Year-End Special Edition: Life Goes On | New Mother’s Year of Challenges
Chapter One: New Life
The history of life is not only about grand narratives but also about the little things, the stories of individuals and events. As we record some characters and events in 2024, we analyze them into four chapters: “Newborn,” “Guardianship,” “Thunder,” and “Fireworks.” These chapters form a partial cross-section of the larger historical narrative, reflecting the spirit of our land and the people who live there. This spirit is a state of vitality: resilient, hopeful, and ever-growing.
Today’s story is from the chapter “Newborn,” telling the story of a新手妈妈 in her first year of motherhood.
In 2024, I became a mother.
Looking back on this year, it seems that every day is full of stories. Countless unforgettable moments fill my heart, filled with love and warmth, as well as some unresolved confusion and anxiety. There is laughter, fatigue, happiness, and pain. I once questioned the disappearance of my individuality after becoming a mother, but I gradually understand this selfless nature and enjoy it. This is probably what “bearing children” means – to grow up, to accept the responsibility of caring for a small life that depends on you.
During the process of nurturing my daughter, I truly felt the difficulties of my own mother. Only now do I deeply appreciate the effort behind those seemingly ordinary daily routines. We are lucky to have the help of elder family members, making the road of parenting much easier. Over the past six months, I have grown from a confused新手母亲 to one who is more focused on life itself and deeper in love with my daughter.
To be honest, I didn’t really feel like a mother until the moment my daughter was born, not during my pregnancy. Before that, it seemed that everything was preparing for this moment.
Waiting for the birth of a new life is both happy and anxious. From early pregnancy blood tests, urine tests, and B-ultrasound, to mid-pregnancy non-invasive prenatal screening and fetal anomaly scans, to late pregnancy fetal monitoring and other inspections, each inspection is a gateway. Maybe all new mothers are very nervous, always worrying that there will be abnormalities in the results, afraid of any health problems for the baby.
Looking back now, my prenatal examination was relatively smooth, with green lights all the way. But because of my own sensitive emotions, I still went to the emergency room several times due to minor bleeding or other symptoms. Although these symptoms were later understood to be normal, I was still anxious at that time. In the later stages of pregnancy, I experienced oxygen deficiency more often, and had to take oxygen after each shower. Once during fetal monitoring, I almost fainted, and later had to carry a portable oxygen cylinder when going out. It was also a memorable experience. As the预产期 approaches, my mentality becomes more relaxed, while my husband becomes particularly nervous. In March, he suffered from neuralgia and ear pain suddenly. He thought it might be caused by drinking too much coffee, but even after stopping coffee, the pain remained. When accompanying me for prenatal examination, he also consulted a doctor and was told that it was caused by excessive anxiety and stress. This made me laugh for a long time.
As a新手母亲, I seem to have an innate sense of nesting consciousness. Since my pregnancy, I have been carefully preparing for the baby’s arrival, purchasing baby products such as baby beds, baby carriages, diapers, clothes, and diapers. There are so many exquisite products on the market, but also many unnecessary ones. As a mother, I need to avoid being “tricked” by these products and look for ones that are not only safe but also cost-effective. The joy of buying these products brings me great happiness.
During my journey of becoming a mother, the hospital holds prenatal classes every week. If my time and energy allow, I will actively participate in them. One sentence from a prenatal class left me with a deep impression: “When the placenta is expelled from the body, it will cause uncontrollable changes in the mother’s body and mind.” At first, I thought this statement was exaggerated, but when I experienced childbirth myself, I fully understood it.
On the morning of April 25th, I was suddenly uncomfortable with my stomach discomfort. Although I had not had my water break yet, the pain made me nervous. After discussing with my family, my husband and I rushed to the hospital emergency room immediately for examination by doctors who found that my baby’s head was already visible and she would soon arrive in this world so we could go home patiently waiting . However due to my nervous state of mind at that time，I was too nervous and kept thinking about various possible situations so we ultimately decided to stay in hospital instead . In one night there were four other mothers waiting for childbirth , one of them delivered in the middle of night , hearing her baby crying made me excited but also nervous about what would happen next . The key moment came around 11am on April 26th , after receiving pitocin my body quickly responded with waves of intense contractions . It was an indescribably painful experience as if my body was being tightly squeezed by an invisible hand again and again . Despite having an epidural , the pain from contractions was still very severe . Holding my husband’s hand tightly , I tried to use breathing techniques that we had practiced at home countless times to alleviate each breath . When doctors came over again they found that my baby’s head was almost out , so they quickly assisted me into surgery room . With strong effort from myself , finally after several minutes my baby was born into this world . When doctors placed her tiny body on mine , an indescribable feeling surged through me as I realized that I had become a mother . She is our little miracle .
