The PP Diary - Tabitha Fennell
I first met Tabitha many years ago in her acupuncture clinic, Studio Qi in Burleigh Heads. We always had the best chats, and she has helped me through general stress of life, relationships, health complaints, pregnancy and pregnancy loss, parenting woes, worries and concerns. She has allowed me the space to let go, without judgement, held my hand through the tough moments and helped me laugh through toddlerhood. She has given me such sound advice over the years that I really wanted to share some of her wisdom, in hopes that another Mama benefits from her advice. She is knowledgeable, warm, comforting, an empathetic ear and a true nurturing healer. Having her as a part of my support team has made such a difference to how I am as a mother, and I am forever grateful for her. Below is my recap of our interview together.
Insta - @tabithajfennell
Can you introduce yourself?
I'm a 52 year old vibrantly married Mum of 3 boys aged 20,18 and 11 years old. I'm an acupuncturist of 25 years and coach for 4 years, here at Burleigh on the Gold Coast. I love creativity and health is top of my list, mental, emotional and physical. I’m a Mother Nature Queen and nature is where I find my energy and where I come to for my inspiration.
Can you describe your experience with Postpartum in three words ?
No lol, but i’ll try. Support, Rest ,Repeat.
What were two things you found the toughest and why? What helped you through these tough times?
The first was suffering from post natal depression after the 1st birth, I thought I could do it all by myself. Luckily I had two other kids to give me the opportunity to trial asking for support from family and friends plus loads of acupuncture and Chinese herbs. The second was Juggling a two year old when my second lad was born, mothers guilt kicked hard here but luckily I had a great therapist on my side to work this through.
What was the two best things and why?
Gazing into the eyes of my babies three times around and each time round I felt stronger in the mother I had become and how I had learnt to put myself first and how this totally transformed my postpartum lifestyle.
What quote or piece of advice that was given to you stuck with through your motherhood journey ?
My Mum always said to me “Tabitha, absorb it all, the good and the not so good as in a blink of an eye it will be done”!!!
Now with a 20 and 18 year old I know this to be true. So along the journey I heard mums voice saying this and it made me present in times when I didn’t want to be and present in times that blew my heart wide open.
What part of Postpartum do we not talk about enough?
The times when I/we think I/we can’t do this anymore and feeling ashamed of this.
What was one thing you wish you knew, or you wish someone told you when you were a new mum?
That as they grow you can only be the best version of you (therapy rocks! I think all parents need this type of support) and that even that best version will probably give them something to take to therapy. We are humans, not perfection.
Name three things you couldn’t live without in postpartum
· My Husbands love
· My humour
· My TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) acupuncture and herbs, moxa, Chinese diet therapy, and therapy
