Postpartum Emotions: When You Don't Feel Like Yourself

One of the most difficult myths about motherhood is that love should make everything feel easy.

You can love your baby deeply and still feel exhausted. You can be grateful and still cry. You can feel excited one moment and completely overwhelmed the next.

Motherhood does not remove your other emotions. Sometimes it gives you even more of them.

The first days after birth can be intense. Your body is recovering, your sleep is interrupted and suddenly another person's needs depend on you.

You may find yourself crying over something that normally wouldn't bother you. You may feel unusually sensitive or wonder why everyone else seems to be coping better.

Give yourself some room. You are adjusting to a new life, not failing at one.

Sometimes difficult emotions go beyond the normal ups and downs of adjusting to a new baby. If sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, guilt or feeling disconnected continues or starts making everyday life difficult, it is worth speaking with a qualified healthcare or mental-health professional.

You don't have to wait until you feel completely overwhelmed before asking for support.

Talking about how you really feel can be difficult when everyone around you expects you to be happy.

Start with one person you trust. Tell them what your days have actually been like rather than giving them the answer you think they want to hear.

And if talking to someone close to you doesn't feel enough, professional support is available. Asking for help is a form of care, not a sign that you are failing.