The Postpartum Season is a podcast dedicated to honest conversations about life after birth.
Hosted by Laura, each episode explores the realities of the postpartum period through open, compassionate conversations with mothers and trusted health professionals.
Motherhood is often portrayed as either beautiful or difficult, but the truth is that it can be both at the same time. This podcast creates space for the full picture—the joy, the love, the identity shifts, the exhaustion, the healing, the challenges, and everything in between.
Whether you're preparing for your first baby, navigating the early weeks postpartum, returning to work, or simply looking for reassurance that you're not alone, The Postpartum Season is here to support you.
Because every postpartum experience is different, but no one should have to navigate it feeling alone.
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EP 36 | Leah – Birth Recovery, Two Very Different Postpartum Experiences, Healing & Prioritising Yourself
Monday, November 2, 2026 • Duration 54:59
In this episode, Leah shares her two very different birth and postpartum experiences, from a challenging physical recovery after her first baby to a healing second birth, and how her experiences shaped her passion for supporting women through postpartum.
We discuss:
Leah's journey to motherhood and becoming pregnant with Sonny
Preparing extensively for birth but very little for postpartum
Hoping for a physiological, low-intervention birth
A 43-hour labour and two failed epidurals
Having an episiotomy and ventouse-assisted birth
The emotional impact of a birth that looked very different from what she had imagined
Feelings of guilt, failure and questioning why her body hadn't responded as expected
Why needing intervention during birth doesn't mean you've failed
Recovering from an episiotomy that didn't heal as expected
Leah's experience of an injury to her pelvis during birth
Significant pain and restricted mobility during early postpartum
The challenges of caring for a newborn while recovering from birth injuries
Sonny being readmitted to hospital for treatment of jaundice
The impact of physical recovery on Leah's emotional wellbeing
Comparing her recovery with other mothers who appeared to be recovering more quickly
Feeling anxious about whether she would ever return to normal activities
The role of pelvic health physiotherapy and gradual rehabilitation
The importance of talking openly about difficult birth and postpartum experiences
How hearing similar stories from other mothers helped Leah feel less alone
The support Leah received from her husband, family and friends
Leah's background as a creative director and how she became involved in Vital Bits
How her own postpartum recovery shaped her passion for the business
Vital Bits and its range of pregnancy and postpartum care essentials
The importance of preparing for postpartum recovery, not just birth
Why caring for yourself during postpartum shouldn't be considered a luxury
Giving yourself permission to prioritise your own physical and emotional wellbeing
Preparing differently for her second birth and postpartum experience
Letting go of the guilt and disappointment she had carried from her first birth
A fast, four-and-a-half-hour labour with Capri
Having the water birth she had hoped for
How her midwife helped her reframe her first birth as part of the journey towards her second
Experiencing a much more straightforward physical recovery
Recognising that even a positive birth still requires time and care to recover
Feeling more confident and relaxed as a second-time mum
Letting go of the pressure to fix or control every aspect of newborn life
Being more present and enjoying the newborn period with Capri
The transition from one child to two
Introducing Sonny to his baby sister
Navigating toddler behaviour and encouraging gentle interactions with a newborn
The importance of having a supportive village
Leah's reflections on how much she has grown and learnt through motherhood
Her advice to her former self - you will heal, you will be okay, and it's okay if your recovery takes longer than you expected
You can follow along with Leah's parenting journey on TikTok at @lelahbell, and find out more about Vital Bits on instagram at @vitalbits.
Auckland mums, if anyone would like to find out more about Connection in the Postpartum Season, head to my website www.thepostpartumseason.com. There are only a few tickets left!
As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.
EP 35 | Educational Series 2026 | Understanding Baby Sleep – Normal Infant Sleep, Realistic Expectations & Supporting Parents with Dr Eliza Hannam
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 • Duration 59:27
In this episode of The Postpartum Season 2026 Educational Series, Dr Eliza Hannam, GP, IBCLC, NDC-accredited practitioner and founder of Nurtured Medical, joins me to discuss normal infant sleep, realistic expectations, responsive settling and supporting parental wellbeing.
