Shows
The Motherwhelm45 Ciara | Motherhood | Ectopic pregnancy, IVF journey, perinatal mental health, l & d nurse, black maternity care, mama coach, postnatal depressionIn the forty-fifth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Ciara to talk about the winding, often unseen road to motherhood. Ciara shares her experience of an ectopic pregnancy and the profound impact her loss had on her body, her mental health, and her sense of self. We explore her IVF journey, the hope, heartbreak, and resilience required to keep going when the path to becoming a mother is anything but straightforward.We discuss perinatal mental health and Ciara’s experience of postnatal depression, unpacking how it showed up for her, what helped, an...
2026-01-311h 04The Motherwhelm44 Caroline | Motherhood | perinatal psychologist, PNA, breastfeeding journey, self-discovery, first-time momIn the forty-fourth episode of The Motherwhelm, I interview Caroline, a perinatal psychologist, and now a mother of two.This episode is a little time capsule. It was recorded two years ago and recently recovered from the archives, this conversation captures one mother in a very specific season of her motherhood. Since recording, she’s welcomed another baby, and listening back now feels like being invited into a moment that can never quite be recreated, only remembered.This episode is a reminder that motherhood is always shifting, always evolving, and every version of ourselves deserves to...
2026-01-0638 minThe Motherwhelm43 Emily | Motherhood | perinatal therapist, author, Your NICU Story, neurodivergence, chronic illness, Hashimoto's disease, surrender, acceptance, homeschooling, rejecting societal expectationsIn the forty-third episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Emily, a mother of two, perinatal therapist, and coauthor of the upcoming guided reflective journal 'Your NICU Story.' In this conversation, Emily shares her personal and professional experiences with motherhood, chronic illness, and neurodivergence, offering a deeply honest look at what it means to care for yourself while caring for others. It’s a grounding and insightful discussion that I'm sure will resonate with so many listeners.Texts mentioned in this episodePodcasts:Mom and Mind wi...
2025-09-071h 04The Motherwhelm42 Mahaley | Motherhood | Infant loss, NICU experience, Your NICU Story, birth after loss, surrogacy, grief, perinatal therapistIn the forty-second episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Mahaley, therapist, co-author of 'Your NICU Story', and mother of four. She shares the loss of her second daughter, Sacchi, and talks about how it shaped her subsequent birth and surrogacy journey, and what it means to parent while living with grief and fear.We talk about the ongoing balance of honouring loss without letting it overshadow the lives of her living children - and how she works to give them a full, joyful childhood while carrying such profound grief.Texts mentioned in this...
2025-08-3158 minThe Motherwhelm41 Ali & Bronte | Special | Birth trauma, birth trauma education, matrescence, doula, women's circles, mental health social work, healingIn this special episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by two deeply compassionate and knowledgeable guests, Ali Heppell and Bronte Taylor.Ali is a mother of two, a postpartum doula, matrescence educator, motherhood studies practitioner, and women’s circle facilitator. Her work centres around helping mothers reconnect with their stories, their needs, and their sense of self in the postpartum space.Bronte is a mother of one, an accredited mental health social worker, a motherhood studies practitioner, and a skilled EMDR and Schema therapist. She also facilitates group work supporting mothers in their healing jo...
2025-08-2447 minThe Motherwhelm40 Emily & Mahaley | Special | Your NICU Story, guided reflection journal, NICU, infant loss, grief, perinatal mental health professionalsIn this special episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Emily Souder and Mahaley Patel - therapists, authors, and mothers - who have both lived and worked through the complexities of NICU experiences in deeply personal ways.Their upcoming book, 'Your NICU Story: Reflecting on Your Family's Experience', is more than a guide - it's a compassionate companion for families navigating the aftermath of a NICU stay. In this episode, we explore the emotional layers of NICU trauma, grief, healing, and what it means to hold space for conflicting emotions like gratitude and heartbreak...