I have to say that epidural anesthesia is really a “human light”. When its effect wore off later , I felt that I had experienced hand-taking placenta and second-degree laceration after birth . In daily life after childbirth like carrying out daily tasks such as bathing、changing diapers、feeding etc.，the two days after childbirth seemed like a lifetime for me which couldn’t take care of myself . Later when talking with friends who had given birth via cesarean section ，I felt that at least I could still stand up with support so once again felt great about myself as a mother . Although those early days after childbirth were challenging physically，the bond between me and my baby grew stronger with each passing day as we fed each other milk which brought me great joy even when facing challenges like sore nipples during breastfeeding period . As time went on，I gradually became more familiar with motherhood and found it easier to manage daily tasks while still enjoying every moment with my baby girl . Being a mother has taught me so much about patience、love，and responsibility which are qualities that will continue to guide me throughout life as well as help me become a better person overall . Now looking back，I feel grateful for every challenge because they have made me stronger as both an individual and as a mother . Looking forward，I am excited about all possibilities ahead even while cherishing every moment spent with my little one growing up together side by side 。This journey is filled with joy，tears，and love which makes it truly beautiful。我们比较幸运，有长辈的帮助，育儿路上已经容易了很多。半年来，从一个对育儿一无所知的新手妈妈成长起来，我亲身感受到的是，生活越来越专注于生活本身，对女儿的爱越来越深。Chapter Two: Postpartum Life After Becoming A Mother: Challenges And Growth Process As we continue our journey through motherhood chapter two focuses on post-partum life as well as growth process experienced by both mother and baby through daily challenges shared during those critical months after childbirth From physical recovery emotional adjustment breastfeeding challenges caring for baby around clock including challenges like sleep deprivation handling baby’s illnesses etc.，this chapter highlights joys struggles growth associated with transitioning into role as mother within first year 。 Part Two Postpartum Life As A Mother Challenges And Growth Journey Part two discusses life after childbirth ，including challenges like physical recovery emotional adjustment breastfeeding challenges among others Challenges can be overwhelming at times but also bring sense of fulfillment knowing that you are doing your best for your baby 。 In terms of physical recovery you must prioritize taking care of yourself postpartum since it takes time for your body heal especially if you delivered naturally Your energy levels are key here as taking care newborn often means sleep deprivation along other challenges Physical exercises help with recovery process too along side healthy diet In terms emotional adjustment learning balance between caring yourself versus taking care baby takes time You may feel anxious overwhelmed or even depressed at times which perfectly normal so please seek support when needed Breastfeeding journey also comes with its own set challenges establishing milk supply handling breastfeeding issues such nipple pain soreness among others but perseverance eventually leads successful breastfeeding relationship which brings immense joy knowing that your baby getting all essential nutrients directly from your body Caring for baby around clock brings own set challenges such handling sleep deprivation handling baby’s illnesses which require constant vigilance but also brings immense joy knowing that you are providing your baby everything she needs through day night shifts Finally ，this chapter highlights growth journey both as mother growing understanding bettering ability handle different situations more smoothly while also experiencing growth within yourself as you learn accept new role as mother with patience love 。 During this journey，the focus is on balancing self-care with mothering，as well as navigating the unique challenges of breastfeeding，sleep deprivation，and caring for a newborn around the clock。 It’s a time of growth for both mother and baby，as they learn to adapt to this new role and responsibility together。 As a mother，you are learning to navigate your own emotions while also providing for your baby’s physical and emotional needs，which can be challenging but also bring immense joy and fulfillment。 Chapter Three: The Challenges Of Being A New Mother：Nighttime Routine And Caring For
