The Mother Podcast

Suzanne Maier

Information and discussion on holistic health for mothers.  There are so many ways we can take charge of our and our families' health and wellbeing - especially when medical options are limited.  Join us for conversations on fertility and pregnancy, birth and postpartum, uterine and breast health, hormones and mental health and all aspects of the lifelong experience of motherhood. Includes interviews with experts and practitioners, as well as information from podcast host Suzanne Maier, midwife and mother of 4 interesting children.

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Kids & FamilyKids & Family
Health & FitnessHealth & Fitness
Alternative HealthAlternative Health
NutritionNutrition

Episodes

Giving Birth in Ontario
24-04-2024
Giving Birth in Ontario
In this episode, Suzanne speaks with Isabelle Milot, a midwife working in the Chatham-Kent region of Ontario. Isabelle is originally from Quebec, and has been practising midwifery in southwestern Ontario since 2006. She has chaired an Association of Ontario Midwives’ committee for five years and is currently an elected council member of the Ontario College of Midwives. Isabelle shares with us how the model of midwifery care works in Ontario.Listen to this episode to find out:how women can choose midwifery care in Ontariothe difference between midwifery care and obstetric carethe wide scope of care midwives have in Ontariohow better postnatal care has led to better results for familiesthe postnatal program started by the Chatham midwiveshow the Covid pandemic has affected midwifery retention in Ontarioreasons why midwives in Ontario have been leaving the professionhow the landscape of working conditions in midwifery is changing in Ontario what happens if a woman’s pregnancy becomes high risk during midwifery carewhat is a woman’s choice in homebirthhow midwives individual scope of practice may differ, based on their experienceIsabelle is with the midwives at https://midwivesofchathamkent.ca/The Association of Ontario Midwives is at https://www.ontariomidwives.ca/Suzanne's website - podcast, blog, booking and resources:www.motherheal.comSuzanne is mother.heal on InstagramSuzanne is at Suzanne.mother.heal on Facebookmusic by Shooglenifty with Dhun Dhora https://www.shooglenifty.com/The Mother Podcast is produced by Garry Finlayson and Suzanne Maier
S2: Ep4 Helping Babies Sleep with Helen Cummings
11-01-2024
S2: Ep4 Helping Babies Sleep with Helen Cummings
Helen Cummings is the Calm Baby Sleep Expert.Helen educates pregnant parents in how to care for their newborn babies. She is a maternity nurse who can help with feeding, daily caring tasks and most importantly – helping people learn how to soothe and calm their babies into a restful sleep.Helen is a qualified nursery nurse, and began working as a maternity nurse 20 years ago. Since then, Helen has helped all kinds of parents learn how to recognise their baby’s cues for sleep, and how to help the baby self settle, which can allow parents to have a better quality of sleep themselves.Listen to this podcast episode to find out:what babies need for good sleephow to become aware of when a newborn is tired, and able to sleep on their ownhow newborns can sleep “not on a parent”how newborns can learn to self settlewhy Helen thinks sleep regression isn’t really a thinghow to help with sleep regressionsdifferent needs for different weights of babies – and whyif there a difference between sleep times for formula fed or breast fed babieswhere newborns should sleephow to safely swaddlewhat newborns should wear to sleepthat parents are not taught how to look after their newbornswhen and how to move a baby to their own room overnightwhat the startle reflex is and how to help babies with thiswhen to work with multipleswhy to look at baby’s behaviour and feeding/awake periods over a 24 hour periodHelen on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/helenthecalmbabysleepexpert/?hl=enHelen on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076355500476Suzanne's website - podcast, blog, booking and resources:www.motherheal.comSuzanne is mother.heal on InstagramSuzanne is at Suzanne.mother.heal on Facebookmusic by Shooglenifty with Dhun Dhora https://www.shooglenifty.com/The Mother Podcast is produced by Garry Finlayson and Suzanne Maier
S2: Ep3 Using Herbal Remedies in the Home with Medical Herbalist Lucie Bradley
14-12-2023
S2: Ep3 Using Herbal Remedies in the Home with Medical Herbalist Lucie Bradley
