Her Second Birth: Healing After Postpartum Depression
Hi, my name is Emma. Her Second Birth is not just a name—it is my true story of postpartum depression recovery, healing after motherhood, and rediscovering myself as a woman and a mother. I didn’t choose this path lightly; it was born from pain, growth, and faith. However, what once felt like the end of my dreams became the beginning of my strength. Furthermore, my journey is not only mine but a reflection of thousands of mothers who silently battle trauma after childbirth.
The Beginning of My Journey into Motherhood
I became a mother at a very young age, out of wedlock, to a man I thought would be my forever. My ex-fiancé and I met in 2010/2011, and at the time, it felt like a fairytale. We were inseparable, building dreams of a family and a future together.
By 2013, after years of waiting, he grew restless, wondering why I hadn’t conceived. I was just twenty, naïve, and desperate to prove my love. I prayed and begged God to bless me with a child.
When I finally became pregnant, I thought my life was complete. In March 2014, I gave birth to my son. But instead of joy, my new chapter became the beginning of heartbreak and the unraveling of my identity.
Postpartum Depression and Emotional Pain
However, the man I thought loved me began to tear me down. He made passive-aggressive remarks about my body, my breasts, my stomach, and my baby weight, when I had just carried and delivered his child.
One day, when our son was just eight months old, he looked me in the eyes and told me to leave. He said other men might want me, but he never would again. I was holding my baby when he crushed me with those words.
In addition, the insecurity, the shame, the feeling of being unwanted consumed me. I started believing I was unlovable, that my only worth was tied to his acceptance. Thoughts of ending my life haunted me, but I never once thought of giving up on my son. He was my anchor.
Starting Over in
By 2015, I left my son with my family and moved to Italy. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life, but it was also the beginning of my healing.
At the time, I didn’t even know the term postpartum depression. I didn’t understand trauma or suicidal thoughts. But slowly, through therapy, conversations, and God’s grace, I began to heal.
Rebuilding my self-esteem was the first step. Gradually, I began to look in the mirror, not with shame, but with love. Over time, I learned to see beauty even in the scars of motherhood. Remember, you are strong. Moreover, you are loved and worthy.
Today, I have no regrets about giving birth to my son. He is now eleven, and he fills me with pride. He was the fire that forged me into a stronger woman. My suffering was not the end of me — it was the doorway to my second birth.
Why I Created Her Second Birth
That is why I named this vision Her Second Birth.
Because motherhood isn’t just about bringing a child into the world. It’s also about birthing yourself again as a woman, as a mother, as someone transformed by fire and love.
Many women struggle with postpartum isolation and emotional challenges; consequentially, Her Second Birth provides a safe space for those who feel lost, broken, or unseen.
It is for partners who want to understand and support. It is for families who need hope. Whether you have faced postpartum depression, emotional trauma, or the silent tears no one sees, I want you to know: you are not alone.
Never forget: you are strong. You are loved. You are worthy.
And with God by your side, you can rise again.
A Message for Mothers and Families
🌍 To African mothers: I know how heavy the silence around depression can be in our culture. We are taught to “be strong,” to hide our pain, to suffer quietly. But silence is not strength. Speaking up, seeking help, and choosing to live is strength.
💞 To partners and families: Your love matters. Your words matter. Your presence can be the difference between despair and hope for a new mother. Stand by her. Support her. Remind her she is not alone.
The Mission of Her Second Birth
✨Her Second Birth supports and helps women battling postpartum depression, emotional distress, and identity loss after childbirth rediscover themselves.
✨ In addition, our goal is to provide emotional support, parenting guidance, partner support, and a nurturing community are offered to guide women through this journey.
✨Utimately, giving birth is not the end of a woman — it is the beginning of her rebirth.
Resources for Mothers Battling Postpartum Depression
If you are struggling with postpartum depression, anxiety, or trauma, please know that you are not alone and there is help:
📞 International Hotlines
• Postpartum Support International Helpline — +1-800-944-4773 (24/7)
• Befrienders Worldwide — for emotional support and suicide prevention
📞 Italy Support
• 112 or 118 for emergency help
• Consultorio Familiare (Family Counseling Center) in your local ASL for free mental health and maternal support
📞 Nigeria Support
• MANI (Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative) helpline: +234 809 111 6264
🙏 Please remember: Asking for help does not make you weak — it makes you brave.
Final Word
This is my story, but maybe it’s also your story.
And if it is, I want you to know: You can rise from the ashes. You can find yourself again. You can have your second birth.
Read more about our blog post here: How Partners Can Support Mothers After Birth and How to Navigate Postpartum Emotions for Struggling Mothers
