In the chaotic experience of becoming a mother for the first time, women often encounter a mix of overwhelming emotions. The challenges of sleep deprivation can lead to feelings of both joy and distress as they navigate this significant life change and reestablish their sense of self. These dual emotions characterize the transformative journey into motherhood.

Anne Fadiman, in her work "Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader," captures this reality well. She highlights how the transition to motherhood is marked by intense and conflicting feelings, representing the trials and victories that shape a new identity as a parent.