The Postpartum Season

Laura Taneja | Sharing honest postpartum stories
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The Postpartum Season is a podcast dedicated to honest conversations about life after birth. Hosted by Laura, each episode explores the realities of the postpartum period through open, compassionate conversations with mothers and trusted health professionals. Motherhood is often portrayed as either beautiful or difficult, but the truth is that it can be both at the same time. This podcast creates space for the full picture—the joy, the love, the identity shifts, the exhaustion, the healing, the challenges, and everything in between. Whether you're preparing for your first baby, navigating the early weeks postpartum, returning to work, or simply looking for reassurance that you're not alone, The Postpartum Season is here to support you. Because every postpartum experience is different, but no one should have to navigate it feeling alone.

  1. 5d ago

    EP 30 | George – Processing Having an Unplanned LSCS, Postpartum Body Image, Breaking the ‘Bounce Back’ Culture & Finding Your Village

    In this episode, George shares her experience of an unplanned caesarean, adjusting to her postpartum body, finding community and learning to surrender to the realities of new motherhood. We discuss: Finding out unexpectedly that she was pregnant with TeddyDeciding there may never be a “right time” to become parentsLiving in Sydney while most of George's family are in TasmaniaRealising how important community would become after having a babyPreparing extensively for birth but much less for postpartumHoping for a low-intervention vaginal birthHaving an unplanned caesarean after more than 24 hours of labourFeeling unprepared for what a caesarean and its recovery would involveMeeting Teddy and not experiencing the immediate rush of emotion she expectedThe guilt and self-blame George experienced after her birthLearning to validate her own experience rather than comparing it with other people’s birth experienceThe role pain played in George's emotional wellbeing during early postpartumBeginning to talk openly about her birth and process some of the guilt and shameFeeling unprepared for the physical reality of a postpartum bodyThe influence of “bounce back” culture and postpartum bodies portrayed onlineWondering whether her own body was normal because she hadn’t seen bodies like hers representedAnother mother reaching out and helping George realise she wasn’t aloneFinding the courage to share her postpartum body onlineThe response from thousands of women who felt seen and validated by her contentMoving from struggling with her body to feeling in awe of what it has doneThe challenge of finding genuine friendships and community in early motherhoodFinally meeting other mums who made George feel seen in her experienceNavigating sleep deprivation at around six months postpartumThe enormous identity shift that comes with motherhoodThe joy of watching Teddy’s personality begin to emergeGeorge's feeling that motherhood has brought a sense of contentment she had been searching forYou can find George on Instagram at @georgina.raynerrr.   A big thank you to ergoPouch for sponsoring this week’s episode. Use the code PPS20 at checkout to receive 20% off the ergoPouch range. Valid until 31 October 2026. Terms and conditions apply. You can find out more about ergoPouch at @ergopouch, and you can browse their range at www.ergopouch.com.au.   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.auLifeline Australia 13 11 14 (24/7) Website: https://www.lifeline.org.auBeyond 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

  2. Oct 1

    EP 29 | Bonus Episode | The challenges faced by parents in today's society with Tegan from The Parenthood

    In this bonus episode of The Postpartum Season, I’m joined by Tegan Gilchrist, a senior director at The Parenthood, an Australian advocacy organisation campaigning for the social and economic infrastructure parents need to make life work for modern families. Tegan shares some of the challenges facing parents today, including the tension between work and caring responsibilities in the context of systems designed for another era,  the cost and availability of early learning, and the pressure parents can experience as their families move through different stages. We also talk about what The Parenthood is advocating for: 12 months of paid parental leave for families, high-quality and accessible early learning, and more family-friendly workplaces. Tegan explains why giving fathers and partners dedicated opportunities to take parental leave matters — not only in supporting mothers during the first year, but in establishing shared care from the beginning. We discuss the idea of the “default parent”, the role that time plays in building confidence and connection as a caregiver, and why creating better systems for families can benefit mothers, fathers, children and the wider community. We finish by talking about The Parenthood’s vision for Australian families and how parents can get involved in advocating for change. You can find out more about The Parenthood at: https://www.theparenthood.org.au Or follow along on instagram at @theparenthood. Important links that were mentioned in the episode: Address by Georgie Dent, CEO of The Parenthood, at the National Press Club: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brIRti7aEpg The Parenthood Paid Parental Leave Petition: https://www.theparenthood.org.au/first_year_foundations Also, 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.auLifeline Australia13 11 14 (24/7)Website: https://www.lifeline.org.auBeyond 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

