Episode 37
"My culture has no real word for mental health". The Unlikely Mummy: Kavita Trevena
Kavita Trevena, founder of The Unlikely Mummy, shares her profoundly personal motherhood journey, including gestational diabetes, postnatal depression and being diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder after two stressful births. Kavita also talks about a lack of openness around mental health issues in her culture, and a general lack of support for South Asian mums within maternal care services.
Kavita discusses her community-driven initiatives such as The Unlikely Mummy blog, counselling services, exercise therapies, and wellness activities designed to support mothers.
Far from being a heavy listen, Kavita was a joy to speak to and our positive conversation underlines a message of hope, resilience, and the importance of creating supportive networks for mothers.
*Trigger Warning* Postnatal Depression, Birth Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
In This Episode:
[00:00] Teaser quote.
[02:01] Introducing Kavita Trevena: founder of 'The Unlikely Mummy'.
[04:30] From being told she couldn't have children to a honeymoon baby - Kavita's journey through pregnancy.
[06:34] Discovery and challenges of Gestational Diabetes.
[13:16] The birth experience - an emergency caesarean.
[20:44] Postpartum struggles and support.
[23:16] Creating 'The Unlikely Mummy' community.
[28:34] Being diagnosed with PND (Postnatal Depression).
[31:04] The need for more support for mums. Growing the Unlikely Mummy to provide community support and specialist services.
[34:22] Running for the cause: The Big Half Marathon, raising funds for a Forest School, counselling and lactation consultant sessions.
[36:37] Starting a walking club for mums.
[40:14] Kavita's second pregnancy: psoriasis and setting up support in advance.
[43:10] Diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) for her first birth.
[47:19] Cultural barriers and lack of support for South Asian mums.
[55:23] The Unlikely Mummy: future plans and support.
[01:01:45] Final thoughts and encouragement.
Key Takeaways:
- The Unlikely Mummy's Insta page.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that affects women of reproductive age and is a leading cause of infertility. NHS information on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. It’s believed 1 in 10 women may suffer from PCOS.
- UK Government information on Gestational Diabetes, a type of diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes can cause health problems in both mother and baby. Support is available from Gestational Diabetes UK.
- Dr. Hannah Short is a doctor who specialises in menopause and premenstrual disorders. Dr. Hannah Short's website. Listen to Hannah's episode: Blue MumDays S2 Ep31: 'The one About Hormones: POI, PMDD, Endometriosis + PME.
- Postnatal depression is depression that happens after you've had a baby. It can range from mild to severe and is more common than you think. Up to 1 in 7 mums are affected and up to 1 in 10 dads. NHS information on Postnatal Depression. More information can be found here, Royal College of Psychiatrists page on PND.
- CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) is the name for the NHS services that assess and treat young people with emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties. Find CAMHS support near you (UK only).
- Find out more about the Big Half Marathon, a 13.1 mile course weaves through London from Tower Bridge to the iconic Cutty Sark in Greenwich. Donate to Kavita's Go Fund Me here.
- NHS information on psoriasis, an immune-mediated inflammatory skin condition that can be both physically and psychologically distressing. Support and information from the Psoriasis Association, a UK charity.
- Mind's guide on postnatal PTSD. Blue MumDays S1 Ep17: When Birth Leads to Trauma – listen to my conversation with Make Birth Better’s Dr. Rebecca Moore to learn more about birth trauma.
- In the UK, postnatal depression is more common in British South Asian women than white women. Cultural stigma can also contribute to Asian mums not seeking help. The ROSHNI-2 Study is evaluating the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a CBT(Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) based positive health programme group intervention in British South Asian women with postnatal depression.
- Mindfulness is a technique that involves being fully aware of the present moment without judgment. Kavita's Mindfulness session for Maternal Mental Health Week.
- Eve Canavan BEM is an award-winning lived experience survivor of postpartum psychosis. She works tirelessly to support mums and families and is the co-founder and National Co-Ordinator of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week. Blue MumDays S1 Ep 19: 'Frightened of My Baby' - Eve Canavan.
- For donating to The Unlikely Mummy: Account name: THE UNLIKELY MUMMY C / Sort Code: 51-70-14 / Account Number: 78918855.
Follow us:
Instagram / Twitter / Facebook Group / bluemumdays@gmail.com
Next Episode:
Next time I talk to the incredible 'Frontline Midwife' Anna Kent. Anna has delivered babies in war zones, caring for the most vulnerable women in the most vulnerable places in the world, including responsibility for the female health of 30,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. Anna talks movingly about her own experience of motherhood, including the loss of her first baby Fatima. One of my very favourite conversations, I can't wait for you to hear it!
If you enjoyed this episode, please share, rate and subscribe. It really does make the difference in helping others find it – which means helping more parents in need.
You are not alone and will not feel this way forever.
Links to Support: (please note we do not check or monitor them individually).
1. Acacia Family Support Pre and postnatal depression support for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic mums and dads. 0121 301 5990, help@acacia.org.uk.
2. Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) Moderated Forum, click here to find out more. Email: app@app-network.org / Tel: 020 3322 9900
3. AIMS for better birthing. helpline@aims.org.uk. This email will go to a group of AIMS volunteers and someone will respond as soon as possible. / Telephone: +44 (0) 300 365 0663 (leave message)
4. Andys Man Club A non-judgmental talking group for men. info@andysmanclub.co.uk
5. Association of Postnatal Illness Helpline: 10am – 2pm – 0207 386 0868 / Email: info@apni.org (Live chat online facility)
6. Best Beginnings. Free NHS-accredited Baby Buddy app offering 24/7 App support for new parents
7. Birth Trauma Association Email: support@birthtraumaassociation.org.uk
8. CALM. National helpline: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-midnight)
9. Cedar House Support Group for mums with postnatal depression. Email: lwise@talktalk.net (Liz Wise) / Mobile: 07773 283556.
10. Contact - for families with disabled children. Helpline: 0808 808 3555.
11. Dad Matters. Support dads to have successful relationships with their families, with mental health and accessing services through peer support and signposting. kierananders@homestarthost.org.uk / 0161 344 0669
12. DadsNet offers support and knowledge through a community of dads on practical parenting and fatherhood.
13. Dope Black Dads - A digital safe space for fathers who wish to discuss their experiences of being black, a parent and masculinity in the modern world. hello@dopeblack.org
14. Family Lives provides immediate help from volunteer parent support workers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Helpline: 0808 800 2222.
15. Family Rights Group. Support for parents and other family members whose children are involved with or need social care services. Helpline: 0808 801 0366.
16. Fathers Mental Health UK is a UK-based community interest company dedicated to enhancing the mental health of fathers and their families, especially during the perinatal period. Run by paternal mental health pioneer Mark Williams, offering support to dads.
17. Fatherhood Solutions. Scott Mair is a consultant in paternal mental health and parent education, Peer support trainer. Dad, Husband, Army veteran.
18. FiveXMore. A grassroots organisation committed to changing Black women and birthing people’s maternal health outcomes in the UK. Email: fivexmore@gmail.com
19. Gingerbread offer help and advice on the issues that matter to single parents. Helpline 0808 802 0925.
20. The Hub of Hope - A directory of mental health support around the UK.
21. Lactation Consultants of Great Britain – for support with breastfeeding.
22. LGBT Mummies support LGBT+ women & people globally on the path to motherhood or parenthood. Email: contact@lgbtmummies.com
23. Make Birth Better (Birth Trauma Support) Email: hello@makebirthbetter.org
24. The Maternal Mental Health Alliance is a UK charity and network of 130 organisations, dedicated to ensuring women and families affected by perinatal mental health problems have access to high-quality, compassionate care.
25. Maternal OCD Peer support available, email info@maternalocd.org to arrange.
26. Mayah's Legacy support and empower anyone who has experienced pregnancy loss to advocate for themselves. Email: info@bigoutreach.org / 0300 102 1596.
27. The Motherhood Group are dedicated to sharing and supporting the black maternal experience through peer support, projects and advocacy. info@themotherhoodgroup.com
28. Motivational Mums Club offer trauma, mindfulness and meditation sessions for mothers and mums-to-be with an NHS Mental Health Specialist, who’s also a mother. motivationalmumsclub@gmail.com
29. Music Football Fatherhood offer open conversations around fatherhood, including blogs, peer support and podcasts. hello@musicfootballfatherhood.com
30. Muslim Women’s Network Helpline: 0800 999 5786, open Mon-Fri 10am–4pm with support offered in English, Urdu, Punjabi, Mirpuri, Putwari, Hindko and Bengali. Email: info@mwnhelpline.co.uk Text: 07415 206 936.
31. National Autistic Society for support and advice for parents and carers of autistic children, including support to develop a greater understanding of their child’s needs and accessing services that meet the family's needs.
32. Netmums offer peer support via their Maternal Mental Health Drop-InClinic.
33. NHS Services for Mental Health Issues Contact your local GP surgery. Call the NHS on 111 and press 2 for Mental Health Team or contact a local NHS urgent mental health helplineIf you are in crisis, visit Accident & Emergency at your nearest hospital.
