In this episode of The Mum Poster Syndrome Podcast, Dr Natasha Wallace is joined by Nicole Foulkes, host of the Squiggly Motherhood podcast, for an honest and deeply reflective conversation about a side of motherhood that isn't talked about nearly enough: grief.

Together, they explore the many forms grief can take after becoming a mother. From the loss of identity and career aspirations, to shifts in friendships, relationships, and personal freedom, motherhood often brings emotional changes that women aren't always prepared for.

Natasha and Nicole discuss how societal expectations of "perfect motherhood" can make these feelings even harder to acknowledge. Many women experience love for their children alongside sadness, anger, or longing for parts of their pre-motherhood life — emotions that can feel confusing or guilt-inducing.

The conversation also touches on the emotional impact of birth experiences, the challenges of returning to work after maternity leave, and how relationships can shift during this transition.

This episode is a compassionate exploration of what it means to hold love and grief at the same time, and why acknowledging these feelings is an important step toward healing, self-acceptance, and connection.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Grief in motherhood can include the loss of identity, freedom, and former aspirations.
• Women often feel guilt for experiencing grief while also deeply loving their children.
• Returning to work after maternity leave can trigger complex emotions and a sense of loss.
• Birth experiences can have a lasting impact on a mother's emotional wellbeing.
• Many women feel pressure to present a "perfect" version of motherhood.
• Friendships and relationships often shift significantly after becoming a parent.Acknowledging grief is an important step toward emotional wellbeing.
• Community and honest conversations can help mothers feel less alone.
• Parenting with intentionality can help women reconnect with their values and identity.

🕒 Episode Chapters

00:46 — The Hidden Grief of Motherhood
06:44 — Navigating Career Changes
12:46 — Resentment and Relationship Dynamics
18:49 — Making Choices in Motherhood
24:50 — Grieving the Loss of Freedom
31:52 — Expectations vs Reality in Motherhood
41:48 — Birth Experiences and Maternal Identity
48:48 — The Ongoing Journey of Grief and Acceptance
55:47 — Building Community Through Honest Conversations

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🌿 Connect with Dr Natasha Wallace
Instagram: @drtasha_psychologist
Website: www.drnatashawallace.co.uk
Email: support@drnatashawallace.co.uk

✨ Connect with Guest: Nicole Foulkes
Instagram: @squigglymotherhood
Website: squigglymotherhood.com
Email: squigglymotherhood@gmail.com

In this episode of The Mum Poster Syndrome Podcast, Dr Natasha Wallace is joined by reproductive psychiatrist Dr Susan Zink to explore the powerful connection between hormonal changes and women's mental health.

Together, they unpack how hormonal shifts during pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause can affect mood, anxiety, sleep, and emotional wellbeing. Dr Zink explains why many women feel confused or unsupported when these changes occur, and why symptoms like postpartum depression, prenatal anxiety, and maternal rage are far more common than many people realise.

The conversation explores the difference between "baby blues" and postpartum depression, the role sleep deprivation plays in mental health, and why women often blame themselves for experiences that are actually rooted in biological and hormonal changes.

Natasha and Susan also discuss the importance of recognising symptoms early, seeking support without shame, and building communities where mothers feel safe talking openly about their mental health.

This episode is a compassionate and reassuring conversation for any woman navigating the emotional and physical transitions of motherhood.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Hormonal shifts during pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause can significantly affect mood and mental health.
• Postpartum depression affects around 1 in 5 women, yet many mothers suffer silently.
• "Baby blues" are common and temporary, but postpartum depression lasts longer and requires support.
• Prenatal anxiety and depression are more common than many people realise.
• Sleep deprivation can intensify hormonal shifts and worsen mood symptoms.
• Maternal rage and irritability can be symptoms of postpartum depression and deserve attention and support.
• Seeking help is a sign of strength, not failure.
• Understanding the biological and psychological factors behind these experiences can help women feel less alone.
• Community support and open conversations about maternal mental health are essential.

