Maddy is founder of Parenthood App the app that helps parents to find their tribe 

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Mums and allies around the world are getting together on Global maternal mental health day to smash the mental health stigma. The global theme for this year is Stronger Together. In 2021 ‘how to maintain mental health’ and ‘women’s health’ were searched on google more than ever before. 40% of women are worried about their mental health problems being recorded in their medical records such is the stigma that is still attached to mental health. This is preventing women from getting the help they need and deserve. That’s why we’re using the power of connection to smash the stigma of maternal mental health in support of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week (2nd - 8th May). We’re creating a space for women to share their experiences of mental health issues during their pregnancies and post-birth. It's an issue that isn't spoken about enough and we want to change that by opening up conversations. What is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week? It’s a week-long campaign dedicated to talking about mental illness whilst pregnant or after having a baby. The main aims of the campaign are to focus on advocating for mums affected by maternal mental health and to help them access the information and help they need to enable recovery. This year the overall theme is ‘The Power of Connection’ with daily themes all focused on raising public and professional awareness of perinatal mental health problems. How are we getting involved? As female founders we know mums are stronger together, which is why we've come together to organise this event to let women know they are not alone and should not suffer in silence.&nbsp; We are asking women, press &amp; allies to join our short, online event on Maternal Mental Health Day (4th May, 12:00 - 12:05 pm) to hold up statements with the mental health issue(s) they suffered from or show statements of support. With these statements side by side we will be creating a powerful moment with imagery that will be shared after the event to spread our message as far as possible.&nbsp; We’re also asking people to take the time to ask a mum how they are feeling during the whole of Maternal Mental Health week. Often the day-to-day reality of life and our own personal issues can get in the way of us checking in on those close to us. So ask a mum how she REALLY feels.&nbsp;Our StoriesMaddy Alexander-Grout- Founder of Parenthood App , Wants parents from all walks of life to get support on their parenting journey and find their tribe.I suffered with postpartum psychosis after the birth of my first child, I felt alone and scared, I didn't want to talk to anyone about my experience for fear of being judged.I didn't want to admit to anyone that I didn't want to be around anymore and I didn't want me son to be around either, I didn't bond with him, all he did was cry from the second he was born. I had always wanted to be a mum so why did I feel so awful?After months of hypnotherapy and counselling my therapist suggested I went to a baby group, my first thought was NO WAY! I will get judged , but I gave it a go and it was the biggest lifeline I could have asked for. The mums didn't judge they supported and I realised the more I spoke about the experience I had the better I felt. I found my tribe! And they were there to support me, all I had to do was talk.I had complications with my second baby too, I ended up with birth trauma, and post natal depression but luckily I saw the signs and I knew what I was looking for.I set up Parenthood App to help other parents to feel less alone. Talking about how you feel really helps, especially with experts on hand to give advice.And there is nothing like being told you are not alone by parents who are going through the same things as you.&nbsp;Emma Jarvis - Founder of dearbump, after her experience is now helping new and expecting parents with a workplace wellbeing programme and a free online 1-2-1 midwife support service.I had a traumatic birth with my first which ended in an emergency c section, blood transfusion and a 2 week hospital stay as myself and my baby had an infection.I was put to sleep so I did not witness my baby being born and missed the first 5 hours of his life. I didn't have those newborn bliss moments, I didn't see him get weighed. I had no memories of the birth.The doctors were in and out taking my baby away for medicine and tests and so it wasn't really until 2 weeks later that he was fully mine. I was so worried about the first 2 weeks of his life being so miserable. After we got home my partner had to return to work so I was left to recover from major surgery and I was still anemic from the blood transfusion and on a lot of medication. Looking around other mums seemed to be up and about after a few days and I felt like a failure. I couldn't even imagine walking to the shops after 2 weeks, it took me a long time to recover.&nbsp;I started having nightmares, and anxiety when I was asked questions about my birth and the baby as I had no memories of it. I started to imagine the worst case scenarios in every situation. I’d be walking down the stairs and imagine the baby had fallen. At my 6 week check up the doctor’s main concern seemed to be around contraception, half of the appointment was taken up with them telling me that I should choose a contraceptive option. Nobody ever asked me if I was having scary thoughts, nobody told me this was common or normal so I continued to suffer in silence.. Over half of new mums have these thoughts.I felt very unsupported, throughout pregnancy, my birth, and during maternity leave. This experience led me to setting up dearbump, to help new mums and expecting mums, whether it is through our free online midwife support, or our workplace programme. I want to make sure women don't feel unsupported or aloneLouise Daniel - Founder of And so to Shop, runs an online marketplace and community supporting female led small businesses.