34. PANDAS Helpline open from 9am-8pm every day – 0843 2898 401 info@pandasfoundation.org.uk
35. Perinatal Wellbeing Ontario offer pre-natal, pregnancy and postpartum support and connection in Canada. info@perinatalwellbeing.ca
36. Petals Baby Loss Charity offers free-of-charge specialist counselling to anyone who has experienced pregnancy or baby loss. Tel: 0300 688 0068 counselling@petalscharity.org
37. Mental health now is a subject that is very well spoken about. 2 Six years ago, no one really spoke about it. 3 It was like, "oh, be quiet now, yeah, yeah, yeah, you've got postnatal. 4 Like, you're miserable". 5 Like, "enjoy the fact that you've got a baby". 6 Like, "be grateful you've got a baby." 7 Particularly in my culture, there's no word, really, for mental health. 8 And where I've married, a white person, and I'm in, like, that world, 9 I'm fortunate that he understands it. 10 But I worry, had I married into an Indian culture, would I have got that support? 11 And I know plenty of Asian mums that have had postnatal depression that have just, 12 "oh yeah, yeah, we had it, and we just got on with it", because there was no 13 support, but I've been reading statistics around Asian women that have died from 14 suicide in the first year because they were undiagnosed postnatal depression, 15 because no one would listen to them. 16 KAVITA TREVENA: More needs to be done for mums. 17 And I think that's the turning point for me, for The Unlikely Mummy, 18 was to start fighting for mums. 19 You're never alone. 20 Never. 21 And if you are alone, that's when you need to start reaching 22 out, because we will help you. 23 VIKKI: Having a baby is meant to be the most joyful time of your life. 24 But for many mums and dads, it can be the hardest and, at 25 times, the darkest of places. 26 Welcome to Blue MumDays, the podcast for anyone struggling with parenting. 27 Everyone is welcome and you're in a very safe space. 28 All the stories shared here are from the heart. 29 Real life experience of people who have been through it 30 and come out the other side. 31 You need to know that you are not alone and these awful feelings 32 will not be with you forever. 33 Just one word. 34 These are real conversations and may be triggering, so 35 please listen with discretion. 36 We will also signpost you to help in the show notes. 37 Today's episode covers birth trauma, and post traumatic stress disorder. 38 VIKKI: Today's guest is Kavita Trevena, founder of The Unlikely Mummy. 39 Kavita created her community after being diagnosed with postnatal depression, 40 following the birth of her first child, and later with post traumatic 41 stress disorder after her second. 42 Initially, she began the community as a way to express her frustrations about 43 parenting, but soon discovered that many other parents shared her struggles. 44 This led her to grow The Unlikely Mummy into a non-profit organisation 45 that supports not just mothers but all parents and their supportive community. 46 Kavita has built a safe and supportive space, where 47 individuals can access help through 48 counselling, exercise therapies, retreats, forest schools, and a newly 49 launched Walking Club for mothers. 50 Her work is rooted in evidence-based practices, with a strong focus on 51 supporting mental health and bonding through research-backed approaches. 52 She works hard to ensure under-represented groups receive the support they need, 53 and her dedication has earned her awards as a blogger, community leader, 54 and Coronation Champion for her work in supporting maternal mental health. 55 Thank you so much for joining me today, Kavita. 56 I'm absolutely delighted to have you, I've been wanting to get you 57 on the podcast for a long time. 58 KAVITA TREVENA: You want to know a secret? 59 I've been wanting to be on your podcast for an even longer time! 60 I was like, "When's it my turn?" 61 VIKKI: Kavita, I loved when we were chatting about you coming on and you'd 62 mentioned about like "Oh, I'm really sorry, I tend to tell jokes and things", 63 I just want to say "Bring it on!" 64 Because I really, whilst this is a heavy topic - anything talking 65 about postnatal depression can be really heavy - but actually, you 66 know, life is about laughter and life is about the good moments as well. 67 And I don't ever want this to be a really dark, heavy listen. 68 I want this to be uplifting and hopeful. 69 KAVITA TREVENA: Absolutely. 70 I think we will laugh, cry, and all of it wrapped into one. 71 So yeah, I'm looking forward to this. 72 It's gonna be a great conversation. 73 VIKKI: Fantastic. 74 So, on the crying front, I'm a crier. 75 Honestly, every single episode, there's a point you can actually tell 76 by, I get more and more sniffly. 77 So... 78 (laughter). 79 KAVITA TREVENA: That's not going to be my aim today, is to make you cry, by the way. 80 Hopefully I won't make you cry! 81 VIKKI: It's all good - all emotion's good! 82 So, let's start with the pregnancies here. 83 You're a mum of two? 84 KAVITA TREVENA: Yes. 85 VIKKI: Did you have a good first pregnancy with your son? 86 KAVITA TREVENA: Yes and no. 87 I didn't really accept that I was pregnant. 88 So the story of me, because I think if people aren't aware, or 89 you might not be aware, that I was told I couldn't have children. 90 I have polycystic ovarian syndrome ( I'm covered in cysts, so I was 91 always told from 18, "If you ever want children, we will help you. 92 It's unlikely you will fall pregnant naturally, and there's options." 93 So I was tested to see whether I had endometriosis. 94 So I've been to all the tests. 95 Before my husband and I got married, all the cards on the 96 table were like, "We might not be able to have children naturally. 97 Is that okay?" 98 And he wanted me, not the fact that we could have children. 99 So that was brilliant. 100 So we were fine. 101 And cliche as it is, my eldest is a honeymoon baby! 102 Doctors, no, they don't lie, but obviously I'm a miracle and I defied all odds! 103 so, The whole pregnancy part of things was us being newlyweds. 104 So I come from quite a relaxed background, as in culturally 105 relaxed background with my parents, but they wanted me to 106 get married before I moved out. 107 So the day we got married on a Sunday, I moved into his house - it sounds like a 108 Craig David song - on the Monday, and then we went on honeymoon on the Wednesday! 109 So I hadn't really lived with him or spent that much time with just 110 us together, before really getting married, even though , we've been 111 married seven years now and we're still together, so obviously it works. 112 Then, a couple of months later, finding out we were pregnant, was a really hard 113 pill to swallow, like, I was very excited and very happy, but at the same time, I'm 114 like, "But I'm a newlywed, shouldn't I be going on, like, really exotic holidays 115 every year now", and, " shouldn't we be going on these beautiful long dates, 116 and just enjoying being us?", but... 117 we were just pregnant, so I hid it for a very long time. 118 So I hid the pregnancy, not through being, like, ashamed that I was pregnant, 119 but everyone was like, "But you've just got married", like, "it's too soon". 120 And everyone loves an opinion, don't they, so like... 121 VIKKI: Oh my god yes! 122 KAVITA TREVENA: ...I hid it for a good chunk of time. 123 I hid it from work until I was like 20 weeks pregnant, and a lot of people 124 didn't even know I was pregnant. 125 If you weren't in my own little mini circle, if you was on, like, 126 you know, like, the second layer of a circle, you just didn't know. 127 The pregnancy was absolutely fine, I just hid it, but I was 128 diagnosed with gestational diabetes 129 VIKKI: Oh, 130 KAVITA TREVENA: quite early on. 131 On my husband's birthday. 132 I had to do that test. 133 And then on my birthday, I found out that I was on the marker for it. 134 So that kind of ruined the pregnancy a little bit because I'm a vegetarian as 135 well, I just felt like I couldn't eat. 136 So the last couple of months of pregnancy just was awful. 137 VIKKI: To explain for anybody that isn't familiar with gestational 138 diabetes and what the ramifications are for the pregnancy and for you, can 139 you tell us a little bit about that? 140 KAVITA TREVENA: Yeah, absolutely, from what I've understood it, or 141 how it was explained to me, I didn't have diabetes, and my child doesn't 142 have diabetes, it's just that my body was unable to process the insulin 143 or it wasn't transferring from me to baby or if I was doing it, it was too 144 much and baby couldn't cope with it. 145 It's not what people think is I was sitting there eating chocolate 146 every day, or I was sitting there drinking cans of Coke every day. 147 It's got nothing to do with my lifestyle or how I was eating during pregnancies. 148 It's a bit of potluck and a bit of bad luck, if you like, 149 I don't know if I can say that! 150 But it's quite hereditary as well, so if you're known to have diabetes in the 151 family, so your mum is type 2, or you're slightly overweight, or you're from 152 an ethnic background, or if you're an older mum, you're more likely to have the 153 chance of having gestational diabetes. 154 So, where I was on the border, I was diet controlled, so I didn't 155 have to take any Metformin tablets or insulin, which lots of women do 156 have to take, and there is support out there if you do need to do that. 157 There's nothing, there's no right or wrong way to have gestational 158 diabetes, it's just purely how your body processes its food, and how it 159 takes the good things from the food. 160 So you would have a meal, you would pinprick test like an 161 hour later, test it on a machine to see where your sugars lied. 162 And I was really good. 163 Purely because I used to pretty much starve myself, because I was so scared 164 that I would be killing my baby. 165 Because every time you had a higher reading, it's potentially 166 dangerous for your child. 167 This is how it was explained to me. 168 And then they would grow too big, they'd have too much fluid. 169 When you're pregnant, you'd have to have a (Caesarean) section. 170 If you gave birth naturally, like, they could break their shoulders 171 because they're too large to get out, and they'd have to break body 172 parts to get him out of your body. 173 This is what you are told. 174 So I was like, "No, I'm not having any of that." 175 So I was determined to only be diet controlled, so I was incredibly strict. 176 I'd have a set breakfast, set snack, lunch, and dinner, and I wouldn't 177 deviate from that plan because I was so scared that anytime I ate something, 178 it was harming my child, which is daft now that I look back, six years 179 and three years for both of them. 180 But at the time when you're in it, and there's no information because 181 there really isn't anything around gestational diabetes and understanding 182 that if I was to eat Indian food, that's actually really bad for me. 183 But it's not because I've grown up with it. 184 So one minute I'm eating food that I've been told is really bad for me, but it, 185 but it isn't, it's just the way it is. 186 But it is a good lifestyle change. 187 I lost a stone during my pregnancies for both of them, and I wish I'd 188 carried on some of the habits! 