Laura on Motherhood & Postpartum

What was the hardest part of your postpartum journey?

With my first it was loneliness. Having a baby who was very low on sleep needs mixed with my choice to parent more responsively left me not knowing where I belonged anymore. A two-day labour ending in an emergency c section in hindsight was traumatic and I never got the chance to recover or debrief from any of this. The tiredness was next level.

With my second she was a VBAC home birth at the start of the pandemic which as we all know was a different world. Having a pandemic baby had its challenges as most pandemic mothers would be aware. But the hardest part of this one was the changing relationship with my firstborn and the severing of our close bond that happened as we adapted to being a family of four.

What do you wish you knew going into postpartum life?

I wish I had known to have the confidence and conviction in my choices as a parent the first time around. I wish I understood that I didn’t have to hide the cosleeping, extended breastfeeding, or responsive decisions I made when it came to my baby. I wish I knew to rest, to take my time, to say no to people more. There is truly no understanding of how life-altering and cell-changing motherhood is until that threshold is crossed I wish I’d known to let go of who I was earlier and that who I was about to become was someone worth meeting. 

What is your favourite part of motherhood?

The smallest and most ordinary of everyday moments. Preparing a meal together. Laughing at everything and nothing. The way my children's heads sink into my shoulder for comfort. The light they find inside of me and reveal to me. The way my children look to me for encouragement.  How I’ve noticed things I’ve always forgotten to notice. How much I have learned about what love is and how I have started writing a story that has never existed before in my family lineage. 

What do you wish you’d known going into motherhood?

To be patient. To let things take time. That I’d find myself eventually. To stay true to who I am. That messing up happens and it’s ok. That perfect isn’t synonymous with motherhood. That good enough is truly good enough. To let the small things slide. That I’d feel joy, sadness, rage, and fulfilment more than I ever knew was possible and that all of these feelings are welcome.

Can you describe your postpartum body in 2 words

Someones home

Can you describe your experience of motherhood in two words. 

Life-altering

Thank you Laura! Your words brought me to healing tears - We are beyond grateful to have you in our community.

Laura is the founder of Alchemy Word Lab. her copy write business devoted to helping conscious brands and entrepreneurs make a difference in the world. As an unbelievably skilled word smith, she is highly valued by her clients, and you should probably make yourself her next. Find her on instagram and give her a follow.

We love Laura for so many reasons, some of those reasons being the way she shows up authentically in the world, is courageous in her pursuit of 'world betterment' and instead of competing with other women, she raises them up, cheers them on and encourages them to keep on as they pursue their dreams. Laura is one of the main reasons I am here doing this today.

Do you want to become a part of the community sharing their stories with other mothers? Message us! We'd love to hear from you and share your unique experience. Together we are stronger.