According to the Guttmacher Institute, which gathers sexual and reproductive health data, about 750,000 U.S. women under the age of 20 became pregnant in 2006. The birth rate for those pregnancies was nearly half, turning teens into teen mothers overnight. Teen mothers have uncertain expectations for their new roles, which is why babies born to teen moms are at risk for abuse while the mothers themselves are at risk for postpartum depression. If you're a teen expecting a baby, receiving the proper postpartum support helps you educate yourself about caring for your baby and getting the help you need.
First Day to Two Weeks Postpartum
The flurry of activity surrounding the birth of a baby often makes the transition seem easier for you as a teen mom. Adoring family and friends visiting in the hospital, where support is readily available from the nursing staff makes the first day as a new parent exciting and even easy. It's during the first few days at home when reality sets in. Ensuring that you have plenty of support as you heal at home is vital for you and your baby's health and safety. Take advantage of public health programs, such as lactation consultants, to ensure you have the best possible start.
Two to Four Weeks Postpartum
As your body begins to heal after the birth of the baby, several changes take place. The postpartum bleeding, contractions and healing pain peaks and subsides in the weeks after delivery. If you're breast-feeding, you'll begin the process of establishing your milk supply to feed their babies. If you decide not to breast-feed you must go through the process of decreasing milk demand to stop milk production. Disrupted sleep makes any mom fatigued and stressed, which is why it's a good time to discuss the dangers of shaken baby syndrome with a loved one or doctor and have a plan in place for when you feel overwhelmed.
Four to Six Weeks Postpartum
A postpartum checkup should be scheduled four to six weeks after the baby's birth. This is an ideal time to discuss birth control methods and talk about anything concerning the recovery process, such as postpartum depression or pain management. As your body finally begins to heal, regular exercise should become a beneficial part of your schedule. Walking with your baby or taking time each day to head to the gym helps your physical and mental health. Talk to your doctor about approved postpartum exercise methods and start with low impact activity.
Getting Help
Becoming a new mom at such a young age is overwhelming. Your introduction to motherhood likely feels like a roller coaster: you love your baby, but your changed lifestyle can be a shock. Ask friends and family members to help when they can and cultivate an open relationship with your doctor, especially in the days where your body is still healing, yet you need to take care of your baby. Remember that if you ever feel so overwhelmed that you think about hurting your baby to put your baby in a safe place and call for help immediately.
References
- The Guttmacher Institute; U.S. Teenage Pregnancies, Births and Abortions: National and State Trends and Trends by Race and Ethnicity; January 2010
- KidsHealth.org; Recovering From Delivery; Larissa Hirsch; June 2008
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; When Children Have Children; July 2004
- FamilyEducation; Postpartum Recovery: 2nd Week Home; Glade B. Curtis
