While much thought is given to caring for your baby after giving birth, you may not have considered what type of care you yourself will need. The type of care needed after giving birth depends upon the type of delivery you had: Those recovering from a cesarean section have different needs than those who delivered vaginally. Whatever the delivery method, you must care for yourself to care for your baby.
Lifestyle Adjustments
While you are accustomed to making lifestyle adjustments while pregnant, giving birth does not mean that you can resume all pre-pregnancy activities. Take care when lifting items that are heaving than the weight of your baby, and in climbing stairs---the strain can affect your surgical scars, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Rest as often as possible, a prospect that can be difficult because your baby does not have regular sleep hours.
Breast Care
Whether you choose to breast-feed or not, your breasts will require special care after giving birth, according to Brigham Women and Children's Hospital. If you are breast-feeding, massaging breast milk onto your nipples after feeding can help to reduce cracked or sore nipples. Wearing a supportive bra also can help. If you choose not to breast-feed, it's likely your breasts may become temporarily sore or engorged. Putting ice on them several times a day for 20 to 30 minutes and taking a pain reliever can help.
Mood
Postpartum depression is a common concern for women after giving birth, according to Baby Center. Although mood swings are common, if you feel your symptoms extend beyond typical mood swings or have not subsided after rest, talk to your doctor, who may recommend a therapist. Symptoms such as feeling little joy or having a difficult time performing everyday activities can indicate postpartum depression, according to Brigham Women and Children's Hospital.
Considerations
Following delivery, you should make an appointment with your physician for your first post-delivery check-up, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This will typically take place four to six weeks after delivery. At this time, your physician will check to ensure you have healed following birth. Your physician will explain birth control options to you and discuss whether you are healed enough to resume sexual intercourse, according to Baby Center. Even if you have not yet resumed your periods because you are breast-feeding, you still can become pregnant.
Warning
If your surgical scar or episiotomy scar shows signs of infection, seek immediate medical attention, according to the Mayo Clinic. These symptoms include heat at the incision site, swelling, pain or discharge. Blood clots also are a normal occurrence after giving birth---however, if a clot is larger than a golf ball or is accompanied by a fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, seek medical attention.
