Founder and CEO of 'Mums Who Wine', Lauren Oliver, shares her journey from gung-ho career focused corporate Lawyer (who wasn't sold on the idea of having children) to Mother of three and leader of one of the largest global movements for maternal mental health and wellbeing. 

Lauren's top tips for doing 'Postpartum like a boss' include: 

1. Trust yourself (and your motherly instinct!) to make the right choices for you and your family. 

2. Surround yourself with good people who will back you and lift you up.

Find Mums Who Wine on instagram @mumswhowine_au.

View my disclaimer. 

Trigger warning

Gender preference is discussed in this episode

Principal Civil Engineer and my lovely friend Jeannie van Zyl shares her pregnancy to postpartum experience as a South African expat in Australia. Birthing in a different country during a pandemic was not without its challenges but Jeannie's personality (which I would describe as determinedly optimistic) shone through as she remained open to new opportunities and possibilities - consistently making lemonade every time she was handed a lemon. 

Jeannie's top tips for expats looking to 'Postpartum like a boss' are: 

- Join a virtual expat community that's relevant to you as a new parent (there are many on Facebook) as a reference point/ sounding board for your experience. 

- Be open to making connections with other expat parents you meet. Even if they're not from the same country, they have very likely shared many of the same experiences. 

Jeannie also operates an Afrikaans children's literature instagram account @afrikinners and online store so other South African expats in Australia have a place to find bits of "home" to share with their growing families and each-other. 

Please read my disclaimer before listening. 

Saviour to all toddler Mums on instagram, Tiffany from @inspire.learn.teach joined me to chat all things professional motherhood. With her second little girl in her arms, we hear from Tiffany about her 'unconventional' first postpartum experience, her return to work as a teacher and the importance of finding ways to build and nurture connection with your children. 

Tiffany's top tips for doing 'Postpartum like a boss' were: 

1. Don't be afraid to be unconventional 

2. Give yourself some grace - the most important thing is connection to your children, not the state of your house. 

Trigger warning: 

This episode discusses birth trauma and ease of conception. 

Please read my disclaimer before listening to the episode. 

Another of my previous bosses (as well as close friend and personal motherhood mentor) Bek Capper shares her decade + parenting experience and her pregnancy to postpartum journey managing expectations of an interstate move, traumatic birth and early parenthood as an executive professional. 

Bek's top tips for doing 'Postpartum like a boss' are: 

1. Manage your parenting expectations in line with your individual values and what works for your family. 

2. Seek and use support - practical, emotional or both!

3. Nurture yourself and your partnership as a priority, where you can. 

Trigger warning: 

This episode discusses premature birth, physical birth trauma, placenta previa, IVF and intensive care admissions. 

One of my previous executive bosses and all 'round wonderful human, Sophie Ader, talks candidly about her pregnancy to postpartum journey and life as a working mother of two in her dream role. 

Sophie's top tips for doing 'Postpartum like a boss' are: 

1. Do some research and or a course on breastfeeding if you're thinking this is how you want to feed your child. 

2. Get practical help to be looked after as a new mother. Or set low expectations, survival is the key. 

3. Take the time you need away from your career (this can be a long or a short time - it's about what works for you!) 

4. Know that YOU ARE ENOUGH as a mother. No matter what, you are enough. 

Trigger warning: 

This episode discusses physical birth trauma 

Resources: 

Sophie recommended 'Boobin All Day, Boobin All Night: A Gentle Approach to Sleep for Breastfeeding Families' by Meg Nagle. 

Sophie recommended the breastfeeding preparation courses through the Australian Breastfeeding Association. 

Disclaimer

In this welcome episode, podcast host Gemma Smith shares her postpartum story which emphasises the importance of connection in the postpartum period. To find out more about Gemma, the services she offers through her business Together Pregnancy and Postpartum and to review her full disclaimer, head to: www.togetherpnp.com.au.

Trigger warnings for this episode include: - Ease of conception - Potential pre-term labour - Birth trauma - Infant hospitalisation