I would like to get to know you. I am Maaike, 28 years old and I am the mother of two beautiful children. Together with my husband we live in Delft. I like mothering by instinct with a schedule here and there in between. I know better than anyone what it is like to lose yourself in the postpartum period. The worries and the enormous responsibility of new motherhood swallow you whole.
How motherhood has changed me
The postpartum week with our son Moos, now 2 years old, was hectic and we spent it in the hospital. I completely bypassed myself and all focus was on our sweet (too) small son. With tubefeeding at home and then hidden reflux, we were surviving the first 3 months. The birth of him and of me as a mother was a huge change in our lives and the beginning of it very uncertain. That combined with a primal feeling I was able to rely on from day 1 turned on a little radar that hasn’t stopped turning.
The power of a good postpartum plan
During my second pregnancy, I made a postpartum plan in addition to a birth plan. We were going to make up for this postpartum time. Unfortunately, we also spent a week in hospital with Juun, in her 3rd week in this world, which was again very stressful. Yet I managed to plough through this period better because I did not push myself away. I accepted more outside help, friends cooked for us, our dear parents took good care of us and gave myself postpartum treatments. That time to myself was so nice, to recover physically but also to recover emotionally.
Mothering the mom
Since becoming a mother and having mothers around me, I know what my purpose in this life is. Mothering, mothering my children but also mothering other mothers. In a very individualistic society where it is everyone for themselves, I want to seek connection. I have so much love to give. This fire is burning and cannot be extinguished.
I want to take care of you!
So you can take care of your baby
