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Explore every episode of the podcast The Postpartum Season

Dive into the complete episode list for The Postpartum Season. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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1–37 of 37

TitlePub. DateDuration
EP 36 | Leah – Birth Recovery, Two Very Different Postpartum Experiences, Healing & Prioritising Yourself02 nov. 202600:54:59

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.

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

 

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP 35 | Educational Series 2026 | Understanding Baby Sleep – Normal Infant Sleep, Realistic Expectations & Supporting Parents with Dr Eliza Hannam28 oct. 202600:59:27

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
  • Navigating conflicting infant sleep advice
  • How to choose an appropriate professional for infant sleep support
  • Co-sleeping and bed-sharing, including the importance of understanding potential risks
  • Avoiding unplanned sleep in higher-risk circumstances, including on couches and chairs
  • What it means for infant sleep advice to be evidence-based
  • Understanding the limitations of observational studies and other infant sleep research
  • The importance of critically evaluating claims made about infant sleep
  • Dr Hannam's reassurance that sleep changes over time and that difficult seasons do get easier
  • Why challenging infant sleep doesn't mean you're failing as a parent

 

The resources Dr Eliza Hannam mentioned during the episode include:

  • The Discontented Little Baby by Dr Pamela Douglas
  • Red Nose Australia — safer sleep information
  • Australian Breastfeeding Association — infant sleep and bed-sharing information
  • BASIS (Baby Sleep Information Source), UK — infant sleep research and safer sleep information

 

You can find out more about Dr Eliza Hannam on instagram at @dr.eliza.hannam and her clinic, Nutured Medical, on instagram at @nuturedmedical.

A big thank you to First Aid for New Parents by The Postpartum Season for sponsoring this week’s episode, which will be launching soon!

Follow along on instagram at @thepostpartumseasonpodcast for updates about the launch.

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

 

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP 34 | Laura – A Positive Caesarean Experience, Feeding Challenges, Postpartum Recovery & Balancing Motherhood and Business26 oct. 202600:52:55

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
  • 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.

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

 

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP 33 | Educational Series 2026 | Breastfeeding - Milk Supply, Feeding Challenges & What to Expect with Dr Kate Jenkins21 oct. 202601:04:09

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
  • Navigating guilt, shame, judgement and feelings of failure around feeding
  • The influence of social media on feeding expectations and parental confidence
  • Recognising when protecting maternal mental health needs to take priority
  • Supporting families to make feeding decisions that work for them
  • Why difficulties with breastfeeding can reflect gaps in healthcare support rather than individual failure

The resources Dr Kate Jenkins mentioned during the episode include:

You can find out more about Dr Kate Jenkins on instagram at @dr.kate.jenkins.

A big thank you to First Aid for New Parents by The Postpartum Season for sponsoring this week’s episode, which will be launching soon!

Follow along on instagram at @thepostpartumseasonpodcast for updates about the launch.

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

 

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP 32 | Jes – Postpartum Anxiety, Perinatal Mental Health Unit Stay, Seeking Support & Finding Your Village19 oct. 202601:01:47

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
  • Creating  purposeful play classes for young children
  • Designing a space that supports parents and caregivers as well as their children
  • The importance of allowing families time to connect before and after classes
  • Creating community through small groups, shared experiences and everyday conversations
  • How building The Jellybean Gym has been part of Jes's own healing journey
  • Jes's advice to other mothers - if something feels hard, it is hard, and you deserve support

You can find out more about Jes and The JellyBean Gym at www.thejellybeangym.com.au or on instagram @thejellybeangym.

 

A big thank you to Odi Nutrition for sponsoring this week’s episode.

You can find out more about Odi at @odi_nutrition_, and you can browse their range at odinutrition.com.

 

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

 

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP 31 | Tayla – Two Postpartum Experiences, Formula Feeding, Postpartum Anxiety & Returning to Work12 oct. 202600:58:19

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
  • 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:

https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

 

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP 30 | George – Processing Having an Unplanned LSCS, Postpartum Body Image, Breaking the ‘Bounce Back’ Culture & Finding Your Village05 oct. 202600:52:14

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

You can find George on Instagram at @georgina.raynerrr.

 

A big thank you to ergoPouch for sponsoring this week’s episode.

Use the code PPS20 at checkout to receive 20% off the ergoPouch range. Valid until 31 October 2026. Terms and conditions apply.

You can find out more about ergoPouch at @ergopouch, and you can browse their range at www.ergopouch.com.au.

 

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

 

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP 29 | Bonus Episode | The challenges faced by parents in today's society with Tegan from The Parenthood01 oct. 202600:31:00

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.

You can find out more about The Parenthood at:

https://www.theparenthood.org.au

Or follow along on instagram at @theparenthood.

Important links that were mentioned in the episode:

Address by Georgie Dent, CEO of The Parenthood, at the National Press Club:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brIRti7aEpg

The Parenthood Paid Parental Leave Petition:

https://www.theparenthood.org.au/first_year_foundations

Also, as mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

 

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP 28 | Caitlin – Mothering Without Your Mum, Finding Your Village, Returning to Paid Work & Trusting Your Instincts28 sept. 202601:15:31

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
  • 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:

https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

 

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP 27 | Lucia – Premature Birth, NICU, Infant Loss, Grief & Motherhood After Loss21 sept. 202601:17:09

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
  • 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:

https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

 

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP 26 | Hannah - Matrescence, Intrusive Thoughts, Grief & Letting Go of the Pressure to Perform Motherhood14 sept. 202601:15:59

In this episode, Hannah shares her three postpartum experiences and reflects on how becoming a mother ultimately led her to her work as a perinatal counsellor.

