The first week post-partum overwhelmed me.
Changing gears from an easy-going existence just eating, sleeping and playing with Vera during pregnancy, to a manic 24-hour feeding frenzy is no joke.
At the same time, the body is weak from the hard work of labour, the birth passage wound is sore like crazy and sitting is painful.
Top it up with the discomfort of profuse sweating, no fan allowed (for fear of rheumatism).
Not forgetting a marked drop in hormonal levels that sets you up for teariness ie the baby blues.
Pack it all together and give it to a mother.
You think I'm strong? You're wrong. There's only so much I can take at one go.
7 comments:
Dear May & Ian,
I have been following your blog since little Vera was a couple of months old.
I have never commented here before but I just want to say I admire you both tremendously for the love and care you have shown with little Vera. Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful son Daen.
After reading your blog this morning and your open honesty about the struggles your are experiencing right now, a writing immediately came to mind which I would love to share with you right now. It is titled "THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON ON EARTH"
THE most important person on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral-a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby's body. "The angels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God's creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven. Only a human mother can. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creatures. God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation..."What on God's good earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother?" -Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty
God bless you May and Ian and your beautiful babies Vera and Daen.
Jan
I know, May. You write so well, that it's possible for us to imagine a tiny bit of where you are right now, and God knows that it is not that any of us is strong enough. But your children are strong. And your marriage is strong. And it looks from the comments you receive, that your extended family and community is strong. I am praying for you to receive the support you need to carry your family while you heal and learn new routines to do all your family needs. I wish I could be there to make you a meal or something.
Oh, I have to add this - that whole hypnobirthing thing you did? You can't pretend you're not stronger than the rest of us, now! :) You are my hero!
May, ((((hugs)))) it will pass. Sitting here, reading your message and remembering that time, I would give my right arm to go back.
A precious new baby to love....what a joy.
I hope that you get a good rest and I know things will get better.
Love, Barb
Jan,
I read your comment this morning and thank you for the reminder. I never thought about it that way. Yes I must remember to give myself some credit for 9 months of "baking"!!! haha
Connie,
thanks for the encouragement I think of Mal often and know how bad you want her back to her usual self. hoping for her to get better.
May, having never gone through birth I can't begin to say I know what you are going thru. I will surely pray you through this time until you are strong and things mellow out! I guess emotional balance will be my prayer!
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