My Why: Becoming The Boob Boss
Eight years ago on March 29th, 2013, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Having spent my entire career as a labor and delivery nurse I knew I had this baby thing down pat. Boy, was I wrong. Nothing could have ever prepared me for the sore heiney and nipples. How difficult and painful that first latch would be. How I would drift from immense happiness to intense sadness and self-pity.
I had spent my entire career ushering women into motherhood. How did I not know that hemorrhoid pain was unbearable? It may be worse than giving birth, because it’s relentless and there is no epidural for that. Why didn’t anyone talk about the mind numbing fatigue or the brain fog? Did I mention the hemorrhoid pain? Then there was the seismic shift that occurs in your relationship. I knew at some point I would need to baby-proof the house, but why didn’t anyone talk about baby-proofing my marriage? The day my son was born, Rue the mother was birthed too. I was and would never be the same person again. I had to get acquainted with the new me and then introduce that new woman to my husband.
Surely, I couldn’t have been the only person to have gone through this. So I started talking about it and the more I did, the more I realized I wasn’t alone. The more I realized how lucky I was to have my mom living with us, cooking, cleaning and tending to all my needs. The more I realized the importance of openly discussing the realities of childbirth. Of empowering women to share their stories in an authentic way. To share their feelings, their real feelings, without fear of being judged or shamed.
“Mothers, We give life, We nourish it, We sustain it.” - Rue Khosa
Through this blog I will share practical evidence-based information in the only way I know how, with candor and humor. I hope you stick around, learn a thing or two, but most importantly, find your village.
Thank you for being here.
With Gratitude,
Rue Khosa ARNP, IBCLC, "The Boob Boss"
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