*Content/trigger warning – references to suicidal ideation and potential miscarriage*

Pregnancy is often a complex time of joy and celebration mixed in with worry, anxiety, uncertainty, physical pain, nausea, sickness, exhaustion, and everything in between. But for some women, there is little enjoyment because of the risk that their baby might not survive the pregnancy or for long after the birth.

This was the reality for our guest, Kylie Blascetta.

Kylie shares:

• Discovering early on that her baby might not survive the pregnancy due to a lack of amniotic fluid and the high risk of her pregnancy ending in miscarriage or death soon after birth
• The impact of this and further difficulties throughout her pregnancy that led to a loss of her support village and the impact this had on her mental health
• How a pivotal moment when she was in the depths of post-natal anxiety and depression was the catalyst to her choosing a different way, setting her on a path of recovery and reclaiming her power

We also discuss the lack of care she received for her own needs and mental health as the mother and how the cone of silence and shame which surrounded her pregnancy exacerbated an already incredibly vulnerable period in her life.

By sharing Kylie's story, my hope is that it encourages others to talk about their own struggles and challenges and that they don’t need to suffer in silence or feel shameful. Mothers need to know that their own needs and mental health are equally as important as their baby’s health.

Becoming a mother is a huge transition and one that is rarely celebrated, supported, and honoured in the ways that mothers need. This leaves mothers disoriented, lost, and exhausted.
Gladys Kangau experienced all of this after the birth of her first child. She was told she had post-partum depression but believed it was something else. This started her on a journey of searching for her truth and led her to find matrescence which helped her to make sense of her mothering journey.

We discuss:

• The cultural expectations of a ‘good mother’ in Kenya
• How finding matrescence healed her mothering experience
• The small and simple steps that helped Gladys let go of the expectations and led her to being an activist in her community

*Trigger Warning *Domestic Violence*

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

You will learn:

• How the abuse manifested and the signs that something was seriously wrong.
• How Lucy became her own hero and the moment she realised she needed to leave the relationship.
• What thriving as a solo mother looks like for her now.

The very first episode of the Mothers’ Hood Podcast explores the taboo topic of rage and anger in motherhood with Alison Ryan.

Alison shares her experience of the overwhelming rage she felt after having her second daughter. This is a topic that is rarely discussed or acknowledged and is shrouded in so much shame and guilt.

We discuss:

• How the rage and anger manifested and the self-judgment she had in feeling this way
• Alison’s breaking point, resulting in smashing plates in the sink, and how this was a key moment for her to recognise that she was not ok
• The steps she took to start feeling calmer and to reset how she feels about motherhood and herself
• Alison provides some great tangible examples of the ways she takes care of her own needs today.
• Breaking the silence on this normal, human emotion, is the first step in helping mothers know that they are not failing motherhood or a bad mother for feeling this way.

Tune in to raw and honest conversations about motherhood, identity, and the messy beauty of it all.

These are the stories we should have heard growing up, as we navigated pregnancy and motherhood - the real, unfiltered truths of the journey.

Yet, we live in a world where mothers often find themselves isolated, navigating the ups and downs of parenting alone.

Without hearing others' stories, we lack the reference to make sense of our own experiences and the language to express what we're feeling. This leaves many mothers feeling disconnected, lost and questioning if something is wrong with them.

This is the good, the bad, and the ugly of motherhood. This is motherhood in all its complexity.

No highlight reels. No experts or gurus – just real women, sharing real stories. We're in this together.