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Irene Wesonga, a Lamaze instructor.
The birth of a child is often described as the most joyful moment in a womanโs life. Yet, for many mothers, joy is quickly laced with exhaustion, anxiety, and sometimes even postpartum depression. These struggles are rarely acknowledged openly, leaving mothers feeling as though they must silently endure. But conversations are slowly shifting, reminding women that preparation, support, and mental health care are just as important as prenatal vitamins and other essentials.
Take childbirth itself. Labour is often described as one of the most painful human experiences. Yet, as one lactation specialist and Lamaze instructor put it, itโs โpain with a purpose.โ They reminded mothers-to-be that labour pain is unlike illness or injury; itโs a natural, intermittent process designed to bring new life into the world. Preparation and support, they said, can make all the difference. Having a loved one present, allowing the body to follow its instincts, and weighing interventions carefully were some of the practical takeaways.
These were the conversations held at a session for mothers organised by the Aga Khan University Hospital, which brought together childbirth educators, mental health specialists, and mothers to openly discuss the less-spoken-about challenges of motherhood.
Irene Wesonga, a Lamaze instructor, broke down the stages of labourโearly, active, and transitionโwhile encouraging expectant mothers to trust their bodies and only consider interventions when necessary. She emphasized the importance of a realistic birth plan: โWhere will I deliver? How will I get there? How will I pay?โ adding that mothers should always have a Plan B, to take into consideration unexpected events, such as the baby coming earlier than expected.
When it came to feeding, Naomi Mwangi, a lactation specialist and childbirth educator, stressed the significance of the โgolden hourโ after birth, advising that breastfeeding initiated within the first hour greatly improves the chances of success and reduces resorting to using baby formula.
Beyond childbirth, the session also explored ways mothers can nurture their emotional health. Certified Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) practitioner Munira Rahimtulla demonstrated safe and gentle movements such as chair yoga, hip rolls, and squats, as well as techniques to help mothers release stress and restore calm.
Perhaps the most candid exchanges came during a panel where mothers shared lived experiences while experts shared advice on moving from overwhelm to empowerment as a mother.
Prof. Lukoye Atwoli, the Dean of the Aga Khan Universityโs Medical College in East Africa, reminded mothers that while โbaby bluesโ are common, postpartum depression is not and must never be dismissed. Obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Felix Oindi encouraged women to speak up when feeling overwhelmed, saying, โHelp exists; donโt suffer in silence.โ
Personal testimonies reinforced these expert voices. Ashley Muteti urged mothers to be intentional about self-care: โEven taking an hour to walk and listen to music can help reset your mind. Judith Nyambura, popularly known by her stage name, Avril, spoke about the importance of support systems, adding, โA good nanny can be part of that support.โ
The central theme echoed throughout the day: mothers must prioritize themselves. As Atwoli put it, โYou are your first caregiver. Only by taking care of yourself can you take care of others.โ
The session, titled Motherhood and Mental Health: From Overwhelmed to Empowered Mother, offered more than just practical tips. It served as a reminder that motherhood should not be a solitary struggle, and that mental health support is essential, not optional, for every mother and that professional support helps all the way from pregnancy to the postpartum journey.
ยฉCitizen Digital, Kenya
Continue reading...
- Prof. Lukoye Atwoli reminded mothers that while โbaby bluesโ are common, postpartum depression is not and must never be dismissed or ignored.
Irene Wesonga, a Lamaze instructor.
The birth of a child is often described as the most joyful moment in a womanโs life. Yet, for many mothers, joy is quickly laced with exhaustion, anxiety, and sometimes even postpartum depression. These struggles are rarely acknowledged openly, leaving mothers feeling as though they must silently endure. But conversations are slowly shifting, reminding women that preparation, support, and mental health care are just as important as prenatal vitamins and other essentials.
Take childbirth itself. Labour is often described as one of the most painful human experiences. Yet, as one lactation specialist and Lamaze instructor put it, itโs โpain with a purpose.โ They reminded mothers-to-be that labour pain is unlike illness or injury; itโs a natural, intermittent process designed to bring new life into the world. Preparation and support, they said, can make all the difference. Having a loved one present, allowing the body to follow its instincts, and weighing interventions carefully were some of the practical takeaways.
These were the conversations held at a session for mothers organised by the Aga Khan University Hospital, which brought together childbirth educators, mental health specialists, and mothers to openly discuss the less-spoken-about challenges of motherhood.
Irene Wesonga, a Lamaze instructor, broke down the stages of labourโearly, active, and transitionโwhile encouraging expectant mothers to trust their bodies and only consider interventions when necessary. She emphasized the importance of a realistic birth plan: โWhere will I deliver? How will I get there? How will I pay?โ adding that mothers should always have a Plan B, to take into consideration unexpected events, such as the baby coming earlier than expected.
When it came to feeding, Naomi Mwangi, a lactation specialist and childbirth educator, stressed the significance of the โgolden hourโ after birth, advising that breastfeeding initiated within the first hour greatly improves the chances of success and reduces resorting to using baby formula.
Beyond childbirth, the session also explored ways mothers can nurture their emotional health. Certified Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) practitioner Munira Rahimtulla demonstrated safe and gentle movements such as chair yoga, hip rolls, and squats, as well as techniques to help mothers release stress and restore calm.
Perhaps the most candid exchanges came during a panel where mothers shared lived experiences while experts shared advice on moving from overwhelm to empowerment as a mother.
Prof. Lukoye Atwoli, the Dean of the Aga Khan Universityโs Medical College in East Africa, reminded mothers that while โbaby bluesโ are common, postpartum depression is not and must never be dismissed. Obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Felix Oindi encouraged women to speak up when feeling overwhelmed, saying, โHelp exists; donโt suffer in silence.โ
Personal testimonies reinforced these expert voices. Ashley Muteti urged mothers to be intentional about self-care: โEven taking an hour to walk and listen to music can help reset your mind. Judith Nyambura, popularly known by her stage name, Avril, spoke about the importance of support systems, adding, โA good nanny can be part of that support.โ
The central theme echoed throughout the day: mothers must prioritize themselves. As Atwoli put it, โYou are your first caregiver. Only by taking care of yourself can you take care of others.โ
The session, titled Motherhood and Mental Health: From Overwhelmed to Empowered Mother, offered more than just practical tips. It served as a reminder that motherhood should not be a solitary struggle, and that mental health support is essential, not optional, for every mother and that professional support helps all the way from pregnancy to the postpartum journey.
ยฉCitizen Digital, Kenya
Continue reading...
