Experiences of the first 6-months of motherhood

1. Experiences of the first 6 months of motherhood

This survey is designed to gather information about your emotional experiences during the first 6 months of being a new mum. Whether you are a brand new mum or a grandma, I'd love to hear your account of motherhood when your first child was a newborn.

The information gathered will be used in the writing of my new book, "It's All In Your Mind: The life-changing power of optimistic thinking skills for mums". Thank you for taking the time to complete the following 5 questions. Most of all, thank you for your honesty.

1. How would you describe the first 6 months after your first baby was born: (Choose only one answer)

How would you describe the first 6 months after your first baby was born: (Choose only one answer) Traumatic. I honestly didn’t think I was going to survive. In fact, I’m not sure I did. I never want to go through that again.

Exhausting. I was so sleep deprived it’s all just a blur. Fun? What’s fun about having a newborn baby? If I could avoid that stage, I would.

OK. We had our good moments and it took all my strength to get through. I'm glad I'm over that stage though.

Pretty good. It was amazing and the good bits definitely outweighed the bad. I’d do it again, no worries.

Wonderful. I loved almost every minute of it. The newborn baby stage is divine.

2. Which of the following words would you use to describe your state of mind during those first 6 months? (Choose as many answers as you like)

Which of the following words would you use to describe your state of mind during those first 6 months? (Choose as many answers as you like) Out of control

Joyful

Depressed

Happy

Nervous

Anxious

Terrified

Calm

Stressed

3. Think back to your first 6 months as a mother. When things got tough, what did you think to yourself?
Rate these common negative thoughts according to how often you experienced each one.

	I definitely didn't think this	I might have thought this occasionally	I thought this all the time
I have no clue what I’m doing.	Think back to your first 6 months as a mother. When things got tough, what did you think to yourself? Rate these common negative thoughts according to how often you experienced each one. I have no clue what I’m doing. I definitely didn't think this	I might have thought this occasionally	I thought this all the time
I can’t do this.	I can’t do this. I definitely didn't think this	I might have thought this occasionally	I thought this all the time
I’m a terrible mother.	I’m a terrible mother. I definitely didn't think this	I might have thought this occasionally	I thought this all the time
I’m a failure.	I’m a failure. I definitely didn't think this	I might have thought this occasionally	I thought this all the time
If that baby doesn’t stop crying I’m going to…	If that baby doesn’t stop crying I’m going to… I definitely didn't think this	I might have thought this occasionally	I thought this all the time
I’m scared I’m going to hurt my baby.	I’m scared I’m going to hurt my baby. I definitely didn't think this	I might have thought this occasionally	I thought this all the time
I don’t want to be a mum anymore.	I don’t want to be a mum anymore. I definitely didn't think this	I might have thought this occasionally	I thought this all the time
I want to run away.	I want to run away. I definitely didn't think this	I might have thought this occasionally	I thought this all the time
No-one told me it was going to be this hard.	No-one told me it was going to be this hard. I definitely didn't think this	I might have thought this occasionally	I thought this all the time
I can’t do anything right.	I can’t do anything right. I definitely didn't think this	I might have thought this occasionally	I thought this all the time
No-one understands how hard this is.	No-one understands how hard this is. I definitely didn't think this	I might have thought this occasionally	I thought this all the time
I’m out of control.	I’m out of control. I definitely didn't think this	I might have thought this occasionally	I thought this all the time
Everyone else has it together and I'm just a mess.	Everyone else has it together and I'm just a mess. I definitely didn't think this	I might have thought this occasionally	I thought this all the time

Other (please specify)

4. Did you suffer from post-natal depression?

Did you suffer from post-natal depression? Yes

Possibly - Looking back I think I did but I wasn't ever diagnosed.

5. Would you like to be notified by email when "It’s All In Your Mind: The life-changing power of optimistic thinking skills for mums" is published?

Would you like to be notified by email when "It’s All In Your Mind: The life-changing power of optimistic thinking skills for mums" is published? No thanks.

Yes - here's my email address so you can contact me.