Finding Harmony in Motherhood: A Conversation with Silver+ Sponsor Siân Rogers of Siren Music Supervision

The Hidden Symphony: Understanding Postnatal Depression

At emPOWER, we are all about celebrating women in our industry for all that they have achieved while also illustrating some of the big life events that can be new challenges to negotiate. emPOWER truly believes that to create conversations around what makes us whole, both the good and the bad, gives others the tools and courage to lean into their own experiences, knowing that they aren’t alone. This spotlight is for any new mums out there or for anyone who has experienced post natal depression, a natural physiological by-product of one of the biggest and steepest hormone crashes in a human’s lifespan.

We wanted to catch up with Siân Rogers, Company Director at Siren Music Supervision, part of the Factory family and one of our incredible sponsors of The emPOWER Breakfast, who has courageously shared her story with us around her experience of motherhood and the hormonal carnage that can take us completely by surprise. Siân is a busy mum of two, an active full time working woman and a spinner of plates. Siân and I grabbed a coffee when Siren was first onboarding as an emPOWER sponsor and I asked her what her story was. She didn’t respond immediately, then she thoughtfully said ‘Hmmm, post natal depression probably’ and we began to talk about it…

Becoming a mother is often romanticised as a time of pure joy and fulfilment, yet the reality is far more complex. Research indicates that approximately 10-20% of new mothers experience postnatal depression, with some studies suggesting the numbers could be as high as 25% when including all perinatal mood disorders. These statistics tell a story of women navigating one of life's most significant transitions while grappling with feelings that may contradict societal expectations of maternal bliss.

The period following childbirth is increasingly recognised as "matrescence" - a term coined by anthropologist Dana Raphael in 1973 to describe the profound psychological and physical transition to motherhood, and one I first heard when talking to Katie Reynolds, founder of Mama Love - Yoga and Birth, and emPOWERs Yoga Practitioner. Much like adolescence, matrescence is a developmental phase that can be tumultuous, involving identity shifts, hormonal changes, and the reorganisation of your entire life structure. 

Having become a mum myself in my mid 40s, the reality vs. expectation might possibly have been one of the biggest shocks I’ve ever experienced. Motherhood to me is life’s biggest and best kept secret because the reality is never like your imagined experience and currently our culture isn’t set up to support such a shock.

What makes the transition of motherhood particularly challenging in our modern world is the loss of what humans have had for millennia: the village. Historically, new mothers were surrounded by extended family, neighbours, and experienced women who could provide practical support, childcare relief, and emotional guidance. Today, many new mothers find themselves isolated, expected to navigate this monumental change largely on their own or with limited support from just their partner, which puts relationships of all kinds under huge strain.

This isolation can intensify the symptoms of postnatal depression, creating a perfect storm of physical exhaustion, emotional overwhelm, and social disconnection. The pressure to "bounce back" and appear grateful and fulfilled can prevent women from seeking the help they need, especially if it was a long awaited experience.

Siân has built an impressive career in the music industry, but like many women, her journey through motherhood presented challenges that no amount of professional success could have prepared her for. 

We asked Siân a few questions about her experience.

Can you tell us a bit about your career in music supervision and what your role at Siren Music Supervision entails?

I head up the SIREN team and am a music supervisor and producer working across a range of advertising, film and immersive/new media projects. A music supervisor is someone who oversees all music related aspects of a project from creative, to logistics, to budgets.  We work collaboratively with directors, creative teams and key decision makers to help determine the music vision, tone and style that works best for the project.

I absolutely love leading the team at SIREN. 

We have a brilliantly talented, collaborative and (very importantly) supportive team. I’m immensely proud of all of them and the work we’re producing. 

When did you first become a mother, and how did you initially feel about the transition to parenthood?

I became a mother in 2018 and loved the transition to parenthood. 

I felt incredibly comfortable and at ease moving into a world where that was a principal role in my life and really loved my first mat leave with my eldest. I already had my dog Pig and while everyone tells me you can’t compare a dog to children I think it gives a grounding of what you’re in for! 

While I loved the actual experience of being a mother, the process of giving birth with my son was incredibly traumatic for both me and my partner.  The main issue was that (with hindsight!) I chose to try and press on without dealing with any of the problems this caused. Eventually this led to PTSD rearing its head in my second pregnancy as I was faced with the impending reality of having to give birth again. 

Fortunately for me my midwife noticed that there may be more going on beneath the surface and I was referred to a specialist midwife team for my second pregnancy.  They were known as the Poppy Team at Lewisham Hospital and they were incredible. They supported me in key areas, such as finding the right therapist. I hadn’t given it much thought up to that point, and it feels obvious now, but finding the right person for you is key. What’s the point in having a therapist who you don’t think you can open up to?!

Looking back, when did you first recognise that you might be experiencing postnatal depression? What were the early signs for you?

My experience of postnatal depression happened after having my second child in 2020 and I failed to recognise any early signs. Societal expectations around motherhood are that it is supposed to be one of the happiest times of your life so any negative thoughts around the experience, I just buried. 

