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| Free Pregnancy Information - The Postpartum Period (Puerperium) You did it! Your new baby has arrived! What to expect after childbirth…
At the same time as you are recovering physically, you are also adjusting to the new baby and the many joys and responsibilities new motherhood brings. The next few weeks may be some of the most tiring, challenging yet exhilarating times that you have ever experienced! BabyNature has formulated some gentle and effective natural remedies to promote your natural mothering instincts, help you to recover quickly from the birth, slip into breast-feeding with ease and generally breeze through this period of change. Please see the bottom of this page for more information. Physical changes in the postpartum period There are a number of changes that must take place in order for you to return to your previous, “non-pregnant” physical state. You will probably have plenty of aches and pains after childbirth due to the exertion and hard work of many hours of labor. Within a few days of delivery you will start to feel a lot better. Your recovery will be helped by looking after yourself and taking it easy as much as is possible with a new baby in the house! This is not the time to be strong and self-sufficient and you should accept whatever help you can get to assist you during this time! You may find that you are swollen, especially in the fingers, ankles and feet. This will take up to two weeks to normalize as your body fluids re-balance. Constipation is another common problem experienced by women after delivery and is best approached with a balanced diet including plenty of fruit, vegetables and water. Don’t worry about having a bowel movement as stress can worsen constipation!
Your uterus will gradually shrink back to its normal size in the next few weeks. Within 1 week of delivery the uterus is half the size it was before you delivered and will continue to shrink, partly with the aid of contractions often called afterbirth pains. These contractions are stimulated by breast-feeding and help to prevent excessive blood loss. If you used our ProPartum Drops in the last few weeks of pregnancy or our Birth-Heal Tablets and NewMama Drops after the birth, your uterus will shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size much more efficiently and quickly. (for more information, see the bottom of this page)
For 2-6 weeks after delivery, every woman will experience bleeding and discharge which is normal and known as lochia. Lochia consists of the remaining blood, tissue and mucus which is being expelled from the uterus after birth. Only sanitary towels should be used to absorb this blood and discharge as tampons can introduce infection and should not be used for 6 weeks after birth. Over the next few weeks, the flow of lochia will slow and change color from bright red to pink and then yellowish.
If you suffered any tearing or bruising during the delivery - as is very common in first-time moms - or if you had an episiotomy, this will also need to heal over the next several weeks. You may feel pain, discomfort or even numbness in the vaginal or perineal area after childbirth, even if you didn’t have a tear or episiotomy. Healing and recovery of an uncomplicated tear or episiotomy usually takes around one month and although painful, seldom leads to complications. Regular use of our Easiotomy Cream will help to speed up the healing process (see below).
Breastfeeding is the other major physical adjustment of the postpartum period. This amazing, natural bonding experience with your child may not always feel natural or amazing at first as the two of you get used to the process. You may feel you don’t have enough milk or your breasts may become engorged or leak. Some coaching from a professional as well as patience and perseverance will have you on the road to a successful and cherished breastfeeding experience in no time! BabyNature Nature's Milk Drops are a very useful aid to establishing successful lactation in the early weeks.
If you have any symptoms that are worrying you or seem to be getting worse rather than better, call your OBGYN or midwife even if it is just to set your mind at rest. If you seem to be bleeding excessively, develop fever, foul-smelling vaginal discharge or your breasts become red, warm to the touch and painful, call your health care provider.
Although there is great joy and excitement at the arrival of your new baby and you know you should be delighted, it is also completely normal to feel overwhelmed with the responsibility of taking care of this new young life. You may experience moments of sadness, helplessness and even disappointment. Understand that this is part of the adjustment, is affected by hormones and that your emotions should stabilize within a short time. If you feel down and depressed for more than a few days after the birth, speak to your health care provider. Coping with the challenges of new motherhood The fact that the challenge of motherhood is placed on you when you may be feeling at your most tired and overwhelmed, can take its toll. This time period is tough for most women but there are ways that you can make it easier on yourself. Try not to neglect yourself and your own needs. Remember that your body is healing and this is a time of change and often stress. Give yourself a break by making sure your partner is involved in the responsibilities as well as the privileges of being a parent. Accept offers of help - whether it is your mother-in-law offering to watch the baby for a few hours or a neighbor who would like to cook you a meal. Allow others to care for and nurture you while you care for and nurture your new baby! Don't expect everything to be perfect. A chaotic house and neglected chores are par for the course during those early weeks and months - after all, what is more important than caring for your new baby. Don't try to be super woman! Eat well and get as much rest as you can - take advantage of your baby’s nap times even if they are short. Soon enough you will find a rhythm and your new “baby-routine” will become more manageable. Other things to remember after childbirth Your interest in sex will probably be decreased in the weeks following child-birth and you should avoid full intercourse completely until all bleeding has stopped and it is not painful or uncomfortable. Remaining intimate with your partner is still important though, especially as so much of your love and attention is being lavished on the baby - new dads may often feel a bit “left out” or neglected at this time! Your menstrual cycle will take a while to stabilize again and how quickly your period returns is based on whether you are breast-feeding as well as individual variation. Birth control is important whether or not you are breast-feeding as your body may begin to ovulate even if you are breast-feeding. Just because you have not yet had a period, does not mean that you cannot fall pregnant again. Talk to your partner and health care provider about what method of contraception would be best for you. How can BabyNature help in the puerperium? The following natural products from BabyNature have been formulated for the new mother in the days and weeks following delivery.
In order to support you during your time of adjustment, BabyNature also offers a free AskUs email service for any questions you may have about your new baby, breastfeeding or your own health. Michele
Carelse M.A. (Clinical Psychology)
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Disclaimer: The information on this website is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure and is not a substitute for a professional consultation with a medical or health professional. Do not make any changes or additions to your prescription medicine without first consulting your doctor. Should symptoms persist, please consult your doctor. Feelgood Health, 23 Constantia Rd, Wynberg, Cape Town. P.O. Box 735, Plumstead, 7801, Cape Town, South Africa. Ph. (+27) -21 7970193, help@feelgoodhealth.co.za |
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