Every year, Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week reminds us that there’s still so much left unsaid when it comes to how we support parents—not just after the baby arrives, but from the very start of pregnancy. This year’s theme, Your Voice, Your Strength, resonates deeply with me, because for a long time, I didn’t feel like I had either.

Let me take you back to my first pregnancy. I was the mother who read all the books, followed all the schedules, and measured my worth by how well I could stick to the “rules.”  The pressure to be perfect was immense, and yet, although I was praised for it. Behind the scenes I was unravelling! I ignored my instincts, silenced my inner voice, and clung to routines that never really fit me or my baby. I thought that if I could just do everything right, I’d feel like a "good mum".

By the time my second baby arrived, I was exhausted, not only physically but mentally and emotionally. I developed postnatal depression but didn’t know it yet. I thought I was just failing. That belief followed me through building a business, having two more babies, and ultimately crashing so hard that I ended up sitting in my car on a hillside, not planning to return. That day, a stranger disrupted me and it changed everything.

I was admitted to a psychiatric ward and as part of my discharged, they helped me create a wellness plan. That plan was more than just paper. It was a mirror. A lifeline. A new language for understanding what I needed to stay well. And it’s why I do what I do today.

Now, as a Maternal Mental Wellness Mentor, I meet so many parents who are walking that tightrope—trying to hold it all together, terrified to admit they’re struggling, and believing that they’re failing if they’re not enjoying every moment of pregnancy.

We need to talk about this.

We need to talk about prenatal depression and the way it hides behind tiredness and "just hormones."

We need to talk about how anxiety and fear can consume the joy of pregnancy.

We need to talk about prenatal PTSD, about guilt, about rage, about the isolation no one prepares us for.

And more than that—we need to offer practical tools that don’t just kick in when someone reaches crisis.

We wouldn’t plan for birth without a birth plan, so why are we still expecting parents to face pregnancy and early parenthood without a mental wellness plan?

A wellness plan isn’t complicated. It’s about:

• Knowing your early warning signs

• Recognising what keeps you well

• Naming your triggers and stressors

• Building a realistic support network

• Giving yourself permission to rest, reset, and reach out

Imagine if these conversations happened before a parent hit burnout. Imagine if we normalised emotional wellness check-ins as much as growth scans. Imagine we were given mental health support as part of our booking in appointment. 

This all feels like a far off dream but woman need this now. That's why I created the Maternal Mental Wellness Workbook to help answer those questions. It’s a gentle, practical guide for parents to check in with themselves, understand their needs, and—most importantly—feel empowered to ask for support before crisis hits.

Because here’s what I know now:

You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to glow through pregnancy. You don’t have to suffer in silence.

You have the right to feel heard, held, and supported—whether it's your first baby or your fourth (or fifteenth!) 

So instead of wondering if you’re doing enough, I invite you to ask a different question:

What would it look like to support yourself through this journey?

What rhythms, rituals, or reminders help you feel safe and steady?

Who do you trust to check in when you’re not okay?

What are the small things you can do each day that keep you grounded?

This week is about using our voices, not just for others, but for ourselves.

Let yours be one that speaks kindly, confidently, and honestly, especially when you're asking for what you need!

With Love, 

Leanne 💛