In Conversation With Vicky O’Rourke from Connect Baby

Karen O’Mara is a dedicated clinical social worker specialising in general women’s and perinatal counselling, mothers groups focusing on emotional experiences, and Circle of Security® Parenting™ programs to support and empower parents to develop knowledge and skills to meet their children’s emotional needs. 

Karen is based at Gather, by Kindred at Norman Park. Gather is little sister to Kindred Midwifery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology at East Brisbane.

Karen has expertise working with hundreds of mothers over nearly 30 years in the areas of perinatal and parenting support, grief, loss and trauma, as well as baby sleep science and breastfeeding as an NDC practitioner with Possums Clinic, a Parenthood and Family Relationship Guide with Elly Taylor’s Becoming Us, and a Circle of Security Parenting program facilitator. 

With a compassionate approach and evidence-based methods, Karen’s work focuses on supporting mothers to process their births and the transition to motherhood. She offers a nurturing space where women can navigate tricky life transitions, and parents can find understanding, support, and practical tools to navigate the complexities of raising children.

Node Mothers and the Node Motherhood Centre were created with one big goal in mind to support mums, not just motherhood.

Founded by Melissa Decarli a mum, photographer, and someone who’s walked the highs and lows of matrescence, Node began as a simple idea: what if mothers’ groups were less about milestone checklists and more about real connection, honest chats, and feeling seen.

Since then, it’s grown into a beautiful community of women who meet weekly across Ballarat (and online), not just to talk about their babies, but to talk about themselves. Whether it’s a new mum with a six-week-old or a second-time mum with a busy toddler in tow, our groups and sessions focus on the woman behind the role.

The Node Motherhood Centre is a warm, welcoming space built for mums to take a breath and be held. We run 10-week mothers’ groups, toddler groups, workshops, and events, always with a focus on connection, community, and gentle encouragement to be exactly who you are that day.

Melissa brings a real, lived-in understanding of what it means to hold so much at once; motherhood, identity, relationships, business, and the in-between. Through her photography business Her Golden Point, she’s had the privilege of capturing thousands of motherhood moments and those honest, tender connections are at the heart of everything she creates with Node.

We’re not here to tell mums what to do. We’re here to walk alongside them. We talk about the messy middle of motherhood, the beautiful chaos, the doubts, the growth and we do it with humour, heart, and a whole lot of love.

If you’re a brand wanting to connect with mothers in a way that truly resonates, Node offers direct access to a trusted, engaged, and emotionally connected audience. We speak with and support our mums every week, and everything we do is built on trust, relatability, and genuine care.

At Node, we don’t just support mums – we see them. And that’s where real impact begins.

Hi! I’m Samantha, a mum of 4 and a Birth & Postpartum Doula servicing most areas of Sydney. I also teach Hypnobirthing Classes and offer Infant Massage sessions.