Once the baby is out, it steals all your attention and everyone is so concerned about it’s well being that no one bothers to enquire about you. In some traditions, it is common for the mother and baby to move to her parents house for a while so that she is well taken care of. And it makes so much sense. A new mom with all that’s going on in her body and her mind should have mountains moved for her if she demands it.
Irrespective of whether you are a c-section mom or not, you deserve all the love and pampering in the world. Even though childbirth may be so common, it is still new to you. Even if it’s not your first child. Each pregnancy and each child is different.
1. Immediately after child birth
It is okay for you to be exhausted even if yours was not a vaginal birth or if you were under the epidural for the whole birth. Forget about judgy relatives and just sleep. Leave the baby in the hospital’s nursery and trust that the nurses will take extremely good care of your kid.
Of course, it is up to you but you should know that it is completely normal to just want to sleep.
2. Physical Discomfort
If you had an episiotomy or a c-section, make sure you get all kinds of doubts clarified before you get back home. Slight discomfort is normal but you should not be in constant pain. Learn how to do the sitz bath and do it as frequently as possible. Use hot water bags to ease your abdominal discomfort. Of course, do both after your doc gives the nod.
If anything feels wrong, go back to the hospital and request for a routine checkup. Remember, only if you are healthy can you take care of your baby.
3. Me time
Even though it may seem like your child needs you 24/7, it is okay to exclude at least 30 minutes each day for some quiet time with yourself. You can take a warm bath, read a book or hell, just sleep. But for these 30 minutes you should get to do what you want. I started planning my son’s first birthday party.
It was a great distraction. I thought about the party in such great detail that I had lived through it so many times. I knew the best toys for 1 year olds that we and our kith and kin were gonna get him. I knew everything. This was my little escape from reality. Also, I really longed for him to turn one only cos people told me that that’s when he would sleep through the night. But boy, was I wrong.
3. Timely Meals
Even though all that you really wanna do is nap all the time. Please take time out to eat. Your body just went through a massive trauma and deserves some renourishment. Eat a lot of fruits and veggies. Continue taking your vitamin supplements. Drink milk. If any of this is not fine with you, replace it with a nutritious alternative. You can also have the occasional cheese burger if you crave it. But it is best to stick to healthy home cooked meals.
4. Exercise
Once you are physically able and get the green signal from your doc, you should slowly start exercising regularly. This should be done irrespective of you wanting to get back in shape. Your body needs this exercise to get your body to its original state. Your baby did a lot of moving around in there. Some organs were moved around to make space for your munchkin, the uterus expanded. Things have to slowly but surely go back to the way they were so that you can continue being the healthy and amazing mom that you are.
5. Cry
On most days, motherhood can be overwhelming. Even if this is your third or tenth child. Talk to your spouse or someone who will listen. You may hate your baby. You may regret child birth. You may cry because someone dropped a spoon. It is OKAY. You just put yourself through a storm, and the hormones are gonna be all over the place. You have not bathed or slept in days. Your hair is perpetually entangled. It is fine. You will get through this, stronger and wiser.
You are the BEST MOM your child could ever have. Be firm with your decisions. You know what’s best for your baby. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
