JPbirth

I provide emotional, practical and informational support during pregnancy, labour, birth and after.

05/08/2026

So many new faces joined us today, alongside families we hadn’t seen for a little while as work and life had taken them in different directions.

It is wonderful to see families at different stages of parenthood come together first for themselves, and then for others.

The mothers who once arrived feeling overwhelmed, unsure and like they were barely keeping their heads above water are now the ones offering a reassuring smile, a warm hug or gentle words to a mum walking through the Chapel doors for the very first time.

There is never any expectation to arrive feeling positive. You don’t have to match anyone else’s season.

We’ll celebrate with you when life feels light.
We’ll sit beside you when it feels heavy.

Maybe that’s what a village really is..women willing to lean on someone else’s shoulder when they need it and offering their own when they are able.

That’s what a village looks like… not experts with all the answers, but women walking alongside one another, helping each other through the ordinary and the overwhelming🛖

24/07/2026

We’re often asked that question and the answer is actually quite simple.

The Village is a community where mothers can find connection, support and understanding throughout pregnancy, birth and beyond.

It’s held by birthworkers, doulas and women-led businesses, but it belongs to every mother who walks through the door.

And now, we’re so excited to be bringing that same warmth and community to two locations.

📍 Chichester - weekly
📍 Southampton - twice a month

If you know someone who could do with a village around them, we’d love you to share this reel. One share could help another mother find the support she’s been looking for.

15/07/2026

There wasn’t anything particularly different about today’s gathering… and yet, it felt different🤍

New faces joined us. Stories were shared. Women opened their hearts. The sharing circle became several conversations and all of a sudden strangers became a little less like strangers.

It made me think.. community isn’t built in one morning. It’s built week by week. Conversation by conversation. One act of honesty at a time.

With every gathering, the roots of this Village seem to grow a little deeper.

Thank you to every woman who brings her true self through the door and to every woman who listens with kindness.

The Village Gatherings are held in Graylingwell chapel, Chichester, from 10am till 12pm each Wednesday (including school holidays!).

Free for pregnant women, mamas with children of any ages (the youngest we had joining us was 7 days, I think? And we have grandmothers joining us too). But also women-led businesses that support families through perinatal period can join and hold space for families with us 🤍

See you next week?

10/07/2026

When you become a mother, your mind becomes home to a thousand tiny tabs left open.

Has the baby fed enough?

Do they have enough clothes in the next size?

Have I replied to that message?

What’s for dinner?

When’s the next nap?

Did I remember to pack…?

The mental load alone can feel overwhelming.

Then you walk into a kitchen that needs resetting, baby bits that are no longer needed, the washing basket is overflowing.. suddenly the visual clutter starts adding to the mental clutter.

That’s why, during my postnatal visits, I rarely wait to be asked.

As I get to know a family, I begin to notice the little things that quietly lift the weight from a mother’s shoulders.

Sometimes that’s reorganising the baby clothes.

Reloading the kitchen.

Putting away the things that have slowly gathered around the house.

Or simply noticing what would make tomorrow feel easier than today.

Of course, every family is different.

Some parents ask me to hold their baby while they enjoy getting things done themselves. Others want me to take over so they can simply rest.

There isn’t a right way.

The goal is the same.

When I leave (whether after couple of hours or a full day) I want the family to enjoy the rest of their day together.

A nourishing meal ready. Children cared for. And a home that feels peaceful, not like it’s shouting another list of things that still need doing.

Sometimes, a tidy kitchen isn’t really about the kitchen at all.

It’s about creating a little more space to breathe. 🤍

09/07/2026

This little one has been napping outside with me since he was a newborn.

I’ve been supporting this family since he was few days old, and now, nearly two years later, we’ve found a beautiful rhythm.

Usually the day starts with resetting the kitchen, prepare lunch and/or dinner for the whole family (with an extra portion for the freezer). Then I’ll take the little one out for fresh air while mama is working, collect the older sibling from school, share dinner together, and drop them off at their evening activity before I head home.

When he was a newborn, the rhythm looked similar, but he was in the sling most of the time. There were also long conversations with mama about breastfeeding, the emotional rollercoaster of early motherhood, finding confidence and creating a family life that made room for moments of joy alongside all the practicalities.

That’s what I love most about postnatal care.

Watching a mother grow in confidence. Seeing her shoulders soften. Feeling the peace slowly return as she finds her rhythm and begins to trust herself.

My goal has never been to leave behind a spotless house.

It’s to leave behind a mama who feels a little lighter, children who feel settled and cared for, nourishing food ready for the days ahead, and a home that feels supportive rather than overwhelming.

Because that’s what being held in motherhood can look like. 🤍

07/07/2026

🛖 The Village is coming to Hampshire…

We’ve been quietly working behind the scenes to create another space where mothers can feel supported, connected, and truly welcomed.

We’ll soon be holding monthly Gatherings in Southampton - bringing the same gentle energy, sharing circles and community that so many families have found in West Sussex.

Because every mother deserves a village 🤎

If you know someone who is pregnant, navigating new motherhood or simply looking for a community like this in Hampshire, we’d be so grateful if you shared the news with them.

More details coming soon… 🌿

06/07/2026

We’ve been having lots of chats lately as Mila navigates her first big feelings in the friendship department. Pr***en years seem to be full of big emotions… and even bigger conclusions.

It’s made me reflect on my own friendships, and on how I’ve tried to fit into the world over the years.

It wasn’t until I was around 30 that I realised I wasn’t “bad at people.” I’m simply an introvert. And that changed a lot for me.

I stopped dreading walking into groups of people because I understood myself better. But I still avoided putting myself out there.

Then another change happened.

I stopped trying to fit into places where I didn’t feel at home and instead started following what genuinely lit me up - nature, community, motherhood.

And somewhere along the way, I found my people… without even trying.

Now, at 36, I look around and feel so grateful. These are people who inspire me, make me laugh, hold space for me, and remind me that friendship isn’t about how social you are. It’s about how much you can be yourself when you’re with someone.

I’m sharing these photos because I want Mila to see that even an introvert like me found her people in the most unexpected ways. My social butterfly has so many beautiful connections waiting for her in the years ahead, if only she knew.

So if you’re feeling like you haven’t found your people yet, keep becoming more of yourself. Keep doing the things you love.

Your people are looking for someone just like you. 🤍

30/06/2026

A reminder I needed this week. 🌿

When the anxious, depleted feeling creeps in - it’s usually a sign I’ve made too little space for myself.

Nature is still the easiest way back. Even with children running wild around me.

12/06/2026

🛖 The Village is for every mother.

A place to connect, be heard, and find support through pregnancy and motherhood.

✨ Wednesdays | 10am-12pm
📍 Graylingwell Chapel, Chichester

We’d love to welcome you 🤎

Address

Hayling Island

Telephone

+447742813885

Website

http://www.JuliaPriston.com/

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