The Memo: On Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine for Pregnancy, Labour & Postpartum

with Private Midwife + Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Kate from The Mamas Alchemist

This week, Lauretta sits down with Kate — a privately practising midwife, Chinese medicine practitioner, and mum of two — for a beautiful, honest conversation on how Eastern medicine can support women across pregnancy, labour and postpartum.

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The Memo on: What I wish women knew about birth + trusting your gut

In this bonus episode #08 -  I’m sharing part of a talk I gave at a local event in Ballarat ‘The Wisdom She weaves’ by the very inspiring Sarah from LOTS financial planning. The topic was What I Wish Women Knew — and in this episode, I’m sharing;

• What I wish women knew about Birth

• What I wish women knew about self advocacy & trusting your Gut (for birth & life!)

• I also share a bit about my own experience as a Midwife & learning to hold less tightly to what I couldn't control & to focus on my small circle of influence in a micro way - which might be helpful for my fellow Midwives:)

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The Memo on: Perinatal & Birth Trauma - what it is, how it can present & how to get support

Episode Title: Understanding Perinatal and Birth Trauma with Fiona Rogerson

• What birth and perinatal trauma really means — and why it’s not just about “bad births”

• How trauma is rooted in a lack of safety (not disappointment or unmet expectations)

• The full perinatal spectrum: how trauma can arise during conception, pregnancy, birth or postpartum

• The nervous system's role in how we experience trauma — and how symptoms can show up emotionally, physically, cognitively, and behaviourally

• Common but misunderstood signs of trauma, including “mum rage”, avoidance, panic, or disconnect

• How partners can also experience trauma, and what that might look like

• The overlap between trauma and mental health — and why both need attention

• How trauma affects relationships and parenting, even years down the line

• What kind of therapy works — and why EMDR and somatic approaches can be game changers

• What to look for when finding a practitioner

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The Memo on: A Hospital Birth + A Home-birth

In this episode, I’m joined by Gemma — a mum of two — who shares her two birth stories: her first in an MGP program & a hospital, assisted birth during Melbourne’s 2020 lockdown, and a slower, calm, home-birth in a publicly funded home birth program with her second.

We talk about;

• What she would go back and tell her first time birthing self

• Dealing with a posterior labour, her experience with an epidural and staying ‘in’ labour with one

• Dealing with Birth trauma & how it can be stored in the body

• Navigating getting on the same page with your partner around birth choices

• The difference between her hospital and home-birth

• Why expectations can be the enemy

• Gemma’s Memo moment & key takeaway for other birthing women

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The Memo on: Birth Plans

In this episode, I’m diving deep into something that often stirs up mixed opinions: birth plans. You’ve probably heard the phrase “you can’t plan birth,” but that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare — and that’s exactly what this episode is about.

We explore;

• What a birth plan actually is & why it can be a powerful tool

• What the research says about their impact

• Why creating one with your care provider is key

• What to include

• How to make it nice and clear

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The Memo on Vaginal Breech Birth: One Midwife’s personal story
In this episode of Midwife Memos, I speak with Sarah — a midwife, lactation consultant and mum of four — about the vaginal breech birth of her third baby.

We explore:

• What a breech presentation is and why there are very few skilled birth attendees who will support vaginal breech birth

• Options for turning a breech baby (ECV, moxibustion, bodywork)

• What the evidence says about vaginal breech birth

• Navigating the system as a midwife and birthing woman

• The power of advocacy & the right support team

• Sarah’s powerful vaginal breech birth story

Sarah’s story is raw, honest and full of wisdom for anyone facing unexpected turns in pregnancy and birth.

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In this heartfelt and educational episode of The Midwife Memos, Lauretta shares her personal experiences with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) and dives into all things nausea & vomiting in pregnancy & HG. She explores the differences between NVP and HG, diagnosis & management options, mental health support, recovery tips postpartum, planning a pregnancy after HG and her favourite resources.

My hope is that this chat will help raise awareness, help women and birthing people advocate for themselves, and highlight that suffering is not something you just have to accept.

In this episode, we cover:

• What’s the difference between NVP and HG?

• Causes and diagnosis

• Lauretta’s personal experiences across two pregnancies

• Management and support options

• The emotional and psychological impacts of HG

• Recovery and postpartum care after HG

• Helpful resources for those currently navigating NVP or HG

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In this episode, I’m joined by Midwife Tayla, who shares her experiences as a midwife, mum, and business owner of Hatchling Store where she supports women through birth prep, education and TENS machine hire. We chat about:

• Tayla’s birth stories – including her husband missing the birth of their second baby

• What a TENS machine is and how it works for pain relief in labour

• How to use a TENS for all types of births, including inductions

• Common myths & misconceptions about TENS machines

• Essential items for your hospital or birth bag

• Tayla’s ‘Memo Moment’ – her biggest lesson for birth preparation

If you’re wondering whether a TENS machine could be helpful for your birth, this episode is packed with practical tips, real-life insights, and expert advice to help you decide.

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One of the biggest decisions you’ll make in pregnancy is one you might not even realise you’re making early on—who will care for you and where you’ll give birth.

Your care provider and birth setting have a huge impact on your labour and birth experience, but many women make this choice without knowing how different care models affect their chances of interventions, inductions, or spontaneous vaginal birth.

In this episode, we’re breaking down the latest AIHW data on birth outcomes across public and private hospitals, birth centres, and home births, plus what research tells us about midwifery-led care vs. obstetric-led care.

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In this first episode, we’re having a little coffee date!

I’m sharing my journey into birth education, my personal experiences with pregnancy and birth (including hyperemesis and two powerful births), and why I’m so passionate about informed choice.

Plus, I introduce my Memorable & Messy segment, reflecting on the bittersweet transition of my youngest starting school.

Listen now to get to know me and what The Midwife Memos is all about!

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