Book Description

Unlike the glamorous image of motherhood we see portrayed in film, TV and social media - bonding through breastfeeding, family days out capturing lifelong memories and well put-together mothers who can 'do it all' - this book shows a raw and gritty reality that, for a lot of first-time parents, is far from what they expected. Her world turned upside down through shock and trauma of childbirth, and dealing with the heartache of postnatal depression in its wake, Kirsty recounts the first few years of motherhood that this cruel mental illness stole from her; robbing her of joy, threatening her relationship, and rendering her incapable of feeling any love for her baby whatsoever. Instead, she found herself in a constant state of mental brutality with 'The Mind Demons', isolating her from loved ones, berating her with intrusive thoughts, and sending her into a downward spiral of self-loathing and suicidal ideation. Without holding back, Kirsty takes her readers on a painful (albeit, rich with humour and wit) journey through postnatal depression - cracked nipples and swollen 'yoohas' galore. Believing herself to be a toxic, horrid beast and a failure of a mother, so much of her story will relate to new parents everywhere, especially those who have also found themselves asking why everyone else seems to have it together and they don't. From breakdowns mid 'passion' to weeping over postpartum belly pouches, this is a real story of parenthood, in all its sincere pain, rage and love - eventually.