189 VIKKI: There's so much to unpick there, because A, like you were saying 190 about how everybody's got opinion, and it's something that I've talked 191 about, like, with Sarah Edge in the last couple of episodes, and 192 we were talking about how everybody comments on your body when you're 193 pregnant, and the size of your bump, and yeah, everybody's got an opinion. 194 So, did you feel like a sense of judgement if you were telling people 195 you had gestational diabetes, even though it was nothing that you could control? 196 KAVITA TREVENA: Oh gosh, absolutely! 197 I said it, didn't, like, the fact that I was like, it's not because I was eating 198 chocolates and biscuits and cakes, like, because I wasn't actually, during the 199 first one, second one I did, because I got to the point where I was like, "I'm 200 gonna get it anyway, I might as well enjoy it now before I get told I've got it!" 201 (laughs). 202 VIKKI: I think even if you're not going through something like gestational 203 diabetes, that the feeling of responsibility when you're pregnant, 204 especially as a first time mum, you don't want to do anything at all that could 205 jeopardise your baby or harm your baby. 206 So that must have been a big weight on your mind. 207 KAVITA TREVENA: It was. 208 I got tired of explaining to people "I don't have diabetes". 209 And, even now, with my two babies, so both of them, I had gestational diabetes 210 with both my babies, and, They are more likely to get diabetes when they're grown 211 ups and I'm more likely to get type 2 diabetes now, as well, because of it. 212 Yeah. 213 VIKKI: Really? 214 So I thought it was something that just affected you when you were pregnant. 215 KAVITA TREVENA: It is while you're pregnant, but you're more 216 likely to get type 2 diabetes if you've had gestational diabetes. 217 VIKKI: Ah, right 218 KAVITA TREVENA: But a lot of women don't get told this. 219 Around my daughter's birthday, I'll go get a blood test done. 220 So you just aim it around someone's birthday. 221 So, um, I'm on the borderline, so I'm pre-diabetic at the moment, and 222 I've been fighting and fighting to get help and referrals and resources 223 to help me not be pre-diabetic. 224 But with that, and the polycystic ovarian syndrome, my body's just going nuts. 225 So I need to, spend some time working on that. 226 But that's resulted as a pregnancy thing. 227 And it just blows my mind. 228 It's been going on for six years and there's no real support. 229 VIKKI: Yeah. 230 KAVITA TREVENA: There needs to be more support for mums. 231 And partners, because my husband used to watch me crying, because I didn't 232 know what to eat, and he'd go and get books and options for me, just so I 233 could eat, because it was hard for him to watch me struggle, because of all the 234 guilt I was feeling, that every time I ate something I was potentially harming 235 whatever child was inside me at the time. 236 And it's hard for your partner to see you that way? 237 VIKKI: Yeah definitely. 238 Myself, I'm going through the process of discovering that I'm neurodivergent, 239 and my sort of thinking, and it makes me look back at early motherhood and 240 how difficult I found it was because I think I have like this quite rigid 241 thinking that I want to be doing the right thing, the 'proper' thing. 242 And so if there's, like, a whole permutation of different 243 options, I get overwhelmed. 244 Because I'm like, well, "Which is the right thing to do?" 245 So I can totally understand that, it's like, tell me what... 246 KAVITA TREVENA: ....to do. 247 VIKKI: Yeah, you almost need a dietician to say, " Avoid this, eat this, this sort 248 of portion size", and then happy days, you know what you're doing, don't you? 249 So interesting pregnancy then. 250 My God, you had a going on! 251 You and your husband were just getting into the rhythm of living together. 252 KAVITA TREVENA: Gosh yeah. 253 ... VIKKI: How about the birth? 254 Are you sort of happy talking about that experience? 255 KAVITA TREVENA: I am now. 256 Had you asked me five years ago it probably would have been a 'no'. 257 It was quite a nice start to the birth. 258 I do think the mum that screams the loudest is the one that 259 gets the room the quickest. 260 Which is quite sad, actually, because I did that with my second child and I 261 got in a Birthing Suite quite quickly. 262 The first time they induced me. 263 Which, if anyone's had an induction, it slows you down completely and I 264 kind of wish I hadn't done it now. 265 But then you don't know at the time, because you're a first time mum and you 266 go with what the experts tell you to do. 267 So I was induced, and it took a very long time, I think it was like the hottest 268 May in 2018, when we had a heatwave! 269 And I was in this hospital, and it was just, oh, it was grim. 270 Not the hospital wasn't grim, it's just the situation was grim! 271 I did try for a natural birth, we were pushing for what felt like 12 272 hours, I think it was 10 in the end. 273 VIKKI: You were pushing for 10 hours?! 274 KAVITA TREVENA: Well, I was in the whole process for that long. 275 VIKKI: Yeah, yeah, oh my god. 276 KAVITA TREVENA: It felt like, probably wasn't, you know what, it probably looked 277 like 20 minutes, but it felt like forever! 278 And then I remember we had a changeover of midwives, and um, I had this midwife 279 come in, and she was lovely, actually, she was, I only had her for a little 280 while, but oh my gosh, she was the best. 281 And I was getting so overwhelmed, so I had an epidural put in, and I was 282 having contractions with the epidural going in, and it's interesting because 283 when the anaesthetist comes in, they just want to do it and get in, get 284 out, and go, but actually you're contracting while it's happening, and 285 the midwives really do advocate for you. 286 And I really thank them for that, that was lovely when she was fighting for 287 him to stop, and it was so painful. 288 I got to a point, I think it was like 10 o'clock at night, and a load of 289 them kept coming in and coming out, I almost just stopped in the process. 290 They kept talking at me, and I couldn't process what they were saying, and they 291 kept saying, "If we don't get your child out, either you or him will die. 292 Sign this piece of paper, you need to do this, and you need 293 to do an emergency section." 294 And, I know I'm talking really quickly, but that's how quick it felt. 295 So I, I looked at my husband and said, "What do I do?" 296 And the consultant person went, "It's not his decision, it's your decision. 297 You need to decide." 298 I was like, " but I don't know what to do. 299 "So the midwife was lovely. 300 She just stopped everyone. 301 She almost, like, stopped the noise and said, "If you don't sign the 302 piece of paper, there's a high chance that you could both die. 303 We just need to make sure you're both happy and healthy and all the rest of it." 304 I was like, "Thank you. 305 In that case, give me the piece of paper and I'll sign it." 306 I just needed someone to slow it down, and explain my options to 307 me, and the only option I had was, "you need to get the kid out". 308 So we got rushed to the emergency room, and within, I think it was as 309 quick as like nine minutes, he was in my arms, I had a little baby boy. 310 So they lifted him up, I remember the lady behind me, she was lovely, the 311 anesthetist woman, goes, "Dad, Dad, Dad!" 312 My husband wasn't answering, because he's not a dad, is he, at that point?! 313 We were just two people, Kavita and Roger, like, we're not mum and dad yet! 314 " Go get your camera ready, come on, get your camera ready!" 315 So as they pulled Rohan up and out, he weed, like... 316 (laughs) he weed all over the consultant that like, did the section! 317 But, um, we've got pictures of that, it's amazing. 318 So we just held him, and you know when the world just stops, and it was 319 silent, in a very busy, loud room, it was silent for me and him, and 320 we just held him and we just cried. 321 I was like, "I've got myself a baby boy." 322 And he was still wrinkly, and then he started crying, and then they took 323 him away, But unfortunately, where I was in so much pain from the section. 324 I couldn't really move. 325 The hospital, they're helpful, but they're not helpful, are they? 326 Because they've got loads of other mums to look after. 327 And you're given, as a first time mum, given this tiny, tiny baby. 328 "There you go!" 329 And you're like, well, what am I meant to do with it? 330 But no one you how to breastfeed. 331 No one teaches you how to change a nappy. 332 No one teaches you how to put clothes on the baby. 333 And you're like, "well, what do I do now? 334 Like, it's crying. 335 How do I comfort it? 336 Like, what, what do you do?" 337 So I think for me, it was I couldn't have a baby to having a baby, having a section. 338 My husband going back after work five days after having my section, because he 339 was having his own stuff going on with his career and his work and whatever. 340 And I was at home on my own and I just didn't know what to do. 341 So I just, just kept crying every day. 342 Like every day I cried and I couldn't process having a 343 baby, like it was really hard. 344 (Gets emotional). 345 Oh gosh, I speak about it all the time, but I guess, um, oh 346 wow, maybe I will make you cry! 347 (Laughs) 348 VIKKI: With things like this, Kavita, you think you've gotten over 349 something, and then it will just pop up out of nowhere, and that's trauma. 350 That's yeah. 351 know. 352 KAVITA TREVENA: But you know what the thing is with, He is the best thing 353 that's ever happened to me, that little boy, He made me a mum, and I feel for 354 him sometimes, because I've learned how to be a mum with him, but I feel 355 like I'm a better mum for my daughter, because he's taught me everything. 356 He got the worst of me, and she's got the best of me. 357 And it's just, that guilt, isn't it? 358 I feel like, if I could do it again, it'd be so much better. 359 Yeah. 360 VIKKI: God, you've really set me off! 361 KAVITA TREVENA: Oh god, I'm so sorry! 362 What I the hell? 363 Hmm. 364 VIKKI: No, but it's so true. 365 I mean, my God, you know, with the, the benefit of hindsight. 366 But the thing is as well, like, I remember when I, I told my, son Stan 367 do you know why I'm doing this podcast? 368 And he was like, "well, to help other people." 369 And I said, "yeah, but do you know why I'm doing this podcast? 370 Did you realise that I had postnatal depression? 371 And his words were, and, my God, I really burst into tears, he was just 372 like, "but you always seem so joyful". 373 And the thing is, like, that's his perception of me, and it's like, we 374 know, as, mums, and parents what we've been through, but actually the kids... 375 KAVITA TREVENA: no, we mask it everywhere, don't we? 376 VIKKI: But yeah, we mask it well. 377 But also, we have shown them love, we have had these wonderful 378 moments with each other. 379 And it's, it's like, I can't remember whether it was with you online 380 or somebody on Instagram, I was having a discussion about birthdays 381 and how triggering I find them. 382 KAVITA TREVENA: That was me, yes! 383 VIKKI: Yeah I thought it was! 384 KAVITA TREVENA: It was me yeah. 385 VIKKI: And about how I always find Stanley's birthday triggering, 386 because I get this feeling of regret of what should have been, like 387 especially from that first year. 388 And I don't know I, yeah, it sort of taps into that feeling of sort 389 of regret and grief and guilt. 