A long time ago, (I don't know the actual time period...Yor, maybe?) women who had just given birth were required to lay abed for a month or so. This led to something known as "milk leg", when the new mother became weak and sore and had a difficult time moving around afterward. This might just be the hypochondriac in me, but I think I have that.
I like the idea, though. They recognized that giving birth (I like to say "giving birth" rather than "having a baby" because "having" sounds like something that happens to you and "giving" sounds like something you do...and believe me, I DID something.) was a difficult and traumatic experience, and women needed help and a long time to recover, physically. I think most were just happy to have survived at all.
Of course, now-a-days women are supposed to bounce right back. Actresses are seen on the red carpet only 3 days after giving birth? (Although, who's kidding whom here? Actresses' children are born by professional stunt women.) And there is a subtle pressure to regain normal activity as soon as possible. Not by your doctor, of course. Those guys tell you to "take it easy" for up to six weeks! No, the pressure comes from other sources. Like my angel, who whines because I'm feeding the baby and not making the Easy Mac she requested, and she's starving to death and I care more about taking care of the baby than I do about taking care of her. (She should sell tickets for these little guilt trips.) And the husband, who thinks I should go DO something instead of sitting around the house all day. Why would I take a newborn out of his warm sanctuary and into the cold and flu ridden world unless absolutely necessary? Not to mention going out with a two week old requires more planning than a shuttle launch. I could go for a walk, but walking is still a little painful. (not to mention cold!) Don't these guys realize I'm only half way through my "milk month"? They should consider themselves lucky I'm not laying in bed making them wait on me, instead of the other way around.
2 comments:
I agree 1,000%.
For me (although giving birth was painful) I felt the healing "process" was my least favorite.
I believe doctors should have a follow-up appointment for husbands/family members/neighbors after delivery regards to the necessity of REST. I wouldn't be against them falsifying side effects to further stress the point.
I am certain that if men could experience the joys that we would be lying comfortable in bed (or on the couch)having our pillows fluffed and feet rubbed for months, or until they can't find their shoes....
Wishing you well
I totally know where you're coming from! When the dear prince was born it was unseasonably warm (75 degrees in late October) and the husband kept bugging me to get outside...hello! I just had a baby plus major surgery...give it up! I did have an at home visit with a nurse a week after the birth (a necessitiy if you ask me and a great A+ to my insurance company who paid for it) and she stressed that I needed to rest. Unfortunately the husband was at work!
I wish I could be there to help you the way you truely helped me...I'm a bad (or poor) sis! I'll make it up when you come to visit in July, promise.
Love you!!!
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