Why it's OK to Break-Up with Your Friends: my thoughts on changes in the perinatal period
Release Date: 11/27/2022
Alison's story: postnatal depression + anxiety, inpatient early parenting unit, low iron, baby with reflux and finding hope again
Mothergroup The Podcast
Hello beautiful podcast listeners and welcome to this week's episode. In today's conversation I speak with Alison, about her experience developing postnatal depression and anxiety after the birth of her first daughter. Alison was left recovering from her birth with undiagnosed and severely low iron levels. Couple that with a baby who would only sleep whilst being held, sleep deprivation and feeling like she could not talk about how hard things were getting, Alison's PND and PNA symptoms worsened and she was admitted to an inpatient early parenting unit. 3 years on and Alison has learnt to...
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Joy's story: multiple pregnancy losses, postnatal anxiety, wakeful baby and what if it all works out
Mothergroup The Podcast
In this week's episode I talk with Joy about her experience with multiple missed miscarriages/pregnancy losses, how she navigated pregnancy after loss, the strategies she tried to help navigate life with a wakeful baby, and the development of her postnatal anxiety. This is a really beautiful episode and covers a broad spectrum of topics; the changing nature of relationships during this time, developing inner strength and intuition, putting healthy boundaries in place, and learning to honour yourself. If you loved this episode make sure you hit the follow button on whichever podcast app you...
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Rebecca's story: OCD, PP anxiety, inpatient MBU stay, PTSD and creating a platform to honour our stories
Mothergroup The Podcast
In today's episode Rebecca shares her story of developing worsening anxiety throughout her pregnancy. After the birth of her beautiful boy Rebecca then went on to experience an acute episode of OCD symptoms, insomnia, PTSD and eventually was admitted to an inpatient mother-baby unit. Rebecca has now gone on to create her own wonderful platform to share and honour stories of mental ill-health during the perinatal period. This is a beautiful episode and you can find Rebecca over on instagram at or her podcast If this episode has brought anything up for you please contact Gidget Foundation...
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Breastfeeding: how to support yourself + validating grief if it didn't work out, with WH PT guru Melinda Cooper
Mothergroup The Podcast
In episode 34 of the podcast I talk with the incredible Women's Health Physiotherapist, Researcher, Published Author and all around Guru Mindy Cooper about how to best support yourself during breastfeeding, and also about how to take care of your mental health if it didn't work out as planned. In our culture we medicalise breastfeeding, if something goes wrong there is minimal support and we blame the woman. In early postpartum, rather than valuing rest and recovery, 'bouncing back' and being the perfect host to visitors is heralded. This episode is not a how-to guide, rather a holistic...
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Why it's OK to Break-Up with Your Friends: my thoughts on changes in the perinatal period
Mothergroup The Podcast
There is no template to Break-Up with a friend, it is seen as a failure if a friendship ends. And friendship break-ups if done in the wrong way, can create so much heartbreak and pain. However, I think that during the perinatal period. Whether you are trying to navigate a longer-than-expected conception journey, or are at home with a screaming baby, you will have less energy to give to friendships. Your priorities will also be shifting, along with your daily rhythms and routines. Therefore I think it is essential for your wellbeing to be surrounded by friends that fill you up with...
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But are you really OK? How to turn your darkest experience into your greatest purpose with Chelsea Pottenger
Mothergroup The Podcast
After the birth of her much wanted baby girl Clara, Chelsea began to slowly spiral into Postnatal Depression. Sleep deprivation and difficulty breastfeeding took hold, and the normally high-achieving goals oriented Chelsea began to develop a reliance on prescription drugs in order to sleep. After experiencing a major panic attack, Chelsea was admitted to a psychiatric inpatient with her newborn daughter. This experience however, turned Chelsea's life in a completely new direction. Inspiring the creation of her business EQ minds, her study in psychology, her work as a key-note speaker and her...
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What does Postnatal Anxiety feel like for you? How are you doing now? And so much more with previous guests Sophie, Ashlee, Abbi and Heidi
Mothergroup The Podcast
In this episode I catch up with Sophie, Ashlee, Abbi and Heidi and find out how they are going now. How their Postnatal Anxiety felt at its worst, what things helped the most along the way, how it felt to talk publicly about their experience with Postnatal Anxiety and so much more. I loved checking in with these past guests, and I hope you all enjoy the episode. If this conversation brings up anything for you, please contact PANDA on 1300 726 306. Links below for each guests story, if you haven't listened yet Sophie's story: Ashlee's story: Abbi's story: Heidi's story:
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Why 92% of couples report increased conflict first year after baby, how to stay connected and when you may need more help, with Relationships Counsellor Elly Taylor
Mothergroup The Podcast
Did you know that a whopping 92% of couples report increased conflict in their relationship in the first year after birth!!? And 67% report overall decreased satisfaction within their pairing. This conversation with awarded author, speaker and couples counsellor Elly Taylor we discuss all things relationships in the perinatal period, what is normal, how to take care of yourself and your partner and also what is not normal and needs further support. I loved this conversation, and I know you all will too. You can find Elly and her amazing work and books and courses over at A heads up, in...
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Renee's story: Inpatient Psychiatric Unit, PND, PTSD, learning to put yourself first and find joy again
Mothergroup The Podcast
This episode is proudly brought to you by Chekoh, use code SOWH10 at checkout for 10% off storewide over at After the birth of her son, Renee started to notice a decline in her mental health. Initially she pushed this feeling away, as a high achiever and all around "coper" Renee felt she could fix her mental health and it would all be ok. Fast forward a few years, the strain of a move, parenting two children with additional needs, and the lack of an open discussion about mental health, Renee's PND worsened and she was admitted to an Inpatient Psychiatric Unit. This story so beautifully told...
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Sandy's story: genetic condition, unassisted birth
Mothergroup The Podcast
Hello and happy Monday everyone! Today I am grateful to share with you all Sandy's story. Sandy lives with a Genetic Condition EB (Epidermolysis Bullosa) that causes delicate skin, blistering and wounds. In today's episode we discuss the mental load of knowing your baby carries the same gene, Sandy's unassisted birth, retained placenta, PPH, how the importance of taking care of yourself when you are having a bad health day ( go and get a haircut, make yourself feel cute etc etc) Sandy is a ray of sunshine and a joy to listen to and I know you will all enjoy. PS there are some technical...
info_outlineThere is no template to Break-Up with a friend, it is seen as a failure if a friendship ends. And friendship break-ups if done in the wrong way, can create so much heartbreak and pain.
However, I think that during the perinatal period. Whether you are trying to navigate a longer-than-expected conception journey, or are at home with a screaming baby, you will have less energy to give to friendships. Your priorities will also be shifting, along with your daily rhythms and routines. Therefore I think it is essential for your wellbeing to be surrounded by friends that fill you up with energy, and joy, and don't drain your batteries, judge you, or make you feel overwhelmed and insecure.
In this episode I discuss:
- Why I think it's OK for our friendships to change over time
- The three ways to break-up with a friend
- My experience of being Ghosted
- What to look for in your friendships
- And SO much more
I would love to hear your feedback, do you agree with me??? Do you disagree?? I'd love to know, come and find me on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/storiesofwomenshealth/
Enjoy xxxx