"Everybody has a mother – how hard can it be?"

Mother's Day is the day of everyone trying to remember to call their mothers as soon as they have a chance. But do we realise how challenging motherhood really is? 

By Marta Michnik

Motherhood is more challenging than one might expect. Credit: Unsplash/jairo alzate

It's not a piece of cake to go from carrying a baby in your belly to actually raising it; we tend to misunderstand the psychological pressure that comes with motherhood.

In 2018, a piece about mental health of new mothers for the Guardian, Charlotte Naughton sarcastically asks: "Everybody has a mother – how hard can it be?", which reflects what many think motherhood is.

Meanwhile, postnatal depression or "baby blues" can have a harmful effect not only on the mother but the whole family.

Keri Jarvis, a life and motherhood coach says that some mothers need extra support after giving birth.

"Some women focus so much on having a positive experience of pregnancy that when they finally give birth, they struggle to adjust to the new situation," Keri says.

"After nine months of constant attention, the focus suddenly shifts to the baby and it might be challenging to reinvent yourself as a mother."

Thankfully, more support is available for parents struggling to fit into their new roles.

Jessica Michael is a practising doula and she says that, on the contrary to what many believe, doulas offer support not only during pregnancy and labour, but also afterwards.

"The role of a doula offers a continuity of care rarely see in the UK and provides a mother with support in a very unique manner," Jessica says.

With the media constantly telling parents how to raise their children, it is easy to crack under pressure.

This Mother's Day, let's try to celebrate our mums with more than a card from Scribbler, as they definitely deserve it.

Read about how hypnobirthing gives the power back to mothers in our March issue

Read about Keri's experiences using hypnobirthing here