” ‘The blues’ is a term often used to describe a range of emotions that up to 80% of women will experience during the first week after giving birth. This will most commonly be around the 3rd to 5th days, being mainly attributed to this sudden hormonal shift, compounded by all the adjustments that come with caring for a new baby.” ~ The Blues-About, birth.com.au
I experienced the hormonal highs and lows of the baby blues after the birth of both girls, with day 5 after birth an emotional roller-coaster of hypersensitivity, over-tiredness and complete unreasonableness.
I remember that with Immy this coincided with her requiring testing for jaundice, and my teary first-time-mumma response of complete terror, thinking there was something terribly wrong with my baby. Immy was fine and interestingly AJ also suffers a touch of jaundice but it was bought to our attention much earlier (ie. before the baby blues hit!) and I was able to process the information and my concern without the same level of emotional intensity (though I am sure that having been there before and being a more experienced Mum also made the prospect a little less scary).
This time, the baby blues coincided with our being due to come home from hospital. Fun? Not! So here are my seven reasons not to leave the hospital with the baby blues…
1. You might find yourself crying because you’re exhausted. After all, nursing a newborn who believes day and night are completely interchangeable is somewhat tiring.
2. You might find yourself crying because you wonder how you’ll do it all and be enough. Because… you’ve never been a Mum of two before…your big girl needs time with you and you are just so tired…your husband is so happy you are home…{insert list of other unreasonable expectations placed by yourself upon yourself here}.
3. You might find yourself crying because you’ve done more in one morning than you have in the proceeding five days…well, apart from giving birth that is. Not surprising given that you return home to a house where a new floor was laid throughout your living areas the day before your baby was born.
4. You might find yourself crying because you’re hurting. And there is no one to automatically bring you drugs every few hours.
5. You might find yourself crying because you’re happy. Listening to Immy serenade AJ with a self-composed melody had me in fits of tearful laughter. Cue more hurting – see point #4.
6. You might find yourself crying for absolutely no reason at all. It’s just the hormones talking!
7. You might find yourself crying because you’re truly grateful for all that you have. Even if your constant stream of tears belies your gratitude.
Fortunately the day will end and the sun will rise again on a much brighter heart and lighter spirit.
After all, you are home and surrounded by love.
Did you suffer the baby blues?
Christie Burnett is an early childhood teacher, presenter, writer and the editor of Childhood 101. More importantly, she is a Mum who believes wholeheartedly in the value of children learning through play, the importance of quality early education, and the togetherness of family.
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