The message we often absorb is “Congratulations, you have birthed your baby, your job is done! Can I hold the baby?”.
This can leave a new mother feeling empty and wondering where her own value is.
Our society applauds a mother who ‘bounces back’, quickly resumes the life that she had before becoming a mother, and somehow fits in her mothering around that life.
“When are you going back to work?”, “Oh, look at you, back in your skinny jeans!”, “Meet you at the gym?”, “Is he sleeping through the night yet?”.
But, really, how can this be? She is not the same person.
She is a woman, and now she is also a Mother.
Our society applauds a mother who ‘bounces back’, quickly resumes the life that she had before becoming a mother, and somehow fits in her mothering around that life.
These concepts are examples of how our society has let motherhood down.
I would love to share some research that opened my eyes in such a meaningful way in understanding why I had grappled with so many of the emotions outlined above, and has helped me to reconcile my relationship with myself and be better equipped to shun mother guilt, perfectionism in motherhood and self-judgement.
Please follow along as I take you on the journey of matrescence, maternal brain, maternal hormones and how long is too long when it comes to postpartum.
Keturah Stoltenberg has been a Perinatal Professional since 2004. With extensive training, skills and experience in Pregnancy, Birth & Postnatal Massage Therapy, certified Birth & Postpartum Doula and Baby Massage Teacher, she is passionate about Maternal Health. Motherhood will always be her biggest achievement, and she is a mother of two healthy young men who continue to inspire (and challenge!) her every day. She believes every mother should feel heard, supported, nurtured and held in her mothering experience. Find out more at www.motherhoodwithketurah.com.au and find her on Facebook and Instagram @motherhoodwithketurah.
