So why would someone offering support for pelvic, menstrual and emotional wellbeing call their business The Wild Orange Tree? It’s the kind of name that stands out but I’m sure you have wondered what it means.

In the first month of starting my business I actually got a message on FaceBook from someone asking me to assist with their orange tree that wasn’t growing so well. I have saved the message and still laugh about it. No – I definitely can’t be of much help with real orange trees but here are some fun facts about why the orange tree is of significance to my journey and the collective mothering journey too.

FUN FACT 1: I love my essential oils and Wild Orange is definitely one of my favourites. Whether you are feeling stressed, anxious or down it has a balancing effect. Emotionally it is considered the oil of abundance.

When I started my pelvic health journey I struggled to find much information other than ‘do your kegels’, ‘do more kegels’, ‘what do you expect you had a baby’, or ‘there’s surgery for that’. I have also felt such a lack of acknowledgement for the intensity contained in the rite of passage that is growing, birthing and mothering a child.

There are so many different ways to support women physically and emotionally through the challenges that may come alongside the mothering journey. Ancient wisdom and modern science create a beautiful mix of insight and strategy.

I want women to be greeted with an abundance of information and choices to guide their unique path to vitality. I want them to know that their mental and emotional wellbeing is not a side note but a crucial part of their experience that needs to be acknowledged and supported. I want women to know that they aren’t broken, but that abundance can be found in this feminine experience.

FUN FACT 2: When I think of orange trees, I always think of an orchard. A place where trees grow together in community. Sharing the ground that nurtures them. A bit like a village really.

And I believe that women need a village. A place to share their experience and nurture each other. The opportunity to exchange wisdom and just be together in acknowledgment of the feminine and mothering experience. Somewhere to turn when we need a helping hand.

I want The Wild Orange Tree to be a place that brings women together. To know that they aren’t alone; and to share that pelvic, menstrual and emotional vitality can be found in this mothering journey.

FUN FACT 3: Did you know that most orange trees take 3-5 years to produce their first fruit?

In a society where women are expected to back into things so quickly after birthing their babies, it is easy to forget the huge transition and adaptation that each mothering experience brings. In traditional cultures the ‘post partum’ or post birth time period was considered up to three years long! And it was recognised that women needed additional support for this amount of time. It was even thought that there should be at least three years between children as it took the woman this amount of time to truly recover and replenish her body from the previous pregnancy and birth.

I want women to know that it’s OK if you aren’t growing metaphorical mothering fruit yet. There is no rush or timeframe on these things. Keep seeking the support that you need as you find your own way to vitality.

FUN FACT 4: Professionally I am an occupational therapist and regardless of where I work or what other training I do, I can’t turn away from my occupational therapy view of the world. The things around us, the things that we do and the wellbeing of our mind, body and spirit all work together to shape our experience of engaging in the world. When I talk to someone about their pelvic and menstrual health I can’t forget about their mental health or emotional wellbeing. Just as I can’t ignore physical pelvic health when someone comes to me about challenges with their mind or spirit.

Occupational therapy may not yet be a well known resource for mothers. However within my business name there is an O for Orange and a T for Tree. OT – the common abbreviation for occupational therapy.

FUN FACT 5: Trees grow best where there is fertile ground and water. And this wild orange tree really has grown from the fertiliser and rain of my own experience and mothering journey. Your journey will be different to mine, but sometimes it’s nice to know that there are other women seeking a pathway to vitality in their body and mind from a place of self love and nurture.

And each woman I meet makes their own contribution to this fertile ground of knowledge and wisdom from which I share. The first twelve months have been amazing. I can’t wait to see how this tree continues to grow.