What No One Tells You About Motherhood: Jodi Wilson on Nervous System Survival and Four Very Different Births

In this episode, I’m joined by bestselling author, health journalist, birth educator and incredible mother of four Jodi Wilson, for a deeply grounding conversation about pregnancy, motherhood, the nervous system, and how just small moments of stillness can change the way we move through this season.Jodi also shares her four very different birth stories which is a real treat!This is a beautiful conversation about trusting your body, listening to your instincts, and making space for what really matters.In this episode, we cover:- Pregnancy, mindfulness, and creating more calm in smaller moments- How to use breathing space in everyday life- The vagus nerve and how it supports labour progression- Why vocalisation and sound can help during contractions- How to build trust in your body before birth- Jodi’s four birth experiences and what each one taught her- The emotional and practical realities of modern motherhood- Insights from Jodi’s book A Brain That BreathesA huge thank you to our sponsor, Bugaboo, for making this episode of the Positive Pregnancy, Birth & Motherhood podcast.Check out the full range from Bugaboo here!Follow Jodi Wilson:Instagram: @practisingsimplicitySubstack: Practising SimplicityBook: A Brain That Breathes (UK) & A Brain That Breathes (Aus)Follow Poppy:Instagram: @popthatmummaGrab Birth Box & Oxytocin Bubble and use the code MOTHERSDAY for 30% off!

In this episode, I'm chatting with Lucy about her positive VBAC birth story. After an unexpected cesarean with her first baby, Lucy was determined to have a different experience the second time around.Lucy takes us through her second birth, the calm environment her midwives created, how her husband supported her, and what it felt like to advocate for herself and actually be heard. Her story is such a lovely reminder that VBACs can be calm, positive, and incredibly empowering experiences.If you're planning a VBAC or just love hearing positive birth stories that show what's possible, this one's for you.A special thanks to our sponsor, Wild Nutrition. You can get 50% of for the next 3 months! Use the link:⁠wildnutrition.com/popthatmumma50⁠  to shop or use code POPTHATMUMMA50. 

Can we just be honest? Nobody actually sleeps through the night! Not you, not me, not your baby, and that's completely normal.In this episode, I'm joined by Rachael from Hey Sleepy Baby and we get real about sleep patterns and why waking up in the night isn't the problem we've been told it is. We're talking about normal night waking and why your baby's temperament plays a huge role in their sleep patterns.She also shares practical ways to troubleshoot sleep issues. This one's for every knackered parent who's been told their baby "should" be sleeping through by now.Want to learn more about Rachael and Hey Sleepy Baby? Check out her Podcast, website or find her on social media.A special thanks to our sponsor, Wild Nutrition. You can get 50% of for the next 3 months! Use the link:⁠wildnutrition.com/popthatmumma50⁠  to shop or use code POPTHATMUMMA50. 

Somewhere along the way, we stopped seeing birth as a rite of passage and started treating it like a medical procedure. It's time to change that.In this episode, I'm chatting with Elaine Welteroth about her incredible journey from journalism to founding the Birth Fund, an organisation working to get midwifery care to families who need it most. We're diving into why midwifery care is so important, how the medical model of birth has let women down, and what it means to reclaim birth as a rite of passage rather than just another medical event.Elaine gets real about trusting your intuition during childbirth, choosing a birth team that truly supports you, and why surrendering to the process (not fighting it) can be one of the most empowering things you'll ever do. You can find out more about Elaine and Birth Fund here. A special thanks to our sponsor, Wild Nutrition. You can get 50% of for the next 3 months! Use the link:⁠wildnutrition.com/popthatmumma50⁠  to shop or use code POPTHATMUMMA50. 

