A mix of expert interviews, personal stories, and perspectives

First off, I want you to know that you’re a really good mom. These aren’t just fluffy words. They are facts. You are a really good mom. I know you have so many doubts and fears.

Those early weeks were always so full of hope, nervousness, and fear - a classic recipe for constant anxiety. Sometimes I would experience these feelings in succession. Other times I felt the weight of all of them, as if they were stacked on my heart, one on top of the other.

Whatever you may be feeling — just know that it’s common and you are not alone. If you don’t want to have sex, don’t feel pressured to do so, just because the doctor told you to go for it.

Hot flashes and night sweats - some of the most common complaints of early postpartum. But it doesn't always stop after the 4th trimester, and can be a big steamy hot red flag that we need to support one hormone in particular... estrogen.

Like all new parents, they were astonished by their baby’s perfection. But their time with Julian was short -- because he was stillborn, they had just a few hours to soak in his beauty before they had to say goodbye. This is the letter Dresden wrote to Julian the day after she met him.

LA postpartum doula Stephanie Matthias shares really practical suggestions for how to prepare for the postpartum period.

Knowing what to do when you think you might be pregnant can be confusing. When can you take a pregnancy test? If it’s positive, when do you make a prenatal appointment? What are the guidelines on taking care of yourself before you see a care provider? We break things down here with help from SF-based doula Lauren Miller Brown.

So often women are told to slow down when pregnant, and while for some high-risk pregnancies bed rest is required, in most healthy pregnancies, regular movement is recommended. Hear from Peri Hughes, SF based prenatal fitness expert on how you can safely approach exercise during pregnancy.

Over the course of this time I’ve become familiar with riding these waves of sadness. The waves crash to honor the months of hormones and pregnancy tissue produced, to honor the love, energy and dreams we have been holding. I say goodbye to our Ocean.

As I begin to make sense of my pregnancy and my experience with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), I can now see so much that would have been helpful to know and understand then. In hopes of easing your journey if you or a loved one is experiencing HG — here’s my take.