Women look forward to the birth of their child, but don't realize how hard the first month after the baby's arrival can be. From sleepless nights to the risk of postpartum depression, there are several things that the new mother must know about in order to keep things in perspective.
First a safety note
Infections can develop a few days after your give birth, which is usually when you're back at home. Call your doctor immediately if you develop a fever over 100 degrees F or if you have any of the warning signs in the contents below.
Ooooo, chills
Some people get chills and shivers immediately after delivery. This goes away within a few hours and is more annoying than a concern.
I can't pee!
Immediately after the birth of your baby (and the initial bonding period) you may be asked to urinate. Your urethra will most likely be swelled shut, and a good pee just isn't going to happen for awhile. The problem with this is that your body doesn't stop producing urine, so your bladder just keeps getting fuller and stretching out, which the doctors call distended. If you can't urinate on your own after about eight hours, your doctor may use a catheter to do it for you.
You want me to move after all of that?
You may be asked to get up and walk around even though you're sure that you couldn't take a single step. You need to move a bit soon after birth and throughout your entire healing process to keep from getting blood clots, but don't try to do too much too soon. Notify your doctor if there is any tenderness, swelling, or redness in your legs (or anywhere else, but in the legs is most common) because it could be a sign of a blood clot.
Postpartum Lochia
Women enjoy the fact that they do not have to deal with their monthly menstrual cycle during pregnancy only to be surprised by the postpartum bleeding known as lochia. Locia is the slothing off of the uterus after the birth of a child. It starts out being bright red and then it will turn brownish pink in color then yellow and finally white or clear and with such a light flow you can get away with just wearing a panty liner. It is not uncommon for there to be large clots the first week after giving birth. If clots are still present a week after giving birth, notify a doctor. Do not wear tampons for lochia bleeding. Nothing should be inserted into the vagina until the doctor says that it is OK. Bleeding can last anywhere from a couple weeks to six weeks. Bleeding longer than six weeks or going through one or more pads per hour are warning signs to look out for, and a foul smell can be a sign of infection. Also, not having a discharge of lochia is a bad thing too, and while you're expected to be tired, be aware of any extreme fatigue and paleness or unusual pulse or blood pressure that could be caused by a loss of blood. Notify your doctor immediately if you have any of these warning signs.
I feel like I've been hit by a truck
You're entire body has just endured an incredible task. Every muscle in your body has had an intense workout. You will most likely be achy, stiff, and sore from head to toe. This usually goes away after the first week or two. Ibuprofen is the best pain killer because it's an anti-inflammatory (unlike acetaminophen). Talk to your doctor about medications and dosages (especially if you're breastfeeding), but when I went through this the dosage was two 200 mg pills (400 mg total) every four hours. Believe it or not, walking can help as well. Some of the soreness is caused by a build up of lactic acid in the muscles, and aerobic activity (walking is an aerobic activity) helps to burn up that acid and reduce the pain.
I look like I've been hit by a truck
All of that pushing puts a strain on your entire cardiovascular system, so some blood vessels may pop during delivery. It's typically harmless if you don't have any cardiovascular problems and leaves you with bloodshot eyes and bruises that normally appear on the face but can pop up anywhere.
Postpartum Cramps (afterbirth pains)
After the baby is born, the uterus starts to return to its normal, pear-sized shape. There can be a fair amount of cramping as this happens and it can be quite painful. Breastfeeding can make it worse. Talk to the doctor about any pain medications that are safe to take, especially if the mother is breastfeeding because your body produces oxytocin during feedings which stimulates the contractions. Ibuprofen works well for this. It can last up to six weeks.
I'm so exhausted
Why wouldn't you be exhausted after everything that you just went through? Get lots of rest. Sleep whenever the baby sleeps because you won't get a chance while she's awake. (Ok, maybe take a shower during one of the naps, but ignore the messy house and sleep, or at least lay down.) If you're in a hospital, sleep may be more difficult because people keep coming in to check your vitals as well as your baby's, but all of that is necessary to ensure that you or your baby don't develop an infection or have any other complications.
Postpartum Hemorrhoids
If you didn't get them during your pregnancy, that doesn't mean you're out of the clear. According to aFamilyDoctor.orgarticle entitled "Hemorrhoids: Reducing the Pain and Discomfort," hemorrhoids can come from the "strain from carrying the baby and from giving birth." Before leaving the hospital, ask the doctor for a stool softener to help make having a bowel movement easier. Be sure to eat plenty of fiber and drink a lot of water to ward off constipation, which can make hemorrhoids worse.
