Comments on: Stuff newborn moms should know

By: Tough love: Here is your body image homework

Tough love: Here is your body image homework — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 21:27:19 +0000

[...] When I met Dr. Jessica Michaelson, I got the feeling she’d fit in here. She’s a psychologist who specializes in maternal well-being. She didn’t have me at “Hello,” because I’m way too cynical for that, but rather, she had me at “You need someone who really knows what you’re going through and how to get you better,” which she posted on a comment thread about postpartum anxiety. [...]

By: Cara

Cara — Thu, 09 May 2013 03:32:47 +0000

We tried to get pregnant for 2 years, and truly all I have ever wanted to do with my life is be a mom. So what surprised me was that every night at 6 pm on the dot I would have this flood of emotions and think “Life was easier before” and then I would sob with the guilt of what a terrible mother I was to have such thoughts. I finally told my husband I was having terrible thoughts. Of course he was expecting something trip awful. When I told him I kept thinking it was easier before, he said “Well of course it was!” Sobbing I said “But this is better” and he said “Yes. And it’s hard.”
Sometimes just saying something out loud makes the difference which is what is so wonderful about all the comments here. Saying out loud “Wow, this sometimes sucks!” helps so much.

By: Baby love: at first sight or a slow burn?

Baby love: at first sight or a slow burn? — Wed, 08 May 2013 18:04:47 +0000

[...] Jennifer commented on the post Stuff Newborn Moms Should Know, “I wish someone told me that I may not bond with my baby right away. I didn’t dislike [...]

By: Sheila

Sheila — Tue, 07 May 2013 17:34:17 +0000

I never expected how indescribably weird my BELLY would feel the first few weeks postpartum. If I laid on my side it felt like a water balloon full of soup, like my innards were sloshing around in there. I couldn’t stand that.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:46:13 +0000

I wish someone told me that I may not bond with my baby right away. I didn’t dislike him, but he just seemed like someone else’s baby at first… Definitely not all “the second I saw him, I fell in love” stories you hear. Of course it’s completely different now!! I agree with others that nobody told me how difficult it would be… But if they had I probably wouldn’t have believed them anyway!! I also wish someone had told me that usually when a baby cries and picking them up doesn’t help, it’s because they’re hungry. I was so worried about what his cries “meant” and that I was going to over feed him and lead him to a lifestyle of obesity (um, seriously?! I believed that??) you cannot over feed a baby!! Especially a newborn!!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:13:37 +0000

On a positive note, I didn’t expect how great I would feel about not being pregnant anymore. I just don’t like being pregnant. I’m a much more plesant person after delivery (with both my sons). Also unexpected was how my chest would look after my milk came in. I just can’t help but laugh (and cry in pain) every time I look in a mirror. I look like a porn star with a bad plastic surgeon. My size 30-Is are all you can see of me and they’re square and done move.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 03:55:28 +0000

@ Dr Jessica & Nicole
i am so fortunate to have found this website. I want to thank you all for reaching out to me. Especially Dr Jessica for leaving me her phone # & email. I will definatly be contacting her. I would love to chat w/ Nicole also. I will write your email down and email you soon. This means so much to me because I really don’t have anyone who understands what I’m going through. This gives me hope that I will be able to pull myself out of this. At times I really feel I’m going crazy. Talk to you soon.

By: Katie

Katie — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 01:03:26 +0000

@Michelle I definitely think you should take Dr. Michaelson up on her request. You’re right, husbands don’t truly understand – as much as they want to – it’s just not humanly possible. I think it’s also very hard to describe to them when you yourself feel as if you’ve lost control. The shock of your life changing so drastically and having a baby rely completely on you is absolutely shocking, and it’s a full-time, round-the-clock job! Even just talking to someone who understands you better and also has a medical background would help you immensely. Just the fact that you’ve reached out to the dr. is amazing and not easy to do! Keep trying. It is all worth it, and even though you feel like putting yourself first isn’t the best with a new baby, it is. Like Dr. M said, your family needs you, a healthy you! Let us know how things go!

By: Nicole Amy

Nicole Amy — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:15:45 +0000

@Michelle, I felt the same way!! It DOES get better!! I thought everyone was lying when they say it would get better, but my daughter is 7 months now and it’s so much easier! Having a child never gets easier, but you’re new life gets easier to manage I promise! Please email me JVLNKRS@yahoo.com if you want to chat. I’d love to talk about our experiences if you’d like!!

By: Dr. Jessica Michaelson

Dr. Jessica Michaelson — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 18:41:20 +0000

@Michelle – You are absolutely suffering from PostPartum Depression and everyone needs you to get well – all the way well. I am a psychologist and work exclusively with postpartum moms. I work with moms from anywhere, so it doesn’t matter where you are, I will help. You need someone who really knows what you’re going through and how to get you better. Please call me or email me. 510-545-2147 or jessica@earlyparenthoodsupport.com

I’m so glad you posted!
Dr. Jessica

By: Heather Flett

Heather Flett — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:06:10 +0000

@Michelle, I, too, really really hate the crying. It is terrible. It gets better.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:45:29 +0000

@Katy
I really appreciate the comment you wrote back to me. I feel very alone. My husband doesn’t really understand. I hve contacted my doctor & I have been prescribed 2 different medicines which have not really helped. I have another appt. tomorrow in hopes to try something else. This is probably the hardest thing i can ever remember dealing with. I hate this feeling. I hope & pray I can get a handle on this. I never thought I would feel like this after having my baby. It’s a constant nervous uneasy feeling in my stomach & in my head. Every time the baby cries the feelings I feel get worse. I’m doing the best I can & I know this wont get better overnight so I keep telling myself it takes time but my gosh sometimes I don’t think Im going to get thru this.