For All Mum Kind with Aoife Hearne

Aoife Hearne is a well known face from our TV screens as the resident dietician on RTÉ’s annual must-watch-show Operation Transformation. In her daily life she is a registered dietician, author of The Plan and mother of three to Dylan, Alva & baby Zoë. Aoife took the time out of her hectic schedule to sit down with me and chat about her own challenges throughout pregnancy and juggling a career and three kids. As well as sharing her tips for new mums looking to keep a balanced diet and the importance of breastfeeding, of which she is a huge advocate. Aoife was an only child but was always drawn towards larger families, so it was of no surprise that she would have more than one child. Although she didn’t have it completely easy. After ending up “walking like an old woman” on her first pregnancy Aoife was diagnosed with SPD (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction) putting her usually active lifestyle on pause. In fact she is only just getting back to running now. After her second child went for months with undiagnosed tongue tie Aoife’s whole body crashed. She suspected herself to have PND but in fact she was suffering from an autoimmune disease. With her thyroid levels now needing to be managed by medication Aoife struggled to find the support she needed to continue her breastfeeding journey with most physicians simply telling her to stop. As a dietician who knows the importance of breastfeeding this was not an option for her and we discuss what can be done by the HSE to better support women who want to breastfeed and not let such simply corrected things as tongue tie rob new mums of this experience. Aoife not only believes in a balanced diet, she also believes in a balanced life. She too often sees the constant “pursuit of perfection” as a path to failure. And we talk about how she learnt in her own life to let things slide and to juggle whatever motherhood sends your way. And of course Aoife shares some simple tips on how mums can try to stay healthy through those first hectic weeks after childbirth. I promise you will never look at a pizza cutter the same way again! Aoife is as delightful and charming as she is in on Operation Transformation and it was an absolute pleasure meeting her. And just like on the TV show we even share a few tears. To read more about Aoife’s workshops and programmes, or to order her book The Plan please visit her website or follow her over on Twitter. http://www.aoifehearne.ie https://twitter.com/deisedietitian Thank you to everyone who is listening and if you would like to keep the discussion going please follow me on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/forallmumkind/ I have received more feedback this week on the show that really makes it all worthwhile and even got to meet some of you at the Dingle Food Festival. If you are enjoying the series please share it with your friends, especially those who are expecting. And if you have the time please rate and review me on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. Thanks! Pamela x Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/for-all-mum-kind/id1456045096?mt=2 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5q5ErY3McbYLuzC2qGfxVz