You're Not Alone

When I finally heard these seven words from my midwife at my six week postpartum checkup, it felt as if a heavy cloud parted. She said to me: The newborn stage is not for everyone. The immediate relief that flooded through me, as if I was feeling the sun’s rays, for the first time in months, is hard to describe. And what she said next was even more profound.

She said, “And if you’ve been feeling that way, don’t worry - you’re not alone.”

I’m not alone?! You mean there are other moms out there that question everything they do, that dread the evening witching hours, that worry they’ve blown their life up by adding a baby to it? Really? I can’t explain how relieved I was to know I was not alone in feeling these things.

So if you’re reading this today, I want you to know that you’re not alone.

If you question whether you’re a good mom. If you worry that you’re not doing it right. If you’re obsessively reading all the books and staying up to date on all the guidelines. You’re not alone. So many moms feel this way.

If you’re missing your old life. If you’re worried your relationship with your partner has changed. If you’re longing for just a few hours of complete care-free, relaxing me time. You’re not alone. Everyone has these thoughts.

If you’re struggling with constant worry or intrusive thoughts. If you’re having trouble bonding with your baby. If you can’t shake the feelings of sadness or despair. You’re not alone. While those things are not a normal part of the postpartum recovery period, they are quite common. And if you have been feeling this way, you might be struggling with a postpartum mood and anxiety disorder. Lots of moms do.

But no matter what you are feeling, I want you to know: You’re not alone. Those three little words have so much power. There is power in knowing that other people are going through the same thing. There is power in knowing that there is community out there if you need it. There is power in our shared experiences.