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Pregnancy is certainly not a disease. But this does not mean that you will not have to recover after the birth of a child. And for some reason it is not customary to talk about what a woman will have to face at this time. Everyone suffers, and you tolerate.
We prepare for childbirth very seriously: they go to courses, hire a doula, learn to breathe correctly and train their pelvic floor muscles. Even a birth plan is drawn up. But there is no special preparation for the postpartum period. Although this time is the most difficult for a young mother. After all, you need to recover from a traumatic experience, and caring for a child takes all your strength. We have collected 10 things that will not poison your life if you know about them.
1. Postpartum contractions
Do not be surprised, it happens. There may be severe cramps in the abdomen, similar to the ones you already experienced during childbirth. This phenomenon is called involution, when the uterus contracts to its normal size. Such a process simply cannot be comfortable, because the organ has been increasing gradually over the course of nine whole months, and now it collapses in a matter of days.
Breastfeeding mothers are more likely to experience painful cramps. Due to the fact that when the baby is breastfeeding, the body produces oxytocin, the same hormone that caused the contractions. Fortunately, these sensations go away in 3 to 5 days.
2. Inflammation due to rupture
If everything went wrong during childbirth, there may be breaks. However, the stitches can be planned – after an episiotomy, for example. And it’s good if everything is laid out neatly. On the forums, you can often find stories about terrible complications when you had to go to the hospital and clean postpartum stitches. And at first, one of the few ways to relieve pain and inflammation will be ice compresses. Although it is usually scary to imagine, the cold can really help relieve swelling and speed up healing.
3. Persistent constipation
First, because it is scary. These are the same muscles you literally just used to push the baby out. You never know what happens if you strain them again.
Secondly, because it hurts. Especially if not without seams. Swelling and inflammation will not make your life more pleasant.
Eating a healthy diet with enough fiber and fluids will make the situation easier. A mild laxative can help relieve the fear of going to the bathroom. Life will become easier.
4. “Baby Blues”
It’s not postpartum depression yet, but it’s not the serenity of a young mother either. Melancholy, even fear, can come. This is fine. Even tears for no reason are completely normal. All this emotional turmoil is due to a hormonal vortex that is now just returning to normal. The lack of sleep that we encounter at this time only undermines the already fragile mental balance.
Do not hesitate to ask for help – you should be able to get some sleep. After all, your child needs a calm mother.
5. Sweating
Another unexpected and not the most pleasant symptom of the postpartum state. You may wake up in the middle of the night from the cold, not because the blanket has slipped, but because your pajamas or nightie are soaking wet. Sweating can occur during the day. Don’t be alarmed, that’s okay too. The body thus gets rid of excess fluid accumulated during pregnancy. And hormonal fluctuations may be to blame. Drink plenty of water to make up for the lack of fluids and reduce the amount of salt to a minimum.
6. Lohii
Postpartum bleeding can last for about six weeks. Yes, such a prolonged and rather profuse period. Your body is being cleansed of blood and tissue that your baby needed, but is no longer needed. So your best friend at this time is disposable panties and maxi panty liners. These panties, of course, are ugly, but comfortable. And of course you won’t be able to use tampons at this time.
7. Changed thinking
A woman’s brain changes after childbirth – this is a scientifically proven fact. Some lobes become more active, others less. The timbre of the voice also changes. In general, the female body changes entirely and to such an extent that it is difficult to imagine.
Due to lack of sleep and hormonal fluctuations, due to the completely unpredictable rhythm of life, we can become forgetful and irritable. The brain is as if in a fog. But don’t be mad at yourself. This will pass over time – common sense will return to you, and you just have to survive the first few months.
8. Leaking chest
Some mothers face this phenomenon even before childbirth. This can be very unpleasant – a damp stain suddenly spreads on the shirt at the most inopportune moment. On the other hand, this means that you are all right with lactation and the baby will definitely not be left without milk. And the only salvation from such a misfortune is the pads for the bra. They need to be changed as often as possible so that the nipples do not become inflamed due to constant moisture.
9. Self-harm
It is possible that it will seem to you that you are doing everything wrong, that you do not know anything, and do not understand how it should be. “I’m a bad mother,” we say to ourselves quite often. And it’s good if to yourself, and not out loud. Do not panic – with experience all skills will come, and at first even instincts are enough to take care of your little man. In addition, you are not alone, you can always ask for advice from a pediatrician or relatives, friends.
Do not go to extremes, do not try to do everything yourself, not letting anyone else near the baby. It’s okay to accept help.
10. Dislike
“I don’t love my child” – this thought is ringing in my temple like a red-hot bell. After all, they say that love – absolute, unconditional and unconditional – arises immediately, at the first glance at the baby. All the happy instamamals talk about this, painting the boundless ocean of love, which instantly rushed over them. “And I just mechanically take care of him. Something is wrong with me. “
But in fact, everything is so with you. Just establishing that magic connection can take time. Skin-to-skin contact, more communication, and breastfeeding will all help. Just give yourself time.