1) THERAPY!!!
I can't express how helpful having a therapist was during this transformative time. I chose to start therapy for the first time while I was pregnant in my 3rd trimester with my son. I told myself I wanted to let go of any personal baggage before bringing him into the world. Of course it's always a work in progress but I wouldn't know the person/mother I'd be right now if I hadn't been in therapy this whole time. I am still currently in therapy (9 months postpartum), it was truly a necessity going from being pregnant, my own birth story, and postpartum.
2) CHOOSING TO EXCLUSIVELY BREASTFEED
I highly encourage all moms to choose the means of feeding their babies how they desire. For me personally choosing to breastfeed has always been a high priority as someone who has always envisioned becoming a mother and found interest in all the aspects of motherhood. I have always been more on the holistic approach/side, so this just suited my values. I have been exclusively breastfeeding my son for over 9 months and going. There are studies shown that breastfeeding has helped with postpartum depression for some women, I totally advocate that its not for all moms but if you know it is something you may deem as important for you and your experience of motherhood. I appreciate the bond it has created between me and my son, I appreciate my body (although my boobs def aren't the same) how hard it works to provide proper nourishment to my baby, and seeing him grow bigger and bigger every day knowing it has been my body nourishing his is so wild beyond imagine.
3) BECOMING A STAY AT HOME MOM
In my pregnancy journey I kept telling myself I'd go back to work but once that baby is here it's truly like everything changes. Nobody truly knows what your baby needs like the mom, and having brewed him for 9 months there was no way I was going to be okay emotionally and mentally leaving him in such a prime time of his life. As an entrepreneur it has been one of the most difficult decisions to cope with not because of my son at all but more so thinking about the future like what going back to work when I am ready is going to look like and how I felt like I was "giving up" in a sense on my work. I had worked so hard for the last 5 years building my business, owned my own studio, so thinking of potentially giving it all up, I felt defeated in a lot of ways. I knew this was the best decision for my family and myself as a mother. I know many may not have the privilege to become a SAHM but if it is your desire and you have the means I would definitely try! It is one of the hardest jobs and although it can be difficult it is so rewarding. My partner reminds me that work is always available but these moments of their lives I won't always get back. I have a deep compassion for working mothers especially those who have to go back so quickly postpartum, it truly is something that can tear a mother apart. I still work from time to time and even writing in this blog is a way I am trying to upkeep with my career and blend it with my current lifestyle, may this offer some support to all moms no matter how deep into the journey you may be.