390 KAVITA TREVENA: Yeah, it's hard isn't it? 391 It's hard to process. 392 VIKKI: So Roger went back to work after five days, which is like no time for him 393 to process, let alone you in terms of recovering from a C -section, and also 394 your hormones are all over the place. 395 Hormones is a whole another episode, and there's a really great 396 conversation I had with Dr Hannah Short, so I'll put that in the show 397 notes, which is all about hormones. 398 So what sort of support did you have around from family? 399 KAVITA TREVENA: So, this is my 400 Rohan was born May, 2018. 401 This is my timeline of how quick things happened. 402 So the June, 2017, my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. 403 So in the the June, which has also impacted everything. 404 And I never really unpicked it till like two years ago. 405 And this was like seven years ago now. 406 So she had her operation. 407 And she's all clear now, she's absolutely fine, she's got all the 408 medicines helped, all the therapies have happened, and she's got the all clear. 409 So she had her operation and we got married like a month later, so she was 410 still at home, or doing a phased return back to work, but also recovering, so 411 she was at my house like every day. 412 Popping in, in our half days, coming around, but not to look 413 after Rohan, but to look after me. 414 So she would come in, like, give me a cuddle, cook me 415 dinner, and then see to Rohan. 416 And I loved that. 417 She doesn't do it now though! 418 VIKKI: My God, that's the biggest gift as a new mum to have that. 419 KAVITA TREVENA: So she would come round, yeah. 420 VIKKI: And yeah, big shout out to your incredible mum. 421 What's her name? 422 Jyoti, what an amazing woman you are. 423 yeah, my, my mum had breast cancer, like gosh, it was about 424 26 years ago, but she's fine. 425 But yeah, shout out to the mums! 426 KAVITA TREVENA: Yeah. 427 VIKKI: What an incredible woman she clearly is, to give that to you. 428 KAVITA TREVENA: Oh she's strong. 429 Yeah. 430 And like my dad came round in between his working days. 431 I had some really lovely friends, like, friends popped 432 over and, um, food deliveries. 433 My best friend sent me a food shop of ready meals and I had a 434 really nice network of friends. 435 But, you know, they come and then they go again and that's it. 436 Or they'll come and it's, like, so exhausting when people come and visit you. 437 I had someone come to visit me and said, "Oh, you know what, you look 438 really tired, you should rest." 439 I was like, "I'd love to, but you've overstayed your 440 welcome and you're still here. 441 And I used to get really ratty afterwards. 442 And I was so exhausted from entertaining when all you want to do is recover. 443 And that was tough. 444 But, um, I had a little support network, of one or two friends that I would ring 445 up, we would message, but not a lot of my friends had babies at this point. 446 VIKKI: Mmm. 447 KAVITA TREVENA: So I would go to friends that have already got babies 448 and they would give me advice. 449 So that's how The Unlikely Mummy was born! 450 So I created this platform to moan about parenting, and how hard it 451 is, and how I was trapped in a 'nap trap', or whatever you call it. 452 And Rohan, every time he got to a new stage, I'm like, "why is he waving at 453 his food and throwing it on the floor? 454 Like, why can't he eat this food?" 455 And everyone's like, "oh, my child used to do this. 456 And... 457 VIKKI: Oh gosh, yeah. 458 There's so many phases, isn't it? 459 Like the 'refusing to get in the buggy and car seat' phase. 460 KAVITA TREVENA: Screaming uncontrollably, oh yeah... 461 VIKKI: ...the shit fits in the supermarket! 462 But like all these things are phases and you will get through it. 463 So that's the joy of speaking to people who've maybe, you 464 know, a couple of years... 465 KAVITA TREVENA: Gone through it. 466 VIKKI: ...down the line, and they'll say, "don't worry, it won't be forever." 467 KAVITA TREVENA: And do you find now, you can pay it forward? 468 So I'm like, "you know what, you'll be fine. 469 Like, just get over this hurdle, and then you'll get the next one, and then you'll 470 wish you were back at that first hurdle. 471 Because that was a nice hurdle to be at, because actually that was the easy one!" 472 But, um, Yeah, it was, I wished a lot of his first year away, because I just 473 didn't, I didn't enjoy it, because they don't do anything, do they? 474 Between 0 and 1, like, it's a bit boring! 475 But actually, it wasn't. 476 It was the best time, and I really wish I'd made the most of it. 477 So with her, I definitely made the most of her first year. 478 Way more than I ever did with him. 479 But I thought, to be a good mum, you had to sign up to all the classes, so, I would 480 just fill my day with all these classes and it practically made me bankrupt. 481 Because I didn't need to do them, I could have just been with him and gone to the 482 local library, but I thought, "that's beneath me, I should be paying for these 483 classes, because that's what all the 484 yummy mummies do", and I'm like, yeah... 485 VIKKI: That's what you see on social media. 486 And that's, don't know, do you think there's a part of us that, 487 feels you need to compensate for what you feel you're lacking? 488 Like, "if I don't get Freddy Firefly, I'm not a good mum." 489 KAVITA TREVENA: Yeah yeah precisely. 490 If I get a different bottle, will I get judged for it? 491 If I put him in supermarket clothing instead of a branding 492 set of clothing, am I a poor mum? 493 Yeah, absolutely. 494 I think there's unnecessary pressure for you to give more than you can. 495 Because just being you, for your child, is enough. 496 Just putting them in the push chair, getting a bit of fresh air and 497 chatting to them, is more than enough. 498 And I don't know why we don't know this. 499 VIKKI: You don't need all these things. 500 I remember looking stupidly at Instagram for like, packed lunch ideas. 501 You know, literally you see these incredible bento boxes with... 502 KAVITA TREVENA: Oh don't! 503 VIKKI: ...like fruit kebabs and... 504 KAVITA TREVENA: I've not got time for that. 505 Yeah, don't go down the bento hole because those women are god knows what, 506 they're just a breed of their own! 507 Like, I don't understand, who has time to do star shaped sandwiches 508 like it's, no, that's a no from me! 509 VIKKI: Yeah. 510 Oh god, I wish I'd met you when I had a baby! 511 KAVITA TREVENA: I say this to so many people, like it's... 512 if you could do a do over, you would do it so differently, but you would 513 attract different people to your circle, because you just don't have time for 514 people's BS, and I did get some lovely friends from him, some of them I do 515 still keep in touch with, actually. 516 But, every time Rohan moved to a new stage, I desperately seeked friendship. 517 So I've got some lovely friends when he went to nursery, but I always 518 feel like it's me making the effort. 519 And then I've got some lovely friends in school, so we're now 520 at the school era now, aren't we? 521 Love Taylor Swift, in our school era! 522 So I've got quite a few mum friends, but there's one particular mum 523 friend, who lives down the road, and she has literally been my rock. 524 And I think if it wasn't for her, I would struggle this parenting phase. 525 And I quite often text her going, "oh my god, why is he just telling me he 526 hates me and like shouting in my face". 527 She goes, "because you're his safe place", and I think I always remember that. 528 Some children react in a way, because you are their comfort. 529 And I always say to other people whose kid's tantrum, I was like, "would 530 you rather they tantrum with you, or in public, or with other people?" 531 And I always say "I'd rather he do it with me, because he knows 532 I'm safe and I'll protect him." 533 I can't guarantee a teacher, or a nursery worker, or a childminder will protect 534 him the way that I would as a mum. 535 And I always say this to my husband as well, like, "would you rather he 536 scream and shout here, or scream and shout in the middle of a supermarket?" 537 Like I'd rather he do it at home. 538 I've got that from the strength of the friendships that I've built. 539 VIKKI: Would you like to give her a shout out? 540 KAVITA TREVENA: Oh, Jo, she's Jo. 541 Yeah, I always call her Jo down the road. 542 So Jo, who lives down the road, she's lovely. 543 She has literally become my rock. 544 She found me through Instagram when we had a conversation. 545 And, she's that type of mum that would organise me and always 546 check in, and make sure I'm okay. 547 And I always check in, make sure she's okay. 548 Definitely someone I want in my life, for the rest of my life, 549 and I will fight to keep her in my life for the rest of my life. 550 And she knows that. 551 VIKKI: It's so important to have somebody that you don't have to have a facade with. 552 KAVITA TREVENA: Oh definitely. 553 VIKKI: I wish I could prescribe a 'Jo down the road' for everybody! 554 KAVITA TREVENA: You just find someone who gets it, yeah, it's important. 555 VIKKI: With your son, did you have P.N.D. 556 (postnatal depression), was that diagnosed? 557 KAVITA TREVENA: Yeah, so, my health visitor came to 558 visit me before I had Rohan. 559 They come and do like a welfare check before the baby's born, and so I met her. 560 And then she came and visited me after Rohan was born, like I struggled with 561 my midwives, I had a terrible time with my midwives, I kept fighting with 562 them, like, "can you give me this? 563 Can I have this? 564 Why are you not giving me this?" 565 And in the end I just gave up. 566 She came took one look at me, and went, " Are you okay?" 567 And I was like, "No, I'm really not okay". 568 And it all just came out, and she went, "Look, there's this 569 pilot scheme with C.A.M.H.S. 570 (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services)." 571 And Rohan was referred to a psychiatrist, but I was the one who had the therapy. 572 So I would go once a week to the hospital with a psychiatrist who 573 gave me one-on-one therapy for... 574 I think it was 12 weeks. 575 VIKKI: That's incredible. 576 KAVITA TREVENA: Yeah, because my health visitor noticed I needed something, And 577 she spotted those signs and she got me fast tracked onto this pilot scheme. 578 VIKKI: That is so lucky! 579 KAVITA TREVENA: I was incredibly lucky, yeah, and I, I thank her every day. 580 All the time, like, literally, she is the woman who quite frankly saved my life. 581 And that is not an exaggeration. 582 So then, towards the end of the therapy, I had to bring Rohan with me so they 583 could see what my bonding was like. 584 And it was fine, like, there was no issues with my ability to care for my son. 585 It was the way I was feeling that was the struggle to process. 586 So we went through all the therapy, it worked well, and then I was 587 struggling to return back to work. 588 So I got six bonus sessions with the therapist. 