We discuss:

  • Becoming a mum unexpectedly at 26
  • Preparing extensively for birth but very little for postpartum
  • Hannah’s first birth and the early postpartum period
  • Navigating postpartum with a partner who had to return to work after only a couple of days
  • Feeding difficulties, concerns about weight gain and the anxiety surrounding growth charts
  • Feeling like she was failing at the very first hurdle of motherhood
  • Finding small anchors in the day through coffee, movement and connection
  • The impact becoming parents had on Hannah and Josh’s relationship
  • Why Hannah believes couples therapy can be valuable before a relationship reaches crisis point
  • Returning to paid work and the challenges of combining work, daycare and childhood illness
  • The importance of having an identity outside of motherhood, and Hannah’s changing relationship with that idea
  • Welcoming a second baby and the reality of postpartum while also caring for a toddler
  • The pressure Hannah felt to be a “superwoman” and prove she could keep doing everything
  • Returning to work in the perinatal space while struggling to prioritise her own wellbeing
  • Intense intrusive thoughts during pregnancy 
  • How talking openly about intrusive thoughts gradually robbed them of their power
  • Hannah’s third birth and the healing experience of having her sister there
  • Navigating significant uncertainty around her dad’s mental health during pregnancy
  • Losing her dad shortly after her daughter was born and experiencing grief alongside postpartum
  • The stigma and discomfort that can surround mental health and why Hannah values talking openly about her dad
  • How grief forced Hannah to slow down and let go of the need to perform motherhood
  • Embracing motherhood as an important part of her identity
  • Hannah’s decision to train as a counsellor after her own experiences
  • Building a career predominantly supporting women in the perinatal space
  • Looking back at the version of herself who felt she had to keep pushing and achieving
  • Hannah’s reflection that there are no achievable “goals” in parenting — and the freedom that can come from taking some of that pressure away

You can find Hannah and learn more about her counselling work at:

Instagram: @deep.end.counselling

Website: https://www.deependcounselling.com

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:

https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

 

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP 25 | Emma – Two Premature Babies, Life in NICU, Pregnancy Loss & Finding Strength in Motherhood07 sept. 202600:57:18

In this episode, Emma shares her experiences of premature birth, pregnancy loss, NICU and navigating two incredibly challenging postpartum seasons.

We discuss:

  • Developing severe preeclampsia during Emma’s first pregnancy
  • Her son being born unexpectedly at 32 weeks
  • An emergency caesarean under general anaesthetic
  • Waiting 19 hours to meet her baby for the first time
  • Navigating NICU and special care during COVID restrictions
  • The isolation of being separated from her support network
  • Pumping, tube feeding, nipple shields and establishing breastfeeding with a premature baby
  • The emotional rollercoaster of NICU milestones and setbacks
  • Bringing a premature baby home and the anxiety surrounding illness during COVID
  • Experiencing two pregnancy losses between Emma’s children
  • Pregnancy after loss and the anxiety of another high-risk pregnancy
  • Emma’s daughter being born at 34 weeks and five days after experiencing preeclampsia again
  • Returning to special care for a second time
  • The difference the Ronald McDonald room made during their second experience
  • Navigating a special care stay while also having an older child at home
  • Emma’s son experiencing anaphylaxis shortly after her daughter came home
  • Her newborn daughter becoming critically unwell with meningitis and being admitted to PICU
  • Trying to recover from an emergency caesarean while both children needed significant care
  • The impact of stress and sleep deprivation on breastfeeding
  • The physical, mental, emotional and financial toll of prolonged hospital experiences
  • Finding support through family, friends, church, medical teams and other NICU parents
  • Why connecting with parents going through similar experiences can be so valuable
  • Using social media and sharing her story as a way of processing what happened

You can find Emma on Instagram at @by.emmamae.

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:

https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

 

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP 24 | Lucinda - Sleep Deprivation, Infant Temperament, Returning to Work, Ready or Not and The Reality of Juggling Parenting and Paid Work31 août 202601:13:03

In this episode, Lu shares her experiences of becoming a mum to Ray and Posie, and how motherhood has shaped her relationship with work, identity and what she values most.

We discuss:

  • Ray arriving unexpectedly four weeks early
  • Ray spending his first week in special care and the difficulty of leaving hospital without her baby
  • Establishing breastfeeding and the support Lu received from the midwives around her
  • Feeling incredibly held by family and friends during early postpartum
  • Experiencing the baby blues, nighttime dread and loneliness
  • Becoming unexpectedly pregnant again around one year postpartum
  • Struggling physically and emotionally during the first trimester while parenting a young child
  • Lu’s experience of going from one child to two
  • Posie’s unsettled temperament and significant sleep challenges
  • The enormous impact prolonged sleep deprivation can have on a parent’s wellbeing
  • Feeling pressure to follow routines and “fix” a baby’s sleep
  • Recognising the role of infant temperament and letting go of self-blame
  • The judgment and unsolicited commentary mothers can experience
  • Why motherhood can feel lonely even when you have people around you
  • Returning to freelance work after becoming a mother
  • Starting and growing Ready or Not with co-host Loz alongside motherhood
  • The realities of trying to balance paid work and caring responsibilities
  • Why there is no perfect blueprint or “hack” for combining motherhood and work
  • How motherhood has reshaped Lu’s values, priorities and relationship with time
  • Why sometimes the most helpful thing we can offer another mother is validation

Lu is the co-host of Ready or Not, a podcast exploring the realities of motherhood, careers and trying to make the two work together.

