With Love Mama

Tanika Lace
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Welcome to a space where birth, motherhood and matrescence are spoken about honestly, openly &without the filters. I’m Tanika — a conception, pregnancy & post partum doula + mum currently preparing for life with two under two. Through this podcast, I share the conversations, reflections and guidance I wish every woman had access to as she moves from pregnancy into motherhood. Inside each episode we explore pregnancy, birth preparation, postpartum recovery, nervous system support and the emotional transformation of becoming a mother. Some episodes are solo reflections from my own journey, while others feature conversations with birth workers, health professionals and women sharing their real birth stories. This podcast is here to help you feel informed, embodied and deeply supported — whether you’re preparing for birth, navigating postpartum or simply craving more honest conversations about motherhood. Think of it as sitting in a women’s circle, where birth is respected, motherhood is honoured and no question is too small!! 🩷

  1. 45m ago

    I'm Pregnant, Now What? First Trimester

    Just found out you're pregnant? First of all congratulations !!! Second… now what? If you're a first time mum wondering what to do after a positive pregnancy test, you're not alone. The moment you see those two pink lines, life changes in an instant but nobody really talks about everything that comes next. In this episode, we're diving into the real first trimester experience beyond the pregnancy apps and Google searches. We'll talk about the emotional rollercoaster of early pregnancy, the overwhelming amount of advice, the anxiety that can creep in before your first scan, and why it's completely normal if you don't feel connected to your baby straight away. We'll also cover what you actually need to do after finding out you're pregnant, how to navigate the flood of information without spiralling and why you don't need to have your birth plan, nursery or parenting style figured out in the first few weeks. Whether you're 4 weeks pregnant, 10 weeks pregnant or you've only just discovered you're expecting, this episode is here to help you slow down, take a deep breath and feel supported through the beginning of your pregnancy journey. In this episode, you'll learn: What to do after a positive pregnancy test What the first trimester is really like Common emotions and symptoms in early pregnancy How to manage pregnancy anxiety and information overload Why it's okay if you don't have it all figured out If you're looking for honest pregnancy advice, gentle reassurance and conversations about pregnancy, birth and postpartum, you're in the right place. Follow my Instagram for more doula / pregnancy content through the week! ⁠@tanikalace⁠ Follow my TikTok for BTS of mum life⁠ @tanikalace⁠ Apply to share your conception journey, birth or postpartum story here https://tally.so/r/D4ee7Z

    11 min

  2. 3d ago

    The Birth Conversation Every First Time Mum Should Hear | Debra Pascali-Bonaro

    If someone told you birth could feel pleasurable, would you believe them? For most women, the words orgasmic birth sound impossible, confronting or even unbelievable. We've been taught that birth is something to fear, endure and survive not something that could feel powerful, ecstatic or deeply pleasurable. In this episode, I'm joined by Debra Pascali-Bonaro, the creator of the Orgasmic Birth movement, to unpack what orgasmic birth actually means, the science behind it, and why so many women have never heard this side of birth before. We explore: What orgasmic birth really is (and what it isn't) Whether every woman is capable of this experience The hormones that connect birth, pleasure and safety Why fear changes the way we experience labour How to prepare your body and mind for a more instinctive birth Whether you need a home birth to experience an ecstatic birth Common myths about pain, pleasure and labour I also share my own unexpected experience of an orgasmic pushing phase during birth something I never planned for and didn't even realise was possible. Whether you're pregnant, planning your first birth, or simply curious about what the female body is truly capable of, this conversation will challenge everything you've been taught about birth. If this episode expands your perspective, share it with another mum who deserves to know she has more options, more wisdom, and more power than she's been led to believe. Follow my Instagram for more doula / pregnancy content through the week! ⁠@tanikalace⁠ Follow my TikTok for BTS of mum life⁠ @tanikalace⁠ Apply to share your conception journey, birth or postpartum story here https://tally.so/r/D4ee7Z Find Debra here: https://www.instagram.com/debrapascalibonaro/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth/?hl=en

