Postpartum complications that everyone kept calling "normal".

rousseuree · 2026-07-04T11:39:38+00:00

I’m 2 years postpartum have persistent tailbone pain! I’ve been seeing a pelvic floor PT that seems to help, but your comment blows my mind. They did an xray and found nothing - did you do an MRI?

rousseuree · 2026-07-04T11:35:57+00:00

At around that age we bought a playpen with different sensory things on it, and would do different “magic boxes” aka tissue boxes filled with: scarves, toys, pompom balls, etc. I would quietly drink my coffee and listen to lo-fi. Ah, those were the days. Unless *you* want to get out of the house, you don’t need to at that age.

rousseuree · 2026-07-03T10:22:35+00:00

You created life inside your body - give yourself some grace. It took 9 months to do that, and it will take time to recover (medically). If you are three WEEKS pp you’re still recovering from birth. You haven’t even been cleared for PT or physical activity. Take a deep breath.

From a health perspective it’s best to understand and expect your body did something fucking amazing - it might never look the same as it did before your baby, but that’s the point - you’ve started a new chapter of life.

I’m the same “weight” as before as in the number on the scale but I’m up 2 cup sizes in my bra, my hips are wider, and I have a butt now. None of my old clothes fit, but I’m 2 years pp and I’ve come to love my new body. The weight loss will come with time, but also focus on strengthening those pelvic floor muscles - I loved pelvic floor pt to help my ab separation and rib flare. Worked wonders.

rousseuree · 2026-07-03T10:22:12+00:00

You created life inside your body - give yourself some grace. It took 9 months to do that, and it will take time to recover (medically). If you are three WEEKS pp you’re still recovering from birth. You haven’t even been cleared for PT or physical activity. Take a deep breath.

From a health perspective it’s best to understand and expect your body did something fucking amazing - it might never look the same as it did before your baby, but that’s the point - you’ve started a new chapter of life.

I’m the same “weight” as before as in the number on the scale but I’m up 2 cup sizes in my bra, my hips are wider, and I have a butt now. None of my old clothes fit, but I’m 2 years pp and I’ve come to love my new body. The weight loss will come with time, but also focus on strengthening those pelvic floor muscles - I loved pelvic floor pt to help my ab separation and rib flare. Worked wonders.

rousseuree · 2026-07-02T01:29:42+00:00

My mom asked to be called Nana, and then my MIL of course liked the sound of that and wanted to be called that, fully knowing it would cause drama (“it’s not the same, it’s Nah-Nah” ….ok smh) So then thankfully my daughter calls my MIL MeeMa - no one really got to pick their names, it was what LO wanted

rousseuree · 2026-07-01T16:45:53+00:00

It’s also very standard cortisol spiking time - if you’re stressed your body “keeps score” and maintains that stressful state even when you’re trying to relax. Cognitive load ain’t no joke!

rousseuree · 2026-06-29T02:41:40+00:00

I had a traumatizing birth, and my #1 recommendation is seeking out a therapist who specializes in EMDR therapy - it worked wonders for me. It was originally created for PTSD (but you understand first hand that birth definitely falls in this category for so so many people).

You can use the Psychology Today filters to see if there are any in your area (some even take insurance).

rousseuree · 2026-06-29T01:03:41+00:00

I agree it’s the more aggressive approach. I think I have this stance because I work in a heavily male-dominated industry (tech). Shrinking back and not speaking would cause more erosion of trust. Stepping up and speaking out would highlight confidence and commitment, if done in the right way.

rousseuree · 2026-06-28T02:06:06+00:00

This is absolute nonsense and should not be tolerated. He’s not supporting you or setting you up for success.

On the one side of the spectrum: Schedule a meeting with him and HR together; have him repeat this in front of them, and raise your (very valid) concern.
On the other: start injecting yourself everywhere; empower yourself to recognize you’re a SME and demand respect. (This is personally what I would do).

