*Content/trigger warning – references to suicidal ideation and potential miscarriage*

Pregnancy is often a complex time of joy and celebration mixed in with worry, anxiety, uncertainty, physical pain, nausea, sickness, exhaustion, and everything in between. But for some women, there is little enjoyment because of the risk that their baby might not survive the pregnancy or for long after the birth.

This was the reality for our guest, Kylie Blascetta.

Kylie shares:

• Discovering early on that her baby might not survive the pregnancy due to a lack of amniotic fluid and the high risk of her pregnancy ending in miscarriage or death soon after birth
• The impact of this and further difficulties throughout her pregnancy that led to a loss of her support village and the impact this had on her mental health
• How a pivotal moment when she was in the depths of post-natal anxiety and depression was the catalyst to her choosing a different way, setting her on a path of recovery and reclaiming her power

We also discuss the lack of care she received for her own needs and mental health as the mother and how the cone of silence and shame which surrounded her pregnancy exacerbated an already incredibly vulnerable period in her life.

By sharing Kylie's story, my hope is that it encourages others to talk about their own struggles and challenges and that they don’t need to suffer in silence or feel shameful. Mothers need to know that their own needs and mental health are equally as important as their baby’s health.

Becoming a mother is a huge transition and one that is rarely celebrated, supported, and honoured in the ways that mothers need. This leaves mothers disoriented, lost, and exhausted.
Gladys Kangau experienced all of this after the birth of her first child. She was told she had post-partum depression but believed it was something else. This started her on a journey of searching for her truth and led her to find matrescence which helped her to make sense of her mothering journey.

We discuss:

• The cultural expectations of a ‘good mother’ in Kenya
• How finding matrescence healed her mothering experience
• The small and simple steps that helped Gladys let go of the expectations and led her to being an activist in her community