Pregnancy isn’t only about growing a baby. It’s also the beginning of becoming someone new.

A listener asked me to talk about the strange space between pregnancy and motherhood: grieving who she was before pregnancy, feeling disconnected from the things she used to love and having no idea what life will look like once her baby arrives.

In this episode, I explore why pregnancy can feel like such a liminal, in-between time. Your body is changing. Your energy, interests and identity may be shifting. You’re no longer living your old life in quite the same way, but you haven’t entered motherhood yet either.

I also share my experience of losing interest in work, struggling with sleep and wondering where the old version of me had gone. Rather than treating those changes as something going wrong, could they be part of the transition into motherhood?

We talk about pregnancy identity changes, matrescence, grieving your pre-baby self and how to honour the woman you’ve been while making space for the mother you’re becoming.

🤩 Join a loving community of mums in IT'S A LOT – free for 30 days.If you’re feeling shaky having brought your new baby home, in the trenches of toddlerhood or just need a place to share the joys of being a mama with people who get it – this is your new support network. The best part? It’s all via voice notes – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nataliekmartin.com/mama-circle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉🏽 Overcome those moments of overwhelm with some light hearted fun! ⁠⁠Download my Overwhelm Busting Bingo sheet here⁠⁠

Want to share your thoughts on this episode? Comment on Spotify or:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natalie.kmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📢 Don’t forget to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode

Breastfeeding or formula feeding. Co-sleeping or sleep training. Surrogacy, screen time, the state of your house. Whatever choice a mum makes, somebody online seems ready to tell her she’s selfish, neglectful or harming her child.

In this episode, I’m talking about mum shaming, parenting judgement and the cruelty women direct towards other mothers online.

I look at real comments left about breastfeeding, baby sleep and motherhood choices, and ask why “this worked for me” so quickly becomes “every good mum should do the same”. We don’t know someone else’s mental health, support system, finances, family circumstances or the child they’re raising.

If you’ve been on the receiving end of mum shaming, this is your reminder that you don’t have to prove you’re a good mother to strangers on the internet. And if you’re about to leave a judgemental comment, perhaps it’s worth stopping to ask why.

Motherhood is hard enough without mothers tearing each other apart.

🤩 Join a loving community of mums in IT'S A LOT – free for 30 days.If you’re feeling shaky having brought your new baby home, in the trenches of toddlerhood or just need a place to share the joys of being a mama with people who get it – this is your new support network. The best part? It’s all via voice notes – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nataliekmartin.com/mama-circle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉🏽 Overcome those moments of overwhelm with some light hearted fun! ⁠⁠Download my Overwhelm Busting Bingo sheet here⁠⁠

Want to share your thoughts on this episode? Comment on Spotify or:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natalie.kmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📢 Don’t forget to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode

The Mama Circle Podcast is officially one month old!

This is a short voice memo to say a huge thank you for listening, sharing and supporting the show during its first month. I’m so grateful you’re here.

I’d also love to know which motherhood topics you want us to talk about next, so please send me your ideas or leave a comment.

• Instagram: @natalie.kmartin 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodandempowerment

🤩 Join a loving community of mums in IT'S A LOT – free for 30 days.If you’re feeling shaky having brought your new baby home, in the trenches of toddlerhood or just need a place to share the joys of being a mama with people who get it – this is your new support network. The best part? It’s all via voice notes – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nataliekmartin.com/mama-circle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉🏽 Overcome those moments of overwhelm with some light hearted fun! ⁠⁠Download my Overwhelm Busting Bingo sheet here⁠⁠

Want to share your thoughts on this episode? Comment on Spotify or:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natalie.kmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📢 Don’t forget to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode

In this raw and unfiltered episode, I open up about one of those nights where everything felt like it was spiraling out of control. From Jackson’s acrobatic nursing routines to the overwhelming mix of exhaustion, anger, and guilt, I share the honest reality of a mom struggling to hold it all together. 
This episode isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about acknowledging that feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re failing; it just means you’re human.

🤩 Join a loving community of mums in IT'S A LOT – free for 30 days.If you’re feeling shaky having brought your new baby home, in the trenches of toddlerhood or just need a place to share the joys of being a mama with people who get it – this is your new support network. The best part? It’s all via voice notes – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nataliekmartin.com/mama-circle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉🏽 Overcome those moments of overwhelm with some light hearted fun! ⁠⁠Download my Overwhelm Busting Bingo sheet here⁠⁠

Want to share your thoughts on this episode? Comment on Spotify or:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natalie.kmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📢 Don’t forget to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode

What if I told you the best stress relief I’ve found in motherhood involves grappling with bulky men and trying to flip them over?

In this short voice memo, I share why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or BJJ, has become such a powerful form of self-care for me. It gives me space away from motherhood, gets me out of my head and helps me release stress in a way nothing else has.

It may not be the obvious self-care activity for mums, but that might be exactly why it works.

• Instagram: @natalie.kmartin 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodandempowerment

Here's where I'm practicing BJJ: Anonymous Ju-Jitsu Addicts

🤩 Join a loving community of mums in IT'S A LOT – free for 30 days.If you’re feeling shaky having brought your new baby home, in the trenches of toddlerhood or just need a place to share the joys of being a mama with people who get it – this is your new support network. The best part? It’s all via voice notes – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nataliekmartin.com/mama-circle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉🏽 Overcome those moments of overwhelm with some light hearted fun! ⁠⁠Download my Overwhelm Busting Bingo sheet here⁠⁠

Want to share your thoughts on this episode? Comment on Spotify or:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natalie.kmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📢 Don’t forget to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode

What happens to the free-spirited version of you after you become a mum?

