New Mom Hood 🤍
Ever since giving birth to my first child three months ago, I feel like a lot has changed and not a lot of people talk about it.
For my birth plan, I really wanted to deliver naturally. I was 10 cm dilated and had been pushing for two hours while having a fever of 102°. The doctor asked me if I wanted to continue pushing for another two hours or get a C-section. Since I was in labor and I also had a fever, I felt defeated because I could no longer push. So I became an unplanned C-section mama. It was really hard coming to that decision because I really wanted to have my son naturally. Ultimately, I knew the safest delivery for my son and myself would be a C-section though. After that I was in the hospital for a week because of my fever. I had an infection and they couldn’t figure out from where. After seven days in the hospital, I was relieved that my infection was no longer there, and that my son was healthy. 💙
Another change I noticed was with myself. I am constantly exhausted, super overwhelmed/overstimulated and I don’t really recognize myself anymore. But this change seems familiar in a way. I’ve always known that I was meant to be a mom and I’m over the moon that I finally get to be a mom. I feel like I have to take care of my son 100% of the time even though I have help from both grandmas and my boyfriend. I always feel so guilty when I try to take some time to take care of myself (like take a shower or use the restroom). I know I shouldn’t, but that guilt is always there. ❤️🩹
My relationship has changed a lot as well. It’s changed in more good ways than bad ways thankfully. I feel like our love for each other has grown stronger, we communicate better and we check in with each other more. I have noticed that we have started to argue. We never argued until recently. Thankfully they’re not big arguments, they’re small ones that were resolved pretty quickly with some communication. My boyfriend has noticed this change also and we took some time to talk about it. We said we really need to have good communication now that we’re both parents. We don’t want our son watching us arguing all the time, we want him to see that his parents love each other and have a healthy relationship. 🥰
With all these big and little changes, starting motherhood has been kind of rough, but I’m thankful for my village and that I get to be a mom 👩🏻🍼💛
Becoming a new mom often comes with unexpected challenges, especially for those facing an unplanned C-section. This experience can lead to feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and exhaustion as new mothers strive to care for their newborns while navigating their own recovery. It's important to acknowledge these emotions and normalize them, understanding that many other mothers share similar feelings. Support from partners, family, and friends plays a crucial role in easing the transition into motherhood. Involving partners in childcare can strengthen the relationship and provide the encouragement needed to manage feelings of being overwhelmed. Additionally, taking small moments for self-care is vital. Whether it's a quick shower or reading a few pages of a book, these moments can help recharge a mother's energy and spirit. It’s crucial to communicate openly with loved ones about needs and feelings, as this fosters understanding and strengthens the family unit. Remember, every mother's journey is unique, and embracing support can make a significant difference in overcoming the hardships that come with new motherhood. Connecting with other mothers through online forums or local groups can also provide a sense of community and solidarity during this transformative time.