You can find Lu on Instagram at @lucindamckimm_ and Ready or Not at @readyornot.pod.

And if you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap, click this link below:

https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

 

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP 23 | Lilly - Slowing Down in Postpartum, Career & Identity, an Unsettled Baby & Matrescence24 août 202601:17:34

In this episode, Lilly shares her postpartum experiences with her two boys, Roo and Franklin.

We discuss:

  • Becoming a mother after years of supporting women as a midwife
  • Roo’s emergency caesarean birth under general anaesthetic
  • Processing an unexpected birth experience and wanting to “make up for lost time”
  • The intense vulnerability and hormonal shifts of early postpartum
  • Lilly’s unexpected instinct to stay home, slow down and protect her postpartum space
  • Learning to listen to her own needs rather than expectations from the outside world
  • Gradually re-emerging into the world when she felt ready
  • Finding connection with other mothers through pilates and walking groups
  • Why “mums need mums”
  • The huge shift in Lilly’s relationship with her career after becoming a mother
  • The complexities of combining motherhood with shift work, on-call work and a career in healthcare
  • Preparing Roo for the arrival of his sibling
  • Meeting Franklin after a very rapid vaginal birth
  • The transition from parenting one child to two
  • Recovering from mastitis in the early weeks postpartum
  • Navigating weeks of having a very unsettled baby
  • The emotional impact of prolonged crying and questioning yourself as a mother
  • The small, practical acts of self-care and self-preservation that helped Lilly through
  • The impact of having a second baby on Lilly and Ben’s relationship
  • Matrescence and becoming a new version of yourself with each baby
  • What Lilly found unexpected about her postpartum experiences
  • The physicality, vulnerability and extraordinary love of motherhood

Lilly also co-hosts Growing, a podcast with fellow midwife and mum Beth. Together they share honest conversations about their current “growing pains” and the beautiful “glimmers” that exist throughout motherhood. I absolutely loved listening to Growing throughout my own postpartum period and highly recommend giving it a listen.

You can find Growing at @growingthepodcast and Lilly at @lillian.beth.

This is the podcast episode that discusses unsettled babies that Lilly recommends in the episode:

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/episode-19-unsettled-babies-with-dr-eliza-hannam/id1697674632?i=1000636691242

And if you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap, click this link below:

https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

 

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP 22 | Hannah - Birth Trauma, Postnatal Anxiety and Depression, Preparing for Postpartum, Finding Your Village and Nappy Free17 août 202601:06:51

In this episode, Hannah shares her two very different postpartum experiences with her sons, Hugo and Oscar.

We discuss:

  • Preparing extensively for birth but very little for postpartum
  • A long and traumatic first birth involving forceps and an episiotomy
  • The reality of a slow and painful postpartum recovery
  • Learning to breastfeed and seeking support from a lactation consultant
  • Anxiety around Hugo’s weight and the impact of comments about having a small baby
  • Caring for a baby who cried frequently and struggled with daytime sleep
  • Loneliness, perfectionism and feeling like she wasn’t getting motherhood “right”
  • Being diagnosed with postnatal depression and anxiety
  • The relationship between Hannah’s birth trauma and her postpartum mental health
  • Processing her first birth through a birth debrief with her private midwife
  • Preparing differently for Oscar’s birth and postpartum period
  • Hannah’s home birth with Oscar and how different her recovery felt
  • Intentionally creating a village before her second baby arrived
  • Asking family for regular practical support and joining another parent group
  • How Trent supported Hannah’s sleep and mental health during her second postpartum experience
  • The difference between the transition from zero to one and one to two for Hannah
  • Making time for movement and things that support her wellbeing
  • The story behind Hannah’s business, Nappy Free
  • What elimination communication is and how Hannah used it with both of her children
  • Supporting families through elimination communication and toilet training
  • Looking back on a difficult first postpartum experience with greater compassion
  • Finding joy in the small, everyday moments of motherhood

 

You can connect with Hannah and learn more about Nappy Free on Instagram at @nappy_free or at nappyfree.net.

 

If you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap, click this link below:

https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

 

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

 

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)


Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP 21 | Sasha - Three Postpartum Experiences, Postnatal Mental Health, Asking for Help & Finding Your Village10 août 202601:04:54

In this episode, Sasha shares her experiences of becoming a mum to her three children, Elke, Remi and Bowie, and reflects on how different each of her postpartum seasons has been.

We discuss:

  • ​The baby blues and adjusting to motherhood for the first time
  • ​The pressure to “bounce back” and prove that life hadn’t changed after having a baby
  • ​Returning to paid work and the impact on Sasha’s mental health
  • ​Experiencing postnatal mental health challenges after the births of her children
  • ​Recognising when she needed more support and reaching out for professional help
  • ​The impact of parenthood on Sasha and her husband Jesse’s relationship
  • ​The importance of recognising and supporting partners’ mental health too
  • ​Moving closer to family and the difference having practical support made
  • ​Navigating postpartum differently the third time around
  • ​Learning to be more open about struggling and accepting help
  • ​Letting go of the expectation that we should be able to do everything ourselves
  • ​Why finding—and actually using—your village matters

Sasha shares incredibly openly about some of the hardest periods of her postpartum experiences, but also about what she has learnt through them - that asking for help is not a weakness, that both parents can struggle at the same time, and that we were never meant to raise our families alone.

