Episode Summary

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.

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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