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PODCAST

BLUE MUMDAYS

Vikki Stephenson

Blue MumDays is a podcast about perinatal illness, parenting and being kind to yourself. Up to 1 in 7 mums and 1 in 10 dads will suffer with their mental health after the birth of their baby. Having once interviewed the likes of Sir David Attenborough and Hans Zimmer during my BBC career, I’m now speaking to mums, dads and mental health experts each week, in an effort to understand my own experience of postnatal depression. Dispelling myths, smashing stigma & bringing hope to parents having a

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

34:08

"Just Make It Stop!" - Driven to the Edge: Sophie...

BLUE MUMDAYS ·

2025/06/09

Hypnotherapist Sophie Burch opens up about the intense struggles she faced after the births of her first two sons. These included a traumatic delivery with shoulder dystocia, and the challenges of colic and silent reflux. With little support, she reached a breaking point where she nearly harmed her baby in a moment of despair. Her deeply personal and courageous story highlights the urgent need for emotional support and better preparation for new mothers. Sophie found healing through helping others,

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59:33

The One About Breastfeeding: Sally Rickard, Lactation...

BLUE MUMDAYS ·

2025/05/05

In this special episode for Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, host Vikki chats with lactation consultant Sally Rickard about the ups and downs of breastfeeding and early motherhood. Sally shares her personal and professional insights on common challenges like tongue-tie, milk supply issues, mastitis and the emotional strain these can bring. With kindness and clarity, Sally offers practical advice on latch, positioning, and mixed feeding, while reassuring parents that it’s okay to ask for

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49:08

Finding Hope After Baby Loss - Frontline Midwife to...

BLUE MUMDAYS ·

2025/01/06

In this second part of Frontline Midwife Anna Kent's story, Anna talks movingly about her own experience of motherhood, from an early miscarriage to the tragic loss of her baby daughter Fatima at only 6 months gestation, due to a rare brain condition. Anna discusses the impact this had on her mental health and grief, as well as the transformative experience of having her second daughter, Aisha. Anna emphasises the importance of creating safe spaces to discuss and honour baby loss. The episode also

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57:38

A Story of Conflict and Care - The Frontline Midwife:...

BLUE MUMDAYS ·

2024/12/02

In this powerful Christmas episode, Anna Kent - a humanitarian aid worker, NHS nurse and midwife - reflects on her experiences working in some of the world's most challenging environments, including South Sudan, Haiti and Bangladesh. She offers an intimate look at the difficulties of providing maternity care in conflict zones and refugee camps, shedding light on the trauma faced by women in these regions.Anna speaks candidly about her personal journey, the emotional toll of working in these

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01:04:14

"My culture has no real word for mental health". The...

BLUE MUMDAYS ·

2024/11/04

Kavita Trevena, founder of The Unlikely Mummy, shares her profoundly personal motherhood journey, including gestational diabetes, postnatal depression and being diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder after two stressful births. Kavita also talks about a lack of openness around mental health issues in her culture, and a general lack of support for South Asian mums within maternal care services. Kavita discusses her community-driven initiatives such as The Unlikely Mummy blog, counselling

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54:27

Extreme Sickness, Intrusive Thoughts - Hyperemesis,...

BLUE MUMDAYS ·

2024/10/07

In the follow-up to Episode 35 (Part 1), perinatal psychotherapist Sarah Edge shares her contrasting experience with her second pregnancy.Her debilitating experience with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG or extreme sickness) took a significant toll on Sarah’s mental health.Sarah developed postnatal depression and terrible anxiety after the birth, leading to intrusive thoughts and hallucinations.The experience was terrifying. Now recovered, Sarah talks about how she has used it to inform her own

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02:35

Blue MumDays Season 3 Teaser

BLUE MUMDAYS ·

2024/09/02

Season 3 of Blue MumDays is here, the parental mental health podcast smashing stigma and normalising the conversation on perinatal illness. Upcoming episodes include discussion on infant feeding trauma, breastfeeding advice, pre-eclampsia, baby loss, birthing during Covid, neonatal intensive care, coping with multiple miscarriage, postnatal depression in fathers and midwifery in a war zone. New episodes are released the first Monday of each month.*TRIGGER WARNING: *Discussion of baby loss and

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01:08:17

Breastfeeding Trauma and Grief: Sarah Edge (Part 1)

BLUE MUMDAYS ·

2024/09/02

To launch Blue MumDays Season 3, host Vikki welcomes Sarah Edge, a perinatal specialist psychotherapist. In the first part of their discussion, Sarah shares her deeply personal and emotional journey through pregnancy, childbirth, and the complex challenges of infant feeding. She discusses her experiences with breastfeeding trauma and grief and the stark contrast between her expectations and the reality of motherhood. Sarah offers heartfelt advice to parents struggling with similar issues,

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01:02:09

Perinatal Rage + O.C.D: LAURA BISBEY

BLUE MUMDAYS ·

2023/05/01

In this 'Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week' special, I speak to Laura Bisbey, who was diagnosed with perinatal distress and anxiety during her pregnancy. This sadly continued following the birth of her daughter. Laura tells me about her feelings of rage during the pregnancy, and - once her daughter had been born - her struggles with bonding and the onset of O.C.D. (obsessive compulsive disorder). It's a tremendously brave conversation and I am so grateful to Laura for sharing her story with

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53:42

My Kids' Birth Unlocked My Childhood Trauma: NICK...

