What no one talks enough about???

I don’t think people talk enough about how......

Two months ago, I became a mother for the first time. I don’t think people talk enough about how much having a child changes you.

It’s almost like you have to grieve the version of yourself that existed before becoming a parent because that version no longer exists. You’re learning how to care for a brand-new human while also getting to know a brand-new version of yourself.

It’s been one of the most challenging seasons of my life, but also one of the most beautiful.

Every day I look at my daughter, Grace, and think, I love you so much. I never knew it was possible to love another person this deeply.

One thing motherhood has taught me is how much free time I actually had before becoming a parent. Now, by the end of the day, I’m trying to squeeze in journaling, exercise, yoga, work, and moments to simply breathe. Time feels different now. It feels more precious.

I also don’t think we talk enough about postpartum anxiety.

We hear about postpartum depression, but postpartum anxiety deserves just as much attention. For me, it started within hours of Grace's birth. My mind immediately filled with questions.

Am I breastfeeding enough?

Is she eating enough?

Is she happy?

After labor, I barely slept. I didn’t sleep at all during the first 24 hours, and for several days afterward I was getting only a few hours of sleep each night. Between nurses checking vital signs, doctors making rounds, lactation consultants coming in, and caring for a newborn, real rest felt impossible.

No one really prepares you for that.

No one talks enough about how difficult those first walks to the bathroom can be either. Sitting was painful. Moving was painful. Healing took time.

It was also an incredibly isolating experience.

Even when you’re surrounded by people, you can still feel alone because no one else can fully understand what you’re experiencing in that moment. I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and constantly trying to learn.

I’ll never forget the people who called, texted, and checked on me during those first weeks. Those small acts of kindness meant more than they’ll probably ever know.

Grace and I stayed in the hospital for five days while we were both monitored. During that time, I learned how important it is to advocate for yourself and your baby. There can be a lot of information, differing opinions, and moments of miscommunication.

Talking things through with your partner beforehand and knowing your preferences can make a huge difference.

I still remember walking through my front door after being discharged and thinking,

“Wow... I’m a parent now.”

Then came the anxious thoughts.

Is she breathing?

What if she gets sick?

Will she get sick after a doctor’s appointment?

Will she get sick after her vaccinations?

Will I lose friendships because I don’t have the time or energy to text everyone back?

I was also triple-feeding, which meant breastfeeding, bottle-feeding afterward, and pumping after every feeding to help build my milk supply. It was physically exhausting and emotionally draining.

No one talks enough about how different your body feels after birth.

You don’t just recognize a new baby; you recognize a new body.

Your clothes fit differently. Your skin changes. Your routines change. If you’re breastfeeding, your skincare products and even certain medications may need to change too. Suddenly you’re making decisions not just for yourself, but for another little person who depends on you.

And then there’s the anxiety that comes with everyone wanting to meet your baby as soon as you get home.

You’re trying to heal, learn how to feed your baby, navigate sleep deprivation, and protect your newborn; all while managing other people’s expectations.

Motherhood has stretched me in ways I never expected.

What has helped me most has been journaling, taking walks with my husband and Grace, slowing down enough to stay present, and practicing gratitude every day. Those small moments have grounded me during a season that has often felt overwhelming.

To the mothers reading this: Did you experience postpartum anxiety after giving birth? What helped you through it?

I think it’s a conversation we need to have more often, because so many women experience it quietly, believing they’re alone.

They’re not.

Talie Callaos 💚✨
Mental Benefit | Mind. Mood. Movement.