In this episode, Lu shares her experiences of becoming a mum to Ray and Posie, and how motherhood has shaped her relationship with work, identity and what she values most.

We discuss:

• Ray arriving unexpectedly four weeks early
• Ray spending his first week in special care and the difficulty of leaving hospital without her baby
• Establishing breastfeeding and the support Lu received from the midwives around her
• Feeling incredibly held by family and friends during early postpartum
• Experiencing the baby blues, nighttime dread and loneliness
• Becoming unexpectedly pregnant again around one year postpartum
• Struggling physically and emotionally during the first trimester while parenting a young child
• Lu’s experience of going from one child to two
• Posie’s unsettled temperament and significant sleep challenges
• The enormous impact prolonged sleep deprivation can have on a parent’s wellbeing
• Feeling pressure to follow routines and “fix” a baby’s sleep
• Recognising the role of infant temperament and letting go of self-blame
• The judgment and unsolicited commentary mothers can experience
• Why motherhood can feel lonely even when you have people around you
• Returning to freelance work after becoming a mother
• Starting and growing Ready or Not with co-host Loz alongside motherhood
• The realities of trying to balance paid work and caring responsibilities
• Why there is no perfect blueprint or “hack” for combining motherhood and work
• How motherhood has reshaped Lu’s values, priorities and relationship with time
• Why sometimes the most helpful thing we can offer another mother is validation

Lu is the co-host of Ready or Not, a podcast exploring the realities of motherhood, careers and trying to make the two work together.

You can find Lu on Instagram at @lucindamckimm_ and Ready or Not at @readyornot.pod.

And if you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap, click this link below:

https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

• PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)
  Helpline: 1300 726 306
  Website: https://www.panda.org.au
• Lifeline Australia
  13 11 14 (24/7)
  Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au
• Beyond Blue
  1300 22 4636
  Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au

New Zealand

• PlunketLine
  0800 933 922 (24/7)
• Healthline New Zealand
  0800 611 116 (24/7)
• 1737 Need to talk?
  Call or text 1737 (24/7)

Thank you for listening. Take care x

In this episode, Lilly shares her postpartum experiences with her two boys, Roo and Franklin.

We discuss:

• Becoming a mother after years of supporting women as a midwife
• Roo’s emergency caesarean birth under general anaesthetic
• Processing an unexpected birth experience and wanting to “make up for lost time”
• The intense vulnerability and hormonal shifts of early postpartum
• Lilly’s unexpected instinct to stay home, slow down and protect her postpartum space
• Learning to listen to her own needs rather than expectations from the outside world
• Gradually re-emerging into the world when she felt ready
• Finding connection with other mothers through pilates and walking groups
• Why “mums need mums”
• The huge shift in Lilly’s relationship with her career after becoming a mother
• The complexities of combining motherhood with shift work, on-call work and a career in healthcare
• Preparing Roo for the arrival of his sibling
• Meeting Franklin after a very rapid vaginal birth
• The transition from parenting one child to two
• Recovering from mastitis in the early weeks postpartum
• Navigating weeks of having a very unsettled baby
• The emotional impact of prolonged crying and questioning yourself as a mother
• The small, practical acts of self-care and self-preservation that helped Lilly through
• The impact of having a second baby on Lilly and Ben’s relationship
• Matrescence and becoming a new version of yourself with each baby
• What Lilly found unexpected about her postpartum experiences
• The physicality, vulnerability and extraordinary love of motherhood

Lilly also co-hosts Growing, a podcast with fellow midwife and mum Beth. Together they share honest conversations about their current “growing pains” and the beautiful “glimmers” that exist throughout motherhood. I absolutely loved listening to Growing throughout my own postpartum period and highly recommend giving it a listen.

You can find Growing at @growingthepodcast and Lilly at @lillian.beth.

