Bringing a new baby into the world is a hugely impactful event for anyone.

Outside of the physical stress of childbirth and pregnancy, in the baby’s first few weeks and months you’ll be adjusting to their needs, the changes to your own routine, potentially fielding lots of well-wishers and visitors and, almost definitely, doing all of this on a massive sleep deficit.

It is therefore completely expected that you won’t feel “normal” - your own version of normal has been completely shifted, and there will be a period where you will be finding yourself again.

However, there is a point where this disconnection from yourself should subside and things start feeling settled - Dr Isabel McMullen, Consultant Psychiatrist, talks through what you could expect in these first weeks, and what to do if the disconnection you feel doesn’t dissipate.