Why Moms Deserve Better Support in Postpartum & Beyond with Dr. Phoebe Ajayi Artwork

The Sparkle Project

(Formerly Worthy Mother Podcast)

The Sparkle Project is a feminist podcast for moms who are done carrying the weight of motherhood alone and are ready to connect with who they truly are - their sparkle, if you will.

So many of us feel overwhelmed not because we’re failing, but because we’re mothering inside a patriarchal system that expects us to give endlessly, stay quiet, and lose ourselves in the process. This space challenges those outdated expectations and embraces a more empowered, more supported, more self-honoring version of motherhood.

Hosted by Emily Rose MacDonald, a divorced mom of two on her own journey to shine a little brighter, each episode explores the realities of modern motherhood through a feminist lens that values equity, autonomy, mental health, and the humanity of moms.

You’ll hear conversations about identity, mental health, self-care, healing, and the many ways we can reclaim ourselves in a world that often overlooks the needs of mothers.

If you’re a mom who believes we deserve more than survival, and that our culture has to evolve for moms to truly thrive, you’re in the right place.

Welcome to The Sparkle Project.

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The Sparkle Project

Why Moms Deserve Better Support in Postpartum & Beyond with Dr. Phoebe Ajayi

April 08, 2025 • Episode 143

The postpartum period is often overlooked, leaving many new moms struggling with recovery, emotional health, and lack of proper support—often lasting years after birth. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Phoebe Ajayi, a dedicated advocate for maternal health, to discuss the real challenges moms face after birth—and what needs to change. From pelvic floor recovery to mental health struggles and why healthcare systems fail moms, Dr. Ajayi shares essential insights and actionable advice to help mothers heal, advocate for themselves, and get the care they truly deserve.

In the episode, Dr. Ajayi and I talk about:

🤫The biggest postpartum struggles no one talks about

🔹 Pelvic floor functionality and what’s actually normal

📣 How to advocate for your health after giving birth

🩺 What healthcare systems need to do better for new moms

💪 Practical tips for a smoother postpartum recovery (no matter how far from birth you are)

More about our guest:

Dr. Phoebe Ajayi is an NHS GP with experience across numerous specialities, here in the UK and her home country, Nigeria. She took a professional interest in postpartum rehabilitation and maternal health after a difficult first pregnancy and labour experience in 2017. Her desire is that all women are well supported during and after pregnancy. She achieves this by educating healthcare professionals and the public, influencing policy, and consulting with companies who have the same goal. For her work in this area, she received an award from the Royal College of General Practitioners. She is a published author; her book "After Birth: Postpartum Recovery of the Body and Mind" is available on Amazon and at all major book distributors. Outside of work, Phoebe enjoys crocheting, exercise and a good detective novel.

To connect with Dr. Phoebe Ajayi, follow her on Instagram @phoebeajayi or find her on LinkedIn.

If you found this episode valuable, share it with other moms in your life. Follow along with The Worthy Mother Podcast on Instagram @honestlyemilyrose and @worthymotherpodcast, and don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen!

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