Motherhood Reflections & A Warm Welcome!
I’ve just had a baby - well 17 weeks ago to be exact, and she is just divine. I’m the shamelessly proud, doting and infatuated mother I always thought I would be, and the beauty of it all for me has definitely outweighed the challenges (said with a sleepless brain bathing in oxytocin yet to hit hormonal rock bottom). I acknowledge this is not the case for many women and am incredibly grateful.
Having said that, I’ve developed a profound respect for what women endure during their pregnancy, birth and postpartum to ensure the safe arrival of their little ones. Experiencing it firsthand has left me questioning the advice I’d previously given as an OT, not fully appreciating a mother’s innate wisdom, intuition and scale of adaptation required for this life stage. It’s left me wishing I’d supported my loved ones more on their own journeys as they not only grew a human but a whole new sense of self. Most importantly it has firmed my belief that women are moment by moment miracle workers who don’t get the credit they deserve.
My whole world has changed. My entire physical, chemical, emotional, and neurological makeup reorganised itself over 9 months and continues to do so into postpartum and beyond. My body structure and size is different along with the way I view and appreciate it. Initiation into this role of Mother began with a slow hijacking of my identity, independence and many of my body’s functions. The role now demands 100% of my time and energy while I claw to regain some semblance of who I once was, and design a future aligned with who I want to be. This role is hard work. But gosh it’s a privilege and when I hold my daughter and hear her laugh nothing else matters.
There are very few things like child birth to put things into perspective and highlight just how infinite a woman’s capacity is. We are a container for the deep lows and euphoric highs - forever giving, coregulating and creating in a world that demands so much.
Motherhood has made me a better person and I believe a better occupational therapist.
All that said – as this is my first blog… welcome to my website and Tempo Therapy Services project! This is my platform to offer my OT skills in a way that aligns with my values, life stage, clinical interests and professional integrity. It’s also a space to pay tribute to the experiences I’ve had, colleagues and clients that have shaped me personally and professionally. I’ve been very lucky to learn things from some brilliant supervisors and mentors and hope this website can be a reflection of how I’ve integrated that knowledge. Like life (and definitely motherhood) I’m sure Tempo will go through many evolutions, but my aim is that it will be a trusting resource for those in need, and something that my baby girl will be proud of. I’m excited to take you on the journey.
With love,
Alex
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