Emotional FTM 🥹
Hello 🍋
It’s been a long time since I last posted. So many things happened in between.
✨ I got pregnant
✨ I travelled twice during pregnancy, once to a super far country
✨ Got a car due to pregnancy
✨ Diagnosed with GDM which was so unexpected!
✨ Gave birth to my cutie little pie a few months back
✨ Postpartum hormones were real!
✨ Journey of taking care of my LO began!
This post isn’t me jumping into details of the above but me wondering if any of the FTMs felt emotional thinking back of the pregnancy journey to the days you were in the hospital after giving birth all the way until now after your LO is born.
All along, I had the thought of settling down for a family (husband and I were together for a long time!) but never had I thought that I’d be so emotional since my last trimester… They say pregnancy hormones was a roller coaster but I would say, the hormones after delivery is sky high! I just passed my 4th trimester and my emotions still got me sometimes when I look at my baby. I could easily tear whenever I think back of how far we’ve come! From dating 1.5 decades ago (yes, we’re “childhood” sweethearts) to getting married to settling down for a house and later on popping our precious one. I’ve never thought that I’d love a little human so much and unconditionally even before s/he’s born. Neither have I thought that I’d behave like this.
Times like this I’d wish I could keep my baby close to me forever — I’m quite an obsessive mum — but I know that’s impossible. Now, all I can say is, it’s too early to let go and I’m gonna enjoy whenever I can because this is my time! Yes, I would usually ignore comments from parents/in-laws unless I think it makes sense after reflecting.
Thankful for the best husband by my side to mediate things and assessing whether or not it’s ok to not follow through.
More on these later on when I don’t feel tired.
Many first-time mums (FTMs) find their emotional journey during pregnancy and post-delivery uniquely intense, which is deeply reflected in the shared experience here. It’s common for FTMs to experience mood fluctuations not only during pregnancy but even more profoundly in the fourth trimester due to hormonal changes. This phase often involves adjusting to new physical and emotional realities as the new mother settles into caring for her little one (LO). Beyond the hormonal rollercoaster, factors like unexpected complications such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) add layers of stress and adjustment. Managing GDM requires careful monitoring of blood sugar levels, dietary changes, and frequent medical visits, which can create additional emotional strain during pregnancy. However, with support from partners and healthcare teams, many FTMs successfully navigate these challenges and even travel safely during pregnancy, as this author did. A key takeaway from this shared story is the deep emotional attachment to the baby even before birth, highlighting the powerful bond formed in utero. Many mothers express an overwhelming desire to keep their baby close, which reflects natural protective instincts but also underscores the need for self-compassion and patience during this demanding time. Support from partners, especially in mediating family dynamics and helping set boundaries with in-laws or external opinions, plays a critical role in the mother’s well-being. It’s important for new mums to trust their instincts and not feel pressured to conform to all advice unless it resonates with their experience. Community connections, such as joining support groups tagged #pregnancydiary, #deliverystory, and #firsttimemum, can be invaluable for sharing real-life experiences and reducing feelings of isolation. For anyone on the FTM journey, recognizing the complex emotions, welcoming help, and celebrating milestones—big and small—can foster resilience and joy throughout pregnancy and beyond.
