{
  "id": 12899080,
  "title": "I wasn't prepared for the physical toll of motherhood",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/i-wasnt-prepared-for-the-physical-toll-of-motherhood",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-08T15:45:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/not-prepared-for-physical-toll-of-motherhood-contact-sport-2026-10"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sassica Francis-Bruce reveals that she was unprepared for the physical demands of motherhood, beyond pregnancy and childbirth. She now recognizes motherhood as a daily contact sport, akin to parkour and weightlifting, fueled by relentless energy from her energetic children. Postpartum, the physical discomfort intensified as her body struggled to recover while managing sleep deprivation. Breastfeeding proved challenging, leading to soreness from poor latching techniques, while De Quervain's tenosynovitis, or \"mother's thumb,\" caused intense pain in her wrist and hand from baby-caring activities. Additionally, plantar fibroma in her foot and C-section recovery added to the physical toll. Now that her children are tall and heavy, everyday tasks require immense strength and stamina, with her youngest constantly needing to be held and cared for. The author acknowledges the physicality of motherhood as an occupational hazard, particularly with two rambunctious boys. Despite the pain, she cherishes her children's closeness and continues to prioritize self-care, including exercise and professional help, to manage her own wellbeing while accommodating her children's needs.",
  "summary": "I expected pregnancy to be uncomfortable. Nobody told me parenting would involve getting head-butted, climbed on, and bruised regularly.",
  "key_points": [
    "Sassica Francis-Bruce unprepared for physical demands of motherhood.",
    "Postpartum discomfort intensified with sleep deprivation and breastfeeding challenges.",
    "Everyday tasks now require immense strength and stamina for two rambunctious boys."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}