589 And she's like, "I don't know what's wrong - you're an incredible mum. 590 Just be a little bit more confident in yourself." 591 And I think we all need that chat. 592 So we had a few more sessions and she's like, "look, these are the 593 tools, these are the resources". 594 Like "come on, you can do this." 595 And then at that point, The Unlikely Mummy was like in the full swing of things and 596 helping people, and I was blogging quite a lot, and sharing, and I went back to work. 597 And I really went downhill after work, like, returning back to work 598 it was a terrible time for me. 599 And I was probably very difficult, as a member of staff to come back with, 600 with everything that was going on. 601 And I remember I was told, like, after I came back with my daughter, 602 I was told, like, "If you had told us you had postnatal depression, we 603 would have put more things in place." 604 And I think I bit back and I was like, "regardless of whether I had postnatal 605 depression, more things should be put in place for mums that return back to work." 606 VIKKI: Full stop. 607 KAVITA TREVENA: Yeah, regardless of whether they've had PND, 608 postnatal depression or whatever, more needs to be done for mums. 609 And I think that's the turning point for me, for The Unlikely Mummy, was to 610 start fighting for mums, but I'm just a one person band, I can't do it all. 611 I needed a way to do more with the Unlikely Mummy - set up sessions, 612 set up classes - so I had a plan to create a directory for 613 services in Bexley, where I live. 614 But no one would invest in it, people wouldn't invest in it to 615 be part of this mum directory. 616 So I thought, you know what, I'm going to put a marketplace on. 617 I invited businesses to come along. 618 They paid like £20 to have a market stall. 619 And it was really successful, the first one. 620 We actually had an income of around £600-700 in my first marketplace. 621 And I ran raffles, raffle prizes, and I used that money to pay 622 for specialist breastfeeding support and counselling for mums. 623 And I've also written a mindfulness book that I self published, self printed, 624 and I sold copies of at my marketplace. 625 And I sold stuff that I've made and all that money, goes back into the community. 626 Like, I've literally not taken a penny from the community. 627 So all of the stuff I do is either from fundraising, or funding, or I write 628 applications for funding pots of money. 629 So all the money I get from that goes into the Unlikely 630 Mummy, so I can put classes on. 631 Mums get a lot, but they don't get enough specialist or affordable. 632 So I've put on retreats, working with other people, because I can't do it 633 myself, so I work with other people. 634 And then I've had, like, weekly wellness classes, I've put on online sessions. 635 I set up my Facebook community, did a whole mindfulness week, where I had people 636 come in and guest for me, all for free, and they put on mindfulness classes, 637 art therapy sessions, they talk about nutrition, they talked about exercise. 638 I had a woman who did three exercise classes for me, 639 all on this Facebook group. 640 And I would send little self care packages that I would sell. 641 And all this money comes back in to give back. 642 The community has paid for three women to have specialist counselling, 643 which is anything up to a £1000. 644 VIKKI: That in itself, is just huge. 645 KAVITA TREVENA: Yeah, it's lovely and it's specialist and I don't even know who 646 the women are, I just say, "this person needs counselling, can you contact them?" 647 I almost don't want to know who the people are, because that's for them, 648 and I know how private things can be. 649 I've paid for about five or six people to have specialist breastfeeding, 650 or feeding or sleeping support from various contacts that I've had. 651 contacts 652 that I've 653 VIKKI: had Again incredible. 654 It's like, if anybody's listened to the first episode of season three, that's all 655 about breastfeeding trauma and about how.. 656 KAVITA TREVENA: Breastfeeding's so hard. 657 ... VIKKI: really, really, hard. 658 So for you to be able to put somebody in touch with a specialist lactation 659 consultant, that's incredible. 660 KAVITA TREVENA: And to take the burden off that cost, like, it's expensive. 661 Like it's to take that off of someone. 662 I feel like the Unlikely Mummy's got a lot to still do, and a lot that 663 I want to still do with it, and, um, I've had 20 people run for the 664 Unlikely Mummy, me included in that, and I'm not a runner by any means. 665 VIKKI: This is a half marathon? 666 KAVITA TREVENA: The Big Half is the London Marathon backwards. 667 So, it starts just by Tower Bridge, and from Tower Bridge, you run the 668 route backwards, back to Greenwich. 669 So, where the London Marathon starts at Greenwich, the half 670 marathon point is London Bridge, you basically do it back to front. 671 VIKKI: Wow! 672 Were you always a runner? 673 KAVITA TREVENA: I'm not a runner. 674 Yeah, no, I'm not a runner at all. 675 I absolutely hate running! 676 VIKKI: (Laughs) That's a big thing! 677 KAVITA TREVENA: It's a big feat, yeah. 678 I don't even like running 5Ks. 679 I've only done two 5Ks in my life. 680 When I first signed up, my husband and I were like, "Should we just you know, 681 shits and giggles, let's just try it? 682 See what it's like?" 683 So we ran from where we are all the way to the O2 and back 684 again is a half marathon route. 685 And I did it in about three hours, 50 minutes because we walked, we talked, it 686 was nice time for us to spend together. 687 And then, yeah, I did the half marathon on the day it was so hot. 688 Like I was pouring water over my head, it was that hot. 689 But I did it. 690 And we've raised around £1300 this year. 691 VIKKI: That's amazing! 692 All for the Unlikely Mummy? 693 KAVITA TREVENA: All for the Unlikely Mummy. 694 So this money that I've got is ring fenced to support a forest 695 school with additional funding. 696 So it's part funded, I'm gonna top it up to run a forest school for mums. 697 To do monthly mums retreat in a forest school setting and for SEND (Special 698 Educational Needs and Disabilities) children to support the parents. 699 They can them a little bit of a respite, but also do 700 activities with their children. 701 VIKKI: God that's amazing! 702 KAVITA TREVENA: Getting in the outdoors for anyone who has complex 703 needs is crucial, and I've worked in a SEND environment, and I know 704 how crucial just being outside is. 705 And then an after school club, like the generic side of a forest school. 706 So I'm supporting an incredibly lovely local lady called Woodland Whisperers. 707 Um, shout out to Woodland Whisperers, she's fab. 708 And I did forest school with her with my son and she is literally incredible. 709 And then I've ring fenced some of, some of it to carry on the breastfeeding, 710 lactation support and the counselling. 711 That's gonna be like an ongoing underlining thing that will be 712 like your 'business as usual' for the Unlikely Mummy, because that's 713 something that means a lot to me. 714 Yeah. 715 And then the rest of it is gonna contribute into starting a Mums 716 Walking Club, which sounds... 717 "Why do you need money to start a walking club?" 718 But you do, you need money to make sure it's safe, and to make sure people will 719 join us, and make it an environment that people can create a community for them. 720 So I want to grow the Unlikely Mummy, and I think walking community would 721 be a really good way to grow that. 722 And I'm a qualified walk leader, so I don't even have to do anything, I just 723 need to use what I already know, because my background's sports, so I can use all 724 that and start another whole community. 725 And then eventually some of those walkers might become runners, and run 726 other big events, and then draw some more money into the Unlikely Mummy. 727 VIKKI: So for the walking club, can mums bring their babies 728 in buggies, pushchairs, prams? 729 KAVITA TREVENA: Yeah, so hopefully, where I've got a full time job, I'm 730 very limited in my time, so I've already - because I've got amazing 731 friends - I've already had four people signed up to lead walks for me. 732 One of them, obviously, being my mum! 733 And she's gonna take the older mums. 734 And she's gonna do that, and I'll set her off in the park somewhere. 735 I've got another mum who wants to set up herself. 736 I was like, "just give me a minute and let me plan something. 737 And actually, you can run it and we can run it together." 738 And she's called Nicola, who does Tiny Talks, which is baby sign language. 739 And she wants to set one up. 740 So that would be my mums and babies, in the pushchairs. 741 Jo Down The Road is obviously going to do one, and she'll 742 do the more advanced walkers. 743 VIKKI: Love Jo Down The Road! 744 KAVITA TREVENA: We all love Jo Down The Road. 745 So she'll be my quicker, more advanced walkers, because she's super quick. 746 And then I've got a friend of mine at work, who isn't a mum, 747 but she just loves what I do. 748 and her boyfriend lives down the road, and she wants to take a group. 749 So we'll have it at different, various times and dates, and, 750 hopefully as it starts growing more will want to get involved. 751 VIKKI: Yeah. 752 KAVITA TREVENA: And it will just grow and grow and grow. 753 But I don't want it to cost people money. 754 I want it to be free. 755 So these walks will be in Bexley because I'm a Bexley mum. 756 So they'll be close to where I can get to and where everyone will get to, but 757 that doesn't mean I can't expand it. 758 So there's options to... 759 other people can take the model and use it and work with it. 760 And as long as you have my little logo on it to say that is, it started with me, 761 I don't really care what you do with it. 762 Like I will help you nurture it and you can grow. 763 And I do get people who stop me around the community now going, "Are 764 you Kavita, the Unlikely Mummy?" 765 and I was like, "yeah, that's me, hi!" 766 So people are starting to recognise me. 767 So if people want to come along when I launch it, I'm gonna launch, 768 a pilot so I can get photos, and then, really get the momentum going. 769 I really want this to grow. 770 And if only one person turns up, I've helped one person. 771 VIKKI: That's it. 772 I mean, that is exactly why I did this podcast. 773 I just thought if I make one person feel less alone... 774 KAVITA TREVENA: It's amazing, isn't it? 775 VIKKI: ...Or offer them, you know, a sense of hope that you're not 776 always going to feel like this. 777 You are going to get through it and you will get to the other side. 778 And from my own experience and from the experience of lots of people that 779 I've spoken to, that actually, though it's horrendous and traumatic to go 780 through, you will actually look back realise there are parts of it that 781 have actually grown you as a person. 782 KAVITA TREVENA: Oh, God, yeah. 783 Did you know what, there's so many friendships I've made 784 out of The Unlikely Mummy. 785 You don't realise the impact you're having, because you're in the thick of 786 it, that actually someone's watching you. 787 And they find you, amazes me when people say I'm inspirational, 788 like I don't see that at all. 789 VIKKI: I think you're fantastic! 