2011 - Talk Birth

I have skills!”. Wonderful.......
Bumbling Introvert (shannon) (2011-02-16 15:36:56)
Molly, what a thought provoking entry. And validating, too. I had to push my husband to take 2 MEASLEY weeks
off from his job when we had our twins in 06 via c-section. I think he wanted to, but he had zero support and a lot of
push back from the partners at the firm he worked at. With no family to help, lifting restrictions, 2 brand new babies,
deconditioning from 5 mos of bedrest, and ultimately the development of a major postpartum depression/anxiety
episode – I have to say that my first days as a new mom were some of the darkest days of my life...and that makes
me cry when I think of it. I often feel that I was a failure as a mom, and carry much guilt at not having enjoyed my
babies...and after reading your article, I feel a bit empowered to replace those feelings and indulge in a bit of anger at
the lack of support in my life as a new mom. – the support that may have made a difference in how I experienced new
motherhood. To your strong stand on dad’s having a presence in the home versus at work in the days post partum, I
say Cheers, cheers, cheers. S
Time Round (2011-02-18 22:30)
I connect to the circle now
and see my life and death
in the child before me–
the glorious whole that spins so fast
it seems not to move
as the sun stands still in the heavens
until we glance again at dusk.
Where did it go and when
did we forget to look?
No matter, just turn.
The circle: our map
The heart: our book.
–Karen Engelmann
I copied this poem onto the first page of my journal when my second son was a newborn. I’m not totally
sure what the meaning is intended to be, but I take it as a reminder to slow down and remember to
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