45: Becoming a Mother | The Identity Shift Nobody Prepares You For

45: Becoming a Mother | The Identity Shift Nobody Prepares You For

Becoming a mother is one of the biggest transitions a woman can experience, yet many women feel completely unprepared for how much it changes them. In this episode, therapist Vanessa Leville explains why motherhood can transform your identity, relationships, nervous system, ambitions, and sense of self - an experience that is more common than most people realize. Together, they explore why becoming a mother changes nearly every aspect of your life, including your identity, relationships, nervous system, brain, ambitions, and sense of self. Vanessa shares her personal journey into motherhood, how it transformed her work as a therapist, and why so many mothers feel like they're "losing themselves" after having a baby. You'll learn: * What matrescence is and why every mother experiences it * The difference between matrescence and postpartum mental health disorders * Common signs of matrescence, including identity shifts and mixed emotions * Why "survival mode" can be a normal and even sacred part of early motherhood * How your brain, nervous system, and body change after birth * The importance of postpartum support and recovery * What it means to reclaim yourself as motherhood evolves * How societal expectations can shape the postpartum experience Whether you're pregnant, newly postpartum, or reflecting on your own motherhood journey, this conversation offers reassurance, validation, and practical wisdom for navigating one of life's biggest transitions. Listen next 👇 Episode 33: Matresence 101 [https://motherbabywellbeing.com/episode/what-is-matresence] If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another mother (or mom-to-be) Vanessa's links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/matrescenceincolor/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://matrescenceincolor.com/] Postpartum Prep Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Postpartum Prep Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://mailchi.mp/f9318fbae1e0/postpartum-prep-checklist] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/motherbabywellbeing/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.pinterest.com/motherbabywellbeing/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@MotherbabyWellbeing] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583382395945] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [paypal.me/motherbabywellbeing] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://motherbabywellbeing.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://motherbabywellbeing.com/] Get 10% off nursing bras, breastfeeding clothes, and more from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Little Milk Bar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://thelittlemilkbar.com/MOTHERBABYWELLBEING] with code MOTHERBABYWELLBEING ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOW NOTES⁠ [https://motherbabywellbeing.com/45]

44: Preparing for Postpartum with Twins | What No One Tells You About Support, NICU Stays & Survival

Welcoming twins can be a beautiful experience - but it can also bring unique challenges that many parents don't feel prepared for. In this Q&A episode of the Postpartum Prep Podcast, Ceridwen sits down with Alaina from Nurturing Twins to discuss what postpartum really looks like with twins and how parents can prepare before their babies arrive. Together, they explore essential twin postpartum preparation, practical items worth having on hand, how to reduce overwhelm during the newborn stage, and what support can look like when birth doesn't go according to plan. Alaina also shares her personal experience navigating birth complications and a NICU stay, offering heartfelt insight into the importance of community, asking for help, and meeting your own basic needs during one of life's biggest transitions. In this episode, you'll learn: • The twin-specific items Alaina found most helpful postpartum • Why support matters more than baby gear • How to prepare mentally for the intensity of twin motherhood • Practical ways friends and family can help after birth • Navigating birth complications and NICU stays with greater support • Why meeting your own needs is essential for caring for your babies Whether you're expecting twins, supporting someone who is, or simply preparing for postpartum, this conversation offers realistic encouragement and practical guidance for the early weeks after birth. P.S. Download your free Postpartum Prep Checklist [https://mailchi.mp/f9318fbae1e0/postpartum-prep-checklist]and join the weekly newsletter for future Q&A topics and postpartum preparation resources. Alaina's links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/nurturingtwins/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://nurturingtwins.com/] Postpartum Prep Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Postpartum Prep Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://mailchi.mp/f9318fbae1e0/postpartum-prep-checklist] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/motherbabywellbeing/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.pinterest.com/motherbabywellbeing/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@MotherbabyWellbeing] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583382395945] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [paypal.me/motherbabywellbeing] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://motherbabywellbeing.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://motherbabywellbeing.com/] Get 10% off nursing bras, breastfeeding clothes, and more from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Little Milk Bar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://thelittlemilkbar.com/MOTHERBABYWELLBEING] with code MOTHERBABYWELLBEING ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOW NOTES⁠ [https://motherbabywellbeing.com/44]

43: Having Twins Doesn't Mean Giving Up Attachment Parenting | The Motherbaby Triad with Alaina of Nurturing Twins

