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I am author of Motherhood - The Unspoken, motivational speaker, award-winning mental health advocate, mother of three mixed race children (including twins) & wife to an amazing husband, who is on a mission to stop silent struggles and postnatal depression.

Ivana Poku

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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👇

This parenting advice is GOLD! Whenever you feel

This parenting advice is GOLD!

Whenever you feel overwhelmed, or exhausted, pause and look at the bigger picture.

I got this advice from a 90 year old mum of two boys. Absolutely love it!

What is the best parting advice YOU ever got?

#motherhoodadvice #mumadvice #mumtips #mumhacks #parentingadvice #mumssupportingmums

Do you agree? #postnataldepression #ppd #postpar

Do you agree?

#postnataldepression #ppd #postpartumdepression #postnatalanxiety #postpartumlife #postpartumjourney

Recovering from postpartum depression is nothing l

Recovering from postpartum depression is nothing like recovering from a routine illness, like a cold or stomach bug.

You don’t simply wake up one morning and feel “healed.” There’s no big moment, no overnight magic.

It’s a process. A journey. One that twists and turns in ways that can often take you by surprise.

Healing happens in the small steps. The tiny wins—so subtle you may not even recognise them at first.

It’s in the first time you feel a glimmer of joy while holding your baby.

The day you show yourself compassion for feeling low.

The moment you open up to a friend about how you REALLY feel.

Recovery is like a puzzle, with pieces falling into place day by day, one at a time—slowly and quietly.

There’s no shortcut, no giant leap.

It’s a journey that you take one step at a time, toward the version of you that’s unfolding.

PS. I share my full PND story - and how I managed to pull through - in my book Motherhood - The Unspoken. Click the link in the bio for more details. ❤️

#ppd #postnataldepression #postpartumdepression #postnatallife #postnataldepletion #maternalmentalhealth

Tag a mum who needs to hear this today. ❤️ #m

Tag a mum who needs to hear this today. ❤️

#motherhoodunfiltered #mothehroodunplugged #mumsupportingmums #supportformums #helpformoms #newmumlife #newmomlife

Media and society often portray early motherhood a

Media and society often portray early motherhood as the “most amazing time in a woman’s life.” As a result, a new mum is somewhat automatically expected to be happy.

If she is not, she is often perceived as ungrateful or ‘crazy’.

As someone who experienced PPD, I KNOW this is one of the reasons so many mums (and dads) around the world struggle in silence, feel like failures, and often battle life-threatening mental health issues.

The truth is, while having a baby is amazing and miraculous on many levels, the process itself is not joyful. It’s an emotional and physical upheaval.

Your body is healing, your hormones are raging, and your identity feels like it’s slipping through your fingers. You’re exhausted beyond belief, trying to keep a tiny human alive while barely surviving yourself. And yet, the world expects you to smile through it all.

Let’s stop pretending that early motherhood is magical. It’s messy. It’s lonely. It’s painful. And forAnd for some, it’s downright traumatic.

Calling a newborn a “bundle of joy” can feel like a slap in the face when your reality is sleepless nights, endless tears (yours and the baby’s), and the crushing weight of responsibility. Joy doesn’t come automatically; it takes time. It grows slowly as you adjust, heal, and rediscover yourself.

To every new mum out there feeling like you’re failing because you’re not enjoying this time: THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH YOU!

It’s okay to admit that this is hard (because it is). It’s okay to grieve your old life. It’s a normal and natural process—just like it’s natural to feel grief when we lose someone we love.

Because even though you are still YOU, you DID lose the childless version of yourself. Whatever happens now, you will never not be a mum again. And that’s HUGE.

Let’s normalise the reality of early motherhood. Only then can we start making a REAL difference for future mums.

Do you agree?

#MotherhoodUnfiltered #NewMumStruggles #NewMumLife #NewMomLife #FourthTrimester #PostnatalLife #PostpartumLife #PostpartumMom #PostpartumTruth #realmotherhood

When you feel like you can't anymore, stop. I'm

When you feel like you can't anymore, stop.

I'm not going to say that ”it’s okay to take a break”, because to me, it’s the same as saying: “It’s okay to breathe.”

You HAVE TO take a break in order to survive.

So please, stop trying to be a superhero (you are one already!) and do what you need to do.

For you AND for them.

You've got this!

#Selfcare #Restisokay #youareenough #takeabreak #mentalhealthmatters #selfcareformums #selfcareformoms

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Happy new year! May 2025 be The year when mums fin

Happy new year! May 2025 be The year when mums finally still struggling in silence and we shatter the stigma around postnatal depression. ❤️ I’ll give the best of me to achieve this.

With love,
Ivana xx

#postnataldepression #ppd #pnd #postnataldepression #fourthtrimester #maternalmentalhealth #postnatal #postpartum #postpartumpreparation #postpartumlife #postpartumanxiety #ppa #postnatalanxiety

Mamas, don’t be afraid to admit you need a break

Mamas, don’t be afraid to admit you need a break from your baby!

It doesn’t mean you don’t love them, or that you’re not grateful for them.

It means you’re a healthy human who values balance and its impact on your family.

(I also love my husband but I sure as hell need breaks from him 😂😂)

There’s no shame in admitting we need some time alone. ❤️ In fact, the more openly we talk about it, the less stigma and shaming we create.

Here’s to more openness in 2025! 🥰🙌🍾🥂

#honestparenting #honestmum #honestparenting #honestparenthood #honestmom #realmotherhood

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