Why do you have to wait 6 weeks after birth
Your body after baby: The first 6 weeks
Your body changes a lot after you give birth. Some changes are physical and others are emotional.
Learn about common postpartum discomforts and what do to about them. If you’re worried about a discomfort, call your health care provider.
Talk to your provider before you take any medicine to treat a discomfort. If you’re breastfeeding, some medicines aren’t safe for your baby.
Go to all of your postpartum checkups, even if you’re feeling fine. Some health conditions after pregnancy need medical care.
How does your body change in the weeks after giving birth?
Many things are happening in your body right after you have a baby. During pregnancy, your body changed a lot. It worked hard to keep your baby safe and healthy. Now that your baby is here, your body is changing again. Some of these changes are physical, like your breasts getting full of milk. Others are emotional, like feeling extra stress.
Many discomforts and body changes after giving birth are normal. But sometimes they’re signs or symptoms of a health problem that needs treatment. Go to all of your postpartum checkups, even if you’re feeling fine. These are medical checkups you get after having a baby to make sure you’re recovering well from labor and birth. At your checkups, your health care provider can help spot and treat health conditions. Postpartum care is important because new moms are at risk of serious and sometimes life-threatening health complications in the days and weeks after giving birth.
PHYSICAL CHANGES
What is perineum soreness?
The perineum is the area between your vagina and rectum. It stretches and may tear during labor and vaginal birth. It’s often sore after giving birth, and it may be more sore if you have an episiotomy. This is a cut made at the opening of the vagina to help let your baby out.
What you can do:
- Do Kegel exercises.
These exercises strengthen the muscles in the pelvic area. To do Kegel exercises, squeeze the muscles that you use to stop yourself from passing urine (peeing). Hold the muscles tight for 10 seconds and then release. Try to do this at least 10 times in a row, three times a day. - Put a cold pack on your perineum. Use ice wrapped in a towel. Or you can buy cold packs that you freeze in your freezer.
- Sit on a pillow or a donut-shaped cushion.
- Soak in a warm bath.
- Wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom. This can help prevent infection as your episiotomy heals.
- Ask your provider about pain medicine.
What are afterbirth pains?
Afterbirth pains are belly cramps you feel as your uterus (womb) shrinks back to its regular size after pregnancy. The cramps should go away in a few days. Right after you give birth, your uterus is round and hard and weighs about 2½ pounds. By about 6 weeks after birth, it weighs only 2 ounces.
What you can do:
Ask your provider about over-the-counter medicine you can take for pain. Over-the-counter medicine is medicine you can buy without a prescription from your provider.
What body changes can happen after a c-section?
Cesarean birth (also called c-section) is surgery in which your baby is born through a cut that your provider makes in your belly and uterus. A c-section is major surgery, so it may take a while for you to recover. You may be really tired for the first few days or weeks after a c-section because you lost blood during the surgery. The incision (cut) on your belly may be sore.
What you can do:
- Ask your provider for pain medicine. Check with him before you take any medicine for pain.
- Ask your partner, family and friends to help you with the baby and around the house.
- Get rest when you can. Sleep when your baby sleeps, even when he naps during the day.
- Don’t lift from a squatting position.
Don’t lift anything heavier than your baby. - Support your belly with pillows when you’re breastfeeding.
- Drink plenty of water to help replace fluids in your body.
What is vaginal discharge?
After your baby is born, your body gets rid of the blood and tissue that was inside your uterus. This is called vaginal discharge or lochia. For the first few days, it’s heavy, bright red and may contain blood clots. Over time, the flow gets less and lighter in color. You may have discharge for a few weeks or even for a month or more.
What you can do:
Use sanitary pads until the discharge stops.
What is breast engorgement?
This is when your breasts swell as they fill with milk. It usually happens a few days after giving birth. Your breasts may feel tender and sore. The discomfort usually goes away once you start breastfeeding regularly. If you’re not breastfeeding, it may last until your breasts stop making milk, usually within a few days.
What you can do:
- Breastfeed your baby. Try not to miss a feeding or go a long time between feedings. Don’t skip night feedings.
- Before you breastfeed your baby, express a small amount of milk from your breast with a breast pump or by hand.
- Take a warm shower or lay warm towels on your breasts to help your milk flow. If your engorgement is really painful, put cold packs on your breasts.
