What's the first week like?

[Stefka]

Just wondering what to expect when I get home from the hospital.

Have not read the other posts so sorry if repeating. I would say the best thing is not to expect too much.

We are all different but my advice would be to put on a comfy track suit or stay in PJ's all day, rest as much as possible and sleep whenever you can, tell any unwanted callers (politely) to go away (or better still get someone else to tell them), eat lots of good food, have nice soothing baths and just take each day at a time and enjoy getting to know your new baby.

I did none of the above spent far too much time worrying and letting random people in to look at the new baby even though I hardly knew them and I never slept in the day time. For some reason I felt a need to make out like I was really coping and on top of everything by getting up and getting dressed in the morning and going out and about far too early. There is plenty of time for all that so I would def say take it easy.

Good luck.

I was the same as Notnowbernard - on a high and so chuffed with myself!

for some mad reason though I was cleaning and ironing mad... don't do this - it's exhausting!!

Let visitors make YOU cups of tea and run around for you and don't feel self concious that you've always got one or the other boob out!!

I cant remember the first week with DS (he's 17 now!). I have most of the posts on this thread with interest as i have now reached the "ten weeks to go" mark!

The first week (and this is very fresh as LO is only 11 days old) will depend completely on your birth; the support network you have around you and how much help you accept. Post section; I have had my mum to stay and have not done anything aside look after myself and bub. As a result, am currently feeling really well rested, well looked after and very relaxed. DH is now taking his paternity leave to continue with the help. It could have been very different if I didnt have her. My advice:

• Have as much (non invasive, supportive) help around
• Get showered and dressed every morning, it has kept me feeling human and only takes 5 mins.
• Cry when you need to cry (I did this twice and nothing was wrong, just needed to let it out)
• Talk to people - I have been open about voicing my (sometimes irrational) fears to DH and mum and their words of reassurance make everything ok again.

Most importantly - it is a magical time, enjoy it.

you will switch rapidly between feelings of utter blinding love (like nothing you have ever felt before) to panic to boredom (does this bub do nothing but sleep) to dog tiredness.

People will swamp you with telephone calls and visits, you will feel like a zombie, you will cry at nothing (I remember sobbing my heart out after DS (5) was born because a pan of rice boiled over on the cooker), you will look at your LO and feel your heart is about to burst, you will look at your DH holding your LO and think your heart is about to burst.

Basically it will be both the worst and the best week of your life, but as someone already said though, it is not representative, and life will slowly begin to feel normal.

The heart burting feelings stay with you forever though....thankfully

DD2 was born at 4am, 10am I was putting on a washing and making lunch for DD1 (not that DP wasn't around and helping out)

Next day we took her up to the hospital for a check up (she was a homebirth) on the way back stopped at supermarket for a shop.

Day after that my Mum came up to visit and as it was DD1 lunchtime I asked if she or step Dad wanted anything they said yes they were starving I went and made some ham rolls for them, when I brought them through my Mum sadi she thought I was making bacon rolls. I was less than 48 hours post partum. That is not the sort of person you want in your house 48 hours post partum someone who oos and ahs at the baby and expects lunch and tea to be made for them. When my Mum had me you were in hospital for 10 days and apparently your feet weren't meant to touch the floor for the first 7 (bedpans and everything) oh how times have changed.

I'm the sort of person who needs to get up and get back to business as usual asap luckily I was able to do this (pre birth I was very depressed as had SPD and an 18 month old to look after) no one offered to help out so I was on my own.

Sorry I went into a bot of a rant there as you can tell a touchy subject for me, hopefully you will have someone nice come and look after you once the baby is here good luck