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Talking about postnatal mental health can feel surprisingly hard. You may know, theoretically, that many women and birthing parents struggle after birth, yet still hesitate to put words to your own experience. You might worry about being judged or dismissed, or simply told that what you’re feeling is “normal” and therefore not worth support. Or you may simply not know where to begin. Today is Time to Talk Day; the UK’s largest annual campaign dedicated to encouraging open con

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week is a moment to shine a light on something that too often gets lost in the noise of postpartum recovery: your cervical health. If you’ve recently had a baby, a letter inviting you to a cervical screening (smear test) can feel overwhelming, confusing, or even frightening. Your body has changed. Your cervix may feel different. Your relationship with your pelvic area might be tender or uncertain. And yet, the guidance is simple: you still need your

When we talk about pregnancy and birth, we often think about joy. New beginnings. The “happiest time of your life”. But when you listen carefully to women and birthing parents, it’s clear this is not a universal experience. In reality, this period of time is more complex, more emotional, and far more demanding than most people are prepared for. A new report from the National Childbirth Trust (NCT), From Expectation to Reality: Parents’ experiences of pregnancy, birth, and lif

For many women, pregnancy comes with a clear message about alcohol: don’t drink. After birth, the message can become confusing, and sometimes judgemental. You might hear everything from “you’ve earned it” to “you must not touch a drop,” often with very little nuance for the realities of postnatal recovery. Here’s what we can say with clinical confidence: the postnatal period is a uniquely vulnerable time - physically, hormonally, emotionally, and practically. Alcohol affects

As the calendar turns from December’s celebrations to January’s fresh start, it’s easy to feel pulled toward the familiar rhetoric of “New Year, New You”. Everywhere we look - media, social feeds, even well-meaning friends - there’s a renewed push toward restrictive diets, elimination plans, and rigid “wellness challenges”. But if you’ve recently had a baby, a reset isn’t about restriction. It’s about reclaiming wellbeing from a place of nourishment, balance, and evidence-ba

The days between Christmas and New Year are often described as a “no man’s land”: a stretch of time where the usual rhythms disappear and the world seems to slow down. For many mothers and birthing parents, especially those in the postnatal period, this time doesn’t feel restful or restorative. Instead, it can feel emotionally heavy, unstructured, and unexpectedly overwhelming. If you find yourself feeling fragile, low, overstimulated or tearful during these days, you are far

At Hesta Health, pelvic physiotherapists tell us that they hear so many myths and misconceptions about pelvic health from postnatal women and birthing parents. These beliefs can influence how you care for your body during postnatal recovery, and may even prevent you from seeking support when you need it. In this blog, we’ll dismantle some of the most common pelvic-health myths many new mothers and birthing parents hear, and explain the real, evidence-informed facts. Understa

December is a month that often comes with two things at once: a little more sparkle, and a lot more noise. Everywhere you look, someone is talking about “balancing indulgence” or “staying on track”. And when you’ve recently had a baby - when your body is healing, your hormones are shifting hourly, and your sleep is patchy at best - noise can feel impossibly loud. You may find yourself wondering whether you should be doing something differently: eating better, eating less, eat