RECLAIMING MOTHERHOOD

Mrs Thailand World 2025 Chanita Graythorne is challenging societal expectations of selfless sacrifice

- STORY: THANA BOONLERT

A woman slowly grows into a mother over time. It is a full-time job that never ends until the lights go out. After nine months of pregnancy, she nurtures her child for years until adulthood. Her reward? It is said that the child is the apple of her eye. It is expected for a woman to sacrifice her body, career and everything for this role.

And so thought Chanita Graythorne, or Sammy, until reality hit hard. "I thought I felt like a cow. A baby just drank milk from me. They were helpless creatures," she recalled of her early days of motherhood in an interview.

Chanita told her husband about her gloomy thoughts. With tremendous support from him and a nanny, she managed to take some time off for self-care. She worked out and socialised with friends, which helped her steer clear of postnatal depression. Unfortunately, not every woman may be able to identify this mood disorder, let alone have access to support in a timely manner.

Chanita is one of many mothers who experienced perinatal mental health issues. According to the World Health Organization, globally about 10% of pregnant women and 13% of women who have just given birth suffer from mental disorder, especially depression. In developing countries, rates are even higher. In critical cases, mothers may commit suicide. It can also affect fathers and partners.

Crowned Mrs Thailand World 2025, Chanita reflected on how experience inspired her to launch a campaign to defy unrealistic expectations and reclaim personal autonomy.

"Happiness behind every happy child is a happy mother," she said. "I want to save mothers to save children."

WIND BENEATH HER WINGS

"My mother has been the biggest part of my life and my younger sister's," said Chanita.