2025-08-2058 minThe Motherwhelm39 Haley | Motherhood | Identity shifts, postpartum depression, isolation, COVID-19, breaking cycles, honesty in motherhoodIn the thirty-ninth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Haley, as she shares about her experience with the isolation of postpartum during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing effort of staying true to her values as a new mother, and the importance of speaking honestly about both the highs and lows of motherhood. Sources mentioned in this episode:InstagramWhole Body PregnancyLife After Birth with Yara HearyTerra de mamaThe Breastfeeding MentorBirth ResourcesT...
2025-07-311h 49The Motherwhelm39 Rachel | Motherhood | NICU, 33 weeks, PPROM, premature birth, PCOS, naturopath support, prenatal anxiety, lawyerIn the thirty-eighth episode of The Motherwhelm, I’m joined by Rachel, a mother whose journey into parenthood took an unexpected turn when her daughter Milla was born prematurely. Rachel shares with honesty and heart what it meant to navigate those early, fragile days - and how the experience reshaped her understanding of motherhood.Together, we talk about the importance of slowing down, learning to surrender when life doesn't follow the script, and honouring your own path, even when it doesn't match the expectations around you.Sources mentioned in the show...
2025-07-031h 12The Motherwhelm38 Ariane Beeston | Motherhood | author, postpartum psychosis survivor, perinatal mental health advocate, recovery, storytelling, creativity, identityIn the thirty-eighth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Ariane Beeston - a postpartum psychosis survivor, perinatal mental health advocate, trained psychologist, and author of the powerful memoir, 'Because I’m Not Myself, You See: A Memoir of Motherhood, Madness, and Coming Back From the Brink.'We talk about the unraveling and the rebuilding. The silence surrounding maternal mental illness. And how writing her memoir became part of the healing process - not just for her, but for the countless women who see themselves reflected in her story.This is a conversation ab...
2025-06-121h 32The Motherwhelm37 Madeline | Motherhood | Identity, cosplay, gaming, creativity in motherhood, honouring your needs, neurodivergence, ADHD, twice exceptionalIn the thirty-seventh episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Madeline, a mother of two, cosplayer, gamer, and passionate math teacher.We talk about the highs and lows of navigating motherhood while honouring your own needs and passions, and the best ways we can show up for our children and ourselves. This is an honest, affirming conversation about identity, self-acceptance, and finding joy in the little things.Sources mentioned in this episodeTikTok: @domesticblisters Instagram: @biglittlefeelings@responsive_parentingFacebook:
2025-06-061h 15The Motherwhelm36 Jess | Motherhood | perinatal mental health, marriage separation, solo parenting, co-parenting, counselling, ADHD, self-discoveryIn the thirty-sixth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Jess, a mum of 3 who shares with real honesty about the emotional journey of her marriage breakdown and what it taught her about identity and resilience; The often-overlooked challenge of rediscovering yourself after becoming a mother, and how reconnecting with your interests, no matter your age or life stage, can be a powerful path back to yourself.This is a conversation about letting go, starting over, and finding freedom in self-discovery. Jess’s openness is not only comforting but incredibly empowering.
2025-05-141h 07The Motherwhelm35 Polly | Motherhood | IVF, motherhood community, self acceptance, strength and femininity, modelling body confidenceIn the thirty-fifth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Polly, who shares with us her journey navigating the complexities of IVF, the power of finding a supportive community in motherhood, and the ongoing practice of self-acceptance.
2025-05-071h 08The Motherwhelm34 Alyce | Motherhood | young mum, church community, twin pregnancy, miscarriage, postnatal anxiety, postpartum support, body imageIn the thirty-fourth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Alyce, who shares openly and thoughtfully about becoming a young mum, navigating the challenges of postnatal anxiety and seeking support, and working through the complexities of body image after birth.
2025-05-011h 53The Motherwhelm33 Yara | Motherhood | psychologist, reparenting, legacy, the perfect mother myth, self-compassion, breath work, internal family systemsIn the 33rd episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Yara, psychologist and host of the podcast Life After Birth with Yara Heary. We discuss the nexus between her work and her mothering, covering topics like reparenting, overcoming the perfect mother myth, the importance of self-compassion, and practical tools like breath-work to help support your mental health and nervous system. Get ready for an inspiring conversation about healing, motherhood, and finding your confidence along the way. You can find Yara here:@lifeafterbirthpsychologyhttps://www.lifeafterbirth.com.au/
2025-03-241h 09
Liberating MotherhoodS2 Ep5: Revolutionary motherhood, the life cycle of an activist, and motherwhelm, with Beth BerryThe silencing and targeting of mothers is a deliberate act of damaging the next generation and attacking women. When we rob mothers of their power, we slow the process of human liberation.
