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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 stage, also called physiological or expectant management
• Postpartum bleeding/haemorrhage
• Cutting of umbilical cord

Stay tuned for the next episode, where Rangi and Erica take a deep dive into Stage 4 of Labour (recovery and bonding with baby).

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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 position and heart rate
• Birthing persons positions
• Duration of second stage and contributing factors
• Pushing
• The urge to open bowels (poo)
• Maternal Exhaustion
• When intervention may be required
• Meeting baby - getting involved

Stay tuned for the next episode, where Rangi and Erica take a deep dive into Stage 3 of Labour (bonding with baby and delivery of placenta).

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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 episode include:

• Contractions
• Waters breaking
• When to contact your healthcare provider/present to hospital
• Pain relief options
• Transition, the final, most intense part of active labor

Stay tuned for the next episode, where Rangi and Erica take a deep dive into Stage 2 of Labour (meeting your baby).

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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 this episode include:

• Nesting
• Braxton Hicks contractions
• Prioritising self-care
• Changes to the cervix (thinning and shortening)
• Mucous plug and discharge
• Key hormones, including oxytocin and melatonin
• Contractions
• Other symptoms that may occur during this stage
• When to contact your healthcare provider for advice

Stay tuned for the next episode, where Rangi and Erica take a deep dive into the next phase of Stage 1- Active Labour - so you know what to expect every step of the way.

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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 Stage: Active Labour
• Second Stage
• Third Stage
• Fourth Stage

Stay tuned for upcoming episodes, where each stage is explored in greater detail so you know what to expect every step of the way.

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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.

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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. music, scents, lighting)
• Support people during labour
• Medical interventions - being informed and making choices
• Postpartum considerations, such as skin-to-skin contact
• Care for other children during birth

Above all, they emphasise that it's perfectly okay to deviate from your birth plan. Think of it as a guide, not a script.

Also mentioned in this episode is The Birth Book by Professor Stephen Tong — a helpful resource to prepare for the big day. You can find out more about it here.

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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, they’ll remind you why your healthcare provider should always be your go-to source for the real facts.

Here are the resources mentioned in the episode:

Mercy Perinatal

Raising Children Network

The Royal Women's Hospital: A-Z Fact Sheets

Red Nose: What is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?

RANZCOG: Resource Hub

ACM: Australian College of Midwives