When parenting isn’t so nice
MANY new moms experience the flip side to the joy of giving birth — the post-partum baby blues where they have constant mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping.
These blues usually occur within the first two to three days after delivery and may last up to two weeks.
There are other new moms who experience a more severe, long-lasting form of depression known as post-partum depression, which can be a debilitating condition that can go on for months, even years. These conditions affect mothers of all ages and social backgrounds, and often require therapy.
What was your experience? All Woman got a few mothers to share.
Nicole, mother of two:
After my first child was born I was nervous and I became a clean freak because the baby was premature. I was sort of OCD when it came to cleanliness and people touching him. I wasn’t sad at first, but when he was rushed back to the hospital and died I couldn’t stand the sight of other babies, baby clothing, or even to see a baby commercial. I cried a lot and I was just angry with everything child-related.
Charlotte, mother of four:
I thought, “What have I brought myself into? I kept shaking my head, hissing my teeth, and wondering why I threw away my life to take on a motherly role. It was horrible at first. From the crying to me being tired, husband working late, I thought I’d die before the child became one.
Marcia, mother of one:
I worried a lot and kept second-guessing myself. I asked myself things like, “Am I holding him correctly? Is his belly full?” I was so worried my blood pressure was even elevated, and I lost so much sleep because I couldn’t take my eyes off him.
Yolande, mother of one:
I was very sad. I thought it was the end of my life. In my opinion, I would now become one of those women in setters feeding a baby. It was hell to convince me that it wasn’t the end of the world and I would be a happy mom. I had to get counselling because I cried a lot and would sit alone and hope everything would disappear.
Leila, mother of two:
Anxiety and frequent panic attacks are an understatement. I was all over the place. If someone touched her I became defensive. If people tried to help I would become angry and constantly panic over everything. Once she was griping and cried all night and I remember crying too and telling my husband that she’s dying and I couldn’t help her.
— Kimberley Hibbert
