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Motherhood & Parenting Esther Terpenning Motherhood & Parenting Esther Terpenning

Symptoms and Impacts of Birth Trauma

Do you feel like your birth experience left you shaken or struggling? Maybe you’re having nightmares about your delivery, or playing it over and over in your mind. You might be feeling disconnected from your baby, or you just can’t shake the feeling that something’s not right. These could be signs that birth trauma has impacted you. Birth trauma refers to physical or psychological distress experienced during childbirth. It can stem from complications, unexpected interventions, or feeling unsupported or out of control. This trauma may affect both mothers and babies, potentially leading to long-lasting emotional and physical impacts. Recognizing birth trauma is crucial for proper support and healing.

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Motherhood & Parenting Esther Terpenning Motherhood & Parenting Esther Terpenning

Feelings Women Experience With Postpartum Depression

You’ve just had a baby. It should be the happiest time of your life, right? But instead of feeling joyful, you’re overwhelmed with sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion. Despite our cultural narratives about motherhood, this is actually very common. It’s also temporary and treatable. Postpartum depression affects up to 1 in 5 new moms, yet it’s often misunderstood or dismissed. The mix of emotions can leave you feeling lost and isolated, or worried you’re not a good mom. From intense mood swings to crippling self-doubt, the experience is different for every woman. Let’s dive into the complex feelings that come with postpartum depression and shed some light on this common but challenging condition.

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Motherhood & Parenting Esther Terpenning Motherhood & Parenting Esther Terpenning

How to Keep Calm When Children Throw Tantrums

Maintaining composure in the face of a child’s tantrum is one of parenting’s greatest challenges. As your little one screams and flails on the floor of the grocery store, you may feel your own emotions spiraling out of control. However, staying calm is crucial for effectively managing the situation and helping your child learn emotional regulation. Understanding the root causes of these emotional outbursts can help you respond more effectively and compassionately.

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Motherhood & Parenting Esther Terpenning Motherhood & Parenting Esther Terpenning

Ways to Prioritize Yourself While Caring for a Newborn

As a new parent, caring for your newborn can be all-consuming. The constant feedings, diaper changes, and sleep deprivation often leave you feeling overwhelmed and depleted. However, it’s crucial to remember that caring for yourself is as important as tending to your baby’s needs. By prioritizing your well-being, you’ll be better equipped to provide the love and care your little one requires. Here are some practical ways to nurture yourself while navigating the challenges of early parenthood.

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Motherhood & Parenting Esther Terpenning Motherhood & Parenting Esther Terpenning

5 Ways to Cope With Postpartum Anxiety

Postpartum anxiety is like that overly cautious friend who’s always anticipating the worst. It’s a common mental health condition that can affect new moms (and sometimes dads!) in the weeks and months after having a baby. While it’s normal to have some worries as a new parent, postpartum anxiety takes those concerns to the next level.

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Motherhood & Parenting Esther Terpenning Motherhood & Parenting Esther Terpenning

How to Cope When Labor Doesn't Go As Planned

Going through pregnancy and the labor and delivery process is far from an easy feat. No matter how many months you spend planning and prepping. Welcoming a child into the world can be a miracle, beautiful, and wonderful. It can also be traumatic, exhausting, and overwhelming, especially if all that hard planning work has to shift at the last minute. The labor and delivery process doesn’t always go exactly as you may have imagined it would. You’re not alone if you’re struggling to deal with how your labor and delivery went.

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Motherhood & Parenting Esther Terpenning Motherhood & Parenting Esther Terpenning

What Is Postpartum Anxiety?

Whether from friends, family or the internet - we get a lot of messages that having a baby is supposed to be one of the happiest times of your life. But it’s often not that simple. Being a new mom can be an incredibly challenging time as you navigate the lack of sleep, a body that needs to physically recover from birth and the difficulty of trying to take care of a newborn who depends on you for their safety. With all of these changes, postpartum anxiety can also show up.

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