Psyche during maternity

All stages of life evoke specific questions and different feelings. The same goes for giving birth and becoming a mother. It is therefore logical if you must get used to the new situation. Feelings of joy, but also of uncertainty, fear or sadness can arise.

PARTY TEARS & BABY BLUES

Because of all the hormonal changes in your body, the emotional reactions tend to be more intense than you are used to. A difficult delivery, sleepless nights and adjusting to your new phase of life ensure that almost all women have a day (or two) during their maternity week when the tears flow freely: the baby blues. Just cry it out, the baby blues only last a moment. The most important thing is that you keep talking about your feelings. This can be with your partner, friends, family or perhaps with a stranger.

POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

Sometimes the baby blues linger longer, and your emotions turn into depressive feelings. One in ten women cannot manage these feelings and end up with postpartum depression. When these negative feelings start to affect your daily life, it is time to seek help. You can contact MamaKits for this or ask your GP for a referral to a psychologist. They can provide additional support and guidance.

PSYCHOSIS

A serious clinical picture that can arise a few days after childbirth is postpartum psychosis. This occurs in one in 500 women. It can occur acutely and then there is an anxious, confused, restless maternity woman who may have delusions and hallucinations. Psychosis is a psychiatric disorder in which contact with reality is disrupted. If this is the case, professional help should be sought immediately to avoid consequences for mother and child.

RESTING

Rest is very important in childbirth. Maternity visits can sometimes be too much. Try to get at least two hours of sleep during the day, so you can handle the broken nights better. The hours between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. are often used as rest time.

Give your body time to recover from childbirth. Sometimes you suffer from muscle pain as a result of the hard pushing during childbirth. Your pelvis also needs rest. During labor, the baby's head puts a lot of pressure on your pelvic joints and stretches slightly. Your pelvis can therefore be temporarily more unstable during childbirth. Avoid having to climb too many stairs and leave the household to someone else.

It's a party during the maternity bed, but do think about your rest!