16. Debra Bauman - Two Years of Infertility, Expectations and Reality Mismatch, Exclusive Pumper for 2+ Years, and What She Would Do Differently

Today I have Debra Bauman on the podcast. She shares her very difficult and exhausting experience of having a baby from preconception on. Talking to her was so easygoing; it felt like I was chatting with my sister or a really close friend. She keeps it real by being open and forward about how dark postpartum can get when you’re isolated and alone with a newborn during a pandemic. She goes deep into everything from two years of infertility struggles to how different she would like next time to be, if there ever is a next time. I hope you appreciate how vulnerable she is and enjoy her story as much as I did!

TOPICS SHE COVERS:

• How special her little girl is
• The process her and her husband had to go through to get her
• Induction due to preeclampsia
• Needing monitoring due to thyroid issues
• Having a fear of lack of sleep after baby comes
• Needing stitches after birth and the first PP poop
• How PP reality was so different due to COVID
• No doula, no relatives, just being alone
• 14 weeks paid maternity leave
• Husband back to work after only 2 weeks
• Alone and sleepless with a newborn 24/7
• Pumped breastmilk for over 2 years
• Donated breastmilk to research
• Feeling like you don't know who you are anymore
• Unsure if they want a second child or not

THINGS SHE WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY NEXT TIME:

• Would have all the things she couldn't due to COVID
• Like a baby shower and gender reveal party
• Have visitors and help during early PP
• Work on her own health, get on top of her medications
• Be in therapy more consistently

RESOURCES AND ADVICE:

Talk to your health care team if you feel any bit off, even while pregnant. Mental health is so important.

Exclusive Pumping Resources

@pump_mama_pump

@onewiththepump

Connect with Debra at @mamaminutesfitness