Beth Berry is a coach, mentor, and seasoned mother and activist who works with mothers to access their power so they can be changemakers. In this podcast episode, we talked about maternal activism, making friends, and so much more. Here’s some of what we cover:
How activists often experience a diminishing of their humanity, and an expectation that we should have limitless capacity and resources,
Wh...
2025-03-1956 minThe Motherwhelm32 Rachel | Motherhood | VBAC journey, travel, identity, tree change, country living, friendship, activismIn the thirty-second episode of The Motherwhelm, Rachel shares how making a tree change has transformed her experience of parenthood, the challenges of staying politically engaged while raising children, and what activism looks like through the lens of motherhood.Rachel shares her power VBAC journey on the Australian VBAC Stories podcast in Episode 8.
2025-03-111h 17The Motherwhelm31 Adelle | Motherhood | Reparenting, self-work, traumatic birth, postpartum rage, VBAC journey, HBAC, EMDR therapy, perinatal counselling, self-acceptanceIn the thirty-first episode of The Motherwhelm, Adelle shares her journey of healing and empowerment after a traumatic birth. She opens up about her HBAC experience, the role of reparenting, self-work, and EMDR therapy in her recovery, and how perinatal counselling helped her find self-acceptance. This powerful conversation explores the strength it takes to reclaim your birth story.
2025-03-052h 13The Motherwhelm30 Natalie | Motherhood | Positive birth experience, supportive partner, hypnobirthing instructor, home birth, SA survivor, supported breastfeeding journey, breath work, emotional regulationIn the thirtieth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Natalie, a hypnobirth instructor and mum of two, who shares the profound impact hypnobirthing has had on her life. From transforming her labour experiences to enabling her breastfeeding journey, work, and even managing her own emotions when her children are experiencing big feelings, Natalie’s insights are invaluable. This conversation is a powerful reminder that a woman’s birthing experience extends far beyond the birthing room.
Texts mentioned in the episode:
@evidencebasedbirth
@thegreatbirthrebellion
You can...
2024-12-2844 minThe Motherwhelm29 Jane | Motherhood | matrescence, occupational therapist, birth stories, reframing trauma, infant sleepIn the twenty-ninth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Jane, an occupational therapist and mum of two from Melbourne, who talks about the power of reframing trauma on your own terms, doing your research for birth and beyond, and trusting your instincts.
Texts mentioned in this episode:
'Mama Rising' by Amy Taylor-Kabbaz
2024-12-021h 13The Motherwhelm28 Kaylee | Motherhood | SAHM, young mother, COVID baby, VBAC journey, doula, birth storyIn the twenty-eighth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Kaylee, a mum of three from WA, who shares her first two birth stories on her journey to VBAC, the shock and isolation of parenting through a pandemic as a young first-time mum, and how meeting the right person can change your whole perspective on parenthood.
Texts mentioned in this episode:
Podcasts:
The Great Birth Rebellion
The Midwives Cauldron
Australian VBAC Stories
VBAC Birth Stories
VBAC Home Birth...
2024-10-161h 30The Motherwhelm27 Madeline | Motherhood | counsellor, business owner, mum rage, compassion, IFS parts therapyIn the twenty-seventh episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Madeline, a counsellor for millennial women and mum of one from Melbourne. She shares how her journey into motherhood challenged her people-pleasing tendencies and opened up a wellspring of creativity, allowing her to embrace her passions in ways she never thought possible.
Texts mention in this episode:
No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma & Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model Paperback by Richard Schwartz
2024-10-071h 03The Motherwhelm26 Grace | Motherhood | COVID pregnancy and postpartum, mothering in isolation, VBAC, home birth, doulaIn the twenty-sixth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Grace, a mum-of-two living in New Zealand, who shares her experience of birthing during a pandemic far from home and family, the tumultuous transition from one to two, and mothering as a counter-cultural act of rebellion.
