13. Lonnie Benninger - Quick & Easy Birth, Unnoticed PPD/PPA, Baby That Doesn't Sleep, Happily Going Back to Work, and Giving Yourself Grace as a Mom

Today on the podcast I have Lonnie on to share about becoming a new mom to her daughter Harper. She shares about how she would give birth over and over again before going through the fourth trimester, since she had such a smooth birth experience and not so much with PP. I could personally relate to many points in Lonnie’s story and I hope you gain some mama wisdom from listening!

TOPICS LONNIE SHARED:

• Hated being pregnant
• Quick, smooth birth experience
• Got epidural and slept until she pushed baby out in 10 mins
• OB ripped placenta out
• Not happy with PP hospital care
• Partner only had 1 week off for leave
• Challenge of preparing for the emotional aspects of PP
• Felt 'doom' every night the first couple weeks around 7pm
• Baby needed to be held to sleep
• Lack of sleep was a huge impact on mental health
• But it DOES end!
• Babysitter got baby on a sleep schedule
• RSV at 6 months
• Started feeling like a person again around 12-18 months PP
• Going back to work was a really good thing
• Looks forward to having another baby
• Feeling judgement from other moms
• You can't always be the "best mother"

NEXT TIME LONNIE WOULD LIKE:

• A doula
• A lactation consultant (to be more successful with breastfeeding)
• Wearable breast pumps
• Lots of food stashed in the freezer

RESOURCES:

Lonnie's Facebook

Massachusetts General Hospital + Harvard Perinatal Mental Health app