- If your breasts are leaking between feedings, wear nursing pads in your bra so your clothes don’t get wet.
- Tell your provider if your breasts stay swollen and are painful.
- If you’re not planning to breastfeed, wear a firm, supportive bra (like a sports bra).
What is nipple pain?
If you’re breastfeeding, you may have nipple plain during the first few days, especially if your nipples crack.
What you can do:
- Talk to your provider or a lactation consultant to be sure your baby is latching on to your breast the right way.
A lactation consultant is a person trained to help women breastfeed, even women who have breastfeeding problems. Latching on is when your baby’s mouth is securely attached to (placed around) your nipple. - Ask your provider about cream to put on your nipples.
- After breastfeeding, massage some breast milk onto your nipples. Let your breasts air dry.
What is swelling?
Lots of women have swelling in their hands, feet and face during pregnancy. It’s caused by extra fluids in your body. It may take time for the swelling to go away after you have your baby.
What you can do:
- Lie on your left side when resting or sleeping.
- Put your feet up.
- Try to stay cool and wear loose clothes.
- Drink plenty of water.
What are hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are painful, swollen veins in and around the anus that may hurt or bleed. Hemorrhoids are common during and after pregnancy.
What you can do:
- Soak in a warm bath.
- Ask your provider about using an over-the-counter spray or cream for pain.
- Eat foods that are high in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables and whole-grain breads and cereals.
- Drink lots of water.
- Try not to strain when you’re having a bowel movement (pooping).
What is constipation?
Constipation is when you don’t have bowel movements, you don’t have them often or your stools (poop) are hard to pass. You also may have painful gas. This may happen for a few days after you give birth.
What you can do:
- Eat foods that are high in fiber.
- Drink lots of water.
- Ask your provider about medicine to take.
What urinary problems can happen after giving birth?
In the first few days after giving birth, you may feel pain or burning when you urinate (pee). Or you may try to urinate but find that you can’t.
Sometimes you may not be able to stop urinating. This is called incontinence. It usually goes away as your pelvic muscles become stronger again.
What you can do for pain, burning or if you have trouble urinating:
- Drink lots of water.
- Run water in the sink when you go to the bathroom.
- Soak in a warm bath.
- If the pain continues, tell your provider.
What you can do for incontinence: Do Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic muscles.
Why do you sweat a lot after giving birth?
This happens often to new moms, especially at night. It’s caused by all the changing hormones in your body after pregnancy.
What you can do:
- Sleep on a towel to help keep your sheets and pillow dry.
- Don’t use too many blankets or wear warm clothes to bed.
Why do you feel tired after giving birth?
You may have lost blood during labor and birth.
This can make your body tired. And your baby probably doesn’t let you sleep all night!
What you can do:
- Sleep when your baby sleeps, even when he naps during the day.
- Eat healthy foods, like fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads and pasta, and lean meat and chicken. Limit sweets and foods with a lot of fat.
- Ask your partner, family and friends to help with the baby and around the house.
- Limit visitors. You’ll have plenty of time for family and friends to meet your new baby when you’re feeling rested.
When can you start losing weight after giving birth?
You lose about 10 pounds right away after giving birth and a little more within the first week. This is a great time to get to a healthy weight, no matter how much you weighed before you got pregnant. Eating healthy and being active every day helps boost your energy level and can make you feel better. If you’re at a healthy weight, you’re less likely to have health conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure, than if you’re over- or underweight.
And just in case you get pregnant again, or if you’re planning to have another baby sometime in the future, it’s best to be at a healthy weight before your next pregnancy.
What you can do:
- Talk to your provider about your weight. If you were overweight before pregnancy, you may want to lose more weight than you gained during pregnancy.
- Eat healthy foods. Limit sweets and foods with a lot of fat.
- Drink lots of water.
- Ask your provider about being active, especially if you’ve had a c-section. Begin slowly and increase your activity over time. Walking and swimming are great activities for new moms. Do something active every day.
- Breastfeed your baby. Breastfeeding helps you burn calories. This can help you lose the weight you gained during pregnancy faster than if you weren’t breastfeeding.
- Don’t try to lose too much weight too fast. Your body needs nutrients from food to heal. If you’re breastfeeding, losing weight too fast can reduce your milk supply.
