Congratulations on the birth (or imminent birth!) of your new baby.
There's no fixed way that things go after baby arrives, but here are some things that can be part of the picture for some people...
It's quite normal for both parents to go through the full spectrum of emotions in the early days with a new baby. You may feel:
- joy
- grief
- love
- sadness
- pleasure
- pain
- confusion
- helpless
- whole
- lost
- found
If you have more feelings of sadness than happiness that don't go away it's important to speak to someone. That may be a loved one, friend, or a professional like your GP (or me, I am always here - seriously. Call me 07536049097).
PANDAS Foundation - 0843 28 98 401
9am – 8pm every day
Postnatal depression can affect both men and women. 1 in 7 people experience it at some point in the year after birth. The good news is there are some wonderful groups and lots of support for those that need it. PANDAS have regular local meetings in some locations.
If you had a difficult birth or things did not go to plan it can be very helpful to talk. Some women find things playing over in their minds, which can be a sign that you need to speak to someone about your experience.
Finding a therapsit for postnatal trauma - the birth trauma association recommends seeking help from a qualified therapist if you're experiencing symptoms of postnatal trauma. If you think you may need this kind of support please visit their website here:
Birth Trauma Association
Whole self care
High levels of cortisol (stress hormones) have been shown to slow down healing.
Taking care of yourself will help you to care for baby. If you are feeling stressed talk to someone about it. You'll probably not be doing hours of yoga and meditation, but if you can allow yourself to rest and even take 5 minutes to stop and breathe, you'll benefit.
Think about your diet - eat well with a good mix of proteins, fibre, essential oils, probiotics (especially if you have had any antibiotics), vitamins, minerals and of course water. Giving yourself a good balanced diet will help with both physical and emotional wellness.
If you're looking for support with postpartum recovery, Emilie offers holistic coaching packages to help adapt to postnatal changes in body and mind. She's an experienced doula, pelvic wellbeing specialist and embodiment coach with 18 years experience.