The reality of pregnancy often bears little resemblance to the idealized visions painted by society. For many, including myself, the journey is fraught with unexpected lengths and rigorous challenges. It’s a deeply personal voyage, one that complicates our relationship with time. I vividly remember the asking, “When are you due?” followed immediately by that mini-panic
Pregnancy
As a soon-to-be dad, you’re standing on the brink of a monumental life shift. You’ve traversed the emotional roller coaster of the first two trimesters, but now, as you approach the third trimester, the reality of impending fatherhood becomes palpable. The third trimester stretches from week 28 to delivery, usually around the 40-week mark. This
Finding out you’re expecting is undoubtedly a thrilling moment in anyone’s life. However, the subsequent journey through pregnancy can sometimes be littered with less-than-pleasant experiences, chief among them being morning sickness. While many women (and those around them) may envision morning sickness as a brief, early-morning upset, the reality is often much more daunting. For
Before experiencing motherhood firsthand, the concept of postpartum depression (PPD) seemed like a distant echo—mentioned in hushed tones and shrouded in stigma. It was only when I entered the realm of new motherhood that I began to perceive the fuller scope of this issue, particularly how society tends to cast a veil over it. It
Entering pregnancy, one may imagine a transcendent experience—glowing radiance, an effortless connection with the baby, and an aura of maternal bliss. This imagery, heavily portrayed in media and social platforms, can lead many to naively anticipate a seamless journey filled with joyful moments. However, the stark contrasts between expectation and reality become evident as soon
As I reflect on my experience during pregnancy, I recall the poignant moment when my morning sickness, which had so thoroughly claimed my existence, abruptly dissolved away, granting me a taste of normality once more. This pivotal change occurred around 13 weeks gestation in a chilly March, snapping me from a groggy, melancholic haze back
The postpartum phase of a woman’s life is one of profound physical and emotional transformation. Traditionally, various cultures have recognized the significance of this period—none more so than in Chinese medicine, where the concept of “Sitting the Month” or Zuo Yuezi emphasizes a month-long recuperation designed to prioritize the health of both mother and newborn.