- Don’t feel badly if you don’t lose the weight as quickly as you’d like. It takes time for your body and your belly to get back in shape. Staying fit over time is more important than getting in shape right after giving birth.
What skin changes can happen after giving birth?
You may have stretch marks on your belly where your skin stretched during pregnancy. Some women also get them on their thighs, hips and bottom. They may not disappear after giving birth, but they do fade over time.
What you can do:
Use creams or lotions on your skin. They don’t make stretch marks go away, but they can help reduce itching that comes with stretch marks.
What hair changes can happen after giving birth?
Your hair may have seemed thicker and fuller during pregnancy. This is because high hormone levels in your body made you lose less hair during pregnancy. After your baby is born, your hair may thin out. You may even lose hair.
Hair loss usually stops within 6 months after you give birth. Your hair should regain its normal fullness within a year.
What you can do:
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. The nutrients in fruits and veggies may help protect your hair and help it grow.
- Be gentle with your hair. Don’t wear tight ponytails, braids or rollers. These can pull and stress your hair.
- Use the cool setting on your hair dryer.
When do you get your period again after pregnancy?
If you’re not breastfeeding, your period may start again 6 to 8 weeks after giving birth. If you are breastfeeding, it may not start again for months. Some women don’t have a period again until they stop breastfeeding. When your period returns, it may not be the same as before you were pregnant. It may be shorter or longer than it was. Over time it often returns to the way it was before you got pregnant.
When can you get pregnant again?
Many health care providers recommend waiting 4 to 6 weeks after giving birth to give your body time to heal before you have sex.
When you’re ready for sex, be careful – you can get pregnant even before your period starts. This is because you may ovulate (release an egg) before you get your period again.
What you can do:
Use birth control to help make sure you don’t get pregnant again until you’re ready. Birth control helps keep you from getting pregnant. Examples of birth control include intrauterine devices (also called IUDs), implants, the pill and condoms. Talk to your provider about which birth control to use, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Some types of birth control can reduce your milk supply. Breastfeeding is not birth control. It does not prevent pregnancy.
For most women, it’s best to wait at least 18 months (1½ years) between giving birth and getting pregnant again. Too little time between pregnancies increases your risk of premature birth (before 37 weeks of pregnancy). Premature babies are more likely to have health problems than babies born on time.
Your body needs time to fully recover from your last pregnancy before it’s ready for your next pregnancy.
EMOTIONAL CHANGES
What can you do about feeling stressed and overwhelmed?
Your baby didn’t come with a set of instructions. You may feel overwhelmed trying to take care of her. Taking care of a baby is a lot to think about.
What you can do:
- Tell your partner how you feel. Let your partner help take care of the baby.
- Ask your friends and family for help. Tell them exactly what they can do for you, like going grocery shopping or making meals.
- Find a support group of new moms. A support group is a group of people who have the same kinds of concerns. They meet together to try to help each other. Ask your provider to help you find a support group of new moms near where you live. Or look for a support group online.
- Eat healthy foods and do something active every day.
- Don’t smoke, drink alcohol or use harmful drugs.
All of these things are bad for you and can make it hard for you to handle stress.
What are the baby blues and postpartum depression?
Baby blues (also called postpartum blues) are feelings of sadness a woman may have in the first few days after having a baby. Baby blues can happen 2 to 3 days after you have your baby and can last up to 2 weeks. They usually go away on their own, and you don’t need any treatment.
Postpartum depression (also called PPD) is a kind of depression that some women get after having a baby. It's strong feelings of sadness, anxiety (worry) and tiredness that last for a long time after giving birth. These feelings can make it hard for you to take care of yourself and your baby. PPD is a medical condition that needs treatment to get better. It’s the most common complication for women who have just had a baby.
What you can do about the baby blues:
- Get as much sleep as you can.
- Don’t drink alcohol, use street drugs or use harmful drugs.
All of these can affect your mood and make you feel worse. And they can make it hard for you to take care of your baby. - Ask for help from your partner, family and friends. Tell them exactly what they can do for you.
- Take time for yourself. Ask someone you trust to watch your baby so you can get out of the house.
- Connect with other new moms. Ask your provider to help you find a support group of new moms.
- If you have sad feelings that last longer than 2 weeks, tell your health care provider.
What you can do about postpartum depression:
- If you think you have PPD, tell your provider.