In this episode, medical herbalist Lucie Bradley talks about how she was initially led to explore alternative health options when medical treatment for persistent vaginal thrush failed to work for her. This enquiry led her to study medical herbalism, and subsequently spend time in Africa working with nurses and doctors in integrated clinics, using herbal medicine alongside medical practices.Her exploration of local uses of herbs in Tanzania led her to then complete a Masters degree in ethnobotany while living and working as a single mother in Africa.On returning to the UK she set up a clinical herbalist practice in Edinburgh, and is now based in Glasgow with a busy herbal practice. Lucie is eager for people to be able to take more control over their own health, and so also runs a course on using herbal remedies to treat simple ailments in the home.Lucie Bradley embodies the values and aims of The Mother Podcast, to empower women to take more control over their health by exploring and learning about alternatives to Western medicine. Lucie has worked tirelessly through her life to teach people to not only use, but integrate, plant medicine into their lives.Listen to this episode to find out:How persistent vaginal thrush led Lucie to find alternative health practicesThe connection between the food we eat and our healthHow our past experiences and trauma can affect our healthHow plant medicine is used in malaria treatmentThe challenge of being a successful practitioner and running a businessWorking with money blocks to be able to earn money as an alternative health practitionerHow practitioner-grade herbs are more effectiveHow the processing of herbs determines its effectivenessHow plants work synergistically, and pharmacological medicines don’tReasons why people are suspicious of herbal medicine, and how herbal medicine got pushed out of mainstream cultureHow understanding your own constitution is important for taking control of your healthThat most herbs are safe in pregnancyWhy it is important to maintain your health – and gut health – to stay well, and why it is even more important for pregnant women to keep themselves healthyHow to use garlic and onion as antimicrobialsHow to make fire ciderMaking your own berry tincture in the autumn to stay well in winterHow staying well includes treating our stress levelsAdaptogens and their importance in keeping stress levels healthyFinding reliable information on herbal medicineHow to use herbal baths for infants and childrenLucie can be found at https://www.luciebradley.co.uk/Lucie's instagram handle is lbradleymedicalherbalistYou can access Lucie's Herbs for Simple Ailments online course through her InstagramSuzanne's website - podcast, blog, booking and resources:www.motherheal.comSuzanne is mother.heal on InstagramSuzanne is at Suzanne.mother.heal on Facebookmusic by Shooglenifty with Dhun Dhora https://www.shooglenifty.com/The Mother Podcast is produced by Garry Finlayson and Suzanne Maier
S2: Ep2 Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in Pregnancy and Postpartum with Lena Fong
29-11-2023
S2: Ep2 Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in Pregnancy and Postpartum with Lena Fong
In this episode, Suzanne speaks with Lena Fong, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner who uses acupuncture, herbs, moxibustion and cupping to heal to maintain vitality and wellbeing. Lena is a highly learned and experienced practitioner and explains the TCM approach to health.Lena is also a  yoga teacher and a doula, and is passionate about working with pregnant and postpartum women to maintain health and wellbeing. Listen to this episode to find out:the TCM approach to fertilitythe TCM approach to reproductive healthhow TCM approaches health in an individualised wayhow TCM uses holistic means in convalescing from an illness or surgerywhat cupping is and how it worksthe intricacy of TCM - pulse taking as a diagnostic skill so different than the Western approachdifferent pregnancy conditions that TCM is useful for, including hyperemesis and SPD (symphysis pubis dysfunction)how moxibustion works for breech presentation - or any fetal positioning you'd like to encourage to moveacupuncture for a postdates pregnancy to help stimulate spontaneous labouracupuncture with mastitisthe TCM approach to postpartum care - the mother's 40 days and how to care for herthe difference between acupuncture delivered from a TCM approach and acupuncture from a Western approachFurther ReadingThe Spark in the Machine by Dr Daniel KeownLena can be found at www.lenafong.comSuzanne's website - podcast, blog, booking and resources:www.motherheal.comSuzanne is mother.heal on InstagramSuzanne is at Suzanne.mother.heal on Facebookmusic by Shooglenifty with Dhun Dhora https://www.shooglenifty.com/The Mother Podcast is produced by Garry Finlayson and Suzanne Maier
S2: E1 Pelvic Steaming with Postpartum Doula Jenny Smith-Nicol
03-11-2023
S2: E1 Pelvic Steaming with Postpartum Doula Jenny Smith-Nicol