🕒 Episode Chapters

00:46 — Introduction to Hormonal Shifts and Mood
03:34 — How Hormones Influence Mental Health
07:44 — Baby Blues vs Postpartum Depression
12:36 — Recognising Prenatal Anxiety and Depression
17:28 — The Connection Between Sleep and Hormones
24:36 — Seeking Help and Support
30:57 — Understanding Maternal Rage and Irritability
35:16 — Navigating Perimenopause and Mental Health

💛 Free Support for Overwhelmed Working Mums
If you're constantly juggling work, family, and the never-ending to-do list, download my free guide:
👉 The 12-Minute Reset Every Working Mum Needs
Discover simple nervous system resets you can use anytime overwhelm hits.

Ready to create lasting calm and balance?
Join The Thrive Circle — my supportive community for working mums who want to feel grounded, confident, and in control again.

🌿 Connect with Dr Natasha Wallace
Instagram: @drtasha_psychologist
Website: www.drnatashawallace.co.uk
Email: support@drnatashawallace.co.uk

✨ Connect with Guest: Dr Susan Zink
Instagram: @elemental_integrative_psych
Website: https://www.elementalintegrativepsych.com/
Email: drzink@elementalintegrativepsych.com

In this episode of The Mum Poster Syndrome Podcast, Dr Natasha Wallace is joined by Dr Ali Tonks, a child and educational psychologist and holistic sleep coach, for an honest and reassuring conversation about sleep in the context of parenting.

Together, they explore the complex and deeply individual nature of children's sleep. Dr Ali explains why sleep isn't just about routines or schedules, but about biology, emotional regulation, attachment, and connection. They discuss the pressure many parents feel to "get sleep right," and how unrealistic expectations - often shaped by social media - can create unnecessary stress and self-doubt.

This episode unpacks common misconceptions around sleep associations and "bad habits," offering a more compassionate, trial-and-error approach that prioritises what works for each family. Natasha and Ali also discuss the importance of quality connection, understanding your child's emotional needs, and adapting sleep strategies as children grow or transition into childcare settings.

It's a grounding and empowering conversation for any parent navigating broken nights, bedtime battles, or the fear that they're doing it wrong.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Children's sleep is influenced by biology, temperament, and emotional connection.

• Expectations around "perfect" sleep often create unnecessary stress for parents.

• There are no bad habits — focus on what feels right for your family.

• Quality connection can significantly support healthy sleep patterns.

• Trial and error is a normal and necessary part of finding what works.

• Children can adapt to different sleep associations with different caregivers.

• Regular routines help, but flexibility is equally important.

• Social media can distort realistic expectations about children's sleep.

• Understanding love languages can deepen parent-child connection.

• Clear communication between partners about sleep responsibilities is essential.

🕒 Chapters

00:46 — Introduction to Parenting and Sleep Challenges
03:44 — What Holistic Sleep Coaching Really Means
06:49 — How Sleep Impacts Emotional Regulation
09:34 — Challenging Expectations Around Children's Sleep
12:51 — Advice for New Parents Navigating Sleep
15:42 — Quality Connection and Love Languages
18:53 — Sleep as Working Parents
21:44 — Practical and Compassionate Sleep Strategies
24:38 — Adapting Sleep Routines for Childcare
27:38 — Final Reflections and Encouragement

💛 Free Support for Overwhelmed Working Mums
If life feels full and your nervous system rarely gets a break, download my free guide:
👉 The 12-Minute Reset Every Working Mum Needs
Discover simple nervous system resets you can use anytime overwhelm hits.

Ready to create lasting calm and balance?
Join The Thrive Circle — my supportive community for working mums who want to feel grounded, confident, and more like themselves again.

🌿 Connect with Dr Natasha Wallace
Instagram: @drtasha_psychologist
Website: www.drnatashawallace.co.uk
Email: support@drnatashawallace.co.uk

✨ Connect with Guest: Dr Ali Tonks
Instagram: @drtasha_psychologist
Website: www.dralitonks.co.uk
Email: hello@dralitonks.co.uk
Instagram: @dr.alitonks