- Learn about risk factors for PPD and signs and symptoms of PPD.
- Ask your provider about treatment for PPD.
- If you’re worried about hurting yourself or your baby, call emergency services (911) right away.
How can you handle going back to work or school?
It may be hard for you to leave your baby with a caregiver all day, even if it’s a family member or a close friend.
It also may be hard to find a caregiver you trust. You and your partner may disagree about what type of child care is best for your baby. You may be upset that you can’t stay home with your baby all the time.
What you can do:
- Talk to your partner about child care. Figure out how much you can spend and what kind of care you want. For example, you can have a caregiver come to your home to take care of your baby. Or you can take your baby to a child care center.
- Ask friends and family about child care they use. Maybe you can use the same person or service.
- If you’re using a child care center, ask for names and phone numbers of people who use the center. Call to ask how they feel about the center’s care.
- Ask your boss if you can ease back into work. Maybe you can work a few hours a day at first, or just a few days a week.
How can you and your partner get used to being new parents?
Both you and your partner are getting used to having a baby around.
Your partner may be just as stressed and nervous about being a parent as you are. Rely on each other to figure things out.
What you can do:
- Learn about taking care of your baby together. Read baby-care books and go to baby-care classes.
- Let your partner help with the baby. Don’t try to do everything yourself.
- Talk to each other. Talking about your feelings can help keep you from feeling hurt and frustrated.
- Make time for just the two of you. Go for a walk or out to dinner. Ask someone you trust to take care of the baby for an hour or two.
- Tell your partner what your provider says about how long to wait to have sex again. Ask your provider to talk to your partner, if you think that’s helpful.
Last reviewed: July, 2018
See also: Your postpartum checkups, Warning signs and symptoms of health problems after giving birth, Maternal death and pregnancy-related death, Postpartum depression, Baby blues after pregnancy, Keeping breast milk safe and healthy, Birth control, How long should you wait before getting pregnant again
Do We Have to Wait 6 Weeks to Have Sex After Birth?
Some of you looked at that title and thought “OMG seriously? Who would want to have sex after birth? That soon? Don’t even touch me.
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But others of you need to know the answer to this, yesterday. Six weeks?! Impossible. Good for you! Intimacy is powerful and important.
As women and postpartum doulas, we know that motherhood doesn’t make us sexless matrons for all time.Most of us want to have sex after birth- eventually.
On the way out of the hospital after birth though, you’re usually told, “nothing in the vagina for six weeks.”
This ban on penetration includes tampons, Nuvaring birth control, Yoni eggs, and yes, digits, toys and penises. If you’re raring to go, six weeks to wait for sex after birth is a good long while.
But we promise that your midwife or OB isn’t just being Puritanical.
Birth is a big deal. And whether you greet your baby via cesarean or vaginal birth, you need to heal. Specifically, your uterus (which expands from the size of a pear to the size of a watermelon) needs time to regroup and recover after birth.
Not only is your uterus shrinking back to its size prior to baby, but we also have to remember that you created an entire organ to feed your baby- the placenta.
And the placenta was attached to the top of the uterus.
If you saw your placenta after birth, then you have an idea of how many blood vessels and veins we’re talking about. It’s about the size of a frisbee, on average. After your baby is born, it detaches from the side of your uterus, creating bleeding, discharge and a wound. Just like any open wound, it needs time to heal- this is a big portion of your postpartum healing.
Fortunately, your body takes excellent care of itself in most instances. Your uterus contracts and you’ll be good as new soon.
But to be sure to allow time for that healing, medical providers recommend a waiting period. Inserting items into your vagina could potentially introduce bacteria, which could travel through your cervix and into your uterus, and cause infection. Yikes!
So apologies to anyone whose hormones are raging- you have to chill for a while on vaginal sex after birth.
The good news is though, there are other ways to create intimacy.
Remember, it’s not technically a ban on sex after birth. There are a variety of physical ways to connect that don’t involve penetration (that’s for another post).
But in addition to that, don’t forget that you all just did something amazing as a couple! You started raising a human! What could be more intimate than shaping a tiny person? Take time to be awestruck together. Or take a nap and cuddle a bit, whatever you need.