    41 min

  3. Jun 28

    When Everyone Has an Opinion About Your Pregnancy

    The moment you find out you're pregnant, the advice begins. What supplements should you take? Which birth class should you choose? Should you create a birth plan? What should you eat? How should your baby sleep? What pram should you buy? Suddenly, everyone has an opinion and before you've even met your baby, it can feel like you're already getting motherhood wrong. In this episode, we're talking about the overwhelm that so many first time mums experience in pregnancy. The endless research, the conflicting advice, the social media rabbit holes and the pressure to make the "perfect" decisions. I'll share why information overload can actually disconnect us from our confidence, how to filter advice without spiralling and why trusting yourself doesn't mean ignoring expert guidance but it means learning to hear your own voice amongst the noise. If you've ever found yourself lying awake at night wondering if you're doing enough, researching one more thing before bed, or feeling more confused the more information you consume, this episode is for you. Because motherhood isn't a test you need to pass. And sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is stop searching for another answer and start listening to yourself. Follow my Instagram for more doula / pregnancy content through the week! ⁠@tanikalace⁠ Follow my TikTok for BTS of mum life⁠ @tanikalace⁠ Apply to share your conception journey, birth or postpartum story here https://tally.so/r/D4ee7Z

    13 min

  4. Jun 21

    Homebirth Conversations: What to Do When Your Partner Is Sceptical

    You’ve been researching homebirth, listening to birth stories and feeling a pull toward birthing in your own space. But every time you bring it up, your partner seems hesitant, worried or completely against the idea. If you’re feeling torn between honouring your instincts and wanting your partner’s support, this episode is for you. In this conversation, we’re exploring why homebirth can feel so confronting for partners, where their fears often come from, and how to approach these conversations without defensiveness, pressure, or endless debates. We’ll talk about the difference between convincing and connecting, how to create space for both people to feel heard, and practical ways to explore your options together. Whether your partner is mildly sceptical or strongly opposed, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of the concerns that may be sitting beneath the surface and how to navigate this decision as a team. Because birth isn’t just about where your baby is born it’s also about building trust, safety and support within your relationship as you prepare to become parents. Follow my Instagram for more doula / pregnancy content through the week! ⁠@tanikalace⁠

    17 min

  5. Jun 18

    Can you still LOVE your birth after an instrumental delivery? - Chloe's Birth Story

    In this powerful birth story episode, I sit down with a first-time mum who shares her incredible 33 hour labour journey through the Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) program. From labouring at home for most of her birth, to discovering her baby was posterior, navigating intense back labour and eventually facing a vacuum assisted birth and episiotomy afte and raw yet inspiring. Together, we explore the emotional highs and lows of a long labour, what it feels like when progress is slower than expected, the reality of back labour and the lessons that come from surrendering when birth doesn't go exactly to plan. Whether you're pregnant with your first baby, preparing for birth, considering labouring at home or wanting to hear a real and empowering birth story, this episode will leave you feeling informed, supported and reminded that a positive birth experience doesn't require a perfect birth. In this episode we discuss:• First time mum birth story• 33-hour labour experience• Back labour and baby positioning• Labouring at home before hospital• Midwifery Group Practice (MGP)• Natural birth preparation• Long labour mindset and coping strategies• The Miles Circuit• Using gas and water immersion in labour• Pushing for over two hours• Vacuum-assisted birth• Episiotomy• Birth expectations versus reality• Finding strength and surrender in birth Thank you Chloe for sharing your birth story xx Follow my Instagram for more doula / pregnancy content through the week! ⁠@tanikalace⁠ Follow my TikTok for BTS of mum life⁠ @tanikalace⁠ Apply to share your conception journey, birth or postpartum story here https://tally.so/r/D4ee7Z

    23 min

  6. Jun 14

    Your Birth Preparation NEEDS to Include This

    Most first-time mums spend months preparing for birth- the hospital bag, the birth plan, the breathing techniques, the playlists but today we speak about what you need to prepare AFTER. Postpartum isn’t a short recovery period or an afterthought to “just get through.” It is a profound physical, emotional and identity shift that begins the moment your baby is born. Yet, so many women enter it exhausted, unprepared and unsupported expected to simply “bounce back” while healing, feeding and learning a completely new human. In this episode, we gently unpack why postpartum deserves just as much attention as birth itself. We explore what real recovery actually looks like, why matrescence can feel so overwhelming and how to begin building a postpartum plan that supports you, not just your baby. If you’re pregnant and preparing for birth, this episode will shift the way you think about what it truly means to become a mother and what you deserve in that process. Follow my Instagram for more doula / pregnancy content through the week! ⁠@tanikalace⁠ Follow my TikTok for BTS of mum life⁠ @tanikalace⁠ Apply to share your conception journey, birth or postpartum story here https://tally.so/r/D4ee7Z

