The Postnatal Depletion Epidemic – Why It's Not Just “Motherhood

From The Slow Postpartum Podcast, with Dr. Hilary Claire

What if the exhaustion, brain fog, and lingering aches you feel after birth aren’t “just part of being a mum”? What if they're signs of something deeper — and entirely preventable?

In this powerful episode of The Slow Postpartum Podcast, I sat down with Dr. Hilary Claire — a clinical psychologist, author, yoga teacher, and mother of two — to discuss postnatal depletion, its widespread misunderstanding, and how we can support mothers in healing and thriving.

Hilary shares her own deeply personal story of how motherhood unravelled her, despite being a trained psychologist with years of experience working with children and families. “I thought I’d be fine,” she told me. “But I wasn’t. And I realised I wasn’t alone.”

From isolation and sleep deprivation to nutrient depletion and autoimmune illness, Hilary’s experience echoes what thousands of mothers go through — silently. The problem? Our culture normalises these symptoms. We’re told it’s just part of the job. But as Hilary reminds us: Just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s normal.

The term postnatal depletion, coined by Dr. Oscar Serrallach, refers to the gradual deterioration of a mother’s physical, mental, and emotional health in the months (and even years) following childbirth, especially when support, nourishment, and rest are lacking.

We spoke about how depletion can show up as:

Ongoing fatigue and brain fog
Anxiety or mood swings that don’t quite meet the threshold for diagnosis
Digestive issues, autoimmune flare-ups, and hormone imbalances
A deep sense of overwhelm and disconnection

And yet, many mothers are dismissed with a shrug — “Welcome to motherhood.”

But there is another way.

Hilary and I talked about preventative care, including:
🌀 Reframing mindset: learning to value ourselves as much as we value our babies
🥣 Deep nourishment: nutrient-dense foods, gut healing, and mineral support
🤝 Asking for — and accepting — help: whether it’s a partner, paid support, or a meal train
🌿 Reclaiming postpartum as a golden opportunity to restore, not deplete

And the most important reminder? It’s never too late to begin healing.

If you’re planning a baby, in the thick of new motherhood, or still recovering years later, this conversation is for you. Postpartum is not six weeks. It’s a lifelong transformation — and you deserve to feel well through it.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here or by searching for Slow Postpartum wherever you get your podcasts.
📘 Explore Dr. Hilary’s work at drhilaryclaire.com

And if you’re expecting a baby in 2025 and want gentle, wise guidance through your postpartum journey, you’re warmly invited to explore my in person & virtual Postpartum Support Packages here.

With love,
Jojo 🐌
Founder of the Slow Postpartum Movement™

Categories: : motherhood, parenting, Postnatal, Postpartum Care, Postpartum Nutrition