The Mum I Met On Mat Leave

In the final episode of Season 2, we reflect on the beautiful chaos of motherhood and the comforting truth that most things really are just a phase. We chat about what it’s been like settling back into our post-mat-leave routines—navigating work, mum-life, and everything in between. From sleepless nights to sudden tantrums (ours and theirs), we share what we’ve learned, what we’re still figuring o...

This week on the podcast, we're joined by the incredible Taylor - a mother who faced unimaginable decisions in the few precious hours her daughter Evelyn was earthside. In this deeply moving episode, Taylor opens up about the difficult choices she was forced to make, the darkest periods of her grief, and how therapy became a vital part of her healing journey. With honesty and grace, she shares...

In this honest and deeply relatable episode, we chat with the lovely Chloe, a solo parent to two wonderful kids. She opens up about the realities of raising children on her own - from juggling work, life and parenting, to managing holidays and says out without losing her mind. We talk about the importance of building you 'village' for support, the unexpected joys of solo parenting, and why sometim...

In this mini episode, Emma and Gabi reflect on the rollercoaster of emotions that come with heading back to work after maternity leave. From the guilt of leaving their little ones to navigating the challenges of balancing motherhood with career responsibilities, they share candid stories and the lessons they’ve learned within the first few weeks of returning. Tune in for honest insights on managin...

In this episode, we chat with Lucy, a mum of two under two and a life coach. We dive into how motherhood completely flipped her mindset, career, and identity. Lucy shares the highs, lows, and life-changing moments of raising tiny humans while navigating the chaos. Whether you’re a new mum, a coach, or just curious about big life transformations, this episode is packed with real talk, insights, and...

What happens when your body forces you to slow down...in the middle of motherhood? In this gripping episode,  MumMantra  shares her extraordinary story of facing both a  mini stroke  and a  brain aneurysm  while raising her children. She talks about the warning signs she ignored, the reality of hospital visits and the emotional recovery that often goes unseen. This is a conversation about survival...

Kirsty, a SEN mum of two, shares her honest and heartfelt journey through the autism diagnosis process for her non-verbal son. After two long years of waiting, advocating, and navigating a confusing system, she opens up about what the path has really looked like—emotionally, practically, and personally. This episode shines a light on the realities of being a SEN parent, the resilience it takes to...

We’re back with Series 2 and we’re starting with an unforgettable story. Meet  Hayley , a mum whose journey into motherhood began far earlier than expected when her baby arrived at just  27 weeks . In this uplifting episode, Hayley shares the shock of premature birth, the rollercoaster of  NICU life , and the fierce love that carried her through every setback. From medical uncertainty to quiet hop...

Episode 13: Letting Go of Mumpetition In the final episode of The Mum I Met on Mat Leave season 1 , we’re getting honest about one of the trickiest parts of modern motherhood. The quiet competition between mums. From milestones and sleep schedules to who’s "doing it all", we unpack how comparison sneaks in, why it’s so hard to ignore, and how we can support each other instead of measuring ourselve...

In this episode we dive into the rollercoaster of mother hood -from the all-too-familiar mum guilt and the tricky terrain of sibling comparisons, to the comforting world of family traditions. Emma shares another poo story we didn't know we needed whilst Gabi faces her fears one boarding pass at a time. It's honest, raw, and packed with laughs and piss takes from start to finish.

Episode 11 is here and we're diving straight in! In this episode, Gabi talks about her family holiday. What she hoped would be a much-needed break turned into a trip full of unexpected challenges. From managing travel anxiety to navigating intrusive thoughts and overtired toddlers, we share the moments that tested us and the little wins that kept us going. If you’ve ever come home from a ‘holiday’...

In this episode of The Mum I Met on Mat Leave , we dive into the world of routines – from newborn to toddler, the good, the bad, and the totally unpredictable. Feeding schedules and wake windows, we talk about what worked for us, what didn’t, and how to stay sane when nothing goes to plan. Whether you’re a strict schedule-lover or more go-with-the-flow, this episode is packed with relatable storie...

Episode 9: Navigating Joy and Loss – A Conversation on Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Motherhood Trigger Warning: This episode discusses pregnancy, miscarriage, and pregnancy loss, which may be distressing for some listeners. In this episode we sit down and open up about the highs and lows of our journeys to motherhood. From the excitement of pregnancy to the heartbreak of miscarriage, we share deepl...

Episode 8: Sleep deprivation, night feed drama and the emotional toll of parenting. In this episode we dive in headfirst into the sleepless trenches of parenting- the emotional highs, the drained lows and the unexpected laughter that keeps us going. From tearful moments to a chuckle- worthy incident that caught us off guard, this is a raw, relatable glimpse into what it means to raise tiny humans...

Episode 7: Hobbies, Headspace & a Bit of Relationship Drama This week, we’re chatting all about US or at least the version of us that existed before nappies and night feeds took over. We’re diving into why hobbies feel so hard to hold onto after becoming a parent, how they can actually save your sanity, and what happens when your partner just doesn’t get it. Expect real talk, a few laughs, and...

In this episode of The Mum I Met on Mat Leave , we dive into the real postpartum experience — beyond the baby talk — and get honest about the pressure of feeling like we need to "bounce back" after birth. We’re chatting all things body confidence , changing identity, and the rollercoaster that so many new parents face. From the typical bouncing back to rediscovering your style , this episode explo...

In this episode, we’re tackling all the messy, real stuff no one warned you about when you signed up for motherhood. From the joys of pelvic floor recovery (seriously, why didn’t anyone mention that?) to the lovely post-birth menstrual surprises, we’re covering it all and don’t worry, we’ll also throw in some music and dance talk because, let’s face it, it’s the only thing keeping us sane these da...

In this episode, we dive deep into the rollercoaster of pregnancy and childbirth. What we expect vs. what we experience!! From the emotional and physical struggles of pregnancy to the reality of birth plans that often go out the window, we explore the highs and lows of the journey. Sharing our labor stories, the unexpected twists of inductions and C-sections and the challenges of recovery. We also...

In this episode, we dive into the whirlwind of motherhood—where Vaseline isn't just for dry skin, nursery bags hold endless surprises, and mum guilt lurks around every corner. From the chaos of juggling work and childcare to the unexpected (and often hilarious) mishaps along the way, we find humor in the struggles that every parent can relate to. Join us as we share the messy, beautiful, and downr...

In Episode 2 of The Mum I Met on Mat Leave , we’re diving into the chaotic and hilarious rollercoaster of new motherhood! From the wild ride of intrusive thoughts and parenting anxiety to the magic of finding your tribe in baby groups (spoiler: it's not all just nappy talk), we've got you covered. We’ll chat about how NCT classes can turn into lifelong friendships, juggling work with way too littl...

Hello and welcome to our first episode!! We dive straight into the deep joys, challenges, and real-life experiences of parenting! In this video, we will be sharing our personal parenting journeys, funny stories, and valuable insights on navigating parenthood. Chapters : Introduction and Goals: We’ll kick off with an overview of our week. Sharing honest conversations about the ups and downs of bein...