  3. Sep 28

    EP 28 | Caitlin – Mothering Without Your Mum, Finding Your Village, Returning to Paid Work & Trusting Your Instincts

    In this episode, Caitlin shares her experience of becoming a mother while living overseas without family nearby, mothering without her own mum, and how motherhood has changed her perspective as a NICU nurse. We discuss: Finding out she was pregnant with MaeveCaitlin’s experience of pregnancy as a NICU nurse and feeling that sometimes she “knows too much”The balance between being informed and becoming overwhelmed by everything that could go wrongPreparing practically for postpartum without fully understanding the emotional transition aheadGrieving the end of life as just Caitlin and Stefano before becoming parentsPreparing to raise a baby in New Zealand while their families lived overseasMaeve’s labour progressing quickly from three to eight centimetresMaeve’s heart rate dropping during pushing and being taken into theatreAn episiotomy and vacuum-assisted birthMeeting their daughter for the first timeEstablishing breastfeeding and Caitlin’s experience of colostrum harvestingStaying at Birthcare after Maeve’s birthThe unexpected pain of recovering from an episiotomyRealising how much physical recovery required her to slow downPlanning a wedding during pregnancy and getting married in Italy when Maeve was four months oldTravelling overseas with a young baby and having Caitlin and Stefano’s families and friends finally meet MaeveBecoming a mother after losing her own mum at 23The bittersweet experience of joy and grief existing at the same timeMissing the experience of being mothered while learning to mother your own childGrieving the grandparent relationship Caitlin wishes her children could have had with her parentsCelebrating Maeve’s relationship with Stefano’s parentsThe ways Caitlin’s mum continues to influence how she wants to mother her own childrenReturning to NICU after becoming a motherHow motherhood has deepened Caitlin’s empathy for NICU parentsThe emotional impact of caring for babies and families after having a child herselfCaitlin’s passion for supporting and educating parents in NICUReturning to paid work and wanting to continue a career she deeply lovesThe challenges of balancing paid work and motherhoodPreparing to welcome a second baby without family support nearbyThe sadness Caitlin feels about Maeve no longer being their only childLooking forward to experiencing the newborn stage againSavouring the fleeting seasons of having a babyTrusting your instincts and recognising that you often know more than you think you doThis weeks sponsor is Rest in the Postpartum Season - guided yoga nidra practices created for mothers.  If you’re looking for a simple way to slow down, rest and take a little time for yourself, you can find practices ranging from five to fifteen minutes at www.thepostpartumseason.com. 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 306Website: https://www.panda.org.auLifeline Australia13 11 14 (24/7)Website: https://www.lifeline.org.auBeyond 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

  4. Sep 21

    EP 27 | Lucia – Premature Birth, NICU, Infant Loss, Grief & Motherhood After Loss

    In this episode, Lucia shares the story of becoming a mother to Edmund, losing him after 40 days in NICU, and how his life profoundly shaped her experience of motherhood, grief and matrescence. We discuss: Lucia’s journey towards deciding she wanted to become a motherHer waters breaking at 24 weeksSpending two weeks in hospital on bed restThe feelings of fear, sadness and that her body had failed herPreparing for the possibility of an extremely premature babyBecoming unwell at 26 weeks and Edmund’s emergency birthEdmund being born at 26 weeks weighing 820 gramsMeeting and touching Edmund for the first time in NICURecovering from an emergency caesarean while wanting to spend every moment with her babyThe infection that contributed to Lucia becoming unwellStruggling physically and emotionally during the early postpartum periodAsking for mental health support and being taken seriously by the hospital teamPumping milk for Edmund while he was in NICUSeeking further support through her GP and eventually a perinatal psychologistThe extraordinary support Lucia and David received from the NICU teamThe emotional uncertainty of having a critically unwell premature babyEdmund’s 40 days in NICUDiscovering a congenital abnormality affecting Edmund’s lungMaking the devastating decision to move Edmund into palliative careSpending precious time together as a family before saying goodbyeHolding Edmund as he took his final breathCreating memories after his death, including bathing, dressing and photographing himThe importance of photographs and memories during griefLucia and David experiencing grief in very different waysLearning to respect a partner’s individual way of grievingThe role of perinatal psychological support after infant lossLeaving hospital without your baby and navigating postpartum after lossThe grief of no longer returning to NICU every dayLucia’s experience of matrescenceThe difficult experience with Lucia's workplace and maternity leave after Edmund diedHow motherhood and loss changed Lucia’s relationship with her careerLearning that it was okay to say Edmund’s name and talk about himFinding meaningful ways to honour and remember EdmundCreating a children’s book about Edmund for his cousinsFundraising to support families experiencing NICUThe annual workout held in Edmund’s memoryDeciding when to try for another baby after lossWelcoming Alfie and later WatsonHow Lucia’s first postpartum experience shaped her subsequent postpartum seasonsParenting with a greater awareness of how precious and short life can beLucia’s message to her former self to run your own race, look after yourself and be kind to yourselfThis weeks sponsor is Rest in the Postpartum Season - guided yoga nidra practices created for mothers.  If you’re looking for a simple way to slow down, rest and take a little time for yourself, you can find practices ranging from five to fifteen minutes at www.thepostpartumseason.com. 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 306Website: https://www.panda.org.auLifeline Australia13 11 14 (24/7)Website: https://www.lifeline.org.auBeyond 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

