HELD Together By Newborn Family

Epizodes

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  S1.E6: Moona's Birth Story. VBAC Hopes, an Unexpected C-Section and a Long Postnatal Recovery 25.08.2026 52min

  In this episode of Held Together by Newborn Family, the hosts share Moona’s birth story and postpartum journey. After a prior C-section, Moona hoped for a VBAC and tried a balloon induction at 41 weeks after unsuccessful sweeps; long waits delayed care, she proceeded to an “emergency” C-section. Baby was well and she had positive skin-to-skin, but recovery became a months-long ordeal . With support from a health visitor, CBT and the maternity trauma team she eventually recovered and reflects on empathy, self-advocacy, and the impact of postpartum care on family plans.00:00 Welcome and Win Wobble02:21 Setting Up the Birth Story02:44 VBAC Plan and Sweeps05:13 Balloon Induction Waiting Game07:58 Labour Ward Progress and Pain10:24 Cervix Confusion to C Section13:09 Baby Arrival and Early Hope14:49 Postnatal Symptoms Escalate16:22 Secondary Hemorrhage Aand E Visit18:14 Finally Taken Seriously19:39 Placenta Left Behind Diagnosis22:36 Hysteroscopy and Breastfeeding Strain25:12 Trauma Flashbacks and Panic26:30 Getting Support and Therapy27:14 CBT And Feeling Unheard29:11 Begging For Acknowledgement30:48 Memory Gaps And Lost Bonding33:38 Trauma Counseling And Frustration34:42 GP Turned Patient Lessons37:43 Advocacy And Second Opinions43:31 Support Network And Partners45:36 Long Recovery And Life Plans48:35 Family Strength And Closing51:06 Season Wrap And Next Steps
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  S1.E5: Sadif's Birth Story. Induction, Advocacy and Life With a Newborn and Toddler 13.05.2026 39min

  In this episode of the Newborn Family Podcast, Sadif and Moona discuss Sadif’s birth story one week postpartum after welcoming baby boy, alongside parenting her toddler. Sadif describes the anticipation phase, including anxiety after multiple miscarriages, concerns about slowed fetal growth and reduced movements, a planned induction, a sweep and an uncomfortable overnight stay on the antenatal ward. Postpartum, she shares the reality of coping at home, asking her mother for support and reflects on wanting to relax more. They also cover research on pregnancy-related brain changes and end with wins/wobbles and a challenge to write a reflective letter about the birth.00:00 Welcome New Baby02:22 Life With Two Kids04:30 Three Part Birth Story15:00 Epidural Ups And Downs16:45 Advocating In Labor23:32 Asking for Help25:14 Empowered Moments and First Poo25:58 Funny Delivery Flashbacks31:14 Advice to Prelabor Self34:21 Pregnancy Brain Science36:07 Win Wobble and Baby Brain37:51 Thanks Challenge and Wrap
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  S1.E4: Third Trimester From Pregnancy Belts to Birth Plans 24.03.2026 34min

  In episode three of the Newborn Family Podcast, GPs Sadif and Moona, both currently in their third trimester, discuss the realities of the final stage of pregnancy and share professional insights. Their “wins and wobbles” include relief from back pain using a pregnancy belt, dealing with unhelpful bump-size comments, and enjoying a pregnancy pamper day with other expectant mothers. Moona describes learning her baby is breech while discussing delivery options after a prior cesarean, and they reflect on birth-plan changes, communication, birth trauma, and the value of post-birth debriefs and support. They cover common third-trimester symptoms like fatigue, nausea, reflux, breathlessness, insomnia, and anemia, including IV iron infusion (Ferinject). They also cite a study linking poor third-trimester sleep to higher risks such as gestational hypertension and preterm birth, emphasizing sleep hygiene and seeking medical advice.00:00 Welcome to Trimester Three02:42 Wins and Wobbles Begin02:52 Pregnancy Belt Relief05:01 Body Comments and Bump Anxiety07:22 Pamper Day Win08:49 Breech Baby Curveball11:58 Third Trimester Symptoms14:41 Iron Levels and Infusions18:41 Rest and Self Care Tips20:49 Delivery Jitters and Birth Plans24:13 Birth Trauma and Debriefing30:05 Study Sleep and Pregnancy Risks32:56 Wrap Up and Next Episode
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  S1.E3: Second Trimester Highs, Lows and Leggings 17.02.2026 23min

