Parenting Beyond Birth, with Sophie Burch

In this week's conversation I talk to Sophie Burch about taking care of our mental and relationship health before and after birth. Sophie Burch aka The Mamma Coach is on a mission to put mental wellbeing more on the map in pregnancy, birth and parenting.  She has 14 years as a mother to 4 boys (including twins), as a perinatal therapist and coach, and a birth trauma and PND survivor.  Her experience has shaped who she is and awakened her to a life of compassion and deep empathy for everyone from pre-conception through parenting to menopause.  Her approach is simple: to allow people to feel held and heard, safe and worthy of love and self-acceptance. We talk about:  4:10 Sophie’s own story and mental health struggles 9:15 The birth of Sophie’s twins 13:36 The ripple effect of taking care of your mental health 15:55 Teaching practitioners as well as parents 19:40 Working within our current pre and post-natal systems 20:34 The experience of fatherhood 22:07 Post-natal depression in fathers 25:00 The pressures of the patriarchy 27:15 Nurturing ourselves 30:34 The challenges of parenthood for over-achievers 31:36 Intrusive thoughts 32:03 Loss of identity 33:35 Expectations and perfectionism 34:50 Recognising that you are struggling   35:48 The effect of parenting on couples’ relationships 38:08 The importance of a compassionate relationship while parenting 39:40 Resentment and unrealistic expectations 43:40 Preparing for stormy seas together 46:26 Modelling compassion to our children 48:39 the Nourish app 50:29 How Sophie pauses 51:50 Visualisation 53:10 Play - dancing and bouncing 55:18 Sophie’s takeaway for you   Pre-order my book at Amazon here.   Instagram: @themammacoach Facebook & Twitter: @themammacoach Website: www.themammacoach.com   Find me at www.thethomasconnection.co.uk Instagram: @the_thomas_connection Facebook: www.facebook.com/thethomasconnection Pause Purpose Play Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/pausepurposeplay    This episode was edited by Emily Crosby Media