What Can You Expect Post Partum?

What Can You Expect Post Partum

If you are going to be a mom you need to know what to expect. Post-partum period refers to the first six weeks after childbirth. First and foremost, you are going to be a mother. It is probably an emotion that even your partner cannot fathom. It’s a period of creating sheer magic. This stage can be simultaneously, physically and emotionally daunting, for new moms as their body adjusts and heals from 9 months of pregnancy as well as labor.

Being prepared and to know what exactly to expect prepares you to encounter the sudden

Know that for a few weeks there will be some physical discomfort, lack of intimacy in your personal life, incidental stress due to breast feeding, looking after your new born. But if you already know what to expect, you also know that its transitory.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS-?

If you have a c-section, these are the things you can expect-

• The time taken for the incision to heal depends from person to person. In average it takes about 3 months.
• Some women still feel pain 24 weeks post-surgery.
• Normally, you are to be discharged from the hospital within 3-4 days, provided that you don’t have any underlying health conditions.
• Since your uterus is shedding the left-over tissues and blood vessels, one can expect blood and vaginal discharged for a few weeks. The blood color will change from red, pink, brown to yellow. This can last up to 4-6 weeks. Wear maternity pads for comfort and maintenance of proper hygiene.
• Expect cramps as your uterus sheds what’s left of the pregnancy. This might feel like intense menstrual cramps.
• Your incision might take 15-20 days to heal, before your doctor decides to remove the stiches. Your doctor might also refer you a few medicines and antibiotics to avoid infections.
• Normally, you would be fed with a few sips of water and ice chips for the first 24 hours. A woman is kept on IV or Saline for the first two days. Gradually, you can resort to soups and light, boiled food after consulting with a doctor.

If you have a normal delivery, these are the things you can expect-

• Vaginal tears, or perineal lacerations may occur during childbirth.
• Sometimes, an episiotomy or a surgical cut can be made in the perineum [muscular area between the vagina and the anus] to enlarge a vaginal opening in order to facilitate the delivery of a baby. These cuts and tears can be quite painful and can take weeks to heal, depending upon the severity of the cut.
• Vaginal bleeding is normal up to a few weeks.
• You might require to stay in the hospital for a few days to recover fully.

PHYSICAL CHANGES:

• Hormonal fluctuations may cause some hair loss up to five months post-delivery
• 90% of the women develop stretch lines across their belly, butt, thighs, hips or breast
• Weight loss
• Your muscles are still tender and have suffered quite a strenuous task. This can cause you to sometimes leak a few drops of urine. In that case wear sanitary pads for a few weeks.

WHAT TO EXPECT 6-8 WEEKS POST-PARTUM-?

Post-natal care is as important as the whole pregnancy itself. Visit a doctor immediately if you notice any of these signs, so that you can stay fit.

• Heavy vaginal discharge
• Signs of infections on your stitch and incision
• Heavy blood clots
• High fever
• Vomiting
• Swellings
• Difficulty in breathing
• Severe pain
• Severe discomfort while urination
• Frequent head aches
• Anxiety and depression
• Shortness of breath

Here a few tips to make the recovery journey a bit easier for you-

• Get ample sleep to regenerate yourself. Taking naps when your baby is fast asleep is also a good idea and can be implemented
• You are your baby’s primary food source. Therefore, maintain a proper nutritional diet and hydrate well {2.5-3 l /day}. Have food rich in fiber, protein and iron. Getting ample fluids will help to prevent dehydration and constipation.
• To deal with pain consult with a doctor for few pain-relief medications. Your doctor might refer to you a few such as acetaminophen or paracetamol.
• Plan a schedule and daily routine for everyday tasks.
• Walk around once a while. This will help the blood flow throughout your body and make you feel mentally and physically refreshed.
• Avoid strenuous tasks.
• Avoid sitting on a hard surface. Use a pillow case while sitting down.
• Don’t hesitate to seek help from your doctor, family and friends. Join a support group if needed
• Have regular appointments with the doctor to keep regular updates on both your health and your baby’s