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Postpartum Care – what new moms can do for themselves
Having a baby is undoubtedly a joyous occasion. However, it comes with its own problems. Staying safe during pregnancy is important but the time right after childbirth, called the postpartum period, is especially difficult for new mothers. Their bodies undergo rapid changes that they have to deal with in addition to taking care of the baby. While friends and family can help you take care of the baby, you need professional help for postpartum care. Here are some problems new moms encounter after childbirth and how to take care of them.
Taking care of discharge and pain
Discharge and bleeding is common after a vaginal birth. You’re likely to experience heavy bleeding for the first two weeks. It slows down gradually and usually subsides within four to six weeks after giving birth. If you experience heavy bleeding for a long time, consult your obstetrician Sydney immediately. It could be a sign of complications.
Similarly, pain and cramps are also common after delivery. This happens due to tears that may have occurred while giving birth and also because the uterus is shrinking back to its normal size. Over-the-counter medicines such as painkillers can help with the pain but make sure to ask your doctor about it. You can also use hot and cold compress, whichever is more comfortable for you.
Dealing with Physical Changes
During the postpartum period, the mother’s body undergoes various changes. These include weight loss, stretch marks as well as hair loss, to name a few. Rapid weight loss is expected as the mother is no longer carrying the weight of the baby. Women lose almost 13 to 15 pounds after giving birth. You don’t need to worry about it. Just make sure to eat a healthy diet and do plenty of exercises when your doctor advises you. Make sure to not do anything strenuous and do light workouts that are good for new moms. Since every birth is different, we recommend that you consult your doctor before you start an exercise program, to find out which exercises are safe for you.
Due to the hormonal changes, you’re also likely to experience drastic hair loss. It can continue up to six to seven weeks after delivery and gradually decreases. Again, a healthy diet rich in protein is the best cure treatment for this. You can try hair serums
Coping with Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression is a real disorder and can be very difficult to deal with. Every mother experiences baby blues to some extent in which they feel irritable, tired, restless, sad and insomniac. But if you start having feelings of guilt, shame, self-worthlessness and hatred toward your baby, it is serious and requires professional treatment. Some people can also have thoughts of harming their babies. It is important that you consult a psychologist as soon as you can in this situation.
Most new moms don’t know the answer to the following question: how long does postnatal depression last? Many experts have weighed in; some say that it could last for weeks, others say that it could last for months, while there are incidents when it lasted for years. What’s crucial at this stage is the intervention a mom i given to support how they cope.
Mothers could resort to various ways to block problematic emotions if not attended to the soonest. They could reach for a bottle of wine, grab a box of pills, or even commit suicide. This is such a devastating way of dealing with the situation, and as a family member, looking out for mothers can be a great help.
Soothing Breast Engorgement
After childbirth, the mother’s breasts become filled with milk. This is called breast engorgement. While it is necessary for the nourishment of the baby, it can be quite painful for the mother. If you are breastfeeding, it is best not to take painkillers for the pain or soreness, but make sure you talk to your doctor beforehand if you are considering taking something. A better idea, when possible, is to use hot compresses to soothe the pain. Oils and balms can also help swollen and chafed nipples. This will make breastfeeding a lot easier and hopefully less painful.
Addressing breast engorgement is crucial. Not only could it be excruciatingly painful, it’s very uncomfortable. When it comes to the point that you experience a fever, you need to have it checked by our doctor because it could be a sign of infection.
To prevent this from occurring, it’d be best to feed your baby as soon as they ask for it and if they don’t, just pump the milk and store it in the fridge. If you have an abundant supply of breast milk, donating it to babies who need it would be an excellent move. It can also help you feel better and lessen your feeling of lack of self-worth.
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