1 in 5 mothers, 1 in 10 fathers

Following our episode with Sophie Walker of Australian Birth Stories, who shared her traumatic first birth experience, this season's final roundtable discussion unpacks how the mental and physical toll of a birth not going to plan can extend well beyond that day.

To discuss birth trauma and why communication could be key in avoiding it, host Davina Smith is joined by Dr Peter Wood, obstetrician and gynaecologist who has delivered more than 3,000 babies, who shares his message of healing for mothers feeling that they are 'broken', and Katie Peterson, clinical team leader and psychologist from Gidget Foundation, who explains why good mental health is such a crucial part of recovering from birth trauma.

Birth is often painted as a moment of pure joy, but what happens when the reality is far more complicated? In this deeply personal episode, Sophie Walker shares her journey through birth trauma, unexpected interventions, and the road to recovery.

From her meticulously planned birth plan unravelling in the delivery room amid worried family, to the emotional and physical toll, Sophie opens up about the challenges so many mothers face, but few discuss.

Host Davina Smith also explores the importance of education and community support through Sophie’s podcast, ‘Australian Birth Stories’.

When does 'older' motherhood begin, and why does the outdated label geriatric pregnancy still haunt women in their 30s and 40s? In this insightful roundtable, Dr Leah Hechtman (PhD), naturopathic clinician, joins clinical psychologist Dr Felicity Chandler from the Gidget Foundation to unpack the complex interplay of biology, age, and mental health on the path to parenthood.

From the surprising role of sperm quality in placental health to why sleep deprivation sabotages egg quality, Leah shares cutting-edge science rarely discussed in clinics. Meanwhile, Felicity tackles the hidden emotional toll, why phrases like "your body's failing you" cut so deep, and how to reframe self-talk when conception struggles feel isolating.

At 47, Sheila - high-performance coach, former CEO, and self-proclaimed "late bloomer" - finally held her miracle baby in her arms. But the road to motherhood was anything but conventional.

In this deeply personal episode, Sheila shares her extraordinary journey of hope, heartbreak, and divine intervention, from freezing her eggs at 38 during a devastating breakup, to meeting her soulmate Tyson during lockdown, to surviving seven rounds of IVF before turning to donor eggs.

Having a baby is life-changing, but so is the financial shock that comes with it. In this candid roundtable with personal finance expert Kate Browne from Compare Club and Gidget Clinical Psychologist Alicia Moss, we tackle the money fears no one warns you about, from navigating paid parental leave (without missing superannuation) to surviving the cost-of-living crisis with a newborn. We discuss the hidden expenses that blindside even the most prepared parents, including the real cost of raising a child and why that terrifying ‘$1 million’ figure isn’t the full story.

When Luke - a musician, performer, and devoted dad - found himself lying on the floor in tears, overwhelmed by the weight of fatherhood, he faced a silent battle many men never admit to: postnatal depression. In this raw and deeply personal conversation, Luke shares how the arrival of his twins, and the pressure to be the "strong" provider, left him feeling lost, guilty, and unable to speak up. From the chaos of emergency C-sections to the identity crisis of trading rap lyrics for nappy changes, Luke breaks down the stigma around men's mental health with host Davina Smith.

In this roundtable discussion, host Davina Smith explores the realities of young parenthood with Dr Arianne Reis from Young Well Being’s and psychologist Dr Felicity Chandler from the Gidget Foundation. They share insights on the mental health challenges young parents face, the intersection of adolescence and matrescence, and how societal stereotypes often overlook the resilience of young families. Hear powerful stories of young mums reclaiming their narrative, from battling isolation to pursuing education and careers while parenting. This conversation highlights why support, not judgment, can make all the difference.

From a cheeky Snapchat message to raising two daughters under three, Georgia and Zac's story is raw, hilarious, and deeply relatable. In this episode, they open up about falling in love fast, becoming parents before they felt "ready", and the emotional highs and lows of navigating pregnancy, birth, and postpartum in their 20s.

