For Mom: Post Birth Changes, Recovery & Weight Loss

Postpartum Care

Your pregnancy is over and you are so ready to return to normal. But not so fast. Your body has just gone though a major ordeal and it isn’t over yet. Time and nature will work together to settle into a different you. Pregnancy changes your body in many ways. Knowing what to expect and how to take care of yourself will make this final part of the whole experience easier.

Vaginal Soreness

If you had an episiotomy or a tear during delivery you may be sore for a few weeks, especially when you walk and sit. To care for vaginal soreness

Keep the wound clean after using the toilet. Keep a spray bottle with warm water handy as it will make cleaning the area between your vaginal opening and your anus easier.
Sooth the wound using an ice pack, or ice in a zip top sandwich bag. Witch hazel is soothing. Pick up some hemorrhoid pads at the pharmacy; they are very helpful for relieving the sting.
If urinating is painful, do not sit directly on the toilet seat. Squat instead of sitting while using the toilet and pour warm water over your vulva while urinating.
Prevent pain during bowl movements by using a medicated pad as mentioned above. Hold the pad against the wound and press upward while you bear down.
Sit down carefully and tighten your butt as you sit. You may want to use a padded ring for a bit.
Watch for infection if the wound becomes more painful instead of healing. If the area feels hot like it has a fever, or if you see pus, contact your doctor right away.
Do your Kegels. Kegel exercises help tone the pelvic floor muscles. Tighten your pelvic muscles as though you are stopping a stream of urine. Begin Kegels a day or two after your delivery. Just flex and hold for about 5 seconds and repeat 4 or 5 times. Do it several times a day.

Vaginal Discharge

It is normal to have a discharge for up to sex weeks after delivery. For the first few days the flow can be bright red and heavy, like a heavy period. You may experience a small gush from time to time, especially when taking a seat. Over time, the discharge may turn a darker red, then brownish, even yellowish is color. Gradually the flow will taper off. Passing blood clots is normal. Use sanitary napkins instead of tampons to cut the risk of infection. If you:

Fill or even soak a sanitary pad every hour for more than 2 hours
The discharge has a foul odor
The blood clots are larger than a golf ball
Have a fever of 100 degrees or above

Call your doctor, if any of the above occurs.

Contractions or After pain

You may feel contractions (after pains) or cramping especially during breast feeding. After pain seems to afflict women more so after their second pregnancy and beyond. The contractions are the way your uterus gets back to normal size. It also helps prevent excessive bleeding by compressing the blood vessels in your uterus. Your doctor can prescribe medication that is safe even if you are breast feeding. If you have a fever, or your abdomen is tender to the touch, call you doctor.

Urine Leakage

You may leak urine after pregnancy, especially while laughing or coughing, but this usually goes away within 3 months or so. It is caused by muscle damage to the urethra and bladder. The Kegel exercises are very affective in helping to tighten up pelvic floor muscles. You may want to wear pads for this period of time.

Hemorrhoids

If you experience discomfort, itching, and/or swelling around your anus, you probably have hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are stretched and swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum. To relieve the discomfort, soak in a warm tub and use witch hazel pads on the area. Chilling the pads adds to their soothing effectiveness.

Sore and Leaking Breasts

Within a few days following delivery, your breasts will probably become very sore and feel hard as a rock. This is call engorgement. If you are not breast feeding, the uncomfortable feeling will be gone in 3 or 4 days. If you are breast feeding, nursing your baby will relieve that rock-hard feeling. You can also use a breast pump to dissipate some of that firmness. But be aware that expressing milk will signal your breasts to create more milk; something you don’t want if you are not breast feeding. Apply warm or cold washcloths. Wear a supportive, sturdy bra.

You can’t do much about leaking breasts. But you can buy nursing pads that fit in your bra and absorb the wetness. Pads that are lined with plastic can irritate your nipples; you might want to avoid those.

Regaining a Healthy Body

You don’t need to be told that your body isn’t the same as it was before pregnancy. If you are ready to get back into shape, be wise about it. Consult your doctor before taking on a new diet and exercise regime. If you are breastfeeding, wait until your baby is at least 2 months old. Of course the best plan of action is to eat healthy and ease into exercise slowly. Remember, nursing moms need more healthy calories than one who is not nursing, at least 1800 calories a day. Do not consume less that 1500 calories daily if you are breast feeding. Doing so will put you at risk for nutritional deficiency, fatigue, and lackluster immune system.

The Blues & Post Partum Depression

It is completely normal, following child birth, to feel sad and overwhelmed. Just like the song, they call it the blues. Your hormones are raging, putting unfamiliar demands on your mind and body. The care of your baby, the physical symptoms of post-birth, and lack of sleep can really take their toll. Be encouraged, though, because it is temporary. Talk to your family and friends, husband, someone you trust. If you are extremely sad and unable to function or even take care of your baby, contact your physician right away. You may have postpartum depression, and that is not something you can battle in silence by yourself. Postpartum depression can be treated with medication and/or therapy. Don’t try to do it on you own.