 

Sasha is currently training for the 2026 Point to Pinnacle, known as the hardest half marathon in the world, to raise funds for the Gidget Foundation. If you are able to contribute to Sasha’s fundraising efforts, you can do so here:

https://pointtopinnacle2026.grassrootz.com/gidget-foundation-australia/village-walks

 

If you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap, click this link below:

https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

 

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

 

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • ​PlunketLine0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • ​Healthline New Zealand0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • ​1737 Need to talk?Call or text 1737 (24/7)

 

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP 20 | Loz - The realities of postpartum, the pressure and expectation on mothers, learning to give yourself grace, and the joys of this season of life03 août 202600:55:05

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Becoming a mother for the first time
  • Feeling underprepared for the realities of postpartum
  • Physical recovery after birth and adjusting to life with a newborn
  • Why society still doesn't talk openly enough about postpartum
  • A difficult breastfeeding experience with her first baby
  • Mum guilt and the mental load of parenting
  • Learning to give yourself grace in motherhood
  • Why children don't all fit the same mould
  • Supporting children through big emotions without unrealistic expectations
  • Welcoming a second and third baby and life as a family of five
  • A very different breastfeeding experience with her second baby
  • Sleep challenges
  • Finding joy in motherhood and seeing the world through your children's eyes
  • How motherhood reshaped Loz's priorities, perspective and sense of fulfilment

If you haven't already, please check out Ready or Not podcast. You can listen on Apple or Spotify. You'll hear Loz with her co-host Lu talk all about how to make work work in motherhood. And you can find out more on instagram @readyornot.pod.

If you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap, click this link below:

https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

 

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

 

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

 

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP 19 | Amber - Birth under general anaesthetic, birth trauma, healing & embracing matrescence27 juil. 202600:34:29

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Looking forward to motherhood and preparing for postpartum
  • An unexpected emergency caesarean birth under general anaesthetic
  • Meeting Joey for the first time after waking from surgery
  • Feeling pressure to experience an instant connection with your baby
  • Postpartum anxiety during the early weeks
  • How social media influenced expectations of motherhood
  • Processing birth trauma and recognising that trauma doesn't have to look the same for everyone
  • The value of a birth debrief in making sense of a difficult experience
  • Holding gratitude for a healthy baby while grieving the birth experience you hoped for
  • Why parents who give birth under general anaesthetic deserve more consideration and support
  • Considering future births after a traumatic birth experience
  • Matrescence and the identity changes that come with becoming a mother
  • How becoming a parent can reshape your priorities and future

 

And here is the link if you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap:

https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

 

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

 

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

 

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP 18 | Deborah - Returning to work, matrescence, mum guilt & finding a career that fits motherhood20 juil. 202600:49:42

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Preparing for birth compared with preparing for postpartum
  • Experiencing postpartum anxiety
  • Seeking professional support and asking for help
  • The transition from one child to two
  • Returning to paid work after maternity leave
  • Mum guilt, self-doubt and balancing work with family life
  • Realising that flexible workplaces can make all the difference
  • Why mothers don't need to change to fit workplaces—workplaces need to better support mothers
  • How matrescence influences our careers, priorities and identity
  • Creating the Matrescence at Work podcast to help mothers feel less alone
  • Redefining success after becoming a parent

You can find Deborah and the Matrescence at Work podcast on Instagram at @matrescenceatworkpodcast.

 

And here is the link if you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap:

https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

 

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

 

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

 

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP 17 | Saskia - Baby blues, identity change, infant temperament, trusting your intuition & the power of honest conversations13 juil. 202600:37:22

 

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Feeling unprepared for postpartum despite preparing for birth
  • Meeting her son for the first time
  • Struggling to feel an immediate connection after birth
  • Experiencing the baby blues following a postpartum haemorrhage
  • The impact of low iron on her mental wellbeing
  • Seeking support through healthcare professionals, psychology and her partner
  • Grieving her pre-baby life while adjusting to motherhood
  • Raising a spirited child with a strong temperament
  • The importance of trusting your intuition as a parent
  • Letting go of comparison and unrealistic expectations
  • The value of honest conversations with other mothers
  • The identity shift that comes with becoming a mum
  • Being made redundant during maternity leave and finding a new sense of purpose
  • The inspiration behind Blumacoosh, a feeding pillow designed to improve comfort while feeding and settling babies
  • How Saskia's own postpartum experience inspired her to create a product to better support other parents
  • The simple joys and highlights of toddlerhood

 

If you would like to find out more about Blumacoosh, you can follow along on instagram at @blumacoosh.

 

And here is the link if you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap:

https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

 

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

 

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

 

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP 16 | Sam - Two very different births & postpartum experiences06 juil. 202600:51:00

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Becoming a mum of two
  • A challenging first postpartum experience
  • Sleep deprivation and parenting a baby with a more challenging temperament
  • Feeling validated and supported through residential parenting support
  • Welcoming her second baby via an emergency caesarean under general anaesthetic
  • Recovering from birth while grieving the loss of her dad
  • The transition from one child to two
  • How having two children with completely different temperaments changed her perspective
  • Letting go of self-blame and giving yourself more grace
  • Returning to work and how motherhood changed her priorities

Sam is also the co-host of the Seed to Sprout Podcast, a new parenting podcast sharing conversations about all things pregnancy, babies, toddlers and kids.

