Motherly Acquired Motherhood Understood - Motherly
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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.

kate with baby- postpartum anxiety

Kate On Prenatal and Postpartum Anxiety, Anger, and Rage

"I had to find it within myself to get the help I needed, and I just wanted to help women never feel alone like I did."

Updated Oct. 10, 2022
yasmin with kids- postpartum anxiety

Yasmin On Begging For Help For Postpartum Anxiety and OCD

"This is the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through."

Updated Oct. 07, 2022
kathryn with kids- postpartum depression

Kathryn On Postpartum Depression, Anxiety, and Domestic Abuse

"I just sat there staring at this man thinking, what was wrong with me."

Updated Oct. 07, 2022
Kathleen with baby- postpartum depression

Kathleen on believing her scary thoughts were normal

"Talking can lead to help which can lead to life changing treatments."

Updated Oct. 07, 2022
Tiffany with baby- how to open up

Tiffany on therapy teaching her how to open up and love herself

"We don’t give ourselves enough credit. As mothers, we are the harshest critics of ourselves."

Updated Oct. 07, 2022

Brittney on postpartum anxiety and separating from her husband

"I am strong for myself and I want my kids to know you can always get help."

Updated Oct. 06, 2022
alex with baby- postpartum panic attacks

Alex on how panic attacks changed her outlook on motherhood

"You’re a mother. You’re strong. And admitting when you need help will only make you stronger."

Updated Oct. 06, 2022
barbra and son - unplanned c-section

Barbra on feeling robbed and depressed after needing a C-section

"New moms are at once the strongest people you will ever meet and the weakest. They are at once warriors and defeated soldiers."

Updated Oct. 06, 2022
kate with baby - essay on mom suffering from postpartum psychosis

Kate on getting her life back after postpartum psychosis

"We need to look after each other and strive for the best care for families in the vulnerable perinatal period."

Updated Oct. 06, 2022
adrian and son- military wife

Adrian On Postpartum Anxiety and PTSD as a Military Wife

"The pain was like no other and my husband was missing everything, including my new mommy emotions."

Updated Oct. 03, 2022
karen and son- postpartum depression suicidal thoughts

Karen On Postpartum Depression Miscarriage Guilt

"It felt like the thoughts were holding me captive."

Updated Oct. 03, 2022
rachel on birth trauma- advocating for yourself

Rachel On Birth Trauma, PTSD, and Advocating for Yourself

"Postpartum depression doesn’t discriminate. It is something completely out of your control."

Updated Oct. 03, 2022
crystal with baby - i stopped taking my antidepressants

Crystal on pretending she didn’t need her medication

"If you are in need of help, please tell the people you love."

Updated Oct. 06, 2022
reeham with baby- postpartum panic attacks

Reeham on postpartum depression, anxiety and panic attacks

"After the pressure of getting cut open and having my baby boy Ezra pulled out, my mouth opened and tears overflowed from holding in all my emotions."

Updated Oct. 03, 2022
candice and son - new baby

Candice on postpartum depression ruining her mom plans

"So here I was, new baby in hand (though not on the boob as he refused to latch), ready to face this motherhood thing."

Updated Oct. 03, 2022
marissa- becoming a mother

Marissa on postpartum regret after becoming a mother

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.

Updated Oct. 03, 2022
crystal with baby - the perfect mother

Crystal on depression and letting go of being the perfect mother

Although I loved being pregnant, I had been dealing with serious anxiety and my transition to motherhood was no less difficult. It was, by far, the steepest learning curve of my life.

Updated Oct. 03, 2022
mother holds newborn in nicu but struggles with postpartum ocd

Alexis on having thoughts about wanting to harm her baby

"The reality is that recovery from this disease is not linear."

Updated Oct. 14, 2022
selfie of crying mother with baby and feeling not worthy of support

Kate on feeling her postpartum depression wasn’t worthy of support

Even my own mother always says that I am “the one she never worried about.” Was that all just a self-fulfilling prophecy?

Updated Oct. 14, 2022
pregnant mother holding belly but dealing with intrusive thoughts

Oriana on prenatal and postpartum OCD and intrusive thoughts

"I didn’t know much about mental health at the time, so I just handled it the best I could."

Updated Oct. 14, 2022
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