S1Ep5 | Rose - I Wasn’t Ready To Return To Work. Fetal Abnormalities, Pumping Breastmilk At Work, The Power Of Mothers Groups
This week I sit down with Rose, mum to two-year-old Hugo, whose job has moved her family between cities throughout her pregnancy and postpartum.
Rose is a planner, and her story is about what happens when a highly organised woman meets the unpredictability of motherhood. Rose loved being pregnant, but when her 16-week scan showed an abnormality in her baby, and the rest of her pregnancy became an emotional rollercoaster of scans every fortnight right up until birth.
We talk about going back to work before you feel ready. Rose also shares a confronting story about pumping breast milk at work, one that shows how many modern workplaces still lack proper parents' rooms and basic understanding.
It raises a bigger question: why are mothers expected to pump on their lunch breaks and in their own time?
We finish with Rose's love for mothers' groups. She describes them as a safe space where you can show up as you are, without judgement.
If you're a type A planner, or a mum returning to work before you’re ready, this one’s for you.
In this episode:
Moving cities through pregnancy and postpartum
Being a planner and learning the unpredictability of pregnancy, birth and motherhood
Receiving an abnormal 16-week scan and the fortnightly scans that followed
Returning to work before you're ready
Pumping at work and why workplaces need to do better
Why mothers' groups matter
--------------------------------------
Mentioned in the episode:
Book: The Birth Map by Catherine Bell
Book: Nurture Revolution - Grow Your Baby's Brain and Transform Their Mental Health through the Art of Nurtured Parenting by Dr Greer Kirshenbaum, PhD. Greer is a neuroscientist, doula, and mother. Available on Spotify, Audible and hardcopy.
--------------------------------------
Be a guest on the podcast - https://www.bymothering.com/guest-submission
Music for Mothering was composed by Christina Higham, post classical composer, pianist and collaborator based in Melbourne/Naarm.
Find out more about Christina here: https://www.christinahighammusic.com/about.
And listen to her music on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1417raofJQL3dwDIBXsEJ9.
Follow Mothering on Instagram: @bymothering
Thank you for listening!
- Carli xx