During pregnancy, most women tend to undergo changes in their bodies to create a conducive environment for the unborn baby to survive. Similarly, following the birth of the baby, the mother undergoes both physical and emotional changes.
However, most new mothers neglect to prepare for these postpartum changes post-delivery. The period after which a mother gives birth is the postpartum period which lasts about 6-8 weeks.
The Stanford Children’s Health Journal States that the postpartum period usually ends when the mother’s body has nearly returned to its pre-pregnancy state. During this period, many changes come along and a mother should be ready to know how to deal with all the changes needed to become a new mother.
It is, therefore, important for women at this stage to take good care of themselves. They need to rebuild strength, ensure regular visits with the Obstetrician and Gynecologist(OBGYN), make time to rest, observe good nutrition and get as much help as they can during the first few weeks. This is referred to as postpartum care.
It is important to note that a postpartum care plan will mostly be individualized depending on the mode of delivery and other mom specific factors such as any preexisting health conditions and the health status of the mother and her newborn after delivery.
So, what are the important things women should know when it comes to postpartum care?
- Plan Ahead!
Becoming a mother, whether for the first or second time is often an exciting journey for most women. A lot of women spend time preparing for the coming of the baby and how the baby will settle into the home after leaving the hospital.
However, it is equally important for the mother to prepare for her homecoming. The physical and emotional healing of a new mother relies heavily on preparation. The expectant mother must have a readily prepared postpartum care plan put together by herself and her OBGYN.
A comprehensive postpartum plan will include:
- How to deal with perineum soreness and pain
- Breastfeeding and how to take care of the breast during the breastfeeding period
- Recommended supplies to deal with pain, soreness, bleeding and any additional items should she be having a C-section
- Begin to screen for any signs of postpartum depression (PPD) and learn how to identify signs and symptoms of baby blues and PPD and what to do in the case she suspects she is going through PPD
- Identifying family members who will assist the new mother
- Identifying a doctor, healthcare provider other than the primary OBGYN whom the mother can reach out to when they have questions or emergencies
- The physical changes that will happen to the body and how to deal with them
- What extra precautions women diagnosed with gestational diabetes need to take
- Health, weight and nutrition to avoid or deal with any risk factors
Readily prepared expectant mothers who know what they need, and what to expect feel better and more in control. Therefore, the new mother spends less energy and time looking for supplies, worrying when a problem arises and reduces the possibility of PPD. This way new mums can focus on the joys of motherhood.
- Those Postpartum Visits Are Critical for You and Your Baby’s Health
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that all women schedule visits with their OBGYNs within the first three weeks postpartum. Follow-up visits should then be scheduled with ongoing care as needed with a comprehensive postpartum visit no later than 12 weeks of birth.
The comprehensive postpartum visit involves a full assessment of physical, social, psychological well-being. During this visit, the OBGYN assesses emotional well-being, infant care, sexuality, sleep and fatigue as well as physical recovery.
Postpartum care is important because new mums are at risk of serious and sometimes life-threatening health complications in the days and weeks after giving birth such as preeclampsia. The mother should also at this point have an identified health care provider to whom she can easily contact if she has any questions or emergencies Such as postpartum preeclampsia.
Here are some important questions you might want to ask your OBGYN during your visit:
- If there were any issues with your delivery that you should be notified about
- Is any bleeding you might be experiencing normal?
- Home remedies or medications to relieve postpartum pain.
- Whether you can resume your normal exercise/ workout regime
- When you can resume having sex and what is safe
- The importance of breastfeeding your newborn
- What you can do to relieve constipation in case you are having any
- Birth control options and when is it safe to start on birth control.
- Screening for Postpartum Depression (Before and After Giving Birth)
As mentioned earlier, the comprehensive postpartum visit assesses for more than physical wellbeing but also includes assessing psychological well-being. Most new mothers experience baby blues which lasts about a few days to a week or two after the birth of a baby.
Baby blues is characterized by symptoms such as mood swings, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, crying, appetite problems and trouble sleeping. However, some new mothers experience more severe intense symptoms that continue after four weeks after childbirth.
These symptoms include: –
- depressed mood
- loss of interest in daily activities plus four associated symptoms
- appetite disturbance
- sleep disturbance
- psychomotor agitation or slowing
- fatigue
- feelings of worthlessness
- inappropriate guilt
- poor concentration
- suicidal thoughts
New mothers need to know that PPD is common and is nothing to be embarrassed about. Therefore, new mothers should consult their doctors if experiencing signs and symptoms of PPD. Equally, OBGYNs are encouraged to test for PPD according to Postpartum Support International as follows: –
- First prenatal visit
- At least once in the second trimester
- At least once in the third trimester
- Six-week postpartum obstetrical visit (or at first postpartum visit)
- Repeated screening at 6 and/or 12 months in OB and primary care settings
- 3-, 9-, and 12-month paediatric visits
- Prepare for the four degrees of tearing
Vaginal birth comes with all sorts of physical changes and one of the most notable changes is in the vaginal area. After vaginal birth, a woman experiences vaginal tearing. According to Today’s Parent, there are four types of tearing that occurs during a vaginal birth:-
- First Degree– Involves the skin around the vagina and entering the perineum. This is the east severe and usually heals on its own without stitches
- Second Degree-Builds off a first-degree tear and affects the perineal muscle
- Third-degree– Extends into the anal sphincter- the muscle that controls the anus
- Fourth degree– passes through the anal sphincter and into the mucous membrane that lines the rectum, known as the rectal mucosa. This is the most severe type of tear. However, this type of tear occurs in 3% to 5% of women and under the following circumstances: –
- It’s your first vaginal birth
- You have a forceps- or vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery
- You deliver a large baby (over eight pounds, 13 ounces, or four kilograms)
- Induced labour
- You experience a prolonged second stage of labour (the time between when the cervix is fully dilated and delivery)
- You deliver a child whose shoulder gets stuck behind your pubic bone
- Your baby is in the persistent occiput posterior (OP) position (where the head is down and the child faces your belly)
Though not much can be done to avoid third- and fourth-degree tearing, expectant mothers can seek the guidance of a pelvic health physiotherapist. This will provide insight on useful pelvic floor exercises to minimize getting first and second-degree tears as well as improve recovery after delivery.
- Make the Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist your best friend
Other than assisting in minimizing the chances of experiencing first and second-degree tears, a pelvic floor physical can also help with postpartum incontinence. This is when leaking of urine happens involuntarily.
The pelvic floor muscles weaken during pregnancy and some women suffer damage to the nerves that responsible for controlling the bladder. A physical health therapist can help manage this.
As for moms who undergo a caesarean section, proper care and nursing of the incision area are important. This will include:
- gently cleaning and dry the wound every day
- wearing loose, comfortable clothes and cotton underwear.
- Being on the lookout for any signs of infection which may include colour changes on the wound area, extreme pain, any abnormal discharge such as pus.
- gently cleaning and dry the wound every day
- wearing loose, comfortable clothes and cotton underwear.
- Being on the lookout for any signs of infection which may include colour changes on the wound area, extreme pain, any abnormal discharge such as pus.
In conclusion, self-care as a new mother is one of the most important things and most overlooked. Preparation, seeking and equipping oneself with accurate information from professionals goes a long way in overcoming any issues that arise after giving birth. This in turn promotes the well-being of mother and baby. Don’t forget to enjoy your time with your newborn!
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