Stretch Marks

In season 3 I had one of the most listened to conversations with new mum Sinead De Butleir.

She was 7 weeks postpartum. We talked about the 4th trimester, matrescense, childbirth, feeding decisions, feeding guilt, emotions, identities and the absolute life changing experience of new motherhood.

It prompted to many other women to talk about their experiences online, with friends and even strangers that bumped into Sinead.

From 7 weeks to 7 months, Sinead is back to talk about how some of those early stretches have eased - some have pulled tighter and some brand new ones have rocked up unexpectedly.

This episode is proof that the stretches keep coming and there is no magic week when it all fits in to place.

It all continues to pull us in all directions as we meet the needs of the women we are becoming.

We keep stretching.

Hosted by Sinead O'Moore

Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast I'd love to hear from you.

Stretch Marks is owned and produced by the brand story - sound editing by Alan Breslin.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Life keeps coming and we gotta stretch to meet it.

This weeks guest Giovanna Fletcher is no stranger to an honest conversation about life, motherhood, real experiences and seeking our happiest selves.

And without the gloss - she accepts that it is a total stretch.

An author, podcaster, actress & advocate Giovanna Fletcher changed the game for millions of parents in creating "Happy Mum Happy Baby" a community that gave us permission to say "I love them and it’s hard."

We talk about her own personal stretches, how she avoids the snap, how her perspective on her body and life has changed through her work with Coppafeel and how with 3 energetic children, it’s simply essential to get outside.

Giovanna has just launched her new Regatta Autumn Winter ’23 collection.

This new collection features eight coats, with four of them crafted partially from recycled fabrics and designed with Regatta’s renowned Thermoguard insulation. Check out her collection so you can continue your wellbeing walks this winter.

As always I’d love you to share this episode tagging @stretchmarkspodcast so I can read all of your messages and feedback. 

Stretch Marks is on Substack with extra content, conversations, support and the Sunday Stretch, a weekly newsletter sharing the things I've leaned on each week supporting me or helping me to lean even deeper into the stretch.

Hosted by Sinead O'Moore

Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm so ready for the season 5 stretch!

Kicking off with the beautiful, kind and soulful Sile Seoige as she shares her daughters experience of RSV, the signs, symptoms and actions we all need to know heading into winter 2023.

RSV is a common and contagious virus that affects 90% of children before they are two years old. 

All infants are at risk of RSV.

While most infections cause mild, cold-like symptoms, and clear up on their own within a few weeks, some cases can be more serious.

for more information click here

Plus follow stretchmarkspodcast on instagram where you’ll see I’m doing an Instagram Live with Dr. Maire Finn answering our questions on RSV. 

Stretch Marks is on Substack with extra content, conversations, support and the Sunday Stretch, a weekly newsletter sharing the things I've leaned on each week supporting me or helping me to lean even deeper into the stretch.

Hosted by Sinead O'Moore

Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It takes a village - well in 2023 the village is childcare.

And the village is burning down!

Leo, Micheal, Eamonn - send help and send it FAST!! 

Here I talk to Elaine Dunne the chairperson of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers 

to talk about the planned strikes & to understand what's really going on.

STRIKE DATES: September 26th, 27th and 28th

The solution needs to be brave - not just expensive - and it needs leadership that accepts the reality of the current situation and joins to dots about how an accessible, flexible, affordable, quality childcare sector is essential if this country - this economy is to have a female workforce. 

Hosted by Sinead O'Moore

Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast

This season is supported by Vitabiotics

Stretch Marks is owned and produced by the brand story - sound editing by Alan Breslin.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With 10 months of my 30's left I'm hitting the "Almost 40 stretch"

But I'm not alone - my amazing friend and beauty editor Simone Gannon (Simone Scribes) is right along side me.

We go deep into the lessons learned, the sh!t that no longer serves us, peri-menopause and it's relentless pace towards us and Simone shares what we need to know about keeping our skin healthy as we age gracefully.

It's a rant, it's liberating, it's excited, there's a touch of grief about fertility - it's all here if you are also in the almost 40 stretch.

If you like what you hear please support the show and hit subscribe, rate or review.

Every tiny bit of interaction helps.

Hosted by Sinead O'Moore

Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast

This season is supported by Vitabiotics

Stretch Marks is owned and produced by the brand story - sound editing by Alan Breslin.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Time to meet Dr. Johanna Clancy and Dr. Marese McDonnell both qualified clinical psychologists and founders of Cradle Psychology - a dedicated clinic, focused on parental wellbeing, uniquely developed and delivered by clinical psychologists.

