Prepare
“Prepare” is the Mercy Perinatal podcast dedicated to helping parents prepare for the journey of pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenthood. “Prepare” is hosted by Dr Rangi De Silva (specialist female obstetrician and gynaecologist) and Alison Abboud (registered midwife and nurse) who are joined by special guests along the way. We know that becoming a parent can be an exciting but daunting experience. We've created this podcast to provide parents with the information and resources they need to feel confident and prepared every step of the way. Our expert hosts and guests will share their evidence-based knowledge and experience on topics ranging from pre-conception, pregnancy, birth and postpartum. We want to empower parents with the tools and knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their pregnancy and baby's health. We are thrilled for you to join us on this exciting journey of parenthood with "Prepare."
Episodes
In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined by midwife Erica Spessot as they continue their six-part series exploring the stages of labour, right through to your baby’s Birth Day.
This episode focuses on the third stage of labour. It explores the delivery of the placenta and cutting of the umbilical cord.
Topics covered in this episode include:
- Delivery of Placenta
- active management (with medical intervention)
- natural third s...
In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined by midwife Erica Spessot as they continue their six-part series exploring the stages of labour, right through to your baby’s Birth Day.
This episode focuses on the second stage of labour. It explores what Erica describes as the "TV show end", where you will be pushing and finally meeting your baby.
Topics covered in this episode include:
- 10cm Dilation of Cervix
- Baby's po...
In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined by midwife Erica Spessot as they continue their six-part series exploring the stages of labour, right through to your baby’s Birth Day.
This episode focuses on the early (active) phase of the first stage of labour. It explores what is happening from when the contractions "are long, strong, regular and here to stay", right up until it is time to push.
Topics covered in this epi...
In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined by midwife Erica Spessot as they continue their six-part series exploring the stages of labour, right through to your baby’s Birth Day.
This episode focuses on the early (latent) phase of the first stage of labour. It explores the lead-up to pushing, which can begin days- or even weeks- before birth, as your body prepares and starts giving you signs of what’s to come.
Topics covered in t...
In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined by midwife Erica Spessot to kick off a six-part series exploring the stages of labour, all the way to your baby’s Birth Day.
This 16-minute overview walks through every stage of labour, from the very first contraction to recovery and bonding with your baby, highlighting the key moments in between.
The Stages of Labour series includes:
- Overview
- First Stage: Latent (Early) Labour
- First St...
We are back for Season 2! In this episode, our host Rangi is joined by producer Sarah (and Mum of 2) to discuss her pregnancy journey and define some key terms that occurred in her pregnancies, such as:
- NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
- Cholestasis
- Induction of Labour
We’ll be diving deeper into each of these terms in later episodes throughout the season.
In this episode, Ali and Rangi discuss birth plans — and more importantly, the value of having a flexible birth plan.
They cover the essentials of creating a birth plan, starting with the reminder that there’s no one right way to do it. Your birth plan can be as general or as detailed as you like — it’s entirely up to you.
Key points they explore include:
- Pain management options
- Labour and delivery environment (e.g. musi...
In this episode, Ali and Rangi discuss information overload during pregnancy.
They explore the benefits of social media, such as finding a sense of community, while also highlighting the dangers, including misinformation and misdiagnosis.
They also share tips on handling both solicited and unsolicited advice from well-meaning family members and provide guidance on where to find reliable information.
Most importantly, the...
In this episode, Ali is joined again by guest co-host, Professor Sue Walker AO, maternal fetal medicine sub-specialist at the Mercy Hospital for Women, and Co-Director of Mercy Perinatal.
Ali and Sue discuss Miscarriage and address key questions, such as:
- What is Miscarriage? Why do they occur?
- What is the treatment for a Miscarriage?
- What is involved in the recovery of a Miscarriage?
- What does this mean for fut...
