September 99
Post-Partum Changes |
| Having
a baby is a life-altering experience, and we all respond differently. Seek help from
your physician is you become depressed. |
 Having a baby is a
life-altering experience. And months of planning and a lifetime of dreaming about Baby
hardly prepare you for the reality-check of its actual arrival. Up to now, your life may
have involved late-night movies and sleeping late on weekends, intimate dining,
spontaneous love-making. While there's no need for these romantic "couples
moments" to end, some compromise will inevitably be needed when Baby makes three.
Domestically, you can kiss goodbye to an orderly domain. And on the career front, the
guilt felt by many "working mothers" may not escape you.
Pregnancy and childbirth specialists offer the following advice for
a smoother transition to your new role as a mother:
- Prepare for motherhood during your pregnancy. Read, talk with other
new mothers, take parenting courses, and try to get "hands-on" experience with
your friends' babies.
- Before the birth, visualize along with your husband how your
lifestyle will change when the baby comes along. Try to work out any pre-existing
conflicts in your relationship, since they may be exacerbated by the stresses of
parenting.
- After the baby is born, surround yourself as much as possible by
supportive and upbeat people. The worst thing for a new mother's morale is to become
isolated.
- Carve out at least a few minutes every day that are all your own.
- Accept help with the baby. Assert your own "mother's
intuition" but realize that grandparents and other mothers have a wealth of
experience to offer.
- Lower your expectations: for getting back in shape immediately, for
keeping an orderly house, for stepping back on the career track with ease. Avoid the
superwoman trap!
- Take advantage of cleaning services, take-out dining, and frozen
foods (gourmet if possible---the best you can afford!). Use paper products...anything to
make for less cleanup.
- View the beginning of motherhood as a time for personal growth. Keep
a journal of your feelings.
It's common for mothers to experience some degree of
depression during the first weeks of the baby's birth. This is largely due to hormonal
changes, and is compounded by the 24-hour responsibilities accompanied by lack of sleep.
Rest, a good diet, and a strong emotional support system will help prevent the blues, but
occasionally such negative feelings can escalate into post-partum depression.
This serious condition is marked by a lack of bonding with
the baby, aggressive feelings, loss of pride in your appearance and home, withdrawal from
others, and suicidal thoughts. If you suffer from post-partum depression, please seek
immediate attention from your physician! Even the most severe depression can be
cured, but the first step is to reveal your feelings and get help.
|
Contact Us:
Health Alliance
1-888-640-CARE
.
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Just for men |
This
site is primarily designed for men whose partners are suffering with Postnatal Depression
(PND).
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