Did anyone watch yesterday's Oprah?

The discussion was about Motherhood, and all the things that no one warns you about before you have a baby, like how difficult it really is; how you don't always LOVE being a Mom; how hard it can be to accept your post-baby body; etc.

I thought it was a good show, but I also think it was very scary how many women are so beside themselves everyday b/c of societal pressures and assumptions that are placed on us as Moms. It was so comforting to know that many of the thoughts, feelings and insecurities that I have are normal, and I'm not alone.

What did any of you think?

Re: Did anyone watch yesterday's Oprah?

I SAW IT. I SAW IT.! It was great.

My sis has told me alot about the truth of it all, the pain in learning to breastfeed, and loneliness, helplessness, the need to SOCIALIZE after being cooped up with WAH WAH all day, resent at the baby for your leaving your career and 'who you were' behind, (if you decide to become a SAHM)... and all that good stuff....

Of course its not to take away from what an amazing miracle has occurred, the strong bond you form with your baby, the feeling you get when you see that first smile, that first tooth, etc. The show was educational, not meant to discourage anyone from motherhood or from breastfeeding, just an inside look at the whole picture and something to let us know that we are not alone...


Thats what we're all here for, for eachother
HUGS

Anna

Re: Did anyone watch yesterday's Oprah?

PS- Did you know Dr.Phil has his own show now ??
I love that guy, he's brilliant ! 3pm Ch 2.

Oprah has made him a star !

Re: Did anyone watch yesterday's Oprah?

Anna, I couldn't agree more! I love Dr. Phil! Especially when he tells people off! He's so blunt, it's great. I didn't know he had his own show...I'll have to tune in now.

Back to yesterday's Oprah...I thank God that I did not have postpartum depression b/c some of the things that those Moms were going through were very intense.

Motherhood is a complete joy, but it is certainly not without it's challenges. I think that women just need to know that it's okay to not be perfect and to not always have a good day.

How are you feeling now? How many more weeks?? You must be so excited! Do you have your support system lined up for after the baby's arrival?

Re: Did anyone watch yesterday's Oprah?

Claud- I think Dr. Phil's show just started this week. I realized it on Monday. He's on at 3pm (not 4, cant compete with Oprah ! and I think he might even beat her in ratings!)...

Im feeling good. just the past 2 days I feel a sore muscle feeling in my lower back/right side of my tush, and it slows down my walking...annoying !
But other than that, all is well, thank Goodness.
I am due in 2 weeks. Oct 3rd.

As far as support, I have my sis who is a breastfeeding pro (on baby # 3) so I will have her help there and in all motherly aspects ! and she is now a SAHM so she's free for me :) and she will be at the delivery also (incase DH has to faint, LOL)
And as far as my mom and MIL they are totally ready and available to come by also and help out. BUT as far as my sis has told me and done herself, you also need some 'space' when baby comes home. She has that rule 'dont visit me OR CALL for 2 weeks' LOL. even tho I'm always an exception to all rules,
Of course winds up she was online and on the phone much sooner than that....


So we'll see, did you want the space or did you prefer phone calls and visitors ? I dont know how im going to react.. we'll have to see...

Im sure i'll be on the phone right away...
and then i'll come to my favorite website to chat too...

Re: Did anyone watch yesterday's Oprah?

Actually, I lived in California when Paul was born, and my Mom flew out to be with me during the first two weeks. We brought Paul home on Mother's Day, and my Mom arrived that same afternoon...it was really quite special.

By the time my Mom was ready to leave, I was feeling VERY blue from all the hormone levels changing, and I could have cried for hours and hours just at the thought of her leaving and me being alone with the baby. It was actually quite frightening. I'm not sure why, but looking back now, I'd say it was b/c I wasn't feeling well, wasn't sleeping enough and was just plain scared that I wouldn't know what to do for my little one. Thank goodness he's a super easy child to care for!

But, once I got over my fear things were so much better. I actually really enjoyed the fact that hubby and I had Paul all to ourselves. There was so much bonding between the three of us, that I believe we truly became a family 'unit' in those first weeks after Paul's birth.

ps - I wish that I had such a pro helping me with breastfeeding! It didn't work out for me b/c I had problems with Paul's latch. I was attached to the pump for 4 weeks - not the bonding experience that I thought it would be. But, I am still hopeful to try again someday with #2!

Re: Did anyone watch yesterday's Oprah?

Claudine-

Did you miss having the baby inside you? I hear that that happens to alot of women. Even though you go through the birth and you have your beautiful healthy (God willing) newborn right there beside you, you can experience feelings of missing the baby inside. In a way, I can see that happening.

I didn't see get to see the show but heard it was on.

Re: Did anyone watch yesterday's Oprah?

Hi Elizabeth! YES, I did miss having the baby in my belly! It is only natural I think, since he spent almost ten months in there. I missed the sensation of him moving around, I missed feeling his limbs and little 'bum' pressing against the wall of my belly.
Now that you have me thinking about it, I still miss it! I think that's one of the 'reasons' women want to have more children.

Re: Did anyone watch yesterday's Oprah?

I'm back in the conversation here...

I think i'm going to miss the baby inside me. I totally love being pregnant. Its getting uncomfortable this last month, but I still think im going to miss it SOO MUCH !!! I'm at the point of trying to visualize this baby, what will he/she look like ? What color hair, eyes, etc etc.. Just SOOO curious to see this baby ! I never had the 'ugh this big belly' mood, I just think the pregnant belly is the cutest thing ever, just knowing that it is another life being created, one person inside another, a mother and child, the creation of another human being... WOW WOW, mind boggling...


Claud, dont worry about breastfeeding not working out for you, the formula they make is SOOO well made that these kids are well nurtured with that too! Im actually nervous about the pain i've been told to expect (sore and cracked nipples, and the baby latching on when they are sore and cracked, making it ten times more painful, the engorgement.(hard as a rock . . and again, this wont happen to EVERYONE, it really wont, but just the thought of the possibility makes me nervous....and the feeling of AHH HELLP !!! My sister is great to have, but she does have 3 kids (ages 3 and under) and she lives in Queens, so I cant count on her being here 24-7!)

I'm sure i'll want the company too. I get restless and lonely being home alone (And having a newborn that sleeps all day, is almost like being alone, no ?... I moved out of a loud Italian house in Queens when I got married, and into a quiet house with my OPPOSITE (quiet, calm) DH, here in Suffolk so the culture shock in that was bad enough ! I'm sure i'll be calling mom and MIL to come for the day (but they both need rides, and thats another story....yikes, didnt think of all this, lol) We'll cross that bridge when we get to it :)

Re: Did anyone watch yesterday's Oprah?

I Missed it!!! but I will check out Dr. Phil. thanks for the info.