&nbsp; &nbsp;I had postnatal depression after my first baby. Having had a quick labour, everyone told me how lucky I was, but I didn’t feel lucky. I felt as though I had been through a trauma, being strapped to the bed when I needed to move, being told that if I didn’t push him out now, they would use forceps on me, being told that I couldn’t have pain relief because ‘I was doing so well’. I didn’t feel in control or listened to, and I experienced the worst pain. &nbsp;I had mastitis three times with my first baby. Every time I fed him I cried. I curled my toes and gritted my teeth but preserved despite the pain because I felt like I should. Midwife after midwife told me to keep going and I was ‘doing great’. I didn’t feel great. I felt nothing. Nothing for my son, nothing for myself, or for anything else. My husband suggested I went and spoke to the doctor who prescribed me medication and referred me to the most wonderful counsellor who helped me to start to feel better. &nbsp;Eight years later, my second birth was very different. Very quick, but I had a wonderful midwife who listened to what I wanted and helped me to have a much more positive birth experience. For the first 6 months I felt well. But then the nothingness and anxiety started to creep in. I began to feel like a robot, doing all the practical things I needed to do, feeding my children, bathing them, even hugging them and apparently loving them, but I felt nothing. I felt no happiness when I knew I should be feeling it, no sadness, no excitement, just nothing.&nbsp; &nbsp;Being pregnant through covid was difficult. It’s a time when you know you shouldn’t be stressed but it’s difficult when the whole world is going through such a stressful experience and negativity seems to be everywhere. I do think this impacted my mental health, and I never really dealt with it. I have since been diagnosed again with PND and I’m undergoing treatment at the moment.&nbsp; &nbsp;I do feel that women are often told positive things by well meaning friends, family and health practitioners, but that doesn’t help them to process what they are feeling. We need to be listened to and have our feelings acknowledged. Mental health is such an important thing to talk about, and being able to do so openly and honestly is a must for everyone, but especially new mums.&nbsp; Karli Buchling – Founder of Natal Comfort, on a mission to help all women have a comfortable, healthy &amp; positive pregnancy.&nbsp; Home of the first front-lying pregnancy pillow, called Anna, to take you from prenatal to postnatal.The sunshine soaring through the window is warm &amp; bright, there is a light breeze that cools off my hot flashes while I cradle and feed our new baby.&nbsp; The kettle is boiling while my mum is pulling bits together in the kitchen for lunch.&nbsp; My dad is standing outside, soaking up the spring sunshine.&nbsp; My husband is sitting next to me, softly brushing our new baby’s head while softly whispering “she is so beautiful” “I feel so proud” “I am so happy”.And I cannot help but feel completely alone.&nbsp; Isolated from the world.&nbsp; Unable to articulate how I am feeling or even explain why?I had a straight-forward, uncomplicated, quick vaginal birth – my birth preferences 100% met.&nbsp; Our baby is healthy, strong, and content.&nbsp; I was surrounded by loved ones, friends, family – our house was wrapped in fresh flowers, cards of congratulations and beautiful presents.&nbsp; But yet, I felt completely alone, and guilty for it.I tried to go to baby groups, but they always fell in the middle of nap times and our baby never slept in a moving object.&nbsp; Still true today!&nbsp; She is three!&nbsp; And when I did manage to get to one, I felt out of place and like I had nothing interesting to say or talk about.&nbsp; My brain was mush.Four months in, and the loneliness became unbearable.&nbsp; I couldn’t hold a conversation and started resenting my precious baby for it.&nbsp; Also, resenting my husband that he could travel to work (he worked in Germany at the time), have intelligent, meaningful conversations – he seemed content and stimulated whereas I felt empty.So I made the very difficult decision to go back to work 4 days a week – with a 5 month old baby.&nbsp; Everyone said I was absolutely mad.&nbsp; That it was too soon.&nbsp; But I felt excited, a little guilty, but the excitement trumps the guiltiness.&nbsp; We were lucky that a dear friend was able to look after Anna full time – a place where she felt loved, were given the one-on-one attention that she needed at this young age.I will never forget my first day back in the office, I was waiting in the IT department for my laptop to be re-activated.&nbsp; Across from the table sat a woman who looked so sad.&nbsp; We started talking, it was her first day back from maternity leave too.&nbsp; But instead of having a 5-month-old, she had a 13 month old.&nbsp; She was devastated to be back at work, away from her baby.&nbsp; I remember feeling really sad for her.&nbsp; That must be so tough!Whereas I felt energised, happy, connected with the world – excited to see my baby and loving her even more.&nbsp; Time away from her made me a better mother, a better friend, a better wife.&nbsp; Every second with her was precious to me and so I savoured that instead of feeling trapped, isolated and resentment.I felt the power of connection and it got me through. For anyone who would like to be part of the event please RSVP using the link below and spread the word using the hashtag #mumsstrongertogether. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/324922831937 &nbsp;<blockquote>After suffering with post partum psychosis when my son was born I realised how many other mums suffer in silence , its time to break the stigma</blockquote>

Business Mums break the stigma for world maternal mental health day

Maddy is founder of Parenthood App the app that helps parents to find their tribe

Maddy Alexander-Grout

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