Pelvic steaming.  Vaginal steaming.   Yoni steaming. In this episode Suzanne speaks to postpartum doula Jenny Smith-Nicol about the reasons for and methods of pelvic steaming. This episode  is for you if:steaming is something you have heard of and are wondering what it isyou are someone who has ventured to try steaming but are not clear on the details of the practiceyou are a women's health practitioner looking for ways to help women with their reproductive health you are postpartum and wanting to help your recovery you are a woman looking for ways to heal from, and prevent,  many common women's health ailments Using herb-infused steam to clear out, tone and bring circulation to a woman's pelvic organs is an ancient practice.  It is used to regulate periods, treat uterine fibroids and endometriosis, pelvic organ prolapses and minor recurrent infections like thrush or bacterial vaginosis.  It is also used to as a regular practice to keep the vagina, cervix and uterus healthy in order to avoid developing these conditions.Listen to this episode to find out:when to start steaming postpartumwhen to steam in your menstrual cyclehow steaming works in your bodythe history of steaming and the cross-cultural references to ithow exactly to do it in your own homebenefits of steaming postpartum, and in a menstrual cyclewhat herbs to useresults of a recent study on postpartum steamingResourcesJenny Smith-Nicol's website:https://www.yogalinks.co.ukFourth Trimester Steam Study info:https://www.steamychick.com/4thtristudy/Suzanne's website - podcast, blog, booking and resources:www.motherheal.comSuzanne is mother.heal on InstagramSuzanne is at Suzanne.mother.heal on Facebookmusic by Shooglenifty with Dhun Dhora https://www.shooglenifty.com/The Mother Podcast is produced by Garry Finlayson and Suzanne Maier
S1 Ep8 Herbs and Hormone Balance with Klayr Hunter, medical herbalist
18-05-2023
S1 Ep8 Herbs and Hormone Balance with Klayr Hunter, medical herbalist
In this episode Suzanne speaks to Klayr Hunter, medical herbalist, about hormonal balance and disorders of the female reproductive system, and how nutrition and plant medicine can help support a woman through this.In this episode you will hear Klayr speak about:the beginning of menstruation and how supporting diet and lifestyle can help the body settle into its own natural rhythmPMT and PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder)excessive oestrogen conditions like endometriosis, and fibroidshow to support the liver and enhance digestion to help process hormones and properly eliminate them from your bodystress and trophorestorative herbs and foodsthe importance of restoring sleep in reducing anxietysupporting the adrenals in situations of long-term stresscontraindications of certain herbswhat fibroids are and how to control their growth through diet and herbswhat endometriosis is and ways to support the body through herbs, reduction of inflammation and castor oil packsPolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) – what it is and how to help balance your bodyhow insulin is involved with PCOSKlayr runs a private practice in Glasgow and was the herbal consultant for the first 2 series of the TV series Outlander. She has also been involved with the Health and Wellbeing Centre in Dumfries and is mother to 2 children.Klayr's websiteKlayr on InstagramKlayr on FacebookSuzanne's website - podcast, blog, booking and resources:www.motherheal.comSuzanne is mother.heal on InstagramSuzanne is at Suzanne.mother.heal on Facebookmusic by Shooglenifty with Dhun Dhora https://www.shooglenifty.com/The Mother Podcast is produced by Garry Finlayson and Suzanne Maier
S1 Ep7 Reflexology for Fertility and Pregnancy with Georgie McCulloch
30-04-2023
S1 Ep7 Reflexology for Fertility and Pregnancy with Georgie McCulloch
In this episode Suzanne interviews Georgie McCulloch, a reflexologist who specialises in fertility, pregnancy and the postnatal period. Georgie trained in reflexology in 2001 after discovering it made such a positive difference to her life while she was working busy and stressful jobs in sales and marketing which were affecting her health, sleeping patterns, energy levels and general outlook on life. Since 2003 she has been fully self employed as a reflexologist and now has a busy practice based in Edinburgh, working alongside 2 other reflexologists who are also specialised in pregnancy and fertility.  In this episode, Georgie describeshow reflexology works and its uses throughout pregnancy, from conception to the birth.  uses during labour and in the postpartum periodhow it can help with fertility for both women and menhow women can gain a better understanding of their hormones and how they affect their livesreflexology's use in disorders such as PCOSunderstanding your menstrual cyclebenefits of reflexology during the menopauseGeorgie has a real passion for reflexology and wants to make more people aware of the benefits, and continue to help women to understand their hormones better in order to have a positive impact on their lives.RESOURCESGeorgie's website Fertility and Pregnancy EdinburghGeorgie on InstagramGeorgie on FacebookSuzanne's website - podcast, blog, booking and resources:www.motherheal.comSuzanne is mother.heal on InstagramSuzanne is at Suzanne.mother.heal on Facebookmusic by Shooglenifty with Dhun Dhora https://www.shooglenifty.com/The Mother Podcast is produced by Garry Finlayson and Suzanne Maier
S1 Ep6 Abdominal therapy for pregnancy/postpartum with Jo Anderson
