Sarah

That is will be so hard, but the way it will be hard for you is unknown and may surprise you / be totally different from others or from a prior birth experience of your own.
Just heard about the term “matrescense” like adolescence and it resonates hard – no one expects adolescence to be easy, why would we think becoming a parent would be?

I had / have (still in it!) bad PPA with both my kids but it manifested totally differently both times, causing stress and confusion when I thought I was adequately prepared after my first.
Also, with both, I was incredibly hermitty the first 8 weeks (I’m normally very social) – I wish someone would have told me it’s okay to not want anyone near my baby but me and my spouse. Prob due to first baby born during lockdown in early April 2020, but I felt so guilty making excuses for people to NOT come over to help. I dreamed of other cultures where mom and baby are locked in their own room and people bring food and clean and take care of them, but we’re otherwise in our own little cocoon, not having to participate in normal life.

Also, I truly don’t think the “new normal” happens until Baby is 1 year old and don’t expect myself to participate in life “normally” until then