Fiona’s Story
Thirty-six-year-old Fiona is a project officer and mother to five-month-old Georgia. Fiona learnt to meditate four years ago when she wanted to combat depression and anxiety without having to take medication. With a fast-paced job and seriously ill family member, Fiona says meditation, along with some lifestyle and diet changes, majorly reduced her anxiety and helped to relieve the depression.
Fiona: When I was pregnant with Georgia, I lapsed with my meditation in the first trimester and really noticed the difference. In the second trimester I started to introduce it again and in my third I was meditating religiously. It helped to increase my energy levels and helped me sleep better through the night; I would sometimes wake up but I could easily go back to sleep. It also helped to reduce my anxiety about the birth.
I ended up having a caesarean with Georgia and I meditated with her skin-on-skin, on and off for the first 48 hours. My milk came in within 48 hours, which people told me is pretty quick for a first-time mum following a C-section. I strongly believe that the meditation and skin-on-skin time helped to calm my daughter and bring on my milk.
In the first few months of Georgia’s life I would meditate while cluster-feeding and Georgia would easily go back to sleep without waking up. Obviously, every baby is different but I really feel that the meditation I did throughout the pregnancy and during breastfeeding has played a part in Georgia being a calm baby that sleeps well.
Obviously, every baby is different but I really feel that the meditation I did throughout the pregnancy and during breastfeeding has played a part in Georgia being a calm baby that sleeps well.
I had a few complications after birth in recovering from the C-section which had me back in hospital three weeks later and the meditation massively reduced my anxiety about being away from Georgia. I also had mastitis at six weeks and I feel like the meditation helped to speed up the recovery time in both situations. Apart from those complications, neither Georgia or I have been sick at all.
Because I’ve been able to manage my anxiety through meditation, it has strengthened my relationship with my husband. There has been calmness between us through this big change of having a newborn in our lives. I’m not stressing about the little things and I don’t feel anxious about being away from Georgia to go out and run errands.
We’re about to move to a new city and I feel way calmer about it than I ever would have before learning to meditate. I know that meditation will help me work out how to navigate such a big change.
We are already talking about having another baby and I am so glad I learnt to meditate before I was pregnant. I’ve seen other friends struggling to conceive, not being able to sleep well through the third trimester and struggling to produce enough milk. The one thing I can see that I’ve done differently from my friends is learning Vedic Meditation.
For other Mums, I can honestly say that learning Vedic Meditation is the greatest gift you can give yourself and your baby. The usual hiccups that come along for new mums of sleep-deprivation and milk-production and getting baby to sleep, have all been immensely helped by meditation. It reduces anxiety for everyone: Mum, Dad and baby.
Penny’s Story
Penny learnt to meditate when her eldest son was three years old and says the difference from the first pregnancy to the second was palpable.
Penny: I felt very different mentally and had so much more confidence in my second pregnancy, being able to nurture and care for myself by meditating.
During the third trimester I was caring for my dad in hospital in ICU, as well as still being a mum to my other son and this was only possible because of my meditation practice. It was literally a life saver. I could care for my dad AND myself. I was present and not feeling overwhelmed, despite having a lot on my plate.
I’m finding it especially helpful and important now that I have less time with number two arriving. Even just on the surface level being rested and being able to process rationally what’s happening with no sleep (that is no sleep, but with meditation) you can do so much more.
I feel so much more joyful and blissful with meditation as my support in the middle of the night or when baby sleeps. Being sleep-deprived while baby is feeding through the night, I find the tiredness is still there but meditation is the best thing as I can still find the joy and be more in the present moment even on little sleep.
My husband, oldest son and I all meditate, as well as my mum and dad. Our home feels like it is a much happier home. We are able to enjoy the moment, rather than worrying or having negative thoughts taking over.
When you are preparing for a baby, you will be thinking you need this pram, or that cot, these swaddles, this monitor, etc, but the best first gift you can give yourself and your child is meditation.
My family and I have been lucky enough to be taught and supported by Lauren and have her share her incredible wisdom with us.
Based in Grey Lynn, Lauren teaches Vedic Meditation in Auckland, Tauranga, Taupo, Wellington and Christchurch. If you are interested in finding out more or attending a free introductory talk, you can find a date near you or schedule an online talk here.
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