You can find them on Instagram @seedtosproutpod

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

Thank you for listening. Take care x

 

EP 15 | Alex - Birth overseas, physical recovery, newborn shock, identity change, trusting your instincts & finding support29 juin 202600:48:02

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Alex's journey to motherhood while living overseas
  • The days leading up to birth and becoming a first-time mum
  • Recovering from a third-degree tear
  • The shock of early postpartum and adjusting to life with a newborn
  • The identity changes that accompany motherhood
  • Initially resisting motherhood before embracing her new role
  • Returning home with a newborn while living away from family
  • Breastfeeding, oversupply and recurrent mastitis
  • Infant sleep, routines and the pressure to do things "the right way"
  • Learning to trust your instincts as a parent
  • The differences between first-time and second-time motherhood
  • Why talking openly with other mothers matters
  • How shared experiences provide validation, support and a reminder that you're not alone

Alex has created an incredible instagram page where she shares simple, delicious meals, as well as insights into her family life. If you would like to follow along, you can find her at @alexskitchenstory.

As mentioned, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

Thank you for listening. Take care x

 

EP 14 | Chelsea - The Transition from One to Two, Mum Guilt, Prioritising You & Building a Business24 juin 202600:47:03

In this episode, Chelsea shares:

  • Becoming a mother during the COVID pandemic 
  • Her postpartum experiences with both of her boys
  • Anxiety and mum guilt in early motherhood
  • The transition from one child to two
  • Why carving out time for yourself matters
  • Running, boundaries, and showing up as your best self
  • How motherhood changed her values and priorities
  • Building Little Luxury alongside raising young children
  • The story behind Little Luxury's signature play mat
  • Finding purpose and creativity in this season of motherhood

Instagram Giveaway

Chelsea from Little Luxury has generously gifted a $200 Little Luxury voucher for one lucky winner.

Head to @thepostpartumseasonpodcast on Instagram to enter.

Entries close at 11:59pm NZT on 1 July.

You can find out more about Little Luxury at:

Instagram: @littleluxury___

Website: www.littleluxury.co.nz

As mentioned at the end of the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

Thank you for listening. Take care x

 

 

EP 13 | Paige - Miscarriage, Twin Pregnancy, NICU Life, Making Medical Decisions for Your Children, Identity Change & Finding Flexible Work22 juin 202600:44:02

In this episode, Paige shares her postpartum journey with her twins.

We discuss:

- Miscarriage and fertility treatment

- Finding out she was expecting twins

- Learning at 20 weeks that her daughter had a lung lesion

- Living in survival mode during a complicated pregnancy

- Delivering her twins at 34 weeks

- Meeting her son and daughter for the first time

- Her daughter’s surgery shortly after birth

- Entering the unfamiliar world of the NICU

- Her son’s ongoing challenges in the NICU

- The challenge of making complex medical decisions as a new parent

- Finding support through family, another NICU mother and online groups

- The impact of NICU life on Paige and her husband

- Spending long days at the hospital while her husband worked from the cafeteria

- Bringing the twins home after months in hospital

- Support from family and a hospital social worker

- Returning to teaching and rediscovering parts of her identity outside motherhood

- Creating a more flexible career through copywriting and business coaching

- The identity shifts that come with motherhood and career change

- Learning to separate self-worth from productivity and income

- The importance of therapy and self-reflection

- Finding joy in slow, peaceful moments with her children

- Paige's advice for parents navigating the NICU


If you would like to connect with Paige and learn more about the work she is doing to support women, head to her Instagram page @mombossfreedom.

 

As mentioned, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

 

Australia

- PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)Helpline: 1300 726 306Website: https://www.panda.org.au

- Lifeline Australia13 11 14 (24/7)Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au

- Beyond Blue1300 22 4636Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au

 

New Zealand

- PlunketLine0800 933 922 (24/7)

- Healthline New Zealand0800 611 116 (24/7)

- 1737 Need to talk?Call or text 1737 (24/7)

 

Thank you for listening. Take care x

 

EP 12 | Jenae - Vaginal Birth, Postpartum Haemorrhage, Feeding Challenges, Triple Feeding, Birth Trauma Counselling, Anxiety, Accepting Support & Motherhood Identity15 juin 202600:43:02

In this episode, Jenae shares:

- Reaching 41 weeks before labour began

- Labour starting after her waters broke overnight

- Living 45 minutes from the hospital and travelling in labour

- Acupuncture and other attempts to encourage labour progression

- Giving birth to her son, Lucas

- Experiencing an immediate postpartum haemorrhage

- A delayed postpartum haemorrhage and ongoing recovery

- Physical recovery and pelvic floor physiotherapy

- Accessing support for birth trauma recovery

- Returning to hospital with concerns about Lucas's health

- Donor milk in the early days

- Formula supplementation and weight gain concerns

- Nipple shields and difficulties with latching

- Pumping and triple feeding

- Working with multiple lactation consultants

- The emotional toll of feeding challenges

- Establishing breastfeeding after months of challenges

- Weaning from breastfeeding at 17 months

- Difficulty asking for and accepting help

- Support from family, friends and mothers' groups

- Anxiety, tracking feeds and sleep, and the desire for control

- Returning to work and reconnecting with parts of her pre-motherhood identity

- Grief and identity change

- Watching Lucas grow, learn and develop

 

