Motherhood Understood
Motherly acquired Motherhood Understood, continuing our mission of providing a woman-centered and supportive community for mothers. We are leaning into telling personal essays from mothers as a way that we learn, connect and feel less alone. Centered on the perspectives of maternal mental health, these stories are intended to help moms feel validated and seen.
CH on postpartum depression, anger and three babies in three years
"Angry and pregnant is the most used search phrase on my browser."
Alison on her deep struggles with motherhood, anxiety and where she fits
"I long for a village of women who band together instead of staying secluded in their own messy homes, cleaned before visitors."
Desarae on anxiety, anger and depression hitting her 6 weeks postpartum
"I believed I had prepared myself for the postpartum period. I had spoken to many girlfriends who had gone through it and I felt ready for the overwhelming emotions, hormones and exhaustion that came with postpartum."
Rachel on the anger and grief she felt from losing her baby
"Grief and anger surged within me. I felt like my body had betrayed me."
Laura on postpartum depression and longing for her pre-baby life
Hormones. Chemical imbalances. Sleep deprivation. Isolation. Sadness. Resentment.
Suka on anxiety and the struggle of wanting to be with her kids and have me time
"I couldn’t bear the thought of playing cartoons and sitting them in front of the TV begging them not to move or make a sound."
Catherine on experiencing postpartum anxiety and intrusive thoughts
"I didn’t think my thoughts. I saw them–often unable to distinguish between what was real and what wasn’t."
Trisha on feeling alone and isolated during postpartum depression
I thought it meant I was defective and not really cut out to be a mom. I had entire weeks where the only person I spoke to outside my home was the grocery store cashier. I was often alone as a new mom and later when I became a stay-at-home mom.
Jessica on having postpartum PTSD being the mom of two sick babies
I believe it is vital for me to share my story and to let other parents who are going through similar experiences know that they are never alone.
Maggie on having prenatal depression and being afraid to have another baby
I would be sobbing into Robert’s shoulder, “I know I’ll love this baby, but I just don’t feel that way right now.”
Stephanie on her ectopic pregnancy, IVF and experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety
They didn’t tell me I was at an even higher risk for depression and anxiety whenever there was a hormone change in my body. That loss changed everything for me.
Suzanne on postpartum depression, PTSD and waiting to feel something for her son
I went back to work full-time. I was still waiting. I picked up the kids from daycare every day. I was still waiting. I had a birthday. I was still waiting. I stopped going out on weekends. Still waiting. Stopped replying to messages. Still waiting. Stopped seeing my friends. Still waiting. Stopped answering phone calls. Waiting.
Julie on being told her postpartum anxiety and panic attacks were normal as a new mom
"On my worst days I felt like I’d rather die than continue to feel that way for one more second. The mental agony was so overwhelming and so debilitating. I could barely handle it."
Mentoria on hiding her postpartum depression and thoughts of ending her life
"My mind just couldn’t understand why I had these beautiful babies, and I couldn’t just BE HAPPY."
Erikka on experiencing postpartum PTSD after the traumatic delivery of her daughter
"I'm currently in therapy and working on reframing my experiences. I don't think I will ever forget the low points, but the silver linings are worth honoring too."
Julie on pregnancy loss, postpartum depression and the waiting to find her happiness again
"I waited. I waited for the baby blues to pass."
Cath on experiencing postpartum depression as a mental health professional
After my son was born, all I wanted was sleep. But I was scared of closing my eyes for fear of something happening to him during that time. I couldn’t shut my mind off from all the irrational thoughts running through it.
Sara on wanting to hug her postpartum self and tell her it will get better
"The story of a woman trying. Trying and tired, trying and unsure, trying and afraid."
Eloise on getting help for postpartum OCD and intrusive thoughts
I did not want this to ruin my life or rule my brain.
Becca on living with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and the rage it causes
"I’ll be standing over my sink cleaning everyone's mess for the 37th time that week and it’ll only be Tuesday. Where as I have done this many times before, on this day anger will rise, hot and dizzying. These are no longer dishes, they are injustices."