Reproductively Speaking

1. When Motherhood Doesn’t Look Anything Like You Expected

Taryn Zweygardt

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Motherhood was always something I looked forward to. I dreamed about it, romanticized it, and thought I knew exactly what to expect.


But…when it actually happened, it was NOTHING like the picture I had in my head. I loved my baby so much, but I didn’t recognize myself anymore.


I soon had two kids under two, and outwardly, I probably looked fine. On the inside though? I was drowning. 


As a licensed therapist, I knew the signs of anxiety and depression, yet no one ever asked how I was really doing. I wasn’t offered a screening or support, and I convinced myself I just needed to “try harder” or maybe I wasn’t really cut out for motherhood afterall.


That experience cracked something open in me. It’s what led me to the work I do today - supporting women through the emotional earthquake that is motherhood. We deserve to talk honestly about what we’re feeling, and the messy, complicated emotions that come with being a parent.


I created Reproductively Speaking so we DO have a space for the very real, unfiltered conversations about motherhood, identity, and mental health. I definitely don’t have it all figured out, but I’m here to walk with you. You’re NOT on this journey alone, friend!


Episode Recap:

  • The emotional “earthquake” that happens when motherhood looks nothing like you expected
  • My raw story of navigating early motherhood with two babies just 13 months apart
  • The loneliness & guilt that so many moms quietly experience beneath the surface
  • Why mental-health professionals can struggle + how that inspired my mission
  • The vision behind Reproductively Speaking


**Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health care. If you’re struggling or need support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area, because you don’t have to go through it alone.


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