2024-09-0450 minThe Motherwhelm25 Kim | Motherhood | IVF pregnancy, postnatal depression, parent and infant unit, autism diagnosisIn the 25th episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Kim, who shares openly and vulnerably about conceiving through IVF, the challenges of postpartum depression and accessing adequate support, and what it has meant to seek an autism diagnosis for her daughter.
Perinatal Mental Health Resources:
Parent and Baby Unit:https://www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/ParentBaby.html
@gidgetfoundation
https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au/
@pandanational
https://panda.org.au/
@lifelineaustralia
Lifeline Australia 13 11 14
https://www.l...
2024-08-1755 minThe Motherwhelm24 Adele | Motherhood | young mother, resilience, domestic violence survivor, near-fatal car accident, recovery, active thyroid cancer, self-discovery, identityIn the twenty-fourth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Adele, a mum of three, who shares her experience of becoming a mum at 19, escaping domestic violence, surviving a near-fatal car accident, and living with an active cancer diagnosis. Adele shares her story with grace, humility, and an incredible spirit of self-reflection. She views moments that would bring others to their knees as opportunities for growth, and I believe there is so much we can all learn from her philosophy.
Texts mentioned in this episode:
Podcasts:
...
2024-07-171h 58
She Has The AudacityFrom Overwhelm to Empowerment: Motherhood Your Way with Beth Berry, Author of "Motherwhelm"Motherhood is NOT for the faint of heart. Your pre-parent life, which was previously focused on your personal needs and plans, is suddenly focused entirely on another living breathing human being! While so much of motherhood is rewarding and life-changing, if we are being honest, it is also incredibly hard. But, who's talking about the hard parts? All we see is blissful family portraits and matching family outfits. According to Beth Berry, mother of four, coach and author of "Motherwhelmed", if more of us were honest about motherhood, less of us...
2024-06-0647 minThe Motherwhelm23 Nicole | Motherhood | postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, neurodivergence, young mother, CraniosynostosisIn the twenty-third episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Nicole, a mum-of-three from Victoria, who shares beautifully and openly about her experience of postpartum depression and anxiety as a young mother, the hard-earned confidence that comes with experience, and the resilience and strength it takes to parent in your own way, despite the immense societal pressure that mothers face.
Perinatal Mental Health Resources:
@gidgetfoundation
https://www.gidgetfoundation.com.au
@pandanational
https://panda.org.au
@lifelineaustralia
Lifeline Australia 13 11 14
https...
2024-05-221h 23The Motherwhelm22 Kendra | Motherhood | matrescence, identity, breastfeeding challenges, postpartum supportIn the twenty-second episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Kendra, a soon to be mum-of-two living in London, who describes motherhood as a ‘coming home’ to the essence of who she is. We discuss breastfeeding challenges, the shock and isolation of postpartum, and the reckoning that occurs when past versions of yourself no longer quite fit.
Instagram accounts mentioned in this episode:
@drsophiebrock
@amytaylorkabbaz
@lifeafterbirthpsychology
@raisedgood
2024-05-1641 minThe Motherwhelm21 Yong-Li | Motherhood | Endometriosis, pregnancy after loss, importance of community, confinement, business ownerIn the twenty-first episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Yong-Li, a business owner and mum of two who talks about her experience with endometriosis, pregnancy after loss, and the importance of practicing gratitude for everything your body has given you.
The texts mentioned in this episode are:
The Wonder Weeks app
The Whole Brain Child by Daniel J Siegel
The Postnatal Depletion Cure by Dr Oscar Serrallach
To learn more about Yong-Li and her business, check her out on Instagram @enbacci
2024-04-261h 13The Motherwhelm20 Erin | Motherhood | Type 1 Diabetes, Preeclampsia, PUPPS, Traumatic Birth, GA Caesarean, PTSD, Postpartum DepressionIn the twentieth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by my beautiful friend Erin, who shares her experience of pregnancy and motherhood living with type 1 diabetes, and the loneliness of navigating her postpartum period after a traumatic birth that resulted in PTSD and postpartum depression.
