Diary Entry 5 - Gas & Air - The Mother Space

​The Mother Space has come to Guildford! Ta Da!!!

This is a space where every minute of anxiety, every blink of tired bloodshot eyes and every high and low that has taken you on a roller coaster ride since bubs arrived into this world, is ok! Just like gas and air to relieve the pain in labour, the mother space can provide a chance to gas with others and air all those niggling mummy concerns!

A few months ago, The Mother Space was launched by the brilliant Victoria Greenly. Victoria runs this group in the Midhurst area and then a group was set up, based on her template, in the Dorking area. The girls decided it would be a great idea to find other hosts in other areas, so that all mothers with babies in the first six months could access that fundamental support with the chance to feel understood, nurtured and safe.

Laura Oliver and I had met on the Post Natal Mental Health course run by Jo at Mummas Wellbeing, back in September and decided that we would like to host a Guildford Mother Space together. After a fair few cups of tea and listening to how the others run their groups, we are thrilled to announce that our first meeting will be on Thursday May 9th from 9.30am for 10am until 11.30am in the Puttenham area, between Guildford and Farnham, fifteen minutes from Godalming and seven minutes from Guildford station and The Royal Surrey Hospital.

This is a space for any mum with a baby, or babies, under six months, to come and download, drink a HOT cup of tea, eat cake (yes, we promise cake!) talk to other mums with similar aged babies and relax in a cosy, homely environment and just be.

Each week is themed around different topics relating to those early days, including birth, fatigue, low energy, self care, exercise, relationships, reflux and baby wearing, to name a few.

There will also be an opportunity for mum to tap into her creativity and we will organise a simple, one handed, if needs be, craft or activity to support mums wellbeing and a little mindfulness to give the over thinking, over tired brain a little break from the norm.

Laura and I both trained as post natal doulas and though Laura is now working as a maternity support worker, we both feel passionately about actively helping women in those early days, normalising any overwhelm, celebrating the tiny little things as well as the big things and giving mums that invalueable time and permission to feel supported, nurtured and heard.

With cushions, pillows, sofas, chairs and bean bags, blankets and mats for the babies, the key to this space is to come as you are. In this crazy world, women can often fear judgment or criticism. We know that everyone is doing their best and this just needs acknowledging and verbalising sometimes. By understanding that every mum is in the same boat in one way or another, it can dilute any feelings of guilt, making a little more space for some self care and positivity.

If you, or anyone you know, might be interested or like to find out more or have a chat with either Laura or myself, please just email themotherspaceguildford@gmail.com.

Once you have registered your interest we will send full address details of venue and directions.

The mother space is a safe space to reflect, sit and be. A space for self care. A space to refill the cup and recharge. A space to be reminded of how brilliantly you are doing and a space to remember you have support.

Hope to see you soon! x