There have been days where I’ve been so proud of having figured out some great twin Mom parenting hack, followed by days where I have felt clueless and lost.  There have been (many) days where I have burst into tears from frustration only to find myself, minutes later, laughing uncontrollably from how sweet and silly they can be with each other.

When you were in the thick of infertility treatment, if someone told you that one day you might look back and appreciate the process, what would you think?  Most likely, you would think they were crazy . . . But someday, when you are off the infertility rollercoaster, you may look back and think, “I would not change a thing.”  Here are some reasons why, from women who have been there. 

Dropping my daughter off at school the other day, I walked into her classroom to realize that it was pajama day and she was the only kid not in pajamas.  I had forgotten to check the school calendar.  And while I’m being honest, it wasn’t just that day.  I hadn’t checked it for the entire month.  There had been no posted reminders or verbal heads up the day before.  How was I supposed to remember? Immediately, my mind went to “I screwed up.”

The changes that come along with having a baby are numerous and often surprising.  We live in a society where women are expected to “bounce back” from pregnancy and childbirth - resume work or your typical daily routine, somehow exist on little sleep, and get your pre- pregnancy body back.  How many times have you heard someone say “she looks great for just having a baby!” or “she still has some baby weight to lose”?  It’s as if losing the baby weight is your next greatest achievement in life.  

There is so much confusion about what are typical postpartum feelings and what warrants a conversation with your healthcare provider.  If you try to talk to friends or family, you will likely be given some inaccurate information.  Unfortunately, sometimes even doctors may not recognize the signs of postpartum depression or anxiety.   

I'm pleased to share that I will now be offering a postpartum support group for mothers via egg donation!   I will be co-facilitating the group with my colleague, Jackie Biello, LPC, at my Chatham office.  

If you are someone who has always been committed to exercising regularly, then pregnancy probably hasn't slowed you down much. You know how vital exercise is to your well-being.  So I’m sure that during your pregnancy you were already planning your postpartum return to exercise.  Like many parts of motherhood, returning to exercise after having a baby can throw you some curveballs.

Talking to your kids about mental health struggles is not something that comes naturally for most parents.  You may wonder how much information should you share?  What is the right age to talk about this?  What can young children even understand about depression or anxiety?

You’re probably familiar with postpartum depression and know a little about it.  Maybe you even know someone who’s battled postpartum depression.  But what about postpartum anxiety?  

Postpartum anxiety is actually very common.  Read on for 10 things to know about postpartum anxiety.