Motherlode aims to connect mothers, birthing women and mothers-to-be of all ages with evidence + experience + each other.
We believe fundamentally it is a woman’s right to choose whatever she feels is right for her body, and we want to help make sure those choices are informed, that she feels empowered, and that she is supported by a non-judgemental community throughout her journey into motherhood.
We recognise that holistic knowledge and wisdom around pregnancy and birth in our community has been dwindling for several generations, and most women are approaching conception with very little understanding of what lies ahead.
We believe that while birth is a time of transformation for many women, it need not – should not – be a time of fear and panic. For the majority of women,
“birth is an emergence, not an emergency.”
Jeannine Parvati Baker
We believe knowledge is power, and with a community of elders, aunties, sisters and your peers alongside you, cheering you on, no woman need fear doing what women have been doing as long as humans have existed.
So what does that mean?
- It means we find the best, most up-to-date peer-reviewed research about your options in pregnancy, labour, birth and post-partum care. Then we summarise it in plain, simple language, not academic-speak or medical-ese, so you know what choices you’re making and you feel fully informed.
- It means we find women who have experiences they want to contribute, stories to tell, and we share them with you, so you understand not only what might happen, but how you might feel about it.
- It means we write about the whole woman: the possible psychological, social, economic, sexual, spiritual and physiological effects of these moments, with advice or suggestions about how you might choose to navigate them.
- It means we focus on the mother. There are a million and one pregnancy books, sites and forums which centre on foetal development and caring for your baby. We want to make sure mothers are cared for too.
- It means we are building a community, on and off-line, to link emerging mothers with those who have taken a few more steps on this journey, to cheer each other on, to lend support and a listening ear, a delivery of a hot meal or a hug where possible, and to be there for one another at the difficult moments. No mama left behind.
So what is motherlode?
Motherlode is a website. A book. A community. We’re considering a podcast. Maybe it’s t-shirts. Bumper stickers. A gang sign to flash at the local cafe for a discount on your caffeine hit.
Right now we’re Australian, (but who knows where we could end up?)
We’re open to your ideas and your wisdom.
Motherlode 