790 KAVITA TREVENA: Thank you (laughs). 791 VIKKI: I'm such a fan of everything that you're doing. 792 Yeah, you can tell everything's done with heart. 793 Did you have like a negative experience when you had Maya as well? 794 KAVITA TREVENA: So, funnily enough I put things in place, 795 as soon as I was pregnant. 796 So as soon as I was pregnant, I told my health visitor, So, 797 it was lockdown, wasn't it? 798 So, we were in the thick of the pandemic at this point. 799 Just got announced lockdown. 800 So, I, to give a bit of backstory to me, when I had Rohan and the postnatal 801 depression, I then, developed psoriasis as a way of my body completely shutting down. 802 So it's an autoimmune disease where your body kind of attacks itself. 803 And I come up in what can only be described as scabs. 804 You scratch you scratch you scratch, and it's like your skin. 805 VIKKI: A bit like eczema? 806 KAVITA TREVENA: Yeah. 807 But it's not curable. 808 Once you have it, you have it for life. 809 So my body was covered like 80% 810 VIKKI: Oh my God, that must have been so horrible. 811 KAVITA TREVENA: It is itchy and it's not nice. 812 And it was all over my hair and it was, it was everywhere. 813 But it was as a result, because of the postnatal depression, the 814 way my body reacted to everything. 815 So I went specialist dermatologist and I'm on medication. 816 So to have Maya, I had to come off of this medication, which was absolutely grim. 817 it was horrible, but if it was in my system, and I fell pregnant, was 818 likely that the baby could be born with complications and side effects. 819 So I had to work with my dermatologist to get it out of my system for 820 a period of three months before I could even try for a baby. 821 So, we came off medication in the January. 822 In the March, we went in lockdown. 823 I was like, Oh, we're not going to try for a baby now. 824 So we waited to see what the landscape was like. 825 And then we tried and we fell pregnant with Maya very quickly. 826 We were very blessed because I know lots of families and 827 partners and people struggle. 828 So we were very blessed, but I also made some lifestyle changes as well. 829 A lot of weight was lost. 830 A lot of dietary stuff was changed. 831 The minute I fell pregnant, I said, right, I want to make 832 sure my counselling's in place. 833 I want to make sure my health visitor's in place. 834 I want to make sure my midwife is the same midwife who understands and will will 835 be there for me, and I see the same one. 836 VIKKI: So it's like you had a circuit breaker, so that before anything 837 escalated to the previous level? 838 KAVITA TREVENA: Yeah. 839 It was all in. 840 But I think, also, being a second time mum, you advocate more for yourself, 841 and you don't put up with any BS. 842 You don't put up with anyone telling you, " no, no, no." 843 I was like "yes, yes, yes, you can". 844 And I fought for it. 845 I got the same midwife throughout, so actually that helps, because 846 obviously I'm flagged on my files, it helps a mum with mental health 847 concerns to have that consistency. 848 VIKKI: Yeah, my goodness. 849 Yeah, that's amazing. 850 KAVITA TREVENA: It was fantastic. 851 And then obviously, my health visitor came pre visit, and then the therapy 852 that I requested through MIND, because everyone knows what the waiting 853 list is like for MIND, and they're brilliant, The reason why they 854 have a big waiting list is because people need that service, isn't it? 855 So, Maya was born, and I had a phone call, like, three days later, from 856 the site, from that therapist saying, "your time's come now to be having your 857 therapy, blah, blah, blah", and I was probably quite rude to her, because I 858 was in the midst of just having a baby. 859 And I was like, "oh, fantastic, can you call me back tomorrow when I'm 860 less busy", basically, and I had eight weeks of therapy with her. 861 VIKKI: Wow, that's amazing. 862 KAVITA TREVENA: And that's when I was diagnosed with PTSD (Post 863 Traumatic Stress Disorder) for Rohan. 864 VIKKI: Wow! 865 This is trauma that had been with you for a long time then? 866 KAVITA TREVENA: Yeah. 867 And I think I've had nothing with Maya. 868 I had an equally traumatic birth with her, where, both my babies had their 869 cords wrapped around their neck. 870 VIKKI: Stan did as well. 871 KAVITA TREVENA: Yeah. 872 Yeah. 873 It's quite common, I think. 874 But again, no one talks about it. 875 So I pushed, with Rohan, I got to nine and a half centimeters. 876 Then we had the, you know, "you both need to have emergency, you could die". 877 With Maya, I got to 10cm. 878 She kept pulling in while I kept pushing out. 879 Turns out the cord was round her. 880 She wasn't as an emergency, but I still had an emergency. 881 But I think also, for a second time mum, you just know. 882 You fight more, you understand it more, you got your boundaries 883 more, you say no to visitors. 884 But I also think my hospital care was better because it was covid lockdown and 885 no one was allowed in hospitals, really. 886 Roger wasn't even allowed to stay with me outside of visiting hours, so I 887 think you had the midwives, you had the one-on-one care with the midwives, 888 so I think I had better postcare. 889 And then the therapy helped, so yeah, the PTSD was diagnosed for Rohan after 890 Maya was born, which I, it blows my mind. 891 VIKKI: Wow. 892 KAVITA TREVENA: And I had to unpick a lot of trauma, but it didn't 893 affect my bonding with Maya at all. 894 In fact, we're quite strong, me and her. 895 I've got a strong bond with both my children, and it's not just 896 because she's my little girl. 897 I think second baby, whether it was a boy or a girl, would 898 have been the same regardless. 899 So yeah, I think I fought a lot to get where I am, and I think I grew confidence 900 from having The Unlikely Mummy that I used my platform to project the positivity 901 of pregnancy with Maya, and my page is more positive than it is negative, like 902 I'll look at something, but I'll look at an answer to it, and I, look to give 903 out more resources and support, and I share more support rather than share a 904 lot of the negative side of parenting, it's more flip it to the positive side. 905 Which is a journey for me as well. 906 It's three years of doom and gloom and then she comes along 907 and it's brilliant sunshine. 908 But Rohan wasn't doom and gloom, it was my mind that was doom and gloom. 909 I think that's it's important for us to remember it's not the baby, it's you, 910 VIKKI: That's the thing, isn't it? 911 KAVITA TREVENA: And I think, therapy should be prescribed. 912 Even private therapy, like, I think it should be prescribed, 913 everyone should get, and I... 914 this is something I really want to fight for, actually, is I think 915 every mum should automatically given, like, a month of therapy to unpick. 916 VIKKI: Yeah. 917 Yeah. 918 KAVITA TREVENA: And whether you need it or not, I think it should be a 919 general prescription to everyone. 920 VIKKI: Just to sort of talk through that transition, , like nobody 921 told me how hard it was going to be or how your emotions fluctuate, 922 just, you know, even from alone. 923 KAVITA TREVENA: Yeah, it's important, isn't it? 924 And I think there needs to be more resources out there. 925 I've noticed a lot on social, because of what I follow, There's this conference, 926 and this conference, and now there's like, conference with this certain demographic, 927 and this, and I'm like, "yeah, you can have a conference, and the same people 928 attend it, and the same people that have got the same interests attend it, 929 but you're not addressing the problem". 930 If you're addressing the problem, you wouldn't need the conferences 931 to have those conversations, and I also think sometimes funding goes to 932 the people that shout the loudest, and I think, As much as people talk 933 to people on the ground, are they? 934 If they did, you would know there's a gap in understanding gestational diabetes. 935 You would know that it's not just, and they are very important and 936 I'm not dismissing it, but it's not just black mums that are affected. 937 Asian mums are affected. 938 And I think I had this conversation with My Maternal Voices saying, 939 "Yeah, brilliant, you've got that. 940 But what about the Asian mums?" 941 We're also at real great risk. 942 And there is also a barrier for us, but yet we're not getting any of the money. 943 And we're not getting any of that funding to support Asian mums. 944 So that's why the Unlikely Mummy does support a lot of cultural work going 945 on and I want to make sure everyone's voices are heard and I think that's 946 important, but actually people need to put money in different places 947 to make sure all mums get support. 948 we've all suffered trauma and I'm not saying someone's trauma is more 949 than someone else's trauma, but I think everyone's trauma is valid and 950 I think that's important and if we keep needing to keep the conversations 951 open, that makes sense in my head. 952 Yeah. 953 VIKKI: That sort of brings us on to, you know, your background and your community. 954 Was there a barrier to being able to talk about your mental health struggles. 955 Was your community supportive? 956 So my, um, I always feel, Mental health now is a subject that 957 is very well spoken about. 958 it's almost like people have jumped on the mental health bandwagon 959 because someone's seen something and they've pumped money into it. 960 But before, six years ago, no one really spoke about it. 961 It was like, "oh, be quiet now." 962 Like, "yeah, yeah, yeah, you've got postnatal, like, you're miserable". 963 Like, "enjoy the fact that you've got a baby". 964 Like, "be grateful you've got a baby." 965 That's why I think the community got some, like, traction quite 966 quickly because actually more people were feeling that way. 967 But particularly in my culture, there's no word, really, for mental health. 968 And where I've married, a white person, and I'm in, like, that world, 969 I'm fortunate that he understands it. 970 But I worry, had I married into an Indian culture, would I have got that support? 971 I can't answer that, but I don't know, because there's no word for it. 972 And I know plenty of Asian mums that have had postnatal depression that have 973 just, "oh yeah, yeah, we had it, and we just got on with it, because there was no 974 support", but I've been reading statistics around Asian women that have died from 975 suicide in the first year because they were undiagnosed postnatal depression 976 because no one would listen to them. 977 it's ridiculous, like, I don't get it, like, I've been fighting and fighting, 978 and I went to my GP after Rohan was born for my 6-8 week check, and I 979 said, "oh, I'm having this", I was, I was really proud of it, like, "I'm 980 having this specialist counselling because I've got postnatal depression" 981 goes, "Oh, it's just baby blues. 982 I'm sure you'll get over it". 983 And I was like, "but I'm already in therapy!" 984 Oh my god. 985 KAVITA TREVENA: And, and I've obviously spoken about this on 986 NCT National Childbirth Trust for the 6-8 week, GP check. 