How I survived first two weeks of Motherhood
October 30, 2009
jocameron0
Surviving the first two weeks of Motherhood
As I sat on the settee feeding and consoling my unpredictable newborn, tears rolled down my face. I was crying because she was crying. I didn’t know what to do and it broke my heart. Baby Georgia had been crying most of the morning so my plans to do a bit on the computer were rapidly falling apart.
For the last three hours she just wouldn’t settle. It was my first day on my own. Dad had an important meeting in London so it was all down to me today. If I fed her she cried, if I put her down she cried. If I walked around the room she cried and if I did nothing she cried.
Day 2 on my own I had to do something differently.
Puffing and panting, sweating and close to tears once again I carried on pushing despite the urge to stop and turn around. I was only going to the post office with my baby in the push chair, but I felt like I was climbing Kilimanjaro!
This was my first trip out on my own. I am not able to drive as I recover from a Caesarean Section so walking is my only option. BUT walking seems to work and it clears my head and what a beautiful late October day it was too.
I have survived my first two weeks of being a mum! Time for a breather and look at how far I have travelled. Every new day or every new event brings a flutter of the heart. As we change her she screams and we wonder what’s wrong. As we bath her we are scared to death that her face is too close to the water. As we take her out for a walk I am concerned about the fumes. As we dress her we worry is she too hot or too cold. The little jumps that she does send us into a panic.
The first two weeks are fraught with angst as we wonder what to do!
As the nappy changes get quicker, as the sleeping gets better, as the feeding gets mastered I realise that every day gets a little bit easier. As my clothes get closer to fitting me once again and as my recovery from surgery speeds up, everything’s feeling a little brighter. We are adjusting to change and that’s how it is. Some days are great some days are hard.
In a few weeks time we will wonder what all the fuss was about as having a baby slips into second nature and life before G seems like little but a distant memory. As we adjust it gets easier, as we acclimatise it gets slicker, as the days pass us by it all seems a little better.
As she drifts into sleep, we sit in peace and admire our little daughter. As we gaze at her fingers and her tiny little toes, we think of times gone by when the going was really tough. Three years ago when I was battered and bruised and reeling in pain we remind ourselves from pain there is joy and from dark there is light.
Welcome to our world baby Georgia xx
Entry Filed under: Parenthood
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1.
Jenny |
November 4, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Congratuations Jo! Sounds like you’re adjusting quickly.
I remember your feelings well and it does become second nature.
I’m four years on from your stage and I still have days when I look at my son and silent panic runs through me as I try desperately to think of way out from the tantrum, the stubborness, awkward questions. I.e. Mummy how do them babies that ladies have in their bellies get in there???!!!
Welcome to this wonderful new world, you’re going to love it!
2.
Bernadette Jones |
November 4, 2009 at 2:56 pm
I can relate totally, Jo, to everything you have said about your first two weeks of motherhood. My son is nearly nineteen now, but I remember those first few weeks as if they were yesterday! Enjoy motherhood, Jo. You will never get these weeks, months and years back again. All the very best to you. Berni
3.
Kay |
November 4, 2009 at 3:14 pm
I think babies are born to reflect our own feelings! Fear makes them anxious, crabbiness makes them crabby! If you’re up for advice form an old hand – breathe, relax and know that all you need is love!
xxxx
4.
jocameron0 |
January 18, 2010 at 9:04 am
thank you kay – how very kind and thank you for your advice
5.
Ann Skidmore |
November 5, 2009 at 10:16 am
Jo your latest lovely blog reminded me of my own experience of motherhood. My adorable daughter is now 12 years old yet i can well remember those first few weeks of panic so well described in your blog. No one can prepare us for giving birth – it is a unique experience and our babies are actually helping to train us to feel more confident about what we are doing. Thank goodness they do cry because just imagine how worried you and your partner would be if Georgia didn’t cry! So enjoy every new experience – it never stops. My daughter will be a teenager next year and so the experiences continue. Love Ann x
6.
jocameron0 |
January 18, 2010 at 9:05 am
thank you ann for your kind words – each day she becomes more wonderful -