Motherhood comes with all sorts of expectations, fantasies, delusions and realities. Fortunately, the most important expectation is the one that really comes true. Happy Mother’s Day!!!!!!!!!…
Source: Motherhood’s Fantasies
Perspectives on Motherhood: Change, Love, and Loss
A collection of writing and art on motherhood.
https://discover.wordpress.com/2016/05/05/perspectives-on-motherhood/
World Health Day
Ok so I have recently discovered twitter- fairly late to the party I see but I am hooked! I had no idea just how much amazing and creative work is being done by people in maternity services and by those who are sharing their experiences to help and support each other.
On the first day back to school after the easter holidays (…made it!) I write this (instead of writing 3 essays) in awe of all the woman struggling with their health and those working so hard to improve our maternity care provision despite the challenges it brings.
I am so proud to be student midwife, mum, woman and so grateful for the freedom I have to contribute to it all.
With my coffee in one hand…my four year old making unspeakable mess around me, my pending assignments looming in front of me and my 3 chihuahuas psyching out the passers by the window… I salute you!
Have a great day xx
#WorldHealthDay #MatExp
Love this blog…
Say Yes to Life Despite Everything This is the German title of the famous book by psychiatrist Dr Viktor Frankl. This blog is about us all finding the space and tools to say yes to our own life, po…
Source: About
Postnatal Struggles
I understand as a student midwife and mother of four, that the postnatal period can be a struggle for parents for countless, unique reasons. Maternity care is beginning to recognise that Dads are a…
Source: Postnatal Struggles
#Postnatal #Maternity #Midwifery #Mum
Postnatal Struggles
I understand as a student midwife and mother of four, that the postnatal period can be a struggle for parents for countless, unique reasons.
Maternity care is beginning to recognise that Dads are also very much affected by the the challenges involved in the arrival and care of a new baby and is, quite rightly, recognising their care needs with regard to postnatal depression, with the support of Unicef and reflected by the NCT.
When we decided to embark on the Mum’s Circle initiative we gave this a lot of thought naturally. Recently we have been contacted via our Facebook Page by someone who has a similar project in Sheffield – Great work there! The concern is, that by calling it ‘Mum’s’ Circle we might be excluding dads from such regular social meetings. They have indeed needed to change their name in order to get charity status and all power to them for doing so.
I have sat and deliberated this many, many times and cannot seem to reconcile myself on it.
On the one hand, as a student midwife, everything in me screams out to be inclusive and supportive of the whole family with the knowledge that dads need a huge amount of support in the days, weeks and months following the birth of their baby.
In that sense, of course I am ethically and emotionally driven to be obvious about that in my work here. A change of name to perhaps to, ‘Family Circle’ or similar has nearly happened many times.
Here’s the proof…
On the other hand, my motivation for being a midwife is to be ‘with woman’. In that heavily cliched statement are the things I aspire to bring to my work ‘with women’.
Mostly this is to improve her experience, to empower her decisions –about her care, about her body, about her life and yes with the appropriate inclusion of her family. This is, for me what it is to be woman-centred.
Mum’s Circle came about while I was on my first placement with a wonderful community midwife mentor.
We had 2 postnatal visits, one after the other, who lived on practically the same road, whose babies were born on the same day in the same hospital.
Both families were naturally struggling with sleep and feeding- and both talked to us about not feeling like they knew what to do. Both, felt overwhelmed and needed to talk to someone who understood and in both cases the family were awaiting our visit in anticipation.
Both women were worried about what she would do once her partner went back to work in less than two weeks time.
We did understand, we understood perfectly and we talked and demonstrated everything we could, to help them to understand what was happening, reassuring them how they felt was normal, that it would feel less overwhelming in the coming weeks and if not to call us, that is what we are here for.
We couldn’t tell either woman that there was a woman living on the same road, who is in the exact same position, telling us an almost identical story of her worries because it would breech confidentiality.
Therein Mum’s Circle as an idea, which is a simple, no frills idea to give these women a place to meet, a way of sharing their worries (and joys of course) and a reason to leave the house with a very young baby, in an environment with other women who can talk about very personal things should they want to- Where they can openly breastfeed or bottle feed, whatever they are doing, in a maternal environment is not something I want to apologise for…
This is not exclusive of Men by being inclusive of all women, from any background, in any circumstance who may benefit hugely from sharing in a way that women do.
I’d really appreciate some points of view on this- genuinely- we all learn from each other and that’s the way things improve…
To All The Mothers
The hardest job, Awesome we are!
Take a moment to realise just how bloody awesome you are.
How many nightfeeds have you done? How many times have you found the energy for one more round of Wheels on the Bus when all you want to do is watch TV? How many meals have you lovingly prepared only to watch being thrown to the floor? Have many nappies have you changed? How many toys have you tidied away?
How many demands have you fulfilled to avoid a tantrum? How many times have you pushed a swing? How many times have you kissed a pain better? How many times have you explained something new and watched your child light up with that knowledge?
How many mornings have you rushed around to leave the house on time for school? How many packed lunches have you made? How much homework have you helped with? How much advice have you offered?
View original post 160 more words
Why New Mums Will Always Break My Heart
This is so honest, thank you x
On the whole I believe experiencing PND has left me a more compassionate, kinder person but, unfortunately, one negative personality trait has been greatly increased: jealousy.
It’s been almost three years since I had my son but every time I hear a new mum talk about the incredible instant bond she has with her newborn, or how she’s never been happier or how she feels more fulfilled than ever before it feels like a tiny stab to my chest. And I want to clarify that I am so, so happy for these mums. They are my friends and I wouldn’t wish PND on my worst enemy so I’m relieved for them that they feel this way. But sadly, there is a deep down, darker part of me that feels bitter and envious, and I have to work pretty hard to turn this negativity around.
I’ve written before at length…
View original post 484 more words
Are we talking to each other enough?
It’s something we don’t talk about enough- not talking to each other. It seems to be something lost today. I can remember as a kid my mum talking to everybody. I can remembe…
Welcome to Mums Circle!
You found us!
Mums Circle has been set up by two student midwives in East Kent to encourage and support mums in their journey through parenthood over tea, coffee and biscuits.
We want to invite mums to join a FREE weekly or fortnightly meeting in their local children’s centre to chat and share experiences.
The aim is to connect local mums by providing a time and place to make friends and build a community of women that will be mutually supportive.
We think that post-natal mums need more than support services can realistically provide in all sorts of ways that are not medical.
So please get involved, leave a comment, let us know your thoughts, ideas and anything you would like in order to make your post natal experience and beyond, better, positive and empowering x
mumscircle 