This episode is a powerful one. Not least because it is the story of a lovely friend, but also because of how it perfectly represents the aspects of motherhood that so often get overlooked: challenge, uncertainty, strength, and resilience. Erin shares so beautifully and vulnerably, and I just know you will...
2024-04-081h 37The Motherwhelm19 Lisa | Mental Health | Internal Family SystemsIn today’s Motherwhelm Bite, I am joined by Lisa Quinney, a perinatal counsellor and mum of 2 from Geelong. Lisa demonstrates how Internal Family Systems works as a modality by flipping it back on me, and giving me a lot of food for thought. This discussion made me so eager to learn more about IFS, and how it could fit into my own future counselling practice.
If you want to hear more from Lisa, go check out Episode 17, where she shares so beautifully and vulnerably about her motherhood journey.
Lisa can be found on Instagram:
2024-04-0513 minThe Motherwhelm18 Lauren | Motherhood | hyperemesis gravidarum, perinatal psychology, hold the mother, postpartum supportIn the eighteenth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Lauren, a perinatal psychologist and mum of two from Melbourne, who discusses the value of sitting in the uncertainty of getting to know yourself, the importance of holding the mother, and respecting the postpartum period.
Lauren is such a generous soul, and I gained so much from her insights as a psychologist, woman, and mother. I know you will too.
Influential texts mentioned in this episode:
'Nobody told me' by Hollie McNish
'The Good Enough Mother Podcast...
2024-04-011h 23The Motherwhelm17 Lisa | Motherhood | Postnatal Depression, mother of two, matrescence, honouring your needs, authenticityIn the seventeenth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Lisa, a perinatal counsellor and mum of 2 from Geelong, who shares openly about her experience with postnatal depression, the importance of showing up for yourself and honouring your needs, and the way motherhood can return us to our primal state to allow us to be reborn alongside our children.
I really felt like I found a kindred spirit in Lisa, and I hope you will enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it.
Instagram accounts mentioned in t...
2024-03-241h 16The Motherwhelm16 Lisa & Lauren | Mental Health | Loneliness in Motherhood, Maternal JournalThis Motherwhelm Bite is more like a Motherwhelm Meal. Lisa Quinny from @walk.with.lisa and Lauren Beatty from @tendpsychology planned to host an Instagram Live to discuss the big, important topic of loneliness in motherhood. I was so excited to tune in and simply listen, but when technical difficulties proved to be an obstacle, I jumped at the opportunity to use this podcast as a platform for the discussion.
In this episode, we talk about how loneliness can catch you off guard, how it can present in different contexts, and importantly, how it can be addressed. T...
2024-02-101h 27The Motherwhelm15 Rebecca | Mental Health | clinical psychologist registrar, rural communities, anger, anxiety, guilt, therapyIn the second episode of Motherwhelm Bites, I speak with Rebecca Gilchrist, a clinical psychologist registrar who works primarily with women and mothers living in rural communities. We discuss the important messages that anger, anxiety, and guilt can have for us - if we can only learn to ask the right questions.
This discussion really challenged the way I conceive of these emotions, and gave me a new perspective and understanding of how they are actually here to help.
I hope this episode will do the same for you.
You can find Re...
2024-01-0726 minThe Motherwhelm14 Amy | Motherhood | first-time mum, self-care, work/life balance, importance of family, communityIn the fourteenth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Amy, who generously shares the challenges she faced as a first-time mum, the emotional fortitude she discovered through the birth of her son, and her beautiful personal philosophy about the importance of being with family in the limited time we have.
Instagram accounts mentioned in this episode:
@tinyheartseducation
@sick.happens
@birthwithbeth_
@australianbirthstories
@australianvbacstories
2023-12-3152 minThe Motherwhelm13 Rebecca | Motherhood | NICU, 33 weeks, PROM, air ambulance birth, rural communities, mental health support, blended familyOn the thirteenth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Rebecca, a mum of two who gave birth to her first daughter at 33 weeks on an air ambulance at 13,000 feet.
