Send us a text In this SEASON 1 FINALE episode, Ali and Rangi discuss some key questions you might have about: 🍐 What you should be eating in pregnancy. 🍫 What is good in moderation. 🍔 When to listen to your cravings 🍽️ …and much more… Grab a snack and hit play! Available wherever you get your podcasts. Loved Season 1 of Prepare? We are already planning our second season, coming later in 2025. Comment below, or email us at mercyperinatal@mercy.com.au and tell us your biggest questions about ...
Jun 13, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Send us a text 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 do it. Your birth plan can be as general or as detailed as you like — it’s entirely up to you. Key points they explore include: Pain management options Labour and delivery environment (e.g. music, scents, lighting) Support people during labour Medical int...
Apr 30, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Send us a text 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 misdiagnosis. They also share tips on handling both solicited and unsolicited advice from well-meaning family members and provide guidance on where to find reliable information. Most importantly, they’ll remind you why your healthcare provider should always be...
Mar 25, 2025•18 min
Send us a text 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 questions, such as: What is Miscarriage? Why do they occur? What is the treatment for a Miscarriage? What is involved in the recovery of a Miscarriage? What does this mean for future pregnancies? How can I support a loved one through a Miscarriage? ...
Jul 19, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Send us a text 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 answer your burning questions, such as: What is Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR)? How is FGR detected? What are the causes of FGR? Can FGR be prevented? What happens once my baby has been diagnosed with FGR? What does this mean for the birth and my babys...
Jul 04, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Send us a text 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 and answer your burning questions, such as: What does a COVID-19 infection mean for me and my baby? Are COVID-19 vaccines safe in pregnancy? Do I need to tell my healthcare provider if I have COVID-19? Does COVID-19 change my pregnancy care and birth...
Dec 18, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Send us a text 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 take to prevent it. Prof Lisa Hui is a maternal fetal medicine specialist with research interests in cell-free fetal nucleic acids, prenatal screening and diagnosis. She is a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the ...
Nov 30, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Send us a text 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 The Birth Book . With Prof Tong, the team discuss Preeclampsia, what is it, how common is it, what does a diagnosis mean for you and your baby, how is it treated, what are the symptoms and what is on the horizon for treatment....
Nov 07, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Send us a text 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 Monitoring involve? What are the different methods? When does Fetal Monitoring start in a pregnancy? How long does it take? What does the future look like for Fetal Monitoring? A/Prof Fiona Brownfoot is a specialist female obstetrician in Melbourne with extensive qua...
Oct 31, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Send us a text 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 journey.
Oct 24, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Send us a text 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 Lisa Hui is a maternal fetal medicine specialist with research interests in cell-free fetal nucleic acids, prenatal screening and diagnosis. She is Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Melbourne a...
Oct 18, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Send us a text 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" for indigenous people. 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....
Oct 12, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Send us a text 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 and author of The Birth Book . With Prof Tong, the team discuss the Placenta, what is it, why is it so important, and what can you do with it once your baby is born....
Oct 12, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Send us a text 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 each model of care (including expected costs). Join us as the team navigates you through the different options.
Oct 12, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Send us a text 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 are best monitored for the best start to life and parenthood.
Oct 11, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Send us a text 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 news with your support network. Please note that this episode briefly mentions miscarriage/pregnancy loss, which can be distressing to some listeners. Resources are available such as through Sands Australia via their webpage www.sands.org.au...
Oct 11, 2023•13 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Send us a text "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. So, who are Rangi and Ali? How did they get to where they are now? What is Mercy Perinatal? What is Prepare? Have a listen and all will be revealed!...
Oct 09, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 1