This is the podcast episode that discusses unsettled babies that Lilly recommends in the episode:

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/episode-19-unsettled-babies-with-dr-eliza-hannam/id1697674632?i=1000636691242

And if you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap, click this link below:

https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

• PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)
  Helpline: 1300 726 306
  Website: https://www.panda.org.au
• Lifeline Australia
  13 11 14 (24/7)
  Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au
• Beyond Blue
  1300 22 4636
  Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au

New Zealand

• PlunketLine
  0800 933 922 (24/7)
• Healthline New Zealand
  0800 611 116 (24/7)
• 1737 Need to talk?
  Call or text 1737 (24/7)

Thank you for listening. Take care x

In this episode, Hannah shares her two very different postpartum experiences with her sons, Hugo and Oscar.

We discuss:

• Preparing extensively for birth but very little for postpartum
• A long and traumatic first birth involving forceps and an episiotomy
• The reality of a slow and painful postpartum recovery
• Learning to breastfeed and seeking support from a lactation consultant
• Anxiety around Hugo’s weight and the impact of comments about having a small baby
• Caring for a baby who cried frequently and struggled with daytime sleep
• Loneliness, perfectionism and feeling like she wasn’t getting motherhood “right”
• Being diagnosed with postnatal depression and anxiety
• The relationship between Hannah’s birth trauma and her postpartum mental health
• Processing her first birth through a birth debrief with her private midwife
• Preparing differently for Oscar’s birth and postpartum period
• Hannah’s home birth with Oscar and how different her recovery felt
• Intentionally creating a village before her second baby arrived
• Asking family for regular practical support and joining another parent group
• How Trent supported Hannah’s sleep and mental health during her second postpartum experience
• The difference between the transition from zero to one and one to two for Hannah
• Making time for movement and things that support her wellbeing
• The story behind Hannah’s business, Nappy Free
• What elimination communication is and how Hannah used it with both of her children
• Supporting families through elimination communication and toilet training
• Looking back on a difficult first postpartum experience with greater compassion
• Finding joy in the small, everyday moments of motherhood

You can connect with Hannah and learn more about Nappy Free on Instagram at @nappy_free or at nappyfree.net.

If you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap, click this link below:

https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

• PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)
  Helpline: 1300 726 306
  Website: https://www.panda.org.au
• Lifeline Australia
  13 11 14 (24/7)
  Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au
• Beyond Blue
  1300 22 4636
  Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au

New Zealand

• PlunketLine
  0800 933 922 (24/7)
• Healthline New Zealand
  0800 611 116 (24/7)
• 1737 Need to talk?
  Call or text 1737 (24/7)

Thank you for listening. Take care x

In this episode, Sasha shares her experiences of becoming a mum to her three children, Elke, Remi and Bowie, and reflects on how different each of her postpartum seasons has been.

We discuss:

• ​The baby blues and adjusting to motherhood for the first time
• ​The pressure to “bounce back” and prove that life hadn’t changed after having a baby
• ​Returning to paid work and the impact on Sasha’s mental health
• ​Experiencing postnatal mental health challenges after the births of her children
• ​Recognising when she needed more support and reaching out for professional help
• ​The impact of parenthood on Sasha and her husband Jesse’s relationship
• ​The importance of recognising and supporting partners’ mental health too
• ​Moving closer to family and the difference having practical support made
• ​Navigating postpartum differently the third time around
• ​Learning to be more open about struggling and accepting help
• ​Letting go of the expectation that we should be able to do everything ourselves
• ​Why finding—and actually using—your village matters

Sasha shares incredibly openly about some of the hardest periods of her postpartum experiences, but also about what she has learnt through them - that asking for help is not a weakness, that both parents can struggle at the same time, and that we were never meant to raise our families alone.

