By The SABI and Four Mamas
Something often felt but rarely talked about? How overwhelmed, disconnected, and even forgotten a woman can feel in the midst of becoming a mom. Behind this raw and unfiltered truth lies relatable feelings of anxiety, a desire for support, and the struggle to maintain one’s own wellbeing.
Motherhood is without a doubt, the most transformative and profound experience a woman can go through, and while immensely rewarding with joy that cannot be quantified, it is also a profoundly challenging journey—physically and emotionally.
Feeling like you have a grip on life, your hormones, and your identity in this new role is no easy feat. It requires a strong centre, healthy habits and support. The unexpected pathway to building that strong centre? It’s something small, incremental that pays incredible dividends: self-care. Yet, many women struggle with it. We are conditioned that being a good mother means sacrificing our own needs and feeling guilt for taking time for ourselves. While sacrifice is undoubtedly a significant part of motherhood, you cannot pour from an empty cup.
Recognising this need, Olivia de Maigret and Morgane Besins created Four Mamas, a holistic sanctuary designed to nurture, empower, and provide a safe haven for mothers at every stage of their journey. A place where motherhood means empowerment, and where mothers are at the heart of the maternity story.
Today, we sit down with Olivia and Morgane to explore their mission, delve into the critical hormonal changes that occur during the four stages of motherhood: fertility, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, and learn how we can lean on retreats to reset and find that essential support to navigate the transformative period of motherhood.
Q: What inspired you to start Four Mamas, and what is the core mission of your retreats?
Morgane: We founded Four Mamas because we noticed a significant gap in support for women navigating the complex journey of motherhood. The market was heavily focused on babies, often overlooking the needs of mothers. It is time to put mothers at the centre of the maternity story. Our mission is to provide a holistic approach to this journey, combining medical expertise with emotional and practical support. We aim to empower women to make informed decisions and feel confident from fertility to postpartum.
Q: Can you briefly describe the four stages of motherhood that your retreats focus on?
Morgane: Absolutely. The four stages we focus on are:
- Fertility: We help women understand their hormones and fertility by consulting with reproductive health experts and exploring options from nutrition and holistic methods to medical approaches focusing on optimising fertility health and preparing the body for pregnancy.
- Pregnancy: We guide women through their pregnancy journey, addressing physical and emotional changes, providing nutrition plans, exercise tips, and discussing often-overlooked aspects like sexuality and mental health.
- Birth: We offer insightful discussions with midwives, doulas, and obstetricians to help women understand their birthing options.
- Postpartum: We assist women in adjusting to life with a newborn, focusing on postpartum recovery, mental health, and developing a support system. We provide guidance on nourishing, resting, and caring for themselves and their babies.
Q: What hormonal changes occur during the fertility stage, and how do they impact a woman's body?
Olivia: During the fertility stage, several key hormones play a crucial role in preparing the body for conception:
- Oestrogen: Helps regulate the menstrual cycle and prepares the uterine lining for a potential pregnancy.
- Progesterone: Maintains the uterine lining to support a fertilised egg after ovulation.
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH): Regulate the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries.
- Testosterone: Although primarily a male hormone, it also plays a role in female libido and reproductive function.
These hormonal changes can impact mood, energy levels, and overall reproductive health. Understanding these fluctuations helps women better manage their fertility journey.
Q: How do hormones change during pregnancy, and what effects do these changes have?
Olivia: Pregnancy brings about significant hormonal changes to support the developing baby:
- Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): Produced shortly after conception, it supports the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone in early pregnancy.
- Progesterone: Increases significantly to maintain the uterine lining and prevent contractions in the early stages.
- Oestrogen: Rises steadily, promoting blood flow to the uterus and breasts, and regulating other key functions.
- Relaxin: Helps relax the ligaments in the pelvis and soften the cervix in preparation for childbirth.
- Oxytocin: Known as the "love hormone," it aids in labour and bonding with the baby.
These hormonal shifts can cause physical and emotional changes, including nausea, fatigue, mood swings, and changes in skin and hair.
Q: What hormonal changes occur during childbirth, and how do they facilitate the birthing process?
Olivia: During childbirth, hormonal changes are crucial in facilitating labour and delivery:
- Oxytocin: Stimulates uterine contractions to help deliver the baby and promotes bonding and milk ejection during breastfeeding.
- Prostaglandins: Help ripen and dilate the cervix and enhance uterine contractions.
- Endorphins: Natural pain relievers that increase during labour to help manage pain and stress.
These hormones work together to ensure a smooth labour process, though the intensity and experience of labour can vary widely among women.
Q: How do hormones change during the postpartum stage, and what are the implications for new mothers?
Olivia: The postpartum stage is marked by dramatic hormonal shifts, the most significant and intense that are experienced at any given time of life in the shortest period as the body adjusts from pregnancy to the postpartum period:
- Oestrogen and Progesterone: Levels drop significantly after childbirth, which can contribute to mood swings and postpartum depression.
- Prolactin: Increases to stimulate milk production for breastfeeding.
- Oxytocin: Continues to play a role in bonding with the baby and milk ejection during breastfeeding.
- Thyroid Hormones: Changes in thyroid function can affect energy levels, mood, and metabolism.
These hormonal changes can impact a woman's physical and emotional wellbeing, making it essential to monitor and address issues like postpartum depression, fatigue, or thyroid imbalances.
Q: How can women manage the hormonal changes during these stages to maintain their wellbeing?
Olivia: Managing hormonal changes involves a combination of lifestyle adjustments, medical support, and self-care:
- Nutrition: Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals can support hormonal balance.
- Exercise: Regular physical activity can help regulate hormones and improve mood.
- Stress Management: Practices like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness can help reduce stress and its impact on hormones.
- Medical Support: Regular check-ups with healthcare providers can help monitor hormonal levels and address any imbalances.
- Support System: Building a network of support from family, friends, and professionals can provide emotional and practical help.
Understanding and managing these hormonal changes can help women navigate their motherhood journey more smoothly and maintain their overall health and wellbeing.
Q: How do you think being informed about hormonal changes and attending your retreats can help women manage these crucial stages effectively?
Morgane: Being informed about hormonal changes equips women with the knowledge to anticipate and understand their body's responses, reducing anxiety and enabling proactive management of symptoms through lifestyle adjustments, medical consultations, and support networks. Our retreats create a village of experts and trusted brands that women can lean on during these transformative periods. We connect participants with women’s health professionals and expert brands that provide advice and support, ensuring access to the right resources and guidance whenever needed. This network helps women navigate the complexities of motherhood with confidence and support, allowing them to make better decisions, seek timely help, and feel more in control of their journey.
You are not alone.
At the heart of motherhood lies an incredible reservoir of hope and strength. It's a journey marked by countless challenges and immeasurable rewards, where each step is a testament to the resilience and determination of women. At Four Mamas, Olivia de Maigret and Morgane Besins have created a haven where this hope and strength are nurtured and celebrated. We applaud Olivia and Morgane for their mission and contribution to the revolution of the motherhood experience.
