Parenting isn’t just about raising children - it’s also about coming face to face with yourself.
In this episode of The Motherhood Clinic Podcast, parenting coach Shilpa joins us for an honest, thoughtful conversation about emotional triggers, boundaries, and what it really means to parent with intention.
We explore how children’s big emotions can surface unresolved feelings in parents, why modern parenting feels uniquely challenging, and how awareness - not perfection - is often the missing piece.
This isn’t about blame or “doing it right”. It’s about understanding what’s happening beneath the surface, for both you and your child.
We explore:
Why children’s emotions feel so triggering to parents
How emotional awareness changes the way we parent
The idea of “growing together” rather than fixing behaviour
Boundaries, discipline, and responsibility - without shame
How parents can stay centred in emotionally charged moments
Parenting on purpose doesn’t mean getting it right every time.
It means noticing what’s happening, learning from it, and adjusting as you go.
Postnatal recovery looks very different around the world.In many cultures, food isn’t just nourishment, it’s part of healing.
In Part 2 of our conversation with Lucy Lam, we explore Chinese confinement foods and the principles behind them; from “hot vs cold” to why recovery is often split into two distinct phases after birth. Lucy shares how these traditions show up across Asia, and what it looks like to adapt them to modern life in the UK.
We explore:
This episode isn’t about following tradition perfectly.It’s about asking what new mothers need after birth - and what we might learn from cultures that take recovery more seriously.🎧 Listen to The Motherhood Clinic Podcast — real, honest conversations about postnatal care, recovery, and support.
Chapters:
00:00 Episode trailer
01:10 Confinement across different cultures
06:45 Hot vs cold foods — what it actually means
14:30 The two phases of confinement eating
22:10 Signature dishes and common misconceptions
31:40 Adapting confinement for real life (and mental health)
44:10 Making postnatal recovery more intentional
Resources mentioned in this episode:
https://www.lucylovestoeat.com
Chinese postnatal confinement is a 4–6 week tradition centred on rest, community support, and warming foods. It’s a practice that has existed for hundreds of years across East and Southeast Asia - but one that many people in the UK may never have heard of.
In this episode, we speak to a good friend and confinement cook Lucy Lam, who grew up seeing confinement as an old-fashioned idea… until she tried it after the birth of her second child. Lucy shares what the practice looked like for her, why she decided to give it a go, and how her own recovery felt the second time around.
This conversation isn’t medical advice or a recommendation - it’s an exploration of a cultural tradition that places the mother at the centre of care. We discuss:
Every postnatal journey is unique. Our aim is to open up honest conversations about what different cultures do to support mothers - and what we can learn from them.
#ChineseConfinement #PostnatalCare #PostpartumCare #AfterBirth #MotherhoodJourney
Chapters
00:00 Understanding Confinement: Definition and Cultural Significance
01:25 The Role of Family in Confinement Practices
02:42 Modern Challenges: Confinement in the UK
05:07 Practical Solutions: Hiring Doulas and Meal Services
07:13 Benefits of Confinement: Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective
15:03 The Importance of Confinement for Long-Term Health
17:28 Personal Journey: From Skeptic to Believer
27:26 Transforming Experience into a Business
34:31 Connecting with the Community and Future Plans
🔗 Resources & Links in This Episode:
Before we begin, a gentle note: this episode touches on postnatal mental health, including depression and loss. Please take care while listening, and reach out for support if you need it.
Postnatal depression and other perinatal mental health conditions affect far more families than we often talk about — across cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. In this episode, we’re joined by Hamish Magoffin, founder of the PAM Foundation, to explore why these issues remain so difficult to speak about and what can be done to change that.
We unpack the stigma, the spectrum of experiences beyond the “baby blues,” and why support for both mothers and partners is essential. Drawing on personal experience and his work across the UK, Thailand, and the US, Hamish shares thoughtful insights into how awareness, care, and research can create a better start to parenthood — for everyone involved.
Whether you’re a new parent, supporting one, or simply want to understand this space better, this is a conversation for you.
00:00 Trailer
01:24 Introduction: Hamish and PAM Foundation
05:29 Pillar 1: Awareness and Education
12:47 Signs to seek help
18:14 The value of dealing with trauma - even years later
19:49 Initiatives to Raise Awareness
22:43 Cultural Differences to PPD: Thai, UK, US
28:11 Learning to Talk about Our Struggles
33:03 Pillar 2: Care
37:37 The Role of Carers
41:30 Pillar 3: Research
Resources mentioned in this episode:
What if health isn’t just about medicine, but also about connection?
In this episode, pharmacist and NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Arun Nadarasa joins us to talk about social prescribing — an approach that shifts healthcare from treating symptoms to understanding the person behind them.
We explore how loneliness, isolation and lack of support can shape postnatal health, and why connection, movement, and community are sometimes the most powerful prescriptions of all.
You’ll hear about:
The difference between “what’s the matter with you” and “what matters to you”
How social prescribing works — and how to access it through the NHS
Real stories showing the power of non-medical care
How digital tools, AI and even the metaverse could help build connection in the future
A grounded, hopeful conversation about re-humanising healthcare — and what a better start to motherhood could look like.