BLUE MUMDAYS ·

2023/04/09

I chat to Nick Raeburn, aka 'That Social Nerd'. Nick came to my attention in a very brave and raw LinkedIn post, where he talked about the huge flood of emotion he experienced in becoming a dad. Prior to having children, Nick had never cried - a result of the awful abuse he suffered as a child. This is a very emotional and deeply profound conversation; I don't think I've cried as much - or laughed as much - during an interview!*TRIGGER WARNING: *Brief (but not graphic) early mention of Child

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59:34

World Down Syndrome Day Special: JANNAH AND MUSA'S STORY

BLUE MUMDAYS ·

2023/03/21

For this Blue MumDays special celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Day, I'm joined by the beautiful Jannah Hayah. Jannah talks to me about life with her gorgeous son Musa, who is 5.Musa has Down Syndrome, hearing loss and is fed via a feeding tube. Jannah is passionate about wanting the world to know that while a life living with disability can have its challenges, the struggle comes with incredible rewards. It's a wonderfully life-affirming conversation.*TRIGGER WARNING: *Birth trauma and a very

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01:01:52

The One About Hormones - POI, PMDD, Endometoriosis +...

BLUE MUMDAYS ·

2023/03/16

My guest this week is Dr Hannah Short, a GP Specialist in Menopause, P.O.I. (Premature Ovarian Insufficiency) and Premenstrual Disorders.In this fascinating episode, Hannah educates me on P.O.I., P.M.D.D. (Pre Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder), Endometriosis and P.M.E. (Premenstrual Exacerbation). She also talks about her own experience of premature surgical menopause at the age of 35.*TRIGGER WARNING: *Very brief mention of some women feeling suicidal feelings*IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[00:00]

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43:27

Navigating Pregnancy With An Eating Disorder: HOPE VIRGO

BLUE MUMDAYS ·

2023/02/26

To mark 'Eating Disorder Awareness Week', I'm joined by Hope Virgo, who chats to me about navigating pregnancy with an eating disorder. Hope is an author and multi award winning campaigner. In 2018, Hope launched the #DumpTheScales campaign, which put eating disorders on the Government's agenda. Since then it has gone from strength to strength making change happen on a national scale, including a national march taking place in London on 22nd April 2023. This episode was recorded last spring - since

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01:01:21

"It's Not The End". Recovery after the Devastation...

BLUE MUMDAYS ·

2023/02/13

In a very moving yet inspirational episode, I speak to author, podcaster and professional grief counsellor Keji Moses. Keji talks about her early loss through miscarriage and the devastation of losing her baby girl Mayah, who was stillborn at 35 weeks. She has since made it her mission to shed light on the mental health impacts of pregnancy loss. Through her charity Mayah's Legacy, Keji supports families affected by this very personal tragedy and helps them to advocate for the care they

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01:00:46

"No, I Am Not Fine!" P.T.S.D. and Birth Trauma: AMY...

BLUE MUMDAYS ·

2023/01/29

This week's guest is Amy Leigh Looper, a maternal leadership coach based in the United States. After a hugely successful career in enterprise software sales, Amy suffered postpartum depression with both of her children. We discuss the impact this had on her life and how she has turned her drive and knowledge to coaching mums on her maternal leadership program, which reduces fear and anxiety and encourages connection, confidence and growth. This episode was recorded over Zoom from America, so

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01:06:54

Our Altered Life - Parenting A Child With...

BLUE MUMDAYS ·

2023/01/15

This week's episode is a wonderful lesson in triumphing over adversity - a brave, beautiful and inspiring conversation for 'Blue Monday'. My guest is the incredible Charlie Beswick of facial disfigurement and visible difference charity 'More Than A Face'. Charlie is mum to twins Oliver and Harry - Harry was born with a rare craniofacial condition and is also autistic. Her experience led to her writing her best-selling book 'Our Altered Life', a brutally honest account of how she came to terms

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07:56

BLUE MONDAY BONUS: It's Good To Walk: JUSTIN EADE,...

BLUE MUMDAYS ·

2023/01/15

As a special bonus for 'Blue Monday', wellbeing specialist Justin Eade of Glimpse ~ Moving Well shares 3 quick tips for making the most of a walk. He explains why time outside is so beneficial to us - no matter how short - and how a gym ball can help soothe a crying baby!Bringing together more than 25 years of experience with mind-body practices and holistic health research, Justin is also a nebosh accredited occupational health and safety specialist.He offers tailored and accessible workshops on

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01:02:31

I Was Called 'Aggressive' During My Labour: SANDRA...

BLUE MUMDAYS ·

2023/01/01

Our Christmas/New Year episode is with the hugely inspiring Sandra Igwe - maternal health advocate, TEDx speaker and founder of The Motherhood Group. Sandra talked to me in Spring 2022 about her work raising awareness of the disparities of black women's maternal mental health outcomes and issues. She also bravely shares her own personal experience of birth trauma and racism and the profound affect this has had on navigating motherhood. Despite the heavy subject matter, I found this a joyous

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40:41

Mum Guilt, Trauma and Systemic Inequality: DR ORINAYO...

BLUE MUMDAYS ·

2022/12/11

This week my guest is Dr Orinayo Onabanjo, a chartered counselling psychologist with a passion for perinatal mental health. Orin's skills include helping mums cultivate stronger attachments with their babies and addressing the impact unresolved childhood trauma can have on the journey of motherhood. We chat everything from mum guilt to the racist inequalities faced by black and brown parents in the UK maternity system.*TRIGGER WARNING: Birth Trauma and PTSD*IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[00:00]

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01:03:26

I Felt Like A Bystander: PROFESSOR VIREN SWAMI

BLUE MUMDAYS ·

2022/11/28

In a Movember male-mental-health special, this week I chat to Professor Viren Swami. Viren is Professor of Social Psychology at Anglia Ruskin University and is ranked in the top 2% of 'most-cited scientists' in the world. Viren's research is focused on the promotion of positive body image in diverse cultural groups, as well as mental health literacy and understandings of mental ill-health. His work has moved on to include paternal postnatal depression following Viren's own struggles with

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44 results

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