Caroline Fernandez: Activity Mummy

Jan
01
2011

Baby Blues

Coping with post-partum emotions

Upon the birth of her new baby - a Facebook friend wrote her status as: "I knew there would be a lot of crying in the house with a new baby...I just didn't realize the tears would be my own".  I, Activity Mummy, gave birth to our son 7 days ago, and the tears have been flowing ever since - however I wouldn't call them joyful.  Is this the baby blues I've read about?...

I cry in the shower.  For no reason.  A big wave of blue comes over me in an instant and I cry.  I have three happy, healthy, beautiful children.  A great husband.  A nice life.  And I'm crying in the shower.  WTH?!?

And I'm snapping at the kids. I don't usually snap at them.  I'm not a snapper.  But when that wave of blue hits I can't help myself.  (and it secretly, deep down, feels good...am I horrible?)

And during the blue waves, I feel utterly alone in the world.  Even though I'm surrounded with all these humans whom I grew from scratch.  Despite having my husband home during these 1st days with our son.  This had better be the baby blues because otherwise I am one Mommy who tossed her priorities with the plancenta.

Now, I don't feel this way all the time - most of the time I am happy (and tired...and slightly mentally fuzzy from the tiredness...the little man nurses every 2 hours).  And I realize that there are a whole lotta hormones wreaking havoc right now. 

But as Shrek says "Better out than in" thus I'm sharing my baby blues.  With you.  With my family.  Because I realize I'm not alone - it's just that silly blue wave.  New mother's get the baby blues...even new-experienced-mothers like me.  Right?...

So far, today, I'm keeping myself busy...like writing this post, starting the big kids with activities and cuddling that 7 day old boy-child...and so far no waves of blue. 

So I'm putting this out there...have any of you experienced the baby blues?  What did you do to keep the blue waves away?