NWO grant for knowledge on postpartum mental health through mothers' stories
The Listening bellies project receives and NWO Impact Explorer grant to create more knowledge and understanding on diverse experiences of postpartum mental health. The Impact Explorer call supports researchers in exploring the impact of unexpected research results.
Together with artists from Eindhoven, researchers are designing Listening bellies: sculptures in the shape of a pregnant belly. Inside, one can hear stories from mothers, interwoven with sound design and spoken word. The Listening bellies are placed in semi-public spaces around the city, such as the library, the theatre and community centres. Through individual listening sessions and events, this newly granted project raises awareness of postpartum mental health and gives mothers a voice.
Many mothers do not experience that ‘pink cloud’ feeling in the postpartum period and often face a great deal of shame and a lack of understanding. With the Listening bellies mothers’ personal experiences can be heard and we hope to foster greater understanding of this wonderful, yet sometimes challenging, period.
About the grant
The Impact Explorer grant is a top-up grant. The original Open Competition XS research project focused on how mothers’ social and physical environments influence their mental health during the postpartum period. The themes addressed in this project and in the Listening bellies include (lack of) social support or judgements from the community, changes in daily activity patterns, and changes in the use of public space.