Dr Punam Krishan: Why So Many Mothers Feel Exhausted, Overwhelmed and Unseen

What happens when a doctor becomes the patient?

This week, Zoe sits down with GP, broadcaster and author Dr Punam Krishan for a powerful conversation about motherhood, health and what happens when we put ourselves last.

Following her recent breast cancer diagnosis, Punam reflects on recovery, the traumatic birth of her first child, severe postnatal depression, and the moment she realised that while everyone was focused on the baby, nobody was asking how she was.

Together, Zoe and Punam explore the "maternal health penalty" - why so many mothers normalise exhaustion, pain and overwhelm - and what needs to change so mothers receive the care and support they deserve.

💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why mothers often ignore symptoms and put their own health last

• The hidden long-term impact of birth trauma and postnatal depression

• What the "maternal health penalty" means and why it affects millions of women

• How motherhood physically changes the brain, nervous system and body

• The symptoms mothers should never dismiss as "normal"

• How to advocate for yourself and get the healthcare support you need

If you've ever felt exhausted, unseen or wondered whether what you're experiencing is "just part of motherhood", this episode is for you.

Key Topics

Maternal health • Breast cancer • Postnatal depression • Birth trauma • Mental load • Maternal mental health • Women's health • Motherhood burnout • Pelvic floor recovery • Motherhood and identity • Menopause • Perimenopause • Mother's wellbeing • GP advice for mums • Nervous system healing • Parenting

Watch every full episode on YouTube and subscribe.

Loved this episode?

Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy Zoe’s conversation with Suzy Reading, The Cost of Being the Selfless One

Feeling like you’re carrying it all? Download your FREE Mental Load Cheat Sheet and learn how to start feeling lighter, even if nothing in your life changes.

Connect with Zoe:

• Follow Zoe on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok

• Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’

This Motherkind episode is sponsored by:

• Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply.