Pregnancy is a period of enormous changes in the mother’s body to facilitate the growth of the baby. There’s an increase in blood volume and changes in hormones and thereby weight which are physiological.
The postpartum period is the period after delivery, which lasts six weeks and wherein the physiological changes of pregnancy revert to a nonpregnant state. Whether one has had a normal delivery or a cesarean section one needs to rest to recover completely.
During this period try to get as much rest as possible and take care of the stitches as advised by your obstetrician. Pain killers and ointments for local applications on the stitches whether a cesarean wound or an episiotomy (stitches near the vagina) wound as advised can be taken. Taking a sitz bath helps the episiotomy wound. Using a doughnut pillow to sit makes sitting comfortable. Some women especially after the second delivery experience pain which is the contractions of the uterus after the baby is born.
Night sleep is invariably disturbed as most babies tend to be awake the whole night and sleep the whole day. Lack of sleep will make one cranky so it’s advisable to get some sleep while the baby is sleeping. Keeping the room dark during the day time helps one get sleep
Constipation is a common problem post-delivery. One should have a balanced diet and take plenty of fruits and vegetables to prevent this condition. However, stool softeners can be taken for the same.
Vaginal discharge is very common for three to six weeks. If there’s excessive bleeding after one week it’s mandatory to reach out to your obstetrician. It’s important not to use tampons post-delivery as it may lead to severe infections.
Knowledge of breastfeeding and care is equally important, especially for first-time mothers. The right technique of breastfeeding is to be learned and practiced to prevent breast abscesses and cracked nipples.
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Post-delivery baby blues, depression and anxiety, and excessive crying are seen in a few women, especially in first-time mothers . It’s important to reach out to your obstetrician or a family member or a friend or seek a psychologist helps in such times and not to underestimate oneself or the need for support.
Any fever in the postpartum period, excessive swelling of the legs, difficulty in breathing, or chest pain needs to be examined by your obstetrician immediately.
Post-natal exercises are a must to tone up the perineal (Kegels)and abdominal muscles which would have lost tone during pregnancy and normal delivery. They can be started as early as 3 weeks after a normal delivery and 6 weeks after cesarean section. However, kegels exercise can be started even earlier. Getting back to routine exercising is better after 6 to 8 weeks.
Calcium from the lower back vertebrae of the mother is taken up and through breast milk goes to the baby hence Calcium supplements are a must for the first six months of breastfeeding.
In many Indian households, traditional Ayurvedic methods are adopted -like oil massages, ayurvedic medicines, hot water baths, etc to help the woman's body to revert to nonpregnant state. Sexual activity can be resumed after 6 to 8 weeks and precautions to be taken to avoid an unplanned pregnancy.
(Author: Dr. Jayashree Nagaraj Bhasgi, Senior Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Fortis Hospital, Richmond Road, Bengaluru)