  5. Sep 14

    EP 26 | Hannah - Matrescence, Intrusive Thoughts, Grief & Letting Go of the Pressure to Perform Motherhood

    In this episode, Hannah shares her three postpartum experiences and reflects on how becoming a mother ultimately led her to her work as a perinatal counsellor. We discuss: Becoming a mum unexpectedly at 26Preparing extensively for birth but very little for postpartumHannah’s first birth and the early postpartum periodNavigating postpartum with a partner who had to return to work after only a couple of daysFeeding difficulties, concerns about weight gain and the anxiety surrounding growth chartsFeeling like she was failing at the very first hurdle of motherhoodFinding small anchors in the day through coffee, movement and connectionThe impact becoming parents had on Hannah and Josh’s relationshipWhy Hannah believes couples therapy can be valuable before a relationship reaches crisis pointReturning to paid work and the challenges of combining work, daycare and childhood illnessThe importance of having an identity outside of motherhood, and Hannah’s changing relationship with that ideaWelcoming a second baby and the reality of postpartum while also caring for a toddlerThe pressure Hannah felt to be a “superwoman” and prove she could keep doing everythingReturning to work in the perinatal space while struggling to prioritise her own wellbeingIntense intrusive thoughts during pregnancy How talking openly about intrusive thoughts gradually robbed them of their powerHannah’s third birth and the healing experience of having her sister thereNavigating significant uncertainty around her dad’s mental health during pregnancyLosing her dad shortly after her daughter was born and experiencing grief alongside postpartumThe stigma and discomfort that can surround mental health and why Hannah values talking openly about her dadHow grief forced Hannah to slow down and let go of the need to perform motherhoodEmbracing motherhood as an important part of her identityHannah’s decision to train as a counsellor after her own experiencesBuilding a career predominantly supporting women in the perinatal spaceLooking back at the version of herself who felt she had to keep pushing and achievingHannah’s reflection that there are no achievable “goals” in parenting — and the freedom that can come from taking some of that pressure awayYou can find Hannah and learn more about her counselling work at: Instagram: @deep.end.counselling Website: https://www.deependcounselling.com This weeks sponsor is Rest in the Postpartum Season - guided yoga nidra practices created for mothers.  If you’re looking for a simple way to slow down, rest and take a little time for yourself, you can find practices ranging from five to fifteen minutes at www.thepostpartumseason.com. 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 306Website: https://www.panda.org.auLifeline Australia13 11 14 (24/7)Website: https://www.lifeline.org.auBeyond 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

  6. Sep 7

    EP 25 | Emma – Two Premature Babies, Life in NICU, Pregnancy Loss & Finding Strength in Motherhood

    In this episode, Emma shares her experiences of premature birth, pregnancy loss, NICU and navigating two incredibly challenging postpartum seasons. We discuss: Developing severe preeclampsia during Emma’s first pregnancyHer son being born unexpectedly at 32 weeksAn emergency caesarean under general anaestheticWaiting 19 hours to meet her baby for the first timeNavigating NICU and special care during COVID restrictionsThe isolation of being separated from her support networkPumping, tube feeding, nipple shields and establishing breastfeeding with a premature babyThe emotional rollercoaster of NICU milestones and setbacksBringing a premature baby home and the anxiety surrounding illness during COVIDExperiencing two pregnancy losses between Emma’s childrenPregnancy after loss and the anxiety of another high-risk pregnancyEmma’s daughter being born at 34 weeks and five days after experiencing preeclampsia againReturning to special care for a second timeThe difference the Ronald McDonald room made during their second experienceNavigating a special care stay while also having an older child at homeEmma’s son experiencing anaphylaxis shortly after her daughter came homeHer newborn daughter becoming critically unwell with meningitis and being admitted to PICUTrying to recover from an emergency caesarean while both children needed significant careThe impact of stress and sleep deprivation on breastfeedingThe physical, mental, emotional and financial toll of prolonged hospital experiencesFinding support through family, friends, church, medical teams and other NICU parentsWhy connecting with parents going through similar experiences can be so valuableUsing social media and sharing her story as a way of processing what happenedYou can find Emma on Instagram at @by.emmamae. This weeks sponsor is Rest in the Postpartum Season - guided yoga nidra practices created for mothers.  If you’re looking for a simple way to slow down, rest and take a little time for yourself, you can find practices ranging from five to fifteen minutes at www.thepostpartumseason.com. 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 306Website: https://www.panda.org.auLifeline Australia13 11 14 (24/7)Website: https://www.lifeline.org.auBeyond 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

