The Reality of Motherhood with Ash Pollard: Honest, Unfiltered & Full of Heart

Motherhood is exhausting, joyful, overwhelming, and relentless—all at the same time. Ash Pollard knows this reality all too well. Best known as an Australian TV and radio personality, cook, and now, mother of two.

In this episode of Continuall Conversations, Ash opens up about the raw realities of motherhood, from the challenges of raising two babies under two to navigating mental load, postpartum anxiety, and self-care guilt.

It’s a conversation filled with truth, laughter, and reassurance—because if you’ve ever felt like you’re not doing enough, you’re not alone.

Motherhood Changes Everything

For Ash, life before kids was fast-paced—TV, radio, and a growing career in entertainment. But after welcoming two babies just 13 months apart, she quickly realized that nothing could have truly prepared her for the intensity of motherhood.

“I have a three and a four-year-old at home, and it's nearly killed me. If reality TV didn’t, motherhood sure did.”

She talks openly about the mental load—the constant planning, organizing, and invisible work that often falls on mums, even in supportive partnerships.

"Even if both parents are working and both are at home, the weight of it still falls on the woman."

Like so many mums, Ash found herself struggling to carve out time for herself. Even small moments of self-care came with guilt.

"I bought a 10-pack of red light sauna sessions. But the entire time I was sitting there, I felt guilty—like I should be working, cooking a better meal, doing something more productive. And then I had to remind myself—I carried a baby for nine months. Twice! I deserve this."

The Pressure of Parenting "Perfectly"

As someone with a public profile, Ash feels the weight of social media’s influence on motherhood—the curated perfection, the endless parenting advice, and the idea that there’s a “right” way to raise your kids.

“I was doing the whole gentle parenting thing because social media says that’s what you should do. No yelling, no smacking, always calmly explaining. But guess what? It wasn’t working.”

She turned to a child psychologist to help guide her through the challenges of raising two toddlers. But this led to another reality check: good support costs money—something not all parents have access to.

“I sell things on Marketplace just to pay for extra expenses we didn’t budget for—like therapy sessions.”

Postpartum Anxiety & The Moment She Knew She Needed Help

Ash’s postpartum experience was far from what she expected. After 24 hours of labor, she had an emergency c-section—something she never mentally prepared for. Then, two weeks after her daughter was born, she was hit with another shock—her parents announced their separation.

“I hadn’t dealt with the birth trauma, my parents separating, and suddenly I was alone in lockdown with a newborn. I spiraled.”

She became hyper-vigilant, checking on her newborn constantly, battling intrusive thoughts, and struggling to sleep. It wasn’t until things started feeling darker that she recognized she needed help.

“I wouldn’t sleep. I kept thinking someone was breaking into the house. I was up all night checking if she was breathing.”

With support from professionals, she was eventually diagnosed with postpartum anxiety. But even getting help wasn’t easy.

“Nobody tells you that starting medication makes you feel worse before it gets better. It takes weeks to adjust, and during that time, I felt like I was going crazy.”

When she fell pregnant with her second daughter, Claudette, she made a different plan—this time, she saved up for a night nurse.

"I sold things on Marketplace, put money aside, and hired a night nurse two nights a week. It was the best decision I made. The rest and support changed everything for me."

She acknowledges that not all mums have this option, which is why she’s so passionate about removing the stigma around asking for help.

The Best Advice She Ever Received

One moment in particular changed Ash’s perspective:

"I was having a breakdown on social media, saying I felt like I was failing as a mum. And someone messaged me and said: ‘The fact that you care this much means you’re not failing. You’re trying, and that’s what matters.’"

That simple message shifted everything.

For those wondering how to truly support new mums, Ash believes it’s about showing up with action, not just words. Instead of saying, “Let me know if you need anything”, try this:

📌 “Here’s what I can do for you—pick one.”
1️⃣ I’ll deliver two nights’ worth of dinners.
2️⃣ I’ll come hold the baby so you can shower.
3️⃣ I’ll clean your house or book a cleaner.
4️⃣ I’ll book and pay for a lactation consultant or postpartum support.

"Stop buying people swaddles. Buy them a clean house, a meal, or a night nurse for one night. That will change their life."