It got to the point where I was sat in a baby class with Katy Perry “Firework” blaring, surrounded with bubbles, while a woman dressed as a giant butterfly danced around. My son was staring up at me dressed as a flower entirely nonplussed as I hysterically sobbed. The juxtaposition of extreme emotions with the somewhat banal life of a content infant is something you have to experience to understand! It led me to realise something was probably wrong. I mean writing it down and looking back now it’s enough to make anyone cry!

How did your experience of postnatal depression impact your confidence at work? Were there particular challenges you faced in balancing your career with your mental health?

My partner and I did shared parental leave and we had chosen to split it 50/50, so I was going back to work after 7 months. There had been a lot of change at work while I had been off and we were in the midst of the pandemic. My boss, friend and mentor had left and this meant I was coming back to head up the company rather than back into the role I knew. 

I lost all my confidence through this period, found decision making paralysing and had severe anxiety.  A winning combination as you take on a new leadership position! As it transpired, a period that should have been an exciting and demanding one in equal measure leant heavily into the demanding side of the equation. Whilst not ideal for me, it has given me an insight into challenging mental health that has undoubtedly made me a more empathetic and compassionate leader. If only there was a way to acquire those skills without the experience, hopefully sharing these stories will be a start.

What support systems did you put in place, and which ones proved most helpful during this time?

Regular therapy.

Putting in time to have my own space.

Communication; ensuring I was speaking to work and letting my fellow leadership team know I was having a tough time. 

Were there any moments or resources that marked a turning point in your journey toward recovery?

It definitely started with acknowledging I was having a challenging time. Outside of that I don’t think there was any single thing.

It was a series of small steps, taking it day by day.  

Letting people know what’s difficult allows them to provide useful help, the more you hold it in the longer it will take to resolve. 

How has your experience with postnatal depression influenced your perspective on work-life balance and mental wellness in the creative industries?

It meant I reevaluated my priorities and made me put firmer boundaries in place. Overwork does not prove worth. 

It has definitely impacted and influenced how I support my team and given me a deeper understanding of mental health. 

What role, if any, did music play in your healing process?

Musical memory is actually one of the most powerful forms of memory there is, which is why my eye starts to twitch and I get triggered every time I hear Katy Perry's “Firework”.

But in all seriousness music always helps.

From silly dancing with my kids, to listening to nostalgic favourites dancing around and singing at the top of our lungs, to leaning into all the feelings with the best sad songs playlist.

What advice would you give to other women who might be struggling with postnatal depression?

First and foremost you are not alone and you are not failing.

It’s the hardest thing to do when you’re in it but speak to someone – friends, family, therapist, health professional, anyone. The minute I started talking it made me feel less isolated.  There’s a huge amount of guilt around putting a name on how you are feeling.  Especially when the prevailing ideology is that you should be ecstatic.

Lower the bar for yourself & acknowledge what you’re feeling – the only things you need to do is look after yourself and your baby. Everything else can wait. Motherhood comes with a whole range of emotions, give yourself permission to feel what you feel without judgement. 

How can workplaces in the creative sectors better support women experiencing postnatal depression?

Normalising conversations around mental health – this isn’t specific to postnatal depression but I think it’s really important to have these conversations so I’m really grateful to Athene & emPOWER for bringing topics like this to the front and centre.  

You wouldn’t hide that you have the flu (…well maybe some people would).

Companies like Self Space are making great strides in this area offering an on demand mental health service on the high street.

Flexibility: flexible working hours or hybrid working.  Even avoiding booking meetings at the start and end of the day can give people more breathing room to manage their time around nursery & school drop offs etc.

Parental Leave Policies: Workplaces need to ensure they have adequate maternity leave policies that go beyond the statutory minimum. I also believe it is really important that companies have partner-inclusive policies which support partners taking leave as this can indirectly help reduce the burden on new mothers. 

Resources: Access to mental health resources & counselling services. I was really lucky that SIREN has counselling services as an extra to our health care. My incredible midwife team also referred me to City Pregnancy Counselling & Psychotherapy to whom I owe a huge debt of gratitude. 

Looking back, what do you wish someone had told you about postnatal depression before you experienced it?

I wish I had known what to look out for but it’s so hard to differentiate with regular ‘baby blues’. I felt very disconnected, numb and had intrusive thoughts but my main take home would be don’t wait around for it to pass. Speak to someone. 

How do you maintain your mental health now, and what practices have become essential to your wellbeing as both a professional and a parent?

It’s a constant balancing act. 

There is no perfect balance, it’s a constant flux. 

It’s about creating something sustainable for yourself; for me this includes exercise, communication and creating space for my own interests. You still need space to be you, and to remember that creating this space isn’t selfish. 

What got you through?

Not what, but who.

I had unbelievable support in my friends and family. My partner was incredible and my little brother came to live with us to help out for which I will be forever grateful. 

Conversations with friends who allowed me to open up about what I was going through really helped me. 

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This interview aims to shed light on the often-unspoken challenges of postnatal depression while highlighting the strength and resilience of women navigating both motherhood and demanding careers. Siân's story serves as a reminder that even successful, accomplished women can face these internal struggles, and that seeking help is not only brave but necessary. Thank you for sharing your story with us, Siân! And we encourage anyone who is experiencing any of these feelings to seek support. You need looking after too.