BaiBoo

• Don’t deny what you feel: it is fine to feel angry, disappointed, guilty, or depressed. Admitting these feelings to yourself is the first step to working through them.
• Talk about it!: talk about how you feel with your partner, a family member or a healthcare professional like a midwife or therapist specializing in women’s mental health.
• Take your time: pregnancy and the first few months after birth can be an emotional and physical rollercoaster. Hormones, less sleep and adjusting to a different lifestyle can make you very vulnerable to disappointment and depression.
• Find ways to give: there are plenty of children who need you. Make yourself feel useful and appreciate, this will help you accept and like yourself.
• Get more help if you need it: it’s nothing to be ashamed of to not feel happy. If you feel that talking about your feelings is not enough for you to feel better, don’t be afraid to look for help.

Tips for dad

Your partner may feel discouraged or tense after giving birth. She can cry over little things that would not usually bother her. Don’t worry about it, these feelings are common. They won’t last forever.

She may also have trouble sleeping. If she does, encourage her to at least take time to rest. She’s under a lot of stress and getting some rest may help her handle her feelings.

It may help her to talk about her feelings so make her feel like she can. If you feel you’re not the one she wants or needs to talk to you can encourage her to talk with family and friends. You can find out if there are any parent groups in your community. You may also want to talk to your doctor in case the feelings last more than 2 weeks or are very serious.

Help as much as you can. Be attentive and help doing household chores. If you have friends or family who will help your partner with meals, housework or shopping, now is the time to ask them.