Learning to Mum

Everything changes after birth - your body, your identity, you hormones - the lot! All too often we spend time congratulating mums on their new baby and the assumed happiness and excitement we perceive to be paired with it, but is that the reality for all new mums? It wasn’t for me, I went through a process of physical and mental recovery that I hadn’t anticipated, I wish I’d known more so I could prepare a little better for the reality of postpartum. I hope that by sharing these things, I can give others an insight to the reality, reassure them it’s normal and raise awareness that things improve over time no matter how different everything feels in those early days, it’s all about learning to mum.

For me, the forth trimester pushed me more than I’ve ever been pushed in my life. The support bubble of pregnancy seemed to lift and I was left seemingly in the wilderness unable to navigate my surroundings. I lost who I was at times and felt uncertain of my way out, only now looking back can I reflect on why I felt as I did, with the want and desire to support other mums going through the same. The forth trimester has been the catalyst for me starting this, and as such, will be given lots of space on the podcast. I’ve made the decision to break it down into segments, starting with feeding. I tried it all, breastfeeding, combination and through to full formula - in this episode I share my journey. I didn’t realise how much of an impact it was having on my mental health and looking back, I only wish I’d recognised earlier how it was making me feel. The saying is true - happy mum, happy baby - find your rhythm and take confidence in what feels right for you. I hope by sharing my experience I can support other mums to do what’s best for them and their baby.

Baby blues impacts eight in 10 new mums, this wasn’t something I was aware of on the arrival of my little girl which made processing what I was experiencing far more daunting than it perhaps needed to be. In this weeks episode I walk through my first 10 days of motherhood sharing my experiences of baby blues in the hope I can reassure any other mums out there who may go through this, that they’re not alone.

This weeks episode is focused on my birth story. I refer to my daughters birth as a hybrid between a positive birth story and a not so positive birth story, why?! Because for me I went sooooo far with filling myself with positivity, that when it came to my birth, I felt a bit of a failure. I didn’t feel the euphoria that so many talk about, but in reality, I’m not sure I was ever going to be that person so I wish I’d gone in with more balance. I believe my story shares openly how it certainly doesn’t need to be “one born every minute” style, but equally, doesn’t need to be a text book hypnobirthing. Each story and experience is so different, this is mine - good, bad and perineal tear ugly! Enjoy!

In this episode a share my pregnancy journey - from finding out I was pregnant, right through to my waters breaking. I speak honestly about making the decision to start trying for a baby and then emotions that came with the success of the positive pregnancy test. I talk through my scans and some of the “complications” I had along the way to help map out for others what common challenges pregnant mamas face. I talk sex, contraception and the good old stretch and sweep, so maybe pop your headphones in for this one! Timings: Falling pregnant - 10:20, First Trimester - 20:35, Second Trimester - 24:25, Third Trimester - 38 minutes. Products mentioned: Period Power by Maisie Hill. Pregnancy pillow - Pharmedoc full body, C shape.

In this episode I welcome you to the Learning to Mum podcast. I share why I decided to dive into something like this, who I am and what I intend to share within this series and moving forward.