MEET THE BRAVE MUMS JUMPING OUT OF A PLANE FOR A GOOD CAUSE

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BY JESSICA BOSCO

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Nope. It’s a MotherJumper.

Make sure you keep your eyes on the skies this November because across Australia there will be brave mamas jumping out of planes to raise funds for COPE: Centre of Perinatal Excellence.

On November 10 and 11, mums – as well as dads/grandparents/friends – will be skydiving (or abseiling) at 17 drop zones across the country (including Melbourne, Brisbane, Wollongong, Newcastle, Byron Bay, Noosa, Cairns and Canberra) to mark the start of this year’s Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Week.

Funds raised will go towards COPE’s advocacy to make screening available for all pregnant women and new mothers as recommended in Australia’s National Perinatal Mental Health Guideline.

“The invaluable support of all the jumpers and abseilers helps us get our message and programs out to more Australian families, and means we can identify and support those in need of information and treatment when they need it”, says COPE Executive Director, Dr Nicole Highet.

“With up to one in ten women experiencing depression in pregnancy – increasing to one in seven following birth – and even higher anxiety rates, this support is really important to increase our reach and effectiveness.

“Many women do not seek help for mental health problems early enough – our research shows that three out of four women don’t seek help until they reach crisis point”, Dr Highet added.

COPE is dedicated to improving the mental health and emotional wellbeing of expectant parents before, during and the year after the birth of a baby. COPE aims to provide a realistic picture of parenthood and increase support by providing objective, factual information on when and where to get help.

We chatted with some of the brave mums who are taking the leap and becoming MotherJumpers this November about their own journey of motherhood and why they’ve decided to sign up. 

MOTHERJUMPER: Marissa McCartney

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Can you share a little bit about your motherhood journey? 

From my late teen years, I have suffered off and on with bouts of depression and with anxiety – when I became a mum in 2013 – it intensified.

My pregnancy was monitored closely. My son had stopped growing at 32 weeks. The doctors suspected this was due to intrauterine growth restriction.

I was then put on monitors 3 times a week in hospital with no phone reception hours at a time – Alone. My husband Shane would work, as there was no point in both of us sitting around feeling frustrated. I’d then rush back to my own full-time job after each session.

It was nerve-racking not to mention exhausting not knowing what the outcome would be.

I’d come home from work and be on bed rest. I was then induced at 37 weeks when the Doctors decided that the baby would thrive better earth side, Taylor was born – and he was perfectly healthy and thriving. Just tiny!

Being a stay home Mum was much more lonely than I expected. I missed the adult interaction from work.

When I think back I recall feeling like I needed someone to watch me watch the baby.

I definitely wasn’t prepared mentally and emotionally for the struggles of feeding and returning to work 6 months later. I would pump at work because the daycare couldn’t get him to drink the formula. It was a testing battle. I was worn out. I breastfed my son until he was just over 3 years old… we went on our first trip away from him in March 2017 – our honeymoon!

What made you decide to become a MotherJumper? 

With my son starting school next year, and another chapter about to begin, I feel now is the perfect time to step out of my comfort zone for a cause I feel so strongly about.

What do you hope the jump will achieve?

I am absolutely thrilled to be jumping with my fellow #motherjumpers to raise awareness for COPE so that support can continue to be available for those who are struggling with the emotional challenges of being and becoming a parent.

Have you ever skydived before? How are you feeling about the jump?

This will be my very first Sky Diving experience. I am absolutely terrified of falling, and I also have a fear of birds (don’t ask… haha), but surprisingly I am really excited to face my fear head on – and why not do it for such a great cause?!

Who will be there cheering you on, on the day?

My husband Shane, and my son Taylor will be there cheering me on, along with a few extra family and friends. I cannot wait to see Taylor’s face light up.

For more information on COPE or to become a MotherJumper (or donate to the cause) click here.