In this honest conversation, I’m joined by my friend Rebecca Hurtrel, an occupational therapist, yoga teacher and mum of two living in rural Australia. We talk about her journey from travelling, living between London and Paris and training as a yoga teacher in India to raising two energetic boys in the Australian countryside.

Rebecca shares what surprised her about motherhood, going from one child to two, raising a child with additional medical needs, parenting boys and creating a slower, outdoor family life.

We also talk about mum guilt, judgement from other women, finding time for yourself and allowing other people to build their own relationships with your children. Because letting someone else love and care for your child doesn’t make you less important. It gives your child a wider village and gives you space to remain a person outside motherhood too.

An honest conversation about identity after motherhood, raising children, chosen family, financial literacy and holding on to the parts of yourself that still matter.

Links and Resources:
♥️ Follow Becca on Instagram: @rebecca_hurtrel
🧘‍♀️ Becca’s website: https://rebeccahurtrelwellness.wordpress.com
🤩 Join a loving community of mums in IT'S A LOT – free for 30 days.If you’re feeling shaky having brought your new baby home, in the trenches of toddlerhood or just need a place to share the joys of being a mama with people who get it – this is your new support network. The best part? It’s all via voice notes – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nataliekmartin.com/mama-circle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉🏽 Overcome those moments of overwhelm with some light hearted fun! ⁠⁠Download my Overwhelm Busting Bingo sheet here⁠⁠

Want to share your thoughts on this episode? Comment on Spotify or:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natalie.kmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📢 Don’t forget to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode

Hi ho, hi ho, it's back to work I go. Eek! I'm feeling allllll the feels as my maternity leave draws to a close, so help a girl out! 

How are you managing the return to work? Share  your thoughts and tips with me here in the comments or:

• Instagram: @natalie.kmartin 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodandempowerment

🤩 Join a loving community of mums in IT'S A LOT – free for 30 days.If you’re feeling shaky having brought your new baby home, in the trenches of toddlerhood or just need a place to share the joys of being a mama with people who get it – this is your new support network. The best part? It’s all via voice notes – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nataliekmartin.com/mama-circle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉🏽 Overcome those moments of overwhelm with some light hearted fun! ⁠⁠Download my Overwhelm Busting Bingo sheet here⁠⁠

Want to share your thoughts on this episode? Comment on Spotify or:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natalie.kmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📢 Don’t forget to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode

After last week's deep dive into the tougher side of parenting, this episode is all about the magic of having children. Yes, motherhood is challenging but it’s also full of incredible, heart-melting moments that make it all worth it. I’m sharing my personal reflections on why having kids is amazing, plus contributions from my Instagram community.

We’ll talk about transformation, time management, compassion, personal growth, and those unexpected little joys that make parenthood so special. If you're in the thick of a rough parenting season, this one’s for you.

🤩 Join a loving community of mums in IT'S A LOT – free for 30 days.If you’re feeling shaky having brought your new baby home, in the trenches of toddlerhood or just need a place to share the joys of being a mama with people who get it – this is your new support network. The best part? It’s all via voice notes – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nataliekmartin.com/mama-circle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉🏽 Overcome those moments of overwhelm with some light hearted fun! ⁠⁠Download my Overwhelm Busting Bingo sheet here⁠⁠

Want to share your thoughts on this episode? Comment on Spotify or:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natalie.kmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📢 Don’t forget to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode

Okay so this voice note feels kinda vulnerable to share but it really struck me as a sign of needing more me-time and self care so....here goes.

What have YOU noticed about yourself slipping since becoming a mama? I'd love to hear! Share it with me here in the comments or:

• Instagram: @natalie.kmartin 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodandempowerment

🤩 Join a loving community of mums in IT'S A LOT – free for 30 days.If you’re feeling shaky having brought your new baby home, in the trenches of toddlerhood or just need a place to share the joys of being a mama with people who get it – this is your new support network. The best part? It’s all via voice notes – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nataliekmartin.com/mama-circle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉🏽 Overcome those moments of overwhelm with some light hearted fun! ⁠⁠Download my Overwhelm Busting Bingo sheet here⁠⁠

Want to share your thoughts on this episode? Comment on Spotify or:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natalie.kmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📢 Don’t forget to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode

Welcome back to The Mama Circle podcast. This episode dives into a topic that’s spicy, controversial, and might make some listeners squirm: why having kids (and parenthood in general) is sometimes awful.

I’m not here to scare anyone off parenthood or bash motherhood, but to get real about the tough parts no one talks about enough. From constant messes to sleep deprivation, shifting identities to endless explaining, this episode opens up the dialogue about the harder truths of parenting. And don’t worry. Next week, we’ll explore the joys and beauty of motherhood. For now, let’s dive into the challenges.

Resources, Links, & Mentions:

• Study on maternal brain changes

🤩 Join a loving community of mums in IT'S A LOT – free for 30 days.If you’re feeling shaky having brought your new baby home, in the trenches of toddlerhood or just need a place to share the joys of being a mama with people who get it – this is your new support network. The best part? It’s all via voice notes – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nataliekmartin.com/mama-circle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

👉🏽 Overcome those moments of overwhelm with some light hearted fun! ⁠⁠Download my Overwhelm Busting Bingo sheet here⁠⁠

Want to share your thoughts on this episode? Comment on Spotify or:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natalie.kmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📢 Don’t forget to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode