In this deeply heartfelt and unfiltered episode of Parenthoot with Neha, host Neha sits down with Charu Shankar — acclaimed actor, dancer, theatre director, and pre- & postnatal wellness coach — for a wide-ranging conversation that is equal parts tender, funny, and profound.

From her first moments of motherhood to the creation of her wellness program Bump to Baby, Charu opens up about how parenting her son Agastya transformed her identity, body, relationships, and artistic work. She shares the visceral, almost spiritual experience of giving birth (“everything all together all at once”), the challenges of postpartum recovery, the unspoken struggles of breastfeeding, and the ongoing dance between chaos and grace that defines parenthood.

Over an hour of honest conversation, Charu and Neha explore how movement can be medicine, why mothers must care for their “newborn selves” as much as their babies, and how parenting ultimately becomes a mirror for our deepest selves.

💡 Why You Should Listen

If you’ve ever felt like you’re losing and finding yourself all at once in motherhood — this episode is for you. Charu brings candor, humor, and warmth to conversations that too often stay hidden: body image after baby, identity shifts, emotional exhaustion, and rebuilding from the inside out.

You’ll hear:

• The real story behind Charu’s birth experience and early postpartum journey
• How she turned personal struggle into her life’s work with The Bump to Baby Method
• Insightful reflections on conscious parenting, emotional triggers, and healing your “inner child”
• A reminder that motherhood is both grounding and liberating — and that “just showing up is enough.”

This episode is a masterclass in empathy and resilience for parents navigating the beautiful chaos of raising tiny humans.

🛠️ Practical Takeaways for Listeners

• Honor the postpartum period. Recovery isn’t vanity — it’s physiology. Movement done right can be medicine.
• Challenge the “bounce back” narrative. Your body isn’t meant to go back; it’s meant to go forward, wiser and stronger.
• Conscious parenting starts with self-awareness. When your child triggers you, look inward — they’re mirroring parts of you that need healing.
• Build your village. From friends to in-laws, accept and cherish help. It truly takes a community.
• Create grounding rituals. Simple routines — like bedtime reading or daily walks — can become sacred anchors amid chaos.
• Don’t aim for perfection. Show up as you are; that’s more than enough.

🧘‍♀️About the Guest

Charu Shankar is an actor, dancer, theatre director, and wellness coach known for her performances in Siyasat, Rocket Boys, Animal, and Crew. Beyond the screen, she co-founded The Bump to Baby Method, a movement-based program supporting women through pregnancy and postpartum recovery.

Charu’s work bridges art, wellness, and empathy — empowering women to reconnect with their bodies, embrace motherhood’s transformations, and reclaim their sense of self. She lives in Delhi with her husband Raghav, son Agastya, and their German shepherd, Cyrus.

DNY1

Dr. Vanshika Gupta-Adukia is a Pregnancy Specialist and the Founder of Therhappy. She is an internationally certified Pre and Post Natal Fitness Educator, a CAPPA certified Childbirth & Lactation Educator Counselor and a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist. Dr Vanshika's keen interest in women’s health, curiosity about childbirth and life of a fetus in a mother’s womb led her to venture in the journey of birthing and beyond as well as start Therhappy.