Chaos with Karen and Ciara

**Content warning:**

This episode discusses postnatal depression, anxiety, OCD, intrusive thoughts, birth and reproductive trauma, and briefly touches on postpartum psychosis and the Lindsay Clancy case. Some listeners may find these subjects distressing.

This week on Chaos with Karen and Ciara we're joined by perinatal psychotherapist Michelle Flynn psychotherapist from An Croí Beag for an incredibly important and informative conversation about maternal mental health, from pregnancy and postpartum right through to perimenopause and beyond.

In this episode, Michelle helps us explore the mental health challenges women can experience throughout their reproductive lives, including postnatal depression, anxiety, OCD, birth trauma and reproductive trauma.

We spend time discussing intrusive thoughts, what they are, why they can occur, particularly in the postpartum period, and why so many mothers feel frightened or ashamed to talk about them.

We also explore how the brain changes during the postpartum period and perimenopause, and how these transitions can influence our emotions, wellbeing and experience of everyday life.

We chat about:

- Postnatal depression, anxiety and perinatal OCD

- Intrusive thoughts and why they can feel so frightening

- Birth trauma and reproductive trauma

- Recognising the signs that you may need additional support

- Changes in the brain during postpartum and perimenopause

- The impact of screen time and social media on mental wellbeing

- Why so many women struggle to give themselves permission to rest

- How to access mental health support and navigate referral pathways

- What to look for when choosing a qualified therapist

Michelle also shares her work towards establishing a new association of specialist perinatal psychotherapists, with a focus on supporting women through the perinatal period and the transition into menopause.

This is an honest, compassionate conversation about the parts of motherhood we don't always see or talk about — and why recognising when you need support is so important.

Whether you're pregnant, newly postpartum, navigating motherhood or supporting someone who is struggling, we hope this episode helps you feel more informed and less alone.

The Thoughts We Don't Talk About: Postnatal Mental Health with Michelle Flyn

You can find Michelle at https://ancroibeagpsychotherapy.ie/

Or instagram

https://www.instagram.com/ancroibeag?cplk=MTFpOTZ3NnoxOHF1aQ==

This week on Chaos with Karen and Ciara, it's just the two of us catching up on life, motherhood and all the random conversations that somehow make perfect sense when you're mums of four!

First up, we're talking about something nobody really warns you about before having a baby… **doing a poo during labour!** Yes, it happens, yes, it's normal, and yes, we're going there!

Then it's onto Halloween — Karen absolutely loves it, while Ciara finds the costumes, sweets, decorations and general madness just a little overwhelming. Anyone else?!

We also get into the never-ending debate around children's screen time, the strange world of YouTubers becoming Netflix stars, and how much influence online content has on our kids.

And finally, we're talking about the government's emergency preparedness leaflets. Are we all supposed to have an emergency plan? Because Ciara certainly hasn't got one!

As always, expect plenty of laughs, a few parenting opinions and the usual chaos of juggling work, family life and eight children between us.

Real life, real motherhood and absolutely no judgement — just chaos!

This week we are joined by medical doctor and dermatologist Dr Emma Fanning for a brilliant conversation about all things skincare — from pregnancy and postpartum right through to perimenopause and beyond!

Our skin goes through so many changes throughout our lives, but with endless products, complicated routines and conflicting advice online, how do we know what we actually need?

Dr Emma helps us cut through the noise, bust some common skincare myths and understand which products and ingredients are worth considering at different stages of life.

We chat about:

✨ Skincare during pregnancy and breastfeeding — what to use and what to avoid

✨ Postpartum skin changes and managing hormonal breakouts

✨ Perimenopause, ageing skin and how our skincare needs change

✨ Quick, realistic skincare routines for busy mums

✨ The pros and cons of popular skincare products and ingredients

✨ Caring for C-section scars and stretch marks

✨ Teenage skincare and when young people should start using skincare products

✨ The best skincare approach for different ages and stages of life

Whether you're pregnant, newly postpartum, navigating perimenopause or simply wondering if your skincare products are actually doing anything, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you make informed choices.

No complicated 10-step routines, no pressure to look a certain way — just an informative, down-to-earth conversation about looking after your skin through every stage of motherhood.

🎙️ **Skincare Through Motherhood: What Actually Works? With Dr Emma Fanning**

As always, plenty of laughs, honest conversations and the usual chaos!

