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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think that postpartum rage isn't a condition?

7 replies

ExhaustedMuch · 11/06/2023 12:29

Genuinely, I am looking for real experiences here. I experienced extreme rage at my partner the whole first year after the birth. I have been told by my partner and his family that I am being vicious, that I have a rage problem, and that I am being nasty and short-tempered with everyone around me. Honestly, those things may be true.

But my feeling is this: I am angry because my partner does not DO enough. I am so disappointed that he does not do enough - I really thought my generation would be more equal, that it would be different for me than for my mum. I am furious because I have to nag constantly to get him to do some of the basics (he does cook every night, and he does load and unload the dishwasher, so I am not saying he does nothing) - hoovering, cleaning, folding clothes, changing clothes, tidying away, even just basic things like watering the plants etc. And the mental load - he just drifts through, not having to worry or think about anything, meanwhile I do all planning and organising, and it is EXHAUSTING. He does not work as he has a chronic condition, but he is also lazy, and I am so furious that I have to constantly be on his back all the time to get the basics done.

So my question is this: am I being unreasonable to think that most women with postpartum rage are angry because they are sleep deprived and unsupported, or have other women experienced postpartum rage when they have partners who completely share the load by doing a full 50% (or some other equal sharing of the load).?

YABU - yes, postpartum rage happens to everyone, even people with support. It is a real condition.

YANBU - no, they are gaslighting you. Postpartum rage usually happens when women are exhausted and unsupported and is caused by that, not by hormones (or at least, not JUST by hormones).

OP posts:
WinterDeWinter · 11/06/2023 12:40

I couldnt agree with you more. I think women feel - more than let down - abused by the men who profess to love them. I would never have done that to my partner.

and on top of that, they feel foolish.

Bloopsie · 11/06/2023 12:43

If he dosent work he should be doing more than just loading and unloading dishwasher.. my husband works full time and while i atm recovering from section and looking after newborn he has taken over looking after our older children, doing dishes in the evening, washing the floors,cutting the grass,cleaning up toys,doing the ironing/washing/loading tumble drier, doing grocery shopping etc.

I dont think its postpartum rage its frustration that you are being overwhelmed by tasks with nearly no help from your part er while your priority should be the newborn.

Pyri · 11/06/2023 12:44

I absolutely had post partum rage, my hormones were completely all over the shop and I felt up and down and all over the place. It was hugely tied to breastfeeding and the release of hormones when I was cutting down feeds too.

my husband does more than his fair share and is a great partner, does a solid split of domestic chores, getting up at night with the baby etc etc so for me there was definitely a hormonal aspect at play

TheSnowyOwl · 11/06/2023 12:46

I think it’s hormone related, especially at times linked at times to breastfeeding.

MammaTo · 11/06/2023 12:48

My partner does more then his fair share with our newborn and i still feel like I had postpartum rage.

Mine felt like it stemmed more from the change to my lifestyle, I’d lost all freedom and independence as this tiny baby relied completely on me and my partner.

Apricotflanday · 11/06/2023 12:48

I think it's both.

funinthesun19 · 11/06/2023 12:51

Yanbu. It completely ignores his behaviour.

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