Bump with Steph & Laura

Oversharing? Obviously. Listen to hosts and mums Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw every Thursday.

Latest Episodes:

Working through a sexless marriage & relationship issues after kids - KICBUMP with Leonie Akhidenor Jun 06, 2023

Show notes

Leonie is a mum of 2 toddlers, a podcast host, and a Relationship & Parenting Coach. Through the work she does with her own podcast 'Parenthood' speaking to mums and dads about all of the challenges parenthood brings, along with her work as a coach for many of these parents, she's gathered some extremely wise tips and advice on what to do when your relationship looks different to how it did pre-kids.

In today's KICBUMP episode, Leonie covers how to best communicate with your partner, why point scoring / tit for tat in a relationship can be problematic, how to better juggle the mental load that comes with parenting, how to celebrate the joys of parenting, what to do if you find yourself in a sexless marriage, why self care is so important and so much more.

Check out Leonie's podcast 'Parenthood' here.

Hear Steph & her husband Josh's episode on the 'Dr Golly and the Experts' podcast here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Raising your child to be empowered by their disability - KICBUMP with Hannah Vasicek May 23, 2023

Show notes

* TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses abortion. For support, contact Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 *

If you've been a KICPOD listener for a while, you may have heard the unbelievable story of two sisters Rachel & Hannah who escaped attempted human trafficking back in 2016. In today's KICBUMP episode, Hannah shares her incredible story of how her frightening pregnancy diagnoses ended up giving her the beautiful gift of her now 3 year old daughter Vienna.

During her pregnancy, Hannah's baby was diagnosed with Amniotic Band Sydnrome, and despite doctors suggesting multiple times that she shouldn't follow through with the pregnancy, Hannah stuck to what she knew was right. In this episode, she speaks about what it was like hearing the news that her baby would be born without her right arm, how she came to the decision to go ahead with her pregnancy, and how she wants to raise her daughter to feel empowered rather than limited by her disability.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"An Autism diagnoses is not devastating" - KICBUMP with Em Rusciano May 09, 2023

Show notes

Em Rusciano wears just about every hat - she's a comedian, podcast host, writer, TV presenter, singer and former radio host, but on top of all of that she's also a mum of 3. All of her children happen to be neurodiverse, and she herself was recently diagnosed with ADHD and Autism.

Em has shockingly faced public criticism for opening up about her diagnosis, with people claiming that it's for attention. In today's episode, we discuss why this is ludicrous and why we should be normalising the topic, helping mums of neurodiverse children feel more supported and also feel more comfortable getting tested themselves.

For more of Em Rusciano, check out her podcast Emsolation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A home birth with no midwives! KICBUMP with Tracey Beswick Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

Steph became friends with Tracey through their mother's group - you may remember her from a previous KICBUMP episode titled "Postpartum, poop and prams" with another friend Emma. In today's episode, Steph wanted to chat to Tracey about something that almost none of us have experienced but so many of us are curious about or at the very least fascinated by - home births.

Tracey's story is just incredible. She birthed her 4 month old son Airlie at home (which was planned), but without any midwives present (which was definitely unplanned)! Hear how she educated herself on home births, what she equipped herself with in the lead up, how she attained her midwives and her advice for any mums looking at this as an option for their birth plan.

And on another note, we love hearing your 'Toddler Tantrum Tales'! If your toddler has cracked it over something hilarious (like not being allowed to eat the dog food or crying over some broken eggs that they sat on) please send yours in to us @kicpod on Instagram. Voice notes and written messages welcome! 🥰

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Giving birth to your best friend's baby - KICBUMP with Lisa Messenger & Sarah Megginson Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

What an incredible story Lisa Messenger and her bestie Sarah Megginson share - one that initially started with heartache, where Lisa tried for a baby for 8 years and did 16 unsuccessful rounds of IVF, then becoming a magical story where during a discussion about Lisa's struggles, Sarah offered the most selfless thing a person could offer - to carry Lisa's baby for her!

With Sarah now nearly 6 months pregnant, she and Lisa share in today's episode everything that we're curious to know - the process of surrogacy, how it all came about, how it feels being pregnant with someone else's baby, and what Lisa is going to tell her unborn son when he's older. Their friendship and pregnancy journey truly is something special, and you can follow it all on their shared Instagram page @mummyatlast.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having to throw your birth plan out the window - KICBUMP with Mel Wells Mar 28, 2023

Show notes

Today's KICBUMP episode kicks off with a Harvey update from Steph, where you will not BELIEVE what he was holding in his hand. It left producer Mandy gobsmacked and Steph face palming!

