The importance of postpartum care cannot be overemphasized as giving birth is divine. It is praised and worshiped by every culture and every religion. There is no denying, that what a mother goes through to give birth is not an easy feat. Once the baby is born the people that took care of the pregnant woman shift their focus to the baby.
The Importance Of Postpartum Care
Looking after yourself post-delivery is almost as important as taking care of yourself during the delivery. Just because you are not carrying a baby anymore doesn't mean that you do not deserve the due attention and care. You are as important and you should look after yourself with the same dedication and care, as your baby.
What is the postpartum period?
The postpartum period is defined as the first six (6) weeks after delivery. Your health in this period strongly determines your health for the rest of your life. Good care of your body and mind will show its effects later in life. This will also show an effect on your baby's health.
Motherhood can be tougher than pregnancy. The new routine of waking up at night to feed the baby and not getting a shred of rest yourself can take a toll on your health.
The following problems and their treatments are for people who went through vaginal delivery. People with caesarian should consult with a gynecologist and devise a care plan for them:
Vaginal Discharge
After delivery, your body will start shedding the superficial mucous membrane that used to line your uterus. Your body will get rid of this membrane through a discharge of this membrane and blood. The discharge is usually red and heavy in the earlier days but eventually turns yellowish-white.
The vaginal discharge is quite normal and should not worry you at all. But if the bleeding is very heavy and not lessening over time, the only solution is to consult your doctor. If the discharge is causing extreme pelvic pains, fever, or tenderness you should seek help.
Vaginal soreness
Pushing a baby out of your vagina is no easy feat. It causes vaginal tear and vaginal soreness which persists for a long. Simple tips can help in relieving this pain and soreness.
- Use a squeeze bottle to pour water when you are peeing. This will reduce the burning sensation.
- Soak your body or just the affected area in a warm bath. You can also use cold water if you find it more soothing.
- Cool your perineum (the area between vaginal opening and anus). This will soothe the pain and burning.
- Use soft pillows and pad rings to sit on.
These tips can help in soothing the area but are not a cure for the pain. If the soreness is unbearable and persists for long, you should seek help from a professional.
Contractions
Feeling contractions till a few days after the delivery is quite common. Stopping this contraction is not recommended because these contractions help in controlling the bleeding.
Although these contractions are synonymous with menstrual cramps, if these get out of control, you can take over-the-counter pain-relieving medications.
Incontinence
Vaginal delivery can stretch your pelvic floor muscle. This muscle supports the bladder, uterus, and rectum. This can cause your urine to leak while coughing, sneezing, or laughing.
Some simple measures or tips can be used to handle this situation as follows:
- Do pelvic floor muscle exercises. This will help in gaining better control over your pelvic.
- Wear sanitary pads to prevent your clothes from getting dirty.
Hair loss
If you have gotten used to compliments you were receiving for your luscious hair during pregnancy, it is time for payback. Your hormones are at a surge when you are pregnant. After pregnancy when your hormones return to normal, you will start losing your hair. This can be combated with hair supplements and using various serums and oils.
Conclusion
Postpartum care is of utmost importance for the mother and the baby. In normal cases, it is fine to follow some general guidelines but if your case is special you will need to consult with a dermatologist.