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
22 episodes
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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32:38
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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24:42
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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21:36
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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21:14
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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16:38
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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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29:11
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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24:20
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...
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17:51
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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35:51
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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31:22
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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22:36
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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28:06
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
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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32:12
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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34:32
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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9:34
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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40:12
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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33:14
The Placenta: The Unsung Hero of Pregnancy
In this episode Rangi and Ali welcome their very first guest to Prepare, Professor Stephen Tong! Prof Tong is a specialist obstetrician at the Mercy Hospital for Women, Professor at The University of Melbourne, Co-Director of Mercy Perinatal an...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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34:54
Choosing Your Path: Options in Pregnancy Care Models
So you've had a positive pregnancy test, and your GP has confirmed that you're pregnant... what now? Ali and Rangi discuss the different pathways of receiving antenatal care, what each model is, who is the primary team, and the pros and cons of...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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27:53
Building a Healthy Foundation: The Importance of Antenatal Care
So why exactly does your medical team want to keep seeing you in your pregnancy for appointments? Rangi and Ali discuss all the different things the medical team get up to in your appointment and behind the scenes to ensure you and your baby ar...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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22:31
I Just Peed on a Stick... What Now?
So you've just found out your pregnant through a home pregnancy test (or planning for this step) - what comes next? Listen in as Ali and Rangi discuss the next steps, including making that first GP appointment, taking vitamins, and sharing the ...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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13:18
Welcome to Prepare: Our Journeys
"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...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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17:23