"I was so tired the last month of pregnancy that I was only awake two hours a day. I could barely stay awake long enough to even safely drive anywhere. I would just fall asleep, even while standing. I was told it was normal."
"Everyone talks about pregnancy and never mentions what happens postpartum. In addition to the mood issues, I lost full bladder control for six weeks after my first baby. Didn't know that could happen, and didn't even realize it at first, since I was basically wearing a diaper anyway. I've also had several friends call me to ask if something was normal post-birth, because we just aren't prepared. Once the baby is here, the medical system (in the US, anyway) switches from being all about the mom to all about the baby."
"I've had two babies and each time it's taken me about two years to start feeling normal again. IDK if it's hormones, brain re-wiring, or what, but I was a different person for about two years"
Pregnancy and childbirth can produce extreme physical exhaustion, with some individuals sleeping only a few hours per day or falling asleep unexpectedly. The immediate postpartum period often brings intense hormonal mood swings and emotional instability, with the first ten days sometimes harder than pregnancy and birth. Urinary incontinence and loss of bladder control can occur for weeks after delivery. Medical care frequently shifts focus to the newborn, leaving mothers feeling under-supported. Recovery of physical, hormonal, and mental baseline can take many months to years for some individuals. Many common negative experiences are under-discussed and unanticipated.
Read at BuzzFeed
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