I wrote this blog when I was 3 months post partum with Indie
We did it, we made it through the fourth trimester and we are all still alive.
In so many ways I found this transition to motherhood so much harder than the last, but also in many ways a lot easier. Whilst I was a more confident and relaxed new Mum, I really suffered with feeling well after having Indie, and that really took its toll on my mindset.
The first few hours after she was born I felt great, so energetic, in less pain than I was with P and just generally really good. I soon realised that was the pethidine still lingering in my body…
I spent the weeks after that feeling like an actual zombie. My blood pressure was through the roof, I was back and forth to the hospital, midwives in and out of the house and I just felt crap. I was so anxious about my own health and paranoid of having an eclamptic seizure that I don’t think I enjoyed the first few weeks at all. It probably wasn’t that obvious to anyone around me, as I am definitely good at slapping on that “Oh me, I am fine” face, but inside I was drowning.
Sleep deprivation, a toddler, breastfeeding, vitamin deficiencies, high doses of medication, oh and did I mention the fucking lockdown. It wasn’t easy, but we made it through.
This time round it was hard and I had to keep reminding myself to be kind to my mind and my body. I went through something major and I felt very lonely. Ironically the loneliness I felt actually meant I found solidarity with other mums and I knew that I wasn’t alone with my feelings. Here I am, four months in and loving being a Mummy to two wonderfully, cheeky girls and well up for adding more to the brood.
These feelings and hardships are all so temporary. They do pass and things will always get better.
So what advice would I give mums in the fourth trimester…
- Be kind to yourself. You went through something huge!
- If you don’t feel right then tell someone.
- Talk, talk and talk some more.
- Try and get some “me” time when you can. Even a bath can recharge your batteries.
- Nourish your body. Lot’s of water and good food (chocolate is essential!)