Welcome to a space where birth, motherhood and matrescence are spoken about honestly, openly &without the filters.
I’m Tanika — a conception, pregnancy & post partum doula + mum currently preparing for life with two under two. Through this podcast, I share the conversations, reflections and guidance I wish every woman had access to as she moves from pregnancy into motherhood.
Inside each episode we explore pregnancy, birth preparation, postpartum recovery, nervous system support and the emotional transformation of becoming a mother. Some episodes are solo reflections from my own journey, while others feature conversations with birth workers, health professionals and women sharing their real birth stories.
This podcast is here to help you feel informed, embodied and deeply supported — whether you’re preparing for birth, navigating postpartum or simply craving more honest conversations about motherhood.
Think of it as sitting in a women’s circle, where birth is respected, motherhood is honoured and no question is too small!!
🩷
From 3cm to 9cm in 10 Minutes: The Birth I Never Expected - Hayley’s Story
From 3cm to 9cm in 10 Minutes: The Birth I Never Expected
What happens when you prepare for birth, keep an open mind and still find yourself experiencing something you never could have imagined?
In this episode of With Love Mama, we’re sharing one first time mum’s unexpected journey into motherhood.
She went into labour expecting an epidural. But when she discovered she had progressed from 3cm to 9cm in just 10 minutes, everything changed. Her labour moved incredibly quickly and before she knew it, she was experiencing an unmedicated birth she hadn’t planned for.
But her story didn’t end when her baby arrived.
After birth, she experienced a third-degree tear and needed to go to theatre for further medical care, bringing an unexpected layer to an already intense experience.
Together, we explore the reality of rapid labour, what it feels like when birth unfolds beyond your expectations and the contrast between meeting your baby and suddenly needing care yourself.
We also talk about birth expectations, the importance of remaining open to the unexpected, and what it means to process a birth that looks nothing like the one you imagined.
Because preparing for birth isn’t about predicting exactly how it will unfold. It’s about having the knowledge, support and space to navigate whatever your experience becomes.
In this episode, we explore:
Going into birth expecting an epidural
The shock of progressing from 3cm to 9cm in 10 minutes
Experiencing an unmedicated birth she never planned for
The intensity and unpredictability of rapid labour
Navigating a third-degree tear and unexpected surgery after birth
The emotional complexity of meeting your baby while needing medical care
Why an unexpected birth doesn’t automatically mean a negative experience
What first-time mums deserve to know as they prepare for birth
If you’re pregnant, preparing for your first birth, or still making sense of your own experience, this conversation is a reminder that your birth story doesn’t have to unfold according to plan to be meaningful.
Sometimes, the most powerful preparation is learning how to meet the unknown.
With love, Tanika 🤍
Follow my Instagram for more doula / pregnancy content through the week! @tanikalace (https://www.instagram.com/tanikalace/)
Follow my TikTok for BTS of mum life @tanikalace (https://www.tiktok.com/@tanikalace)
Apply to share your conception journey, birth or postpartum story here
https://tally.so/r/D4ee7Z (https://tally.so/r/D4ee7Z)
18 Oct 2026
Why ‘Just Listen to Your Body’ Isn’t Enough in Pregnancy Fitness. How to Build Strength for Motherhood with Jo Lavin
Building strength in pregnancy isn’t just about exercise it is about training and it’s about supporting your changing body, preparing for birth and laying the foundations for your postpartum recovery. 🤍
In this episode of With Love Mama, I’m joined by Natal Strength Coach (Jo Lavin) to talk about strength training through pregnancy and postpartum, what movement can look like during these different stage and how to approach fitness without the pressure to bounce back.
There can be so much confusion around what exercise is safe during pregnancy, how to adapt training as your body changes, and when and how to return to exercise after birth. We’re breaking down the importance of building strength, listening to your body and taking a more informed, sustainable approach to movement throughout motherhood.
In this conversation, we explore:
Strength training during pregnancy and adapting exercise as your body changes
The benefits of staying active and building strength while pregnant
Pregnancy fitness, pelvic floor health and core function
Preparing your body for birth through movement and strength
Postpartum recovery and rebuilding strength after having a baby
Returning to exercise, including weight training and cardio, after birth
Navigating postpartum fitness without rushing recovery or chasing a bounce-back
Building a realistic training routine around the demands of motherhood
Feeling confident and connected to your body through pregnancy and beyond
Whether you’re preparing for pregnancy, currently expecting, navigating the fourth trimester or finding your way back to movement after birth, this episode is here to help you feel more informed and confident in your approach to strength and fitness.
Because caring for your body isn’t about achieving a certain look or getting back to who you were before. It’s about supporting the woman you are becoming, through every stage of motherhood.
Enjoying With Love Mama? Follow the podcast on Spotify and share this episode with a mum-to-be or new mum who would love this conversation.
With love,Tanika x
This episode is for educational purposes and does not replace individualised advice from your healthcare professional or qualified exercise professional.
11 Oct 2026
Stop Obsessing Over Your Hospital Bag. Prepare for THIS Instead
You’ve probably started your hospital bag checklist. You’ve bought the baby clothes, researched what to pack and made sure you’ve got all the postpartum essentials ready.
But what if I told you that your hospital bag is one of the least important things you can prepare for?
In this episode of With Love Mama, I’m challenging the way we approach birth preparation especially as first time mums. Because while it’s easy to focus on the tangible things we can buy, pack & organise, there are far more important things to prepare for when it comes to birth and those first few weeks of motherhood.
We’re talking about the things that often get overlooked, including:
Why having a perfectly packed hospital bag doesn’t necessarily mean you’re prepared for birth.
Preparing your mind and nervous system for the intensity and unpredictability of labour.
Understanding your birth options and feeling confident asking questions about your care.
Why your partner needs to prepare for birth just as much as you do.
The postpartum planning that can make a world of difference once you’re home with your baby.
Preparing for feeding, recovery, visitors and the realities of newborn life.
The emotional transition into motherhood that no amount of baby shopping can prepare you for.
My goal isn’t to make you feel like there’s even more to do before your baby arrives. It’s to help you focus your energy on the things that will genuinely support you through this transition.
Because you don’t need to have everything perfect. You deserve to feel informed, supported and prepared for the experience you’re about to step into.
Pack the bag. But don’t forget to prepare the woman who’s about to give birth.
With love, Tanika x
Follow my Instagram for more doula / pregnancy content through the week! @tanikalace (https://www.instagram.com/tanikalace/)
Follow my TikTok for BTS of mum life @tanikalace (https://www.tiktok.com/@tanikalace)
Apply to share your conception journey, birth or postpartum story here
https://tally.so/r/D4ee7Z (https://tally.so/r/D4ee7Z)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
Contact With Love Mama
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
