Two Days In Postpartum & He Expects Me To Cook - A Woman's Reality

Giving birth to a child involves physical and emotional changes that remain long after the delivery. Not only that, the delivery of a baby changes a woman's priorities. She has to take utmost care of the baby at a time when she herself is going through massive changes. And yet, some people in our society do not consider its seriousness. A video recently surfaced online which shows a reality that is both relatable and discouraging. A man is seen asking his wife, who gave birth two days ago, to cook for his parents, suggesting that she "has just been resting past two days," and needs to get up and work.

"I am struggling too," says a man demanding his wife to cook for his parents, after she delivered a baby two days ago

In the video, the wife is heard reminding her husband that she has just gone through childbirth. But the husband ignores her and says that since she has been discharged from the hospital, she is perfectly fine. He goes on to remind her about her idleness and the mundane tasks she has been doing. 

He even pulls out the "I am struggling too" card to make her feel bad for demanding too much.

Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/zj6Ptl97ZD

— Wild content (@NoCapFights) March 4, 2024

Internet's reaction against the video

The internet too expressed its disapproval towards the man's behaviour. Many users commented on the video and criticised the behaviour of the husband. Some even said that the wife should leave him. 

One of the users wrote, "This video is one of the main reasons why many women don’t want to have children these times. It’s just like having a child with another child. Pointless and draining." Another wrote, “He was just confused. They said rest, he thought they said roast." “He clearly does not know what it takes to just deliver,” said one more. “She needs to leave him," declared another. 

It is sad that society still finds it difficult to understand a woman as an individual and not as a wife or mother. Because if society defined women as individuals, we wouldn't be debating today that women who underwent childbirth need rest and care. It would have been understandable.

When will society understand the pain of childbirth? 

Recently, a heartbreaking incident happened in Thiruvananthapuram in which a pregnant woman died while giving birth. The child also didn't survive. The reason? The husband didn't want to take his pregnant wife to the hospital for delivery. Instead, he opted for home delivery through YouTube videos. As a result, she died due to excessive bleeding.

How long will it take for society to understand that childbirth is the most stressful and painful part of a woman's life? It is high time men start understanding their role as husbands and fathers. Rather than downplaying the pain of childbirth, men need to support their wives to keep the child healthy. It is basic humanity to care for people who are undergoing health conditions without judging their pain-bearing capacity, and here we are talking about childbirth. 

Views expressed are the author's own.