About us
Hi I'm Amber-Lee!
(Creator and Founder)
I'm a mum of two, pilates lover, chocolate enthusiast, podcaster, perinatal mental health advocate, psychology masters student, and an extrovert with a hell of a lot of compassion and empathy for other mums and I thought I would put that energy into creating a safe and informed platform that I hope reaches far and wide...
Hi I'm Rigel!
(Podcast Editor)
Rigel joined The Power of Birth team as a co-creator not only because of her impressive skills and initiative but also because of her passion for health promotion and her journey with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). She has completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences and is pursuing a second degree in Secondary Education. Rigel advocates for women's health and wellbeing and hopes to reduce stigma and shine a light on the expectations and realities of womanhood.
How it started...
It all started with sharing your birth stories on social media which led to talking about mental health and the challenges in motherhood, a space that was used to elevate the voice of women who so needed to be heard. ​The Power of Birth is a safe place where women can share their stories, get vulnerable, start empowering and validating conversations, smashing the 'perfect mother myth' and stigma surrounding perinatal mental health. I love to see it!
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From instagram to a website, events, podcast, advocacy and beyond. This platform was created to provide information, resources and access to information, people/professionals that can help you through this difficult but transformative stage in life. I am particularly passionate about women seeking specialised support early on, and believe that support and interventions is not a one size fits all. Reaching out to various different support groups, and networks and using resources to help you find your way back to yourself, your new self, is my hope for you!
The Power of Birth now has a podcast, Can We Talk About This, to help start the conversation about taboo topics, gaps and biases in women's health and maternal health, but also to help empower and educate women by weaving lived experiences and expert knowledge together. We have hosted events to raise awareness and funds to show our support for important organisations that are pushing for change in this space and we hope you will come along!
What started out as simply storytelling, has now become my passion and drive for change. Thank you for your continued support and I hope you stick around! There is always something exciting in the works, so watch this space!
“In giving birth to our babies, we may find that we give birth to new possibilities within ourselves.” – Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn
My story...
It all started with an unplanned pregnancy...
My own experiences include two Hyperemesis Gravidarum pregnancies 6 months apart, birth injuries, postnatal anxiety, PTSD and hormonal challenges leading to PMDD-related rage that left me feeling anything but normal. Throw in some identity loss, breastfeeding difficulties, sleep deprivation and learning how to mother - it was a lot! One day in my rage, I had an intrusive thought about my husband who I loved but wasn't getting along with at the time, and it was the catalyst for me acknowledging that I was not ok and that I had let things go too far, and I finally reached out for more intense and comprehensive support. Throughout these challenges, it highlighted the misunderstood, stigmatised and underserved sector of perinatal mental health and our very fragmented maternity system.
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Becoming a mother changed the trajectory of my personal and professional life and has fuelled my passion for advocating for mother support and the importance of recognising the unique but misunderstood challenges mothers experience. My experiences helped me become acutely aware of the pervasive invisibility, shame, and silence that surround maternal struggles.
In that small glimmer of hope I had, it ignited a spark of determination to conquer the darkness. The transformation has been gradual, costly and time consuming and met with many setbacks, yet, has been profound. Throughout this experience, I realised that my own story had the power to inspire and advocate for change. I wanted to be a voice, and raise other women’s voices in breaking the silence and stigma around perinatal mental health and raise awareness. I used the opportunity during my Psychology Honours year to explore perceptions of birth trauma and storytelling because there is power in sharing our stories. My experiences have shaped me into a fierce advocate, a compassionate listener and I hope, a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of motherhood and mental health. I found purpose beyond my own healing – to help others find theirs.
My mission is to create a positive impact by shining a light on the complex emotions and diverse experiences in motherhood.
I have dedicated myself to providing valuable resources, support, conversations and psychoeducation in the motherhood space to empower mothers as they navigate their health and wellbeing from preconception, pregnancy, birth, postpartum and beyond. I am currently working towards becoming a registered perinatal psychologist.
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I aim to spark conversations about hard truths, fostering informed decision making and holistic healthcare, and celebrating the remarkable strength of mothers against a culture that often encourages silence in struggle. By fostering awareness, offering support, and advocating for women's health and wellbeing, we can collectively create a world where mothers feel seen, heard, and empowered throughout their transformative motherhood journey.
My experience and training...
​With an unwavering commitment to ongoing professional development, I am dedicated to becoming a registered psychologist in the field of perinatal mental health bringing a feminist lens in my work. Through this journey, I aim to continue supporting and advocating for holistic support through the biopsychosocial model within the realm of motherhood weaving lived experiences and expert knowledge together.
​Currently completing a Masters of Professional Psychology due to graduate end of 2024​
BSc (Hons) in Psychology
Thesis: Perceptions of Birth and Wellbeing After Birth Debriefing Among Mothers Who Describe Their Birth as Traumatic (in preparation for publication)
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Certification with Postpartum Support International​
Matrescence Education and Guidance training with Seasons of Matresence (Nikki McCahon)​
Australian Support Coordinator with Postpartum Support International (2020-Current)
Want to hear more?
Head to our podcast page to listen to our podcast as well as other podcast interviews with Amber-lee
Media
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Lets Work Together
If you would like me to support your work as a guest for a podcast, blog, or event send me an email! I am always keen to chat about my experiences and the broader context of perinatal mental health and modern motherhood.