Is this what it’s supposed to be like?

I don’t like motherhood. I don’t like how it feels. My birth was traumatic and I get flashbacks of it everyday. Every single day. I felt like I was punished for wanting a baby. I feel so much shame I will never have one again. I also have a lot of anxiety. If I stay in anxious. Get outside anxious. Child friendly activity anxious. Grocery store anxious. I feel like I can’t escape except when I smoke. My question is, is this what it’s supposed to feel like and moms pretend they’re happy or did I unfortunate get the short end of the stick? Pls respond I’ve been suffering like this for over a year.

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Please talk to someone. It used to trigger me when someone said "enjoy it, it goes so quick because I was struggling so much. Speaking to someone helped me gain perspective.

You've got this but it doesnt hurt to have a bit of help.

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To be honest, I was somewhat similiar with my firstborn. It took me 11 years to have another child because of the trauma & fear. Happy and proud to say it’s been completely opposite with my second born. It’s been nothing short of amazing. But even throughout my pregnancy 11 years later I was fucking terrified.

All of my fears have been erased now. 11 years of fear, gone. Because I went through it and it was completely different.

🤍 Hope it gets better for you babe

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No one is supposed to live this way. Please reach out for support. You shouldn't feel anxious all the time. It's not uncommon, but it's not normal or should be expected.

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It’s not normal to feel like this all the time but it is unfortunately very common. There is help out there and you are not alone. Please reach out to a professional, you need care.

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I had anxiety and I couldn't smoke because it gave me more anxiety. I smoke now though. Things will get better. I had a traumatic birth. First I had nightmares that one of both of us were going to die. Then I got to the hospital and they had to give me an emergency c section where we almost died. It was very traumatic. They cut me wild trying to get her out and was so bad they had me on morphine in the hospital. Perscribed me 7.5 percocet to go home with. I was still in pain and could hardly walk. I walked hunched over for awhile and I later went into pain management. I have been pain free and pain pill free for 11 years, my daughter is 13. I really enjoy her and always did. But the pain and anxiety was through the roof. I quit my antidepressants cold turkey when I got pregnant. Didn't think I needed them but I an on them again. I had a husband for the first two years he did help but he couldn't hold a job at I left him. I an never of without him and I'm better mentally and physically.

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Things will get better just focus on the good and possible things in your life, like your baby, and having did and a place to stay... Concentrate on the positive things.

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Has anyone else been scared to go out with your baby ?

My baby girl will be 6 months old this week.

When she was almost 5 months, I took her on the train for the first time. I didn’t realise there was an event on that day, so it was absolutely packed with loud music, people talking and laughing.

She got so overwhelmed that she cried uncontrollably the whole journey. I couldn’t calm her down at all until we got off the train.

Since then, I’ve been so anxious about taking her anywhere that involves the train or the Underground. I think the experience really traumatised me.

Has anyone else been through something similar? How did you overcome that fear?

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Holiday disappointment

Just a vent ! Looking to see if anyone can relate or make me feel better as feeling alone with it .. currently last day being abroad on holiday with the family (7 of us) and my 1 year old daughter! Feeling so overwhelmed and disheartened.. she did so well with the travelling and the first day then it just went down hill.. she has been grizzly from the time she wakes up every day till bed time, with constant entertainment she can be ok but not for very long, I’ve taken her to the room, changed things up, done naps different each time and she’s just not happy. I think she picked up something as she’s losing her voice, had a slight temperature at one point but went down, her fingers have been in her mouth constantly so also may be teething, but no medication has worked. It’s been so hard to watch her miserable, not eating much, not wanting to be in the high chair so we had to split dinners with some people going to dinner and others watching her as it’s been too much for her. My family have been great, helped out and been supportive. As I’ve looked around the resort, yes babies were crying but parents just seemed like they could soothe their babies, some families looked like they were having the best time, I just felt like we were the only couple really struggling. My family said she hasn’t been too bad and are considering a holiday next year.. I just don’t feel validated at all.

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Cleaning after meal

I know a lot of you probably already do this, but if not, here’s my mom hack I discovered today 😂
My baby is a messy eater, so I always bathe him after meals but today instead I put his Bumbo seat in the sink. While he splashes, I rinse him off, wash the dishes, and load the dishwasher at the same time.
In 10 minutes, the baby was clean, the dishes were done, and all I had left was to wipe the floor. He had a blast, and of course I made sure there was nothing sharp in the sink and stayed with him the whole time.

Best mom hack I’ve discovered so far lmao

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Baths

How often should my newborn get a sponge bath (still has her umbilical cord)? I’m a first time mom. I’ve heard people say everyday and other people say once a week. How often does she need a bath? She’s a week and two days old

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Lip tie

Is this a lip tie?

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Let’s talk bras

Hi everyone 👋 mom of three,
My littlest is 1.5 and I am sick of unsexy nursing bras 😂. Thing is, my breasts have obviously changed. Both have lost fullness at the top, one when I lay down I see has stretched (rip my beautiful plump boobs) , when I lay down there are gaps 😭 . I bought a skims bra per AI suggestion but the fit was not right, it would dig onto my back and my nipples showed … a lot of propaganda out there for shapemint bras but hesitant I don’t know what to buy. Are you all happy with your bras? What are you wearing ?

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