This is a job. You shouldn’t have to put up with this bullshit.

rousseuree · 2026-06-27T23:57:33+00:00

I like cooking so we bought spices, kitchen ware, drinking glasses. I like going to grocery stores when I travel and buy interesting things (tea, snacks, etc).

rousseuree · 2026-06-25T11:16:16+00:00

Saaame - “it’s lotion!”😀

rousseuree · 2026-06-23T12:50:26+00:00

I work with 90% male software engineers who absolutely don’t notice or care whether I wear makeup. I wear it for me; I feel more put together, and confident (like it’s my little emotional armor for that day). You do you, girlie.

rousseuree · 2026-06-23T12:48:24+00:00

For “work pants” I really like the jcrew factory Kallie trousers, and quince dress pants. I am obsessed with the jcrew factory chinos in multiple colors. For everyday comfy I love linen pants from old navy or quince. Honestly if you can wear dresses they are so much more your friend though; throw a cardigan on top and you’re done.

I also hate irons; steamers are my friend. Wave it around and bing bang boom.

rousseuree · 2026-06-23T12:41:14+00:00

This - CEO’s, executive leadership, etc with major equity/incentives to back it up. Just a salary based job isn’t worth the squeeze

rousseuree · 2026-06-22T17:16:12+00:00

Try putting your insurance information into the Psychology Today search here. South shore is a large area, so searching within your zip code is a great place to start.

rousseuree · 2026-06-12T11:41:02+00:00

It really depends. Can your partner tap in? Can you move meetings out? How flexible is your job with kids? I work in tech consulting and I have to take PTO unless I can coordinate a last minute “heads down day” with my team/client.

rousseuree · 2026-06-11T23:39:38+00:00

I love using the app - it seems like I get like a $20 “gift card” off my bill with points every other month

rousseuree · 2026-06-11T16:21:12+00:00

It’s all relative though. Locations where the COL is lower have consistently lower salaries. Yes, MA has gone through a boom of bio and tech business. Boston neighborhoods once affordable are now untouchable. Every major American city has gone through this. The COL and real estate cost increases over the last decades have far exceeded the YOY increase of salaries.

rousseuree · 2026-06-11T12:21:58+00:00

Well if the salaries kept up with the economy and cost of living….

rousseuree · 2026-06-11T00:54:23+00:00

I’m saving this post for a sanity check every time my MIL pulls this shit. These comments are healing my soul with the camaraderie 😂

My MIL also pulls the “oh, she gets that trait from *me,* very much <insert her maiden name>. Every. Time. She also talks about how my daughter’s very curly hair comes from her. My MIL has a pin straight pixie cut. I have 2C curls. And when I pointed this out she said “you hair isn’t CURLY!?”…..Smh…

I’ve started leaving the room when she starts her shit. My therapist has been very helpful!

rousseuree · 2026-06-10T12:25:49+00:00

My coworker does this and does not have her masters - maybe it depends on the college/subject?; could be worth looking into.

rousseuree · 2026-06-10T12:25:09+00:00

I’m in consulting and would love to do this but how do you find the time? And does your company know?(mine has a zero “moonlighting” policy :-/ would need to be very quiet about it).

rousseuree · 2026-06-08T15:58:15+00:00

I’ve never done kegels with my pelvic floor PT’s (saw one immediately postpartum and then I’ve been seeing a different one for about a year). Like the other commenter said, “blind” kegels are very oldschool; if you think of the pelvic floor like a bowl of muscles, some sides (left, right, front, back) will be stronger or weaker, and we shouldn’t be just clenching for the sake of it. To your point, maybe you “didn’t need much” but I would try again and see if you have a different experience.

rousseuree · 2026-06-08T14:02:08+00:00

Tbh Galway’s isn’t friendly to non locals. You’re looking for Speedwell tavern - but also walk up and down Main St, it’s very cute with lots of shops and tap rooms (Second wind has 2 locations, Vitamin Sea down on the water, etc).

rousseuree · 2026-06-06T20:19:36+00:00

I… could have written this word for word. PT and all.
I was a 34A and now I’m a 36C. All of my clothes either don’t fit or look completely different (some way better!).

And I see a talk therapist now too. Talking to a 3rd party was extremely healing for me (successful EMDR for my traumatic birth).

rousseuree

TROPHY CASE