You can find Emma at her clinic Le Formulaire in Dublin 2 and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/le.formulaire?obrf=ZXJ2bnYwcmgybmll

We also mentioned resources for safe medication when breastfeeding

https://www.e-lactancia.org/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/

https://infantrisk.com/

This week on Chaos with Karen and Ciara, we're joined by neonatologist and paediatrician Dr Sean Armstrong for a really informative and reassuring conversation about baby development, weight gain and what is actually normal.

As parents, it's so easy to worry about whether our babies are reaching their milestones, gaining enough weight or developing at the same pace as other babies. But how much variation is normal, and when should we be concerned?

We chat to Dr Armstrong about developmental milestones, understanding growth charts and centiles, weight faltering, and the different reasons babies might not gain weight as expected.

We also discuss when parents can feel reassured, when further assessment might be needed, and how to navigate concerns about a baby's growth without unnecessary panic or pressure.

This episode covers:

This week on Chaos with Karen and Ciara, we’re joined by someone very special — Karen’s sister, Michelle — who shares her deeply personal journey with endometriosis, fertility and finally getting the answers she had been searching for.

Michelle experienced incredibly painful and heavy periods from just 11 years of age. For years, she lived with symptoms without knowing why, until her journey to start a family in her 30s eventually led to an endometriosis diagnosis.

She talks openly about what it was like to spend so many years in pain without a diagnosis, the frustration of not feeling heard, and the emotions that came with finally having an explanation for what she had been experiencing for so long.

We also hear about Michelle’s fertility journey, the impact endometriosis has had on her life, and what it means to continue navigating life with a chronic condition.

It’s a raw, warm and incredibly important conversation about women’s health, fertility, advocating for yourself and the importance of listening when women say something isn’t right.

For anyone living with endometriosis, struggling to get answers about their health, going through fertility challenges — or supporting someone who is — this is an episode not to be missed.

This week on Chaos with Karen and Ciara, it's just the two of us catching up on everything from dry robes and WhatsApp groups to Ed Sheeran, breastfeeding in public and the wonderful (and sometimes not-so-wonderful) world of social media!

We get into a conversation about influencers criticising breastfeeding in public, the pressure to have an opinion online, and whether it's ever worth getting involved in the comments section.

We also open up about the other side of putting yourself out there — online trolling, confrontation, and the very real anxiety that can come with reading negative comments about yourself.

And of course, there's plenty of the usual chaos that comes with being two working mums with eight children between us!

This week on Chaos with Karen & Ciara, we’re joined by Neonatologist and Paediatrician Dr Seán Armstrong 🎙️

We chat about life as a neonatologist and some of the more difficult parts of the job, including when a baby needs to go to NICU and the impact that separation can have on mum, baby and the whole family.

We also get into some of the most common worries in those early months. What actually is CMPA? What’s the difference between reflux and colic? When should you be concerned and when is it just part of figuring out your new baby?

And as a dad himself, Seán shares some lovely advice for dads navigating those newborn days too.

There is SO much information thrown at parents now. This episode isn’t here to add to the overwhelm. It’s about giving you clear, reassuring information and helping you feel a little more supported along the way. ❤️

Listen in to this week’s Chaos with Karen & Ciara 🎧

We’re back for Season 3 and, unsurprisingly, the chaos continues! 😂

After a summer break, Karen & Ciara have a LOT to catch up on. In this episode, we chat about what we’ve been up to over the summer, the reality of returning to work, and somehow find ourselves covering everything from women in sport and the GAA to Sydney Sweeney and Oprah… and plenty more in between.

Expect the usual honest chats, strong opinions, laughs, tangents and absolutely no guarantee we’ll stay on topic. 😂

Grab a cuppa, stick in the headphones and catch up with us.

Season 3… here we go! 🎧❤️

Chaos with Karen & Ciara

New episodes every Thursday.

This week on Chaos with Karen and Ciara, we're joined by fashion stylist and mum of two, Justine King, for a warm and inspiring conversation about motherhood, confidence and rediscovering your personal style.

We chat about dressing through pregnancy, finding clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident postpartum, and why taking a little time for yourself can have such a positive impact on how you feel.

Justine also shares her own motherhood journey, including her experience of home birth, raising two boys, and balancing family life with running her own business.

In this episode we discuss:

• Finding your style during pregnancy

• Dressing your postpartum body with confidence

• Why what you wear can influence how you feel

• Home birth and Justine's birth experiences

• Motherhood, identity and self-confidence

• Building a wardrobe that works for real life

You can find Justine on Instagram @justinekingxx

https://www.instagram.com/justinekingxx?igsh=bHBqcnZpcXcwdXFn

This is an honest, uplifting conversation about embracing the different seasons of motherhood, letting go of perfection, and remembering that looking after yourself isn't about vanity—it's about feeling like you again.