We then hear from the amazing Mel Wells - an Embodied Leadership and Intimacy Coach trained in Holistic Sex, Love and Relationships, Eating Psychology and Holistic Health.

When pregnant with her now 7 month old baby Sky, Mel's plan was to have a home birth with no intervention. But when he arrived at just 30 weeks, Mel's plan had to quickly pivot to something she initially wanted to avoid completely. In today's episode, she explains how giving birth means surrendering completely and trusting western medicine even when it may not always be your first preference.

She also shares her wisdom about the importance of sex and intimacy in a relationship when becoming a parent.

Check out Mel's book ‘The Goddess Revolution; Make Peace with Food, Love your Body, Reclaim Your Life’, her podcast 'Love, Sex & Magic', and her sacred space to nurture women traversing the spiritual portal of matrescence, 'Maiden to Mother'.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When IVF doesn't work - KICBUMP with Brooke Hogan Mar 14, 2023

Show notes

* TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses miscarriage and graphic themes associated with infertility *

Thankfully for Brooke Hogan, her pregnancy dreams have now come true - expecting her first bub in July this year! But it was a rocky start for the former Australia's Next Top Model star and good friend of Steph.

In this KICBUMP episode, Brooke shares her heart wrenching story of unexplained infertility for 2 years as she and her husband tried to start a family, including unsuccessful rounds of IUI and IVF. We are taken on the emotional rollercoaster of her journey and shed tears of sadness and joy along the way. This episode gives hope to anyone struggling with their own fertility journey, and offers some advice to help support you through this time.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eating disorders during pregnancy & postpartum - KICBUMP Feb 21, 2023

Show notes

* Trigger Warning: This episode discusses eating disorders. If you or anyone you know needs support, contact The Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE) *

In today's KICBUMP episode, we hope to shed a light on something that sadly affects many women in our community; coping with an eating disorder during pregnancy or postpartum. Even for someone who has experienced this in the past, pregnancy can be an extremely triggering time given the changes that occur to your body, so in today's episode we provide important information and support for those struggling, along with hearing personal stories from those who have come out the other side.

We hear from Sarah from our KIC community who kindly reached out to tell her story, we have Danni Rowlands from The Butterfly Foundation giving helpful advice to anyone who needs it, and Steph shares her own personal experience with an undiagnosed eating disorder in her early 20s.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sperm retrieval after death - KICBUMP with Ellidy Pullin Feb 07, 2023

Show notes

Ellidy Pullin's story is one of tragedy and grief, but also one of joy, hope and finding the light in a time of darkness.

Her partner of 8 years and Olympic Snowboarder Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin tragically died when spearfishing in 2020, amidst the two of them trying for a baby. Hours after his death, doctors were able to retrieve his sperm and Ellidy underwent IVF to bring their beautiful daughter Minnie Alex Pullin into the world.

In today's KICBUMP episode, Ellidy spreads awareness about the sperm retrieval process, and also speaks through the challenge of being pregnant while a best friend is going through fertility struggles and miscarriage.

Ellidy hosts a LiSTNR podcast called 'Darling, Shine!' and has written a book called 'Heartstrong', both of which delve deeper into her story. You can donate to the Chumpy Pullin Foundation here, which breaks down barriers to provide support & inspiration for every Australian to participate & grow through Sport & Life.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comparison is the thief of joy - KICBUMP with Polly 'PJ' Harding. Jan 24, 2023

Show notes

If you live in Melbourne, it's probably safe to say you're missing hearing the hilarious, loose & TMI stories from PJ every morning on your way to work! The former KIIS FM host of the 'Jase & PJ' show moved back to her home country of New Zealand in 2021 and has since welcomed her beautiful baby boy Charlie.

In today's KICBUMP episode, PJ opens up about where her head has been at since making the life changing decision of leaving KIIS during the peak of her career, she generously shares her rollercoaster birth story and tells us how life has changed as a mum, and she also speaks about how she navigates her way through a world of constant comparison.

PJ hosts her own podcast called 'The PJ Podcast' which Steph has been a guest on once before! You can listen to that episode here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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