The postpartum period is one of the most important period of a woman’s life. Yet it is often the most neglected. The body, no matter how easy your labor and delivery was, has undergone a massive change for which it requires time to heal. Here are some things I’ve learned over the last 5 child birth experiences.
“If you have a urinary catheter, germs can travel along the catheter and cause an infection in your bladder or your kidney”
If you get an epidural to help control labor pains or you have a c-section, you will also be required to get a urinary catheter. A urinary catheter is a small tube inserted through your urethra to drain urine from your bladder. “If you have a urinary catheter, germs can travel along the catheter and cause an infection in your bladder or your kidney” (cdc.org). This infection is known as a catheter-associated UTI. Cranberry juice has been known to help help flush the bacteria before an infection starts. So, If you are getting a catheter, be sure to consume as much cranberry juice as possible for a few days following delivery.
Don’t be afraid to say “no to visitors”
Whether you have a c-section or a vaginal delivery, the days or even weeks following labor & delivery can be challenging. It is a time during which there are many changes happening in the body and in your life. You may be in pain, feel uncomfortable, unclean or just be exhausted. No matter what the reason may be, you may not want to entertain guests at that time. If that’s so, don’t be afraid to say “no to visitors”. People that love you and want to visit the baby to celebrate you and your bundle of joy will understand. Trust me. If you wanted to visit someone and they asked you politely to visit another time because they were constantly nursing, felt unclean, hadn’t had a chance to tidy their house or bring snacks to offer their guests, wouldn’t you understand? Even if they didn’t tell you the “why”. If so, then know that others will also respect your need.
To avoid engorgement, feed your baby frequently and if needed use a breast pump to express milk.
If you choose to breastfeed your newborn, you may experience engorgement in the early weeks after delivery. Engorgement can lead to mastitis which can be very painful. To avoid engorgement, feed your baby frequently and if needed use a breast pump to express milk. This will not only give you relief but will also help you to start building your stash of expressed milk. Pumped breastmilk can be kept frozen for up to 3-6 months. Please check out my blog post titled “Overcoming the challenges of life with a newborn” and “Breastfeeding challenges and it’s suggested solutions” to learn more about the what and why of a milk stash.
Take it slow
Having a baby is no easy task, regardless of how easy your labor experience was. During the first few weeks after birth, there are many physical, social and psychological changes that a woman must adapt to. Even if you have a normal delivery with no complications, the body still needs care to help it heal. Regardless of how easy your labor was, you may still have stitches from an episiotomy, postpartum pain from contractions as the uterus returns to its normal size, and loss of blood during labor and in postpartum. In addition to these things that need care and attention, a woman must also learn to feed and care for her newborn. This can be very overwhelming. So, take it slow. Hire help for cleaning and small tasks that seem overwhelming. Request the help of friends and family when you feel too weak to cook, get groceries or are having difficultly getting out of the house for school pickups drop offs.
Be sure to address feelings of overwhelm, depression and lonliness early on. Do NOT ignore these feelings.
Taking care of the newborn, especially in the earlier days is extremely time consuming and exhausting. Newborns are unpredictable and cannot be put on a schedule. This can all take a toll on a mother’s mental health. Lack of sleep, the constant nursing, not being able to go out or participate in family/friends outings along with a number of other things can make a mother feel depressed and lonely. Be sure to address these feelings early on. Do NOT ignore these feelings. If possible, plan for it while you are still pregnant or immediately after delivery. Request family or friends to help out in watching the baby so you can shower, catch up on sleep or just talk.
Eat nutritious foods to help replenish the nutrients the body loses
Eat nutritious foods to help replenish the nutrients the body loses during childbirth, and to have the strength and energy to care for the newborn. Some foods even have healing properties to assist with the internal healing process. For more information on postpartum nutrition, contact an ayurvedic practitioner, postpartum doula or a nutrionist.
