The New Normal (2018- 2023)

 

After the birth of my son in 2016 I struggled with the transition to motherhood. For two years I did a lot of work on my mental health and launched my Instagram community, The New Normal as a means to share my journey of postpartum mental and physical health. I wanted to connect with others who were struggling with the transition. At the time real and authentic stories of postpartum and motherhood were not happening on social media like they are now and sure enough the page started to gain traction. Currently, there are over 8000 followers and it was where i cut my teeth in social media content creation and community engagement.

View fullsize Community care 💉 Also my lockdown-not-giving-AF look with a dash of side boob because who wears a bra in lockdown 😉 I put on my Dad’s ring this morning with extra intention. It’s the first time in weeks I’ve worn it. Waiting in
View fullsize For anyone still needing to know 👉
View fullsize I’m on a FB group about natural immunity and wellness and today someone asked the question ‘why is this group full of pro-vaxxers?’ This is my answer 👆. Didn’t have the ‘immune strength’ to actually post it as a
View fullsize I love this question! ‘Do you feel your relationship with your bubs grows like any other?’ Short answer? Yes and No. One of the most difficult things for me as a parent has been letting go of any expectations of who I thought my child
View fullsize Not the prettiest picture because life right now is not feeling instagrammable. Lockdown days have decended on us here in New Zealand as the Delta variant has officially landed. But this arrived today! My official letter of qualification for the
View fullsize There’s no easy way to answer this. No ‘one size fits all’ response to something that is such a common experience yet hinged on so many factors that make up an individual’s relationship with their body. Culture, familial socia
View fullsize How do we adapt to change? This is a question that has been on heavy rotation since my family and I made the move to Aotearoa, New Zealand 🇳🇿 10 months ago. The red-tape of immigration aside and waiting on a work visa, settling into a new way o
View fullsize For as long as I can remember, I struggled with the typical narrative of womanliness, being feminine, girly. I was a late bloomer, developed little lumps of breasts that couldn’t fit into a size double A bra, was the last of my friends to get m
View fullsize 1 whole year… Today marks the 1 year anniversary since my father was taken by Covid. Losing a parent is never easy but losing one within the context of global trauma and grief, of pivoting, of tectonic change on every level, seems somewhat di
View fullsize I spent an hour daydreaming about a visit to Cape Town yesterday… It was a balm to the deep missing I’m feeling and it filled me with so much joy… envisioning the scenarios around my parents dining room table, the laughter, the c

The New Normal Episodes (2018- 2020)

 

Tying in with the social media platform, I wanted to get mothers together in real time, to learn from experts about all aspects of maternal health. I launched The New Normal Episode series of events at a cafe in downtown Cape Town. The speakers ranged from a host of healthcare disciplines - psychiatry, psychology, homeopathy, occupational therapy, functional medicine. The very last one was a digital event that happened over zoom, this was 5 months into the pandemic and it was a slightly different tone as it featured a financial coach who spoke about financial health during pregnancy and postpartum, how to plan for the arrival of a baby and how to manage ones finances when they become parents. We had a great response with members of The Flourish Network, an NPO in South Africa that focuses on community education in the perinatal space, join. The members saw it as an opportunity to be able to share financial planning insights in their antenatal groups in communities across South Africa.

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Oh Baby, WTF! The antenatal class we all should’ve received (2019- 2020)

 

In 2019, whilst completing my doula training with WOMBS South Africa and Innate Traditions, I collaborated with clinical psychologist, Carly Abramovitz to create an antenatal curriculum designed to prepare new parents for the emotional and psychological preparation of new parenthood. At the time there was nothing like it being offered as all antenatal courses were focused on birth as well as the practical aspects of new parenthood like breastfeeding, and caring for a new baby. We recognized a gap for parent-centred preparation for the postpartum period and so we created a 2.5-hour workshop that we continue to offer as part of our respective services.

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Mothers in the Hood Support Group (2018- 2021)

 

In late 2018, I collaborated with research psychologist Linda Lewis, an expert in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders in Cape Town, to launch a weekly in-person support group for new mothers. The group ran for 18 months and due to Covid we had to end it. However, I took the group to WhatsApp and it now has 20+ members who pay a monthly subscription. Aside from the WhatsApp support we meet once a month on Zoom for a more intimate group support space.

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Postpartum Coaching Services (2019- 2021)

 

As part of my postpartum doula training coursework, I had to get in the field and use my knowledge in perinatal health to support new mothers. After taking on a few clients probono, I launched my postpartum care packages in Dec 2019. Unfortunately when Covid landed I was unable to see clients in person so I started to consult digitally, which i still do today. In April 2021 I created my website and have continued to offer digital support to clients all over the world.

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In the Media

Expresso Live, Mommy Matters Segment (8 April 2019)

Fair Lady Magazine (Feb 2019)

The Jewish Report (Aug 2019)

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