What if having twins didn't mean giving up the parenting experience you dreamed of? In this episode, Ceridwen is joined by Alaina, founder of Nurturing Twins, to explore a radically different approach to twin motherhood - one rooted in attachment, responsiveness, and connection. Together, we discuss: • The "Motherbaby Triad" and why twin families need a different framework than the traditional mother-baby dyad • Common myths about raising twins • Breastfeeding twins and overcoming early challenges • Ecological breastfeeding and responsive feeding • Sleep, co-sleeping, contact naps, and attachment-focused approaches for twins • How nurture and connection can support both maternal and infant wellbeing • Why support should focus on the mother—not separate mothers from their babies • Preparing for postpartum with twins Alaina also shares her powerful personal journey through a high-risk twin pregnancy, HELLP syndrome, NICU separation, exclusive breastfeeding, co-sleeping, and the mindset shifts that helped her navigate motherhood with twins while staying true to her values. Whether you're expecting twins, parenting multiples, or simply interested in attachment parenting and motherbaby wellbeing, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on what is possible. Alaina's links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/nurturingtwins/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://nurturingtwins.com/] Postpartum Prep Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Postpartum Prep Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://mailchi.mp/f9318fbae1e0/postpartum-prep-checklist] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/motherbabywellbeing/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.pinterest.com/motherbabywellbeing/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@MotherbabyWellbeing] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583382395945] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [paypal.me/motherbabywellbeing] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://motherbabywellbeing.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://motherbabywellbeing.com/] Get 10% off nursing bras, breastfeeding clothes, and more from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Little Milk Bar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://thelittlemilkbar.com/MOTHERBABYWELLBEING] with code MOTHERBABYWELLBEING ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOW NOTES⁠ [https://motherbabywellbeing.com/43]

42: What to Eat After Birth | Postpartum Healing, Energy & Recovery

What should you actually eat during postpartum recovery? Are “superfoods” necessary? Should you avoid cold foods after birth? And is it okay to follow postpartum cravings? In this episode of the Postpartum Prep Podcast, Ceridwen is joined by Carla from Carla Sage Birthwork for a deeply grounding conversation about postpartum nutrition, healing, energy, and recovery after birth. Together, they answer real listener questions about nourishing the postpartum body in the first six weeks after having a baby. This episode explores: • Postpartum healing foods and why warm, slow-cooked meals matter • The role of digestion in postpartum recovery • Whether cold foods and raw foods can impact healing • Postpartum cravings and how to approach them gently • Broths, soups, fats, and nutrient-dense foods for postpartum recovery • Ayurvedic and traditional perspectives on postpartum nourishment • Why the first six weeks postpartum are such an important recovery window This conversation offers a calm, supportive, non-judgmental perspective on postpartum nutrition and caring for yourself after birth - without pressure, perfection, or rigid rules. If you’re preparing for postpartum, currently navigating the fourth trimester, or supporting a new mother, this episode is full of validating and practical insight. Subscribe to the Postpartum Prep Podcast [https://motherbabywellbeing.com/] for more conversations on postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, baby sleep, maternal mental health, and motherbaby wellbeing. Carla's links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lilynicholsrdn/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.traditionalhealingbirthwork.com/] Postpartum Prep Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Postpartum Prep Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://mailchi.mp/f9318fbae1e0/postpartum-prep-checklist] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/motherbabywellbeing/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.pinterest.com/motherbabywellbeing/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@MotherbabyWellbeing] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583382395945] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [paypal.me/motherbabywellbeing] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://motherbabywellbeing.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://motherbabywellbeing.com/] Get 10% off nursing bras, breastfeeding clothes, and more from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Little Milk Bar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://thelittlemilkbar.com/MOTHERBABYWELLBEING] with code MOTHERBABYWELLBEING ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOW NOTES⁠ [https://motherbabywellbeing.com/42]

41: Preparing Emotionally for Postpartum Recovery | Rest, Support & Healing After Birth

What really helps postpartum recovery? In this episode of the Postpartum Prep Podcast, Ceridwen speaks with postpartum care provider Carla Sage about the emotional and practical preparation that can support a smoother postpartum recovery after birth. This conversation explores: * Postpartum rest and healing * The emotional “inner work” of postpartum preparation * Why asking for help can feel difficult * The 7-7-7 postpartum recovery framework * Postpartum support, boundaries, and family dynamics * How modern motherhood pressures women to “bounce back” Carla shares her own experience of having both an unsupported postpartum and a deeply supported postpartum, and how that shaped her work supporting mothers today. If you are pregnant, preparing for postpartum, or newly postpartum, this episode offers a grounding and compassionate perspective on healing after birth and building a more supported transition into motherhood. Carla's links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lilynicholsrdn/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.traditionalhealingbirthwork.com/] Postpartum Prep Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Postpartum Prep Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://mailchi.mp/f9318fbae1e0/postpartum-prep-checklist] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/motherbabywellbeing/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.pinterest.com/motherbabywellbeing/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@MotherbabyWellbeing] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583382395945] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [paypal.me/motherbabywellbeing] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://motherbabywellbeing.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://motherbabywellbeing.com/] Get 10% off nursing bras, breastfeeding clothes, and more from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Little Milk Bar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://thelittlemilkbar.com/MOTHERBABYWELLBEING] with code MOTHERBABYWELLBEING ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOW NOTES⁠⁠ [https://motherbabywellbeing.com/41]