Ever feel like you're one tiny, shitty thing away from breaking? I talk a lot about feeling "on edge" in the online program and about how to learn to feel your emotions to alleviate some of that build-up. But this is a practice after so many years of being conditioned to believe that emotions are scary and uncomfortable. Well, they can still be those things. But we cannot forget our own skills and strength.

​This is one woman's story.

Emma is doing some great work in the chronic pain and pelvic health space. I was so excited to Zoom with her and chat about what she's been up to and how she approaches her work. Luckily, the interview is here for you to read too!

Hi Shannon. Nice to meet you. What's your story?
Well... I’m a 31  year old mother of three boys; Hamish - 4, Liam - 2 and Nate - 11 months.  I’m also an Early Childhood Teacher and emerging Author. I’m a self-confessed perfectionist and worry wart. I live in Brisbane, Queensland with my husband, Sean. I am currently a stay at home mother. I plan to return to work teaching part-time next year.

​Nami, 36, is a mother to Mannus, 5, and Dulcie, 3. She believes the traumatic birth of her son played a significant role in triggering her experience of postnatal depression.
 
The birth of my son was incredibly traumatic. For days I was unable to even think about the birth without crying – I felt like I’d been in a car crash.
 
In the three days before Mannus arrived my contractions came and went and throughout this time I barely slept. I was behind the eight ball before the game began.  My son had wedged himself on an unusual angle which prolonged active labour and I pushed for almost two hours. Midwives announced that I was minutes away from a Caesarian-section but we’d give it “one last go”. Suddenly I had a team of people around me and my legs were being stretched up above my head (I’ve since learnt this is called the “McRoberts Manouver”) and moments later a baby boy was being passed across the room. I held him for a few minutes but I think I was in shock. I felt that I’d been man-handled, that my body was not mine and it was necessary to do me whatever it took to get that baby out.

When I first became a mum, all I could think of was my baby and his wellbeing.  I also felt guilty if I was not 100% focussed on him.  Ultimately, I forgot to take care of myself.  Part of my recovery from postnatal depression was to think of self-care strategies that I could use particularly when my “cup” was starting to empty.  Here are a few that I turn to: 

You seem to be forgotten when you have your second baby… The presumption from a lot of people was that I knew what I was doing and that I must be ok… Some people who visited or sent well wishes after my first baby didn’t after my second. Even though I now have twice as many children as I used to, I am now lonelier than ever.