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 Melanie Francis, Clinical Midwifery Educator and Head of Operations ANZ for GynZone.
Together, Rangi and Mel take a deep dive into the important - and often daunting - topic of perineal tears.
- They explain what perineal tears are, why they happen, and the factors that can increase the risk of tearing during birth.
- They also discuss practical strategies that may hel...
In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined again by pelvic floor physiotherapist and researcher Professor Helena Frawley to explore the pelvic floor, why it matters, and how to keep it healthy before, during, and after pregnancy.
This is the first of a two-part series. In this episode Rangi and Helena discuss:
- How the Pelvic Floor changes in Birth and Postpartum
- What is common and normal after birth
- How we can improve symp...
" We encourage women to do the exercises during pregnancy because when you contract a muscle and relax it, it becomes more under your control, so you actually have a better ability to contract and relax when you need it to relax. It also improves the blood supply to the muscles, so they're healthier muscles."
In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined by pelvic floor physiotherapist and researcher Professor Helena Frawley t...
Preparing for birth and parenthood can feel overwhelming, especially when you're not quite sure what to expect. In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined by Stefanie Pascolo, clinical midwife at Mercy Perinatal and education midwife with Parent Education at the Mercy Hospital for Women, to demystify parent education classes and explain how they can help you feel informed, confident and prepared for the journey ahead.
Toget...
In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined again by Dr Laura Whitburn, a physiotherapist-turned-researcher and Senior Lecturer at La Trobe University with a special interest in improving the experience of labour pain and intrapartum communication.
In the second episode of this two-part conversation, Rangi and Laura explore:
- What to look for when searching for information and resources for your birth goals
- Why it’s i...
"What strategies are in your power all the time that you can use whenever you need them? And then what strategies have you got where you might need a little help or support to enact them?"
In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined by Dr Laura Whitburn, a physiotherapist-turned-researcher and Senior Lecturer at La Trobe University with a special interest in improving the experience of labour pain and intrapartum communicati...
“It’s very personalised - there’s absolutely no ‘one size fits all’. You have to look at the couple or person in front of you and take everything into account.”
In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined once again by fertility specialist Dr Sylvia Ross for an insightful conversation exploring Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).
"By going to see a fertility specialist - you're already doing everything that you can do, and you need to take some comfort in that and give yourself a break"
In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined by fertility specialist Dr Sylvia Ross for an insightful conversation about fertility and infertility.
Dr Sylvia Ross is a highly experienced Women’s Health specialist who has spent more than a decade helping individual...
“Doing anything is better than doing nothing. Feel reassured that anything you can do within the limits of what your obstetrician or doctor has prescribed, is going to be good for you and the baby”
In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined again by pelvic floor physiotherapist and researcher Professor Helena Frawley, to discuss exercise in pregnancy, labour, postpartum and beyond.
This topic has been split into ...
"The fitter you go into pregnancy and labour, the fitter you are postnatally, which means you will cope better with all of the stresses, and strains, and pressures of having a newborn"
In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined by pelvic floor physiotherapist and researcher Professor Helena Frawley, to discuss exercise in pregnancy, labour, postpartum and beyond.
This topic will be split into 2 episodes, in this episode Rang...
In this episode, our host Rangi is joined by producer Sarah (and mum of two) to discuss flying during pregnancy. They cover safety for mum and baby, potential risks, practical tips and advice, the recommended cut‑off for flying, when you should obtain a doctor’s note, what happens if you feel unwell during a flight, and other key aspects of travelling while pregnant.
Stay tuned for more topics as we continue to...
In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined by scientist and pregnancy researcher Dr Lucy Bartho to discuss research in pregnancy.
A core component of Mercy Perinatal and it's mission to bring Mum's and Bub's home safely is research. Here Lucy and Rangi cover:
- Journey of a pregnancy researcher
- Some success stories from our research
- Why is pregnancy research so important?
- What types of research are undertaken at the Mercy Hos...
In this episode, our host Rangi is joined by producer Sarah (and Mum of 2) to discuss finding out (or not finding out) your baby's sex. Other points covered in this episode include:
- What is the difference between sex and gender?
- The different ways to find out the sex
- Home kits - are they worthwhile?
- What to do if you don't want to know the sex
- And old wives' tales - is there any truth there?
Stay tuned for more t...
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness of this chronic disease, which affects around 1 in 7 women (approximately 10%). Because endometriosis can take years to diagnose, this month focuses on increasing recognition of the condition, reducing delays in diagnosis, and promoting faster access to appropriate care. It also aims to ensure that people living with endometri...
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness of this chronic disease, which affects around 1 in 7 women (approximately 10%). Because endometriosis can take years to diagnose, this month focuses on increasing recognition of the condition, reducing delays in diagnosis, and promoting faster access to appropriate care. It also aims to ensure that people living with endometri...
In this episode, Dr Rangi is once again joined by midwife Erica Spessot as they conclude their six-part series exploring the stages of labour.
This episode focuses on the fourth and final stage of labour. It includes the bonding with your baby - the golden hour, contracting of the uterus, hormones, the start of breastfeeding, monitoring you and your baby, resting, going home, and the next steps.
Next week, in ho...
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)
- natu...
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 positi...
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 th...
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.
To...
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