The Being Mum project is about capturing the reality of life for mums after pregnancy, birth and with a baby. How tired you can be and how you’ll still carry on The emotional toll, as well as the physical. The loss of identity and friendships How easy it felt, all the worry and anxiety from pregnancy disappeared as soon as he was here. It just felt simple, he was mine and I was his and I knew we’d get through this together How hard it really is. I used to think maternity leave was just a long holiday but it really is so hard! How all encompassing it is and how selfless I am willing to be The loss of control The feeling of fierce protection I have towards my baby. Nothing else matters The resilience of parents. I completely underestimated what other parents were going through and I didn’t appreciate how difficult it could be The loss of friends, mainly those who do not have children How little people understand about what it tales …

The Being Mum project is about capturing the reality of life for mums after pregnancy, birth and with a baby. It fundamentally changed me as a person, proved my inner strength and determination Birth has made me more passionate about women’s and maternity rights. It has also made me more selfless and family focused Life is so much better now It taught me about owning my decisions and trusting my instincts I learnt about needing support and the importance of being patient I learnt the impact a planned caesarean can have on feeding – this wasn’t communicated so I discovered why communication is critical That there isn’t a right way to birth – a caesarean can be really positive and not as daunting or as scary as I though I have strength I never knew I had I am no longer scared of needles and operations! Changed everything. I lost myself and then I found joy I have an appreciation for everyone who has ever birthed and a new found understanding for my mum, knowing …

The Being Mum project is about capturing the reality of life for mums after pregnancy, birth and with a baby. Emotional Overwhelming Tiring Amazing Beautiful Love Relentless Unexpected Terrifying Anxious Consuming Love Scary Tiring Daunting Overwhelming Warm Love Whirlwind Uncertainty Anxiety Love Challenging Blessed Hectic Exhausting Unknown Fragile Overwhelming Exhausting Blur Tiring Lonely Lost Tired Lonely Emotional Lonely Tiring Raw Content Lost Instinctive Quick Raw Chilled Calm Love Happy Fulfilled Love Wow Intense Responsibility Being Mum is about giving you a voice and a place to read other women’s experiences to normalise motherhood and to ease the isolation Please do read, share and take part. With consultations, digital guides and courses, my practice is here for you every step of the way. You can also become a member for exclusive content, discussion and a place to ask questions. North East Birth & Baby is where you can read about pregnancy, birth and early parenting. As a doula I work with parents from across Newcastle and Tyneside. Copyright: Janine Smith

The Being Mum project is about capturing the reality of life for mums after pregnancy, birth and with a baby. Quick Intense Textbook Scary Quick Traumatic Necessary Medical Formality Exciting Hard Work Amazing Elective Calm Grateful Calm Planned Supported Nervous Planned Breech Long Incredible Empowering Scary Unpredictable Gory Empowering Emotional Amazing Intense Disaster Beginning Long Powerful Traumatic Raw Powerful Calm Long Medicated Scary Instinctive Quick Raw Long Exhausting Messy Horrific Uncontrolled Survival Fast Intense Phenomenal Being Mum is about giving you a voice and a place to read other women’s experiences to normalise motherhood and to ease the isolation Please do read, share and take part. With consultations, digital guides and courses, my practice is here for you every step of the way. You can also become a member for exclusive content, discussion and a place to ask questions. North East Birth & Baby is where you can read about pregnancy, birth and early parenting. As a doula I work with parents from across Newcastle and Tyneside. Copyright: Janine Smith