The postpartum period begins when your baby is delivered and ends when your uterus returns to the size it was before pregnancy. Typically, this period lasts six weeks and is confirmed at the well-mother checkup that is usually scheduled six weeks after a normal birth. Taking care of yourself after delivering a baby is important because that reduces the chances of infection and other undesirable outcomes. When leaving the delivery facility, you will likely be provided with postpartum instructions that are specific to the delivery you had. Your baby's needs are important but so is taking care of yourself.
Rest
Sleep is vital to healing from delivery and ensuring you are providing your baby with the best possible care. A lack of sleep diminishes mental functioning and can increase irritability. Take naps when your baby naps. Ask your friends or family to help with household duties while they visit. When someone asks to visit the baby, try to take a quick nap while that person cares for the newborn.
Physical Activity
You may resume most physical activities when you feel comfortable if you gave birth vaginally and without complications. Cesarean delivery patients should wait until their six-week postpartum checkup and discuss physical activity with your doctor. Some tasks after a C-section may be too strenuous; pushing a vacuum may even be difficult. Avoid extended walking and frequent trips up the stairs. Limit yourself to activities that do not cause any pain until your doctor gives you approval to push yourself in exercise.
Bottom Care
There may be many sore spots on your bottom after delivery. This can be true regardless of delivery type. For the cesarean delivery, hemorrhoids may still be present. Vaginal delivery may result in perineal tearing or wounds as well as sutures to care for. For these ailments, take sitz baths. A sitz bath consists of sitting in 2 to 3 inches of warm water several times a day to remove dried blood and bodily fluids on your bottom. These baths prevent infection and help ensure the skin tissue heals appropriately.
Your health care provider may tell you to take a stool softener to keep you from straining and because your bottom will be tender in many areas for several days. Wipe from front to back because this will keep your wounds from getting bacteria and germs from the rectal area. If needed, sit on a doughnut-shaped pillow to relieve pressure off your tender bottom. Witch hazel pads or other commercial hemorrhoid pads are also soothing on a sore perineal.
Breast Care
Whether or not you are breast feeding, your breasts will create a milk supply. When nursing, consume plenty of water to replenish all the fluid that is leaving your body. Wash your breasts with water throughout the day to prevent germ buildup. Even a mild soap may dry and irritate your tender nipples, so use only water unless you don't feel clean enough without soap. Pure lanolin can be applied to your nipples to help soothe the discomfort. Stay dry with nursing bra pads and by wiping away any milk residue. Wetness can cause chaffing and increase your discomfort.
Avoid mastitis by applying warm compresses or massaging tender spots in your breast that may indicate a clogged duct. Follow your health care provider's recommendations for ceasing your milk supply if you do not plan to breast feed. This process can be painful if your milk supply comes in fully a few days after the birth of your baby. Applying pressure when you feel the milk come in can help. Warm compresses paired with tight bras or tanks will lessen any pain and prevent the milk from expressing.
Mental Health Care
You may experience mood swings after the birth of your child. This is called the baby blues. New mothers experience a surge of hormone changes after birth. Emotionally, a new baby is demanding. Combining all the emotions you are feeling with a lack of sleep can cause new mothers to feel depressed. If your irritability, sadness and anxiety do not diminish within one to two weeks after your baby's birth, contact your health care provider.
A more serious condition called postpartum depression may be causing your extended unhappiness. If you have no desire to take care of your baby or feel as if you may harm her, contact a trusted friend or family member and seek medical help right away. These feelings are associated with postpartum depression.