We discuss:
Dr Hannam experience of becoming a mother and feeling unprepared for newborn sleep despite her medical training
How her own parenting experiences led her to pursue further training in infant sleep
The work Dr Hannam and her team do through Nurtured Medical
The importance of considering infant sleep, feeding, health and parental mental health together
The Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC/Possums) approach to infant sleep
Understanding sleep as a biological need rather than a skill to learn
What normal newborn sleep looks like
Why newborns initially have limited day-night differentiation
The normality of babies wanting to sleep on or close to a parent
Why catnapping is common in young babies
How infant sleep changes as babies grow
The enormous variation in normal infant sleep duration
Infant temperament and its influence on settling and sleep
Why some babies need significantly more support to fall asleep
Understanding frequent night waking and why it can be developmentally normal
Responsive settling, co-regulation and helping babies feel safe and supported
Why feeding, rocking or holding a baby to sleep doesn't necessarily create a problem
Understanding the main biological regulators of sleep
The role of daylight, activity and day-night differentiation
How daytime naps and bedtime timing can influence sleep pressure
Recognising when sleep pressure may be contributing to difficulties settling or frequent waking
Practical adjustments that may help support infant sleep
Why rigid sleep schedules and prescribed wake windows don't suit every baby
The importance of considering the wellbeing of the whole family
Practical ways to make broken sleep more manageable for parents
Seeking additional support when sleep deprivation is affecting parental mental health
EP 34 | Laura – A Positive Caesarean Experience, Feeding Challenges, Postpartum Recovery & Balancing Motherhood and Business
Monday, October 26, 2026 • Duration 52:55
In this episode, Laura shares her experience of becoming a mum to Billie, including an unexpected caesarean birth, feeding challenges, physical recovery and balancing motherhood with running a business.
We discuss:
Laura's journey into motherhood and deciding when to start a family
Navigating the decision to have a baby while running a business with her husband
Feeling excited about motherhood while wondering how it would fit into their working lives
Concerns about Billie's growth towards the end of pregnancy
Increased monitoring and the unexpected decision to deliver by caesarean
Having a positive caesarean experience despite an unexpected change in birth plans
Meeting Billie for the first time and the initial shock of becoming parents
The emotional intensity of the early postpartum period
Adjusting to frequent feeding, broken sleep and caring for a newborn
The support Laura and Liam received from family
How becoming parents has affected their relationship
The importance of working as a team during postpartum
Breastfeeding initially going well before Billie became increasingly unsettled
Navigating weeks of crying, feeding difficulties and concerns about weight gain
Introducing expressed breast milk by bottle
Gradually transitioning to bottle feeding and pumping
The practical and emotional challenges of pumping
The relief of seeing Billie become more comfortable and gain weight
The unexpected emotional significance of changing feeding methods
Laura's concerns about recovering from a caesarean as a Pilates instructor
The initial shock of seeing her caesarean incision
Experiencing numbness and difficulty connecting with her abdominal muscles after surgery
Gradually returning to walking and gentle movement
Rebuilding core strength and pelvic floor awareness during postpartum recovery
Why Laura feels her own recovery has made her a better Pilates instructor
Developing Wild Pilates' new postnatal programme while recovering from birth herself
Filming the programme with Billie alongside her
EP 33 | Educational Series 2026 | Breastfeeding - Milk Supply, Feeding Challenges & What to Expect with Dr Kate Jenkins
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 • Duration 01:04:09
In this episode of The Postpartum Season 2026 Educational Series, Dr Kate Jenkins, GP and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), joins me to discuss preparing for feeding, navigating common breastfeeding challenges, and the importance of supporting parental mental health.
We discuss:
Kate's work as a GP and IBCLC, and her interest in breastfeeding medicine
Her own challenging breastfeeding experience, including difficulties latching, nipple shields and undiagnosed vasospasm
The importance of being listened to, believed and validated by healthcare professionals
Setting realistic expectations about breastfeeding before your baby arrives
Why breastfeeding being natural doesn't necessarily mean it will be easy
Preparing for breastfeeding during pregnancy without becoming overwhelmed
Antenatal breastfeeding education
Common misconceptions about breastfeeding
Antenatal hand expressing and collecting colostrum
What breastfeeding can look like in the first hours and days after birth
What to expect on the second night after birth
Cluster feeding and why babies feed so frequently
Recognising whether your baby is receiving enough milk
Signs that additional feeding support may be needed
Painful breastfeeding, nipple damage and the importance of investigating persistent pain
Understanding milk supply and factors that can affect milk production
Concerns about low milk supply and the importance of effective milk removal
What triple feeding involves and when it may be recommended
The physical and emotional demands of triple feeding
Why feeding plans need to be manageable and sustainable
Seeking early support from an IBCLC and getting a second opinion when difficulties persist
Practical ways partners can support breastfeeding
When formula supplementation may be medically necessary
Combination feeding
Introducing bottles to breastfed babies
Paced bottle feeding and reducing the risk of bottle preference
The impact feeding difficulties can have on maternal mental health
EP 32 | Jes – Postpartum Anxiety, Perinatal Mental Health Unit Stay, Seeking Support & Finding Your Village
Monday, October 19, 2026 • Duration 01:01:47
In this episode, Jes shares her experience of severe postpartum anxiety, the challenges of accessing perinatal mental health care, and how her journey eventually inspired her to create The Jellybean Gym — a space supporting both young children and their parents.