Georgia shares what it was like giving birth to a surprise breech baby, the mental toll of a second pregnancy while parenting a toddler, and the guilt of feeling like she "missed" nine months of her eldest's life. Zach offers a rare glimpse into modern fatherhood, from the helplessness of early labour to learning that sometimes, the best support is just listening.

Join Davina Smith as she zooms out from individual stories to tackle the complex world of fertility struggles. Joined by Fertility specialist Dr Lionel Reyftmann and Psychologist Matt Aquilina from Gidget Foundation Australia, this conversation explores the tyranny of statistics and the mental marathon of treatment, but also, the impact of celebrity narratives and the quiet grief many can carry.

You may know her as the bright, bubbly Wiggle lighting up stages for kids across the country, but behind the scenes, Caterina Mete was on a deeply personal mission: to become a mum, on her own terms.

In this heartfelt episode, Caterina opens up to Davina about the emotional rollercoaster of choosing solo motherhood and going through IVF alone. She talks about the unexpected comfort she found in connecting with other solo mums, the pressure to stay positive in the face of uncertainty, and the power of choosing joy — even when the journey is scary.

Thanks to Homb for making this episode possible. To learn more about Homb’s services, visit homb.com.au.

Join host Davina Smith, Paediatrician Dr Golly, and Registered Psychologist at the Gidget Foundation Matt Aquilina as they unpack the pressure men feel to be the “fixer,” how fatherhood can stir up old wounds, and why many dads feel emotionally sidelined just when they’re needed most. But they also go deeper, into the part of parenting no one talks about at the baby shower: how intimacy between partners often shifts after birth.

For Frank, becoming a dad wasn’t just life-changing, it was life-defining. But instead of joy, early fatherhood brought his past crashing to the surface. In this raw and revealing episode, Frank shares how buried trauma and the fear of vulnerability led him down a path of addiction, and how hitting rock bottom forced him to make the most difficult choice of his life: keep running or fight for his sons.

Hosted by Davina Smith, this powerful conversation peels back the layers of what it means to be a father carrying unspoken pain, and how healing often starts with speaking up.

Gidget Foundation Australia has created a series of books called ‘Bunny Books’ to reach out to those that may be suffering. Available through booktopia here.

What happens when parenthood triggers your deepest wounds? In this vulnerable and vital roundtable conversation, host Davina Smith unpacks the complex journey of becoming a parent as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. With guests Tara Hunter from FullStop Australia, alongside Gidget Psychologist Dr Martina Zangger, they explore the invisible triggers of parenthood, breaking generational cycles, and moving from fear to empowerment.

If you’ve been impacted by sexual, domestic or family violence, contact FullStop on their website here, or call 1800 FULL STOP.

Dusk Liney grew up thinking she needed to be ‘fixed’ before she could become a mother. A survivor of childhood sexual assault, she tells Davina how she carried the weight of shame, silence, and fractured trust. She shares the painful paradox of parenting with trauma, the moment she realised motherhood wasn't about perfection, and the radical act of letting love take over.

In this powerful roundtable conversation, host Davina Smith sits down with the CEO & Director of Disability Maternity Care, and Gidget Psychologist Dr Erin Seeto to unpack the challenges of parenting when the world isn’t built for you. Together, they explore the daily adaptations no one warns you about, how to navigate healthcare systems that underestimate parents with a disability, breaking stereotypes, and the joy of raising kids who see ability differently.

Learn more about Disability Maternity care on their website here.

Need support? The team at Gidget Foundation Australia has your back. Head to their website here for more information.

Australia’s most decorated Paralympian, Ellie Cole, thought she knew what success felt like. Until, she held her son Felix for the first time. Speaking with host Davina Smith, she opens up about the emotional roller-coaster of IVF and miscarriage, how parenthood and living with a disability have surprising similarities, and how motherhood challenged her identity more than any competition did.

Ellie’s book, ‘Felix and His Fantastic Friends’ is available now on Amazon and any good book store. You can find Ellie on Instagram here._‍

Thanks to Homb for making this episode possible. To learn more about Homb’s services, visit homb.com.au.