I’ve wanted to write this blog article for awhile, but I wasn’t entirely sure where to start.  As a physician, nutritionist, and mother, I’ve always searched for a certain balance wanting only what was best for my family.  This is particularly true for my 1 year-old daughter, Samantha.

I never understood before pregnancy, but I definitely understand now.  As a mother, there is an inherent motivation to always put your family first.  When it comes to a newborn baby, there are no limits.  A new mother would do absolutely anything to protect her child.   It’s natural.  Some may argue it’s science.  Others may even say this motherly instinct of protection is expected.  Society expects it, your motherly instincts demand it, and your heart needs it to feel complete.   As a mother it all makes sense.   As a human (this is the science part), you may also find yourself asking, “Is this the best for me?”  You know it’s best for your child, but what about YOU?

This is a struggle all mothers go through.  Trying to find the balance between family and self is a constant struggle.  No matter how much time we get to spend with our child, we always feel guilty for not giving more.  On top of this guilt add the myriad of hormone changes during your 40 weeks of pregnancy, labor, and recovery… the struggle only seems that much harder, longer, and impossible.  No one likes to talk about it.  We all sugar-coat it.  Let me tell you one thing.  It is real.  It is very, very real.

 

Take a deep breath.

 

I know many of you mothers may have just hyperventilated.  It is real because hormones are real.  Hormones are a big deal, and they can literally make or break the weeks to months following the birth of your child.  The weeks following labor can be either the best, or possiby the worst, time spent as a mother.   As a Neuro-Endocrine Hormone Specialist, I know science will send your endocrine system into a whirlwind.  Anxiety, depression, insomnia, fatigue… these are just to name a few.  As a mother, I know these symptoms are often considered “normal,” and you may even be told to “get some sleep,” “sleep when the baby sleeps,” or “it gets easier with time.”  I heard it over and over again, and it didn’t help me feel any better.  Not one bit.

 

Take another deep breath.

 

There are answers.  I am here to tell you that all mothers need to take some time to recover.  Sounds easy, right? HA!  Being a mother is hard; it’s the hardest job I’ve ever had.

Your take away from all of this?  You need time to recover.  You can’t do it alone.

I am offering a helping hand and reaching out to all of you.  Hormones can create life, but they are also capable of slowly taking it away.  Being a hormone specialist, I knew and understood that the healthier I was as a human, the better mother I could be for my baby.  I had to take time to balance my hormones.  I had to take time to recover.  I would like to help you do the same.

 

Word to you, Mother.  This goes out to all of you.

It’s ok to take some “me” time.  It’s ok to ALSO take care of yourself.