sundaisies & doodlebugs
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Dirty Little Secrets of Motherhood, part one
This morning I treated myself to a slower paced start to my day. After taking Sarah to school, I came back home to make sure the house was ready to show at a moments notice and to read the paper while enjoying my Frosted Mini Wheats, instead of devouring it to run in the usual fashion. Anyway, Another first...I read a column instead of a new article. It was hysterical and so very true, so I wanted to share it with you.
This was written by Jennifer Cho Salaff:
"On Dec. 19, 2005 at 8:56 pm, Caden Chi-Sung Salaff arrived - exactly on his due date. My son was born with a full head of hair (my husband and I joke that I gave birth to a little man), a healthy set of lungs (which he loves to exercise, much to my heartache) and the cutest new-born face on the planet (a purely objective opinion, of course)."
When a baby is born and motherhood begins, the world celebrates. Flowers arrive, cigars are handed out, birth announcements are mailed. It's a glorious time to marvel in new life.
But there are dirty little secrets in early motherhood, too. No one dares talk about them. Perhaps it's taboo. Maybe first-time moms simply forget.
The initial period of adjusting to a new baby, a different body and a new role as "Mom" were the most difficult and grueling of my life. Myth versus reality became very clear to me during those first few week.
Myth #1: The hardest part is over following childbirth.
Recovery is an aggressive, unforgiving beast. After 15 hours of labor and a near C-section, I was convinced the worst was over and the best part - bonding with my baby - was about to begin. Little did I realize recovery would be just as harrowing as labor and delivery.
I remember looking at myself in the hospital bathroom shortly after I had given birth. "Who is this pitiful, haggard woman?" I thought as I studied my sorry face: swollen cheeks: puffy, bloodshot eyes: hair wild and unkept. I looked like like a homeless woman, not the glowing, new mom I had imagined.
My body felt mulitated. Every inch of it ached. Simple tasks like walking or sitting almost brought me to tears. Not to mention the fact that I ought to have had an Under Construction sign "down there."
That's why every woman who has endured childbirth should recieve a "Wish me luck on the road to recovery" T-shirt before leaving the hospital.
To Be Continued....
This was written by Jennifer Cho Salaff:
"On Dec. 19, 2005 at 8:56 pm, Caden Chi-Sung Salaff arrived - exactly on his due date. My son was born with a full head of hair (my husband and I joke that I gave birth to a little man), a healthy set of lungs (which he loves to exercise, much to my heartache) and the cutest new-born face on the planet (a purely objective opinion, of course)."
When a baby is born and motherhood begins, the world celebrates. Flowers arrive, cigars are handed out, birth announcements are mailed. It's a glorious time to marvel in new life.
But there are dirty little secrets in early motherhood, too. No one dares talk about them. Perhaps it's taboo. Maybe first-time moms simply forget.
The initial period of adjusting to a new baby, a different body and a new role as "Mom" were the most difficult and grueling of my life. Myth versus reality became very clear to me during those first few week.
Myth #1: The hardest part is over following childbirth.
Recovery is an aggressive, unforgiving beast. After 15 hours of labor and a near C-section, I was convinced the worst was over and the best part - bonding with my baby - was about to begin. Little did I realize recovery would be just as harrowing as labor and delivery.
I remember looking at myself in the hospital bathroom shortly after I had given birth. "Who is this pitiful, haggard woman?" I thought as I studied my sorry face: swollen cheeks: puffy, bloodshot eyes: hair wild and unkept. I looked like like a homeless woman, not the glowing, new mom I had imagined.
My body felt mulitated. Every inch of it ached. Simple tasks like walking or sitting almost brought me to tears. Not to mention the fact that I ought to have had an Under Construction sign "down there."
That's why every woman who has endured childbirth should recieve a "Wish me luck on the road to recovery" T-shirt before leaving the hospital.
To Be Continued....
posted by mrsskeels at 8:12 AM
2 Comments:
One really should be told of the aftermath. It's amazes me though how no two births are alike. With Matthew (having been administered drugs) the recovery did seem much slower, though I was able to get up and shower immediately. With Trevor (no time for dugs!) recovery was immediate. Of course I am not going to lie, it did feel as though my uterus was hanging down to my knees at times and going to the bathroom brought on the fear of what surprise will I find in the bowl next?. But all in all I went into it knowing that my body was taking on a huge role bringing these children into the world. The payoff in the end is worth every ache and pain times ten :). Thanks for sharing and I am glad you spent some time for yourself. We all need it, especially us moms! :)
These stories should be told to high school girls.
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