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Tawana Musvaburi has spoken out about having postpartum depression(Image: Tawana Musvaburi\u00a9 SWNS)<\/p>\nThe mum-of-one has bravely opened up about her postpartum depressionTawana Musvaburi has spoken out about having postpartum depression(Image: Tawana Musvaburi\u00a9 SWNS)<\/p>\n
A mum has bravely told how she ‘hated’ being a parent the ‘minute’ her newborn daughter was put on her chest – and says she still dislikes motherhood as she ‘can’t be selfish’.<\/p>\n
Tawana Musvaburi, 24, was dealt a huge shock when she gave birth four weeks after finding she was expecting due to a cryptic pregnancy – when a woman is unaware she’s expecting until late in the pregnancy or when going into labour.<\/p>\n
After giving birth to her daughter, River, now two, she grappled with postpartum depression and started to ‘resent’ her little girl. The mum says it got so bad she would have intrusive thoughts of wanting to harm her daughter.<\/p>\n
Now, after getting help, she has settled into motherhood but despite having so much love for River she ‘still hates’ being a mum.<\/p>\n
Tawana, a full-time content creator from the Midlands, said: “I had no feeling of love when my baby was born. The minute she was put on my chest I hated it.<\/p>\n
“I had really bad post partum depression. I started resenting my daughter. I still hate it – but I love my child so much. I can’t be selfish – I have to think about my daughter.”<\/p>\n
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Tawana’s daughter River(Image: Tawana Musvaburi\u00a9 SWNS)<\/p>\n
Tawana found out she was eight months pregnant after being rushed to hospital feeling dizzy. Doctors initially thought she was in kidney failure until an ultrasound revealed she was expecting.<\/p>\n
Four weeks later Tawana, then aged 21, gave birth to River on February 27, 2023. She said: “I had been drinking. I had been living a partying lifestyle. I was so scared.<\/p>\n
“My life changed so much. I went from a young girl going out to a mum in four weeks.”<\/p>\n
After the shock, Tawana thought when her daughter was born she would feel a gush of love and get to grips with motherhood but she fell into the depths of post-partum depression.<\/p>\n
She said: “I had thoughts of harming my child. I was afraid to say it out loud – I thought I was crazy. I wouldn’t leave the house.<\/p>\n
“I was so embarrassed. I was so burnout and focused all my energy on her. She’s beautiful and I’m a mess.<\/p>\n
“River would lay in bed next to me – she’d be crying and I didn’t hear her. I had mentally checked out. Even when I was holding her she was crying and I was just looking at her – staring at her and watching her cry.”<\/p>\n
Tawana was able to get support from her mum, Chipo, 45, and later from a doctor who helped make motherhood more manageable for her.<\/p>\n
Her partner and River’s dad, Emmanuel Poku, 30, who is on sick pay, has also been on hand as the pair navigate being new parents.<\/p>\n
She said: “The doctor helped me mange life and still be the best mum possible. If I keep putting myself last I wouldn’t be the best mum. River never asked to be here – it’s not her fault. It’s nobody’s fault.”<\/p>\n
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Tawana Musvaburi “hated” being a mum the “minute” her daughter was put on her chest (Image: Tawana Musvaburi\u00a9 SWNS)<\/p>\n
Tawana still struggles to enjoy being a mum now. She said: “I hate the fact I have to stay at home – I can’t go out when I want.<\/p>\n
“I can’t be spontaneous. If I want to go out with my friends it has to be planned months in advance.”<\/p>\n
She also hates how being a mum makes her feel vulnerable. She said: “I feel so vulnerable. I think ‘I’ll never be able to fully protect you’. That feeling is horrible.”<\/p>\n
But Tawana finds balance in motherhood by making time for herself. River now goes to nursery three times a week.<\/p>\n
She said: “The fact I have that time to myself, I can sit in silence – it’s so precious. It’s for my mental health and to be the best mum possible.”<\/p>\n
Tawana still adores her daughter – but says she feels her little girls sees her more as a “sister”.<\/p>\n
She said: “She’s fabulous. She’s a diva. She’s loud, bubbly and full of personality. What would have my life been life if this had never happened? I’d never have it any other way.”<\/p>\n
Follow Tawana on Tiktok @tawanatr<\/p>\n
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Tawana Musvaburi with her daughter, River<\/p>\n