After you have your baby, you have several major categories of huge change going on.
First, and most important, you have been through the wringer. Whether you had a c-section, a precipitous birth, prolonged labor, a few or numerous interventions, an episiotomy, a tear or, lucky you, something in between with very little needs-to-be-repaired damage, you have done something amazing, difficult and physically wrenching. Rest and recovery for you physically, psychologically, emotionally, spiritually and every other way, are incredibly important. You know you best. You know what you need to recover. Your body and spirit will tell you if you are getting what you need. To the best of your ability, I encourage you to speak up early and often in getting your needs met.
Second, and while no more important, at times more urgent, you (hopefully) have one or more new babies that you are caring for (hopefully with assistance from others). This is a huge demand on your time and energy. In an ideal situation, caring for your new baby will bring you great joy and the additional energy that comes with it. But the ideal is not always the case.
Third, and also important, are your relationships with others. Those relationships, whether with a spouse or friends, parents, siblings or other extended family, were important to you before the birth, and you got something from them (I hope, otherwise now would be a great time to cut them loose). But those relationships also take time and resources to maintain. While many of these people may be doing their best to assist, their actions may or may not be helpful to you, your new baby and anyone else involved.
Supporting a Woman through Postpartum Mood Changes
Prolactin: the milk producing hormone
Copyright 2005 by Rebecca Allen
Created July 20, 2005 Updated March 8, 2006