When writer and broadcaster Katie O’Malley found out she was pregnant, she faced an immediate dilemma. Was she still allowed to run the London Marathon three weeks later?!
Asking this question made her realise how little she knew about what having a baby actually does – and asks of – the female body. It started her on a journey towards starting A Long Way To Go, an online resource that helps women find trustworthy, unfiltered advice about pregnancy, labour and postpartum life.
If Katie’s knowledge was hazy, then for me – and the majority of first-time fathers – it was closer to non-existent. There were many times on the road to becoming a father I wish I’d been better informed. So one recent weekend, I invited Katie onto the pod to share what she’s learned in her journey setting up ALWTG, and how fathers can show up better for their partners.
Our conversation covered health misinformation and pregnancy myths – like ‘eating for two’ and being ‘too posh to push’ – as well as what needs to change in healthcare services to better support expectant parents. We shared our experiences of the early days of life with a newborn, touching upon:
The conversations couple should have before their baby is born (but rarely do)
Toxic positivity and toxic negativity in the parenting space
The truth about ‘maternal rage’ and what causes it
Plus loads more. If you enjoy this conversation, check out A Long Way To Go and follow Katie on Instagram.
If you’re enjoying The Good Father, you might like my book. It’s called Good Anger: Why We Shouldn’t Fear Our Rage and it’s a blend of psychology, history and memoir about how embracing a taboo emotion can help people pleasers, conflict avoiders and anyone suffering with depression or anxiety. There is also a new chapter on handling anger in parenting.
Good Anger was named a book of the year by The Independent, GQ, Glamour, Esquire and The Next Big Idea Club and featured in the Guardian, Observer, Sunday Times, Mail on Sunday and more.
It can be ordered online at Amazon or Waterstones.
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