And for anyone who’s reading this that wouldn’t dream of getting busy when their baby is so young, good news, you’re totally fine. Postpartum doulas say so! Take it easy, and let your body heal. When it’s right, you’ll get back to that aspect of your relationship.
Learn more about our online pregnancy course Attain.
Recovery of the female body after childbirth
What happens to the female body after childbirth? How to quickly recover after childbirth? These questions concern all mothers.
9 months of pregnancy behind and after childbirth you have to take care not only of the baby, but also take care of your own health.
And there is a lot of “work” here - while the hormonal background is being restored, it is necessary to maintain normal bowel function, take care of the stitches after childbirth, if there were any, and establish breastfeeding. Where to begin?
Recovery after childbirth is an important process that affects the further state of health. Complications may appear in the first hours after childbirth - bleeding, fever, changes in blood pressure, etc.
The postpartum period consists of 2 periods - early and late. The early one lasts 2 hours after the birth and takes place under the supervision of the staff of the maternity hospital. Late lasts approximately 6-8 weeks, during which there is a restoration of all organs and systems that were involved during pregnancy and childbirth. Full recovery from childbirth can take up to two years. Especially if the baby was born by caesarean section. Some changes are irreversible, but outwardly they are invisible (except for stretch marks), they can be determined by gynecologists during an examination of the genital organs (the shape of the cervix and external os changes, the size of the uterus and vagina changes).
Reproductive system
After childbirth, the uterus is enlarged, and as the body recovers, it shrinks in size. Depending on the variant of delivery and feeding, this process can take place at different speeds. If the birth went naturally and the mother is breastfeeding the baby, the uterus will quickly return to its normal size. The contraction of the muscles of the uterus is stimulated by the hormone oxytocin, which is released during sucking movements. The process of feeding may be accompanied by pain of varying intensity in the lower abdomen, possibly a slight increase in blood secretions. But discomfort will be felt only at first.
Immediately after the birth of the baby, the weight of the uterus reaches about 1 kilogram. And after 2 months, during which it is actively reduced in size, the weight of the uterus is about 50 grams
40 days after birth
After childbirth, blood discharge begins - lochia.
They last approximately 4-6 weeks. You should not be afraid - this is not a sign that something is wrong with the body. On the contrary, this is a consequence of the gradual healing of the wound surface on the walls of the uterus, which was formed after childbirth. During the entire period of recovery, the nature of lochia changes. Discharges from moderate blood flow to bloody scanty and then become mucous with streaks of blood.
During this time, avoid using tampons and shower regularly to prevent infection in the genital tract.
A young mother must watch her discharge. Warning signs are too much bleeding, a sudden increase in discharge, a sharp unpleasant odor, a change in color, too large blood clots, cheesy or purulent discharge. If at least one of these signs is observed, it is urgent to see a gynecologist.
Even during pregnancy, doctors recommend doing Kegel exercises. The same exercises help to quickly restore the tone of the muscles of the vagina after childbirth.
Hormonal background
The level of hormones changes even during pregnancy. They are headed by progesterone, estrogen and HCH (human chorionic gonadotropin), as well as prolactin and oxytocin. After childbirth, the hormone prolactin is responsible for the start of breastfeeding. The level of prolactin gradually rises during pregnancy, and by the onset of childbirth, it reaches the required level for the initiation of breastfeeding. Oxytocin is responsible for emptying the mammary glands.
Hormonal imbalance after childbirth is common. Basically, things will stabilize for some time without outside interference. But if a few months after the birth, the hormonal background has not returned to normal, you should contact a gynecologist-endocrinologist to tell him how to restore it. As a rule, hormonal preparations are prescribed in such cases. They are selected individually for each girl.
Signs of hormonal imbalance
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excessive sweating;
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depression, irritability, apathy;
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fatigue;
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decreased libido;
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active hair loss/excessive hair growth;
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sudden change in weight.
Urinary system
On the first day after childbirth, there may be a problem with urination. The reason that the mother cannot urinate may be the pressure of the fetal head on the bladder during childbirth, which leads to swelling, or a spasm of the sphincter of the bladder. You can induce urination with the help of a reflex from the sound of pouring water, in extreme cases, a catheter or diuretics are used for this.
There is also the opposite problem - urinary incontinence. It usually occurs in those who give birth not for the first time. This is due to the weakening and stretching of the pelvic floor muscles. The problem with incontinence may go away on its own after a few days. But to improve muscle tone, it is recommended to do Kegel exercises.
