Last week marked Maternal Mental Health Awareness week which saw so many fantastic social media campaigns such as Shoulty Selfie by Mummylinks, There for Her by The No Filter Mum, Depression Wears Lipstick by Lobella Loves and What I'd Give A New Mum by Amy Ransom. Of all of the campaigns, What I'd Give A New Mum resonated with me the most.  This was because as a Mum of older chidlren there were  things I didn't have, that would have made such a difference to the transition of becoming a first or even second time mum.  This campaign really got me thinking about what I would give a new Mum and there are 3 things.

Becoming a Mum not only takes a physical toll on our bodies but so often our confidence.  How many times have we considered trying something new after the birth of a baby only to talk ourselves out of it because it's just another thing to do and another unknown.  Well many of us undertake amazing things after becoming Mums which includes getting out there and meeting other Mums.  Part of getting out there is overcoming potential anxity around meeting new people as well as co-ordnating childcare to make it happen.  Today's Mama, Sarah Donaghey Sarah Donaghey decided to solve this problem for Mums starting and running businesses in London by creating a child friendly newtworking event - London Mums where Mums.  Sarah is flying the flag for her Mama Power of Networking. Find out more about Sarah's story and experience of motherhood and business.

Life at the best of times can feel like a maze as we try to figure out who we are and all the other big questions.  Where we may feel lost in life this is often is multiplied 10 times when we become pregnant and realise that we're starting a journey with little preparation.  There are so many versions of the truth which can be confusing but fear not, today's Mama Janey Carey has taken her own experiences and created a support system known as Mummy Buddy to guide expectant and new mothers as they step into their new roles as Mums.

Janey shares her Mama Power - Guidance with us and how it's helped her as a Mum.

Support, we all need it even when we don't realise it.  But there's one time in our lives that we need it most as women and that's as we become mothers for the first, second, third or any time.  I've been fortunate to have the support of my Mum and Mother In Law to get me through for the first few months after the birth of both children, but so many women have no support and find the first few weeks and months difficult.  Well help is out there in the form of Doulas.

What's a doula I hear you ask?  Well that's a very good question.  A Doula is someone who provides mothers with support during or after birth and also provide support to the mother's family.  Yes, they exist!  I'm of the opinion that all mothers should have one to get them through the first few days and even months of the birth of a baby.

Today's Mama who's sharing her Mama Power -  Support is Sarah Tessier who's a doula and who so kindly educated me on exactly what a doula is and why new mums need them.  Sarah shares her story of what led her to become a Doula and her passion to support other mothers early in their journey.

It's Mother's day and today is all about celebrating and showing appreciation for Mums everywhere.  How we show appreciation varies immensely but what matters is that we tell our Mums that we love them. 

As a Mum, I look forward to Mother's day a lot every year, not only because it's a day the children make a big effort to spoil me, but it's one of the few days in the year that I do nothing.  Yep, nothing.  I don't lift a finger at home, unless of course I'm spoiling my Mum!  But usually I'm off duty which means no cooking, no cleaning, no washing up, and definitely no laundry and it's always a great day.  By declaring myself off duty and sticking to it, I realised that it's another form of self care, not only through the lack of action but honoring the decision to take a break.

How often do we honour ourselves in ways that help us to recharge and nourish our minds bodies and spirits?  Probably not enough.  98% of the ladies who attend Space Retreats say that they occasionally or never take time for themselves which is a scary number. It does make me feel a bit better though as I did wonder in the past if I was the only one who found Motherhood all consuming at the expense of ourselves. 

Today's Mama Power - Selfcare is vital as a Mum and a woman and who better to share her experiences of motherhood and self care than Suzy Reading, author and Physchologist.  

It's International Women's day and today is a celebration of not just who we are as women but also all that we've achieved.  We recently celebrated 100 years since women were able to vote in the UK and as I look around there's so much to celebrate in terms of the movements taking place across the UK and the globe, around women's rights. These movements wouldn't begin without the courage and passion of the women who stand up and speak.  Speak about their experiences, speak about injustices and speak about their visions for the future.  

Today's Mama, Joeli Brearly founder of Pregnant Then Screwed shares her journey of motherhood and the story behind why she used her voice to raise awareness of the pregnancy and maternity discrimination taking place in workplace.

It's the first day of March and Spring is somewhere on the horizon, although right now it's hard to believe.  It's also the month that we celebrate Mother's Day.  I've decided that it's time to claim March to be the month of Mums. Yes, a whole month to celebrate Mums. We're to be loved and appreciated life not just for Mother's day.  So why not start with ourselves from one mother to another.  In the true spirit of Motherhood there's enough love to go around and I think it's only right that we celebrate our greatness and power.  

It's time to celebrate the power of mothers to be gentle yet tough. To give love whilst roughing it and going without. To gift kindness often lacking in our own self kindness. To give our hearts, bodies, minds and attention to our children at the cost of our own. Building our children up, often whilst trying to rebuild ourselves at the same time. We are powerful yet it's so easy for us to forget as we're become by daily life.

Join our amazing mothers as they share their journeys of motherhood and the power they've found as a result.

February is the month of love and most importantly it’s become the month of selflove thanks to the selfcare movement that is quickly gaining momentum both on and offline. I’m so happy that selfcare has finally been recognised mainstream as a serious topic, especially for mothers and new mothers.  I’m fascinated by the variety of selfcare centric businesses and professions that have been created as a result, especially running one myself.   

It's disappointing that it’s taken what seems to be an epidemic of postnatal depression, anxiety and overwhelm to make this such an important topic. But none the less there's progress, yet something is still missing.