16-04-2023
S1 Ep6 Abdominal therapy for pregnancy/postpartum with Jo Anderson
In this episode Suzanne interviews Jo Anderson,  a highly skilled and experienced specialist in abdominal therapy and scar therapy for women.  Jo is also an advanced practitioner in the Arvigo techniques of Mayan abdominal therapy. She combines different complementary therapies to individualise her care and helps women to learn to love  their bellies. Her treatment also involves teaching ongoing self care, so her work continues throughout your life. As women, so much goes on in our abdomens – it is truly our centre – and Jo is an expert on healing and connecting with this deep part of ourselves. Jo is also a postpartum doula, which she discovered as a way of being able to nourish women in the postnatal period while bringing her gifts of abdominal therapy to them. She works with women in the postpartum period to help them to reconnect with their bellies and to recover physically and emotionally from the birth.Listen to this episode to find out: how Jo came to study with Rosita Arvigo of the Arvigo Institutewhat Mayan abdominal therapy is and how it is used in pregnancy to help give more space for the baby and increase flow to the congested pelvis how abdominal therapy is used in the postnatal period how to care for scar tissue  what is good menstrual health and ongoing uterine health why women's health is importantRESOURCESwww.joanna-anderson.co.ukJo on InstagramJo on FacebookSuzanne's website - podcast, blog, booking and resources:www.motherheal.comSuzanne is mother.heal on InstagramSuzanne is at Suzanne.mother.heal on Facebookmusic by Shooglenifty with Dhun Dhora https://www.shooglenifty.com/The Mother Podcast is produced by Garry Finlayson and Suzanne Maier
S1 Ep5 Helping Newborns and Mothers Transition Following Birth: An Interview with Susana Montoya Pelaez
27-03-2023
S1 Ep5 Helping Newborns and Mothers Transition Following Birth: An Interview with Susana Montoya Pelaez
In this episode, Suzanne continues her discussion with Susana Montoya Pelaez, a body worker who uses physiotherapy, craniosacral therapy, visceral manipulation and applied kineseology to her treatments, along with numerous other modalities.Susana explains how she would help a woman's body recover from birth, whether it be caesarean section, instrumental or normal vaginal birth.  She also discusses what a baby's body needs to do to prepare it's nervous system for life outside the womb, and how birth prepares it for that. And how interrupted births - caesarean sections - affect the baby. She also gives some advice on how to help your baby make the transition to extrauterine life, regardless of the mode of delivery.This is essential listening for all parents-to-be and birth workers.ResourcesUnderstanding the Messages of your Body by Jean Pierre Barral. The Endless Web by Schultz and FeitisA Pathway to Health - How Visceral Manipulation Can Help You by Alison Harvey. The Body says Yes by Priscilla Kapel The Power and the Grace by Joanne ElphinstoneCore Awareness by Liz KochSusana can be reached at chameleontherapies@icloud.comSuzanne's website - podcast, blog, booking and resources:www.motherheal.comSuzanne is mother.heal on InstagramSuzanne is at Suzanne.mother.heal on Facebookmusic by Shooglenifty with Dhun Dhora https://www.shooglenifty.com/The Mother Podcast is produced by Garry Finlayson and Suzanne Maier
S1 Ep4 Bodywork for Fertility and Pregnancy: An Interview with Susana Montoya Pelaez
13-03-2023
S1 Ep4 Bodywork for Fertility and Pregnancy: An Interview with Susana Montoya Pelaez
In this first of a 2-part episode, Suzanne speaks to Susana Montoya Pelaez, a body worker who uses physiotherapy, craniosacral therapy, visceral manipulation, applied kineseology and other modalities to heal and bring balance to people's bodies. A talented, learned and inspired healer, Susana explains how a woman's body can be helped by bodywork to conceive, and how a woman's body can be physically prepared for pregnancy and birth.This information is a practical yet radical look at how women's bodies can be helped to achieve a healthy pregnancy and birth, and a look at many different ways a body can be subtly compromised and how it can be helped to adjust to a place of vigour and vitality.It is important information not only for mothers and mothers-to-be but also for all birth workers.ResourcesUnderstanding the Messages of your Body by Jean Pierre Barral. The Endless Web by Schultz and FeitisA Pathway to Health - How Visceral Manipulation Can Help You by Alison Harvey. The Body says Yes by Priscilla Kapel The Power and the Grace by Joanne ElphinstoneCore Awareness by Liz KochSusana can be reached at chameleontherapies@icloud.comSuzanne's website - podcast, blog, booking and resources:www.motherheal.comSuzanne is mother.heal on InstagramSuzanne is at Suzanne.mother.heal on Facebookmusic by Shooglenifty with Dhun Dhora https://www.shooglenifty.com/The Mother Podcast is produced by Garry Finlayson and Suzanne Maier