    13 min

  7. Jun 7

    What I wish EVERY First Time Mum Knew Before Labour & Birth

    If you're a first-time mum preparing for labour and birth, this episode is for you!! As a doula, I've supported women through pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum, and there are a handful of things I wish every first-time mother knew before labour begins. Not the generic advice you'll find on social media but the practical, reassuring truths that can completely change how you experience birth. In this episode, we're talking about:• What labour actually feels like• Common fears and misconceptions about birth• How to prepare mentally and emotionally for labour• The biggest mistakes first-time mums make during birth preparation• What helps create a positive birth experience• Why your mindset matters more than the perfect birth plan Whether you're planning a home birth, hospital birth, water birth or simply wanting to feel more confident heading into labour, this conversation will help you approach birth feeling informed, empowered & supported. If you're searching for birth education, labour tips, doula advice, or practical pregnancy support for first-time mums, you'll find it here. Subscribe, follow the podcast and share this episode with an expecting mum who deserves to feel calm, confident and prepared for birth. Follow my Instagram for more doula / pregnancy content through the week! ⁠@tanikalace⁠ Follow my TikTok for BTS of mum life⁠ @tanikalace⁠ Apply to share your conception journey, birth or postpartum story here https://tally.so/r/D4ee7Z

    13 min

  8. Jun 4

    My First Birth Didn’t go to Plan but I Still Loved it - Danielle’s Birth Story

    In this powerful positive birth story, we sit down with a mother who experienced spontaneous labour at 39 weeks and 1 day, laboured confidently at home and birthed her baby girl in the water just hours after arriving at hospital. With deep self trust, informed decision making and unwavering support from her Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) team, this birth unfolded beautifully until an unexpected complication changed everything in an instant. Shortly after birth, her baby's umbilical cord tore from the placenta, requiring immediate medical intervention and emergency surgery. Yet despite this dramatic turn of events, she describes her birth as one of the most empowering and positive experiences of her life! In this episode, we explore: • The benefits of labouring at home for as long as possible• How preparation, education and self trust can transform the birth experience• Using tools such as a TENS machine during labour• Water birth and physiological birth• Navigating unexpected birth complications• The role of continuity of care and a supportive birth team• Why birth doesn't have to go perfectly to be positive• Finding empowerment even when things don't go to plan If you're pregnant, preparing for birth or healing from a birth experience that looked different than expected, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that birth can be both unpredictable and deeply empowering. Because sometimes the most powerful birth stories aren't the ones that go exactly to plan — they're the ones where women discover just how strong they truly are. Thank you Danielle for coming on the podcast! Follow my Instagram for more doula / pregnancy content through the week! ⁠@tanikalace⁠ Follow my TikTok for BTS of mum life⁠ @tanikalace⁠ Apply to share your conception journey, birth or postpartum story here https://tally.so/r/D4ee7Z

    24 min
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About

Welcome to a space where birth, motherhood and matrescence are spoken about honestly, openly &without the filters. I’m Tanika — a conception, pregnancy & post partum doula + mum currently preparing for life with two under two. Through this podcast, I share the conversations, reflections and guidance I wish every woman had access to as she moves from pregnancy into motherhood. Inside each episode we explore pregnancy, birth preparation, postpartum recovery, nervous system support and the emotional transformation of becoming a mother. Some episodes are solo reflections from my own journey, while others feature conversations with birth workers, health professionals and women sharing their real birth stories. This podcast is here to help you feel informed, embodied and deeply supported — whether you’re preparing for birth, navigating postpartum or simply craving more honest conversations about motherhood. Think of it as sitting in a women’s circle, where birth is respected, motherhood is honoured and no question is too small!! 🩷

Information

  • Creator
    Tanika Lace
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Tanika Lace
  • Show Website
    With Love Mama