Postpartum Stigams
Let’s debunk a few stigmas you might have heard of, or even personally experienced, about postpartum...
New mums are forgetful, spaced out, irrational and emotional.
Postpartum is only the 6 weeks following childbirth.
Oxytocin production peaks during birth, and therefore if you don’t bond with your baby immediately after birth, you are likely to become depressed.
Babies simply don’t sleep well in the first 6 months, so neither will mothers.
It’s better to go back to work early.
It’s better to stay home for the 1st year after birth.
If you aren’t breastfeeding, you are doing it wrong.
Postpartum support is for new mothers who suffer from depression.
You should be able to handle, and LOVE, your postpartum and time alone with your newborn.
Maternal instincts kick in right after birth, and therefore you should know how to take care of your baby.
How do these make you feel?
The truth is most of these statements aren’t factually founded. They are myths, aren’t accurate, or simply true only for some. The point is, they are mostly harmful, and leave newborn mothers anxious about unnecessary external pressures which do them no good.
If you feel forgetful or spaced out, it’s natural. Your body and brain are getting used to one of the most dramatic changes they will ever experience. Be kind to yourself, and take the time you need to get used to your new reality.
Postpartum lasts for a while after birth, with Australian research suggesting most mothers' postpartum struggles peak when their first child is 4 years old(!).
Oxytocin is released constantly, and fluctuates throughout the day. True, there’s a peak during birth, yet that’s not your sole window of opportunity to bond with your baby. You’ll have many more opportunities ahead.
While newborn’s sleep is unorganised and changes a lot, there are many things you could do to promote good sleeping habits that will help your little one to sleep better early on, and therefore so will you.
If you want/need to go back to work early, then that’s what’s right for you. If you don’t want to, or simply cannot, then that’s what’s right for you. It all depends, and what's right for you might not be for someone else.
While postpartum support does not prevent depression and anxiety, it definitely reduces its likelihood and could alleviate many stressors. It’s not just for mothers who already struggle. It’s a nurturing support net to provide you with much deserved love, attention and care.
Motherhood, especially the first time round, can be overwhelming, to say the least. The physical, emotional and neurological changes are profound, and can be challenging for anyone. Social isolation, newborn’s crying, physical pain, emotional overload and a whole new reality of existence can be too much to bear at times. It’s not obvious you will derive pleasure from your new role and responsibilities. You might, you might also need a moment, or two, to get used to it.
If you can perceive motherhood as a journey, rather than a goal, it might make things look a bit different. There are many ways to do it. Find the one that is right for you.
Book a Postpartum Support Package or a free discovery call today.