Hi, I'm Amber-lee - psychologist, mum of two, and the voice behind The Power of Birth.
Founder
I know firsthand that motherhood can be the most intense, joyful, sad, loving, and brutal thing to happen to you and I wanted to highlight that these emotional experiences can coexist and that doesn't make you a bad mum. The Power of Birth was born from deep compassion and empathy for other mums and from my own realisation that becoming a mother changes you in profound ways.
I have a great passion for perinatal mental health and now as a psychologist, I bring both professional insight and lived experience to the support and advocacy we need about pregnancy, birth, postpartum, parenting and beyond. This platform was created to provide education, resources and access to information, and support that can help you through this difficult but transformative season 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.
I created this space with the hope it reaches far and wide to remind mothers they are not broken, it's ok to ask for help and you are never alone.
Meet Amber-Lee
How it started...
It all started with sharing birth stories on social media. Stories that opened the door to honest conversations about mental health and the challenges of motherhood. What began as a place to elevate women’s voices quickly became a lifeline for those feeling the loneliness, the “why didn’t anyone tell me?” moments, and the weight of suffering in silence. I recognised patterns in each experience and wanted to open up the conversation beyond birth.
The Power of Birth is now a safe space where women can speak the hard truths out loud, where it’s okay not to love every minute, and where vulnerability is met with understanding, not judgement. Here, we smash the ‘perfect mother’ myth, challenge the stigma around perinatal mental health, and meet each experience with the compassion and understanding it deserves.
From instagram to a movement...
From instagram to a website with tangible resources, to big events for worthy perinatal organisations bringing people together to learn and understand perinatal mental health. Through the blog, Instagram stories and ongoing advocacy, the podcast Can We Talk About This was born 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.
Since then, The Power of Birth has been invited to speak at events, conducted research, piloted clinical pathways in community organisations, and provided workshops for other professionals. And I'm only just getting started!
"My mission is to create a positive impact by shining a light on the complex emotions and diverse experiences in motherhood."
My Story.
My own experiences include two Hyperemesis Gravidarum pregnancies 6 months apart, birth injuries, postnatal anxiety, PTSD mixed with PMDD-related rage that left me feeling anything but normal. Throw in some identity loss, breastfeeding difficulties, sleep deprivation and learning how to mother during covid - 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 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 and mental health system.
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 during covid - 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 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.
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.
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. 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.
The mission in action
The Power of Birth is a fierce call to action challenging broken systems, amplifying the voices of mothers, and reshaping the narrative around perinatal mental health. It’s not just about raising awareness - it’s about building a future where lived and clinical experience drives reform, where care is compassionate and accessible, and where no mother is left behind.
Behind the scenes: Rigel
Rigel joined The Power of Birth team to support the podcast and expand her design skills. In the early days she worked in the background to edit the podcast, design content and create the website - she brought the vision to life with skills I didn't have! Her support helped put The Power of Birth on the map and she will always be a part of this movement.
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.
Masters of Professional Psychology
Bachelor of Psychological Sciences with Honours
Matrescence Education and Guidance training with Seasons of Matresence (Nikki McCahon)
Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator
Birth Cartographer Training (Birth Mapping
Piloted a clinical pathway at Peach Tree Perinatal Wellness while on masters placement
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Certification with Postpartum Support International
Full Circle Perinatal Training with Dr Rachel Bushing Three Little Birds Perinatal Psychology
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
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Applied Skills in Perinatal Mental Health Assessment and Care through COPE
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Let's work together.
If you would like me to support your work as a guest for a podcast, blog, training, workshop or event please send me an email! I am always keen to chat about my experiences and the broader context of perinatal mental health and modern motherhood.
