Do you think my wife will be okay alone at home by herself after our baby is born?

Question

I am only taking 2 weeks off from work. I may even work 4 hours max a day for a few weeks when she gives birth so I can be there with her.

Obviously we don't know if she will have a c-section or not, so do you think she will be okay by herself for 4 hours a day?

My mom may stop by to help out when I am gone since she lives near us, but my wife has hard feelings for my mom since she has treated my wife badly in the past.

My wife's mom probably won't be by at all since she has her own day care from 6am to 6 pm.

What should I do?

Answer 1

Sure she'll be OK.
You're a very good husband for caring so much.

She can nap while baby naps

I wouldn't count on your mom or hers.
This is your responsibility. Enjoy it.
Together you both will manage just fine.

If she has a natural birth she will definitely be able to handle it.
If she does have a c-section you'll be there for the first 2 weeks to help her out.
After that you'll know if she can handle it on her own.

Answer 2

The two weeks that you are taking off will give her time to recuperate (my husband only took five days including the weekend) if there aren't any problems she should be pretty well off by that time (my son is two weeks today and I feel almost normal - still overtired - but almost normal). The key piece of advice that I can give is that she rest when the baby rests (unless she is chasing after other children like I have been) because she is definitely going to need it to keep going. If she is unable to rest the best thing that you can do is take over for a couple of hours when you get home so that she can have a nap, or get away from your mom which ever she needs to do.

Ask her about how she feels about your mom being there to help in the first place, and if your wife doesn't want her there then make sure that your mom knows not to stop by when it is just your wife there, the one thing that she really doesn't need is unwarranted advice and nagging (if that is how your mom treats her) because that is going to make your wife stressed and irritable, which in turn your baby will pick up on and it may feel like a war zone by the time you get there which won't be healthy or helpful to anyone.

Best of luck to you and your new family. God Bless.

Answer 3

Unless there are severe complications, she should be fine alone after two weeks. That give you all plenty of time to adjust to life with a new baby around. Tell her to get that book that is associated with pregnancy, but deals with taking care of a newborn and such. You seem like a caring man for asking this. You also will want to give her a break when you come home from work for at least an hour, so she can relax without having to worry about the baby. Have her run to the grocery store by herself or something if she wants to, my husband did that and it was wonderful. Like somebody else mentioned above she can sleep when the baby sleeps, it's your first I'm assuming, so nobody else will be taking up her time. Life with number one seems like it can be hectic, but after having three, I realize just how easy I had it when it was just myself and my first. You as the father can also rotate shifts as far as feedings go, of course if she's not breastfeeding, or even if she is you can bring the baby to her for the feeding. My husband was very good about taking turns with me and he had to be up an off to work very early. He liked the time with them, they grow so fast. Lastly, don't let anyone, including your mother, come over and stress her out, that's the last thing she needs. Best wishes!

Answer 4

Unless she is suffering from post partum she should be ok for a 4 hour stretch. Make sure you help out a lot when you are home and try to give her a chance to sleep. Accept help from whoever offers...friends can help cook/clean during the first few weeks. The first 3 weeks are the hardest. If you can hang in until 12 weeks things start to get easier. It is a tough time, but it is also in many ways the best. Congrats! and don't forget to take lots of pictures!

Answer 5

I don't know about you women, but if you are serious you are a good husband. I am sure she will be fine...to be honest, i actually didn't need someone there 24/7 at first, it was when my babies were about 3-4 weeks old that i started to fall apart. As far as your wife's mom, if she runs a daycare 12 hours a day, she will be worn out too. (i have a daycare, i know).

Answer 6

Your wife will naturally have motherly instincts as every other mother before her. It may be more stressful with your Mother there telling her how to take care of her child, especially since they don't get along. It's hard enough to care for a new born without the added stress, have faith in your wife as a mother and advice is always a phone call away. Congratulations and good luck!!!

Answer 7

I think that you should do what is in the best interest of your family, if that means that you have someone other then your mother whom you know doesn't get along with your wife to come and help out.
This is one of those things that is best taken as it comes. You don't know wither or not your wife will have a c-section and you need to discuss these things with her and what she would like.
Just make sure that she gets some time to herself away if she really wants and needs it.

Answer 8

try to take more time off of work. having to deal with the stress of the baby and ur mother may be too much for her and something might happen to one or all them. ask her mother to take the baby some days to give ur wife some relief. she does have a daycare, right!

Answer 9

You may want to get her some help for the first few weeks after giving birth, especially if she has to have a csection.

Answer 10

She will be fine. The heaviest thing she will be able to pick up is the baby but she will be ok to care for the child