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In this powerful and episode, I met with Dr Heather Harris, Radiology Consultant and mother of two, to discuss her experience of fatigue and burnout as a mother in medicine.

Heather opens up about her personal journey through overwhelming exhaustion — the slow build-up of fatigue, the emotional toll of constantly caring for others, and the pivotal moment she realised that something had to change. She shares how she reshaped her life, the boundaries she put in place, and the mindset shifts that helped her reclaim her energy and sense of self.

We also talk about compassion fatigue, a challenge many clinicians face but rarely discuss openly. Heather reflects on how it showed up in her work and home life, and what helped her recognise and address it before it became all‑consuming.

Throughout the conversation, Heather offers thoughtful, practical advice for navigating the relentless juggle of clinical responsibilities and motherhood — from managing expectations to building support systems and finding small but meaningful ways to rest.

This episode is an honest, reassuring reminder that fatigue is not a personal failure, and that change is possible with awareness, support, and self‑compassion.

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In this episode I met with Dr Stacey Killick, Paediatric Consultant and mother of 2. We discuss her experience of going through fertility treatment as a mother in medicine.

She shares some of the challenges and how we may support colleagues and friends going through fertility treatment.

Finally she shares her tips and advice for managing the juggle.

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In this episode I met with Dr Sarah Howles to discuss her research regarding pregnancy and parenthood in surgical trainees.

Sarah shares the inspiration behind the study, the aims, methodology and most strikingly the results.

We discuss her thoughts on why surgical training appears to be having such a significant impact on the pregnancies of trainees and makes some suggestions of what changes could be made to mitigate for these

Sarah also shares some of her personal challenges as a mother in medicine and the lessons she has learnt along the way. Finally she shares her tips and advice for managing the juggle.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10638525/pdf/znad204.pdf

https://www.baus.org.uk/_userfiles/pages//files/Workforce//Supporting%20Urologists%20becoming%20Parents.pdf

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In this episode I met with Dr Amanda Chisholm - GP, lifestyle medicine physician and mother of 2 and we discuss her journey as a working mother, the moment she realised she need to prioritise self care and how she does it . We also discuss how she developed her portfolio career and other practical tips and advice for managing the juggle.

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In this episode I met with Obstetric and Gynaecology Consultant Mrs Joanna Abiola and we discuss 'the village' , friendship, and how to build your village as Mothers in Medicine.

Other topics include: Childcare

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In this episode I speak to Dr Rachel Morris. Rachel is a former GP turned careers coach specialising in resilience .We discuss setting boundaries and managing expectations as mothers in medicine .

Here is what we talk about:

We discuss what inspired her to become a coach

Rachel’s journey towards self awareness and self discovery .

Why she started the ‘you are not a frog’ Podcast

Her experience of being a mother and doctor

We discuss how we can set boundaries, prioritise and managing expectations

Why we need to review our mindset and self talk

The Importance of self care

Tips and advice for managing the juggle

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In this episode I speak to Dame Professor Jane Dacre . Dame Professor Jane Dacre is a Consultant Rheumatologist and former president of the Royal College of Physicians. She is also former director of UCL Medical school and the MRCP examination. Dame Dacre also led the gender pay gap review in medicine.

In this episode we discuss:

- What is the gender pay gap
- Why is it so high amongst doctors
- What can we do to reduce the gender pay gap.
- Dame Professor Jane Dacre describes her experience as a mother of 3 and doctor
- why she was inspired to take up a role in medical leadership
- Tips and advice for managing the juggle.

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In this episode we speak to Dr Hollie Hearfield. Dr Hearfield is a Consultant in psychiatry and is one of the lead authors of recent published research into the experiences of breastfeeding NHS workers.

In this episode we discuss her personal experience as a breastfeeding mother and what inspired her to carry out this research .

We will also discuss the findings of the research specific to doctors .

We discuss some of the actions you might take to improve your experience if you choose to breastfeed or express milk at work .

She also shares tips and advice for breastfeeding doctors and other tips and advice for managing the juggle .

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bjpsych-open/article/breast-feeding-experiences-of-nhs-staff-returning-to-work-from-maternity-leave-a-national-study/3B54D90AFE2054D1B8B53745C22C039A

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Hosted by Dr Sola
Please Share, follow and find us on Instagram @motherinmedicine