We discuss:
Jes's experience of a difficult pregnancy with persistent nausea and vomiting
Discovering her daughter was breech at 37 weeks and changing her birth plans
Choosing a planned caesarean and navigating feelings of failure before becoming a mother
The importance of partner leave
Meeting her daughter for the first time and not experiencing the immediate connection she had expected
Recovering from a caesarean and the anxiety Jes experienced
Struggling to trust her own instincts as a new mother
The challenges of learning to parent together and communicating with your partner
Experiencing increasingly severe anxiety and panic attacks during early postpartum
The impact of anxiety on Jes's ability to eat, sleep and function
Reaching a mental health crisis and recognising that she urgently needed professional support
The significant barriers Jes encountered when trying to access perinatal mental health care
Seeking help through urgent care, her GP, emergency departments and other services
The support Jes received from PANDA during this difficult period
Being admitted to a perinatal mental health unit at eight weeks postpartum
Spending three and a half weeks in hospital alongside her daughter
What a perinatal mental health admission can look like
Accessing psychiatric care, medication and psychological support
Preparing to leave hospital and the anxiety surrounding returning home
Understanding that mental health recovery is an ongoing process
The enormous role James played in supporting Jes through her postpartum experience
Finding a supportive community through mothers' groups
The importance of feeling heard and validated by other mothers
How connection with other mothers can reduce feelings of isolation
Why her postpartum experience inspired her to establish The Jellybean Gym
EP 31 | Tayla – Two Postpartum Experiences, Formula Feeding, Postpartum Anxiety & Returning to Work
Monday, October 12, 2026 • Duration 58:19
In this episode, Tayla shares her two postpartum experiences, including recovering from caesarean births, choosing to formula feed, navigating postpartum anxiety and returning to paid work earlier than she had hoped.
We discuss:
Finding out unexpectedly that she was pregnant with her first daughter, Emily
Becoming a mother without a relationship with her own mum
The enormous support Tayla has received from her mother-in-law
Preparing for a planned caesarean and worrying about physical recovery
Meeting Emily for the first time
The challenges of those first days in hospital and adjusting to caring for a newborn
Recovering physically from a caesarean birth
Tayla's decision to formula feed both of her children
The judgement and pressure she experienced around her feeding choices
Navigating conflicting feeding advice and concerns about Emily's weight gain
Learning to trust her instincts as a first-time mum
Experiencing anxiety during her first postpartum season
Returning to paid work when Emily was just under three months old
Navigating daycare and adjusting to being away from her baby
Preparing for postpartum with a second baby
Maintaining Emily's routine during the transition from one child to two
Practical postpartum preparation, including meal preparation and creating a calm home environment
Meeting Paul and recovering from a second caesarean
Feeling much more confident as a mother the second time around
Watching Emily meet her baby brother for the first time
The challenges of adjusting to life with two young children
Feeling a temporary change in her relationship with Emily after Paul's arrival
Paul becoming seriously unwell at just 10 days old and requiring hospital care
How this experience contributed to significant postpartum anxiety
Paul being admitted to hospital again with RSV at 10 weeks old
Experiencing prolonged postpartum bleeding and the anxiety surrounding her recovery
Struggling with sleep, withdrawing from the outside world and feeling increasingly anxious
Why Tayla wishes she had sought mental health support earlier
EP 30 | George – Processing Having an Unplanned LSCS, Postpartum Body Image, Breaking the ‘Bounce Back’ Culture & Finding Your Village
Monday, October 5, 2026 • Duration 52:14
In this episode, George shares her experience of an unplanned caesarean, adjusting to her postpartum body, finding community and learning to surrender to the realities of new motherhood.
