5 Postpartum Mental Health Challenges & 5 Ways I'm Managing Them

Being a mum is an amazing privilege, one that I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to experience.

But in saying that, it can be fecking tough sometimes.

In the spirit of Maternal Mental Health week, I'm sharing some of the challenges I have faced since becoming a mum - not everyone will feel any or all of these, but I'm sure a lot of you will relate with at least one.

The ol cliché that motherhood is one of the most amazing but also most challenging of experiences rings true for me.

It's a wild old roller coaster of ups and downs - it's magical, it's hard, it's incredible, it's a whole new way of life.

Here are just five of the many things I've been navigating on and off over the past 10 weeks.

1. The Loss of Autonomy

I expected this, but the reality is something else.

Realising that you can't be too far from baby for too long has a much bigger impact on the day-to-day : missing out on friends trips, your normal routine, the ability to just pop to the shops - who knew a solo toilet break could be a luxury?

2. The Sense of Responsibility

Realising that you are this tiny human's everything is a privilege but it is also hugely overwhelming.

This beautiful being is completely vulnerable and reliant on you for survival, for comfort, for love. That sense of responsibility is a big one.

3. The Hypervigilence

As someone who struggled with anxiety and a OCD tendencies pre-baby, this skyrocketed once the lil guy came around.

Checking his temperature, his breathing, worrying if I'm holding him right or if a rash is normal - it's taken a while for the near constant fear to dissipate.

4. The Jealousy

Jealous of people who had a beautiful home birth (I had to go into hospital for a non-reason and my birth was NOT what I had wanted), jealous of my husband being able to go out for a run or go away for a weekend. Jealous of people talking about their work plans and promotions.

The comparison trap is hard anyway, but the physical, mental, and time-limitations of early postpartum is a learning curve.

5. The Overstimulation

Feeling like the house clutter is falling in on me, craving an hour where I'm not feeding, changing or cuddling.

Basically, feeling like all 5 senses are at max capacity and all I want is long shower but that's an ordeal because the milk train needs to keep rolling.

The 5 Ways I'm Supporting Myself

Here are some things I'm doing to help steady the ship whilst becoming a whole new version of myself and my life.

1. Talking to other mums

I'm lucky to have friends who are mums and also to have built up a lil community of mums through my Baby & Me Classes - talking to other mums, going to baby massage, jumping into my own classes has been great to not feel so alone or isolated in what I'm going through

2. Letting go of perfect

I mean, perfect never existed pre-baby but the concept of good enough takes on a whole new level once the little guy came on the scene.

I'm trying to embrace "good enough" when I can - the house is clean enough, we have enough clothes washed, I've gotten out enough this week, I've done my best and that is enough (even if that's me on the couch all day)

3. Getting professional help

I've requested an appointment with the Coombe mental health dept just to check in and make sure I get some professional advice on dealing with some of the tougher feelings.

While I wait, the book "Break Free From Maternal Anxiety" has been a brilliant tool.

4. Delegating duties

In fairness, my husband pulls his own weight + some around the house, so cleaning, cooking, sorting washes - that is now his job when he is home.

I've delegated what parts of my work I can (coaching, social media, website content) to keep that ball rolling.

I'm getting meals delivered to make sure I'm staying well-fed and I ask for help from friends and family when they come over.

5. Focusing on the magical moments

Getting outside for a walk, revelling in the first time he smiles, smelling the top of his head, getting out for a coffee with a fellow mum and soaking up the snuggles as much as I can.

Being a mum is pretty magical and although it's not all peaches and cream, trying to be present and really savour the magical moments help soften the stressful ones.

In the grand scheme of things, I'm doing well, but let's call a spade a spade - it's an emotional roller coaster too.

From physical changes to loss of identity to navigating feeding and sleeping it's all new and it can be hard to talk about these changes and challenges.

Remember, I'm not a mental health expert, these are just things I'm doing to help myself.

Please go and speak to a professional if you are struggling - there is no shame or stigma about asking for help.