As always, no judgement, just honesty.

This week on Chaos with Karen and Ciara, we're answering some of the questions parents ask us most often.

Karen shares practical, evidence-based advice on:

• The difference between gagging and choking

• When a fever is a cause for concern

• When to manage your baby's illness at home and when it's time to seek medical attention

Alongside your parenting questions, we're also chatting about the lighter side of family life—our own parenting fails, the reality of sibling rivalry, and the moments that remind us none of us have it all figured out.

Whether you're looking for reassurance about your baby's health or simply want to laugh along with the chaos of raising children, this episode has a bit of everything.

As always, no judgement—just honesty.

This week on Chaos with Karen and Ciara, we're honoured to be joined by Karina, who shares her extraordinary and deeply personal story.

Born in an Irish mother and baby home and adopted as a baby, Karina opens up about her journey of discovering her identity, meeting her birth mother, and the emotions that came with reconnecting with her past.

She also shares her path to becoming a mother herself, reflecting on pregnancy, birth and the overwhelming emotions of finally holding her own child after everything she had experienced.

Alongside her personal story, Karina talks candidly about her mental health, living with fibromyalgia and ongoing health challenges, and how these experiences led her to leave the corporate world and find purpose through holistic therapies, including sound healing and Reiki.

This is a heartfelt conversation about identity, resilience, healing and motherhood. It's a story of loss and love, of searching for answers, and of finding strength through life's most difficult moments.

You can find Karina on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/karina_feelgood?igsh=cGw3aTRkMjR4N2Ry

This week on Chaos with Karen and Ciara, we're catching up on all the usual chaos of family life, from travelling with children to the realities of trying to switch off when life feels busier than ever.

We chat about the highs (and lows!) of family holidays, navigating airports with little ones, and those unforgettable encounters with drunk passengers that can make travelling even more stressful than it already is.

We also have an honest conversation about social media burnout, the pressure to always be present online, and why it's okay to step back when you need to.

Finally, we discuss an incredibly important topic for working mums: your rights during pregnancy and maternity leave. We talk about unfair dismissal, legal protections for pregnant employees, and why it's so important for women to know where they stand if they ever find themselves in a difficult situation

This week on Chaos with Karen and Ciara, we're joined by Aoife MacNeill, pre and postnatal personal trainer and mum to three-year-old twin girls.

Aoife shares her journey from finding out she was expecting twins to navigating pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and the realities of raising two babies at the same time. We chat about the shock of a twin pregnancy, the joys and challenges of twin motherhood, and her experience of breastfeeding her girls into toddlerhood.

We also dive into the pressures many women feel to "bounce back" after having a baby, what safe and realistic exercise looks like during pregnancy and postpartum, and how mothers can rebuild strength and confidence in their bodies without unrealistic expectations.

This is an honest, reassuring conversation about motherhood, movement and giving yourself grace during every stage of the journey.

You can find Aoife on Instagram @aoifemacneill

In the latest episode of Chaos with Karen and Ciara, we chat all things parenting chaos, motherhood, and nursing life 🤍

Karen reflects on the birth of her third baby as he turns eight this week, sharing how alone she felt during her hospital stay and why maternity services need to change to better support families — including allowing partners to stay 24 hours, as they do in many other countries.

We also mark International Nurses Day, reflecting on our own journeys through nurse training and practice, how much nursing has evolved over the years, and celebrating the incredible nurses who care for people every single day.

A heartfelt, honest chat about motherhood, memories, nursing, and the chaos in between ✨

In this episode, we sit down with Audrey O'Connor to hear her powerful story of burnout, people pleasing, and the courage it took to completely change direction. From a career as a quantity surveyor to a life centred around astrology, sound healing, and nervous system regulation, Audrey shares how burnout became the catalyst for deep personal transformation.

We talk about the pressures so many of us face to keep pushing, saying yes, and putting everyone else first, and what it really takes to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and choose a calmer way of living. Audrey also shares practical tips for supporting your nervous system, setting healthier boundaries, and creating more peace in your everyday life.

A relatable and inspiring conversation for anyone feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or ready for change.

This week on Chaos with Karen and Ciara, we’re chatting about the realities of motherhood that don’t get talked about enough — from solo parenting and mental health, to getting back into sport and exercise after having babies.

We have an honest conversation about prolapse, recovery after birth, and the pressure many women feel to “bounce back” physically and mentally after becoming mothers.

