My Postpartum Journey into Tech
As a doula, I often share birth stories with my clients. Today, I want to share my own postpartum journey – one that taught me about determination, support systems, and the incredible capacity we have, even as mothers, to manifest our wildest dreams.
I was in my third year of college when I discovered I was pregnant. With just one semester left to complete my degree, I faced a decision that many thought was impossible: continuing my education with a newborn.
My daughter arrived in December, bringing with her all the joy and challenges of new motherhood. While many advised me to take a year or two off from school, I had a different vision. In my head i felt like newborns primarily just eat and sleep in those early months, and I saw an opportunity within this pattern. Against conventional wisdom, I returned to school that January – just one month after giving birth.
This decision wasn't one I made lightly, nor was it one I could execute alone. I prayed about it and asked God to make a way for me to finish my degree without delay. I always pray for God to send me destiny helpers to fulfil my dreams. That is exactly what He did.
What made it possible for me to finish my degree was the invaluable support of my community – specifically, an elder from my church who agreed to watch my daughter while I attended classes. This experience taught me firsthand the truth of the saying "it takes a village to raise a child." Not only did she watch my daughter all day every day, while i attended school full time and worked part-time; when i arrived to pick up my daughter i was met by a fully bathed and fed baby and a hot plate of dinner for myself. Aunty Felicia went above and beyond the call of duty and I could not have made it through that season of my life without here. i never would hav been able to finish my degree without the support of my village and people like her.
What I Learned From My Experience
1. Trust your instincts as a mother. This was my first major decision to make since becoming a mother and a felt it with every fibre in my bones that this was the best decision for us. Against everyone suggestions for me to take a year off school i knew i needed to push. Nobody knows what you're capable of but you. You set the limits on your capacity, or not.
2. Listen to your body and don't be afraid to go against conventional wisdom when it feels right. I was able to rest for a total of five weeks before returning to full time studies. No one can tell you when you'll be ready to resume regular daily activities, so you have to learn to listen to your body and pick up the cues it may be giving you. When you need rest, get it. When you have energy, don't be afraid to use it.
3. Accept help when it's offered – it doesn't make you any less of a mother; it actually makes you a very wise woman. I come from a family of doulas long before the word doula became such a buzz word. Doulas represent the the first line of fence in your village that is required to raise a child. Seek out the best of them and lean on them. Not all doulas have official titles. they also have titles such as aunties, grannies, sisters, friends, and elders. if you don't have natural doulas in your village to lean on then seek out a professional doula to help you get the support you need.
4. Having a support system is crucial during the postpartum period. There is so much going on with your physical and mental health. If you haven't already identified your tribe then now is the time that to find them.
Looking back, I'm grateful for my decision to perserveer and finish my degree in International Commerce and Global Development. This is where I developed an appetite for ecommerce and building a digital online presence. Thankfully this made me comfortable boot-strapping everything as an entrepreneur when I started YONI SPA. I was able to build my first website on GoDaddy all on my own. I later went on to rebuild my website on Shopify because it had a much better ecommerce integration across social media. I developed a passion for discovering new innovative technology to optimize my business. Now I share all of this with aspiring entrepreneurs and founders in the purpose playground community.
That challenging semester taught me about my own strength and resilience. It showed me that with proper support and the right mindset, nothing could stop me from achieve my goals, even as a new mother.
As a doula, I now use this experience to encourage my clients. Every mother's journey is different, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach to the postpartum period. What matters most is making choices that feel right for you and your baby, while ensuring you have the support you need to succeed.
If you're thinking about getting into tech or looking for a new job opportunity in tech then you should attend the BFUTR Conference taking place Nov 6 and 7, 2024 here in Toronto at the International Convention Centre.
How are you preparing for your own postpartum journey? Let's connect and discuss how I can support you during this transformative time.