987 And even now I'm like, that is a voice that is in my head. 988 "Oh, I'll just get over it". 989 And I'm quite strong now. 990 I wasn't strong then, but how many other women From healthcare 991 professionals, have been told that, or from midwives, or from health visitors. 992 You get some real amazing ones, and then you get some other ones that, and I was 993 talking to a colleague the other day saying, you only ever hear the complaints, 994 you never hear the compliments. 995 So that one complaint would ruin a service, but actually you've got nine 996 other mums that have had a brilliant experience, but you'll only hear the 997 voice of the one mum that didn't, and that's obviously what we've got to change. 998 But mental health isn't something you just get over, you have to 999 have professional intervention. 00:50:59,594 --> 00:51:05,574 Or, you've got to have some real strong belief in yourself that you can get 00:51:05,574 --> 00:51:08,734 through it, but you can't do that on your own, and if anyone has done that 00:51:08,744 --> 00:51:12,284 on their own, please contact me, because I'd love to know how, but I genuinely 00:51:12,284 --> 00:51:15,024 think you need support, whether it's professionally, through friends, 00:51:15,034 --> 00:51:20,084 through books, or whatever, because watching TV shows still trigger me. 00:51:20,554 --> 00:51:24,004 There's certain things I can't watch, because I'm like, I can't do that. 00:51:24,994 --> 00:51:29,554 Like, you see things that pop up, like I have to turn it over, and I feel like 00:51:29,554 --> 00:51:34,599 I'm at a good place now, and I've had enough therapy, But things still trigger. 00:51:35,484 --> 00:51:37,354 And I don't think we ever get over it. 00:51:37,994 --> 00:51:41,374 if you do ever get over it, let me know your secret, because I'd 00:51:41,374 --> 00:51:42,794 like to bottle it up and sell it. 00:51:43,597 --> 00:51:44,927 I don't think there is a fix. 00:51:45,374 --> 00:51:46,604 Because we're not broken. 00:51:48,021 --> 00:51:49,231 We're not broken people. 00:51:49,636 --> 00:51:53,689 We are just finding our way and There's no cure for it, is there? 00:51:53,719 --> 00:51:56,149 There's just, work through it. 00:51:57,360 --> 00:52:03,713 VIKKI: How utterly invalidating and dismissive was that response from your GP. 00:52:04,422 --> 00:52:04,812 KAVITA TREVENA: Hmm. 00:52:04,948 --> 00:52:10,678 VIKKI: And you just think of all the people, and especially mums, who are 00:52:10,678 --> 00:52:16,348 feeling utterly wretched, utterly vulnerable, and the bravery it takes to 00:52:16,348 --> 00:52:21,048 say, "actually, I'm not okay, and that I need some help, that I'm struggling", 00:52:21,078 --> 00:52:23,518 and then to have that dismissed 00:52:23,727 --> 00:52:24,507 KAVITA TREVENA: It's hard, isn't it? 00:52:24,788 --> 00:52:28,308 VIKKI: I remember telling a health visitor, you know, "I've got postnatal 00:52:28,328 --> 00:52:32,898 depression, I'm desperate", and they were just like, "stop crying, 00:52:32,948 --> 00:52:34,358 it'll affect your breast milk". 00:52:35,342 --> 00:52:36,082 KAVITA TREVENA: I was told that, 00:52:36,092 --> 00:52:36,682 actually. 00:52:37,572 --> 00:52:39,912 If you're emotional, your breast milk's emotional, therefore 00:52:39,912 --> 00:52:40,762 your baby's emotional." 00:52:40,762 --> 00:52:41,062 I was like, "What? 00:52:41,322 --> 00:52:41,412 No!" 00:52:41,823 --> 00:52:42,033 VIKKI: What?! 00:52:42,492 --> 00:52:43,032 KAVITA TREVENA: Probably, but 00:52:43,032 --> 00:52:43,412 no. 00:52:43,843 --> 00:52:44,703 VIKKI: Oh, God. 00:52:45,022 --> 00:52:45,512 " KAVITA TREVENA: don't tell me that. 00:52:45,982 --> 00:52:46,912 It's gonna make me cry more". 00:52:47,852 --> 00:52:48,342 Nuts! 00:52:48,353 --> 00:52:52,823 VIKKI: Yeah, anyway, but it's wonderful that you had the help that you did. 00:52:53,293 --> 00:52:58,373 And I think it is so important, the work that you do in being able to sort 00:52:58,373 --> 00:53:03,046 of spread that message, that you can get through it and, basically offering 00:53:03,046 --> 00:53:07,466 that hand of help you know, to anybody that's struggling, that you're not 00:53:07,486 --> 00:53:12,211 alone and that actually it's a common experience that you're going through. 00:53:12,269 --> 00:53:13,049 KAVITA TREVENA: Oh gosh, yeah. 00:53:14,359 --> 00:53:19,749 If you are alone, then you need to find me and this community, and your community. 00:53:19,799 --> 00:53:21,399 because there's plenty out there who can help you. 00:53:21,399 --> 00:53:21,909 You're never alone. 00:53:22,724 --> 00:53:23,134 Never. 00:53:24,334 --> 00:53:26,004 And if you are alone, that's when you need to start reaching 00:53:26,004 --> 00:53:27,850 out, because we will help you. 00:53:28,578 --> 00:53:32,241 VIKKI: I'm such a fan of everything that you're doing and you can 00:53:32,241 --> 00:53:33,661 tell everything's done with heart. 00:53:34,563 --> 00:53:35,473 KAVITA TREVENA: I try to. 00:53:35,473 --> 00:53:38,023 VIKKI: how the hell you do it all on top of, did you say 00:53:38,023 --> 00:53:39,193 your working full time as well? 00:53:39,223 --> 00:53:40,698 KAVITA TREVENA: Yeah so I work full time. 00:53:41,263 --> 00:53:42,773 VIKKI: And mum to two kids? 00:53:42,803 --> 00:53:43,373 What the hell? 00:53:43,423 --> 00:53:47,975 KAVITA TREVENA: Yeah, and then I do a lot of consultancy work on the side, but I 00:53:47,975 --> 00:53:50,935 can't do it without the people around me, so if it wasn't for like my husband being 00:53:50,935 --> 00:53:55,585 very hands on, and working very locally now, and being home for the kids... 00:53:55,665 --> 00:53:57,545 and we still have kid time, we still have our weekends, and we 00:53:57,545 --> 00:53:58,515 still spend time with the kids. 00:53:58,875 --> 00:54:00,515 My parents do support a lot. 00:54:01,195 --> 00:54:03,555 My in laws are amazing. 00:54:03,775 --> 00:54:06,215 They do the school pick ups and they feed my kids. 00:54:07,076 --> 00:54:07,476 Do you know what? 00:54:07,516 --> 00:54:08,896 I was thinking about this the other day. 00:54:08,896 --> 00:54:10,266 I always fell asleep. 00:54:10,286 --> 00:54:11,416 I'm linking this, I promise. 00:54:11,416 --> 00:54:13,786 I always fell asleep during Game of Thrones. 00:54:14,246 --> 00:54:14,726 Always. 00:54:15,076 --> 00:54:19,266 I really like Game of Thrones, but I think there was so much going 00:54:19,266 --> 00:54:22,906 on, and as a mum, we have so much going on, my brain just used to 00:54:22,906 --> 00:54:25,446 shut off, and I'd just go to sleep. 00:54:25,446 --> 00:54:27,136 I couldn't process anything. 00:54:27,556 --> 00:54:30,726 So now, because I think I take on too much, and I think we did this pre 00:54:30,726 --> 00:54:35,388 chat before we started recording, the reason why I do so much is because 00:54:35,388 --> 00:54:37,760 the minute I stop, I will think. 00:54:38,260 --> 00:54:41,770 So when you asked me about my birthing story and am I okay to talk about it, I'm 00:54:41,820 --> 00:54:46,220 absolutely okay to talk about it, but I think I stopped and thought about it, and 00:54:46,220 --> 00:54:50,830 that's why I started to get emotional, because I gave my brain a moment to stop. 00:54:51,326 --> 00:54:52,146 VIKKI: Mm, yeah. 00:54:52,146 --> 00:54:55,990 KAVITA TREVENA: And I'm scared that if I stop, I will stop being the 00:54:55,990 --> 00:55:00,750 bubbly me that everyone sees and I'll be that person who's labelled 00:55:00,750 --> 00:55:05,975 as having postnatal depression and post traumatic stress disorder, and 00:55:05,975 --> 00:55:07,505 I don't want to be defined as that. 00:55:07,881 --> 00:55:10,441 Because I know when I spoke about mental health with people before, they 00:55:10,441 --> 00:55:14,791 roll their eyes, and I remember an old manager of mine said, "is that all 00:55:14,791 --> 00:55:17,751 you want to be known about, as that person who had mental health problems?" 00:55:17,912 --> 00:55:19,202 VIKKI: Wow, what a thing to say! 00:55:19,202 --> 00:55:22,496 KAVITA TREVENA: And I was like, that's not what I want to be known for. 00:55:22,546 --> 00:55:28,306 I want to be known for the woman who had mental health problems, concerns, issues, 00:55:28,306 --> 00:55:30,801 or whatever it's called, and overcome it. 00:55:31,531 --> 00:55:33,401 And helped, and advocated. 00:55:33,701 --> 00:55:35,421 And that is what The Unlikely Mummy is. 00:55:35,851 --> 00:55:42,051 The Unlikely Mummy is there to give people space, and a voice, and say, "you 00:55:42,051 --> 00:55:45,941 know what, I'm not ashamed, like, I'm not ashamed of what I'm doing, I need 00:55:45,941 --> 00:55:48,871 help, and I know I can get it from this, and it's gonna make me a better person". 00:55:49,580 --> 00:55:54,080 I will literally sacrifice everything if someone comes to me from the 00:55:54,080 --> 00:55:55,240 community, I'll put that first. 00:55:56,270 --> 00:56:01,030 Because, how lonely is it to be a mum, especially a first time mum, when 00:56:01,030 --> 00:56:02,829 you've not, got a clue, you don't know. 00:56:03,679 --> 00:56:05,929 And if someone understands that and gets that, why shouldn't 00:56:05,949 --> 00:56:07,309 they be recognised for it? 00:56:07,989 --> 00:56:10,429 So I had someone say, "you just put yourselves up for all these 00:56:10,429 --> 00:56:12,749 awards, it's all about you", and I was like "this really isn't". 00:56:13,259 --> 00:56:18,032 So I stopped promoting or sharing that I've won awards. 00:56:18,032 --> 00:56:21,972 Like, when I won the Coronation Award, and I've become a Coronation 00:56:21,972 --> 00:56:23,752 Champion, that is flipping huge. 00:56:24,282 --> 00:56:28,152 500 people in the country got that award. 00:56:28,152 --> 00:56:30,642 I still, I still don't know to this day who nominated me. 00:56:31,242 --> 00:56:31,572 I don't know. 00:56:32,022 --> 00:56:36,080 And, I got a certificate signed by King Charles, and I got a little, like, medal. 00:56:37,323 --> 00:56:39,023 VIKKI: That's incredible - you should feel so proud! 00:56:39,296 --> 00:56:41,543 KAVITA TREVENA: It's lovely, and you know what, the other, that goes 00:56:41,543 --> 00:56:44,103 in the same level for me as when... 00:56:44,638 --> 00:56:46,578 I think you've had Eve Canavan as a guest on your show. 00:56:46,764 --> 00:56:48,514 VIKKI: Oh, I love Eve, I'm such a fan! 00:56:48,514 --> 00:56:51,638 KAVITA TREVENA: She is amazing and I had such amazing banter with 00:56:51,638 --> 00:56:55,598 her online and she asked me to do her Maternal Mental Health Week. 00:56:56,008 --> 00:56:59,408 And I did a mindfulness session and she asked me when I was pregnant with 00:56:59,408 --> 00:57:00,328 Maya and I was like, "you know what? 00:57:00,358 --> 00:57:01,028 I'd love to." 00:57:01,351 --> 00:57:04,891 I sat upstairs in my bedroom, I did this whole mindfulness session, and I think 00:57:04,891 --> 00:57:06,508 it's had something like 10, 000 views. 00:57:06,508 --> 00:57:11,281 Maternal Mental Health Week is huge, isn't it And I did that, and I had 00:57:11,281 --> 00:57:16,871 someone contact me from Facebook, like a year or so later, going, "I found 00:57:16,871 --> 00:57:23,604 you because my therapist uses your mindfulness video as part of our session". 00:57:24,686 --> 00:57:25,066 I was like, "what? 00:57:25,086 --> 00:57:25,676 What you on about?" 