The new science of motherhood shows it’s far more transformative than western culture allows

BrookNoRivals · 03/08/2023 07:32

Great article. I knew some of this but the link between these fundamental changes and maternal mental health is so important. We don’t do a great job in our society of helping women navigate all this.

ImustLearn2Cook · 03/08/2023 08:37

Really good article. There is a lack of support for us women, especially as we enter into motherhood. One thing that really struck me (in my personal experience) was the way people were dismissive of or trivialised pregnancy complications/birth injuries. Not just people with no experience with such issues but health professionals who should know better.

I don’t really want to elaborate on my personal experience, however, there are plenty of real life stories of women being mistreated, denied proper medical attention (dismissed) and sometimes traumatised by their birth experience.

It’s almost like we have a pervasive cultural attitude of: so what, you’re pregnant not ill, you don’t need help or support, you’re not special etc.

ImustLearn2Cook · 03/08/2023 08:40

Just want to add that I think it’s great that there are now some serious scientific studies regarding pregnancy and how it changes our bodies.

Original poster

user123212 · 03/08/2023 09:26

ImustLearn2Cook · 03/08/2023 08:37

Really good article. There is a lack of support for us women, especially as we enter into motherhood. One thing that really struck me (in my personal experience) was the way people were dismissive of or trivialised pregnancy complications/birth injuries. Not just people with no experience with such issues but health professionals who should know better.

I don’t really want to elaborate on my personal experience, however, there are plenty of real life stories of women being mistreated, denied proper medical attention (dismissed) and sometimes traumatised by their birth experience.

It’s almost like we have a pervasive cultural attitude of: so what, you’re pregnant not ill, you don’t need help or support, you’re not special etc.

yes, a (male) doctor told me "women have babies everyday" suggesting it's not remotely dangerous or can have a lasting effect on you/your body...

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Wotwotwotwotwot · 03/08/2023 09:36

Fascinating! This resonates so much, we're just left to soldier on after such a momentous change to our bodies and circumstances. My children are more both at primary school and I've mostly adjusted to the changes. But I have such vivid memories of my mum friends and I being completely overwhelmed during the baby days. Exhausted and unsupported and it was universal

JodyMitchell · 03/08/2023 10:02

This is so interesting. I remember reading a while ago that you are more likely to be gay if you are your mother has previously had an older child of the same sex. I couldn’t understand how a woman’s body ‘knew’ or had a memory of a pregnancy.

I have been watching the stories of women who gave up babies for adoption on Long Lost Families. They have never forgotten their babies even to the ends of their lives. Of course, much of this is psychological and wrapped up n the trauma of the circumstances surrounding the conception, pregnancy and birth. However, it is striking how clearly they convey that the children are always part of them and their subsequent siblings feel this too. It did strike me watching that there might be a physiological dimension to the connection too.

It really puts a new perspective on surrogacy too. Culturally woman have been seen as human incubators, baby making machines. This new research really calls that into question.

Original poster

user123212 · 03/08/2023 10:39

JodyMitchell · 03/08/2023 10:02

This is so interesting. I remember reading a while ago that you are more likely to be gay if you are your mother has previously had an older child of the same sex. I couldn’t understand how a woman’s body ‘knew’ or had a memory of a pregnancy.

I have been watching the stories of women who gave up babies for adoption on Long Lost Families. They have never forgotten their babies even to the ends of their lives. Of course, much of this is psychological and wrapped up n the trauma of the circumstances surrounding the conception, pregnancy and birth. However, it is striking how clearly they convey that the children are always part of them and their subsequent siblings feel this too. It did strike me watching that there might be a physiological dimension to the connection too.

It really puts a new perspective on surrogacy too. Culturally woman have been seen as human incubators, baby making machines. This new research really calls that into question.

gosh, you're right. they're literally part of them.

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