As mentioned, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

- PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)
Helpline: 1300 726 306
Website: https://www.panda.org.au

- Lifeline Australia
13 11 14 (24/7)
Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au

- Beyond Blue
1300 22 4636
Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au

 

New Zealand

- PlunketLine
0800 933 922 (24/7)

- Healthline New Zealand
0800 611 116 (24/7)

- 1737 Need to talk?
Call or text 1737 (24/7)

Thank you for listening. Take care x

 

EP 11 | Sonya - Unexpected Pregnancy, Postpartum Grief, Identity Change, Partner Support, Parenting Two Children, Grandparent Support, Building The Baby Namer08 juin 202600:47:23

In this episode, Sonya shares:

Becoming a mother after an unexpected pregnancy

Returning to New Zealand after living in London

Navigating pregnancy and postpartum during COVID

The emotional impact of becoming the first parent among her friendship group

Her experience of labour and birth with her daughter Odette

Early postpartum challenges, cluster feeding and newborn life

The importance of communication within relationships after having a baby

How her partner supported her throughout postpartum

Antenatal friendships and the value of finding community

Experiencing prenatal depression and postpartum emotional challenges

Becoming a mother for the second time with her son Wynn

The realities of recovering while caring for a toddler and a newborn

Physical recovery and a knee reconstruction after her second pregnancy

Postpartum grief and identity change

Letting go of expectations around "bouncing back"

 Social media, motherhood and learning to trust your own parenting choices

Finding confidence and personal growth through motherhood

Building The BB Namer alongside raising a young family

Making new friendships as an adult and as a parent

 

To learn more about Sonya and her work as The BB Namer, visit:

Instagram - @thebbnamer

TikTok - @thebbnamer

Substack - The BB Namer

Website - https://thebbnamer.com

 

On The Postpartum Season Podcast, we regularly talk about the realities of postpartum mental health. If you're finding this season difficult, please know that support is available and you don't have to navigate it alone.

Here are some helpful resources. If you're struggling, please reach out for support.

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

 

Australia

 

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP10 | Deborah - induction, positive birth experience, postpartum doula, breastfeeding challenges, sleep deprivation, postpartum anxiety and asking for help, relationship challenges, DearMe app01 juin 202600:44:09

In this episode, Deborah shares her postpartum journey with her daughter, Cleo.

We talk about:

The days leading up to birth and concerns about reduced foetal movements

Choosing an induction at 40 weeks

Preparing mentally for birth and induction

Preparing for postpartum with a postpartum doula and lactation consultant

Feeling unprepared for the realities of postpartum despite practical preparation

Meeting Cleo for the first time and the shock and beauty of birth

A positive and empowering birth experience

Recovering physically after an episiotomy

Feeling capable and confident in the early postpartum weeks

Breastfeeding challenges and using nipple shields

Cleo struggling to gain weight initially

The incredible support of Deborah’s sister during the newborn period

Settling into the rhythm of the newborn phase

The expectation that postpartum would become easier after the early weeks

Sleep deprivation worsening over time rather than improving

Navigating dietary restrictions while breastfeeding

Relationship strain during the postpartum period

Becoming hyper-fixated on sleep after difficult nap experiences

Trying apps, schedules, and sleep consultants in search of control

The emotional impact of feeling unable to “fix” baby sleep

The pressure many mothers feel to manage every aspect of sleep and routine

Postpartum anxiety, and asking for help

The reality that postpartum can become harder before it becomes easier

This episode is a deeply honest conversation about postpartum expectations, sleep deprivation, anxiety, and the emotional intensity of trying to navigate motherhood when things feel outside of your control.

Deborah has created a journalling app for mothers to use during the postpartum season, which is launching soon. To find out more, visit:

www.dearme.digital

@dearmeapp.official

As mentioned, here are some postpartum mental health resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP9 | Kim - fast positive birth experience, birth care, sleep deprivation, trying to "fix" sleep, mums and bubs pilates, community25 mai 202600:36:31

In this episode, Kim shares her postpartum journey with her son, Oscar.

We talk about:

Working right up until labour began

Preparing extensively for birth but not for postpartum

Going into labour unexpectedly after a busy final weekend

A fast and positive labour and birth experience

Meeting Oscar for the first time

The immediate protective instinct after birth

The surreal experience of those first hours with a newborn

Staying at birth care and feeling supported as new parents

The quiet solidarity shared between parents during the postpartum period

Bringing Oscar home for the first time

The early weeks of adrenaline and support from friends and family

Sleep deprivation and the impact it had emotionally and physically

Trying to “fix” baby sleep and searching constantly for solutions

The reality of two-hour sleep stretches and broken nights

Finding ways to cope overnight, including snacks, water, TV, and routines

How postpartum exhaustion can slowly build over time

The comfort that comes from sharing openly with other mothers

The importance of hearing honest postpartum stories

Feeling connected through shared motherhood experiences

This episode is an honest reflection on the beauty, exhaustion, and connection that can come with the postpartum season, and the importance of sharing real experiences with one another.

EP8 | Makayla - three children, three different postpartum experiences18 mai 202600:51:51

In this episode, Makayla shares her postpartum journey across motherhood with her three boys.