We discuss:
Finding out unexpectedly that she was pregnant with Teddy
Deciding there may never be a “right time” to become parents
Living in Sydney while most of George's family are in Tasmania
Realising how important community would become after having a baby
Preparing extensively for birth but much less for postpartum
Hoping for a low-intervention vaginal birth
Having an unplanned caesarean after more than 24 hours of labour
Feeling unprepared for what a caesarean and its recovery would involve
Meeting Teddy and not experiencing the immediate rush of emotion she expected
The guilt and self-blame George experienced after her birth
Learning to validate her own experience rather than comparing it with other people’s birth experience
The role pain played in George's emotional wellbeing during early postpartum
Beginning to talk openly about her birth and process some of the guilt and shame
Feeling unprepared for the physical reality of a postpartum body
The influence of “bounce back” culture and postpartum bodies portrayed online
Wondering whether her own body was normal because she hadn’t seen bodies like hers represented
Another mother reaching out and helping George realise she wasn’t alone
Finding the courage to share her postpartum body online
The response from thousands of women who felt seen and validated by her content
Moving from struggling with her body to feeling in awe of what it has done
The challenge of finding genuine friendships and community in early motherhood
Finally meeting other mums who made George feel seen in her experience
Navigating sleep deprivation at around six months postpartum
The enormous identity shift that comes with motherhood
The joy of watching Teddy’s personality begin to emerge
George's feeling that motherhood has brought a sense of contentment she had been searching for
EP 29 | Bonus Episode | The challenges faced by parents in today's society with Tegan from The Parenthood
Thursday, October 1, 2026 • Duration 31:00
In this bonus episode of The Postpartum Season, I’m joined by Tegan Gilchrist, a senior director at The Parenthood, an Australian advocacy organisation campaigning for the social and economic infrastructure parents need to make life work for modern families.
Tegan shares some of the challenges facing parents today, including the tension between work and caring responsibilities in the context of systems designed for another era, the cost and availability of early learning, and the pressure parents can experience as their families move through different stages.
We also talk about what The Parenthood is advocating for: 12 months of paid parental leave for families, high-quality and accessible early learning, and more family-friendly workplaces.
Tegan explains why giving fathers and partners dedicated opportunities to take parental leave matters — not only in supporting mothers during the first year, but in establishing shared care from the beginning. We discuss the idea of the “default parent”, the role that time plays in building confidence and connection as a caregiver, and why creating better systems for families can benefit mothers, fathers, children and the wider community.
We finish by talking about The Parenthood’s vision for Australian families and how parents can get involved in advocating for change.
EP 28 | Caitlin – Mothering Without Your Mum, Finding Your Village, Returning to Paid Work & Trusting Your Instincts
Monday, September 28, 2026 • Duration 01:15:31
In this episode, Caitlin shares her experience of becoming a mother while living overseas without family nearby, mothering without her own mum, and how motherhood has changed her perspective as a NICU nurse.
We discuss:
Finding out she was pregnant with Maeve
Caitlin’s experience of pregnancy as a NICU nurse and feeling that sometimes she “knows too much”
The balance between being informed and becoming overwhelmed by everything that could go wrong
Preparing practically for postpartum without fully understanding the emotional transition ahead
Grieving the end of life as just Caitlin and Stefano before becoming parents
Preparing to raise a baby in New Zealand while their families lived overseas
Maeve’s labour progressing quickly from three to eight centimetres
Maeve’s heart rate dropping during pushing and being taken into theatre
An episiotomy and vacuum-assisted birth
Meeting their daughter for the first time
Establishing breastfeeding and Caitlin’s experience of colostrum harvesting
Staying at Birthcare after Maeve’s birth
The unexpected pain of recovering from an episiotomy
Realising how much physical recovery required her to slow down
Planning a wedding during pregnancy and getting married in Italy when Maeve was four months old
Travelling overseas with a young baby and having Caitlin and Stefano’s families and friends finally meet Maeve
Becoming a mother after losing her own mum at 23
The bittersweet experience of joy and grief existing at the same time
Missing the experience of being mothered while learning to mother your own child
Grieving the grandparent relationship Caitlin wishes her children could have had with her parents
Celebrating Maeve’s relationship with Stefano’s parents
The ways Caitlin’s mum continues to influence how she wants to mother her own children
Returning to NICU after becoming a mother
How motherhood has deepened Caitlin’s empathy for NICU parents
The emotional impact of caring for babies and families after having a child herself
Caitlin’s passion for supporting and educating parents in NICU
EP 27 | Lucia – Premature Birth, NICU, Infant Loss, Grief & Motherhood After Loss
Monday, September 21, 2026 • Duration 01:17:09
In this episode, Lucia shares the story of becoming a mother to Edmund, losing him after 40 days in NICU, and how his life profoundly shaped her experience of motherhood, grief and matrescence.
