This document discusses issues related to becoming a mother, including physical and emotional changes after birth or adoption. It covers breastfeeding, including challenges and special circumstances. It also discusses the health and well-being of mothers, including common postpartum emotional problems like the baby blues and postpartum depression. Risk factors are outlined and treatment options discussed. The importance of social support for new mothers is emphasized.

1. Chapter 23
BECOMING A MOTHER
by Cherie Sirard

2. FOR WOMEN WHO HAVE GIVEN BIRTH
 Feelings about the birth
The birth experience holds different meanings for different women.
 Physical changes after birth
Often times it takes an additional 3 months for your body to recover from
giving birth. Often called the “fourth trimester”
 Helpful hints after a vaginal birth
Getting on your feet soon after birth is helpful for a quicker recovery of
energy.
 Recovery after a cesarean birth
A cesarean birth is major abdominal surgery. You should be on your feet
within a day. This will help to prevent complications that could arise
following surgery.

3. FOR WOMEN WHO HAVE ADOPTED
Exhaustion, isolation, adapting to a new baby – are some of the
same issues as those of women who have given birth, but women who
adopt also face challenging issues such as, logistical, emotional and
financial issues.

4. BREAST-FEEDING YOUR BABY
 A good start – rooming in
Infants who breast-feed in the first hour of life are more successful long-term breast
feeders. Keeping your baby with you 24 hours a day will also help promote successful
breast-feeding.
 What to expect the first few days
Colostrums is the liquid in the mothers breast before the milk production and is full of
antibodies and very beneficial in protecting the newborn against infections.
Supply & Demand-the more frequently your breast are emptied, the more milk you will
make.
Proper latching on and positioning will result in successful feedings.
 Breast-feeding challenges
Baby cannot latch Sore nipples
Inverted nipples Sore breasts
Engorgement Breast-feeding in public
Returning to work

5. Breast- feeding under special circumstances
If you choose to breast-feed your adopted baby, contact a lactation consultant
for expert advice.
Reasons not to breast-feed
•HIV + status in Mother
•Illegal drug use by Mother
•Active untreated maternal tuberculosis
•Infant with Glactosemia (metabolic deficiency)
•Some maternal medications

6. THE HEALTH & WELL-BEING OF MOTHERS
Caring for a newborn often takes all of our physical and emotional
energy, each of us for our own sake and the sake of our children should do our
best to attend to our own basic needs. These include nutritious food, exercise,
rest and sleep. And contact with others.
 Learning how to mother your baby – Mothering is a learned role.
 Fatigue – It is very important to sleep whenever the baby sleeps.
 Stress – Take your baby along for a walk using an infant stroller helps to reduce stress.
 Partnership – Communication is important for a successful relationship.
 Sexuality – Low sexual interest can be the result of lifestyle changes.
 Lifestyle changes – Making contact with other Mothers is very important.
 Returning to work – It is normal to have feelings of relief and grief or both when returning
to work.

7. THOUGHTS & FEELINGS
80% of women who give birth will experience some ups and
downs in moods within the first few weeks after giving birth,
often referred to as the “Baby Blues”.
10-15% of women will have a more severe case of this and
will not go away as quickly and this is known as
“Postpartum Depression” or “Postpartum Anxiety”.
Postpartum Psychosis is a severe form of this in which
women feel disconnected from reality and the people
around us.

8. Physical, Psychological & Social Risk Factors
The following factors make it more likely that
some of us will have more difficulties in
the postpartum period:
 Housing problems
 History of PMS or difficult menstrual  Current domestic violence
cycles  Financial problems
 History of abuse (physical, sexual,  Postpartum pain
emotional)
 Fatigue
 History of depression, anxiety, bipolar
disorder  Lack of support
 Previous history of postpartum problems  Social isolation and loneliness
 History of infertility, abortion, miscarriage  Thyroid problems
or stillbirth  Premature or sick baby
 Recent loss through death or moving  Challenging baby
 Negative or traumatic birth experience  Breast-feeding problems
 Relationship problems  Poor nutrition
 Ill partner of family member

9. Common Postpartum Emotional Problems
Postpartum difficulties can sometimes be
prevented and often minimized, and
are definitely treatable. If you believe your may be at
risk for postpartum depression,
 Trust your intuition about how you are discuss it with your health care
feeling. provider.
 One woman’s blues may be another
woman’s depression
 Err on the side of caution if you are
concerned about how you are feeling.
 If someone tries to brush you aside,
find someone who will take you
seriously
 Be persistent in seeking experienced
professional care
 You may feel ashamed, but remember
these are medical problems that are Additional resources:
common, treatable and not your fault Postpartum.net or
 You deserve to feel the best you can depressionafterdelivery.c
om

10. Treatment
 Treatment may include counseling, medication and support
groups.
 Some medications are safe to take while breast-feeding.
 Most often hospitalization and medication is necessary for
postpartum psychosis and severe postpartum depression.
Unfortunately temporary separation of mother and baby is
necessary

11. Quote
“Many of us are encouraged to plan
only for birth or adoption and are not
adequately prepared for the many life
changes that come with a new baby.
Perhaps the most important thing you
can do to prepare for your needs is to
build up you support network in
advance”.

12. DISCUSSION QUESTION
The inappropriate promotion of infant formula by corporations
continues to undermine informed choices about breast-feeding
among women worldwide. Do you think it is a reasonable
practice for healthcare providers to remove formula samples
provided by these corporations and given to patients, usually at
baby’s first appointment, in order to promote breast-feeding?