Sophie Lazarski cooks for new mums over in Paris - yes, like I do for the mamas of Sydney! I was thrilled to discover Sophie and her work and despite the prohibitive time difference she's become a great sounding board and buddy... we love talking about what to make for new mums. So I wanted to get her on to talk about how she got into this work (hint: she has two boys and is an ex-pat) as well as her top tips for eating well and harnessing help. Know a mama in Paris? Have Sophie cook for her: https://nourishparis.fr/

When Laura and her new husband decided to get pregnant, things started off smoothly. Having type 1 diabetes she knew she'd have to be extra careful, but all seemed well. As you'll hear in this episode, though, the road to having a baby had a few bumps. What was to come once Laura, an architect, welcomed Freddy into the world was the most unexpected part: trauma from an accident resurfaced when she faced complications during childbirth. Laura never expected to face mental health issues, but when Freddy was still small she found herself having intrusive thoughts, anxiety and OCD tendencies. She shares honestly how that affected her experience of early motherhood, how she got help and what made the biggest difference.  

When I first met Monique, I was six months postpartum. Her yoga classes really helped me find my feet, get moving and ease into motherhood--so it was a huge honour when she asked me to be her postpartum doula for her third baby, Artie. In this episode, Mon and I have an unfiltered chat about mental health, yoga, food, pelvic floor control (or lack thereof!), therapy and what changed for her over the course of three babies. 

Karlie Rutherford is a journalist for one of Australia's biggest daily newspapers. When pregnancy complications forced her to slow down before her first daughter was born, she thought it had a silver lining: she was being placed in good stead for a life beyond deadlines and hectic schedules. Nevertheless, she was surprised by the huge identity shift motherhood brought. Karlie shares how she harnessed support from family and friends to make her postpartum relatively smooth - but how she wishes she'd known more about 'matrescence' - the transition into motherhood that's one of the most significant physical and psychological changes a woman can go through. 

Caitlin was prepped for birth and breastfeeding - but admits when it came to beyond that, she just hadn't thought about it. Without any family in the country, a husband who even take the day off when their son was born, recovering from an episiotomy and adjusting to life with a new baby without that support - it all took it's toll. But as Caitlin shares, it was a whole different story the second time around. 
These days, Caitlin is a Hypnobirthing Australia practitioner and a postpartum doula up in Brisbane (she makes food too!). You can find her at https://motherdownunder.com/

If you're an expectant mama, you neeeeeed to listen to this episode! I chatted to Alicia, a gorgeous midwife in the Victorian public health system, about how to get the best from the first few days after you've given birth - and how to make the most of hospital care. 

Chloe's an old friend of mine who's had two beautiful daughters and is pregnant with another baby due later this year. But before this pregnancy, Chloe experienced two miscarriages, including a late loss. We talk (and cry) about having a newborn when your partner's in the armed forces, what people don't tell you about losing a pregnancy and how you still go through a postpartum period - without a baby. 
Thank you for sharing your story with me, Chloe. You are braver than you know. 

A woman who cooks special food for you, takes care of the baby so you can rest and plays with your toddler: no, not an angel but a confinement nanny in the Chinese tradition. I chat to mum of two, Shez Lee, about her experience with hiring live-in help and how it utterly transformed her postpartum period the second time around. 

Bron was my home visiting midwife and beacon of hope in the early days of bleary-eyed motherhood - she's a bloody gem. We chat about all things postpartum, including her advice for sleep and settling, feeding and finding your way. 

If you've checked out my Instagram, you've probably seen evidence of my less-than-picture-perfect postpartum. The first weeks at home with my new baby were beautiful, brutal and, ultimately, what set me on an entirely new career path. I'm Naomi Chrisoulakis and I'm a postpartum doula and cook. This podcast is dedicated to the fourth trimester--sharing stories and wisdom about what happens after you bring the baby home. So let's go back to where it all began for me...