Mums nowadays feel obliged to be up and about within hours of giving birth.
So, it's not too surprising that most new mums feel exhausted and many end up suffering from post-natal depression.
According to one midwife, Caroline Flint, the answer for mums is simple: stay in bed. Caroline has been a midwife for 28 years and is a past President of the Royal College of Midwives. In a new DVD 'Birthwise - Your Creation, Your Choice', she recommends that all mothers should stay in bed for ten days after giving birth.
She recommends that expectant mums should plan ahead, creating a sanctuary in their bedroom that will allow them to spend the first 10 days of their baby's life isolated from the demands of everyday living.
"Many mums underestimate just what an impact having a baby will have on their mental and physical well-being. Becoming a parent is an enormous adjustment and women need to give themselves time to fully recover after birth before trying to take on too much," says Caroline.
According to Caroline, there are many benefits to be gained from staying in bed.
 Physical recovery: Even an easy birth without any intervention is exhausting. Mums need to give their bodies time to heal, particularly if they've had c-sections or other medical involvement.
Mental and emotional adjustment: Becoming a mother is a life-changing experience. It's also a very emotional time, with hormone surges to deal with. Mothers who stay in bed have the privacy of their rooms to feel the range of emotions and have a good cry if they want to!
Bonding with baby: Your baby is a brand new little human being with its own emotions and personality. It's important for a mother to spend time getting to know every bit of him - particularly if they had a difficult birth and are struggling to bond. The bedroom sanctuary is perfect for skin to skin contact, so critical in the early days.
Establishing breastfeeding: Breastfeeding can take time to master. With no other jobs to do other than be in bed, mums have the chance to get to grips with breastfeeding, without interruption.
Catch up on sleep: If you're up and about, it's very tempting to put a load of laundry on or make a call while your baby has a nap. In those early days, mothers need to sleep when their babies sleep. It makes the night waking far more manageable. It's far easier to do this when you're in bed.
The Birthwise DVD is available from www.birthwisedvd.com for �29.99
September 2008 | 
Just After The Birth
