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Postnatal Pod 6 week Support Experience
It takes a village to raise a child…
but shouldn’t we start changing the narrative and instead be normalising that it actually takes a village to raise you (the mum).
You’ve heard the saying but what you really need to be thinking about is ‘who is holding you?’.
This so-called village isn’t the reality in this day and era.
People are living further away from family and friends, moving to new areas and keeping up with the demands of work or the cost of living… Even keeping up with the latest this and that, drowning in the never ending to-do list… Sound familiar?
‘Parents are pushed into this false state of trying to be ‘the village’ but this is not a sustainable role for one or two people alone’.
It may seem like we have it all at our fingertips in this digital age.
But if you are up in the dark hours feeling alone and challenged by little sleep / issues feeding / the mind never switching off – perhaps the easiest go-to is your device but are you actually going to feel any better once you start the scroll?
In fact it’s so often the opposite, it may initially feel like the quickest and easiest way to find answers or calm, justification or normality but will inevitably bring comparison/ anxiety and feelings of not doing things ‘right’.
I was you.
The girl who had such high hopes in this new chapter, who couldn’t wait to meet their baby and spend time not in work but with new mum mates that I was going to meet during my pregnancy.
But it wasn’t all I had hoped it would be, after a tricky start recovering from a c-section (not the lovely water bath I had believed I would get) struggles feeding and baby dropping weight at an alarming rate, being told too many differing opinions at every appointment with every professional. I began to quickly spiral and became a former shadow of myself.
In fact, it became apparent – very quickly in those early weeks that what actually would have been most helpful was having a close group of other women around, with babies of a similar age and stage – to meet with and realise what I was going through – they were too.
We need each other, to champion during the highs and the lows, acknowledge the wins and know that there is someone else there for you during this rollercoaster ride of being mum whether it’s your first baby or fourth.
And this is why I have the perfect solution for you…
Join a Postnatal Pod: What you get…
What you get when you book onto a Postnatal Pod course:
Postnatal Pod sessions are held at The Baby Room, an award winning, much loved, independent space for new families situated in the heart of Exeter with parking nearby. Read more about The Baby Room here.
The ‘Must Do’ group for Mums with new babies
…whether that’s your first or fourth, this is the place you need to be.
You might have heard of antenatal groups such as Happy Parent, Happy Baby or NCT.
Those prepare you during the prenatal period and guide you through what to expect when you are expecting.
But what about when your baby has already arrived and you are now in the fourth trimester?
This is your postnatal necessity, your fourth trimester support to ease you in and build a network ~ that village can be possible and I want to welcome you in.
Sharing Birth Stories with Rebecca
Her professional & personal background & experiences ensures a comfortable & welcoming start to our 6 week course.
Sharing your birth story alongside peers/other mums (who have recently given birth too and can really identify with what and how you are feeling) can be so powerful.
By doing so, not only does this bond and bring us together in such a unique way but it is vital to continue to share, talk, educate, bond, nurture and support each other, so those of you with more challenging birth stories to share, also get to hear & feel empowered.
We encourage you to participate in whatever way you are most comfortable ~ sharing as much or as little information as you feel. This is a safe space for you to do so.
Your Postnatal Body with Qualified Trainer Davina
Following on from the first session where we discovered more about each other’s birth experiences, week 2 is relevant whatever type of birth you had – be that a physiological or assisted/ or abdominal birth.
Personally as a mum of two (one of each) Davina’s knowledge & years of experience both professionally & as a parent means she is able to clearly explain the changes in our pregnant & postnatal bodies, sharing information & giving advice if needed which you rarely get to hear these days.
This easy to understand breakdown of how your postnatal body has evolved, what it ( & you) have been through for the past 9 months plus – as you have grown your baby & how you can make slow/ informed choices & changes to recover.
Ensuring your body & mind become stronger & fitter over time in all the right ways for you.
Reconnect, Restore, Revive with Osteopath Laura
With experience both professionally & as a parent, Laura brings a calm, body-aware approach to navigating life after birth, however that looked for you.
Laura understands that women’s bodies often hold complex stories of life, childbirth, surgery & other experiences that are often ignored especially when putting baby first means your needs get pushed away for ‘another day’.
