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Hey, I am Ivana!

I am the author of Motherhood – The Unspoken, motivational speaker, award-winning mentor, mother of three mixed-race boys (including twins) & wife to an amazing husband, who is on a mission to create a world where mums don’t suffer in silence. After my twin boys, Henry & Mason, were born in 2016, I struggled with …

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ivanapoku

Creating a world where mums don't struggle in silence. PPD survivor. Founder of Mumsjourney. Seen in @Forbes @BBC. Author of Motherhood-The Unspoken👇

Do you want to join my mission to end silent strug

Do you want to join my mission to end silent struggles in new mums and PPD?

I invite you to join my MOTHERHOOD-THE UNSPOKEN audio project!

Here’s how…

I wrote ‘Motherhood: The Unspoken’ (link in the bio) in 2018, after overcoming severe postnatal depression following the birth of my twins in 2016.

I believe that one of the main triggers for PPD is this automatic expectation that a new mum should feel happy and enjoy every moment. However, the reality of motherhood often doesn’t match the picture-perfect portrayal we see in the media.

Even without developing depression, the transition to motherhood is tough. Adjusting to all the changes takes time, and it’s completely normal to feel low or lonely in those early stages.

Unfortunately, because these feelings are rarely talked about, many mums end up believing they’re failing. They struggle in silence, which only fuels the cycle and creates the perfect conditions for PPD to take root.

That’s why I wrote ‘Motherhood: The Unspoken’. It’s all about breaking that cycle, ending silent struggles, and helping reduce the number of PPD cases.

The book reveals the untold truths about life as a new mum, features real-life stories from 10 first-time mums (including my own), and reassures new mums that they’re not alone.

It also provides practical tips and support to help navigate this challenging phase. ❤️

Now, I’m taking the next step by creating an audio version of the book, featuring voices from around the globe. 💓

I want to include a diverse range of people—from big names to single mums on benefits—united in this mission to bring real change to mothers worldwide. ❤️

Even better, 80% of the profits from this project will be donated to charities that support postnatal mental health.

I’m thrilled to share that six amazing women are already on board, which is incredible!

If you’d like to join this mission—or know someone who might—please let me know! The more voices we can include, the bigger the impact we will make! ❤

With Love,
Ivana xx

#motherhoodunderstood #motherhoodunflitered #honestmotherhood #newmumlife #postpartumdepression #postnataldepression #ppd

Isn’t it crazy that most expecting mums worry ab

Isn’t it crazy that most expecting mums worry about the labour, when the hardest part of birth is often what comes after? Especially the part where your mind and body are adjusting to drastic changes, while you’re grieving the loss of the You that will never be again. 🩷

#childbirth #lifeafterbirth #lifewithanewborn #newmums #newmum #firsttimemum

One of the things that makes postnatal depression

One of the things that makes postnatal depression extremely dangerous is that you rarely know you have it.

You don’t wake up one morning realizing, I’m depressed. Instead, it creeps in, disguised as guilt, emptiness, sadness, and desperation. It convinces you that you’ve failed, not as someone battling an illness but as a mother, as a woman, as a person.

Even if someone tells you, “You’re struggling with depression,” it’s hard to believe them. Because it doesn’t feel like depression—it feels like YOU’RE THE PROBLEM.

In my book, Motherhood: The Unspoken, I share my full journey with postnatal depression—the thoughts I kept to myself, the silent battles I fought, and how I found my way through it all... plus so much more. ❤️

This book has already helped so many mums feel less alone. ❤️ If you want to be next, click the link in my bio now. Xx

With love,
Ivana xx
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#postpartumdepression #ppd #ppdawareness #momsmentalhealth #maternalmentalhealth #postpartumjourney #postnataldepression #postpartumsupport

Motherhood doesn’t erase the parts of us that ne

Motherhood doesn’t erase the parts of us that need rest, joy, and individuality—it just adds new layers.

Being a mum isn’t about pretending everything is perfect. It’s okay to feel a mix of emotions—to be proud of yourself AND feel exhausted, to adore your kids AND sometimes want a little time to yourself.

Feeling like it’s hard doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful or that you don’t love them.

You are allowed to be both. You’re allowed to be a dedicated mum AND admit it’s hard. You’re allowed to be tired AND still be incredible at this.

You can be a great mum AND put yourself first. You can be a great mum AND have hard days. You can be a great mum AND keep growing as a person.

Embracing all these truths is exactly what makes you a real, strong, and amazing mum. ❤️

#motherhoodunplugged #mumsofinstagram #mumlife #mumlifebelike #motherhoodjourney #mumlifestyle

I’ll be honest. My mental health has been strugg

I’ll be honest. My mental health has been struggling lately. Baby Yaw is deep in the “intense tantrums” phase, and having young twin boys on top of that is just not easy… He starts nursery soon and my emotions are all over the place. One day I would feel sad about them growing up too fast, and then the next day I’m longing to speed up the time. (That’s motherhood for you ;)). It’s a constant emotional rollercoaster you can’t pause or get out of.