Rebecca is a clinical psychologist registrar who works in the perinatal space supporting women living in rural communities, and she shares her own experience of living on a sheep and cattle farm in New England, NSW.
Rebecca brings her professional expertise and remarkable lived experience to our conversation, and it makes for a really beautiful and informative episode, which I’m sure you’ll all...
2023-12-161h 02The Motherwhelm12 Kaitlyn | Motherhood | NICU, 27 weeks, PTSD, mental health, medication, pumping journey, resilienceIn the twelfth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Kaitlyn, a first-time mother who gave birth to her daughter, Gianna, at 27 weeks. There are many remarkable elements to Kaitlyn’s story, but the thing that stands out most for me is her resilience, determination, and ability to creatively pivot in the face of unexpected circumstances.
Kaitlyn shares her journey with such an open heart, and her love for her daughter and husband really shines through. Whether you’ve been through the NICU, are in the NICU now, or may never know the NICU experience, there is a...
2023-12-101h 19The Motherwhelm11 Jen | Motherhood | NICU, 33 weeks, identity shift, relationship transformation, postpartum anger, anxiety, SAHM, exclusive pumping journeyIn the eleventh episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Jen, a first-time mother who gave birth to her son, Luca, at 33 weeks. She shares her experience of unexpectedly being challenged by anxiety and anger in postpartum, how motherhood has given her a new perspective on her role as a social worker, and the way she has empowered herself by advocating for her son throughout their NICU journey.
Instagram accounts mentioned in this episode:
@miraclekidsnparentnetwork
@handtohold
@growwithjenlowe
2023-12-011h 15The Motherwhelm10 Bree | Motherhood | NICU, 30 weeks, PTSD, Laryngomalacia, authentic connection, importance of community intuitionIn the tenth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Bree, a first-time mum who gave birth to her son, Jaxx, at 30 weeks. She shares her experience of finding her feet in motherhood after being thrown in far sooner than she expected, the importance of authentically sharing both the highs and lows with her community, and how the NICU experience can stay with you long after you've left.
Instagram accounts mentioned in this episode:
@jaxxsjourney_
Bree has provided a list of helpful resources for NICU mum in the linktree in her Instagram...
2023-11-2041 minThe Motherwhelm09 Danielle | Motherhood | NICU, Micropreemie, 24 weeks, PPROM, co-parenting with medical team, importance of intuition, finding communityIn the ninth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Danielle, a first-time mother from Canada, who gave birth to her son, Jack, at 24 weeks. Danielle shares her experience of co-parenting with a medical team, the importance of listening to her intuition, and the sense of belonging that comes from connecting with a community of fellow NICU mums who truly understand.
Instagram accounts mentioned in this episode:
@nicu_experience
@miraclemoonuk
@preemiehood
2023-11-201h 54
Australian VBAC StoriesEP3 - Georgia's HBAC (postdates induction, emergency caesarean, breastfeeding challenges, private midwife, HBAC, VBAC, homebirth after caesarean, breech, ECV, long labour)Today we bring you the story of Georgia's two births. Georgia is another of our beautiful co-hosts, and in this episode, she shares so openly and generously about her experience birthing her two daughters, including how she went from planning a elective repeat caesarean with her second to a planned homebirth after caesarean with the support of a private midwife.
Georgia obviously spent some time reflecting on her journeys and provides such a wonderful insight into what really made the difference for her, not only in labour and birth, but postpartum as well. This is particularly relevant in her case...
2023-11-051h 41The Motherwhelm08 Laura | Motherhood | infant loss, grief, rainbow babies, birth after loss, resilience, postnatal anxietyIn the eighth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Laura, a mum of three boys, James, Reuben, and Luca. Laura shares openly and beautifully about the loss of her son, James, who passed at 8 weeks of age due to a rare genetic mutation. Laura's is a story of resilience, courage, and a deep, deep love for all of her children.
“Every year, around 110,000 Australians have a miscarriage. 2,200 more endure the pain of stillbirth, 600 lose their baby in the first 28 days after birth and many more face the grief of termination for medical reasons. October is a...
