stories and tools to recover emotionally and physically after birth
I had it all planned out. The birth would go a certain way. I’d breastfeed easily because I’d done all the research. My baby would sleep in the bassinet from day one because I’d established good habits early. I’d keep up with my hobbies and friendships because balance is important. My house would stay relatively […]
Why Motherhood Requires Letting Go (And What to Stop Controlling) Read More »
It was 2 PM on a Tuesday. The baby was screaming, the dog was barking at a delivery person, I had pee on my shirt from a diaper change gone wrong, my partner was texting asking what was for dinner, and I realized I hadn’t eaten since 7 AM. I felt my chest tighten, my
The Power of the Pause: Using Mindfulness to Fight Postpartum Overwhelm Read More »
At two months postpartum, I became convinced something terrible was going to happen to my baby. Every time she slept, I checked that she was breathing—sometimes dozens of times per night. My heart raced constantly. My mind spiraled through catastrophic scenarios. I couldn’t sleep even when the baby slept because the anxiety wouldn’t let me
The Link Between Sleep Deprivation and Postpartum Anxiety (And What to Do) Read More »
I stood in my closet at three months postpartum, crying over a drawer full of jeans that didn’t fit. I’d been rotating between the same two pairs of leggings for weeks, feeling frumpy and invisible, waiting for my body to “go back” so I could wear real clothes again. My partner found me there and
The Clothes That Fit You Now: Embracing Your Postpartum Wardrobe for Confidence Read More »
At my six-week postpartum checkup, my doctor asked if I had any questions. What I wanted to ask was: “When will I feel like myself again? When will I stop feeling so overwhelmed and angry? When will I have energy for anything beyond basic survival?” Instead, I asked: “When can I start trying to lose
Beyond the Scale: Defining Your Health Goals Postpartum Read More »
Three weeks postpartum, I found myself scrolling through Instagram, bombarded with ads for postpartum weight loss programs. “Get your body back!” they promised. “Six-week transformation!” Meanwhile, I could barely walk to the bathroom without pain, my body felt like a stranger’s, and I was drowning in a fog of exhaustion and anxiety. The message was
Gentle Movement: Exercise for Mental Health, Not Weight Loss, Postpartum Read More »
“Can you just tell me what needs to be done?” my partner asked one evening, genuinely wanting to help. I felt my jaw clench. That question—that well-intentioned question—was exactly the problem. Because figuring out what needs to be done, when it needs to happen, who should do it, and what supplies are required? That’s the
Sharing the Mental Load: A Balanced Approach for Partners and Co-Parents Read More »
I remember standing in the kitchen at 3 AM, bottle-feeding our daughter while my husband slept soundly upstairs. The resentment felt like a physical weight in my chest. He hadn’t caused my postpartum depression, but somehow, he’d become tangled up in it—a target for all the anger, frustration, and pain I couldn’t articulate. If you’re
Beyond Resentment: How to Reconnect with Your Partner After PPD Read More »
When I became a mother, nobody warned me that I’d feel like a stranger in my own life. Sure, people mentioned the sleepless nights and the overwhelming love, but the profound identity shift? The feeling that the “old me” had somehow vanished overnight? That caught me completely off guard. If you’re experiencing this disorienting transformation,
Journaling for Matrescence: Prompts to Navigate Identity Loss and Change Read More »
You just had a baby. The world told you this would be the happiest, most serene time of your life. But you’re exhausted, tearful, and feel an anxious current running constantly beneath your skin. You know about the “Baby Blues,” but this feels… different. It feels bigger. More overwhelming. Understanding the difference between the common,
Postpartum Anxiety: How to Beat Down Baby Blues and Get Real Support Read More »