So often, we hear “it’s so worth it” or “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” And while those things might be true, I’m not sure they should be the focus of our message to each other. It’s okay to admit that parts of this journey are hard, that sometimes it isn’t worth the strain it puts on us. Instead of normalising the struggle, maybe we should normalise seeking ways to make it easier. We need more than encouragement to endure—we need tangible support and compassion for the weight of what mums go through. ❤️

If you feel this, let’s speak up for more support. Comment below—what would make your journey feel lighter? Xx

#motherhood #mumlife #momlife #mumssupportingmums #momminainteasy #lifewithkids #lifewithtoddlers

Isn’t it strange that the more a mum does, the m

Isn’t it strange that the more a mum does, the more praise she receives? 🤔 When you shares# that you’re raising your child alone with no support, the response shouldn’t be, ‘Wow, that’s amazing—you’re a superhero!’ Yet somehow, this has become the default reaction, hasn’t it? As if the more you struggle, the more of a superhero you are… I believe this is part of why so many mums feel pressured to ‘do it all.’ So instead of celebrating mums for pushing themselves to the point of exhaustion, let’s try to offer them a helping hand, a listening ear, and ensure they’re looking after themselves. Remember that being a superhero isn’t what motherhood is about. It’s about raising happy children and truly enjoying time together. And that’s only possible with the right help and support. 🩷

#motherhoodunplugged #mumssupportingmums #mumlife #mumlifestyle #mumlifebelike #mumsofinstagram #motherhoodmemes #mumquotes

One of the first things I learned when I worked in

One of the first things I learned when I worked in marketing was the importance of showing the VALUE of a product or service—and how it will benefit the customer.

Then I wrote ‘Motherhood—The Unspoken’… and I realised that explaining this book’s impact is like trying to describe colours to a blind person.

Because ‘Motherhood—The Unspoken’ isn’t just pages of words; it’s a hand reaching out, helping new mums feel seen, heard, and understood…

It doesn’t just show you that you’re not alone; it makes you believe it and feel it deeply in your soul. ❤️

It doesn’t just acknowledge your feelings; it makes you cry with relief that there’s nothing wrong with you.

It helps you understand that your feelings are valid and totally normal. (And most importantly, only temporary!)

You’ll read stories of other new mums who have been right where you are and who, like you, questioned if they’d ever feel like themselves again. And yet, they did. And they show you how you will, too. ❤️

This is more than a book—it’s a lifeline. For the mum who needs to know there is light on the other side, even if she can’t see it yet.

For the mum who needs to be reminded that she WILL be happy again. For YOU. ❤️

It’s not easy to put that feeling into words. But when you open this book, you’ll feel it.

This motherhood journey may be hard, but it is MUCH easier when you don’t walk it alone.

Grab your copy of ‘Motherhood—The Unspoken’ and find the light at the end of the tunnel that’s awaiting you… ❤️

(The book link is in the bio) xx

#firsttimemum #postnatallife #postnatalanxiety #postpartumlife #newmumlife #postpartumanxiety #fourthtrimester #postnatalmentalhealth

Do you want to help make a difference for new mums

Do you want to help make a difference for new mums while earning some extra money?

I’m now looking for affiliate partners to help me promote GET PREPARED FOR MOTHERHOOD LIKE NO ONE ELSE, an online course I co-created with award-winning midwife (and mum of 5!) Marley Hall. 🥰❤️

The reason we created this course was to fill the major gap in prenatal and antenatal services. Most antenatal classes focus heavily on birth but offer zero or only minimal information about life after baby and postnatal mental health. This lack of education and support often leads to silent struggles, and, in many cases, severe mental health issues.

GET PREPARED FOR MOTHERHOOD LIKE NO ONE ELSE helps set more realistic expectations about life AFTER baby, it offers PRICELESS tips on how to cope with new mum challenges, what mistakes to avoid, provides tons of support and reassurance to every new mum…. And, in the process, it helps dramatically lower the risks of PPD.

If you’re interested in joining my mission to create a world where mums no longer struggle in silence, get in touch! ❤️

The course is priced at £247 and here’s the breakdown of the commission structure based on monthly sales:

1-5 sales per month: 20% per sale
6-15 sales per month: 35% per sale
16 or more sales per month: 50% per sale

To make the proceed as easy (and as enjoyable!) as possible for you, I’ll provide marketing material and ongoing support 🥰

Drop me a DM and let’s make a difference for future mums together. ❤️

With love,
Ivana xx

#mumssupportingmums #ppd #postnataldepression #postpartumdepression #postnatalmentalhealth #maternalmentalhealth #postpartumhealth #maternalmentalhealthadvocate #mentalhealthadvocate #prenatal #antenatal

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