How to Enjoy The Ups and Downs in Motherhood
Though we always focus on the joy of motherhood at Organic Baby Food Shop, in this article we want to share with you the transitions and challenges of becoming a mom!
Becoming a Mom (and Dad) is without a doubt one of the biggest highlights in your life. The love you feel for your child can't be compared to anything you have ever felt before. Holding your child for the first time can feel like floating on a cloud for many parents, but other feelings and struggles will surface, once the ecstasy of being a new parent slowly fades.
The reality of Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression
The moment you have waited for so long is finally here: you have given birth and you are now a mom, everybody seems to describe this moment as the happiest in their lives, but you are feeling the opposite! 40 to 80% of mothers go through what is called “Baby Blues”, a state of frustration, extreme fatigue, mood changes and a lot of tears caused by hormonal changes after giving birth. These symptoms usually begin only a few days after giving birth and sometimes go away on their own within a week or two. While the “Baby Blues” is something very common, if symptoms do not get better in two weeks, you might be dealing with Postpartum Depression. Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression share a lot of symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Extreme sadness
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Guilt
- Lack of concentration and/or feelings of dependency.
All of the above symptoms can be signs for both Baby Blues or Postpartum Depression (PPD), the main difference is that Baby Blues usually gets better by itself, while PPD is a serious condition that sometimes needs treatment. If you are feeling extreme emotions of sadness, get help and the sooner you get it, the sooner you will be back to enjoying life with your baby. It is very important not to feel guilty for feeling the way you do, the pressure of living up to the expectations of pure joy when bringing a baby home often causes women not to talk about the reality they are facing. Even if women often don't talk about it, Baby Blues as PPD is a state the majority of new moms go through. This is not your fault, and it will get better, it's important to talk about your feelings and seek help!
You don't look like yourself anymore
The baby is out, but you still look like you are 7 months pregnant. It is normal not having your pre-pregnancy body back up to 6 weeks or much longer after giving birth. Don't get frustrated with your body, remember the amazing thing it just did: it created life! Stay positive and remember that your body doesn't have to be like this forever. Once you have adapted to living with a newborn, try to get involved in activities that help you get back in shape, such as taking long walks with your baby or even easing into Yoga, which is not only great for your body but also for your mind. If you are lucky enough to be breastfeeding, this will also naturally help you get rid of the extra pounds. Remember to love your body in any shape and form.
Aches and Pains
Apart from the extra weight, other not so fun body changes can include swelling, hemorrhoids and vaginal stitches. Unfortunately, this is also normal. The good news is, these uncomfortable pains and aches will go away by themselves, so give your body time to heal. Ice packs can help ease the pain so can Witch Hazel Pads. It is essential to feed your body the proper nutrition to the speed of recovery. Don't be shy to ask your partner or family members for help if you are not feeling well.
You are Hormonal
When you drop your placenta, progesterone levels decrease dramatically, causing a very low hormonal state. Some women swear by eating their placenta. Yes, we know this sounds weird! A lot of animals actually do this naturally. Chinese medicine also swears by it for over centuries. The official name of eating your placenta is called “placentophagy” and though it seems to be a new thing in western society, it has been around for ages, mothers all over the world eat their placenta to help avoid hormonal drops as also to help prevent Baby Blues and Postpartum energy levels.
Mothers that have consumed their placenta say that it can ward off anemia, help with the milk supply and balance hormones, which actually makes sense as the placenta is the power pack which provides your growing baby with all the vitamins, minerals, oxygen and nutrients to grow into a healthy little person. Still sounds too weird? There are also some more traditional ways to balance your hormones such as:
- Exercise
- Avoiding white foods such as: Bread, Pasta, Rice and Milk.
- Avoid (as much as possible) caffeine
- Add supplements to your diet such as primrose oil, omega-3, MACA, Coconut oil (Link to article) vitamin D and chaste berry. If you are breastfeeding make sure you get approval from your doctor before adding any supplements.
This is something all parents will feel along with their voyage but at the end of the day, it is also one of the most magical journeys you will embark, with all its ups and downs.
Ylva, our mom in charge, adds:
“I'm not trying to paint my experience as perfect, only rainbows and unicorns type of experience - it's not. All stages of childhood bring their own struggles of course but there is something so magical about a new baby. A wise, tiny being with its intoxicating smell and pure innocence. A blank canvas. So many hopes and dreams and possibilities. So much love.”
Sometimes just knowing that you are not alone with your feelings already helps. We would love to hear your story!
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