During the delivery of our baby and in its first hours, mothers - first or not - we are always accompanied, either by medical staff, emotional support or our relatives. It is in those first hours as moms, that we know the new family member, and in which we appreciate the help that others can provide.
When we have our baby for the first time in our arms, It is common to feel a mixture of emotions and many feelings: a crush on taking him in arms, an immeasurable emotion to meet him and also, many doubts and fears.
Then, it is time to end our stay in the hospital to go home. Then, all those feelings and emotions, gain even more strength, because now if our responsibility will begin "really" as the only responsible for our son. We share some thoughts that new mothers have after leaving the hospital with their baby, and yes, they are completely normal.
They are finally discharged!
Depending on the case of each mother and baby, the hospital stay could be short, last several days or even a few weeks or months were needed. But without any doubt, most think the same when the doctor tells them that they will be discharged: we are finally going home!
And we all look forward to the moment in which we can finally be back in that place that with so much care and dedication we prepare for the arrival of our baby. We will be back in our home, ready to start a new routine and make all necessary adjustments to meet the needs of the new family member.
You may be tired, but your brain will be at a thousand per hour
After having our baby, regardless of whether it was a birth or caesarean section, our body feels tired and recovering from the fantastic transformation that it experienced during the last months and that ended in the birth of our son.
Our body may not have much courage to get to work, but our brain does. It is here when our fears and insecurities gain more strength or even others that we had not even thought about appear. In addition, our maternal instinct puts us in a state of alertness, by which we are always aware of what our children may need.
Having said that, It is completely normal that after having our baby, a series of thoughts and doubts flood our head. And when the time comes to return home, it is no exception, because in addition to returning home with a baby, we will now be on our own.
Positive thoughts
When we are discharged, it causes us joy, because that means that our baby is healthy enough to continue her care at home. Some of the positive thoughts that mothers have when they return home are:
- "We're finally leaving!" Thinking about returning to our house, our bed, our shower and in general, to that space that is ours and where we feel comfortable, is something that makes anyone who has gone through a hospital happy. The fact of returning now with a cute baby in our arms makes this trip home even more enjoyable.
- "It's amazing that this beautiful baby has left my body." When the birth has passed and we are in a time of calm and adjustment with our baby, comes that thought of wonder that reminds us of how wonderful and powerful our body is in creating life.
- "I can't wait to see him with all the clothes we bought him." During pregnancy and if you had a baby shower, you were gathering clothes, stuffed animals, blankets and much more for your baby. Finally the day came when you would stop imagining just how he would look with them, and you will see how adorable he will look.
Fears and insecurities
In addition to positive thoughts, there are other types of thoughts that usually invade us when we are new mothers: fears, insecurities and many doubts.
- Can we do things right alone at home? This is one of the most common fears when leaving the hospital, since being at home we will not have the support of doctors or nurses who can teach us how to do things or who to see immediately if we have any questions. But yes, of course they can do things well, and in case of doubt, they can always call the pediatrician or consult with another mother who has more experience.
- Will you be comfortable in your chair? In addition to being a question that many of us surely ask ourselves when placing a newborn in the car seat for the first time, it is extremely important that we verify that it is well installed and everything is in place. While your child travels in it, it will be safe, just remember that it should not be more than an hour and a half because it can be dangerous.
- Will I be a good mom? Probably the question that all of us, at some point in our life (even before our baby is born) have asked ourselves. As mothers, it is common for us to question ourselves if we are doing things well, because in reality, nobody is born knowing how to be a mother, but every day we will learn hand in hand with our children.
All these thoughts are completely normal and are part of our transformation as women, at the beginning of this new, unknown and exciting adventure called motherhood. Do they match some of the thoughts you had as a first-time mother?
Photos | iStock
In Babies and more | What happens to the mind after giving birth? The emotional state of the mother after childbirth, Ten tips to survive after returning home with the baby