We talk about:

Becoming a mum for the first time at 21

Going overdue and the emotional wait around Christmas

Meeting her first baby

Experiencing a postpartum haemorrhage shortly after birth

Being separated from her baby in the first hours after birth

The physical weakness and emotional impact of recovery post postpartum haemorrhage

Feeling pressure to care for her baby while still needing to heal

The difficulty of breastfeeding expectations in the early days

Coming home from hospital and feeling overwhelmed

The pressure to follow schedules and do everything “right”

Anxiety, self-doubt, and feeling judged as a young first-time mum

Learning to be more open about struggling

The freedom that can come from speaking honestly with other mothers

Her second and third postpartum experiences

The idea that postpartum may not become easier, but expectations change

Trusting herself more as a mother

Letting go of rigid baby sleep expectations

Reflecting on what she would tell her younger postpartum self

This is a warm and honest conversation about the realities of postpartum — the unexpected challenges, the pressure we can place on ourselves, and the gradual confidence that can come with time, experience, and support.

EP 7 | Laura - planned LSCS, LSCS recovery, support in the early days, feeding, mastitis, sleep challenges, baby blues, anxiety, relationship changes, enjoying the small moments11 mai 202600:40:56

In this episode, Laura shares her postpartum journey with her daughter, Winnie.

We talk about:

Preparing for postpartum with practical support like meal prep and organising baby essentials

A planned caesarean birth due to transverse positioning

Meeting Winnie for the first time

Early recovery from a caesarean section and the challenges of limited mobility

Staying at birth care and the value of 24/7 support for new parents

Learning to breastfeed and navigating latch challenges in the early days

Exclusive breastfeeding when Winnie refused a bottle

Recurrent mastitis and managing symptoms and treatment

Coming home and adjusting without constant support

Feeding schedules and concerns about newborn weight loss

The realities of postpartum recovery while caring for a newborn

Sleep in the early weeks and the transition to longer stretches

Sleep regressions, co-sleeping, and eventual sleep training

The impact of sleep deprivation on mental health and daily functioning

Tracking feeds and sleep and the mental load of managing routines

Baby blues and the hormonal shift after birth

Experiencing anxiety for the first time postpartum

“Sunset scaries” and anxiety around nighttime and sleep

The importance of partner support and communication

Changes in relationship dynamics and finding new ways to connect

The shift in identity and redefining what “free time” and “fun” look like

Being the first in a friendship group to have a baby

Finding connection through antenatal classes and other mums

The evolving nature of friendships in motherhood

The joy of milestones — first smiles, giggles, crawling, and personality

The contrast between the challenges and the beautiful moments of motherhood

This episode offers an honest look at the physical, emotional, and relational changes that come with motherhood, and the importance of support, flexibility, and self-compassion in the postpartum season.

EP6 | Julia - induction, PPH, perineal tear, NICU stay, feeding journey, support from partner and family, baby blues, mental health support, return to paid work, Space, coffee groups, travel04 mai 202600:28:59

In this episode, Julia shares her postpartum journey with her daughter, Cameron.

We talk about:

Pregnancy with hypertension and preparing for an induction

A vaginal birth with a third-degree tear and postpartum haemorrhage

Going to theatre after birth 

Cameron’s low glucose readings and time in special care and NICU

The emotional experience of being discharged while Cameron remained in hospital

Tube feeding, pumping, feeding support, and learning to breast feed

Coming home together and introducing Cameron to Julia’s dog, Summer

Family support from Julia’s mum, sister, brother-in-law, and wider family

Starting solids

The importance of walking for mental health and recovery

Returning to paid work after maternity leave and the challenges of feeding, commuting, and childcare

Making the decision to resign from paid work and stay home a little longer with Cameron

Finding a new rhythm through coffee group, Space, swimming lessons, and walks

Accessing maternal mental health support and having check-ins after birth

Parenting as a single mother, with support from her partner, family, and community

Identity changes in motherhood

Travelling to Hawaii with Cameron

The joy of watching Cameron grow, explore, and become a little companion

This is a warm and honest conversation about the many layers of postpartum — feeding, support, identity, and finding your way through the first year of motherhood.

EP5 | Laura - early days, meal train, support systems, colic, sleep deprivation, return to paid work, identity shift, mum guilt27 avr. 202600:35:58

In this episode, Laura shares her postpartum journey with her son.

We talk about:

A fast labour and the experience of birthing shortly after arriving at hospital

Her sense of strength and awe following birth

Time in birth care and the support it provided in the early days

Adjusting to life at home

Creating a meal train and receiving community support in the postpartum period

Living with her mother-in-law postpartum and navigating cultural and language differences

Caring for a baby with colic and the impact of sleep deprivation

Learning to let go of small things and prioritise what truly matters

The value of extended family support and having extra hands in the home

Returning to paid work and balancing childcare, feeding, and professional identity

The emotional complexity of hearing her baby cry while working from home

Finding fulfilment in work alongside the challenges of separation

Feelings of guilt around time away and self-care

Identity changes in motherhood, particularly as an older mum

Grief around not being able to stay home longer

The impact of social connection and building community during maternity leave

Reflections on the beauty and challenges of postpartum

The importance of reaching out for support and not doing it alone

This is a thoughtful and honest conversation about the balance of motherhood — the beauty, the challenge, and the ongoing process of finding your way through it.

