I first explored Raphael-Leff’s theory on Maternal styles (Regulators, Facilitators, Reciprocators, Conflicted) for my Masters thesis in Manchester Uni on Maternal Expectations vs Maternal Reality (and then I looked into the links between these styles and birth complications as part of my Doctorate). It was an exceptional journey of theory, practice and self discovery. I… Continue reading Womb studies
Category: Mothering
On the power of Dreams
The night before my 39th birthday I had a particularly obfuscated Dream, filled with twists and turns, clutter, low vision, spikes and edges; it was over-populated with people, events... just a whole lot going on. As a started working on one aspect of the Dream, namely 'the birth of three babies of mine, in the… Continue reading On the power of Dreams
Spontaneity days
Today in a really really really long time I did nothing. I had actually planned for it 😂 but it sometimes takes planning to do nothing and it totally worked. To be clear it was not really nothing... I guess by that I mean I relied on spontaneity...hmm what do I want to do now-type… Continue reading Spontaneity days
reflections from Original Voice, Colorado, 2019
“Might as well be exactly who you are cos half of the world won’t like you anyway” Clarissa Pinkola Estés. Unapologetically. Exactly. Who you are. Original Voice training in the Colorado Mountains with the one and only Dr Clarissa Pinkola Estes, in full autumn 🍂 🍁 where do I begin...? Pictured: Dr Clarissa Pinkola Estés… Continue reading reflections from Original Voice, Colorado, 2019
Cold milk, a poem
Motherhood is hard! Talking helps…
I have a million reasons why speaking up about your worries, concerns, fears and problems can be beneficial. When it comes to Motherhood though, I believe sharing the bad and the ugly, and the not-Insta perfect, can not only normalize your experience, but it can have a long-term and wide-reaching effect on who you become… Continue reading Motherhood is hard! Talking helps…
The Unspeakables: On mothers (not)talking about depression
In my previous post I opened the topic of the "perfect pregnancy" myth with the concept of Unspeakability, a favorite of mine and for many reasons. Here, I will delve further into it sharing my thoughts around a paper I recently published in the Journal of Feminism & Psychology. Although mothers tend to be particularly vocal… Continue reading The Unspeakables: On mothers (not)talking about depression
Perfect Pregnant Woman, deconstructed
One of my favorite academic publications, that came out of my doctoral studies on women who experience psychological distress during their pregnancy, is the one on "Unspeakability". Un-speak-ability. This is a concept which highlights the inability for women to "speak" directly about their distress or about anything dark, depressive, problematic, scary or non-perfect in relation… Continue reading Perfect Pregnant Woman, deconstructed
On the problematic nature of Self-care for Mothers (reflecting on my experiences)
I always bookend posts, discussions and any advice-resembling conversations with the disclaimer that everyone is different. Everyone has different needs, at different times, and during different stages and transitions in life. Everyone has different levels of access to time and resources and I check in with a big P my massive privilege to have the… Continue reading On the problematic nature of Self-care for Mothers (reflecting on my experiences)
Pregnancy distress, all things considered (a summary of findings from my research)
A summary of all factors that contribute to experiencing depression, anxiety or distress during pregnancy (as identified by my research)
