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
30 episodes
The Active Glow: Exercising Safely During Pregnancy: Part 2
“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 Rang...
The Active Glow: Exercising Safely During Pregnancy: Part 1
"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 b...
Cleared for Takeoff? Flying in Pregnancy
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...
Every Sample Counts: How Patients Power Pregnancy Research
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 an...
The Reveal: Discovering Your Baby's Sex
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?...
When Endometriosis Meets Pregnancy: Part 2
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 focus...
When Endometriosis Meets Pregnancy: Part 1
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 focus...
The Stages of Labour: Stage 4
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...
The Stages of Labour: Stage 3
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...
The Stages of Labour: Stage 2
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 wh...
The Stages of Labour: Stage 1 - Early (Active) Labour
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 fir...
The Stages of Labour: Stage 1 - Early (Latent) Labour
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 stag...
The Stages of Labour: Overview
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 fi...
The Pregnancy Dictionary: Part 2
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 ...
The Flexible Birth Plan: Your Guide, Not Your Script
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...
Filtering the Noise: Strategies for Navigating Pregnancy Information Overload
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 misdiag...
Navigating Loss: Miscarriage
In this episode, Ali is joined again by guest co-host, Professor Sue Walker AO, maternal fetal medicine sub-specialist at the Mercy Hospital for Women, and Co-Director of Mercy Perinatal.Ali and Sue discuss Miscarriage and address key q...
Small Beginnings: Understanding Fetal Growth Restriction
In this episode, Ali is joined again by guest co-host, Professor Sue Walker AO, maternal fetal medicine sub-specialist at the Mercy Hospital for Women, and Co-Director of Mercy Perinatal.Ali and Sue discuss Fetal Growth Restriction answ...
COVID-19 Awareness for Expectant Mothers: Staying Informed and Prepared
In this episode, Ali is joined by guest co-host, Professor Sue Walker AO, maternal fetal medicine sub-specialist at the Mercy Hospital for Women, and Co-Director of Mercy Perinatal.Ali and Sue discuss COVID-19 in pregnancy and labour an...
Protecting Your Pregnancy: Managing cCMV Risk Factors
In this episode Ali and Rangi chat with Professor Lisa Hui about Congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV), and discuss what is cCMV, how it is contracted, and what it means for your pregnancy and your child later in life, and also what actions you can...
Preeclampsia 101
In this episode Rangi and Ali welcome back Professor Stephen Tong to Prepare. Prof Tong is a specialist obstetrician at the Mercy Hospital for Women, Professor at The University of Melbourne, Co-Director of Mercy Perinatal and author of
Life's Little Soundtrack: Exploring Fetal Monitoring
In this episode, Ali and Rangi chat with Associate Professor Fiona Brownfoot about Fetal Monitoring, and discuss key points, including:What is Fetal Monitoring?Why does my baby need Fetal Monitoring?What does Fetal...
The Pregnancy Dictionary: Part 1
Trimesters, placenta, term, uterus, cervix, gestation, vernix, amniotic sac, prenatal, antenatal, postnatal, perinatal... oh my!In this episode, Ali and Rangi go over and break down some common terms you'll hear on your pregnancy journe...
A Window into Your Baby's Health: Understanding Genetic Screening
In this episode Ali and Rangi chat with Associate Professor Lisa Hui about Genetic Screening, and discuss what is screened, how screening occurs and when, the costs associated with screening, and follow up testing that may occur.A/Prof ...
Sacred Earth, Sacred Birth: Birthing on Country
In this special episode, we welcome Professor Catherine Chamberlain, descendent of the Trawlwoolway people of Tasmania (Palawa), registered midwife and public health researcher to discuss the importance and logistics of "birthing on country" fo...