When you’re looking for the perfect gift for a friend who has recently given birth, it’s common to focus on gifts for the baby. However, if you really want to get her something she’ll appreciate, why not buy something purely for mum?
Having children means a big shift in lifestyle, and while you may have thought that you were prepared, the reality can often feel overwhelming. Not only do you have to contend with sleep deprivation, a change in body shape, fluctuating hormones but a dramatic change in your social life too.
Returning to work after maternity leave can be a challenging experience for mothers. Many mothers struggle with going back to work-full time and may be affected by other pregnancy related issues such as post-natal depression.
When you decide to nurse your baby, you probably aren’t thinking about what you’ll be wearing whilst you’re doing it – but many nursing mums quickly realise that breastfeeding your baby can mean you have to give up your old wardrobe, which can make you feel like you’ve lost your identity.
Dr Carla Runchman is a Clinical Psychologist, mum of one, founder of Mama Diary and author of ‘Mama Notes’, a notebook for the first 12 weeks of motherhood to help mums focus on their emotional well-being. Together with space to make notes on newborn essentials such as feeding and nappies, each week has a well-being focus with ideas or activities to try, and journal pages with prompts to help you reflect on the important moments of these early weeks.
Is your weight an issue for you? Personally, I’ve never been hung up on what the scales say as I’ve seen so many times that scales don’t tell the full story. I prefer to go by measurements, how I look and feel and how my clothes fit. Learn more about Modius.
If you’ve been told your baby is back to back don’t panic. There is lots of time for the baby to turn before labour and if they don’t you can still do it. There were a few concerned looking faces during my last two births but I was so determined to get my babies out without forceps that eventually started to shift them in the right direction. Good luck and trust your body! It will all be worth it.
While you’re entitled to plenty of pampering and perks, there’s also those annoying pregnancy symptoms that you must deal with. Dizziness and vertigo, where you feel like the room is spinning even when everything’s stationary, are amongst the most troublesome symptoms. Although, it usually passes within seconds, there are times when it can last much longer.