“I Was Told It Was Normal”: 17 “Ugly,” Dark Realities Of Pregnancy That Most People Don’t Know

4.

“The first 10 days postpartum were harder than my entire pregnancy and birth combined due to hormones/mood swings.”

—greenreadingglasses

“Everyone talks about pregnancy and never mentions what happens postpartum. In addition to the mood issues, I lost full bladder control for six weeks after my first baby. Didn’t know that could happen, and didn’t even realize it at first, since I was basically wearing a diaper anyway. I’ve also had several friends call me to ask if something was normal post-birth, because we just aren’t prepared. Once the baby is here, the medical system (in the US, anyway) switches from being all about the mom to all about the baby.”

—trixie2426

“I’ve had two babies and each time it’s taken me about two years to start feeling normal again. IDK if it’s hormones, brain re-wiring, or what, but I was a different person for about two years post partum.”

–lo-lamento