The body undergoes several changes during pregnancy as an entire human develops inside it. These changes occur both before and after the baby’s birth. As daunting as the nine months are, the weeks following childbirth can also be physically and emotionally draining for new moms. This time is known as the postpartum period. As a new mom, you’ll need to be cautious, patient, and tolerant as you adjust to your new life as a parent.
As a new mother, you’ll have to listen to unsolicited advice on how to care for your infant, which may cast doubt on how you feel about your abilities. While taking care of your child, you may also forget to look after yourself. This isn’t a good practice, though. Taking care of yourself is as vital as taking care of your baby. So to help you out, we’ve listed a few pieces of advice for moms in postpartum.
Visit your doctor regularly
We recommend that you attend all your doctor’s appointments after labor. This is essential if you had to undergo surgery to deliver your child. Stitches are prone to infection, which could lead to some severe health problems in your lady parts later on. Your doctor will also monitor your health and guide you on remaining healthy for yourself and the child in the coming weeks. Moreover, they’ll also help rule out the possibility of childbirth injuries, such as erbs palsy, facial paralysis, cerebral palsy, etc. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent such conditions from worsening.
Get plenty of rest
Giving birth is not an easy process. You should get plenty of rest to let your scars heal. The stitches require time to recover. Get as much sleep as you can to deal with exhaustion and fatigue. Infants wake up every two to three hours and stay up at night. Breastfeeding might exhaust you, and doing chores like changing diapers, swaddling, and cleaning the baby can be stressful. Hence, try to sleep when the baby naps so that you may get enough rest.
Care for your scars and stitches
C-Section scars and vaginal birth tears can be extremely painful. Apply an antibiotic ointment on the scar as prescribed by your doctor. Clean the scar and stitches with soap and water. You can also attempt to relieve the pain of vaginal sutures with a sitz bath. Sitz baths are little plastic tubs that fit over the top of the toilet bowl. Fill the tub with lukewarm water and sit in it to cleanse the skin. You can talk with your doctor about leaving the wound open to heal or covering it. Avoid any strenuous activity, lifting heavy items, and climbing stairs to let the abdomen relax for some time.
Look after your perineum
The perineum takes time to heal after childbirth. Sweat and urine might also exacerbate the problem. So try using ice packs for relieving pain. To avoid inflammation, you can also sprinkle warm water on the torn skin. Icing also aids in the reduction of swelling in the affected area. Some shops sell icepacks similar to sanitary napkins, and you can wear them in your underwear. However, avoid getting too cold by using them. Sitting or standing for too long can result in sweat in the area and cause irritation. Therefore, avoid sitting or standing with them for a long time.
Stool softeners for constipation
Most mothers experience difficulty in defecation right after childbirth. A stool softener, such as docusate sodium, may be prescribed by your healthcare professional or recommended over-the-counter. Hormonal effects, iron supplements, stiff and strained muscles, hemorrhoids, and soreness from an episiotomy are all possible causes of this problem. You can deal with this problem by drinking plenty of water, eating prunes and figs, and taking a well-balanced diet. Doing so will help you poop in peace.
Soothe your breasts
Breast engorgement is normal during postpartum. It can cause pain and discomfort. It is a condition in which your breasts overfill with milk and begin to hurt. This condition arises when your baby refuses to take milk or when your breasts produce more milk. Gently massage the breasts and apply a warm compress to soothe your breasts. Use a lanolin cream to treat cracked nipples and let your breasts air out after every breastfeeding session. Also, frequently breastfeed the baby and use a pump to lighten your breasts. Ensure your breasts are empty after pumping.
Eat healthy food
When you breastfeed the baby, you tend to feel hungrier than usual. In addition, your body undertakes a tremendous task when you give birth. You’ll need energy and a balanced diet to return to your normal working state. Take plenty of liquids and protein-rich foods, as well as prenatal vitamins. To help prevent hemorrhoids, eat a combination of complex carbs and enough fiber (found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains). You can also use vitamin supplements with your regular diet. Eating healthy can help with stress, exhaustion, and weight issues.
Stay mentally and physically active
While most doctors would not recommend rigorous exercise, they will approve lighter forms of exercise, such as walking around the house or your block. A little physical activity will help release muscle spasms and stress, raise energy levels and strengthen muscles.
New mothers also experience baby blues and postpartum depression. The baby blues are a collection of emotions brought on by hormonal fluctuations, anxiety, lack of sleep, isolation, and other factors. If you’re suffering from any of these, seek treatment from a mental health specialist.
Conclusion
Motherhood is a new stage of life that can be both tiring and rewarding. After six weeks of severe discomfort and backaches, your body begins to feel like it belongs to you again. You’ll be well on your way to a complete recovery during postpartum care if you follow the abovementioned advice. Allow yourself time to recover and heal while loving every bit of this new chapter in your life.
