Postnatal Care
Post Delivey Changes No One Told You About
Dec
When you are pregnant, there is a massive amount of info about what is happening as your belly grows, and there are countless books and classes about the birth itself, but little is said about post-delivery time. Postpartum recovery is full of funny quirks and serious challenges that no one seems to be talking about.
Here are the top eight things you would wish you had known earlier about the early months postpartum.
Hormonal Swings
You are so excited and happy to bring baby home. The next minute, though, you are sad. It can be confusing, especially to new moms. There is nothing to worry about and it is quite normal. If it lasts longer or seems to be getting worse, call your doctor. It may be postpartum depression, which can (and should) be treated.
Night Sweats
Nuts are great for increasing your milk supply, but Besides fueling your mood swings (see “Baby blues,” above), hormones are also responsible for other postpartum symptoms. You may be sweating more, especially at night when you sleep. Just make sure that your sweating is not accompanied by a fever. That could be a sign of infection.
Breast engorgement
Breast engorgement is breast swelling characterized by a feeling of warmth, hardness, and heaviness in the breasts. Engorgement is caused by increased circulation to the breasts. It can happen as milk comes in or if you miss a feeding (if you are breastfeeding).
When breastfeeding, you can prevent engorgement by frequently feeding your baby or pumping your breasts. To relieve the discomfort: Apply warm compresses or take a warm shower to help the milk let down (but then feed your baby or pump immediately after). Do not repeat this if you don’t get relief, as it may increase swelling and prevent the milk from flowing.
Hair Loss
Most women have fuller, shinier locks during pregnancy. After delivery, your hair goes back to normal — and that may mean it looks like you’re losing more hair than normal. But don’t worry — it all evens out.
Heavy Bleeding
After giving birth, it is common that you will have vaginal bleeding and discharge (this is called lochia), even if you had a C-section. This is your body’s way of eliminating the extra blood and tissue that was used to grow and nourish your baby. Expect for this to be heavier at first (up to 10 days), but then taper off. Light bleeding and spotting can last up to six weeks after delivery. It is important that you use maternity pads with high absorption during this time.
Haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids is rare but can happen. If your postpartum bleeding is filling more than a pad every hour, you should contact your doctor immediately. Without treatment, postpartum hemorrhage can be fatal.
Skin Changes
Hormonal changes and tiredness that come with being a new parent can cause skin problems. You may notice dark spots on your face. Exposure to the sun’s rays will make the patches darker, so wear sunscreen if you’re out in the sun. If the patches don’t lighten, ask your doctor to refer you to a dermatologist.
Your stretch marks won’t disappear, but they will become less noticeable in the coming months and years. At first they can be pink, reddish-brown, black, silver or purple in colour. They usually start off darker and fade over time.
Constipation
The first bowel movement after delivery may be delayed to the third or fourth day after delivery. Your healthcare provider may prescribe or recommend an over-the-counter stool softener to soften the stool and make bowel movements less uncomfortable. Increase fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet to keep your bowel movements regular. Also make sure you are drinking at least 10 to 12 glasses of fluid per day.
Still Looks Pregnant
You give birth, you lose your belly, right? Well, not that fast. It takes about 6-8 weeks before the uterus is back to its pre-pregnancy size.