Mama’s Guide to Prepping for Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond

Becoming a mother is one of life’s most profound transformations, yet it can also bring unexpected losses and grief that few people talk about openly. If you’re navigating the complex emotions of early motherhood, whether it’s grieving your pre-baby life, processing a difficult birth experience, or working through perinatal loss, Ali understands, and she’s here to support you.

Ali is a Registered Counsellor and Accredited Supervisor who has dedicated over a decade to helping people of all ages work through grief, loss, and life’s most challenging transitions. Her extensive experience spans oncology, palliative care, perinatal support, family changes, and supporting those affected by sudden and traumatic losses. What makes Ali particularly valuable for new mothers is her deep understanding that grief isn’t just about death—it encompasses all the losses we experience as we move through life’s changes.

With a Bachelor of Health Science (Psychology) from the University of Sydney and a Master of Counselling from the University of Queensland, Ali brings both professional expertise and genuine warmth to her practice. As a Level 4 registered counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association and an Accredited Supervisor under the Rise Up Model, she’s committed to the highest standards of care.

Ali specialises in helping clients recognise and honour all types of loss, from perinatal loss and fertility challenges to the grief that can come with chronic health issues, relationship changes, or simply mourning the person you were before becoming a mother. She believes our culture struggles with grief, and she’s passionate about changing that narrative, especially for women navigating motherhood. Using evidence based approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, and Neuropsychotherapy, Ali creates a safe, client-centred space that honours your strengths while acknowledging your pain. Her trauma-informed approach recognises that your experiences are valid and that healing happens at your own pace.

Whether you’re processing birth trauma, struggling with the identity shift of new motherhood, or grieving any of the many losses that can accompany this life stage, Ali offers the understanding, expertise, and compassionate support you deserve during this pivotal time in your life.

As Australia's first birth and postpartum doula village, our mission is to empower mothers across Australia with unparalleled doula support and education, fostering resilience, well-being, and deep family bonds from birth and beyond.

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.