Welcome to Mary’s Journal, where I share the important and enlightening work from a selection of very special women who help others, often in a life changing way. I hope you enjoy reading about these inspiring women and through sharing their stories they can continue to help more and more readers.
My first interview is with the incredible Melody Robinson from All Things Birth and Beyond.
M E L O D Y R O B I N S O N
Discovering Melody from All Things Birth and Beyond was a turning point in my motherhood journey from mama to one, to mama to two. At a time when I felt overwhelmed and anxious, her expertise as a birth doula and a specialist in maternal mental health was exactly what I needed. Melody’s unique skills in emotional wellbeing and her training in birth and postpartum trauma recovery made her the perfect support for my final weeks of pregnancy (and beyond!)
I was determined to have a home birth but felt unsupported by my local hospital, based on past experiences. The idea of returning there was daunting and fueled my antenatal anxiety. When I met Melody, her presence immediately brought me comfort and reassurance. She swiftly took action, securing a home birth for me with two independent midwives, all facilitated through the hospital. This achievement was monumental, not just for me but also for other mums in York and Scarborough who want a home birth.
The challenges continued after my baby’s birth. He had a posterior tongue-tie and physical restrictions that impacted breastfeeding. I sensed something wasn't right, so I reached out to Melody for her expertise. Her comprehensive tongue function assessment revealed tensions in his neck, mouth, and tongue, affecting his feeding. Her recommendations for specific treatments were a lifeline for us.
Melody's support didn't just stop at my baby's birth. I’ve continued to lean on her during this first year as a new mum. Balancing my life as a fashion designer and business owner with being a mum has been a whole new adventure. Melody has been there for me, not just as a doula, but as a mentor and coach, helping me navigate this exciting but complex time. Her understanding of what it's like to be a new mum and her approach to overall wellbeing has been a game-changer for me.
With her help, I’ve been able to juggle my career and motherhood with more confidence and a lot less stress.
She’s more than just a doula – she's a true guide for mothers. Melody's expertise in maternal mental health and her skills in helping with trauma have been a blessing for my family. This is all about how Melody goes above and beyond. She doesn’t just provide physical support; she helps build emotional strength and resilience. She’s a real-life hero for mums, making a huge difference in our lives.
A L L T H I N G S B I R T H A N D B E Y O N D : Q & A
Mary: What would you consider are the most valuable services you offer to women during their pregnancy?
Melody: As a maternal wellbeing coach and doula , the most valuable service I offer is holistic emotional support tailored to each woman's unique journey. This includes providing evidence-based information, practical guidance, and emotional support to help manage the anxieties and uncertainties that often accompany becoming a mother. My approach integrates traditional doula support with a focus on maternal mental health, ensuring that each woman feels empowered and confident as she transitions into motherhood.
Mary: What advice would you give to new mothers struggling to breastfeed their baby?
Melody: Get support! Whether it's from a lactation consultant, a breastfeeding trained doula, or a breastfeeding support group… the right support at the right time makes all the difference… and bodywork is a really important part of the puzzle. Most importantly, be kind to yourself. Breastfeeding can be a deeply personal and sometimes challenging experience - keep engaging with support until you’re at peace with where you are… breastfeeding grief and trauma are real, but not often spoken about.
Mary: What advice would you give to new mothers struggling with their mental health?
Melody: Maternal mental health is crucial. It's okay to not feel okay, as long as you reach out for support – talk to a healthcare professional, a therapist who specialises in perinatal mental health, or join a support group specifically for mums. Learn some quick and easy tips and tricks to support your nervous system so that you can feel less on-edge, and more able to engage and connect with what’s going on around you. Maternal mental health has a direct impact on infant mental health, so taking care of your mental health is not just beneficial for you, but also for your baby.
Mary: You are an expert in healing trauma. One of the things that personally triggers me is actually talking therapy, and talking about my issues and never really moving past them. Please can you tell us about your different approach to talking therapy and healing trauma?
Melody: My approach to healing trauma focuses on integrating hypnotherapy and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) along with somatic therapy. This method allows for healing without the need to extensively talk about the trauma, which can often be re-traumatising. Instead, we focus on the body's memory of the event and work on releasing the trauma from this perspective through a range of modalities such as breathwork, meridian therapy, muscle testing, movement and art. It’s about moving forward and finding peace.
Mary: I have seen lots of your case studies, reviews and had the pleasure of personally working with you. It must be extremely rewarding to have such a positive impact on other peoples lives. What would you consider the most monumental impact you have made?
Melody: One of the biggest impacts I've had is helping to make home births a real option for mums in our area. I believe that where you give birth can have a huge effect on your mental health and that of your family. By advocating for home births, we're giving mothers a choice that feels right and safe for them.
Another profound impact is seeing mothers who’ve had really tough birth or postpartum experiences in the past reach a point where they can talk about these experiences without feeling hurt or scared. It's incredibly rewarding to hear them say they're now looking forward to being mums again. It shows that with the right support, healing is possible, and a difficult past doesn't have to overshadow the joy of motherhood.
Mary: I love empowering women through clothing. I asked you to choose your favourite Mary Benson dress to photograph you in. What do you love about your dress and how does it make you feel to wear one?
Melody: I chose this gorgeous Zelda style Mary Benson dress that feels absolutely divine and really comfortable and honestly just makes me feel so special. There is seriously something magical about wearing it… before I even looked in the mirror I spun round and had this big smile on my face… I don’t think I’ve ever put on a piece of clothing and felt so fab - the weight of the fabric is amazing and the fit…. It’s PERFECT! Wearing it reminds me how important it is to feel good about yourself, and that’s something I want everyone I meet to experience.
F A V O U R I T E Q U O T E ?
“There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they are falling in.”
-Desmond Tutu
C O N T A C T M E L O D Y
INSTAGRAM @allthingsbirthandbeyond
WEBSITE www.melodyrobinson.co