If they become bothersome, take a cotton pad and soak it with witch hazel which is the main ingredient in most over the counter hemorrhoid medications. Place the cotton pad where the hemorrhoids are and leave it there for 30 minutes or so. Also, using a donut seat or the boppy that was bought for the baby to sit on will help.
Constipation?
Yes, yet again you may become constipated. Eat those prunes and lots of fiber. Don't forget to drink lots of water. Moving around can help too. And take those stool softeners!
Excuse me
Along with constipation is gassiness. This will also work itself out, but try to eat small frequent meals and avoid gas producing foods in the meantime.
Hey look! The room is spinning
Changes in blood volume may cause you to get dizzy and light headed. Get up and down slowly, and try to find things to grab onto for balance if necessary.
Oh, my boobies are killing me!!!
Fortunately the pain isn't immediate, but it will happen whether or not you breastfeed. If you don't breastfeed, your breasts will become engorged, and you'll need to use ice packs and pain killers until your body realizes that you aren't going to breastfeed. Just don't express the milk because your body will just make more milk. If you do breastfeed, you'll probably be focused on the nipple pain caused be the frequent sucking of your baby (that pain will go away as your nipples toughen up, usually about a week or two). Plus, when your milk comes in, usually around day 3-6 after giving birth, your body won't really know exactly how much to produce, so chances are it will produce too much, and you'll become engorged. Feeding the baby takes care of that problem. Whether or not you breastfeed, you need to be aware of any warm, tender, or red areas on your breast which may be a sign of infection.
Now I can't stop peeing!
So you finally got to urinate after delivery, and now you can't stop. Your body has been retaining fluid, and now it's time to let it all out. Once again it's time to play "I must be within 50 feet of a bathroom at all times." This goes away after a couple of weeks. Keep drinking your water.
Laugh, sneeze, cough, and dribble
Along with frequent peeing, you may also experience incontinence because your bladder muscles are in a bit of shock after the ordeal and while everything starts moving back into place. Wear a panty liner. If you have a lot of urine leakage, you may need to start investing in incontinence pads. Talk to your doctor about it if it doesn't go away by the end of the normal recovery period. Unfortunately, some women never get their normal bladder control back, but have hope because many do. Start doing your kegels again!
Is it hot in here?
Another way that your body tries to get rid of excess water is by sweating, so don't be surprised if you suddenly have episodes of sweating or hot flashes. Have a fan handy.
Help! I'm going bald
No, you won't go bald, but you will lose some hair. While you're pregnant the amount of hair you shed daily normally is reduced due to hormones. After the delivery of your baby, those hormonal balances resume and your body starts shedding hair again. It may seem like a lot, but I promise you won't go bald. Maybe invest in a new haircut to hide problem spots or get some rockin bangs!
No Postpartum Sex
Sexual intercourse should not resume until after the postpartum six weeks check up. One reason is that the vagina needs time to recover from the birth, plus you are at more risk for infection. Another reason is that it is possible to get pregnant during that time. At the check-up, the doctor will be able to help a couple decide on a birth control method and check to see if the woman is ready to resume sexual relations.
Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression
It is not uncommon for a new mom to feel happy one moment and then weepy the next. Many women experience the baby blues, but according to the Mayo Clinic in the article "Postpartum Depression: Symtoms," about 10 percent of new moms will develop postpartum depression.
The Mayo Clinic says that mood swings, anxiety, sadness, irritability, crying, and decreased concentration are all symptoms of the baby blues and they usually only last a few days to a couple of weeks. For postpartum depression, however, a woman may have insomnia, intense anger, overwhelming fatigue, lack of joy in life, loss of appetite, feelings of shame, problems bonding with her child, withdrawing from loved ones, and they may have thoughts of harming the baby or themselves.
If a new mom is suspected of having postpartum depression, she must seek help immediately. There are treatments for postpartum depression and no woman should spend what is suppose to be one of the happiest times of her life locked in the grips of a treatable condition.
Just remember that postpartum bleeding and cramps are normal, just check with the doctor if it seems excessive after two weeks. Treat hemorrhoids if they apperar. Avoid postpartum sex until the doctor gives approval and a birth control method is in place and pay attention to postpartum emotions. It is ok to be a little weepy the first few weeks after baby arrives, but make sure it does not develop into full blown depression.
