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

Becoming a parent is an exciting time, as well as a time filled with uncertainty and anxiety.  In recent weeks the challenges of becoming and being a parent have been compounded by COVID-19.  Midwife Cath discusses with Brooke Carrigan the impacts to; new mothers, mothers and parent groups, support networks and seeks to remind us that despite the challenges, there has never been a better time in history to have and raise our families.

There is a lot of fear around controlled crying. Cath calls it passive settling and discusses with Brydie Huggins why and how she uses it as a tool with her three children. Cath explains why it’s a technique she believes is valuable for some parents.

Breastfeeding, is it a foolproof form of contraception? Join Midwife Cath, Brooke Carrigan and Dr Sue Hiscock and find out the varied contraception options available to you after birth.

For everyone who is curious about having sex after babies. Midwife Cath, Brooke Carrigan and Dr Sue Hiscock breakdown in great detail ‘sex after birth’ and cover everything from hormones, lubricant, uterine prolapse and the notion of housework as foreplay.

Give the grandparents a list and “spell out how they can help you”. Acclaimed Australian author Hazel Edwards, “There’s a Hippopotamus on Our Roof” talks with Midwife Cath and Brooke Carrigan about the importance of grandparents, the changing roles and responsibilities of grandparents and the meaning of ‘house rules’.

Parents all have challenges but what if you didn’t have enough water to bath your kids? Adelaide Elliott and her family live in remote regional Australia. She talks about the unique set of challenges and joys of being a mum in regional Australia.

Be inspired by Dads Matt Tinney and Danny Williams whose children have extra challenges. They talk candidly about their personal, emotional, psychological and financial journeys - the joys of their families and the importance of hearing from dads.

Do you want to know about surrogacy? After 9 years trying to start their family, Katie and Tom Rattigan turned to surrogacy and they now have a beautiful son. They share with Midwife Cath and Brooke Carrigan the ins and outs of their surrogate journey in the hope of helping others.

Mums be vigilant! It’s easy for mothers to prioritise new babies and sleep over their own health. Midwife Cath and Dr Sue Hiscock on post pregnancy checkups

Hear why Midwife Cath and Dr Sue Hiscock think Pre-pregnancy planning is brilliant. For women who are wanting or trying to have a baby.

Two mums, VFLW Essendon player Natasha Hardy and her wife Natalie East share their story of becoming same-sex parents to Macey. Macey is the first baby in Australia to have same-sex parents recorded as “married” on her birth certificate. Go Macey!!!

Having trouble sleeping or getting your baby to sleep? Midwife Cath explains the foundations of sleep for you and your children and provides you with her top tips.

Introducing food can be an anxious experience. When and how do you do it? Midwife Cath takes us through when to introduce food, varieties of food, how to deal with fussy eaters, aversion, gagging and how to make it fun! Get her top tips.

Midwife Cath on setting boundaries, the word no, being scared of children, extreme discipline and how what you say now will shape the future tone of the voice in their head.

Cancer is terrible but especially in children. Kylie Grogan tells us how at 10 months old, a bath time massage led to the early detection and cancer diagnosis of her son Leo. A mother’s journey through the emotional roller coaster of cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

Can you do it all? Hear Australian Olympic freestyle skier gold medalist Lydia Lassila on high performance, multitasking, expectations of children, giving birth and motherhood.

The stresses and joys of fatherhood. Hear Western Bulldogs Premiership player Matthew Boyd tell Midwife Cath why you shouldn’t wish your kids to meet milestone too quickly, setting boundaries, being a dad and why 7pm is his favorite time of the day.

The death of a child is devastating and for many unspeakable. How do we deal with grief, continue to parent and manage our relationships? We thank Yolanda Care for sharing her deeply personal story with Midwife Cath and Brooke Carrigan

New mums Bec Sutherland and Emily Ward talk with Midwife Cath on the influence of mummy bloggers, social media, breastfeeding, relationships, mothers’ groups and body dysmorphia. Mums the word!

Having a baby will be the best thing you ever do - but it's not all smooth sailing! A frank discussion navigating the overwhelming overload of information encountered by new and expecting parents covering pregnancy, nausea, miscarriage, childbirth, drugs, breast feeding, exercise, fatigue, taking your baby home, the first six weeks, post-natal depression and discovering the difference between essential purchases and those that belong on a wish list. What do we envisage when we plan a family...

Midwife Cath and Obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Sue Hiscock discuss the often-unspoken changes and challenges we undergo when falling pregnant. From nausea, sex during pregnancy, bleeding in pregnancy, scans, pre-eclampsia, miscarriage - how often and why it happens, to anxiety and diabetes Midwife Cath and Dr Hiscock break it down. Author of The First Six Weeks: http://midwifecath.com.au/the-first-six-weeks-pre-order-now/ Find Midwife Cath on Facebook:...

Midwife Cath explores the impact our expectation for "a perfect birth" has on our birth experience and self-esteem. Do we unconsciously set ourselves up for failure? Join Cath as she breaks down our fantasies around child birth with the realities of what we can expect behind the curtain. A discussion unlocking the minutia of everything from the cervix and how it dilates, epidurals, types of birth, the baby straight after birth, bonding, skin to skin and breast feeding. Author of The First...

Crying, nappies, reflux, breast feeding, sleep deprivation, fatigue and changes in your relationship - the first six weeks can be a shocker. Midwife Cath talks candidly with new mum and fitness expert Tiffany Hall (Australian author, podcaster, journalist and television personality best known from appearances on Gladiators and The Biggest Loser) about her first six weeks with a new baby; leaving the hospital, visitors, sleep deprivation, hormones, emotional outbursts, sick babies and much...

Breast versus formula - it's one of the most politicised aspects of having children and it's often a confusing, challenging and anxious topic for new parents. While you may have the intention of exclusively breast feeding, "..not all women do and not all women can". Madeleine Morris is a journalist, author of parenting guide Guilt-Free Bottle-Feeding and an advocate for 'Fed is Best'. Madeleine joins Midwife Cath in an informative and robust conversation on the history and politics...