In this week's show I spoke with the fabulous Amy Sherer. 

Amy is an Endorsed Registered Midwife and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She runs her own Lactation Consultancy, 'Her Luminary', as well as working at an outpatient clinic in Metro Melbourne.

Amy began her journey in New Zealand, where she trained as a direct entry Midwife. 

As she touches upon in this candid discussion, she experienced and continues to deal with the clash in culture of values between the woman-centric approach of her beginnings in NZ and the medical model maternity system that dominates in Australia.

This conversation was an insight into the personal world of a dedicated, woman-centred clinician. Here's a summary of topics covered in today's episode:

• Why evidence-based information and practice is crucial in maternity care.
• Amy's mission to provide clear, concise and accurate information to new mothers, and why this gives her so much satisfaction. 
• What skills does a Lactation Consultant need? An outline of the broad skillset necessary for Lactation Consultancy work.
• How systemic challenges of maternity care contribute to stress and burnout and how nurses and midwives often aren't prepared for the physical, mental and emotional challenge of their work.
• Amy's personal experience of burnout and how she manages her own psychological and emotional health now.
• The power of mentorship and the influences Amy has had that led her toward leadership values of empathy, compassion, and being woman-centred.
• Amy's approach to leadership with students and junior colleagues.
• Why healthcare workers need to give themselves encouragement and credit for the challenging work they do.
• The book Amy has been creating on up-to-date, digestible information for new mothers (see her website below).

If you'd like to check out Amy and her work, find her on the links below:

https://www.herluminarylactation.com/
LinkedIn
Instagram - herluminary
www.facebook.com/herluminary/

----------
I'm Nathan, a coach and Clinical Psychologist who works with healthcare practitioners to enhance their well-being and perform at their best.

Check me out on the following links:

https://nathanillman.com/
https://www.facebook.com/NathanIllmanConsulting