Most women say the week following birth is more difficult than the labour and delivery.
Post Natal Baby Blues
Most women say the week following birth is more difficult than the labour and delivery. After the excitement of the pregnancy and birth, many women reach the third or fourth day and collapse in a heap of tears, stressed, deflated, tired and overwhelmed.
Called the ‘three-day baby blues’ these are thought to be due to a combination of sheer exhaustion, levelling hormones and a sudden realisation of your new responsibilities as a parent. The baby blues can occur at any time in the first ten days and is experienced by eighty per cent of new mothers. What may seem irrational or emotional outbursts of tears is common. In most cases this lull is short-lived. It is likely that your body is aching with fatigue and the rigours of labour, healing from cuts, tears or a Caesarean delivery, your breasts are engorged and throbbing, and your baby wants feeding. Meanwhile, everybody’s attention has switched to your newborn. Don’t despair, as unfair as it may seem, try to take each day as it comes. Go with your feelings, have a good cry, a talk, try to get some rest and be assured that this is normal behaviour.
It may seem daunting but every moment brings new knowledge and growing confidence. If you are worried about something don’t hesitate to ask as many questions and seek as much help as you need. There will always be someone willing to help.
Studies indicate that both parents respond best to their baby if they have had the opportunity to peacefully bond with their newborn in the first hour following the birth. More recent research suggests that if a mother is not afforded this unique opportunity to be left alone with her baby and partner, she is more likely to suffer postnatal baby blues and depression. More hospitals are recognising the benefit and relevance of parents being able to nurse their baby and skin to skin contact is encouraged to establish the first bonding.
It is also been recognised that during birth the sacrum is often displaced, affecting the limbic system that controls emotional behaviour. Osteopathy is advised to correct the alignment and help resolve depressive symptoms.