Fortitude Mums

Today marks the much anticipated release of the all parliamentary group Birth Trauma Enquiry report. Culminating from a 5 months evidence gathering process from 1,300 women and 100 maternity professionals who experienced birth trauma in the UK.

A large part of my work is helping women recover from birth trauma. I have borne witness to women’s stories of substandard maternity experiences and lack of compassionate care. It is so heartened to hear that 12 recommendations have been suggested to standardise maternity care across the UK including:

🌟 6 week post delivery GP checks

🌟digitised heath records to improve communication. across care pathways

🌟concerted efforts to tackle inequalities experienced by black, Asian and ethnic minority mothers

🌟 an investigation into the economic impact of birth trauma

The report signals a potential paradigm shift in maternal healthcare but the realisation of change hinges significantly on adequate funding and ongoing concerted efforts from policymakers, healthcare professionals and advocacy groups.

Let’s keep hoping for a culture of compassion and dignity in every birthing experience, for mothers and maternity staff alike.

When you are a new parent thoughts like these, usually involving harm coming to your baby, are really common.

The most distressing versions involve thoughts of us causing the harm, deliberately or accidentally. They often come with really clear images in our mind too.

With my newborn I remember looking at a sharp kitchen knife and imagined cutting her hand off. Thanks to many years of studying the human mind I knew this was simply a brain fart, a strange but terrifying thing our risk-monitoring brains do, particularly when we are exhausted and caring for precious babies.

If you have thoughts like this, remember

🧠 they are really common

🧠 there are lots of helpful techniques you can learn to help let thoughts come and go like clouds in the sky

🧠 they do not mean you are a bad person/mum. They most often mean you are sensitive, tired and taking your responsibilities exceptionally seriously

🧠 intrusive thoughts of interfering with our children sexually are also common, simply because it is the most horrific thing we could ever imagine doing. The thought then creates an intense fear response in our body, we then decide we could never articulate such a thing and isolate ourselves with our distressing intrusive thought. Please don’t ❤️

🧠 if you are distressed by your thoughts, tell someone. Having a thought is not in the same ball park as committing the action AT ALL. You will not be judged for telling a professional about this.

Do you struggle to find motivation or time to exercise? Next week I’m chatting with as part of Maternal Mental Health Week.

Join us as we chat

💪 How reconnecting with your body as a Mum is also an investment in your emotional wellbeing

💪 The barriers Mums face in getting back to fitness and how to overcome them

💪 Our experience of the power of women coming together and supporting each other

Whether you haven’t worn sports gear in a decade or you are quite the gym bunny, if you have a body this live is for you 😃

As part of I’m talking to Hannah Poulton (Scar therapist and Women’s Health physio) from today. We are both c-section mums so will be discussing ‘three things I wish I had known about C-sections’.

Come join us!

Today let’s celebrate creation, nurture and all who have loved us. Thinking of you today, whatever your experience of Mother’s Day.

The strength, tenacity, connection and fortitude amongst women inspires me. Thats why I specialise in mind and mood in motherhood.

Thanks to all my clients who allow me to walk alongside them as we co-create their best lives!

Hannah is here to sort all things finance in Fortitude Mums. I’m so glad she is here to free me up to do more of what I love….Seeing Mums stepping into the best version of themselves, in spite of all the difficult thoughts and overwhelming feelings life throws at them.

Three days a week you can find me sitting opposite a client in my clinic, or online.

It’s a privilege to get to do the job I do, which is why I’m committed to ongoing learning and excellence until I retire!

Fortitude Mums updated their business hours.