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP4 | Tamsyn Part 2 - sleep challenges, navigating your relationship during the postpartum period, social media, comparison, postpartum mental health, highlights, support systems27 avr. 202600:25:15

In this episode, Tamsyn continues sharing her postpartum journey with her son, Benjamin.

This is part two of a two-part conversation.

We talk about:

The months following the early postpartum period

Sleep deprivation and its impact on mental health and daily life

The strain that exhaustion can place on relationships

Seeking support through a sleep consultant

The influence of social media and comparison in early motherhood

Learning to tune into her baby and trust her instincts

Navigating pressure around sleep, routines, and expectations

Experiences of loneliness in motherhood despite not being physically alone

Reaching a point of needing help and speaking to her GP

Being diagnosed with postnatal depression and processing this diagnosis

Support from her partner and family during this time

Small steps towards feeling better, including movement, fresh air, and connection

The importance of getting out of the house and seeing friends

Moments of joy — watching Benjamin grow, develop, and interact with others

Reflections on milestones and the changing nature of motherhood

The importance of knowing what support and resources are available postpartum

Advice for parents navigating hospital stays with their babies

Learning to advocate for her child in medical settings

An update on Benjamin’s health and ongoing care

Finding support through community

Living with uncertainty and learning to take things one step at a time

This is an honest conversation about postpartum — how challenges can evolve over time, and how healing is often not linear.

As mentioned, here are some postpartum mental health resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

 

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk?
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

Thank you for listening. Take care x

EP 3 | Tamsyn Part 1 - Baby blues, kidney disease journey, breast and bottle feeding, episiotomy recovery, relationship with partner, postpartum support21 avr. 202600:30:49

In this episode, Tamsyn shares her experience of the early postpartum period with her son, Benjamin.

This is part one of a two-part conversation.

We talk about:

Pregnancy with high blood pressure and planning for induction

Expectations of postpartum and feeling unprepared for what followed

A long induction process 

A rapid labour and birth after waters were broken

Meeting Benjamin for the first time and the emotions of those early hours

The first days in hospital, including physical recovery and hormonal changes

Experiencing the baby blues and the intensity of early postpartum emotions

The importance of support, especially from Tamsyn’s mum

Physical recovery following an episiotomy

Benjamin’s diagnosis of kidney issues following birth

Returning to hospital and navigating uncertainty around his condition

Time spent in hospital, including isolation and ongoing investigations

Benjamin’s surgery at 11 days old and the emotional impact of this experience

The role of family and friends in supporting Tamsyn through this time

Balancing her own recovery while caring for a newborn in hospital

Early feeding experiences, including oversupply

Breastfeeding and pumping while navigating a hospital environment

The impact of stress and uncertainty on early postpartum and feeding

The effect of this experience on Tamsyn and her partner 

Coming home again and beginning to find their rhythm as a family

This is a very honest conversation about early motherhood in the context of unexpected medical challenges — and the strength it takes to move through those first weeks.

Thanks for listening, take care x

EP2 | Lauren - PPH recovery, the early weeks, positive physical recovery, postpartum mental health, travelling with a baby, return to work, mixed feeding, weaning21 avr. 202600:33:31

In this episode, Lauren shares her postpartum experience following the birth of her son, Hayden.

We talk about:

The final days of pregnancy and the unexpected onset of labour

A rapid birth and postpartum haemorrhage

Recovery in the early days, including blood transfusions and feeding support

The transition home and the emotional weight of those first weeks

Postpartum anxiety and the impact of tracking apps and expectations

Seeking support from a GP and counsellor

The role of exercise, fresh air, and time in recovery

The importance of support systems — and the difficulty of accepting help

Travelling with a baby and how this shifted Lauren’s perspective

Returning to paid work and finding balance between motherhood and identity

Feeding challenges, triple feeding, and the transition to formula

Hormonal shifts during weaning and their impact on mental health

Reflections on what she wishes she had known before postpartum

This is an honest and thoughtful conversation about the realities of postpartum — the hard moments, the turning points, and the deep love that grows alongside it all.

As mentioned, here are the details of some postpartum mental health resources:

Australia

New Zealand

  • PlunketLine
    0800 933 922 (24/7)
  • Healthline New Zealand
    0800 611 116 (24/7)
  • 1737 Need to talk
    Call or text 1737 (24/7)

Thanks for listening, take care x

EP1 | Laura - early days, relationship with partner, new community, sleep deprivation, loneliness, identity shift, matrescence21 avr. 202600:07:15

In this episode, I introduce The Postpartum Season Podcast and shares my own experience of the postpartum period.

We talk about:

Becoming a mother and reflecting on the first eleven months postpartum 

The beauty of the newborn phase and early days with a new baby 

Changes in relationships and navigating parenthood as a couple 

Finding connection and community with other mothers 

The small, everyday moments that become meaningful memories 

Sleep deprivation and the mental load that comes with it 

The impact of disrupted sleep on emotional wellbeing and daily life 

The identity shift that comes with becoming a mother 

Feelings of loneliness, even when surrounded by support 

The internal and often unseen aspects of the postpartum experience 

Why this podcast was created — to hold space for honest postpartum stories 

This episode sets the foundation for the podcast — a space for real, open conversations about the postpartum season, in all its complexity.

Trailer25 mars 202600:01:45

The Postpartum Season Podcast.

Honest postpartum stories.
Helping mothers feel seen & less alone.
Episodes coming soon.

© My Podcast Data · Independent project · Data from Apple & Spotify