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.
Ashley on postpartum anger and rage and finally asking for help
"There were nights that I held my oldest boy while he slept apologizing for being so angry and explaining to him that mommy is going to get better so he doesn't have to see me be angry with him anymore."
Cassandra on surviving a traumatic birth followed by PPD during a pandemic
How would she fare without me if I got sick? And even worse–what if she got sick?
Holly on postpartum depression and how she believed her baby was better off without her
“I don’t want to leave her, but I want to leave.”
Frances on getting help after experiencing anxiety, depression and dark thoughts
I couldn't keep up with the speed of my thoughts, but when they started to take a dark turn, I knew I needed to seek help.
Micaela on accepting her postpartum psychosis and bipolar disorder
"I had a serious problem—one that had always been there but worsened from birth and my experience with breastfeeding."
Emily on late onset postpartum depression in the form of anger and rage
“Mommy’s not safe. Stay back!” I shouted, with my hand outstretched in protest. I didn’t trust myself in that moment. I didn’t recognize myself.
Candice on getting help for postpartum psychosis
"My anxiety and depression worsened during pregnancy due to many factors; canceled baby shower, working from home, limited social interaction, isolation, canceled trips, financial stress, COVID fear, etc."
Megan on postpartum depression and learning to feel worthy of love
"Deserve is a peculiar verb, as it’s somehow become a barometer of my mental health. It’s a harsh line drawn in the sand by a mind under duress and a silent knowing that I am worthy when I am healthy."
Hind on what happened when she shared her real feelings postpartum
"You see, after our baby was born I didn't feel a rush of love, euphoria and excitement. Instead I felt sad, anxious and frightened."
Lisa on feeling less depressed after returning to work and sending her kids to nursery
"Now there were people in my life appreciating me for my brain and my hard work and not because I was the lady with access to the fruit snacks and the TV remote."
Brittney on getting help and support for prenatal and postpartum depression
Prenatal depression is real. Postpartum depression is real.
Mamaita on postpartum depression and the medication that saved her life
"I would go to empty out the dishwasher and by the time I'd reach the cabinet with the clean plate, I'd be bawling."
Sarah on clawing her way out of the postpartum depression darkness
"I’m not free from anxiety and depression yet."
Jeanette on getting help for postpartum depression, anxiety and intrusive thoughts
"My husband did the majority of the childcare and while it killed me to see the exhaustion and worry in his eyes, I just didn’t care enough to help."
Olivia on taking care of a baby while dealing with her husband’s postpartum depression
"I had to do all of these things because shortly after the birth, my husband vanished."
Erica on being afraid to be left alone to take care of her baby
"I stopped eating. I cried. I had a constant pit of anxiety that sat in my stomach. The only time it would go away was when I was asleep."
Karina on postpartum depression and struggling to find joy in motherhood
"I love my baby…I think... I don’t have all this motherhood stuff figured out yet..."
Nicole on having PTSD, postpartum depression and anxiety after giving birth
"I went to my room and looked at my empty bed, and the empty bassinet and realized this was the first time I had been alone since my delivery. This isn’t how it was supposed to be, and so the first breakdown happened."
Sarah on her first four months of motherhood–not easy, but worth it
"This hasn’t gone the way I expected it to. But she makes every second worth it."
Kayleigh on her anxiety about giving birth during a pandemic
"My anxiety levels were already high, but not knowing what could happen was making it worse."