  Second Trimester Highs, Lows and Leggings: Wins, Wobbles, Maternity Pay and Exercise in PregnancyIn episode three of the HELD Together Podcast from Newborn Family, Dr. Sadif and Dr. Moona share an honest, funny look at the second trimester, from in-between maternity sizing and the relief of leggings to the “honeymoon phase” of improving nausea, more energy and early kicks. They share their latest Wins and Wobbles, including a family gender reveal and home organisation to prepare a toddler’s new room, alongside struggles like pregnancy brain, ongoing nausea and vomiting, and the anxiety of an anterior placenta making movements harder to feel. They discuss tracking baby movement patterns, using apps and the reassurance Dr. Sadif has found through the recurrent miscarriage clinic. The episode also covers the realities of maternity pay eligibility and budgeting when starting a new job or being just days outside statutory thresholds and encourages listeners to seek advice on entitlements. Their featured research paper (Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2025) highlights that 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week is linked to a 30% lower risk of gestational diabetes and a 20% lower risk of preterm birth, with brisk walking, swimming and stationary cycling recommended as safe options. They close with a new challenge for Dr. Moona and tease that the next episode will focus on the third trimester.00:00 Welcome Back + Second Trimester Vibes (and the pants struggle)01:36 Maternity Leggings & The In-Between Bump Wardrobe03:29 Second Trimester ‘Honeymoon Phase’: Energy, Glow & First Kicks05:34 Wins & Wobbles: Gender Reveal, Boy Moms, and Party Planning09:42 Wobbles of the Week: Pregnancy Brain, Nausea & Anterior Placenta Anxiety11:29 Main Topic Deep Dive: Tracking Baby Movements + Helpful Apps13:34 Support Systems: When Clinics and Care Teams Make a Difference13:43 Feeling Supported by the Clinic (Care, Empathy & Reassurance)14:21 Maternity Pay Reality Check: New Job, Eligibility & Budgeting Tips15:25 Navigating Statutory vs Occupational Maternity Pay (Two Jobs, NHS Rules)16:35 Ask for Help: Entitlements, Forms & Where to Get Advice17:29 News of the Week: Exercise in Pregnancy Study (GDM & Preterm Birth)18:30 What Counts as Safe Exercise? 150 Minutes/Week + Best Activities20:43 Making It Work in Real Life: Symptoms, Anxiety & Tailoring Your Routine22:11 Next Challenge: Third Trimester Pregnancy Massage (Plus Gender Reveal Follow‑Up)23:08 Wrap-Up & What’s Next: Third Trimester Episode Teaser
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  S1.E2: The First Trimester Wins, Wobbles and the Science Behind Morning Sickness 12.01.2026 26min

  The first trimester can be overwhelming, isolating and full of questions. In this episode, we share our personal first trimester stories alongside evidence-based insight covering symptoms, early pregnancy anxiety and the mental load that starts long before birth.Dr. Moona and Dr. Sadif introduce HELD Together by Newborn Family, sharing their combined 20+ years of experience in women’s health and postnatal care alongside their real-time pregnancy journeys. In episode one, focused on the first trimester, they reveal they are both pregnant again and have synchronised pregnancies for the second time, after their first babies were born three days apart. They discuss cravings, fatigue, and the emotional realities of early pregnancy. Their latest “win or wobble” includes telling employers about pregnancy, navigating guilt and anxiety around disclosure, first-trimester sleep and exhaustion, Moona’s ongoing bleeding and advocacy for progesterone treatment, and Sadif’s nausea and vomiting affecting work and daily life, including medication options and side effects.They explain first-trimester physiological demands such as increased cardiac output and higher needs for iron, folate, and vitamin B12, and offer partner support advice emphasising unseen hormonal, emotional and physical changes. In the research segment, they summarise a study led by Professor Caroline Haywood linking the protein GDF15 to pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting, including hyperemesis gravidarum, and discuss genetic variants studied in Croatian and Generation Scotland cohorts, as well as findings in people with beta thalassemia who have higher baseline GDF15 and less nausea. They outline current management approaches for severe nausea and hyperemesis while noting future potential for targeted therapies. The episode ends with a recap, a request for listener wins/wobbles and Dr Sadif is set a new challenge.00:00 Welcome to Held Together: Meet Dr. Moona & Dr. Sadif01:09 Episode 1 Kickoff: All Things First Trimester01:49 Cravings, Mood Swings & Surprise News: We’re Both Pregnant Again03:25 Win of the Week: Telling Work (and the Guilt We Feel)06:50 Wobble of the Week: First-Trimester Bleeding, Anxiety & Advocating for Care09:34 Let’s Hear From You: Share Your Wins & Wobbles10:35 First Trimester Reality Check: The Highs, the Lows & What’s Normal11:55 Nausea & Vomiting: What Helps, Meds, and Coping at Work16:23 What Your Body Is Doing: Fatigue, Nutrition Needs & Partner Support18:47 Research Spotlight: The GDF15 Gene and Why Morning Sickness Hits Hard23:16 Treating Hyperemesis: Current Options and What’s Next24:40 Wrap-Up + Next Episode Challenge: Yoga Wins & a Wilder Gender Reveal
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  S1.E1: Introduction to HELD Together 10.12.2025 19min

  Join us for our very first episode as we open the doors to Newborn Family a supportive, evidence-led community created by two doctors and two mums.We talk about why we started Newborn Family, why postnatal care matters, how we want to bring connection back into the fourth trimester and what you can expect from the HELD Together Podcast.Each episode we’ll share our Win or Wobble, our featured research paper and a challenge we set for each other as we move through pregnancy and postpartum together.Next episode: our first trimester stories.
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  Introduction to HELD Together By Newborn Family 10.12.2025 1min

  Welcome to Held Together by Newborn Family. We’re Moona & Sadif two doctors and two mums, sharing what we wish we’d known and the real, honest stories that held us together through the fourth trimester and beyond. This season takes you through our own pregnancy and postpartum journeys, shared in real time as we lived them. Join us through the messy, magical, overwhelming and beautiful moments of newborn parenthood.