Dr. Johanna is pregnant with her first baby and navigating the beginning of matresence while Dr. Marese has just had her second and now knows the true limitations mothers have to properly switching off. 

If you are experiencing any of the issues raised in the episode please know that there are so many sourced of support out there - you do not have to stay feeling what you are feeling.

Contact:

• Cradle Psychology // Insta
• Your maternity team (you can asked to be linked with their mental health support service - often there will be a mental health midwife or psychologist available)
• Your GP
• Your local public health nurse
• Your local Primary Care Psychology teams and Community Mental Health Services can also be accessed where appropriate via your GP. 
• Samaritans: Call 116123
• Pieta House: Call 1800247247

Please always reach out for support.

If this conversation supports you at all please support us back and hit subscribe, rate or review.

Every tiny bit of interaction helps.

Hosted by Sinead O'Moore

Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast

This season is supported by Vitabiotics

Stretch Marks is owned and produced by the brand story - sound editing by Alan Breslin.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where to even begin... this conversation covers so many stretches with lessons shared throughout.

Denise Kenny Byrne is co-founder of The Head Plan, a life + wellness coach and a mother to 4 month old baby girl.

Denise's business is about writing it down + making it happen - but in motherhood we need to build a mindset ready for the unexpected.

We talk about IVF, pregnancy anxiety, an emergency C-Section, the mental load of breastfeeding, hormonal crashes and the 4 month sleep regression - plus the absolute success story of The Head Plan that is running parallel to this wild journey.

Honest, wise and hopeful this episode is a must listen.

**Special points for the amount of times we made reference to our 90's icon Anneka Rice.

FREE DOWNLOAD - Get Started with The Head Plan today

If this conversation supports you at all please support us back and hit subscribe, rate or review.

Every tiny bit of interaction helps.

Hosted by Sinead O'Moore

Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast

This season is supported by Vitabiotics

Stretch Marks is owned and produced by the brand story - sound editing by Alan Breslin.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Waiting for baby to arrive is a stretch.

Watching your body for signs that's it time, nesting, prepping, waiting, hoping, loving.

Jess Redden is waiting to welcome her first baby into the world with husband Rob Kearney.

We talk about her pregnancy, the moment she found out, cravings, aversions, hopes and dreams.

Plus we hear all about her brand new book - The Food Pharmacy out for preorder now.

If this conversation supports you at all please support us back and hit subscribe, rate or review.

Every tiny bit of interaction helps.

Hosted by Sinead O'Moore

Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast

This season is supported by Vitabiotics

Stretch Marks is owned and produced by the brand story - sound editing by Alan Breslin.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the first generation of parents who are openly talking about their own mental health we need to advocate for our childrens too. 

The Mental Health Commission published their final report on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and let me tell you if you’re not concerned - you should because they announced they "Cannot currently provide an assurance to all parents or guardians in all parts of Ireland that your children have access to a safe effective, and evidence-based mental health service.”

So we have to talk about it. 

To help us understand whats going on, whats going wrong and what we can do to impact and create positive change I’m joined by Niall Breslin, Bressie, musician, mental health advocate, creator of where is my mind podcast, co-founder of a lust for life a charity that supports young people to be effective guardians of their mind -  Bressie, is a powerful and honest voice and the person I needed to have this conversation with. 

If this conversation supports you at all please support us back and hit subscribe, rate or review.

Every tiny bit of interaction helps.

Hosted by Sinead O'Moore

Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast

This season is supported by Vitabiotics

Stretch Marks is owned and produced by the brand story - sound editing by Alan Breslin.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This one is for anyone in the midst of a career stretch - with expert Career Consultant Angela Burke.

I spoke about my own Career Stretch in season one and I know its a juggle for many.

Angela burke is a career consultant who supports people to find clarity, to pivot and advance their career and their career wellbeing.

From needing to advocate for your needs, to knowing its time to leave, from feeling the fear, to feeling the relief when you make the necessary changes - it’s a lot and I want an expert voice to help us out. 

It’s a highly valuable conversation that I know will help many who are in this right now so get in touch with your feedback, I love to read them. 

If this conversation supports you at all please support us back and hit subscribe, rate or review.

Every tiny bit of interaction helps.

Hosted by Sinead O'Moore

Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast

This season is supported by Vitabiotics

Stretch Marks is owned and produced by the brand story - sound editing by Alan Breslin.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.