Episode 5, The Mental Marathon Of Motherhood With Gemma Capocci

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Motherhood changes your life emotionally as much as it does physically — yet many women feel unprepared for the psychological reality of pregnancy and postpartum.In this episode of A Long Way To Go, journalist and host Katie O’Malley is joined by Gemma Capocci, qualified counsellor, psychotherapist and BACP-registered practitioner, to explore the emotional realities of becoming a mother.Together, they discuss anxiety, overwhelm, intrusive thoughts, sleep deprivation, guilt, shame, identity loss, relationships, intimacy, and the invisible mental load so many women carry during pregnancy and early motherhood.They also unpack why motherhood can feel so all-consuming, why asking for help can feel difficult, how to tell the difference between normal worry and something that needs more support, and what real emotional support for mothers should look like.This episode is for anyone who has felt unlike themselves since becoming a mother, struggled silently with anxiety or overwhelm, or wondered whether they are finding motherhood harder than they are “supposed” to.Because struggling does not mean you are failing. The mental marathon of motherhood is real — and women deserve honesty, support and compassion, not silence or shame.Follow @Alongwaytogclub for more conversations on pregnancy, postpartum and women’s health.Following Gemma Capocco on Instagram here and find out more about her work here.Content note: This episode includes discussion of maternal mental health, including postpartum anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, identity loss, guilt, shame, trauma and suicide. Please take care while listening.If you are affected by anything in this episode, support is available from PANDAS Foundation UK, which offers free support for parents and families affected by perinatal mental illness. You can access their WhatsApp support and callback services through the PANDAS Foundation website.You can also speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP about your mental health during pregnancy or after birth. They can refer you to