Laura Dowling : Love your vulva!

Topics covered : The physical, mental and emotional impact of childbirth, hormones, baby blues, post-natal depression, intrusive thoughts, pelvic floor, anxiety/shame/guilt, some hospital bag essentials, body changes, hair loss, placenta encapsulation, sleep, breastfeeding/ bottle feeding/ combination feeding, new-born baby tips, SIDS.This is the fourth and final episode in my pregnancy miniseries and it’s all about postpartum.My guest is parenting and baby expert Claire Thompson who goes by the Instagram handle ‘The Newborn Nanny’ and she is a wealth of knowledge.She lives in Wicklow with her husband Ben and their four kids(Evie, Emmy, Georgie and Harry) and in thisconversation we delve into the often-unspoken world of postpartum as she takesus from the moment your baby is born to the hours, days, weeks and months thatfollow. And she gives tons of practical advice that I think will really help younavigate those early days.You’ll find Claire on Instagram…https://www.instagram.com/thenewbornnanny/Tips/things to watch out for*none of the products/brands mentioned are sponsored/paid forPack a small plastic jug in your hospital bag (the why is explained in the episode!)Drink plenty of water/fluidsEat plenty of fibreProduct mentioned : ‘Fybogel’ Natural Fibre DrinkBleeding : Wear dark clothing, use dark sheets, have plenty of maternity pads at the ready.Limit visitors – be prepared to say no thanks!Placenta encapsulationCork based company that offer a professional placenta encapsulation service nationwide…https://placentatlc.ie/Dr. Harvey Karp’s 5 S’shttps://happiestbaby.co.uk/blogs/baby/the-5-s-s-for-soothing-babiesMuslin clothsC shaped pregnancy/baby pillowsBaby carriers/slingsIf you like this podcast, please show your support by leaving a rating or a little comment on Apple and by clicking follow on Spotify, I’d be so thankful. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24 Sep 20211h 8min

This episode is all about labour and childbirth and my guest is midwife and childbirth educator, Avril Flynn.She lives in Dublin with her husband Garret, their 3 year old son Felix and their dog Finn! And in this conversation she takes us from that first contraction right through to that glorious cup of tea and slice toast after you give birth!We also share our own positive birth experiences making this a valuable listen especially for first timers.She’s honest and naturally funny and her advice is reassuring, practical and empowering.If you enjoyed this conversation, please consider showing your support, it only takes a minute and I’d really appreciate it.You can leave a rating or a little comment on Apple or you can click follow on Spotify. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 Sep 20211h 18min

Topics covered : Pregnancy after loss, symptoms, journaling, nesting, affirmations, birth preparation, benefits of water during labour, stepping away from fear. In this episode we explore the third trimester of pregnancy as I speak to pregnancy and birth educator, Kitty Hackel who goes by the Instagram handle ‘Birth, Baby, Beyond’. In this conversation she offers practical, empowering advice on the third trimester, including preparing yourself as best you can for childbirth. Some useful resources: Body work in pregnancy https://drakechiropractic.ie/Spinning babies https://www.spinningbabies.com/Hospital stats http://www.bump2babe.ie/Perineal massage video https://www.instagram.com/tv/CJwY8FmnRDj/?utm_medium=copy_link Mother Blessing… https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mother.ly/amp/how-to-have-a-mother-blessing-2628388007 Kitty’s courses/ downloads https://www.birth-baby-beyond.ie/courses?page=2 And if you enjoyed this conversation, please consider showing your support, it only takes a minute and I’d really appreciate it. You can leave a rating or a little comment on Apple or you can click follow on Spotify. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 Sep 20211h 4min

For the next 4 episodes I’ll be talking all things pregnancy with a different guest each week and today we’ll focus on the 1st and 2nd trimesters.In this episode I speak to Lucianne Hughes, also known as ‘The Sunshine Doula’. She’s married to Chris and they have 2 girls, Daisy who’s 4 and Poppy who’s 2.She takes us from the moment you find out you’re pregnant up to the end of the second trimester. We talk about the physical, mental and emotional symptoms of pregnancy, the importance of correct supplementation, what to avoid, what to do, birthing options and the choices available to you, and lots more.Birth Trauma Recovery:http://aimsireland.ie/birth-healing/ Helena Tubridy: @helenatubridy https://helenatubridy.com/Lorraine Lozano: @globebabydoula https://www.globebabydoula.com/ also has a Birth Trauma Recovery programme called "3 Step Rewind"Tara Whelan: @resilientemotions https://www.resilientemotions.ie/perinatal--emotional-wellbeing/birth-trauma Birth options in Ireland:http://aimsireland.ie/choice-in-pregnancy-and-birth-in-ireland/ andhttps://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/child-health/antenatal-and-maternity-care-options/public-care.html Holles St: http://www.nmh.ie/pregnancy/community-midwifery-service.13604.html The Coombe: https://www.coombe.ie/domino-early-transfer-home-servicesRotunda https://rotunda.ie/knowledgebase/community-based-midwives/Antenatal workshops:Lou Horgan @louhorganyoga https://www.louyoga.com/Lorraine Lozano @globebabydoula https://www.globebabydoula.com/ - Lorraine has Exploring Birth, Exploring Breastfeeding & Exploring VBAC workshops available Women's Health Physio - pelvic floor prep:Elaine Barry @elainebarryphysio https://www.elainebarryphysio.com/https://www.louyoga.com/Milltown Physiotherapy: https://milltownphysiotherapy.com/we-treat/womens-health/The Physio Company - 20 locations in Ireland: https://www.thephysiocompany.com/services/womens-healthMaternity ClothesLeggings https://www.beautyandthebumpmaternity.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 Sep 202157min

