S18 Ep7: LAURA ADLINGTON: After my miracle... I'm finding joy and finding myself again

Trigger warning: Discussions of baby loss.This week on The Netmums Podcast, Louise and JB are joined by Laura Adlington – the Great British Bake Off finalist, body positive activist and new mum – for a very special episode recorded live at The Baby Show in London in front of an audience of parents and parents-to-be.Laura has openly shared her nine-year pregnancy journey, calling it a ‘long and lonely road’. She tells us about infertility, IVF and the emotional toll of trying to conceive for so long. And after the joy of welcoming her baby George late last year, Laura has most recently revealed her unexpected emotional aftermath: the identity shift, the body changes, and the not-so-quiet ‘now what?’ feeling that can follow a long-awaited dream.The conversation moves beyond the highlight reel of motherhood, as Laura talks honestly about the reality of the early newborn months – from sleep deprivation and relationship strain to mum guilt, identity shifts and the pressure many women feel around postpartum bodies.Louise and JB also reflect on the challenges many parents face when adjusting to life with a newborn, and why honest conversations about parenting are so important.In this episode: Laura’s nine-year fertility journey and the emotional realities of IVF What it really feels like when the baby you’ve longed for finally arrives The sleep deprivation and relationship challenges of the early newborn months Mum guilt, intrusive thoughts and why it's okay to find motherhood hard The pressure to “bounce back” after pregnancy and navigating body changes Identity shifts and learning to balance being yourself and being a parent This episode of The Netmums Podcast was recorded live at The Baby Show in London. Expect a powerful, honest and entertaining new parenting conversation with Laura Adlington.Read more expert help on Netmums.com and join the conversation on socials @Netmums.JB and Louise also want to hear your parenting stories, questions and dilemmas! Please share them with us at [email protected] and we may bring them into the conversations that matter on The Netmums Podcast.This podcast is brought to you by Netmums: backed by experts, trusted by parents.