Negative feelings

Having a child is an emotional rollercoaster for the mother as well as the father. 
All feelings can be felt: Feelings of ultimate happiness and sitting on a pink cloud. But also insecurity: Am I doing it right? Can I handle this? Feelings of depression: Is this it? Am I suppose to enjoy this? ‘I know this is my child, but I don’t feel like a mother yet.’

The first days after the delivery most people live on adrenaline. After that the exhaustion strikes. For most women, the 4th day after the delivery is known as ‘the day of tears’. 

All these feelings aren’t bad, they are part of it. Getting used to being a parent takes time. It isn’t always fun. It is important that you share these feelings with one another and talk about them. That way we can jointly keep track of if things are still going well with you.

As an international or expat there is an extra factor involved; the fact that your are not in your own country, with your family and friends and your own customs.

Some mothers stay sad for months after the delivery. They are irritable, anxious  and emotional. In that case a new mother can have a postpartum depression. Sometimes the complaints only start weeks of even months after the delivery. 
If you hesitate if you might have a postpartum depression, then talk about it to us or to your general practitioner.