World Mental Health Day: Honouring Maternal Wellbeing
This week, in our pregnancy yoga circle, we marked World Mental Health Day with something beautifully simple yet deeply powerful.
Each expectant mum recieved a yellow rose, symbolising awareness, care, and hope. We lit candles to honour and strengthen the light within us that can sometimes dim under the weight of motherhood. Together, we made a pledge to rest, to take time for ourselves, and to remember that tending to our own wellbeing is an act of love for our families too.
The Hidden Landscape of Maternal Mental Health
While the world speaks more openly about mental health than ever before, maternal mental health still carries a quiet, unseen burden.
Between the joy, expectation, and transformation of becoming a mother, there can also be anxiety, grief, isisolation, wearing physical pain or a deep sense of overwhelm. These feelings are not signs of weakness, they are human and need space for release.
It is believed that up to 20% of mothers experience a mental health issues during pregnancy or in the first year after birth. Yet too often, mothers feel they must stay strong, hold it together, or bounce back into our fast paced society.
Planning for the Postpartum: A Path of Support
The time after birth which is often called the fourth trimester, deserves as much preparation and reverence as pregnancy itself.
Here are some gentle steps and ideas to help you create your own postnatal wellbeing plan:
1. Build Your Support Circle
Think ahead about who can offer help with meals, childcare, housework, or simply listening.
Write their names down. Let them know they are an important part of your circle.
2. Prepare Your Rest Nest
Set aside a comfortable space for rest and bonding.
Gather soft blankets, nourishing snacks, herbal teas, and anything that helps you feel grounded at the bedside.
Your recovery deserves care and comfort.
3. Know When and Where to Seek Help
If you feel persistently low, anxious, or detached, please know that help is available.
You are not alone and you deserve swift support.
Helpful Services:
GP or Midwife: Ask for referral and guidance.
Health Visitor: Can signpost to local perinatal mental health teams.
Mind: www.mind.org.uk for expert advice and support.
PANDAS Foundation: www.pandasfoundation.org.uk - perinatal mental health charity offering helpline and groups.
Maternal Mental Health Alliance: www.maternalmentalhealthalliance.org
Tommy’s: www.tommys.org - for pregnancy and baby loss support.
Birth Trauma Association: www.birthtraumaassociation.org
If you ever feel you may be in crisis, please reach out to Samaritans (116 123) or text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 for free 24-hour support.
A Gentle Reminder
You are not just a mother, you are a woman going through a transformational rite of passage.
♡ It’s okay to slow down.
♡ It’s okay to need help.
♡ It’s okay to let yourself be held.
Today, as the soft glow of our candles flickered and yellow roses bloomed quietly beside us, we remembered:
To nurture others, we must also nurture ourselves.
Get in touch if you’d like to join one of our gentle Yoga for Motherhood sessions or discover more about postnatal wellbeing.
With love from Rosanna ♡
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