Good article Christy, and you are quite right that motherhood has been somewhat devalued in society (in practice more so than in sentiment) when it should be held and treated as one of the most important and vital roles, as it is crucial to the growth and persistance of the society itself.
I would venture that the reason for any undervaluing of the job of nuturing our future successors is more the emphasis on economic growth and industrial productivity that our society favours, rather than any latent sexism or antiquated patriarchal culture that you suggest exists. Then again perhaps this economic emphasis indeed stems from patricarchal mindsets of the past that falsely placed more importance on the role of provider than the role of nuturer?
Whatever the causes, more should be done in our society to officially restore the importance and esteem of nurturing and give it the proper status and rewards it deserves in whatever suitable form that may take.

Great article, took me back to my own pregnancies 16 and 19 years ago.
Without wanting to concern you unduly but on the belief that forewarned is forearmed, may I prepare you for the fact that it gets worse before it gets better - though it does, eventually, get much, much better.
Every woman I have ever known finds that her self esteem plummets when she becomes a mother. If it falls low enough, she may find herself experiencing post natal depression, which didn't happen to me, thank God, but did to many of my friends.
I don't quite know why this occurs, but it does. Partly it is because far more than giving birth to a child, you give birth to yourself as a mother - a brand new person, and it is hard to have high esteem for someone you hardly yet know, even if she is walking around in your old body. Partly it is because you kind of disappear behind the pram you push. I disappeared to myself. I'd walk into a shop and not know what sort of clothes to buy because I didn't know how I was supposed to look now, I didn't know what sort of magazine to buy -Vogue etc were no longer interesting, but the Women's Weekly didn't appeal either. Half my friends disappeared, work dried up and I struggled to fill the endless day. I adored my daughters and (secretly) resented them at the same time. Yet, I wouldn't have missed the experience for the world and now that I have gotten to know the me who is a mother (amongst a whole lot of other things) quite well, I esteem her very highly indeed. As, no doubt, will you. But, like most that is worthwhile, the journey that is motherhood is both transforming and one of the hardest things you will ever do.

I am sorry to say, but this article is nonsense. James and Donnie above have more sound views on the issue; if it even is one, as the writer frames it: "The real issue for me, however, is identity." Huh?

I fail to see how Rivezblahblah can NOT see motherhood and pregnancy as an issue of identity. I can only assume that it must be a man, because any woman would recognise the sharing of her body and the subsequent constant devotion of her time an issue of changing identity.

Ena, that comment was extraordinary. It's rare to see mothers talking about things like that. I wish that there was more open discussion about the more identity-based difficulties in mothering, rather than the usual humour driven drivel used as a vehicle to cover what it is most women probably want to say.

Brooke Shields gave a fabulously frank and open interview on Oprah about her own post-natal depression. I must say, I find the prospect of it terrifying.

To Audrey Apple:

To Audrey Apple:

"I fail to see how Rivezblahblah can NOT see motherhood and pregnancy as an issue of identity. I can only assume that it must be a man."

Well "it" -- I mean "I" -- did not say I could not "see" the point being made. I simply said there is no issue to be had. I mean if I think this article is nonsense, what do you think most would think of your "idea of pregnancy being a disorder." Seriously its fun to hypothesise stuff, but if there is an issue to be had with pregnancy it definitely is NOT "identity" or nonsense like it being a "disorder". At least talk about maternity or paternity leave, for example, something which many Australians do not have...

In giving birth we are re-born. Nothing can prepare a mother (or father) for that moment when that beautiful little bundle, wrapped tightly in a too large blanket, is in her arms. There is a completeness that wasn't there before and a hole in your heart that you didn't even know existed previously, is filled. Suddenly it is impossible to remember life before the baby's arrival. "But how can that be so?", you wonder aloud.

Cristy, just go with the flow, because that is enough and it is all any of us can do. Enjoy the experience and live the transition to the full. Immerse yourself and you will be pleasantly shocked how much you will experience and learn. There is a whole new life opening up for you and as a thinking, active woman the ball is at your toe.