2023-10-311h 27The Motherwhelm07 Ariadna | Motherhood | co-parenting, work/life balance, identity and motherhood, choice in birthIn the seventh episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by my beautiful friend Ariadna, who shares her journey of co-parenting and discovering that sometimes, the best path is to transition from partners to friends. She delves into the importance of maintaining clear boundaries between her work life and family life, offering valuable insights for other mothers striving for balance.
Ariadna also opens up about her empowering experience of choice and autonomy during childbirth, advocating for women's rights and their ability to make decisions that feel right for them during this transformative moment. She emphasises the significance...
2023-10-291h 32
Growing Up Raising Us09 | Bron's 2 VBACs: Homebirth Transfer, Premature Baby, Homebirth After Caesarean (HBAC), Doula, Private Midwife, Precipitous LabourIn this episode, we're joined by Brownyn (she/her). Bronwyn is the host of @the.motherwhelm podcast and lives in the Blue Mountains with her husband and three children.
Her first birth was a classic case of the cascade of intervention, from an induction due to gestational hypertension, to an emergency cesarean due to ‘failure to progress’. This experience left Bronwyn feeling humiliated and disempowered, and she suffered from postnatal anxiety during her postpartum.
For her second birth, she hired a private midwife and doula for a home birth after cesarean, but when she went into...
2023-10-2448 minAustralian VBAC StoriesEP2 - Bronwyn's 2 VBACs (induction, emergency caesarean, HBAC, homebirth, homebirth transfer, premature labour, premature baby, postpartum anxiety, fast birth, precipitous labour, HBAC, 2VBAC, BBA)Today we bring you the VBAC stories of one of our gorgeous co-hosts, Bronwyn.
Bronwyn experienced the all-too-common cascade of interventions in her first pregnancy with an induction that led her to an emergency caesarean. She knew she needed a different experience when she fell pregnant with her second baby, and after initially planning a VBAC in hospital, she ended up planning a HBAC (homebirth after caesarean) after seeing the documentary BirthTime. Her second baby had other plans, though, and when Bronwyn went into premature labour at 36 weeks, she found herself needing to birth in hospital. After a tumultuous and...
2023-10-221h 47The Motherwhelm06 Madeline | Mental Health | counsellor, anger, shame, somatic release, compassion, connectionIn the first episode of Motherwhelm Bites, I speak with Madeline, a counsellor for millennial women from Melbourne. She shares some easy-to-follow advice on how we can approach moments of anger, guilt, and shame throughout our motherhood journeys.
You can connect with Madeline on Instagram under the handle @sitwithself
She is currently accepting new clients online and in-person!
2023-10-1908 minThe Motherwhelm05 Leah | Motherhood | working mother, healthy relationships, authentic motherhoodIn the fifth episode of The Motherwhelm, I speak with Leah, a mother of two from Indiana, USA. She shares openly and vulnerably about the breakdown of her marriage, the courage she got from the birth of her son which enabled her to leave a toxic relationship, and the joy and love she found in a supportive partnership.
Through this conversation, it becomes clear that sometimes when life takes an unexpected turn, it can be exactly what you needed. Leah's story is an authentic reflection on finding your identity within and alongside motherhood, adjusting expectations of what...
2023-10-1552 minThe Motherwhelm04 Chelsea | Motherhood | IUD pregnancy, second-time mother, VBAC journey, connecting to intuition, the power of stories, importance of communityIn the fourth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Chelsea, the host of the Definitely Baby podcast, and second-time mum on her VBAC journey. She shares with us the difficulties of facing off against societal expectations, coming to terms with the unpredictability of birth, and the importance of reconnecting with her intuition.
Chelsea's story of an unplanned first pregnancy on an IUD speaks to the idea that sometimes the Universe can deliver exactly what we need, when we least expect it.
