The Pregnancy Diaries with Midwives Amanda and Jess

Amanda and Jess

The Pregnancy Diaries is your intimate, expert-guided journey from pre-conception to birth and everything in between. Think of it as your audio diary - part diary, part guidance for every stage of your journey - where we share the real, the raw, and the reassuring: the thoughts you would normally keep tucked away, alongside clear, evidence-based insight every woman deserves. From understanding what's happening in your body (and why) to navigating the emotional highs and lows of each stage, we bring honesty, clarity, and comfort to every step of your pregnancy journey.

  1. Oct 27

    Episode 49 | Newborn Sleep, Feeding & Parenting Confidence with Claire | Part 2

    This episode of the Pregnancy Diaries Podcast is proudly brought to you by Mumilk 🤍 Mumilk is passionate about supporting mums on their breastfeeding and expressing journey, with products designed to make feeding your baby that little bit easier. From hands-free pumping to helping mums find flexibility in their busy lives, Mumilk understands that every feeding journey looks different. We’re so grateful to have Mumilk supporting the Pregnancy Diaries Podcast and helping us continue to share real, raw and evidence-based conversations about pregnancy, birth and motherhood. Are you ever left wondering whether your baby is sleeping enough, feeding well or crying more than they should? You're definitely not alone. In Part 2 of our conversation with Claire Andrews from Safe Hands Parenting, we dive into some of the biggest worries new parents experience, from newborn sleep and settling to feeding concerns and knowing when to seek extra support. We also talk about the pressure parents put on themselves to instinctively know what to do, how partners can better support new mums, and why there is no such thing as having to get everything right. Claire shares insights from her work as a maternal and child health nurse and midwife, along with information about the support available through Safe Hands Parenting, including private appointments and the Safe Hands app. This is your reminder that asking for help is not a sign of failure. You deserve support, reassurance and the confidence to find your feet as a parent. In this episode, we cover: What is realistic when it comes to newborn sleep• Practical ways to support settling• Signs your baby is feeding well• When to seek professional advice• Parental overwhelm and adjusting to motherhood• How partners can support new mums• Common newborn misconceptions• How Safe Hands Parenting supports families• Advice for anxious expectant parents Find Claire at @safehandsparenting to explore her services and resources. Follow the Pregnancy Diaries Podcast for more evidence-based, honest conversations about pregnancy, birth and life with a baby.

  2. Oct 20

    Episode 48 | The Fourth Trimester: What Parents Need To Know With Claire From Safe Hands Parenting

    This episode of the Pregnancy Diaries Podcast is proudly brought to you by Mumilk 🤍 Mumilk is passionate about supporting mums on their breastfeeding and expressing journey, with products designed to make feeding your baby that little bit easier. From hands-free pumping to helping mums find flexibility in their busy lives, Mumilk understands that every feeding journey looks different. Bringing your baby home is one of the most incredible moments of your life, but it can also be overwhelming, exhausting and completely different to what you expected. In Part 1 of this conversation, we are joined by Claire Andrews from Safe Hands Parenting, a maternal and child health nurse, midwife and mum, to talk about navigating those early weeks of parenthood. We chat about what parents need to know before bringing their baby home, the biggest challenges families face in the first six to twelve weeks, why newborns can become unsettled, and how to recognise your baby's cues. Whether you're preparing for your first baby or already in the thick of newborn life, this episode is full of honest conversations and practical insights to help you feel more confident as you navigate this new chapter. Because no one should have to figure out those early days alone. In this episode, we cover: What to expect during the fourth trimester• The biggest challenges in the first few weeks• Why newborns can be unsettled, especially in the evenings• Understanding your baby's cues and needs• Navigating the transition into parenthood Find Claire at @safehandsparenting for more support and information for families in early parenthood. Follow the Pregnancy Diaries Podcast for more real, raw and honest conversations about pregnancy, birth and motherhood.

  3. Oct 13

    Episode 47 | Sex After Birth: Pain, Healing, Hormones & Your Pelvic Floor with Chloe

    This episode of Pregnancy Diaries is brought to you by MuMilk, the hands free breast pump designed to fit seamlessly into busy mum life. We love MuMilk because it means you can pump while getting on with your day, whether that’s looking after your little one, heading out and about, or even recording a podcast episode! Sex After Birth: Pain, Healing, Hormones & Your Pelvic Floor Sex after birth is something so many women have questions about, but it isn’t always talked about openly. In this episode of Pregnancy Diaries, we’re joined by Chloe Peters, a pelvic floor physiotherapist, for an honest conversation about returning to sex after having a baby. We talk about when it’s safe to have sex, why sex can be painful after birth, how tears and stitches can affect intimacy, the impact of breastfeeding and hormonal changes, scar tissue, pelvic floor tension and the emotional side of returning to sex after birth. We also talk about what women can do if sex hurts, when it’s time to seek help and what pelvic floor physiotherapy can actually do for sexual pain. Whether you’re newly postpartum or you’re months or even years down the track and things still don’t feel right, this is an important conversation. In this episode we discuss: ​ When it’s safe to have sex after birth• Feeling physically and emotionally ready• Why sex can hurt after birth• Tears, stitches and scar tissue• Breastfeeding and vaginal dryness• Pelvic floor tension• Fear and anxiety around sex• How to make sex more comfortable• When to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist• Treatment for painful sex• Why you don’t have to accept ongoing pain after having a babyDisclaimer: This episode is for general education and information only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Every pregnancy, birth and postpartum recovery is different. If you are experiencing pain or have concerns about your sexual health or recovery, please speak with your GP, midwife, obstetrician or qualified pelvic floor physiotherapist.

  4. Oct 6

    Episode 46 | Perineal Tears: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Healing & Recovery with Chloe

    This episode of Pregnancy Diaries is brought to you by Mumilk, the hands free breast pump designed to fit seamlessly into busy mum life. We love MuMilk because it means you can pump while getting on with your day, whether that’s looking after your little one, heading out and about, or even recording a podcast episode! Perineal Tears: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Healing & Recovery In this episode of Pregnancy Diaries, we’re talking all about perineal tears and what recovery can really look like after birth. We’re joined by Chloe Peters, a pelvic floor physiotherapist, to break down the different degrees of perineal tears, what happens during healing, what those first days and weeks can feel like and what women should know about stitches, scar tissue and returning to exercise. We also chat about going to the toilet after a tear, constipation, pelvic floor exercises, when to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist and what symptoms shouldn’t simply be brushed off as part of postpartum recovery. Whether you experienced a small tear, a more significant injury or you’re pregnant and worried about tearing, this episode is packed with information to help you understand your body and know when to ask for support. In this episode we discuss: ​The different degrees of perineal tears• What happens during healing• Stitches and postpartum recovery• Going to the toilet after a tear• Constipation and straining• Scar tissue and ongoing pain• Pelvic floor physiotherapy• Returning to exercise• When symptoms aren't normal• What recovery can really look likeDisclaimer: This episode is for general education and information only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Every pregnancy, birth and postpartum recovery is different. If you have concerns about your symptoms or recovery, please speak with your GP, midwife, obstetrician or qualified pelvic floor physiotherapist.

About

The Pregnancy Diaries is your intimate, expert-guided journey from pre-conception to birth and everything in between. Think of it as your audio diary - part diary, part guidance for every stage of your journey - where we share the real, the raw, and the reassuring: the thoughts you would normally keep tucked away, alongside clear, evidence-based insight every woman deserves. From understanding what's happening in your body (and why) to navigating the emotional highs and lows of each stage, we bring honesty, clarity, and comfort to every step of your pregnancy journey.

You Might Also Like