancy if necessary. Calcium is drawn from the mother's bones to develop the fetus, not from the teeth. Oral Health for Babies It is important to start cleaning a baby's mouth from birth, even before teeth erupt. Use a soft cloth or gauze to wipe the baby's mouth after feeding. Once teeth erupt, brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. Avoid prolonged pacifier use (no more than 2 years) to prevent negative growth alterations. Watch for signs of mouth breathing and address them early. Limit sugary drinks and processed foods in a child's diet. Bottle feeding can lead to tooth decay if milk pools around the front teeth. Breastfeeding past infancy can increase tooth decay risk; wipe the baby's mouth after breastfeeding to remove residual milk. General Tips Parents should seek advice from dental professionals, not friends or family, regarding their child's oral health. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing are essential for preventing tooth decay. Parents should brush their young child's teeth until they are old enough to do a good job on their own. The back baby teeth are important and need good care because they last until age 10-12. The first dental visit for a baby should be by the first birthday. It should be a positive experience to prevent fear of the dentist. For more information about Dr. Seedat or Curaprox visit www.kromboomdental.co.za ; www.curaprox.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.