Having a baby is a major life experience, but many people focus so much on the baby that they forget about the person who gave birth. New mothers need care, rest, support and attention too.
After giving birth, the body needs time to recover. A mother may experience bleeding, pain, tiredness, breast changes and other physical changes. Recovery is different for every woman, and the type of birth can also affect the recovery process.
New mothers may also feel emotionally different after giving birth. There can be happiness and excitement, but there can also be fear, frustration, sadness and exhaustion. Hormonal changes, lack of sleep and the pressure of caring for a newborn can make the early weeks difficult.
Some emotional changes are temporary, but serious or lasting symptoms should not be ignored. A mother who feels persistently hopeless, extremely anxious, disconnected from the baby, unable to function or has thoughts of harming herself or the baby should seek professional help urgently.
New mothers also need permission to rest. There is sometimes pressure to immediately return to cooking, cleaning, working and taking care of everyone else. But recovering from childbirth is work too.
This is where family members and partners can make a big difference. Instead of simply asking, “What do you need?” and waiting for instructions, they can take initiative. They can prepare meals, clean the house, care for the baby, accompany the mother to appointments and make sure she gets time to sleep.
Mothers should also attend recommended postpartum medical checkups and speak to a healthcare professional about anything that does not feel right. Severe pain, heavy bleeding, difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe headache, vision changes, fever or other worrying symptoms should receive prompt medical attention.
Breastfeeding can also come with challenges. Some mothers breastfeed easily, while others struggle with pain, low milk supply or other difficulties. Asking for help from a qualified healthcare professional or breastfeeding specialist can be useful.
There is also no need for a new mother to compare herself with other women. Some mothers recover quickly, while others need more time. Some enjoy motherhood immediately, while others need time to adjust.
Having a baby changes your life, but it does not mean you stop being a person with your own needs, feelings and dreams.
A healthy mother is important to a healthy family. Taking care of new mothers should not be seen as a favor, it is part of caring for the whole family.
Brenna AKARABO
RADIOTV10