Sasha is currently training for the 2026 Point to Pinnacle, known as the hardest half marathon in the world, to raise funds for the Gidget Foundation. If you are able to contribute to Sasha’s fundraising efforts, you can do so here:

https://pointtopinnacle2026.grassrootz.com/gidget-foundation-australia/village-walks

If you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap, click this link below:

https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

• ​PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)Helpline: 1300 726 306Website: https://www.panda.org.au
• ​Lifeline Australia13 11 14 (24/7)Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au
• ​Beyond Blue1300 22 4636Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au

New Zealand

• ​PlunketLine0800 933 922 (24/7)
• ​Healthline New Zealand0800 611 116 (24/7)
• ​1737 Need to talk?Call or text 1737 (24/7)

Thank you for listening. Take care x

In this episode, we discuss:

• Becoming a mother for the first time
• Feeling underprepared for the realities of postpartum
• Physical recovery after birth and adjusting to life with a newborn
• Why society still doesn't talk openly enough about postpartum
• A difficult breastfeeding experience with her first baby
• Mum guilt and the mental load of parenting
• Learning to give yourself grace in motherhood
• Why children don't all fit the same mould
• Supporting children through big emotions without unrealistic expectations
• Welcoming a second and third baby and life as a family of five
• A very different breastfeeding experience with her second baby
• Sleep challenges
• Finding joy in motherhood and seeing the world through your children's eyes
• How motherhood reshaped Loz's priorities, perspective and sense of fulfilment

If you haven't already, please check out Ready or Not podcast. You can listen on Apple or Spotify. You'll hear Loz with her co-host Lu talk all about how to make work work in motherhood. And you can find out more on instagram @readyornot.pod.

If you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap, click this link below:

https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

• PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)
  Helpline: 1300 726 306
  Website: https://www.panda.org.au
• Lifeline Australia
  13 11 14 (24/7)
  Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au
• Beyond Blue
  1300 22 4636
  Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au

New Zealand

• PlunketLine
  0800 933 922 (24/7)
• Healthline New Zealand
  0800 611 116 (24/7)
• 1737 Need to talk?
  Call or text 1737 (24/7)

Thank you for listening. Take care x

In this episode, we discuss:

• Looking forward to motherhood and preparing for postpartum
• An unexpected emergency caesarean birth under general anaesthetic
• Meeting Joey for the first time after waking from surgery
• Feeling pressure to experience an instant connection with your baby
• Postpartum anxiety during the early weeks
• How social media influenced expectations of motherhood
• Processing birth trauma and recognising that trauma doesn't have to look the same for everyone
• The value of a birth debrief in making sense of a difficult experience
• Holding gratitude for a healthy baby while grieving the birth experience you hoped for
• Why parents who give birth under general anaesthetic deserve more consideration and support
• Considering future births after a traumatic birth experience
• Matrescence and the identity changes that come with becoming a mother
• How becoming a parent can reshape your priorities and future

And here is the link if you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap:

https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

• PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)
  Helpline: 1300 726 306
  Website: https://www.panda.org.au
• Lifeline Australia
  13 11 14 (24/7)
  Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au
• Beyond Blue
  1300 22 4636
  Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au

New Zealand

• PlunketLine
  0800 933 922 (24/7)
• Healthline New Zealand
  0800 611 116 (24/7)
• 1737 Need to talk?
  Call or text 1737 (24/7)

Thank you for listening. Take care x

In this episode, we discuss:

• Preparing for birth compared with preparing for postpartum
• Experiencing postpartum anxiety
• Seeking professional support and asking for help
• The transition from one child to two
• Returning to paid work after maternity leave
• Mum guilt, self-doubt and balancing work with family life
• Realising that flexible workplaces can make all the difference
• Why mothers don't need to change to fit workplaces—workplaces need to better support mothers
• How matrescence influences our careers, priorities and identity
• Creating the Matrescence at Work podcast to help mothers feel less alone
• Redefining success after becoming a parent

You can find Deborah and the Matrescence at Work podcast on Instagram at @matrescenceatworkpodcast.

