The Elements That Make Up a Mother.

At Herority, we recognise that motherhood is a deeply complex and personal journey, influenced by a range of physical, emotional, and social factors. Our retreat is designed to nurture all these elements, offering a holistic approach to help you recover and thrive after childbirth. As doctors, we are committed to using evidence-based, scientifically backed research to guide our approach.

  • The physical changes a woman undergoes during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.

    "A fifth of women are affected by urinary incontinence in the postpartum period."

    Urinary incontinence in the postpartum 1-year period: Its prevalence and effect on psychosocial status of women (Suar et al 2023).

    “At 12 months postpartum following vaginal delivery, the pelvic floor muscles are not fully recovered”.

    Recovery of pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance 6 and 12 months postpartum in primiparous women-a prospective cohort study (Bo et al 2022).

    "Almost half of the women found the first 6 months after delivery are more difficult than anticipated."

    "25% of the women did not feel physically recovered from childbirth at 6 months postpartum."

    Recovery from childbirth: looking back 6 months after delivery (Tulman et al 1991).

  • The broader societal influences that affect a mother's experience and well-being.

    "What matters most to women in the postnatal period is experiencing positive motherhood."

    What matters to women in the postnatal period: A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies (Finlayson et al 2020).

  • The mental and emotional aspects of motherhood

    "Maternal anxiety and depression remain prevalent beyond the first year postpartum".

    The Prevalence of Maternal Depression and Anxiety Beyond 1 Year Postpartum: A Systematic Review (Hunter et al 2024).

    "Postnatal diet could have an effect on postnatal symptoms".

    Maternal Postpartum Diet and Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review (Opie et al 2020).

    "Postnatal depression affects both mothers and infants, leading to challenges in maternal care, disrupted bonding, and difficulties with breastfeeding and feeding practices." 

    Postpartum Depression and Maternal Care: Exploring the Complex Effects on Mothers and Infants (Cureus 2023).

A mother’s recovery is deeply interconnected. Psychological stress, like postpartum depression, can affect her physical healing, while strong social support can boost both emotional and physical recovery. Factors like sleep deprivation can impact mental health, leading to stress and isolation, which may be worsened by societal pressures and lack of support.