Lauren

Strong. Graceful. Content

7 weeks postpartum

What was the hardest thing you endured during pregnancy or delivery? The hardest part of being pregnant and delivering for me has been experiencing my body changing-completely. From morning sickness to weight gain to skin changes to even dark circles and puffy eyes. And throughout both sides of the journey, not feeling well a lot of the time. My body has never felt completely mine while pregnant and not even until after breastfeeding is over. The process makes me feel that my body is more of my baby’s body. And giving up control over my own body has been a big challenge for me with both pregnancies

What do you wish you knew before delivery but didn't? Before delivery, I just wish I knew everything was going to be ok. After experiencing a traumatic birth with our first daughter, I was very anxious, worried, and scared for the next birth. Those feelings made pregnancy hard. Maybe I would have enjoyed pregnancy more if I knew everything with her birth would be ok.

What was something that gave you confidence or hope during the hard times? I rely on my mom and sister a lot for hope. As strong females, they provide me with important perspective checks as well as encouragement and remind me that I’m doing all I can for our family. Their support and help with taking care of both our daughters provides me relief when I need it, especially when I’m at work. I rely on my husband Mark for confidence. He doesn’t get as shook up or uptight about raising a family as I do. He’s way more adaptable than me. I lean on him to help me trust the process and help me believe we are doing the best we can for our family.

What is a new strength (other than just moms being super human) that you found in yourself since becoming a mom? A new strength since becoming a mom that I’ve acquired would have to be operating on only 4-6 hours of sleep a night, depending on the night.

How are you? I’m doing well! I look forward to the two and three month post partum milestones. And I am excited for her to continue to change and follow in her sister’s footsteps. 7-8 weeks post partum is a relief for me. The first month for both girls was really hard. Everything from night feedings to trying to distinguish what the various cries mean to recovering from surgery-I’m relieved to be past that first month!