In this BONUS episode, I’m answering your mostasked questions about advocating for yourself during pregnancy and birth.I get questions about this topic all the time on Instagram@PopThatMumma and thought I’d record a bonus episode about it, because knowing your options in birth is one thing, but speaking up in the moment, when you’re tired, vulnerable, or in labor is a WHOLE other skill.I share practical tools, mindset shifts, and simple phrases you can use so your decisions come from clarity, not fear so youcan feel calm, informed and confident making decisions that are right for you and your baby.If you want deeper support, meditations and nervous-system based birth prep, you can explore Birth Box,and use code PODCAST to save 20%⁠https://www.hypnobirthing-positive-birth.com/birthbox⁠I can’t wait to help you feel even more birth ready.PoppyPopthatmummaPlease note: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for entertainment and general information only. They do not constitute medical, clinical, or professional advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have.

Are ageing and motherhood actually a parallel journey? In this episode, I'm chatting with Dr Amanda Hanson, a clinical psychologist who's flipping the script on how we think about getting older as women, and why that matters so much when navigating motherhood.We're diving into the stuff nobody talks about: how to stop fearing ageing and start seeing it as something almost spiritual, why society's beauty standards are doing our heads in (especially postpartum), and what emotional hygiene actually means. Dr Hanson gets real about building self-worth from the inside out, celebrating your body for what it's done rather than what it looks like, and finding strength during those incredibly vulnerable early days.Let's change the conversation.You can find out more about Dr Amanda and her work here. A special thanks to our sponsor, Wild Nutrition. You can get 50% of for the next 3 months! Use the link:⁠wildnutrition.com/popthatmumma50⁠  to shop or use code POPTHATMUMMA50. 

You guys requested this on Instagram and many of you sounded like you really wanted to hear my experience and tips so here we go. I hope you enjoy it and find it helpful. ❤️

Let's talk about the mental side of birth because that's where the real work happens! In this episode, I'm getting into how we can build that inner strength, practise staying calm when things get intense, and learn from the tough bits.I'm sharing the things that have genuinely helped me, like simple meditation practice, ways to check in with yourself, and how to build the kind of mental resilience that'll carry you through labour and beyond. Whether this is your first baby or you've done this before, I want you to walk away feeling like you can trust yourself and your body.A special thanks to our sponsor, Wild Nutrition. You can get 50% of for the next 3 months! Use the link:wildnutrition.com/popthatmumma50  to shop or use code POPTHATMUMMA50. Want to hear more? Check out our other episodes: Stop Ignoring Your Pelvic Floor: A Therapist's Guide to Birth and BeyondBreastfeeding Support That Actually Helps - Advice From a Lactation Consultant Childbirth in a Modern World: Tapping Into Your Wild Side And Training For Instinctive Birth

In this quick episode I discuss the power of meditation for pregnancy and birth. If you do ONE THING and one thing only let it be the meditation practise. I honestly think it is so valuable and can help eliminate fear of birth and rewire your brain. If you'd like to check out my full album of meditations here's the link:https://payhip.com/PopThatMummaAlso available on Birth Box:https://www.hypnobirthing-positive-birth.com/birthboxPlease note: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for entertainment and general information only. They do not constitute medical, clinical, or professional advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have.

Ever wondered what your pelvic floor actually does and why everyone keeps talking about Kegels? In this episode of the Pop That Mumma Podcast, I chat with Dr Sarah Reardon, also known as The Vagina Whisperer, about all things pelvic health, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery.Dr Reardon, a board-certified pelvic floor physical therapist, explains how the pelvic floor muscles support your organs, how pregnancy and childbirth can affect them and what you can do to keep everything strong and healthy. We cover Kegels, perineal massage, pelvic floor therapy, and how to spot signs you need support.You’ll learn why pelvic floor assessments matter, how proactive care can prevent problems later on and why it’s never too late to start improving your pelvic health.If you’re pregnant, postpartum, or just keen to understand your body better, this episode is for you!You can find out more about Dr Sara Reardon and her work hereA special thanks to our sponsor, For The Creators. You can find a link to their website here. Don’t forget to use the code POPPY at checkout for 20% off.Want to hear more? Check out our other episodes!Breastfeeding Support That Actually Helps - Advice From a Lactation Consultant Routine Childbirth interventions explained: Everything you need to knowChildbirth in a Modern World: Tapping Into Your Wild Side And Training For Instinctive Birth