  7. Aug 31

    EP 24 | Lucinda - Sleep Deprivation, Infant Temperament, Returning to Work, Ready or Not and The Reality of Juggling Parenting and Paid Work

    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 earlyRay spending his first week in special care and the difficulty of leaving hospital without her babyEstablishing breastfeeding and the support Lu received from the midwives around herFeeling incredibly held by family and friends during early postpartumExperiencing the baby blues, nighttime dread and lonelinessBecoming unexpectedly pregnant again around one year postpartumStruggling physically and emotionally during the first trimester while parenting a young childLu’s experience of going from one child to twoPosie’s unsettled temperament and significant sleep challengesThe enormous impact prolonged sleep deprivation can have on a parent’s wellbeingFeeling pressure to follow routines and “fix” a baby’s sleepRecognising the role of infant temperament and letting go of self-blameThe judgment and unsolicited commentary mothers can experienceWhy motherhood can feel lonely even when you have people around youReturning to freelance work after becoming a motherStarting and growing Ready or Not with co-host Loz alongside motherhoodThe realities of trying to balance paid work and caring responsibilitiesWhy there is no perfect blueprint or “hack” for combining motherhood and workHow motherhood has reshaped Lu’s values, priorities and relationship with timeWhy sometimes the most helpful thing we can offer another mother is validationLu 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 306Website: https://www.panda.org.auLifeline Australia13 11 14 (24/7)Website: https://www.lifeline.org.auBeyond 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

  8. Aug 24

    EP 23 | Lilly - Slowing Down in Postpartum, Career & Identity, an Unsettled Baby & Matrescence

    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 midwifeRoo’s emergency caesarean birth under general anaestheticProcessing an unexpected birth experience and wanting to “make up for lost time”The intense vulnerability and hormonal shifts of early postpartumLilly’s unexpected instinct to stay home, slow down and protect her postpartum spaceLearning to listen to her own needs rather than expectations from the outside worldGradually re-emerging into the world when she felt readyFinding connection with other mothers through pilates and walking groupsWhy “mums need mums”The huge shift in Lilly’s relationship with her career after becoming a motherThe complexities of combining motherhood with shift work, on-call work and a career in healthcarePreparing Roo for the arrival of his siblingMeeting Franklin after a very rapid vaginal birthThe transition from parenting one child to twoRecovering from mastitis in the early weeks postpartumNavigating weeks of having a very unsettled babyThe emotional impact of prolonged crying and questioning yourself as a motherThe small, practical acts of self-care and self-preservation that helped Lilly throughThe impact of having a second baby on Lilly and Ben’s relationshipMatrescence and becoming a new version of yourself with each babyWhat Lilly found unexpected about her postpartum experiencesThe physicality, vulnerability and extraordinary love of motherhoodLilly 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 306Website: https://www.panda.org.auLifeline Australia13 11 14 (24/7)Website: https://www.lifeline.org.auBeyond 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

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About

The Postpartum Season is a podcast dedicated to honest conversations about life after birth. Hosted by Laura, each episode explores the realities of the postpartum period through open, compassionate conversations with mothers and trusted health professionals. Motherhood is often portrayed as either beautiful or difficult, but the truth is that it can be both at the same time. This podcast creates space for the full picture—the joy, the love, the identity shifts, the exhaustion, the healing, the challenges, and everything in between. Whether you're preparing for your first baby, navigating the early weeks postpartum, returning to work, or simply looking for reassurance that you're not alone, The Postpartum Season is here to support you. Because every postpartum experience is different, but no one should have to navigate it feeling alone.

Information

  • Creator
    Laura Taneja | Sharing honest postpartum stories
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Laura Taneja | Sharing honest postpartum stories
  • Show Website
    The Postpartum Season

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