Autistic motherhood

I remember people asking how motherhood was in the early days and toddler days and my answer was often “relentless” I was so so exhausted especially in the first few months and ESPECIALLY the first month. I didn’t know much about the passage of time except if it was light or dark out so I also lost a lot of my hygiene routine, particularly tooth brushing. I have never cried so much, probably more than the rest of my entire life put together. I have no idea how women in America are expected to go back to work after a few weeks I couldn’t have physically or mentally managed it. Also I’m pretty sure it’s illegal to fire someone for being pregnant, what reason did they give you? I agree with Juniper also make sure you’re well hydrated especially if breastfeeding, and eat as well as you can. I ended up having blood tests after a while and I had low iron reserves, low B12 and low Vitamin D. When the weather perks up a bit short walks can be good for you with the pram, even if just to the corner shop get a bit of fresh air and sunshine. I couldn’t go very far to start with though, probably not even a mile. I was also amazed that I had to take myself to the 10 day midwife appointment and they wouldn’t come to me, that was a huge undertaking but so got myself there somehow! Thankfully I didn’t have a C-section so could drive the almost embarrassingly short distance. 

I remember people asking how motherhood was in the early days and toddler days and my answer was often “relentless” I was so so exhausted especially in the first few months and ESPECIALLY the first month. I didn’t know much about the passage of time except if it was light or dark out so I also lost a lot of my hygiene routine, particularly tooth brushing. I have never cried so much, probably more than the rest of my entire life put together. I have no idea how women in America are expected to go back to work after a few weeks I couldn’t have physically or mentally managed it. Also I’m pretty sure it’s illegal to fire someone for being pregnant, what reason did they give you? I agree with Juniper also make sure you’re well hydrated especially if breastfeeding, and eat as well as you can. I ended up having blood tests after a while and I had low iron reserves, low B12 and low Vitamin D. When the weather perks up a bit short walks can be good for you with the pram, even if just to the corner shop get a bit of fresh air and sunshine. I couldn’t go very far to start with though, probably not even a mile. I was also amazed that I had to take myself to the 10 day midwife appointment and they wouldn’t come to me, that was a huge undertaking but so got myself there somehow! Thankfully I didn’t have a C-section so could drive the almost embarrassingly short distance. 

Oh yeah and, I did end up having a c section and still had to make it to the 10 day appointment  and they knew my partner and I don't yet drive! That was an ordeal in itself, made worse by being sent to the hospital straight after that as she hadn't gained enough weight, awful situation 

I've been wondering the same about how so many mothers manage going back to work before even the first year is up, it's insane, the lack of community even when your closest are willing to help is really tough, no one has the time to help even if they want to 

Yeah so I unfortunately was still in my probation period in this job, they had some issues with me not sewing fast enough (I was a factory seamstress), they had a pretty inaccurate impression of how I worked because I learn new things super fast and then the hyperfocus from "Ooh, new skill" has me work rapidly, then it tapers off and every single employer I've had hates this, they think I've stopped trying. So they wanted rid of me anyway, it actually came up because they had given me a month to improve to keep the job and I panicked and explained, I just found I'm pregnant so I may be a bit distracted, naively thinking they might give a bit of leeway but instead I was called up to the office about an hour later and told they want me to leave immediately and was escorted out, presumably so I couldn't tell people on the way out that I was being sacked on the same day I'd mentioned the panic accidental pregnancy! Legally I was told there's nothing I can do with still being in the probation period, they can get rid of people for whatever reason they like apparently 

I do indeed breastfeed and probably don't get enough water, whoops  I even got a huge water bottle to keep up but it's getting the time to refill it, my partner is wonderful for keeping me fed and hydrated when stuck boobing or contact napping but it's when he's working that it's difficult to keep up with the self care and yep also hygiene unfortunately.. recently I had to go to my grandparents just to get a shower and she screamed the whole time so loud I could hear it in the shower, it's heartbreaking and so difficult when they just want you but you need just 10 minutes 

thank you for responding! I definitely think I need to be looking a bit more closely at my health to be functioning better, it really wouldn't surprise me if I still had iron issues, I take over the counter supplements for all sorts but that's only started in the last few days, maybe I need to give it more time and look into my diet also and definitely get out more! The stress of wrestling an infant into clothes and then a pram has been making me really avoidant but it's certainly not helping for sure