Notes: From Motherhood

What happens when a psychologist experiences birth trauma herself?

In this powerful episode, Jade sits down with a fellow mother and mental health professional, Kayla who shares her story of an emergency c-section under general anesthesia — where neither she nor her husband were present when their son entered the world.

You'll hear about the unexpected disconnect between professional training and lived experience, the confusion of high-functioning postpartum anxiety that didn't match what she'd learned to look for, and the grief that comes when birth doesn't go as planned.

Kayla opens up about the journaling journey that helped her process feelings she couldn't quite hold, the healthcare experiences that left her feeling rushed and shamed, and the moment her therapist finally named what she was experiencing: postpartum anxiety and birth trauma.

Together, they explore the massive gap in postpartum care — where appointments focus on baby's weight while mothers slip through the cracks — and what real healing requires: safe spaces, the freedom to tell your story again and again, and someone who won't rush past your pain with "at least you're both healthy."

If you've ever felt alone in your postpartum experience, struggled to recognise what was happening to you, or wondered why something that's supposed to be "natural" felt so impossibly hard — this conversation is for you.

Reminder: This podcast is not therapy and should not replace professional support. If you need help, please reach out to a qualified mental health provider.

What changes in you between your first and third baby? In this episode, Jade sits down with Ruth — a teacher, play schema educator, and mum of three boys — who shares the wild ride of three completely different birth experiences.

From an unexpected breech birth that went from "there's no chance I'm that far along" at home to giving birth in an ambulance, to a lightning-fast second labour that landed her baby in NICU, to an induced third birth that finally got her into the birthing pool (though it wasn't quite what she'd imagined) — Ruth's story shows how birth rarely follows the script, even when you think you know what to expect.

You'll hear Ruth reflect on how each birth taught her she was stronger than she ever imagined, how her professional experience as a teacher both helped and complicated early motherhood, and what it's like when the "village" shrinks with each baby. She opens up about missing her mum and close family more with each child, the surprising value of stopping to reflect years later through journaling, and the one truth she'd tell her first-time pregnant self.

If you've had multiple births that felt completely different, wondered how your professional identity intersects with motherhood, or felt the absence of your village growing louder — this conversation will feel like coming home.

Reminder: This podcast is not therapy and should not replace professional support.

We’re told to expect sleepless nights after birth — but no one warns us that looking in the mirror might feel like staring at a stranger.

In this episode of Notes from Motherhood, I share my own postpartum body story — the scar, the hair loss, the numbness, the night sweats — and the quiet grief that came with them. More importantly, we’ll explore how cultural pressure and “bounce back” expectations can hurt more than the stretch marks themselves.

Together we’ll talk about:

• The real, unfiltered changes postpartum bring (from core weakness to pelvic heaviness to intimacy shifts)

• Why “bounce back culture” is not only unrealistic, but deeply harmful

• The difference between vanity and disconnection, and why it matters

• How to shift from asking “How do I get my body back?” to “How can I come back to my body?”

• A gentle journal prompt to help you reconnect with yourself:

✨ “What part of my body do I feel disconnected from, and what would it mean to meet that part with kindness — just for today?”

Obvious disclaimer: this podcast is not therapy and should not replace it.

If this episode resonates, please hit follow, leave a review, or share it with a mama who needs to hear this reminder: Your body is not broken. It is healing, adapting, and carrying you every single day.

💛 If you’d like a safe space to talk about these changes, join our Mama Inner Circle — a supportive community where mamas share their stories, hold space for each other, and learn to rewrite the narratives around their bodies.

Your worth isn’t measured by how fast you “bounce back.” It’s measured by how gently you come back to yourself.

What happens when your birth doesn’t go the way you hoped?

In this episode of Notes from Motherhood, I’m sharing openly about my own unexpected birth experience, and what I’ve learned as both a mother and therapist walking alongside so many women facing the same reality.

We spend so much time preparing for the “perfect” birth, but very little time preparing for how to process the birth we actually have. And when those two don’t match up, the gap can leave us with feelings of grief, guilt, or even trauma—especially when our voices feel silenced in the process.

Together, we’ll explore:

• Why the mismatch between our birth plan and reality can hit so hard

• Common experiences mums share after unexpected or difficult births (like C-sections, interventions, or feeling unheard)

• The hidden grief of “the birth you didn’t get”

• How to begin healing—through storytelling, rituals, validation, and support

• Why your story still matters, even if it wasn’t what you imagined

You’ll also hear a gentle journal prompt to help you reflect with kindness rather than judgment:

✨ “What part of my birth still feels like a question mark, and what would it feel like to answer it with kindness instead of judgment?”

Obvious disclaimer: this podcast is not therapy and should not replace it.

If today’s episode resonates, please share it with another mama who might need to hear it. And if you’d like more support, you’ll find journaling tools and reflections on Your Mama Journey.

💛 If you want to go deeper, join our Mama Inner Circle—a safe space where mamas can share their stories, be heard, and support each other on this journey.

https://www.skool.com/your-mama-journey-7063/about

Your birth story is yours—and it matters.

Birth trauma is more common than most people realise. Around one in three mothers describe their birth as traumatic, and many go on to experience postpartum PTSD, anxiety, or feelings of failure. In this episode of Notes from Motherhood, Jade shares her personal story of an emergency C-section, explains what birth trauma really is, why it happens when birth doesn’t go as planned, and how it can affect both mothers and families long after leaving the hospital.

You’ll learn the signs of traumatic birth, how expectations vs. reality shape recovery, and what healing can look like—from therapy and birth debriefs, to journaling, support groups, and trauma-informed care. Whether you’re navigating your own recovery or supporting a new mum, this episode offers honest insight, compassion, and practical ways forward.

If you’ve ever wondered “Was my birth experience traumatic?” or searched for support with postpartum trauma, anxiety, or recovery, you’ll find understanding and hope here.

💛 If you want to go deeper, join our Mama Inner Circle — a safe space where mamas can share their stories, be heard, and support each other on this journey.

Your birth story is yours—and it matters.

In this very first episode of Notes From Motherhood, Jade shares a bit of her world — as a mum, a therapist, and the woman behind Your Mama Journey.

She opens up about her unexpected birth story, the emotional aftermath, and how it changed the way she shows up for other mothers. You'll hear why she created this space, what this podcast will cover, and what to expect from the episodes ahead.

This is a gentle invitation to join a real, honest conversation about motherhood — one that holds space for your story, your feelings, and your healing.

💛 If you want to go deeper, join our Mama Inner Circle — a safe space where mamas can share their stories, be heard, and support each other on this journey.

Your birth story is yours — and it matters.

Hit follow — and welcome to the journey. 🫶