00:57:25,686 --> 00:57:26,606 Like, "hang on a minute!" 00:57:26,796 --> 00:57:31,026 But that week, the Maternal Mental Health Week for Eve and her colleagues, 00:57:31,636 --> 00:57:33,346 absolutely changed my confidence. 00:57:34,151 --> 00:57:35,401 I think that was a turning point for me. 00:57:35,401 --> 00:57:38,651 So something like that, and then winning an award, to me, 00:57:38,661 --> 00:57:41,031 is on par, because I'm helping. 00:57:41,481 --> 00:57:45,431 I'm helping thousands of people and it's incredible. 00:57:45,481 --> 00:57:48,110 VIKKI: Absolutely and you will never know the ripple effect... 00:57:48,110 --> 00:57:48,680 KAVITA TREVENA: ...Of what that's done. 00:57:48,772 --> 00:57:48,842 Yeah. 00:57:48,842 --> 00:57:51,172 This is what I mean about social media can be really, really 00:57:51,172 --> 00:57:52,582 good, and really, really bad. 00:57:53,022 --> 00:57:56,922 And I've done an interview on LBC radio about the impacts on 00:57:56,932 --> 00:57:59,082 mental health, and I, I love that little interview, it was great. 00:57:59,547 --> 00:58:02,207 And I got lots of people contacting me as a result of that, 00:58:02,237 --> 00:58:03,937 agreeing with what I was saying. 00:58:04,417 --> 00:58:08,267 But social media has also been positive for me, so there's um, a lady 00:58:08,267 --> 00:58:10,827 I speak to on Instagram called Dr. 00:58:10,827 --> 00:58:11,547 Kimberley. 00:58:11,894 --> 00:58:14,804 And she was one of the first people that donated to the Unlikely Mummy 00:58:14,804 --> 00:58:18,269 this year, for the big half marathon. 00:58:18,969 --> 00:58:25,239 But I've noticed lately, more strangers that I don't really know, invest in 00:58:25,249 --> 00:58:28,699 the Unlikely Mummy more than people that are around me on the ground. 00:58:30,179 --> 00:58:34,869 And that just, for me, makes me realise that it's not just about these people near 00:58:35,259 --> 00:58:37,539 me, it's about the reach that I've got. 00:58:37,739 --> 00:58:39,709 And I might not have thousands and thousands, and I'm not 00:58:39,729 --> 00:58:41,989 like some huge influencer. 00:58:42,019 --> 00:58:43,359 VIKKI: Doesn't matter, doesn't matter. 00:58:43,579 --> 00:58:44,839 KAVITA TREVENA: That's not what I want to do. 00:58:45,009 --> 00:58:47,039 And that used to really upset me before. 00:58:47,599 --> 00:58:51,122 Because then those influencers generate the money, and then for me I was like 00:58:51,162 --> 00:58:52,902 that money becomes Unlikely Mummy money. 00:58:52,902 --> 00:58:58,812 And people don't realise that the money isn't my money, and 00:58:58,972 --> 00:59:02,792 I've invested my money, similar to you, into this community. 00:59:02,812 --> 00:59:06,242 And I'm desperate for the community to work, so when someone attacks it, 00:59:06,292 --> 00:59:10,566 I feel it's it's like my, my third baby, Yeah, I've nurtured it, and I've 00:59:10,566 --> 00:59:13,776 grown it, and I, say to my husband, quite often, like, "should I just 00:59:13,776 --> 00:59:15,356 give it up, should I just stop it? 00:59:15,951 --> 00:59:18,141 It would save us a lot of money and a lot of time and a lot of effort". 00:59:19,251 --> 00:59:21,421 He's like, "no, because you've invested six years of your life. 00:59:22,231 --> 00:59:22,821 Don't give up. 00:59:22,891 --> 00:59:24,941 Let it just run in the background and you're still doing it". 00:59:25,511 --> 00:59:27,811 So, we've invested even more money into it. 00:59:28,151 --> 00:59:30,421 And as a result, we're going to do even more things. 00:59:31,001 --> 00:59:35,558 Because the whole purpose of The Unlikely Mummy and the reason I started it was 00:59:36,218 --> 00:59:37,538 I didn't want anyone to feel alone. 00:59:37,538 --> 00:59:39,208 And that still stands. 00:59:39,208 --> 00:59:42,088 And I want women to feel empowered. 00:59:42,528 --> 00:59:44,638 So I want to start running women's circles. 00:59:45,003 --> 00:59:47,333 But obviously I can't do that, so I'm going to buy people in to do 00:59:47,343 --> 00:59:53,383 it, and that's what the money pays for, is buying experts in to help 00:59:53,693 --> 00:59:55,953 the mums that are identified to me. 00:59:56,833 --> 00:59:57,323 Oh my god, it sounds like a sales pitch (laughs). 00:59:58,603 --> 01:00:03,369 VIKKI: If there is there anybody listening to this who is like moved by what 01:00:03,369 --> 01:00:08,273 you're doing and what you're trying to do - if anybody wanted to donate to the 01:00:08,273 --> 01:00:10,153 Unlikely Mummy, how could they do that? 01:00:10,923 --> 01:00:14,513 KAVITA TREVENA: At the moment, my Just Giving page is still open for anyone 01:00:15,057 --> 01:00:18,057 who's done the big half marathon, so I will keep that open until I think 01:00:18,247 --> 01:00:21,687 they will kick me out of it, and say I can't have it open anymore. 01:00:21,887 --> 01:00:23,497 So I think it'll be open for another couple of months. 01:00:24,137 --> 01:00:27,897 Or, if anyone wants to, they can, send money directly to the 01:00:27,897 --> 01:00:29,037 Unlikely Mummy bank account. 01:00:29,697 --> 01:00:34,037 And it's a community account, it's run by two people, so it's not just in my name, 01:00:34,037 --> 01:00:36,167 it's also in one of my director's names. 01:00:36,177 --> 01:00:38,567 So I can share those details. 01:00:38,697 --> 01:00:41,107 And it's to the Unlikely Mummy, so it's not even got my name 01:00:41,107 --> 01:00:43,367 on it, it's all above board! 01:00:43,367 --> 01:00:46,477 Everything The Unlikely Mummy does is transparent, and you can 01:00:46,477 --> 01:00:48,697 find it all on Companies House. 01:00:49,131 --> 01:00:53,484 I want it to be crystal clear that the money I get in is spent out, and, yeah. 01:00:54,066 --> 01:00:55,826 We are definitely above board. 01:00:55,976 --> 01:00:58,980 And if anyone has ideas, or they want to come to me and say like, "I've 01:00:58,980 --> 01:01:01,876 got this really good idea and I don't know what to do, or how to start it", 01:01:02,316 --> 01:01:03,786 I'm happy to have that conversation. 01:01:03,956 --> 01:01:06,816 And if the Unlikely Mummy can give you some money to kickstart 01:01:06,816 --> 01:01:10,660 you, then we will look at that and we'll explore that, because we've 01:01:10,700 --> 01:01:12,290 got money in the reserves to help. 01:01:12,770 --> 01:01:15,620 And it doesn't have to be just where I live, it could be where you live. 01:01:16,790 --> 01:01:20,530 I'm desperately wanting to help more mums, and how that happens, it's 01:01:20,550 --> 01:01:24,760 kind of down to everybody to get involved in that, which is exciting. 01:01:25,090 --> 01:01:28,170 I think the future for The Unlikely Mummy is going to be amazing and I 01:01:28,170 --> 01:01:29,750 think it will keep growing and growing. 01:01:30,101 --> 01:01:31,621 VIKKI: What's your Insta handle? 01:01:31,621 --> 01:01:34,761 What's the best way for people to keep in touch with what you're doing? 01:01:35,006 --> 01:01:38,102 KAVITA TREVENA: Yeah, it's just 'at The Unlikely Mummy.' Everything I try 01:01:38,112 --> 01:01:40,232 to do is just '@ The Unlikely Mummy'. 01:01:41,295 --> 01:01:43,295 Kavita@TheUnlikelyMummy.co.uk to email me. 01:01:43,625 --> 01:01:45,305 But they're the best ways to get in touch. 01:01:45,494 --> 01:01:48,367 VIKKI: For anybody that's struggling, and you know, we've both been there. 01:01:48,970 --> 01:01:53,770 Where just - yeah - the world feels like it's a dark, scary, horrible place. 01:01:54,204 --> 01:01:58,017 What message can you give to somebody that's feeling like that right 01:01:58,017 --> 01:01:59,207 now and can't see a lot of hope? 01:02:00,531 --> 01:02:03,531 KAVITA TREVENA: You know, I always say you'll wake up tomorrow and it'll feel 01:02:03,531 --> 01:02:09,291 a little bit lighter, and I always think if I've gone to bed, upset, hurt, or 01:02:09,291 --> 01:02:10,701 angry, and I've woken up the next morning. 01:02:10,701 --> 01:02:13,401 One, I've woken up the next morning, and that's a gift in itself. 01:02:14,811 --> 01:02:20,741 But it gets easier, and you will feel lighter, and also, the second part 01:02:20,741 --> 01:02:25,301 of that is, the more you talk about it, the more you are able to process 01:02:25,301 --> 01:02:27,461 it, and the more people understand. 01:02:28,641 --> 01:02:32,191 There's nothing wrong with you, we all process things in very different 01:02:32,191 --> 01:02:36,181 ways, and if someone doesn't want to listen to your story, it says more 01:02:36,181 --> 01:02:37,941 about them than it does about you. 01:02:38,931 --> 01:02:41,721 Because if they were a true person in your life, they will be with you, 01:02:42,371 --> 01:02:43,261 the good, the bad, and the ugly. 01:02:43,620 --> 01:02:44,680 VIKKI: Yeah, no matter what. 01:02:44,950 --> 01:02:48,070 KAVITA TREVENA: If they love you for you, they will stick with you 01:02:48,110 --> 01:02:49,670 no matter what your conversation is. 01:02:50,000 --> 01:02:54,580 So tomorrow's a new day, it will definitely get lighter, and keep talking. 01:02:55,680 --> 01:02:57,980 Even if it's to strangers, I think sometimes strangers 01:02:57,980 --> 01:02:58,760 are the best listeners. 01:02:59,070 --> 01:03:01,250 Just keep talking, and there's always help. 01:03:01,750 --> 01:03:03,320 Yeah, I wish I knew that. 01:03:04,120 --> 01:03:07,204 I wish I believed that when I was going through it. 01:03:07,304 --> 01:03:10,194 I thought there was no light, and there's always light at the end of that tunnel. 01:03:10,194 --> 01:03:11,124 VIKKI: Absolutely. 01:03:11,214 --> 01:03:14,184 And what a beautiful way to end the conversation. 01:03:14,184 --> 01:03:17,143 Thank you so much Kavita, It's been amazing. 01:03:17,143 --> 01:03:19,453 I've absolutely loved chatting with you today. 01:03:19,513 --> 01:03:22,743 KAVITA TREVENA: I hope we've helped many, many mums, people, partners, whoever 01:03:22,773 --> 01:03:25,173 needs it, and thank you for inviting me. 01:03:25,493 --> 01:03:28,353 It's such an honour to be a guest on your podcast, and I'm 01:03:28,893 --> 01:03:30,253 absolutely privileged, thank you. 01:03:30,795 --> 01:03:31,915 VIKKI: Thank you so much. 01:03:32,259 --> 01:03:35,049 And every time I have a conversation like the one that I've had with you 01:03:35,049 --> 01:03:38,499 today, I'm just like, this is why it's so important to get these stories out. 01:03:38,499 --> 01:03:39,935 KAVITA TREVENA: That's why you keep going, yeah. 01:03:40,009 --> 01:03:41,089 VIKKI: Keep talking about it. 01:03:41,089 --> 01:03:41,479 Thank you. 01:03:41,823 --> 01:03:42,603 KAVITA TREVENA: You're welcome. 01:03:42,633 --> 01:03:43,013 Thank you. 01:03:43,013 --> 01:03:44,553 Thank you for giving me the space. 01:03:44,743 --> 01:03:45,323 Bye. 01:03:45,876 --> 01:03:49,626 VIKKI: The theme music is 'Sunrise Expedition' by Joseph MacDade. 01:03:49,915 --> 01:03:53,395 New episodes are released the first Monday of each month, available 01:03:53,405 --> 01:03:55,545 on all major podcast platforms. 01:03:56,113 --> 01:04:00,713 Hit follow to keep up with all the latest, and if you enjoy Blue MumDays, please 01:04:00,713 --> 01:04:02,833 leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. 01:04:03,133 --> 01:04:04,993 It helps more people to find us. 01:04:05,370 --> 01:04:06,610 Thank you so much.