We recently connected with Valerie Bong and have shared our conversation below.
Valerie , we can’t begin to explain how much we appreciate you sharing about your PPD experience, but we can say that so many in our community are suffering from or have suffered from postpartum issues including postpartum depression and so you sharing your story and how you overcame it might help someone who is going through it right now or in the future. What can you share with us about how you overcame PPD? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
End of 2023, I was blessed to welcome twin girls via C-section at 36 weeks.
Honestly, nothing can prepare you for motherhood. Even though I had a planned due date I didn’t feel ready or prepared at all, I just knew that I wanted the babies out of my tummy and to be able to sleep on my back again.
I thought the transition to motherhood was natural, easy and instuitive. For me, it felt traumatic, tough and challenging especially since I experienced mastisis four times.
My entire being loved my babies, but being needed in a new way was overwhelming and drained me physically and mentally. I was constantly sick each month, drained of all energy and unable to do more than feed, sleep and eat.
Around the six-month mark I started feeling like myself again. Through the support from my husband, psychologist, GP and family I’m slowly learning to relax, slow down and breathe. I can leave the babies for an hour or so to be alone and recharge and be ‘Val’ again.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I love capturing people’s stories and special moments in their life through photography. Being part of people’s special day is such a privledge. I specialise in candid, natural photography and love meeting new people who want a fun, easy-going photographer! Check out my work here: www.valbong.com
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
In terms of my postpartum journey three tips which helped me was:
1. Reach out for professional help. See your GP and talk about what you need.
2. Have self-compassion. I felt guilty that I wasn’t enjoying motherhood as much as I would like. Giving myself grace and acknowledging it has been tough helped me accept my feelings and overcome them.
3. Take time for yourself. Going out for an hour without my babies helped me to slow down and do things that I enjoyed and stopped my anxious thoughts.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
Being a twin myself, it’s been wonderful to get advice from my parents about raising twins. They moved to Australia from Malaysia with no help or support and raised three daughters. It’s truly incredible. Both my parents have showered my twin girls with so much love and even did night duty during the newborn phase. Seeing them love my children so unconditionally has been one of the greatest gifts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.valbong.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/valbong
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valbongphotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriebong/
Image Credits
Image credit Ellie Mathilde: https://www.instagram.com/elliemathilde/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
