In our 151st episode of Beyond the Bump, we chat with Moana Hope and Bella Carlstrom. Moana and Bella are a beautiful same-sex couple who have just welcomed their second baby into their family. Bella gave birth to their first child and Moana to their second, and in this episode we chat all about their different experiences of pregnancy and birth!
When did Bella and Moana first meet and how quickly did they decide they wanted kids together?
How did Bella and Moana decide who was going to fall pregnant first?
What is the difference between IUI and IVF?
What is the process of choosing a sperm donor? And did they pick the same donor for both their kids?
How was Bella’s pregnancy? And did feelings of resentment ever creep up towards Moana?
Advice to partners who won’t experience birth or pregnancy.
What is their co-sleeping arrangement?
Having seen Bella go through pregnancy and birth, was Moana more excited or more hesitant?
How did Bella and Moana know they were ready to try for another baby?
What was Mo’s pregnancy and birth like?
Did Bella and Mo ever have fears around having favourites based on which child they birthed?
Being a professional athlete, how has Moana found the postpartum period?
And SO MUCH MORE!!!

 
Beyond the Bump is a podcast brought to you by Jayde Couldwell and Sophie Pearce! A podcast targeted at mums, just like you! A place to have real conversations with honest and authentic people.  
Follow us on Instagram at @beyondthebump.podcast to stay up to date with behind the scenes and future episodes. 
 
This episode of Beyond the Bump is brought to you by KiwiCo:
All our listeners will know that we like to get outside with our kids! 
Yep, definitely better parents when outdoors, but with nap times, the weather (thanks La Nina), this is often not possible!
And that’s when our beloved KiwiCo Panda Crates come in handy! 
That they do! For those who haven’t heard us rabbit on about KiwiCo’s Panda Crates before (first of all, where have you been, second of all…) they are subscription boxes designed for 0-2 year olds that are filled with age appropriate toys and activities that all have a research-based approach to play! 
Yep, what’s better than throwing a box of activities to your kids knowing they are learning as you put your feet up. 
I’ll tell you what’s better, the fact that every second month, 2 months worth of activities arrive straight to your doorstep too!! 
It’s brilliant! Parenting smarter not harder - that’s my motto! 
Exactly! Goldie has been loving the peg puzzle which helps her to learn shapes, build her fine motor skills and explore problem solving all at once! 
What a clever cookie. Yumi loves that one too. She has also been learning shapes through the squishy shapes and when she is over that uses them as pillows for her dolls which is very cute and keeps her busy for even longer!! 
Win win! If you want to create a foundation for learning with Panda Crate from KiwiCo too, you can get 30% off your first month on ANY crate line (for any age) with the code BTB30 at kiwico.com