🎧 The Motherhood Clinic Podcast — honest conversations about postnatal care, connection, and recovery.
#MaternalHealth #PostnatalCare #SocialPrescribing #WomensHealth #MentalHealth #MotherhoodClinicPodcast
In this conversation, Namrata Rastogi, a GP and Chief Medical Officer at 101 Gen AI, shares her insights on the journey of motherhood, focusing on what expectant mothers should know before, during, and after pregnancy. She discusses the importance of prenatal vitamins, tracking ovulation, and mental health, as well as the challenges faced during early pregnancy and the postpartum period. The conversation emphasises the need for education, support networks, and self-care for new mothers.Key takeouts:
Feeling lost in the noise on women’s health? In this episode, Lauren Redfern (Executive Director & Founder, Hormonally) joins us to unpack how algorithms, culture and community shape what mothers see - and how to get back to trusted care. We cover the rise of misinformation, why the experience of care matters, and practical self-advocacy tools you can use in real appointments.
You’ll learn:
Find more at: https://hormonally.org/
New mums don’t need a “bounce back” plan. You need something kind, doable, and honest. In this episode, we sit down with women’s strength coach Nancy Best (Ladies Who Crunch) to map four common postnatal profiles - anxious, high-performing, overwhelmed, and nature-led - and match each with realistic ways to move. From breathwork and walking clubs to short strength sessions with compound movements, we explore how to build consistency without burnout.
You’ll learn:
In this conversation, Nancy Best - founder of female fitness community Ladies Who Crunch - discusses the importance of exercise for new mothers, addressing common myths and misconceptions surrounding postnatal fitness. The podcast emphasises the holistic benefits of exercise beyond aesthetics, the challenges new mothers face in returning to fitness, and practical advice for navigating their journey. The conversation aims to inspire and empower women to prioritise their health and well-being during the transformative period of motherhood.**Takeaways**- Exercise is crucial for emotional regulation and resilience in new mothers.- Women often face societal pressure regarding their post-baby bodies.- The fitness industry can be cliquey and intimidating for new mothers.- Exercise should be viewed as a gift to oneself, not a chore.- Breastfeeding does not guarantee weight loss; nutrition is key.- The six-week postpartum check is not a definitive guide for returning to exercise.- Pelvic floor recovery is essential postpartum.- Listening to your body is vital for safe exercise practices.- Finding enjoyable forms of movement is important for consistency.- Time and patience are necessary for postpartum recovery.
Motherhood has a way of showing you what you can - and can’t - control.In this episode, we sit down with Jess Somauroo – founder, healthtech leader, and new mum – for an honest conversation about surrender, acceptance, and the reality of balancing business and baby.Jess opens up about:- Why surrender was the biggest lesson she’s learned as a new mother- The tension between control, perfectionism, and letting go- How she navigated pregnancy, an elective C-section, and recovery- Returning to work – and how to manage as a business owner and entrepreneur- The guilt of balancing family, work, and personal identityThis conversation explores both the systemic barriers in women’s health and the very personal journey of early motherhood – reminding us that while every mother’s story is unique, the struggles of letting go and finding balance are universal.
Women’s health is not a niche - it’s 51% of the population’s health.In this episode, we speak with Jess Somauroo, co-founder of SomX, about the state of the HealthTech industry and why Women’s Health is still not being treated as a priority; by innovators, investors, and policymakers.
Jess shares her unique perspective on the state of HealthTech today - leading communications for some of the most innovative companies in healthcare and co-hosting the HealthTech Pigeon podcast.
We discuss:
Whether you’re in healthcare, technology, or simply care about the future of women’s health, this conversation offers a grounded, human look at what needs to change - and where hope lies.
🎧 Listen now to understand why improving women’s health is key to improving health for everyone.
In this conversation, Dr. Michelle Frank discusses the importance of community for new mothers, exploring the unique needs and experiences that shape their journey.
She highlights the value of both digital and physical communities, the role of experts, and the cultural perspectives that influence motherhood.
The discussion also delves into the challenges of navigating community dynamics, the significance of mental health, and the future of community engagement in motherhood.
Takeaways:
What does it mean to be a dad today?
In this episode, we sit down with Matt Lo; entrepreneur, father, and founder of The Dad Table - for a discussion on modern fatherhood, identity shifts, and the quiet power of being heard.
Matt shares his journey from running multiple businesses to stepping back and building a life around what really matters to him: connection, presence, and purpose. We talk about:
Whether you’re a dad, a partner, or simply curious about the inner life of modern fatherhood - this one’s for you.
🎙️ Episode 1: Learning to Self-Advocate
In our first ever episode of The Motherhood Clinic podcast, we speak with Charlotte Brown - brand strategist, startup founder, and mum of two - about what it really takes to find your voice in early Motherhood.
She shares her experience of navigating a difficult first pregnancy, including a late diagnosis of hyperemesis and the internal struggle to speak up when things didn’t feel right.
We talk about:
This conversation is about what happens when you stop minimising what you’re going through - and start backing yourself instead.