38 Te Modern Family New families & family healthcare


Beating the baby blues T


he day a new mum brings her baby home (or babies, depending on her circumstances) things


continue to change, including the mother’s body — and I’m not just referring to the healing process that comes after carrying a child to birth or a C-section. Te first 12 weeks can be the most tumultuous and are often referred to as the fourth trimester. Clinical psychologist Dr Emma


Svanberg says, “We often portray parenthood as just another stage in


life, but actually it can bring with it a monumental transformation — in identity, in relationships, in our bodies and minds, our daily life and routines. “American perinatal psychiatrist


Alexandra Sacks has publicised the concept of ‘matrescence’, highlighting that the transition to motherhood particularly can feel a bit like adolescence. In the same way, we allow teenagers room to explore — and expect an emotional fallout from this — we should also allow


Promotional Content • Saturday 21st September 2019


Bringing home a newborn can be a shock to the system in a multitude of ways, but with a little forward planning it needn’t be as daunting as you might imagine. Words: Mattie Lacey-Davidson


and expect parents to go through a process of change. When this isn’t spoken about, we can feel that this is something to hide instead of something to embrace.”


Changes Iona Smith is the founder of New Life Classes, which deliver a range of midwife-led sessions that prepare new mums for life with their baby. “Within three hours of birth, oestrogen levels drop to 10% of their antenatal value and are at similar levels as experienced by postmenopausal women by day seven”, she explains. “Progesterone levels also drop significantly post birth and are completely gone within 72 hours. Tis huge hormonal change can leave women feeling tearful, anxious, irritable and confused. Tese feelings usually start around day four and continue to day 10.” Tis emotional condition is known


as ‘the baby blues’ — a temporary state not to be confused with postnatal depression, something more than one in 10 parents go through. Postnatal depression can be


Newborn baby PHOTOGRAPH: GETTY


triggered by a previous mental health history, a traumatic birth experience or not meeting breastfeeding goals — and that’s all before you take sleep


deprivation into account. According to the NHS, a single sleepless night can make you irritable and moody, so it’s not surprising that chronic sleep debt can be detrimental to mental health. If you or your partner exhibit symptoms — persistent feeling of sadness and low mood, difficulty bonding with your baby or withdrawing from contact with others — speak to your GP or health visitor.


MUM’S THE WORD


Victoria Jennings is a mum of three children and founder of Bloom Baby Classes, which has branches across the UK and USA. They aim to help mums to bond with their new baby in a safe and welcoming atmosphere.


“I had a very traumatic birth with my first child — a 48-hour induced labour followed by an assisted delivery. I left the hospital an exhausted new mum who had no idea what she was doing. I struggled my way through those first few months as a new parent. My relationships suffered, as too did my mental health. I rarely left the house through fear of something not going to plan and me being unable to cope and I struggled initially to bond with my daughter.”


Relationships Smith also warns that couples argue on average 40% more after having a baby, although she doesn’t see this is as too much of a problem. “It must be remembered that new parents are learning how to look after a baby and are under the immense pressure of sleep-deprivation, which impacts their patience, decision- making capabilities and ability to communicate effectively.” As a couple or lone parent, try


and sit down each week and discuss how you’re feeling. You can take this time to talk about extra help you might need or ways you’d like to do things differently. Tis will ultimately help you to feel a little more in control, and if part of a couple, to feel more unified. It could also help you to recognise the signs of postnatal depression.


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