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A new parent’s first few weeks and months are filled with intense feelings of joy and sorrow. Your life may turn into a wide range of emotions, from joy and pride to fear and despair. Many new moms avoid talking about their negative feelings to seem happy in front of their new baby. When this happens, they feel ashamed and guilty about how they are dealing with their anxiety and depression. Keep in mind that you are not the only one experiencing these feelings. From pregnancy till the first year after childbirth, one in five women suffers from mental health issues such as melancholy or anxiety. Here are a few things that every parent goes through and needs more awareness to plan ahead of what you should do to treat your emotions the right way.
1. Pregnancy Blues Or “Baby Blues”
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After the birth of a child, many women experience baby blues. It usually begins within the first week of your baby’s life and ends around the time they are 14 days old (1).
Here is what they experience:
- Feelings of irrationality and rage
- Crying for no apparent reason
- Prickliness or abrasiveness
- Depression or anxiousness
These post-pregnancy symptoms are mainly caused due to hormone fluctuations. This happens when your body adjusts to no longer being pregnant. You may never have felt this low before. Consequently, you will most likely be weary, which will only serve to exacerbate your current condition. If your symptoms don’t improve after a few weeks, see your primary care provider or health care worker.
2. Nursing Issues
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Don’t worry about getting used to nursing initially; you’ll be doing a lot of it if you choose to do so. Even if you don’t mind, it may take time to become used to breastfeeding.
3. The Support Of Family And Friends
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Taking care of a baby is a full-time job for new parents. Although it may be tempting to do everything on your own, asking for help may make a massive difference in the long run. Ask your family and friends for assistance. Ask them to:
- Take care of the baby while taking a nap or tidying the house.
- Take a walk with the infant
- Do a few chores around the house.
- Be there when you need a shoulder to cry on.
Asking for help is entirely acceptable as a new mother. Assistance and attention are necessary for all new mothers.
4. Accept That Your Identity And Your Position Will Change
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For some women, the experience of becoming a mother for the first time is life-changing. You may adore your new role straight away or struggle to get used to it. If you had previously worked in a job that you enjoyed and were proud of, being “just a mother” may be challenging. In the eyes of some individuals, being a mother is the most critical profession in the world.
5. Loving Your Child
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In the first few weeks after giving birth, some moms are overcome with love for their babies; for others, this love develops over time as they learn to know and care for their children. Postnatal depression may be diagnosed by the absence of your baby from your thoughts and feelings. Talk to your doctor about your feelings and who you may turn to for support. Remember that you are not alone and do not have to go through this agony by yourself.
6. Your Connection With Your Partner May Have Changed
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When a couple has a kid, their relationship may experience significant changes. They are subjected to a considerable amount of stress when they become parents. When you’re taking care of an infant, you have less time for each other. There may be differences of opinion on finances and home responsibilities.
It’s not uncommon for a woman to lose interest in intimacy after giving birth to a child, which can strain her relationship with her partner. The exhaustion of adjusting to new duties might make it easy to lose patience with each other. Even if you remain at home all day with your child, your partner may view you as “doing nothing” because of it. The fact that he can go out and about without caring for the baby may make you angry and envious.
Talk about your dreams for your child’s future with each other. As a result, you will be able to better understand and support each other.
7. It’s Difficult To Raise A Child Alone
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Single parents need to think about who they can rely on for emotional and practical support in the months after their kid’s birth. Financial support and communication with the child’s father may also be necessary. Your personal future will also need to be considered.
8. Insomnia And Melancholia
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One in every five women will have mental health concerns following pregnancy and childbirth. There is a high prevalence of mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. In the event of a mental break, you’ll know what to anticipate if you’ve read up on the symptoms and are prepared. Faster healing and full enjoyment of motherhood are attainable when you begin counseling as soon as possible.
So now that you know what every new parent goes through after having the little one in their hands, planning ahead will no longer be suspenseful. It is never easy being a parent, and no matter how much you plan, something will always add a surprise element. The trick is to expect anything and everything. So do you have any expert advice on raising a newborn? Let us know in the comments below.