In this episode, Ali is joined again by guest co-host, Professor Sue Walker AO, maternal fetal medicine sub-specialist at the Mercy Hospital for Women, and Co-Director of Mercy Perinatal.
Ali and Sue discuss Fetal Growth Restriction answer your burning questions, such as:
- What is Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR)?
- How is FGR detected?
- What are the causes of FGR?
- Can FGR be prevented?
- What happens once my baby has be...
In this episode, Ali is joined by guest co-host, Professor Sue Walker AO, maternal fetal medicine sub-specialist at the Mercy Hospital for Women, and Co-Director of Mercy Perinatal.
Ali and Sue discuss COVID-19 in pregnancy and labour and answer your burning questions, such as:
- What does a COVID-19 infection mean for me and my baby?
- Are COVID-19 vaccines safe in pregnancy?
- Do I need to tell my healthcare provid...
In this episode Ali and Rangi chat with Professor Lisa Hui about Congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV), and discuss what is cCMV, how it is contracted, and what it means for your pregnancy and your child later in life, and also what actions you can take to prevent it.
Prof Lisa Hui is a maternal fetal medicine specialist with research interests in cell-free fetal nucleic acids, prenatal screening and diagnosis. She ...
In this episode Rangi and Ali welcome back Professor Stephen Tong to Prepare. Prof Tong is a specialist obstetrician at the Mercy Hospital for Women, Professor at The University of Melbourne, Co-Director of Mercy Perinatal and author of The Birth Book.
With Prof Tong, the team discuss Preeclampsia, what is it, how common is it, what does a diagnosis mean for you and your baby, how is it treated, what are the sym...
In this episode, Ali and Rangi chat with Associate Professor Fiona Brownfoot about Fetal Monitoring, and discuss key points, including:
- What is Fetal Monitoring?
- Why does my baby need Fetal Monitoring?
- What does Fetal Monitoring involve? What are the different methods?
- When does Fetal Monitoring start in a pregnancy?
- How long does it take?
- What does the future look like for Fetal Monitoring?
Trimesters, placenta, term, uterus, cervix, gestation, vernix, amniotic sac, prenatal, antenatal, postnatal, perinatal... oh my!
In this episode, Ali and Rangi go over and break down some common terms you'll hear on your pregnancy journey.
In this episode Ali and Rangi chat with Associate Professor Lisa Hui about Genetic Screening, and discuss what is screened, how screening occurs and when, the costs associated with screening, and follow up testing that may occur.
A/Prof Lisa Hui is a maternal fetal medicine specialist with research interests in cell-free fetal nucleic acids, prenatal screening and diagnosis. She is Associate Professor in the Dep...
In this special episode, we welcome Professor Catherine Chamberlain, descendent of the Trawlwoolway people of Tasmania (Palawa), registered midwife and public health researcher to discuss the importance and logistics of "birthing on country" for indigenous people. In this episode, Ali is joined by guest co-host, Professor Sue Walker AO, maternal fetal medicine sub-specialist at the Mercy Hospital for Women, and...
So you've had a positive pregnancy test, and your GP has confirmed that you're pregnant... what now? Ali and Rangi discuss the different pathways of receiving antenatal care, what each model is, who is the primary team, and the pros and cons of each model of care (including expected costs). Join us as the team navigates you through the different options.
In this episode Rangi and Ali welcome their very first guest to Prepare, Professor Stephen Tong! Prof Tong is a specialist obstetrician at the Mercy Hospital for Women, Professor at The University of Melbourne, Co-Director of Mercy Perinatal and author of The Birth Book.
With Prof Tong, the team discuss the Placenta, what is it, why is it so important, and what can you do with it once your baby is born.
So you've just found out your pregnant through a home pregnancy test (or planning for this step) - what comes next? Listen in as Ali and Rangi discuss the next steps, including making that first GP appointment, taking vitamins, and sharing the news with your support network.
Please note that this episode briefly mentions miscarriage/pregnancy loss, which can be distressing to some listeners. Resources are a...
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