Mother Nurture Natal in Ashby - Pregnancy, Birth & Postnatal Wellbeing for Motherhood

My story

When I first became a mother in the Spring of 2020, when the world was in lockdown and maternity services were hugely impacted, I never realised at the time how deeply this transformation into motherhood - and into matrescence - would shape me. It changed my body, my mind, my priorities and my sense of self.

Motherhood is such a huge transition: Do we really understand what happens for women as they become mothers?

As I navigated my own journey, I felt there was something which was left out of all the books, all the antenatal classes, all the conversations with friends. How do you really prepare for the realities of labour, for birth and for the postnatal period? That all important fourth trimester that is rarely even spoken about but is so significant in our journey. What is really important to know?

Meeting My Lockdown Baby

My firstborn, my lockdown baby arrived on a beautiful day in May 2020. He was so perfect. Giving birth during a global pandemic brought us unique challenges.

Lockdown had a huge disproportionate impact on maternity services so meanwhile lots of national events were taking place and stadiums were filled with people, women were often alone - in labour, on postnatal wards, and at home with newborn babies. My husband did not hold our son until two days later when I got home. There was so much impact and damage to women's recovery and experience through not being able to access correct levels of care and support.

A Challenging First Birth

Despite all my efforts for the birth I desired, I had a long, slow and painful labour. My son was in the "stargazing" position and was back to back, making labour slow to progress and delivery far more difficult - details which I only discovered months later when I requested my birth notes.

My delivery was difficult and the recovery was really, really hard. The healing had a huge impact on me - physically and emotionally. The experience was hard but it also ignited a spark; a desire to better understand what mothers really need before, during and after birth.

A Healing Birth in 2023

When I became a mother again in 2023, I had a completely different birth experience.

It was very positive and empowering and it healed many of my emotional wounds from 2020.. for many different reasons and for a few special people whom supported me and my decisions. I experienced what it felt like to have a village - a community. Women who empower women. I read and researched and chose to focus on what I felt was important. I followed and trusted my instincts. I knew my body better than anyone.

Mother Nurture Natal

So now it is 2025 and I have two amazing, healthy, beautiful children who I am so proud of and who have and continue to shape my motherhood experience.

They are my reason WHY and they have each led me to this path in different ways.

Their arrival into my life - and the vastly different birth experiences I had with each of them - led me to create Mother Nurture Natal.

Mother Nurture Natal was born from my passion to support and empower women as they navigate motherhood. It's about providing the resources, nurture, education and support that I wish I'd had during my first experience as a new mum.

My Ambition for Mother Nurture Natal

With Mother Nurture Natal, my mission is to focus on what truly matters for women during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. I aim to nurture and empower mothers so they can thrive - and in turn, their families can too.

Through education, support, nurture and space to heal and recover, I help women feel:

• Informed and prepared for labour and birth

• Supported through the postnatal period

• Empowered to make decisions that are right for them, their needs and values

The Importance of Postnatal Care

How we, as professionals, support women during pregnancy and the importance we put on postnatal care has the potential to make a lasting, positive impact. By focussing on mother nurture, we can help mothers heal, grow and thrive - not just survive the challenges of early motherhood.

I'd love the future of birth to focus and enhance women's health, well-being and education. There is so much that can be done to empower mothers and I am passionate about being part of that change.

"Real change begins with the simple act of people talking about what they care about" Margaret Wheatley

With love

Claire x