The time following childbirth is referred to as postpartum (or postnatal). The first six to eight weeks following delivery, or until your body reaches its pre-pregnancy state, are typically considered the postpartum period. However, the postpartum period’s symptoms and changes can persist for much longer than eight weeks.
The postpartum period is a time of significant life and physical changes. Physical changes include vaginal haemorrhage and breast engorgement. Hormone alterations lead to other modifications. In the end, giving birth is a significant emotional and physical challenge. During the postpartum phase, adjusting to life with an infant and providing care are also extremely taxing.
After giving delivery, pay attention to how you feel and let your doctor know if something doesn’t feel right. Giving delivery does not negate the importance of your health or the end of your treatment. In addition to taking care of your infant, you should consider making rest and wellness a priority. To keep an eye on your mending and recuperation, your healthcare professional will arrange for you to have postpartum checks. Attending these consultations is crucial since it allows your provider to spot any possible issues. You can also ask questions and have open discussions regarding your healing during this time.
Timeline for postpartum recuperation
Like your pregnancy, your recovery is specific to you. There isn’t a single postpartum period that works for everyone. However, a rough timeline of what to expect is provided. In the hours and days following delivery, you can anticipate the following:
- The size of your uterus must return to normal. This results in vaginal bleeding and cramps. In order to help your uterus shrink, your healthcare provider could even massage it through your abdomen.
- Changes in hormones. This may result in symptoms like headaches, mood swings, and hot flashes.
- Engorgement of the breasts. Even if you decide not to breastfeed, you will still have swollen and sore breasts since your breasts will produce milk.
- Pain in the perineum. If you gave birth vaginally, it’s common to experience pain in the area between your vagina and anus (butthole). During childbirth, vaginal tearing occurs in up to 70% of women. For a few days following a C-section, patients will have increased pain around the incision site.
- Swelling brought on by excess fluid. This is usually natural and the body’s method of eliminating the fluid that builds up during pregnancy. Within a week, your swelling should subside. Swelling may indicate a more serious condition if it is accompanied by symptoms like breathing difficulties and chest pain.
- Exhaustion. You may experience a new degree of fatigue during labour, delivery, and the care of a newborn. It’s quite common to feel exhausted in the days and weeks following childbirth. You will feel better if you try to get as much rest as you can.
Rest
New parents quickly discover that infants and adults have different time zones. A normal infant needs feeding, changing, and comforting because they wake up roughly every three hours. Exhaustion might overwhelm you and your partner, particularly if this is your first child. For several months, you might not get a full eight hours of sleep. The following suggestions will help you obtain more sleep:
- Other than feeding your infant and taking care of yourself, you should delegate all duties to someone else during the first few weeks.
- When the baby sleeps, go to sleep. Even though this is just a few minutes of respite spread out over numerous times a day, the minutes can mount up.
- Save time and steps. For nighttime feedings, keep your infant’s bed close to yours.
- Although having friends and relatives visit is pleasant, you don’t have to host them. Please excuse yourself to feed your infant or take a nap.
- Spend a few minutes each day outside. Following your doctor’s advice, you can begin walking and performing postpartum activities.
Dietary intake
Pregnancy and childbirth have caused several changes to your body. You need time to heal. To do that, you need to eat a nutritious diet in addition to getting enough sleep. Pregnancy weight increase aids in storing energy for both nursing and recuperation. In order to be active and able to take care of your newborn, you must consume a healthy, balanced diet after giving birth.
You should eat when you are hungry, according to the majority of breastfeeding specialists. However, a lot of moms could be so exhausted or preoccupied that they forget to eat. Thus, it’s critical to prepare straightforward, healthful meals. Eat from every food group:
- Grains. Grain products are foods manufactured from barley, cornmeal, rice, oats, wheat, or another cereal grain. Brown rice, muesli, and whole wheat are a few examples.
- Vegetables. Change up your veggies. Select a selection of veggies, such as starchy vegetables, legumes (beans and peas), and dark green, red, and orange vegetables.
- Fruits. The fruit group includes all fruits and 100% fruit juice. Fruits can be whole, chopped, or pureed, and they can be canned, frozen, dried, or fresh.
- Dairy. This food group includes several foods prepared from milk as well as milk products. Pay attention to low-fat or fat-free items and those that are high in calcium.
- Protein. Eat more protein. Select lean or low-fat meats and poultry. Change up your protein regimen. Pick additional beans, peas, nuts, seeds, and fish.
Although they are not a dietary group, some oils, like nut oils, include vital elements. Add them to your diet. Animal fats and other oils are solid. Keep them out of your diet.
Postpartum Care for the Vagina
Vaginal care should be a crucial component of postpartum care for new mothers. You might encounter:
- discomfort in the vagina if you had a tear during birth
- issues with urination, such as pain or a persistent need to urinate
- discharge, encompassing tiny clots of blood
- contractions in the initial days following delivery
About six weeks after giving birth, make an appointment with your physician to talk about your symptoms and get the care you need. In order to give your vagina enough time to recover, you should refrain from having sex for four to six weeks following delivery.