Advocating for women’s health, her appreciation that these needs are unique & deserve special attention is at the forefront of Laura’s practice & passion in what she does.
Her approach combines gentle, effective osteopathic techniques which you will discover more about in this third week of the Postnatal Pod.
So if you ever wondered what osteopathy is & how it could support you or your baby during your fourth trimester to feel reconnected with your body’s natural healing abilities & a renewed confidence to trust in yourself & instincts as a mother ~ this session will do just that.
Dietician Dr Frankie Phillips
With a PHD in nutrition, Frankie has worked in the NHS as well as in academic research & has a wealth of knowledge which she shares in a sensible fad-free approach – specialising in maternal & childhood nutrition with her practical hands-on experiences with her own four children (including her twins).
Frankie has been writing for BBC Good Food since 2016 & we are lucky to have her host this session of the Postnatal Pod where the focus is on you & your needs as mummy to your baby.
A couple of Frankie’s favourite quotes are ‘you can’t pour from an empty cup’ and ‘you need to put your oxygen mask on first’.
With an array of interesting & informative slides Frankie shares a realistic, non-judgemental talk for you to make the most out of your limited time, as you juggle the daily ups & down of looking after your baby & ensures you also consider your needs too.
A gentle reminder in not forgetting that you matter too & some insightful food for thought.
Sleep and Parent Coach – Louise
With more than 22 years supporting families, Louise brings a blend of clarity, emotional attunement & deep compassion in sharing the right amount of knowledge & answering all your questions.
Whether you are seeking calmer nights for your baby, family or relief for your own exhausted body & mind you can be assured that Louise has a gentle, intelligent approach that she has also used when parenting her own children.
Her story shifted the ground beneath her feet, navigating trauma, solo parenting & chronic sleep deprivation taught Louise something no text book ever could.
Sleep struggles are not failures of discipline but often an overwhelm that mums typically find themselves carrying silently.
Knowledge is power & whatever age & stage you are in right now, this session will equip you with a clearer & better insight, & tips to understand what your baby’s needs are as well as your own.
Fourth Trimester realities with CBT therapist Gemma
Becoming a mother is so much more than the pregnancy & giving birth.
You need to know that you are not alone – we were never meant to do motherhood alone & over the 6 weeks being together within your Postnatal Pod group you will have (and continue to) build your village.
It is common to feel isolated & lonely during this transition into motherhood, especially once partners have gone back to work & everyone returns to their routines ~ we’re often left literally holding the baby on our own.
But who’s holding you?
We openly chat about the highs & low’s of our hidden journeys of becoming a mother ~ there’s a term – Matrescence ~ which is the emotional, psychological & physical changes that occurs as a woman becomes a mother.
Navigating & supporting each other to normalise the fourth trimester is an uplifting & powerful conclusion to the Postnatal Pod.
A note on the final session…
Please note: Our final week together takes place at Browns Restaurant on The Quay in Exeter!
With our 6-week journey coming to a close, gathering in a cosy space to enjoy a delicious meal is the perfect way to celebrate and reflect. Ahead of the session, we will send you a set menu to choose your meal from (please note, food and drink purchased at Browns is an optional add-on and paid for separately from your 6-week course fee)
Our Postnatal Pod specialist, Gemma, will host an informal, heart-to-heart chat covering the real highs and lows of motherhood, from navigating your new reality to the support around you and everything in between.
It’s a wonderful, lighthearted lunchtime get-together with your newfound mum mates.
Free on-site parking is available and we will be hosted in a comfortable, semi-private area of the restaurant.
If you have any questions about our final session or anything else about the Postnatal Pod, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
A fantastic course for ALL mums
Provides useful information on different topics but more importantly allows mums to meet others and discuss their concerns/ worries in a safe environment.
Hands down the best money I’ve spent since becoming a mum.
Not only have I learnt so much and become more confident as a new mummy, I’ve had so much fun meeting a lovely group of women and their babies.
I would highly recommend this course
I think Rebecca has done a great job of getting skilled experts in each week and it’s a really fun way to meet other mummy’s and make new friends.
