My guest this week is Michelle Flynn from An Croi Beag (Instagram @ancroibeag). Michelle is a psychotherapist with a particular interest in working with perinatal mental health, postnatal depression, traumatic births and anxiety. 

Michelle has extensive experience working with parents on all aspects of parenthood and relationships and supports clients in moving through the internal and external challenges they are facing.

Michelle spoke to me about her work and her practice, her life as a mother to three young children ages 5, 4 and 3, and how important it is to take even one minute a day to check in with ourselves. I really hope you enjoy the episode today.

My guest this week is Karen Prunty. Karen is a neonatal nurse and the founder of ‘Little Roo’ (Instagram @little_roo_village).

Little Roo is a parent and baby hub that connects, supports and empowers parents and babies. They run a large range of classes all from the one location in Blackrock in Dublin, classes like baby sensory, baby massage, breastfeeding clinics, and pregnancy Pilates.

Karen spoke to me about a frightening first delivery, how she has learned that you don’t have to sacrifice yourself to be a mother and a very funny story of her most memorable motherhood moment.

 I really hope you enjoy.

My guest this week is Julie Ledwidge (Instagram @julie_ledwidge).

Julie is a mother to max, and at the time of recording this episode was only a matter of weeks away from her due date with baby number 2.

Since then, Julie has gone on to welcome her daughter Georgina. I have loved following Julie on Instagram but especially over Christmas seeing her and her gorgeous family enjoying life as a family of four has been beautiful to watch.

We chatted about hyperemesis, the constant worry of motherhood, and how the best and hardest parts of motherhood, are often the same thing.

I really hope you enjoy the episode today.

My guest this week is Eimear Hallahan (Instagram @misshallahan). Oh wow, where to start with this episode. Eimear has been through so much in the last year or so.

As you will already know if you follow Eimear online, she is a mother to two gorgeous boys, JJ and James. 

We chatted about all the best parts of motherhood, but also, how Eimear coped when her son James was faced with an extremely serious life-threatening diagnosis.

Hearing this story in Eimear’s own words, I was in awe at her strength, positive attitude, and mindset, and how such a terrifying experience completely changed her as a person and a mother.

A huge thank you to Eimear for sharing such a personal and frightening time in their lives.

I really hope you enjoy this episode.

Welcome back to the Matters of Maternity podcast after an extended break!

It’s is so great to be back, and I couldn’t be happier that my guest for the first episode of this season is Laura O’Mahony.

If you don’t already follow Laura on Instagram, do yourselves a favour and do so immediately! (@lauralolslots) She is a breath of fresh air, with a wonderful outlook on motherhood and life in general.

We talked about Instagram versus Reality, Bing versus Bluey, and why we all need to drop “mom guilt”. Laura recently started her own podcast, Red Raw, with Rob Heffernan, and I highly recommend you listen if you fancy something real, honest, and so so funny.

I really hope you enjoy the episode this week.

My guest this week on the Matters of Maternity Podcast is Michelle Pluck.

Many of you may already follow Michelle's Instagram page, 'My Good Hair Day Blog' (Instagram @mygoodhairdayblog).

Michelle is a hairstylist, and mother of 2 with baby number 3 on the way. We chatted about how it is often the small things that make the biggest memories for our children, how we all need reminders to not be so hard on ourselves, and how keeping the line of communication open with our children is so important. 

My guest this week on the Matters of Maternity Podcast is Ann Costigan from the brilliant Instagram page 'Poo and the Loo' (Instagram @pooandtheloo).

As any parent knows, those are two things that go hand in hand with parenthood! Ann is a paediatric nurse and constipation and toilet training expert, and works exclusively with children with bowel issues.

Ann is also a mother of three, and we chatted about how even when you are a medical professional you are always a mother first when it comes to your children, how the confidence of toddlers is something we should all strive to have, and how getting up a few minutes before the rest of the house wakes up can really help get on top of the day.

I really hope you enjoy this chat.

My guest this week on the Matters of Maternity Podcast is Celine Charles (Instagram @celineacharles).

Celine is a mom to three gorgeous girls, and if you follow Celine on Instagram I'm sure you already know what a warm & bubbly person she is.

I have been following Celine for a while now and couldn't wait to sit down and chat with her about motherhood, we chatted about the innate instinct to protect your children, how we are our children's safety nets even when we don't realise it, and everyone's favourite event....supermarket meltdowns!! 

I really hope you enjoy the episode.

My guest this week on the Matters of Maternity Podcast is Dominique McMullan (Instagram @bobbleheadmo).

Dominique is the Editorial Director at Image Media, a writer, presenter and mom to two beautiful boys. In our chat today we discussed birth trauma, how mothers are invaluable employees, and the process of grief and explaining grief to a toddler.

I have left names below to some books that Dominique kindly sent me, that may help someone in a similar situation. 

1. Grandad's Island by Benji Davies

2. Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children by Bryan Mellonie

3. The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers

4. How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers

I really hope you enjoy the episode.

My guest this week on the Matters of Maternity Podcast is Zara Haskett. Zara is a certified Style Consultant & Career Coach, mom to two boys, and one of the most 'can-do', high-energy people I have ever met!

We met through work about 5 years ago and I always love being in Zara's company.

She sees the fun & positive side in every situation, as you will hear from our conversation, even when faced with some pretty challenging situations thrown at her in both pregnancies!

I really hope you enjoy the episode.

Make sure to follow Matters of Maternity on Instagram for preview Interviews and bonus content.