Digestive system
The first stool after childbirth comes in 2-3 days. This is due to the fact that an enema is done before childbirth. Doctors in the maternity hospital ensure that the emptying of the intestines in women in labor occurs regularly, if necessary, special stimulating suppositories (for example, glycerin ones) are issued.
With proper nutrition, bowel function is usually restored fairly quickly. After a caesarean section, it can take up to several weeks to restore gastrointestinal motility. Also at this time, liver function is normalized, which is reflected in the normalization of biochemical blood tests.
Nervous system
After childbirth, the mother's nervous system encounters new unusual sensations. Depending on life circumstances, stimuli are different. Those who have a first child are worried about how they will take care of the baby, the awareness of motherhood comes and a huge responsibility piles up. For those who already have children, there are also enough reasons for concern - how older children will react to a new family member, how to do everything in time, when to relax ...
The process of giving birth, inevitably accompanied by pain and strong emotions, is always stressful for a new mother. It is not surprising that in the postpartum period, many mothers are on the verge of a breakdown, and someone can not stand it and breaks down.
Relatives, especially the husband, can help in this situation. As well as psychological consultations, which can be obtained free of charge at the antenatal clinic or at the maternity hospital.
Stitches after childbirth
Depending on the circumstances, doctors apply different sutures to tears or incisions: absorbable, non-absorbable and metal staples. The first, as the name implies, resolves on its own after 5-7 days and does not entail further medical intervention, and the remaining two require subsequent removal after 3-6 days.
Cervical sutures are easy to care for, just normal hygiene as described below is sufficient. The nurses begin to process the stitches in the maternity hospital with brilliant green or potassium permanganate, and then, after they are removed or resorbed, the mother herself monitors healing at home. For the speedy healing of stitches, it is also useful to take air baths.
If there are stitches, do not sit for several days, or sit in a certain position with support on the side where there are no stitches.
Although this is unusual, some mothers will have to lie down, reclining or standing for some time.
How to recover quickly after childbirth
Every mother wants to get her body back to normal as soon as possible. Hurrying up and turning a blind eye to suspicious phenomena is not the best way out, since subsequently these tricks can greatly affect health in the future, even years later. Restoration of strength after childbirth goes on for everyone in their own individual rhythm, the main thing is to tune in to success and think positively. All the difficulties associated with childbirth are quickly forgotten, and attention is switched to the care and upbringing of the child. The effectiveness of recovery is influenced by proper nutrition, intimate hygiene, time for rest, Kegel exercises, help from loved ones and a positive attitude.
How to start recovery?
It is better to consult a doctor on this issue, so as not to harm your health, trying to rush the body.
The first consultation with the doctor who conducted the pregnancy is indicated 10 days after the birth. In the first days after childbirth, strict diets should be refrained from, as well as strength physical exercises. At this time, it is better to rest enough, establish breastfeeding and lead an active lifestyle.
Postpartum recovery - getting started
HomeLibraryWomen's HealthRecovery after childbirth: terms, specialists, procedures
Childbirth is over, you have become a mother. And ahead is a new life: with new emotions, sensations, new questions and, first of all, with a new perception of oneself. But how can one feel this incomparable happiness if the body hurts, it is unpleasant to move, it is impossible to sit, every now and then it throws you into a fever and for some reason not everything is as smooth and joyful as you would like?
This is normal. These changes are necessary and important. What happens to the female body during this - the postpartum period, for which nature has given us 6-8 weeks? Within a few hours (!) after childbirth, the nervous, cardiovascular and other systems of the female body begin to rebuild, and hormones are tuned to a new stage - lactation.
At the same time, a woman needs to comprehend what happened, get used to new feelings and sensations - this is also an important psychological stage. This is a multi-stage and difficult process, on the “quality” of which the psycho-emotional stability of the mother depends. And her condition, in turn, affects the adaptation and development of the child (for example, some psychotherapists believe that certain areas of our brain are formed in the first six months of life and directly depend on the emotional relationship with the mother in these months).
Previously, it was believed that after giving birth, the mother should not be disturbed, she is tired, she needs to rest, she has to adapt to a new life, she has no time for doctors, procedures, etc. ...