And here is the link if you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap:

https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

• PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)
  Helpline: 1300 726 306
  Website: https://www.panda.org.au
• Lifeline Australia
  13 11 14 (24/7)
  Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au
• Beyond Blue
  1300 22 4636
  Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au

New Zealand

• PlunketLine
  0800 933 922 (24/7)
• Healthline New Zealand
  0800 611 116 (24/7)
• 1737 Need to talk?
  Call or text 1737 (24/7)

Thank you for listening. Take care x

In this episode, we discuss:

• Feeling unprepared for postpartum despite preparing for birth
• Meeting her son for the first time
• Struggling to feel an immediate connection after birth
• Experiencing the baby blues following a postpartum haemorrhage
• The impact of low iron on her mental wellbeing
• Seeking support through healthcare professionals, psychology and her partner
• Grieving her pre-baby life while adjusting to motherhood
• Raising a spirited child with a strong temperament
• The importance of trusting your intuition as a parent
• Letting go of comparison and unrealistic expectations
• The value of honest conversations with other mothers
• The identity shift that comes with becoming a mum
• Being made redundant during maternity leave and finding a new sense of purpose
• The inspiration behind Blumacoosh, a feeding pillow designed to improve comfort while feeding and settling babies
• How Saskia's own postpartum experience inspired her to create a product to better support other parents
• The simple joys and highlights of toddlerhood

If you would like to find out more about Blumacoosh, you can follow along on instagram at @blumacoosh.

And here is the link if you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap:

https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

• PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)
  Helpline: 1300 726 306
  Website: https://www.panda.org.au
• Lifeline Australia
  13 11 14 (24/7)
  Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au
• Beyond Blue
  1300 22 4636
  Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au

New Zealand

• PlunketLine
  0800 933 922 (24/7)
• Healthline New Zealand
  0800 611 116 (24/7)
• 1737 Need to talk?
  Call or text 1737 (24/7)

Thank you for listening. Take care x

In this episode, we discuss:

• Becoming a mum of two
• A challenging first postpartum experience
• Sleep deprivation and parenting a baby with a more challenging temperament
• Feeling validated and supported through residential parenting support
• Welcoming her second baby via an emergency caesarean under general anaesthetic
• Recovering from birth while grieving the loss of her dad
• The transition from one child to two
• How having two children with completely different temperaments changed her perspective
• Letting go of self-blame and giving yourself more grace
• Returning to work and how motherhood changed her priorities

Sam is also the co-host of the Seed to Sprout Podcast, a new parenting podcast sharing conversations about all things pregnancy, babies, toddlers and kids.

You can find them on Instagram @seedtosproutpod

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

• PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)
  Helpline: 1300 726 306
  Website: https://www.panda.org.au
• Lifeline Australia
  13 11 14 (24/7)
  Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au
• Beyond Blue
  1300 22 4636
  Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au

New Zealand

• PlunketLine
  0800 933 922 (24/7)
• Healthline New Zealand
  0800 611 116 (24/7)
• 1737 Need to talk?
  Call or text 1737 (24/7)

Thank you for listening. Take care x

In this episode, we discuss:

• Alex's journey to motherhood while living overseas
• The days leading up to birth and becoming a first-time mum
• Recovering from a third-degree tear
• The shock of early postpartum and adjusting to life with a newborn
• The identity changes that accompany motherhood
• Initially resisting motherhood before embracing her new role
• Returning home with a newborn while living away from family
• Breastfeeding, oversupply and recurrent mastitis
• Infant sleep, routines and the pressure to do things "the right way"
• Learning to trust your instincts as a parent
• The differences between first-time and second-time motherhood
• Why talking openly with other mothers matters
• How shared experiences provide validation, support and a reminder that you're not alone

Alex has created an incredible instagram page where she shares simple, delicious meals, as well as insights into her family life. If you would like to follow along, you can find her at @alexskitchenstory.

As mentioned, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

• PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)
  Helpline: 1300 726 306
  Website: https://www.panda.org.au
• Lifeline Australia
  13 11 14 (24/7)
  Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au
• Beyond Blue
  1300 22 4636
  Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au

New Zealand

• PlunketLine
  0800 933 922 (24/7)
• Healthline New Zealand
  0800 611 116 (24/7)
• 1737 Need to talk?
  Call or text 1737 (24/7)

Thank you for listening. Take care x