In this episode, I speak with Senator Marielle Smith about the newly established Senate Select Committee on Women’s Health and what it could mean for women and families across Australia.

We unpack what a Senate Select Committee actually is, how it differs from a Royal Commission or state-based inquiry, and - importantly - how the stories and experiences shared with the committee can help inform recommendations and future policy.

We also discuss why the inquiry extends beyond postpartum care to examine broader issues affecting women’s health, including women’s pain, medical misogyny, fertility and reproductive health, pregnancy and birth, postpartum care, stillbirth and infant loss, and the regulation of medical devices.

For so many women, the six-week postpartum check can feel like the end of their care, despite recovery, feeding, pain and mental health challenges continuing for weeks or months afterwards. We talk about the opportunity this inquiry presents to reconsider how women are supported during those crucial first months after birth.

Most importantly, Senator Smith explains how women, partners and families can contribute their own experiences to the inquiry.

Submissions are open until 9th of October 2026

If you have an experience of Australia’s healthcare system that you believe needs to be heard — including your experience of postpartum care - this is an opportunity to have your voice included.

In this episode, I speak with Senator Marielle Smith about the newly established Senate Select Committee on Women&rsquo;s Health and what it could mean for women and families across Australia.
We unpack what a Senate Select Committee actually is, how it differs from a Royal Commission or state-based inquiry, and - importantly - how the stories and experiences shared with the committee can help inform recommendations and future policy.
We also discuss why the inquiry extends beyond postpartum care to examine broader issues affecting women&rsquo;s health, including women&rsquo;s pain, medical misogyny, fertility and reproductive health, pregnancy and birth, postpartum care, stillbirth and infant loss, and the regulation of medical devices.
For so many women, the six-week postpartum check can feel like the end of their care, despite recovery, feeding, pain and mental health challenges continuing for weeks or months afterwards. We talk about the opportunity this inquiry presents to reconsider how women are supported during those crucial first months after birth.
Most importantly, Senator Smith explains how women, partners and families can contribute their own experiences to the inquiry.
Submissions are open until 9th of October 2026
If you have an experience of Australia&rsquo;s healthcare system that you believe needs to be heard &mdash; including your experience of postpartum care - this is an opportunity to have your voice included.

A Podcast of Mothers' stories of childbirth. Weekly interviews with mothers giving their first hand accounts of child birth in Australia. Designed to help educate and inform first time pregnant women, parents wanting to have better subsequent births and birth enthusiasts who love to hear and tell birth stories. An entertaining and heartfelt resource for pregnancy, labour and delivery and postpartum.