A clinical psychologist’s exploration of the present day dilemmas women face in the wake of fresh motherhood.

When Molly Millwood became a mother, she was fully prepared for what she’d gain: an adorable baby son; hard-won mothering abilities; and a messy, chaotic, gorgeous lifestyle. But what she did not anticipate was what she’d lose: aspects of her identity, a baseline degree of happiness, an over-all sense of wellbeing. And though she had the benefit of a supportive husband during this transition, she going to Have and to Keep: Motherhood, Marriage, and the Modern Dilemma also sometimes resented the actual fact how the disruption to his existence appeared to pale in comparison to hers.

Being a clinical psychologist, Molly knew her experience was a standard response to a life-changing event. But without the advantage of such a perspective, many of the sufferers she treated in her private practice grappled with self-doubt, guilt, and fear, and suffered the dual discomfort of not only the battle to adapt but also the frustrating shame for battling at all.

In To Have and to Keep, Molly explores the complex terrain of brand-new motherhood, illuminating the ways it affects women psychologically, emotionally, physically, and professionally-as well as how it impacts their partnership. Along with the arrival of a bundle of joy come thorny issues such as for example self-worth, control, autonomy, and dependency. And for some new mothers, these problems are experienced within the context of a romantic relationship, adding another layer of tension, turmoil, and confusion for an already challenging period.

As Molly examines the inextricable link between women’s well-being as brand-new mothers and the well-being of their romantic relationships, she offers assistance to help readers reclaim their identities, overcome their guilt and pity, and repair their relationships. A mixture of personal narrative, medical research, and tales from Molly’s medical practice, To Possess and to Hold provides a much-needed lifeline to brand-new mothers everywhere.