Dear Mama Stories
Real Stories from Women in the Dear Me Mother-to-be Community
Mama’s Name: Sasha Mason @sashagmason
Second pregnancy
Tell us a little about your pregnancy journey:
Pregnancy both times was really difficult for me. I experienced Hyperemesis Gravidarum until about 26 weeks, both pregnancies and required multiple hospital admissions to receive fluid and IV medications. I loved having a bump and watching it grow and get rounder, however with a history of anorexia the other changes to my body brought many mental challenges.
What was your experience like using the Dear Me Mother-to-be journal during your pregnancy?
I LOVED the Dear Me Mother-to-be journal. I used this throughout my second pregnancy and it was so helpful to also reflect on my first pregnancy and birth and how aspects of it were playing out in fears, expectations or excitement for the second. I also found that sitting down and using the journaling time as sacred time to connect with the baby. I would intentionally focus on the kicks and movements whilst journaling.
Were there any specific practices, tools, or habits that supported your physical, mental, and emotional well-being during your pregnancy?
I went to acupuncture throughout my pre-conception and pregnancy which I found so grounding and helpful for managing different symptoms. Of course the journalling and the time to turn inwards and focus on myself and the baby was really important. I also had a doula which was an incredible tool for labour prep and postpartum healing.
Tell us a little about your birth experience:
I had a beautiful physiological water birth in hospital, which was only 6 hours long and 20 minutes of pushing for my second birth. My toddler got to experience me labouring at home before heading to hospital where Rowie, my Doula, met us and helped support a safe birthing environment. I would listen to my birth playlist I had put together and visualise the birth that I wanted for us. I watched a lot of positive birth videos and listened to many podcasts of women’s experiences of births which aligned with my wishes.
What is one thing you want maiden women to know about pregnancy and/or birth?
That it completely changes you as a person and it is okay for the change to happen. You’re allowed to grieve old parts of yourself and your life and the shift of friendships will hit hard – all of this is normal!
Mama’s Name: Barbora @the_inwardmovement
Third pregnancy
Tell us a little about your pregnancy journey:
This pregnancy felt quite spiritual and grounding for me. Every pregnancy has been a bit different, and this one invited me to slow down, listen to my body more closely, and really honour the season I was in. Being pregnant while also mothering two young boys and working brought its own challenges, but among the tiredness and business it gave me so many moments of gratitude and appreciation. I found myself reflecting often on how important it is to create space to connect with yourself throughout pregnancy and look after your body as much as you can to support it, not just prepare things for the baby.
What was your experience like using the Dear Me Mother-to-be journal during your pregnancy?
The journal became a beautiful anchor throughout my pregnancy. It gave me a moment to pause, reflect, and truly be present with what I was experiencing emotionally and physically. I really loved that it contained deep prompts that encouraged reflection on things I otherwise may not have thought about. It felt very different to other pregnancy journals I’ve seen, and I appreciated that it went beyond simply documenting milestones.
Now that my baby is three months old, I actually still go back to this journal, and there are parts of it that I am still filling in during postpartum. I especially love that there are blank pages at the end because they became such a beautiful space to reflect on the birth experience and those early postpartum days that can feel so emotional and transformative.
Were there any specific practices, tools, or habits that supported your physical, mental, and emotional well-being during your pregnancy?
Yoga, swimming, breathwork, meditation, journaling, and spending time in nature were incredibly supportive for me throughout pregnancy. I also regularly saw a chiropractor and myotherapist and received remedial massages, which I feel really helped support my body through pregnancy and prepare for labor as well.
I’ve really been cultivating a deep sense of trust in my body and in the universe throughout this pregnancy. I truly believe that trust gave me strength and helped me surrender more deeply to the experience. I also believe education is incredibly empowering, so I refreshed myself on birth preparation, what happens during labor, and created a birth plan while also preparing mentally for scenarios where things may not go exactly as expected. I wanted to feel calm, informed, and trusting no matter how the experience unfolded.
I also prepared for postpartum much more intentionally this time around. Knowing a little more about what to expect helped me support myself better physically and emotionally, and I gathered supplements and supportive tools ahead of time to help nurture my well-being during recovery.
Tell us a little about your birth experience:
I’ve been very blessed to have experienced three natural births without complications. My second and third births were water births, and I was incredibly happy with those experiences. All three of my births were quite quick, but this third birth was definitely the quickest, which I was somewhat expecting.
I was also very lucky to be part of the Midwifery Group Practice, which meant continuity of care throughout pregnancy and birth. Having beautiful midwives supporting me along the journey made such a difference and helped me feel deeply safe and supported throughout the experience.
Yoga was a huge part of all of my births, but with this third experience I felt like I was able to bring together everything I had learned from my first two pregnancies, births, and postpartum journeys. I feel incredibly grateful that I had the chance to experience it all again. This third birth felt the most empowering of them all, and there was something especially emotional and beautiful about welcoming a baby girl after having two boys.
What is one thing you want maiden women to know about pregnancy and/or birth?
Trust that there is no perfect way to experience pregnancy and birth. Every journey is different, and your experience does not need to look like anyone else’s. Try not to put pressure on yourself to “do it all perfectly.” Trust in your body, look after your body and your whole self well, and don’t forget your own well-being throughout the journey. Slow down where you can, ask for support, and take moments to truly connect with yourself and your baby along the way.