Emotional Changes After Giving Birth
Giving birth is tiring, it is a strain on you both physically and emotionally. Added to this you have huge hormonal changes going on within your body and you have just been handed a brand new baby to care for! As greatly anticipated and exciting as this is that the moment you meet your new baby has finally arrived, in the hours and first few days after the birth expect to feel a mixture of elation and exhaustion and few other emotions besides.
You need time to adjust to your body’s changes and the needs of your baby at a time you are also tired and perhaps overwhelmed. It is normal for your moods and emotions to swing from happy to sad and for smiles to turn to tears and back again at a moment’s notice.
Normal signs of these post post-delivery emotions and feeling include the following, and you may experience all or some of these in the days immediately after delivery.
- Going from feeling happy to sad quickly (mood swings)
- Crying suddenly and for no reason
- Feeling restless or anxious
- Little patience or tolerance
- Lack of appetite
- Difficulty in thinking
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Easily irritated or annoyed
- Fatigue and low energy
- Sleep problems, wanting to sleep too much or being unable to sleep
These feelings should disappear within a few days or lessen over the next few weeks as your body adjusts and you settle into the routine of looking after your new baby.
Meanwhile be kind to yourself and be reassured that what you are experiencing is a normal part of adjusting to motherhood. Ask for help if you need it and accept help when it is offered. Rest when you can ideally when your baby sleeps – those other jobs can wait. If you can get out in the fresh air with your baby or if someone can watch your baby to allow you a short break to take a walk then take it. Communicate your feelings; talk to your partner, your family and your health care professional about how you are feeling.
In some cases these normal post-natal feelings become too difficult or prolonged. If this is the case for you and that you feel too overwhelmed and that things are not getting better contact your doctor who will be able to help. If you ever feel you may harm your baby in some way then contact your doctor immediately.