We also discuss:

• navigating periods of solo parenting
• the impact motherhood can have on your mental health
• rebuilding confidence in your body after babies
• returning to exercise and sport realistically
• and our top recommendations for breastfeeding, bottle feeding and newborn essentials that genuinely make life easier

This episode is full of honest chats, practical tips and reassurance for parents trying to navigate the chaos of early family life.

As always — no judgement, just honesty

This week on Chaos with Karen and Ciara, we’re joined by a very special guest — Ciara’s husband, Ed.

We chat about what it’s really like being married to Ciara, raising four daughters, and navigating the chaos of modern family life as a dad.

Ed also shares his perspective on birth, breastfeeding, fatherhood, and the madness that comes with trying to juggle work, parenting and family life.

As a kitchen designer, he also gives some brilliant practical tips on designing a kitchen that actually works when you have children — from storage and layout to the reality of how families use their homes day to day.

We also discuss:

• the role of dads during birth and the newborn stage
• parenting pressures today compared to previous generations
• the chaos of family routines and busy households
• and what life is really like in a house full of girls

This is a funny, honest and relatable conversation about family life from a dad’s perspective — with plenty of chaos along the way.

As always — no judgement, just honesty.

This week on Chaos with Karen and Ciara, we’re chatting about a mix of everything that comes with this stage of life — the overwhelm, the mental load, and the constant juggle.

We talk honestly about perimenopause and how it can show up in ways you don’t expect, from anxiety to feeling completely overstimulated. We also get into the guilt (and nerves) around going away without your children, solo trips, and why even the idea of a break can feel stressful.

We also chat about:

• anxiety around flying and being away from your kids
• road rage and those moments where your patience disappears
• the added stress of having pets alongside a busy family life
• reality TV as a bit of escapism when everything feels like a lot

And we also share some practical tips around returning to work while breastfeeding, including what to expect, how to prepare, and ways to make that transition feel a bit more manageable.

This is a real, honest conversation about the juggle — and trying to find small ways to cope in the middle of it all.

If you’ve ever felt like everything is just that bit harder lately, or you’re navigating going back to work with a baby, this one will resonate.

As always — no judgement, just honesty.

This week on Chaos with Karen and Ciara, it’s a very real, very honest catch-up on the everyday chaos of life with four kids.

From trying to get everyone out the door in the morning, to the state of the car (which is a whole story in itself), this episode is full of the kind of moments every mum will recognise.

We chat about:

• the madness of school runs and getting four children organised
• those days where everything goes wrong (including crashing into a stop sign…)
• holidays with babies and young children — are they even a break?
• the pressure around skincare and “looking after yourself” at this stage of life
• and the constant juggle of life admin that never seems to end

This is one of those episodes where we’re just talking honestly about what life actually looks like behind the scenes — messy, busy and far from perfect.

If you’ve ever sat in your car surrounded by snacks, rubbish and chaos wondering how this is your life… this one is for you.

As always — no judgement, just honesty.

In this episode of Chaos with Karen and Ciara, we’re chatting all things baby sleep — from normalising what’s actually typical, to sharing our own real-life experiences (the messy, honest kind). We talk about co-sleeping, the pressure to “fix” sleep, and why sometimes doing nothing is exactly what’s needed. We’re also joined by Holistic Sleep Coach Vicky Haugh, who brings her expert, gentle perspective to the conversation. We chat about sleep development, co-sleeping, swaddling and our own chaotic bedtimes! As always, we keep it light, real, and judgment-free. Hope you enjoy — Karen & Ciara

Welcome back to Chaos with Karen & Ciara — where nothing is off-limits and life is always a little bit messy ✨

In this episode, we’re chatting all things frazzled — from those days where everything feels like a juggle to our very honest chaos confessions and some seriously relatable mom fails (because we’ve all been there 🙃). We also dive into the Oscars, share our thoughts, and of course… go on a well-deserved rant about parenting parking struggles 🚗💥

Each week, we keep it real, raw, and relatable as we share our experiences — the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

If you enjoy the chaos, please support us by liking and subscribing 💛

Karen & Ciara x

Welcome to the very first episode of Chaos with Karen & Ciara — a conversational pod where the chat goes everywhere and nowhere all at once!

We kick things off with chats about parenting with hangovers, intrusive thoughts, matrescence and balancing chaos of parenthood!

We get into matrescence and the emotional whirlwind that comes with it, sharing the real, unfiltered side of it all.

It’s chaotic, it’s relatable, and it’s basically a voice note between two friends that somehow made it onto Spotify. Expect laughs, honesty, and plenty of chaos!