We discuss:
Lucia’s journey towards deciding she wanted to become a mother
Her waters breaking at 24 weeks
Spending two weeks in hospital on bed rest
The feelings of fear, sadness and that her body had failed her
Preparing for the possibility of an extremely premature baby
Becoming unwell at 26 weeks and Edmund’s emergency birth
Edmund being born at 26 weeks weighing 820 grams
Meeting and touching Edmund for the first time in NICU
Recovering from an emergency caesarean while wanting to spend every moment with her baby
The infection that contributed to Lucia becoming unwell
Struggling physically and emotionally during the early postpartum period
Asking for mental health support and being taken seriously by the hospital team
Pumping milk for Edmund while he was in NICU
Seeking further support through her GP and eventually a perinatal psychologist
The extraordinary support Lucia and David received from the NICU team
The emotional uncertainty of having a critically unwell premature baby
Edmund’s 40 days in NICU
Discovering a congenital abnormality affecting Edmund’s lung
Making the devastating decision to move Edmund into palliative care
Spending precious time together as a family before saying goodbye
Holding Edmund as he took his final breath
Creating memories after his death, including bathing, dressing and photographing him
The importance of photographs and memories during grief
Lucia and David experiencing grief in very different ways
Learning to respect a partner’s individual way of grieving
The role of perinatal psychological support after infant loss
Leaving hospital without your baby and navigating postpartum after loss
The grief of no longer returning to NICU every day
Lucia’s experience of matrescence
The difficult experience with Lucia's workplace and maternity leave after Edmund died
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How motherhood has changed Laura's relationship with her body and movement
Finding a renewed sense of purpose in her work after becoming a mother
Returning to work while caring for a baby
The challenges of switching between work and motherhood throughout the day
The guilt that can accompany trying to balance paid work and parenting
Finding connection with friends who are navigating motherhood at the same time
Remembering that challenging postpartum seasons don't last forever
You can follow along with Laura and Wild Pilates on instagram at @lauramohiryan and @wildpilates.
Auckland mums, if anyone would like to find out more about Connection in the Postpartum Season, head to my website www.thepostpartumseason.com. There are only a few tickets left!
As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.
The importance of opening up to trusted friends and family
How regular conversations with her husband and friends helped Tayla feel connected and supported
Returning to paid work earlier than she wanted because of financial pressures
The challenges of combining paid work, daycare and parenting two young children
Tayla's positive experience with her children's daycare
The joy of watching Emily and Paul's sibling relationship develop
Finding greater confidence in herself as a mother, partner and person
Learning who truly shows up for you during motherhood
This weeks sponsor is Rest in the Postpartum Season - guided yoga nidra practices created for mothers.
If you’re looking for a simple way to slow down, rest and take a little time for yourself, you can find practices ranging from five to fifteen minutes at www.thepostpartumseason.com.
And if you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap, click this link below:
Returning to paid work and wanting to continue a career she deeply loves
The challenges of balancing paid work and motherhood
Preparing to welcome a second baby without family support nearby
The sadness Caitlin feels about Maeve no longer being their only child
Looking forward to experiencing the newborn stage again
Savouring the fleeting seasons of having a baby
Trusting your instincts and recognising that you often know more than you think you do
This weeks sponsor is Rest in the Postpartum Season - guided yoga nidra practices created for mothers.
If you’re looking for a simple way to slow down, rest and take a little time for yourself, you can find practices ranging from five to fifteen minutes at www.thepostpartumseason.com.
And if you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap, click this link below:
How motherhood and loss changed Lucia’s relationship with her career
Learning that it was okay to say Edmund’s name and talk about him
Finding meaningful ways to honour and remember Edmund
Creating a children’s book about Edmund for his cousins
Fundraising to support families experiencing NICU
The annual workout held in Edmund’s memory
Deciding when to try for another baby after loss
Welcoming Alfie and later Watson
How Lucia’s first postpartum experience shaped her subsequent postpartum seasons
Parenting with a greater awareness of how precious and short life can be
Lucia’s message to her former self to run your own race, look after yourself and be kind to yourself
This weeks sponsor is Rest in the Postpartum Season - guided yoga nidra practices created for mothers.
If you’re looking for a simple way to slow down, rest and take a little time for yourself, you can find practices ranging from five to fifteen minutes at www.thepostpartumseason.com.
And if you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap, click this link below:
