Posted on August 30, 2023

POSTPARTUM CARE, THE RECOVERY PERIOD.

Category:Mental Health and Substance

A baby’s birth is habitually a time of joy and celebration. From hearing your baby’s first cry to seeing them suckling milk from the breasts, the mother’s anguish gives way to joy because she has brought someone into the world.   On the other hand, however, to both parents, the enjoyment might be tampered with worries about the baby’s safety, family finances, and sleepless nights.

The postpartum period begins after the delivery of your baby and ends when your body has nearly returned to its pre-pregnant state and often lasts 6 to 8 weeks. It involves moving through many changes both physically and emotionally. You also learn to deal with all the changes needed to become a new mom. This period also gets you and your partner learning how to care for your newborn and how to work as an expanded family. Pregnancy changes your body in more ways than you might expect and it doesn’t stop promptly when the baby is born. The physical changes you might experience include; vaginal soreness and discharge, internal contractions, breast tenderness, hair loss and changes in skin elasticity, and weight loss among others. Whereas the feelings of depression, tearfulness, irritability, restlessness, and anxiety can override the emotional state of the mother, here are some tips to go through the postpartum period.

Postpartum depression and other emotional changes.

With depression, symptoms can be mild or severe and you can feel like you’re “going crazy”. You might start experiencing good days and bad days. These feelings, however, don’t go away by themselves. You need to rest as much as possible, get out of the house, ask for help with home chores and baby feedings, and if symptoms persist, talk to your doctor.

Internal contractions

You might feel occasional contractions, sometimes called afterpains, during the first few days after delivery. They resemble menstrual cramps and help prevent excessive bleeding by compressing the blood vessels in the uterus. So, your healthcare provider might recommend a pain reliever to get you relief.

Breast tenderness

A few days after birth, you might experience full, firm, and tender breasts. Frequent breastfeeding on both breasts is recommended to avoid or minimize engorgement. Also, to ease breast discomfort, apply warm washcloths or take a warm shower before breastfeeding. It can make the milk to flow with ease.

Vaginal soreness and discharge

To ease discomfort while you’re recovering, sit on a pillow or padded ring. Cool the area with an ice pack, or place a chilled witch hazel pad between a sanitary napkin and the area between your vaginal opening and anus for 10-20 minutes every after a few hours following childbirth. After having a baby, you may have some type of vaginal discharge that gradually reduces in volume and thickness and lasts for six to eight weeks. A sanitary napkin is highly recommended to hold the flow and often should be changed. In addition, active sexual activity can start after both the soreness and discharge have all stopped.

To crown it up, a complete dietary intake and supplementation to restore the weakened and loosened body tissues especially protein-rich meals to help rebuild, carbohydrates and fats to improve vitality and reduce tiredness. Postpartum care should be an ongoing process rather than just a single visit after your delivery. While making appointments with your health care provider will improve your mood and emotional well-being generally improved, discussions on contraception and birth spacing, and review information about infant care and feeding are further advantages of continuous doctor’s engagements.