Giving birth takes an enormous toll on your body, and although you might be discharged from the hospital pretty soon after your baby is born, it can take a while before you actually feel well enough to introduce your new bundle of joy to the rest of your family members.
But one new mum has been pressured by her mother-in-law to bring her baby over to see her extended family as soon as possible - even though she only gave birth four days ago.
The woman explained her husband's mum was at their house when they came home from the hospital as she helped them get settled, but on the same day, she said the couple should go to her house next week to introduce their baby to the dad's side of the family.
Initially, the new dad told his mum that it was "too early", but that sent his mum into a sulk and she refused to talk to either of the new parents - and even told her mate that they were banning her from seeing her grandchild.
The mum wrote in a post on Mumsnet: "Four days ago, I had a baby. My MIL [mother-in-law] was at ours when I came back from the hospital the next day. She mentioned going to hers next week so she can invite her family to see the baby. My husband said it was too early, and [that I needed] more time to recover.
"MIL got very upset at this and since then she has been ignoring my husband's calls. My husband keeps inviting her around but she is refusing. However, she told other people like her close friend that we are not letting her see the baby. Her close friend now keeps calling my husband and saying how it's his mum so [we shouldn't] ditch her, how she is acting childish as she's getting older (she's 55), and how she’s excited as a grandmother."
The comments made the woman's husband change his mind about going to visit his mum and his family, and he now thinks he and his wife should go over this week to see them.
But the new mum is still apprehensive as she's exhausted and doesn't feel ready to meet people yet, as she'd rather be left alone with her baby for a little while longer.
She added: "So my husband did u-turn. I have a midwife appointment tomorrow and he is saying for us to visit after that. I don't mind [that], but she probably is going to sulk the entire time, so how would I even respond?
"I've been in tears ever since I heard she told people that we don't let her see the baby. When I had my first, it was a very complicated birth and again it was the same story - it made me depressed. I promised myself that this time around I'm not going to get upset, but I just can't help it. I'm angry at myself!
"The other thing is if she does invite her extended family and we go, I'm gonna be expected to help out. I'm feeling really tired and sleepless, and not sure if I'd be okay to be hosting in a few days!"
Commenters on the post were firmly on the new mum's side, with many of them saying that if her husband wants to visit his mum, he can do so by himself.
One person said: "Just let your husband visit and you can go home with your baby. I'm really angry on your behalf. You do not have to visit anyone. Your MIL can f**k off, so don't let her get to you."
While another added: "You had a baby four days ago?! Definitely don't go to her, let her have her pathetic tantrum and stand firm with your husband that you're not going anywhere. Her visiting the day after you had the baby would be too much for me!
"Congratulations on your new baby and I hope your time isn't being ruined too much by her making this all about her and being selfish."
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