“I was kind of losing my mind.”

Having a baby is a wonderful, incredible, terrifying, uplifting thing that no amount of advice or ‘helpful’ books can prepare you for. One new mum, Danielle Haines, took to Facebook to share a photo of herself and her newborn, three days postpartum . The message she wrote alongside the image is a powerful reminder to anyone going through something similar: You are not alone. 

Danielle Haines with her son, three days postpartum. Image via Facebook.

Click through the gallery below for a realistic look at the first day of motherhood by Jenny Lewis .

Mothers holding their babies.

Theresa and Tommy.

Images by Jenny Lewis

Rebecca and Osiris

Images by Jenny Lewis

Xanthe and Louie

Images by Jenny Lewis

Hazel and Rudy.

Images by Jenny Lewis

Jenny and Nora

Images by Jenny Lewis

Shenelle and Arissa.

Images by Jenny Lewis

Karla and River.

Images by Jenny Lewis

Liana and Archer.

Images by Jenny Lewis

Cover page.

Images by Jenny Lewis