To wonder if maternity leave will always feel like a struggle?

[theruffles]

My LO came 3 weeks early a fortnight ago and so my maternity leave started earlier than I had been expecting. The first week was a bit of a whirlwind of discovering how to look after a newborn, people visiting and the emotions that come after you've given birth. I had a C-section as LO was breech and that's meant I'm having to take things much slower than I'm used to, which I'm finding quite frustrating.

I know I'm only 2 weeks into my maternity leave but I'm finding it quite a struggle so far and wondering if it'll get easier. The days feel as if they have been blurring into one sat in front of the TV watching nonsense. We have been out a few days, which has helped but I don't know what to do to try and feel a bit more like myself again. I think work was such a big part of my life and now I don't have my job to fill my days and provide some structure and satisfaction I'm struggling to know what to do.

My DH is very supportive and we have a lot of help at hand from family and friends if we asked for it. I don't want to come across as ungrateful - we tried for our LO for two years and went through fertility treatment to get pregnant. I love her to pieces.

Attend baby groups- Baby massage/yoga/Sweaty Mama/BFmeetings/Sling Library. Buy a sling and walk. Set up a walking group for local parents or join one. Build up parent friendships as these are so valuable and keep you sane. Coffee dates, coffee is everything on mat leave. And congratulations! You are entitled to sit there in an In The Night Garden tinged headspin .

I’ve got an 8 week old and am now getting to grips with everything. I don’t love being on maternity leave, I’ve struggled with my mental health since have dd. I’m going back to work in 5 weeks (this was decided way before I had dd due to the nature of my work) and I think it will do me good to break the week up.
Also remember (depending on your circumstances) you can go back to work earlier if you wanted to. Just because there is an entitlement doesn’t mean you have to have it. People are horrified when I say I’m back to work soon but they don’t understand my situation and I’m finally learning I have to do what’s right for me.