Tag: maternal mental health
-
Quiet Days, Sick Kids, and Preparing for the Unknown
When “calm” days don’t feel calm at all These past few days were supposed to be quieter. But instead, both children got sick again. Only six weeks ago they both had fevers. Now it has started all over. My four-year-old daughter has a cough and a runny nose. My two-year-old son, who has Down syndrome,…
-
Small Wins Before the Big Change: Teeth, Traditions, and Preparing for Three
A simple appointment that meant a lot Today was a small but meaningful win for our family. My four-year-old daughter had her dental appointment, and it went really well. The dentist was happy and said everything is in great condition. At home, I also have a two-year-old son with Down syndrome, so moments like these…
-
When There Is No Pause: Motherhood, Overload, and Holding It All Together
A season that feels like too much The past few days have been full. Not just busy but overwhelming in a way that settles deep into your body and mind. After our recent visit to the children’s hospital, one thought stayed with me: The specialists seemed more worried about me than about my son. And…
-
A Quiet Pause Between the Chaos: Preparing for Baby Number Three
When life suddenly slows down just a little The beginning of the week was intense. Full of appointments, emotions, planning, and constant movement. Now, for a couple of days, things have been a little calmer. And strangely, when things slow down, it becomes harder to know where to begin. There is so much to process.…
-
My First Ultrasound at 36 Weeks and a Long, Busy, Emotional Day
The appointment I avoided and finally faced Yesterday, I drove to the city with my two-year-old son. In motherhood with a child with Down syndrome, most trips revolve around him – his therapies, his needs, his appointments. But this time, it was for me. At 36 weeks pregnant, I went to the doctor and ultrasound…
-
Fear of Another C-Section — But for Very Different Reasons This Time
I have had two emergency C-sections.My daughter is four years old, my son is two. With my daughter, the pregnancy went past 42 weeks. The doctors were not willing to wait any longer. Labor was induced—twice, using different methods—over two full days. Nothing happened. At 42+1, I was taken for an emergency C-section. It was…
-
I Failed My Daughter — And I Still Can’t Forgive Myself
I still carry postpartum guilt. I keep replaying the moments, thinking of all the things I wish I had done differently with my daughter. This is a chapter from my e-book that I wrote through tears. Even now, I don’t know how much this has affected her, or whether I caused her lifelong trauma. The…
-
What People Say About Down Syndrome and Refusing Prenatal Testing
This post responds to common comments about Down syndrome and prenatal testing that people were telling me. When our son received a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome, we also received something else: opinions. Some were spoken gently, others bluntly or even cruelly. Over time, I noticed that many comments followed the same patterns. Below are…