Significant changes are taking place in a woman's body, and they are a big burden on the body. Therefore, if in the very first postpartum week you gently and correctly “intervene” in the restructuring process, then the postpartum period will be much easier.
You have to listen to your body and prioritize correctly.
“In my opinion, recovery after childbirth should be started as early as possible - in the very first days after the hospital,” says obstetrician-gynecologist and hirudotherapist Nina Alexandrovna Antonova. – A woman experiences this restructuring not only at the physiological level, she lives through it very emotionally. In Israel, studies were conducted: mothers asked the same questions - immediately after childbirth and 20 years later. The only question, the answer to which has not changed over the years, sounded like this - “what day in motherhood do they consider the most difficult?”. All mothers both times answered so - this is "the day of return from the hospital." To overcome the many stressful situations of postpartum life, we will show you what is going on and which specialists can be helpful.
1. The uterus shrinks and returns to its original size, its mucous membrane is restored (after childbirth, the uterus weighs 1000 grams, and after 6-8 weeks - 50-60 grams).
For successful contraction of the uterus, it is very important to attach the newborn to the breast within the first hour after birth, and frequent feedings after (once every 2 hours during the day, and a little less often at night). Breastfeeding stimulates the production of oxytocin, which helps the uterus contract, which, by the way, a mother can even feel during feedings - when sensations resembling contractions appear in the lower abdomen. Herbal preparations of shepherd's purse, nettle, yarrow or birch leaves can also help reduce the size of the uterus. Until it has decreased, one must be very careful with physical activity, exercises - not all of them will benefit. Do not strive to regain your former harmony in the very first postpartum weeks - now you and your body have completely different tasks.
Who can I contact?
- The gynecologist (in the first month) will check the contraction of the uterus, see if there are any blood clots left, possibly an ultrasound.
- A hirudotherapist will also help to speed up the healing of injured soft tissues, reduce edema, and raise the general (and local) immunity of the mother
2. Due to hormonal changes, ligaments change their elasticity after childbirth, so bones and joints become less mobile. After them, the internal organs, which were displaced due to the large size of the uterus (stomach, lungs, intestines, bladder, etc.), take their former position. All these changes can be accompanied by pain, and in the future, pathological fixation may occur, leading to a constant feeling of discomfort, for example, in the back.
Who can I contact?
Osteopath appointment is useful for any woman after childbirth for full recovery and lactation, we especially recommend visiting him if there was a long or rapid delivery, if a large child was born, there were gaps in childbirth or pain persists, there is pain in the sacrum.
An osteopath will also help a mother with lactostasis (and a newborn - with an inability to properly grasp the nipple when sucking).
3. There are changes in the endocrine system: the work of hormones is now aimed primarily at ensuring breastfeeding. But it often happens that by the end of the first week milk does not come in sufficient quantities. Or disappears in a month at all (the so-called lactation crises, which not everyone manages to survive). Or, on the contrary, there is so much of it that mastopathy threatens.
Who can I contact?
Breastfeeding consultant will help to establish lactation, tell you how to stimulate milk production, teach you how to put the baby to the breast so that there are no cracks on the nipples, that is, help organize feeding in such a way that it would bring joy and satisfaction to mother and baby. The psychologist will consult on the main psychological aspects of the postpartum period, breastfeeding, the first year of your child's life, and the features of relations with your spouse after childbirth.
4. Mom's emotional state changes: postpartum euphoria can be replaced by irritability or unreasonable sadness, indifference or, on the contrary, impulsiveness.
If a mother cries or regrets something on the first day after birth, then, according to perinatal psychologists, this may be a manifestation of postpartum depression. Emotions during this period have a great influence on the process of postpartum recovery - help him or, conversely, slow him down.
Who can I contact?
A homeopath will help you balance your emotional mood and harmonize your general state. The psychologist will tell you what's new with the body, with the mother's psyche, what tasks are relevant at this stage. What needs to be done to prevent postpartum depression, where, in what or "in whom" to look for resources for recovery. And if depression does come, it will help to cope with your condition and return to a full life.
Meetings with specialists or lectures on children's issues will help you switch to solving new pressing issues: how to organize a daily routine, how to learn how to relax, how to travel with a baby, as well as solve a number of "pediatric" problems (from vaccinations to hardening or treatment non-drug means - for example, our "School of moms and dads").
