In Conversation Slow Moments x Tender Space with Renee D’arcy

On career, passions and balance… 

What initially drew you towards supporting mothers through pre conception, pregnancy, birth and postpartum? 

Having my first son at 23 years old with no friendship circle with children or community knowledge, I found navigating all of it so lonely and isolating so I immersed myself in as much knowledge as possible and set a intention to share that knowledge so my future clients wouldn’t feel what I felt. 

Combining naturopathy and your role as a doula is such a beautiful match, can you speak to what looks working with clients looks like? 

Whilst I finish the last year of my Naturopathy studies and raise my little girl who just turned 1! I’ve taken a step back from hands on doula support to offer virtual support and guidance to my clients through birth education and counselling. I hope to be back in the birth space soon because I miss it terribly. When I finish my studies it is my intention that I will work with mothers from preconception to postpartum and then continue nourishing their babies to be the healthiest they can be throughout childhood. I have a big interest in Fertility and Paediatric health but open to see where my clients take me before really specialising in anything.

Balance often feels like the wrong word to use when speaking to the juggling act of motherhood and career, but what has navigating the two simultaneously looked like for you? 

Motherhood always comes first for me. Hence why it’s taken me 12 years to finish a 4 year degree. But I also understand (through so much trial and error) that I need space to create and be to be the best mother I can be for my children. So setting myself boundaries, leaning into the family dynamic and understanding where I’m needed more and where I can pull myself away, constantly reassessing, so much support from my husband and our extended family. It’s a lot but once you find the sweet spot and everyone is thriving, it’s so wonderful. We can make space to follow our passions and raise our babies simultaneously… but it’s not easy. 

Have there been any people that have influenced or inspired you along your journey? 

All my beautiful friends who are mothers inspire me beyond words, I learn so much and gain so much from being around them with our children. 

Can you share any words of wisdom for new mothers preparing for birth and postpartum?  

Tune into your intuition and follow that before anything or anyone else, it’s our guiding force in motherhood 

On motherhood, community and connection… 

Three words to describe this season of motherhood?

Balance, support, comfort 

What does community look and feel like to you? 

Surrounding yourself with a group of people with similar values and leaning on one another. There is something so sacred about a motherhood community, it’s a raw unfiltered connection. 

Do you have any practices you turn to when seeking connection to self? 

Vedic meditation, magnesium bath & flower essences 

On daily rhythms and rituals… 

The first thing you do when you wake up?

Make a warm lemon, ginger tea and do a 20 min Vedic meditation (sometimes with children climbing all over me) but it’s no negotiable for me 

The last thing you do before bed? 

I fall asleep reading 

Rituals that ground you?

Debriefing with my husband or mum

Eating delicious food in the sunshine 

Setting the kids up to play outside whilst doing a deep clean of the house and listening to good music (something about a clean house refreshes me) 

Three things we can always find in your fridge/pantry? 

Grass fed butter and eggs, can’t think of a third but these are staples it our house 

To learn more about Renee you can follow her along on Instagram @reneedarcy.naturopath or visit her website here

All imagery has been captured by Kristy Linnan you can visit her website here