1 week old and I'm an emotional wreck...is this normal?

[xenabelly]

I had a baby boy last week by elective c'section. I was/am thrilled to bits with him and have been totally on top of the world for the last week! We came home 2 days ago and all the family came round for champagne etc etc - it's been fabulous and I am head over heels with my little man.

However, yesterday and today I just can't stop crying and I'm so sore where I had my operation and having period type cramps which are really painful. I've got a 3yr old who is being lovely with baby but playing up a bit with me and DH and I feel really guilty that I've not got enough attention for both of them. Hubby is at home and is being lovely and telling me that it's all just hormones and that 3yr old and baby are fine and I'm doing good.

I was also feeling really good that I've lost 1 stone 10lbs since birth (woo hoo) but then today I looked in mirror and decided that I look horrible and fat and ugly and burst into tears again.

Is this all a normal come down after birth - i'm a bit worried about myself cos I suffer from depression and am scared it's coming back. Having said that I don't feel depressed, just a bit loopy!

HELP!!

oh xenabelly {{{{hugs}}}}
it's hormones. it's normal.
you'll have your good days and bad days for a while. and it's ok to have bad days. don't beat yourself up about it.
BTW congrats on you little boy!!!!!

xena, its really hard going from one to two kids isn't it? I found it far emotional having my second, and I know EXACTLY what you mean about not having enough to give them both - I'm sure I said those exact words.

My dcs are 2.7 years and 10 months now. I know for a fact that my baby didn't get nearly as much one on one time as my dd, and I have also felt really huilty about that. Its just in the last mnth that I am really seeing how much he has gained from having a big sister though, and how much he loves the attention he gets from her, as well as me and dh. My little girl is benefiting from having a little brother, they are really starting to play together now and miss each other when they ar eparted. It IS a win-win situation, having 2...but its so ahrd at the beginning, and so hard to see the benefits.

I'm sure it will be tough on your 3 year old for a while, but soon he wont even remember being the only one! And you baby will be just fine too.

You DO have enough attention for them both...maybe not right now as baby is just so new, and maybe not as much attention as you'd like to give them, but enough to make them feel loved and secure.

Hang in there. It gets much easier.

x
Astro

I had a section so was in hospital for 5 days. First few days I was breezing about saying to the MW that I felt fabulous.

She raised an knowing eyebrow.

Next day I sobbed and sobbed and wobbled about for hours. Dh turned up to visit and I looked like a bull frog, all puffy eyed and red faced.

It is very normal, you have given birth and are experiencing the highs and lows of hormones.

Take it easy, and don't worry.

xx

Snap! I went through this about 8 weeks ago. Congratulations and don't worry ,it's perfectly normal. My 6 year old dd even started saying" Daddy, Mummy is crying again!"

perfectly normal. don't try to do too much and ask for help if you need it. including seeing dr if you feel any worse (pnd can develop from more normal "baby blues")

Loopy is SO normal!! I sobbed like a loon. Was glued to the sofa and couldn't leave the living room without a really, really pressing reason ( bladder about to burst, truely desperate for a drink). If I did leave the room, and go and do non-baby stuff, like washing up () it usually menat that within an hour I would be a blubbering wreck again!

it is absolutely normal.. as your hormones come crashing down, you suddenly realise you have 2 children now, and how on earth can you manage!

the first 6 weeks are really hard going....as you get to know your baby and your family dynamic changes ...

don;t be so hard on yourself !!

if you still feel like this in a few weeks, best to get checked out, especially if you are prone to depression, but make sure you ask for and get lots of support......and make sure you rest

not only have you had a baby, you have had major surgery..so just take all offers of help and enjoy your baby x

very normal i think for any kind of birth.
just take care of yourself take it easy sleep whenever the baby sleeps eat well forget all else

Oh, you poor thing.

Normal. Horrid. Hugs.

Completely normal! I cried solidly for about 3 weeks from when dd was about 2 days old! Usually for no reason at all - dh was very supportive, but couldn't quite understand why I burst into tears when I saw he'd cleaned the kitchen!

Relax as much as possible, sleep when and wherever you can, accept any offers of help, and don't worry about the housework!

Can dh or another family member take your little one for a walk between feeds so you can have a couple of hours peace at home to get some sleep?

It won't last and you will feel better soon, good luck