Nurtured by Nancy

03/02/2024

Saying thank you and goodbye to the flower crown made for me by my wonderful women at my Mother Blessing 7 years ago.

Thank you and goodbye beautiful x

29/11/2023

I'm sitting here on my lounge room floor having just listened to the 2-part season finale of the Towards Connection podcast (which I just happened to feature in!). I listened to both episodes back-to-back and laughed and cried and felt like I was taken on such an intimate journey (which as a doula is what I get to do every time a family chooses me to walk alongside them).

The interviewer (Kai) is on a journey searching for the meaning of - and the formula for - getting more meaning and connection out of life. They’re pregnant and we're taken on a journey through their birth; we hear audio from a session at 38 weeks pregnant, from the actual labour and birth itself and debriefing the birth with me at 17 days postpartum. It's a wild ride (and such an entertaining listen!)

We also discussed my personal journey through becoming a mother to Edison and how I couldn't be anything but a birth doula after he died.

I feel a bit shy sharing something so personal and vulnerable but what's the point of all the work if no-one listens right? 😂 So I'm being brave and vulnerable and hoping you listen and share. Maybe listening to this could be a powerful opportunity to help someone else understand birth, or grief or vulnerability a little bit better and be able to show up for themselves in a way that invites more meaning and connection into their life x

Go over to and there’s a link in bio or find in the usual podcast places.

(My mum just called and told me she accidentally listened to part 2 first. I would recommend listening in the usual order. 1 before 2 😂)

When you've listened, connect with me and tell me what came up for you x

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28/09/2023

My favourite hospital - and maybe I’m a little bit biased 🫣 - is holding a fertility webinar, open to everyone.

Interestingly, one of the presenters is Dr Bill Ledger who Charlie and I paid a ton of 💰to in 2015 for fertility investigations. Before we knew it we were pregnant with Edison ❤️

Here’s their blurb:

“We're excited to announce our first fertility webinar, Fertility 101 with The Royal's Dr. Rachael Rodgers and Dr. Bill Ledger.
This free conversational webinar will be held on Tuesday 17th October at 6:30PM AEST
Dr Rodgers and Professor Ledger will answer questions around fertility options, the (dreaded) biological clock and facts and information around fertility preservation.
More information and sign up: https://www.royalwomen.org.au/event/fertility-101/home”

04/09/2022

Best non-dairy infant formula?? ⬇️

23/08/2022

Exactly this ⬇️

Over the years, I have shared a number of studies showing that induction increases the chance of caesarean. A 2021 study again reinforced our knowledge in this area.

This is important, because what these studies show is contrary to what many women and families are told.

Many people are told that induction of labour reduces the chance a having a caesarean.

But that’s not what midwives, doctors, birth supporters and others who work in the real world see, though.

In the real world, and in research carried out in real world settings, we see something different.

We see that healthy women are more likely to end up having a caesarean if they have induction of labour. That's compared to going into labour on their own.

It's really important that we don't take evidence at face value. We need to dig deeper and explore what's going on.

We need to understand that just because there's evidence to support an idea, that doesn't mean it's right.

It doesn't mean that there aren't other perspectives.

Most importantly of all, there are pros and cons to everything.

Induction of labour is absolutely the right decision for some woman and families, regardless of an increased chance of caesarean.

And it's absolutely not right for others.

The key is in getting informed, and figuring out what's right for you.

My blog post explains this in depth, and I spell out the numbers. https://www.sarawickham.com/research-updates/induction-increases-caesarean/

I hope you’ll find it useful.

22/08/2022

This really speaks to me. Is it because of the mum guilt that makes motherhood feel like it’s not an equal contribution? Is it that the social stereotypes are really that strong?

I don’t think it tells the whole story, but it is making me think.

Thoughts?

16/08/2022

Text message research program for people with

20/06/2022

Lactation waffles?!? Whaaaat?
Move over lactation cookies!

Lactation cookies are a bit of a postnatal nutrition staple coming out of the NbN kitchen. The trifecta of oats, brewer's yeast and flaxseed - all known galactagogues - make them a convenient and whole foods way to support breastfeeding.

About 1000 cookies later and I took inspiration from my new waffle maker to shake things up a bit! Smooshing a few different recipes for oat waffles and lactation cookies together, today’s kitchen creation is:

Lactation Waffles

2 cups oat flour / 2 cups oats milled in TM
3 tbsp flaxmeal / 3 tbsp flaxseeds milled in TM with oats
2 tbsp coconut flour
3-4 tbsp brewers yeast
2 tsp baking powder
pinch of sea salt
1 large banana, mashed
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1 large egg
1 cup unsweetened dairy/plant milk (plus more as it thickens)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup chocolate chips

* Mill oats and flaxseeds.
* Combine oat flour, flax meal, coconut flour, brewers yeast, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.
* In a separate bowl combine banana, coconut oil, egg, almond milk and vanilla.
* Add wet ingredients to dry and stir to combine. Stir in chocolate chips. Let mixture sit for 5 mins.
* Heat up waffle maker.
* Add additional milk or water to mixture if too thick (prob won't need more than a 1/4 cup).
* Add batter to your waffle maker and cook according to waffle maker instructions.
* Repeat until all batter is used.
* Serve immediately with maple syrup, nut butter or toppings of choice.
* Let cool and freeze if not eating immediately.

This batch are off to a mumma who had her beautiful little girl last week.
If you make your own, let me know what you think!

01/06/2022

I ❤️❤️Possums Clinic so have to share this one with you. They are holding another 'Overcoming Baby Sleep Challenges' event (6 months+).

Their words:
How are you and your baby sleeping?
Our Overcoming Baby Sleep Challenges event (6 months+) is ideal for you if you’ve been struggling with your baby’s sleep, are exhausted, and are looking for help. There is a great deal that you can do to make your nights more manageable and the days more enjoyable – without leaving your baby to cry.
Join our "live" online sleep consultation in July and learn multiple strategies to make sleep easier. Details below.

Online "Live" Consult and Q&A Who can come: All welcome, particularly parents with babies 6 months +Online: via Zoom, according to Australian Eastern Standard TimeContact: education@possumsonline.com REGISTER FOR OVERCOMING BABY SLEEP CHALLENGES ONLINE 'LIVE CONSULT AND Q&ADoes your baby wake too of...

01/06/2022

😍
My new Alex Liddy dolomite & cork canisters in Earth and Sage have arrived and they are DIVINE. ❤️
Placenta caps are getting themselves a fancy upgrade! 😉

24/05/2022

We’re home!
It's been a big year so far! I'm snuggled on my sofa with my laptop, listening to the rain outside and thinking of all the mums, dads and babies that have come into my life this year, and years gone by. The stillness of a few weeks away have made space for this reflection, this gratitude.

THANK YOU

for your trust, for your intimacy, for your bravery.

I really hope to see you again soon. I put my heart into dreaming up offerings for you ♥ And you know what, it's connection time.
Please reach out if there's anything you need. I am here for you and happy to help!

- Nancy