As part of our Women’s Health Week series, we’re continuing the conversation around postpartum care – this time through the lived experience of new motherhood.
Stepping into motherhood is often described in soft, glowing terms, but the reality is far more layered.
In this conversation, Laura Mohi shares an honest look into her postpartum season with baby Billie – the depth of love, the physical demands, and the gentle recalibration that comes with it.
From letting go of the pressure to “bounce back” to redefining recovery around rest, nourishment and gentle movement, Laura’s approach is grounded in something simple: reduce the load rather than add to it.
For her, that means making nourishment practical, slowly rebuilding strength and giving herself permission to do less in a season that is already asking so much.
You’ve recently stepped into motherhood with Billie, alongside Liam. How has this postpartum period felt for you, and what has surprised you most about this season?
This has been a really special season. I've never felt a love like it but I've also never been more stretched to my limits. I'm surprised by how well I can function with such little sleep haha.
The “fourth trimester” is often spoken about, but not always fully supported. What has this phase taught you about recovery, rest, and adjusting to a new rhythm?
This season is one of the most dramatic hormonal shifts the human body goes through which affects everything from mood, energy, joint stability, core function, skin and sleep. So rest is so important! It's not a time you can push through - I focused on not increasing the load by managing cortisol by eating well, making sure I didn't accidentally fast by making sure I had a good breakfast with protein and not having caffeine on an empty stomach, and gentle movement only.
There’s often an unspoken pressure to “bounce back”: physically, emotionally, or into routine. How have you navigated that, and what has your version of recovery looked like instead?
I personally have felt more of a pressure to get back into routine as a small business owner - Navigating the routine I have had to remind myself that I am doing more than enough looking after Billie, feeding her ( which can feel like a full time job ) and trying to make the most of these early days with her- anything extra is a bonus. physically I am focusing on feeding my baby and having enough energy to do so - I am focusing on rebuilding core strength and recovering my strength and mobility and believe this is a much more positive place to be motivated from.
Your personal pregnancy and post-partum journey has added such a meaningful layer to how you support women through Wild Pilates. How has your relationship with your body shifted, post-partum? What has your movement practice looked like, and equally, what has it not looked like?
I am so excited to support women even more now that I know how pregnancy feels in the body and how much postpartum affects everything. I see movement as a way to give energy to the body rather than deplete it and Pilates strength as a way to support all the changes that pre/postnatal brings. Movement has been about reconnecting the core and pelvic floor as my main focus as well as mobility to support the demands on the body from breastfeeding and holding Billie, I am focusing on gentle movement and slow walks. I'm currently filming for a Wild Pilates postnatal programme which I am super excited about and really proud of my 40 week wild prenatal programme which is a pregnancy safe Pilates you can do at home, structured from early pregnancy to birth.
In the quieter, in-between moments of the day, what have you found yourself needing most?
Good food, protein, and a moment of stillness.
Nourishment can feel very different in this phase. What has “being nourished” actually looked like for you day to day?
I did not realise how little time I would have so making sure I am eating 3 meals is the baseline and making sure I'm having meals with protein, carbs, fats and fiber where possible. Starting the day with a good breakfast with protein is the most important. I need to prep protein overnight oats the night before otherwise its so easy to run out of time. Sneaking extra nutrients in when I can has been a game changer - protein powder in my oats, bone broth as a warm drink or mixed in with my rice, collagen in my matcha, beef liver tablets for iron and smoothies when I need a quick snack.
Have there been any small rituals or anchors in your day that have made a meaningful difference?
Starting the day with breakfast and a collagen matcha and aiming to get outside for a walk every morning. Also a winddown in the evening which can just be 5 mins of skincare.
Postpartum can be both beautiful and challenging. What has felt harder than you expected - and what has helped you move through those moments?
The sleep deprivation has felt the hardest and having the mindset that “ Billie is having a hard time not giving me a hard time” has been really helpful. Removing the expectations of the day when Ive had a rough night and instead focusing on what is going to make me feel as good as I can, thats a good breakfast, hydration, gentle Pilates and a walk outside.
Support can look different for everyone. What has support looked like for you, and what do you feel women need more of during this time?
For me support has looked like Having a hands-on husband who really sees parenting as 50/50 has been invaluable, my sister has been over weekly and never shows up empty handed or leaves without doing something to help out around the house, Having conversations with Friends who are also mums has been invaluable and I really appreciate all of my friends who have shown up for me. I think the most helpful support has been meals dropped off this really reduces the load and having the ability to talk to others in the same season
If you could take the pressure off new mothers in one way, what would you want them to let go of? And, on the other side of that, what would you encourage them to prioritise instead?
I know its hard but taking the expectation off what you could fit into a day and remember you are now doing the most important job and looking after your little human, I would encourage every woman to focus on nourishment and hydration to support the demands of this season and focus on slowly rebuilding core strength.
Looking back on these early weeks/months, is there anything you’d want to tell yourself at the very beginning of postpartum?
Don't rush back into doing everything, life will always be there and she will only be little for so long. You won't regret the short but consistent deep core work to rebuild the core strength.
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