I acknowledge the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation - the custodians of the land on which I live. I acknowledge the beauty and strength of the Indigenous women and mothers that have held so many generations on these lands.

On ‘women’ and 'mother'

I use the term ‘mother’ to encompass every woman with the desire or experience of having a child. Maternal thriving therefore refers to those currently in the preconception, conception, pregnancy, postpartum onwards. Sexed terms recognise the prevalence of sex based inequities. ‘Mothering’ is used to describe the characteristics of a mother, and as such can be used to describe those who are not biological mothers. Not everyone moving through pregnancy, birth and postpartum identifies with ‘woman’ and ‘mother’. I acknowledge you just as you are.