- Category: Women's Health
- Published:
- share for change
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To all the Baby Makers out there: you’re doing a great job, Mama!
I spent the longest three minutes of my life sitting on my bathroom floor, staring, without a blink, at that pregnancy test: I had no idea how those two red lines would shake my life in ways I would never imagine.
Nursery décor, endless online reviews to choose the perfect stroller, the safest car seat, the smartest breast pump, lactation consultancy, car seat consultancy, and birthing classes; suddenly, nine months seemed like a short time to prepare for the new baby. And these endless to-do lists were all being ticked off by a nauseous body, with morning sicknesses that are everything but morning-exclusive, constant back pains, and face, chest, and back breakouts that remind you of your worst teen years.
It’s not easy being pregnant. An easy, relaxing moment like lying in bed turns out to be not-so-easy when you’re carrying another tiny human inside. But most times, the physical pains are just a part of the challenges of pregnancy; it’s the fear of the unknown, the insecurities, the expectations, the unsolicited advice, and then thoughts like “Will I be a good mom?” that make it tough to sleep at night.
Maternal Mental Health Month was proclaimed in May 2014 to raise awareness of every mother’s mental health during and after pregnancy. We want all the moms out there to know it’s OK to feel sad, overwhelmed, confused, scared, or whatever other feeling you experience during your motherhood path. This month is about eradicating judgments or false maternity ideals and encouraging women to seek medical help whenever needed.
Your mom tribe can make a difference.
I first started hearing about the mom tribe concept when I was pregnant and never really understood the importance of it until I had my own. A mom tribe is a group of women who may or may not have known each other before having children and joining forces to experience motherhood together.
I had the fortune of sharing my maternity with four childhood best friends. As soon as we found out we were all pregnant, we started a group chat we named: The Baby Makers, which now I realize was a game changer for navigating my maternity.
Maternity comes with many doubts, changes, and new experiences, and having someone to talk to makes you feel like you’re not alone. Most questions in our group chat start with “Is it normal?” and soon enough, we understood that whatever you are feeling or experiencing is normal because it’s your reality; your choices and your decisions are what make each mom unique and specially designed for your baby’s needs.
On this Maternal Mental Health Month, we want you to keep in mind your rights as women to be able to make decisions over your bodies; whether you choose a C-section or vaginal birth, breastfeeding, or formula, when your choices come from a place of love, they will always be the right choices for you and your family.
You’re not alone.
Approximately 70-80% of all new mothers experience baby blues, described as negative feelings or mood swings after the birth of their child and usually appear four to five days after childbirth and include weepiness or crying for no apparent reason, irritability, anxiety, and sadness, among other symptoms. (1)
On the other hand, about 15% of new mothers experience postpartum depression. (2) In these cases, it is important to talk with your healthcare provider because treatment may include therapy and/or medication. Some of the symptoms of postpartum depression are fatigue, feeling hopeless or overwhelmed, trouble sleeping and eating, and having thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby.
Take care! Here are a few tips for being a healthy mom:
- Talk it out. Talking about your feelings to your partner, a family member, or a friend can make a huge difference. You might be surprised to hear about other moms having the exact same feelings as you.
- Maintain a healthy diet. Newborn days can get crazy, and sometimes, as a mom, you are so focused on feeding the baby that you forget about feeding yourself, which can have negative consequences on your mental health.
- Get some fresh air! Even if it’s a short walk around the neighborhood, it will make a big difference on both your and your baby’s day.
- Be patient. Taking care of a baby can be a difficult job, and it’s OK if you need help or if things aren’t perfect. Enjoying the good times can take off some of the parenting pressure.
We are happy to be your tribe!
Our contribution to women’s health includes generating awareness about mental health topics. We believe speaking out and initiating conversations is an important step towards normalizing thoughts or behaviors that sometimes make moms feel ashamed or guilty. We are a judgment-free community, ready to hear your stories and support women and mothers in this journey.
It’s always a good time to remind yourself that you are doing a great job! Take a deep breath, go smell your tiny baby’s head, and savor this unique moment of your life that you will one day miss.
References:
- American Pregnancy Association
https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/first-year-of-life/baby-blues/
- American Pregnancy Association