Topics covered : Miscarriage, pregnancy after loss, Covid positive during pregnancy, medically induced coma, hallucinations, drug withdrawals, dramatic birth experience, post-partum. Originally from Donaghmede in Dublin, Laura Curtis lives in Baldoyle with her boyfriend Robbie and their new-born daughter Demi.But the past year has been one she’ll never forget.Having been through a miscarriage she found herself pregnant again and was so looking forward to an uncomplicated pregnancy.But in March this year, at 20 weeks pregnant, she was diagnosed with Covid.At 29 years of age and with no underlying health conditions, she ended up in ICU in Beaumont Hospital, in a medically induced coma for 17 days, to try and save her life and that of her unborn daughter.It’s a remarkable story of survival and overcoming and I am so thankful to Laura for taking the time to sit down and talk to me.If you like this podcast, please show your support by leaving a rating or a little comment on Apple and by clicking follow on Spotify, I’d be so thankful. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 Aug 20211h 7min

Topics covered : Painful sex, sex toys and products, libido, menopause and sex, shame.This is second part of the conversation I had with Ireland’s only clinical sexologist, Emily Power Smith.In this episode, she answers a selection of your questions that were sent in on Instagram and it starts with advice on how best to speak to our kids and teenagers about their bodies and sex.I hope by listening to these episodes that you’ll feel a little less alone in your experience and that you find Emily’s advice helpful.For more, you’ll find her on https://www.empowersme.comResources…‘Yes Organics’ natural vaginal moisturiser and organic coconut oil.Betty Dodson, artist, author, teacher and PhD sexologist…https://www.dodsonandross.com/Emily and I are joining an impressive line-up of 16 international speakers - including medical and scientific experts – for the Menopause Success Summit 2021.It’s a 1-day virtual event which is happening on Saturday the 25th of September.Click here for more info…www.menopausesuccesssummit.comI really hope you enjoyed our candid conversation about sex (a topic that I will certainly revisit), and if you like my podcast please consider showing your support, it only takes a minute and I’d really appreciate it.You can leave a rating or a little comment on Apple or you can click follow on Spotify.Thanks a million! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 Aug 202135min

Topics covered : The damage of shame, body confidence, libido, porn, sexual trauma.This week I speak to Ireland’s only clinical sexologist, Emily Power Smith.We spoke about so much that I’ve decided to split the chat in two as it’s such a huge topic to cover.In this episode, we discuss our relationship with sexuality here in Ireland, we talk about body confidence, sex drive, porn and we’ll also delve into a few of the questions that were sent in on Instagram which had a lot of common themes, I hope by listening to these episodes that you’ll feel a little less alone in your experience and that you find Emily’s advice helpful.You’ll find her on https://www.empowersme.comAnd Emily and I are joining a stellar line-up of 16 international speakers - including medical and scientific experts - at the Menopause Success Summit 2021, a 1-day virtual event on Saturday September 25th - click here for more info…www.menopausesuccesssummit.comIf you like this podcast, please show your support by leaving a rating or a little comment on Apple and by clicking follow on Spotify, I’d be so thankful. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 Aug 202149min

Topics covered : Tragic accident, trauma, grief.This week I speak to mother, wife and nurse Geraldine Mullan.Originally from Galway, Geraldine met John Mullan from Moville, Donegal in 2010. 2 years later they were married and lived a very happy life together with their two children Tomás and Amelia, until a devastating accident changed everything.On the 20th of August last year, a family day out ended in a nightmare when their car crashed into Lough Foyle.John (49), Tomás (14) and Amelia (6) tragically all lost their lives while Geraldine miraculously survived.In this conversation she talks about how she misses them every single day, the support from her family, friends and the local community and the ‘Mullan Hope Centre’, which recently opened to honour the memory of her gorgeous family.This was an incredibly challenging conversation for Geraldine for obvious reasons, but her strength and composure are remarkable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29 Juli 202157min