This is: Postpartum life

By Motherly December 21, 2020

The first few months after giving birth are the hardest and the most eye-opening. You are giving every ounce of yourself and recovering at the same time. You’ll need time to adjust and that’s perfectly normal.

Motherly Stories

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Season 15

Dancing through motherhood: Jess King’s journey

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April 5, 2022

Life

I was not in love with my baby right away

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Fourth Trimester

10 real truths about the Fourth Trimester, mama

June 22, 2021

Life

This is: Bringing your baby home

The first few months after giving birth are the hardest and the…

December 21, 2020

Pregnancy

I remember this feeling—what it’s like to be pregnant the second time around

I know what to expect—and that's both a joy and a challenge.

October 27, 2020

27 weeks, Essays, Health, Pregnancy, Second pregnancy

Motherhood Understood

Jane on feeling like a failure as a mother because her baby had to go to the NICU

"No one told me I could change my clothes. No one told me I could bathe. I needed a caregiver. I needed an advocate. I needed someone to take care of me."

September 2, 2020

Essays, Giving birth, Health, Nicu

Baby

The three words all new moms need to hear

New moms need to know we can talk about more than how adorable our babies are or how amazing motherhood is. We need to know our conversations can go beyond scheduled feedings and nap routines.

May 5, 2020

Motherhood, Parenting advice, Postpartum care

Life

I’m not the mom I was hoping to be

I wish I could be more like my mom

November 18, 2019

Being a mom is hard, Being a mother is hard, Motherhood and lonliness, Motherhood emotions, Motherhood feelings, Motherhood is hard, Self-care, Sleep

Life

A letter to myself in the middle of the 4th trimester fog

This “new normal” is going to feel more “new” than “normal” for a little while—and that’s okay.

April 11, 2018

Exhaustion, Fourth trimester, Mama, Positive parenting, Reality of motherhood, Sleep

Life

I didn’t know everything would change—but I don’t miss the old me

I stopped missing the old me and embraced the new me.

November 28, 2017

Motherhood, Nine-month-old, Positive parenting

Life

What I want to tell my pregnant self about being a mom

You will learn as you go and that’s okay. Baby thinks you’re an expert, even when you make mistakes.

October 31, 2017

Fourth trimester, Infant

Life

New mamas, it’s okay if you don’t ‘enjoy every single moment’

These memories we’re making every day are precious.

October 6, 2017

Fourth trimester, Postpartum

Parental Leave

The out-of-office message you want to put up when you’re on maternity leave (but won’t)

I will return to work [date here]. I promise you, it will be too soon.

January 14, 2017

Going back to work, Working mom

Community & Friendship

What I want my friends without kids to know

Yes I’m exhausted. And yes, I’ve never been happier.

June 23, 2016

4 months old, Fourth trimester, Friendship, Mama, Motherhood, Play, Positive parenting, Postpartum, Relationships

Life

Shock or awe? On those first moments after birth

I expected to look like a glowing new mom. Instead, I laid there in shock and felt less than divine.

June 7, 2016

Birth, Fourth trimester, Hospital birth, Newborn, Parentpalagesstages2021, Pregnancy

Pregnancy

The 4th trimester struggle is real

Everything explodes: your heart with love, your mind with this new reality, and your body with— well, a baby.

May 9, 2016

#motherlystories, 4th trimester, Body, Fourth trimester, Labor and delivery, Mama, New motherhood, Newborn, Parentpalagesstages2021, Postpartum, Pregnancy

Parenting

Alone with your newborn: The raw reality of the first day postpartum

The door clicked shut, and suddenly, I was alone. Just me and you. It wasn't supposed to feel this quiet. Or this overwhelming.

November 25, 2024

Mom, Moms, Postpartum, Postpartum care, Postpartum mental health, Postpartum needs

Birth Stories

American mom gives birth in Japan and the amenities are jaw-dropping

Did we mention the facials?

August 25, 2024

Childcare, Giving birth, Health

Women's Health

Lead and arsenic may be lurking in your tampons, first-ever tampon study finds

Brb, switching to a menstrual cup asap.

July 8, 2024

Health

Postpartum

This viral text is changing how we support moms who just had a baby

@cameronoaksrogers shares a heartfelt and actionable approach to supporting new moms: a simple, thoughtful text message offering specific ways to help.

February 4, 2025

Postpartum, Postpartum depression, Postpartum support, Tiktok, Tiktok viral, Viral, Viral tiktok

Postpartum

Scarlett Johansson reflects on postpartum life: ‘I was staring into the abyss like, what have I done?’

Johansson, 40, didn’t hold back when recounting her early postpartum days.

January 23, 2025

Postpartum

16 celebrities who have shared their postpartum depression stories

We are so grateful for their honesty.

January 21, 2025

Becomingmama, Entertainment, Postpartum, Postpartum anxiety, Postpartum depression, Ppd

Postpartum

Postpartum depression left me isolated—here’s how I built a village for moms

Becoming a mother stripped me bare. My body took a beating from growing a human. It took another beating bringing that beautiful human into the world.

January 17, 2025

Mental health, Postpartum, Postpartum depression, Postpartum mental health

News

Why pregnant lawmakers deserve remote voting

Congress already proved it can make exceptions when it wants to. During COVID, remote voting worked just fine.

January 17, 2025

Fitness

The 5 postpartum fitness apps we tell our best friends about

So you’re cleared for exercise postpartum: Now what? Try these.

January 13, 2024

Postpartum care, Postpartum exercise

Parental Leave

Maternity leave planning—16 essential questions to ask your employer

3. Am I entitled to benefits when on maternity leave?

June 22, 2021

Maternity leave, Parenting advice, Positive parenting, Pregnancy, Working mom

Pregnancy

Are doulas covered by insurance? It depends on where you live

This founder wants to help you find out if you’re eligible.

June 15, 2024

Birth plan, Postpartum care, Pregnancy

Marriage & Partnerships

Why your partner asks for postpartum sex, according to a psychologist

Plus, four ways to really connect with your partner after birth.

February 7, 2020

Health, Marriage, Postpartum care, Sex

Postpartum

Mom rage is real—and it’s a sign that mothers’ needs aren’t being met

The truth is, anger—real, fist-clenching, heart-racing, uncontrollable anger—is so much more common among mothers than many of us think.

April 15, 2024

One month, Postpartum anxiety, Postpartum care, Som

Fourth Trimester

5 myths about postpartum sex every new mom should know

If I have learned anything following the birth of my son, it is that patience, time and honest communication will make difficult things a little easier.

September 24, 2021

Health, Marriage, Postpartum care, Sex