It has been a strange time for all of us over the last year and a half. We went from pub lunches and commutes to work to risking fines for having friends and family over for Sunday dinner. For mummies-to-be, the journey to motherhood became full of fear and anxiety. They faced many challenges, including giving birth without their partner present, no connecting with other parents and limited family support.
But it’s all about to change!
Call the Midwife!
A few midwife-led antenatal classes will be open to the public as early as next month so that mummies and daddies can connect with other parents. Being able to share concerns, discuss pregnancy cravings and practice on baby dolls while laughing together would help first-time parents especially to feel more comfortable and supported. Check them out online first to make sure there are ones closers to your area.
“I felt like a zombie. I couldn’t access my heart. I couldn’t access my emotions”. Gwyneth Paltrow
Many celebrities, such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Adele and Drew Barrymore have come forward to talk about the almost taboo and misunderstood post-partum depression. For those mummies affected by it, lockdown truly highlighted the loneliness, bad thoughts and the feeling overwhelmed by it all. Thankfully, support groups such as Mama MeetUps and PANDAS are slowly opening up again to provide face-to-face support to those who find it easier to share in person. Their websites enable you to pop your post code in and look for the group closer to you. If you aren’t able to find one close to you that allows in-person contact, don’t be alarmed; most of them will be very soon.
My little swimmer
Lover of water? Mummies and daddies are now able to go online, pop in their desired location, make an enquiry and pre-book a swimming lesson for their little one. This is a great activity to improve your baby’s coordination and balance while strengthening your bond. With safety measures in place to provide as much protection as possible for you and your baby, why not take advantage?
Getting your body back
So you’ve given birth! Congratulations mama! Now it’s time for lots of healthy meals (especially if you’re planning to breastfeed), get some rest (whenever the newborn allows it) and tons of hydration. Don’t be too hard on yourself and your still-bulging-out-of-your-pants pouch, it’ will be gone soon. Unless you’re already looking like a Victoria Secret model ….in that case, well, wish the rest of us luck!
But if you can’t stop thinking about getting your snatch back, then gyms are finally open again and it doesn’t have to be all about that dreaded treadmill. Get yourself inside the sauna or allow your body to soak between the bubbles of a jacuzzi ! These are great ways of restoring your body post-partum and allowing your mind to let go and relax. Who says the gym is ONLY pain and sweat , aye?
Mummy Dearest
Who’s the first person most of us call upon when in need? That’s right! And as we’re finally able to mix with other households again, those of us who haven’t seen our family since the beginning of lockdown, are now finally able to get lost in one another’s warm embrace. You deserve it mummy. Cry it out, get that hug and get as much moral support as you need.
From all of us here at FRUK, congrats once again!