The podcasts recommended in this episode are:
Definitely Baby
2023-10-0749 minThe Motherwhelm03 Georgia | Motherhood | postpartum & breastfeeding support, infant sleep struggles, marriage & parenthood, importance of communityIn the third episode of The Motherwhelm I am joined by Georgia, a creative, resilient, and determined mother, who walks us through her hard-fought and hard-won breastfeeding journeys, the loneliness of new motherhood during a global pandemic, and the importance of building a community of like-minded mums.
Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of positive, genuine, and consistent support for mothers as they navigate the challenges of breastfeeding and early postpartum.
Georgia discusses the support and camaraderie she found among fellow mums, highlighting the difference a network of understanding and empathetic...
2023-10-011h 41The Motherwhelm03 Georgia | breastfeeding support, postpartum, parenting & marriage, importance of communityIn the third episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Georgia, a creative, resilient, and determined mother, who walks us through her hard-fought and hard-won breastfeeding journeys, the loneliness of new motherhood during a global pandemic, and the importance of building a community of like-minded mums.
Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of positive, genuine, and consistent support for mothers as they navigate the challenges of breastfeeding and early postpartum.
Georgia discusses the support and camaraderie she found among fellow mums, highlighting the difference a network of understanding and empathetic...
2023-10-011h 42The Motherwhelm02 Liesel | Motherhood | solo parenting, IUI, donor pregnancy, home birth, returning to workIn the second episode of The Motherwhelm, I sit down with my eldest sister, Liesel, who has embarked on a remarkable journey as a solo mother by choice. Liesel candidly shares her story, from the unique path to motherhood through Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) to the breakdown of her relationship after the birth of her first son.
Listeners will gain valuable insights into Liesel’s deeply personal experiences, her unwavering commitment to her children, and her steadfast belief in following the cues of her little ones. She explores the challenges and triumphs of raising her sons on her ow...
2023-09-231h 44The Motherwhelm01 Kirsten | Motherhood | young mother, preeclampsia, pandemic postpartum, staying presentIn the first episode of The Motherwhelm, I welcome my younger sister, Kirsten, to share her journey of motherhood so far. The episode covers a range of deeply personal and challenging experiences, providing a raw and authentic look at the highs and lows of becoming a mother during extraordinary circumstances.
Kirsten recounts her preeclampsia diagnosis, a turning point that added unexpected complications to her pregnancy. She reflects on giving birth during the chaos of a global pandemic, highlighting the isolation and loneliness she felt during her daughter’s SCN stay.
Kirsten discusses the unique challenges tha...
2023-09-1349 minThe MotherwhelmTrailer | The MotherwhelmWelcome to The Motherwhelm, the podcast that dives headfirst into the rollercoaster ride of motherhood. Join us for brutally honest and vulnerable conversations with real mums who aren’t afraid to spill the messy, funny, and sometimes hard truths about parenting.
In this trailer, you will get a sneak peek into what the podcast is all about. Our guests share their unfiltered experiences, from total overwhelm to moments of sheer joy and triumph. Expect raw and candid discussions about the challenges that come with being a mum, all while finding humour in the chaos.
The Mo...
2023-09-1104 min
Hello StasisReimagining the Village with Beth BerryBeth Berry is an author, coach, teacher, adventurer, mother of four daughters, and hopelessly hopeful human.
In this podcast we talk about:
motherwhelm and why we things feel so hard
reimagining our conceptualisation of motherhood
starting a revolution from home
re-valuing care and examining unmet needs
new world thinking
developing intimacy with nature
and so much more.
To learn more about Beth - https://revolutionfromhome.com
To see my upcoming journeys or pre-order your copy of Wilder - www.megberryman.com
2022-08-1142 min
Beyond Beautiful BirthEP#06: Matrescence, Motherhood and Sexuality with Sarah ForbesBeyond Beautiful Birth is a part of the EcoParent Podcast Network: https://www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts This episode was generously sponsored by Ferritin+ by Flora Health: https://florahealth.com/products/ferritin About the EpisodeOur guest Sarah Forbes, an anthropologist and former curator of the Museum of Sex in New York City, introduces us to the word matrescence, an anthropological term to describe the physical, psychological and emotional changes (akin to adolescence) that marks the “birth of a mother.” We discuss why the word is known to so few of us and how to prepare and...
2022-05-1849 min