One thing we must all agree on is that no matter how many books you read or how many videos you watch, nothing really prepares you for the tsunami that comes with having a newborn. First, you must acknowledge that your body has done the unthinkable. Growing and birthing a human being after the most agonizing nine months you’d ever experience is no mean business. Welcome to motherhood! They will salute you upon the arrival of your bundle of joy, but what you do not know is that besides the joy that is motherhood, there are a few self-care rules that you must implement.
Postpartum recovery is not a one-day or one-week journey; mountains need to be moved, so if you think that by pushing the baby out or by going through a Caesarian Section you get to complete the journey, then you’ve got a whole new package coming up. Your body has gone through trauma, so, in the same spirit, you’ve got to walk a new journey to recovery.
Postpartum recovery is a path to new and improved health that comes with its own set of dos and don’ts that must both be observed in equal measure. We, at Elimuzazi, are here to enlighten you through it all.
Things you should do during postpartum recovery
- Pay more attention to your body than you ever did before. Yes, it’s normal to be exhausted because your body just went through an entire transition, plus there is a newborn to watch. But then you shouldn’t be too exhausted to either get up or attend to your baby. Suppose it gets there, then there is a need for medical advice.
- Nourish your body with good food, drinks, and plenty of water to not only aid breastfeeding but also boost your energy. Your daily intake literally depicts your milk levels and components. It would be wise to also fix your meal plan to help keep up with your meals, lest you get too engrossed with the baby and forget to eat. Remember, breastfeeding awakens hormonal reactions that cause intense thirst, so keep a water bottle around you all the time.
- Unlike what many think, prenatal vitamins do not stop with childbirth but rather continue right into your breastfeeding journey. Talk to your OB/GYN on how to go about your prenatal vitamins and also know if you need to increase your vitamin D dosage because you require more vitamins during breastfeeding than you did during pregnancy.
- Make a concrete decision on when you want family and friends to visit the child. This doesn’t mean you do not appreciate the love and excitement they have for you and the child, but visitations are overwhelming, and you’ll need time to boost your strength before you are able to handle the traffic. Consider settling for staggered visits in the meantime because, again, you can’t be all alone, but this should be left to the few you would want to have close.
- Build your sleep pattern and routine. Recovery necessitates as much sleep as it does food. Cumulatively, newborns sleep for about 16 hours a day, a transition to almost three to four hours of sleep in each round. Build your sleep schedule around these hours. Like any other person will tell you, try to sleep whenever the baby sleeps. Yes, it hardly translates literally, but try to work around it for adequate rest.
- Take your time through breastfeeding; it will be harder than you’d anticipated, which is one more reason lactation consultants exist. Breastfeeding requires absolute patience; it will suck in the beginning, but slowly, through the pain, blisters, sore nipples, and headaches, you’ll ace it.
- Jump back into your workout as soon as your doctor pronounces you fit for it, but first commence with your kegel exercises immediately after delivery. According to Wikipedia, “Kegel exercise, also known as pelvic-floor exercise, involves repeatedly contracting and relaxing the muscles that form part of the pelvic floor, now sometimes colloquially referred to as the “Kegel muscles.” Childbirth weakens the pelvic floor muscles, which in turn increases pressure on the pelvis, leading to unreasonable urine leakage and absolute discomfort. By performing the kegel exercise, you effectively aid in whipping the muscles back into shape before any damage occurs.
- Vaginal birth causes pain and discomfort in the vagina; this means your Miss V needs some TLC treatment after delivery. Work hand in hand with your OB/GYN to help ease your vaginal tears. This can be accomplished by applying topical Lidocaine for immediate numbing and taking sit baths to reduce swelling and cool it down. Frequently clean your vagina with warm water, even more so after peeing.
- Accept that you aren’t a superhuman and ask for help. It’s no longer just you; a baby is involved, and it can be overwhelming. Accept and seek assistance before you overwork yourself or become sleep deprived. An extra hand, eye, and brain are essential at this time.
- In the case of a C-section, there are more limitations on what you can’t do than what you can. Do not sit for long periods of time, drive, lift anything heavy, move around quickly, or be on your feet for an extended period of time. Go for regular checkups until your doctor gives you a clean bill of health.
Things you should not do during postpartum recovery
- Depending on your mode of birth, you will experience various body changes, with the most significant one being heavy bleeding. At the sight of this, you will automatically be tempted to use protective things like tampons or menstrual cups. Aside from that, hormonal changes will cause an irresistible desire for intimacy. The fact is, no matter what or how you feel; do not insert anything into your vagina. No sex, no tampons, no substance whatsoever, and it should remain so until your doctor gives you a clean bill of health lest you risk further injury or infection.
- There is a need to take care of your baby, but do not overdo it. Yes, you have an infant, but remember that there is not much difference between you and the infant. Despite your mode of delivery, the fact is that you have a fresh wound and are also experiencing soft tissue and muscle injuries. You need as much care and attention as your child does. Curve out time to rest for better healing.
- Do not ignore or minimize pain; no matter how mild it is, the amount and duration of pain must be monitored. Normally, pain varies from one person to another and is mostly determined by your mode of delivery or depending on your complications both during and after delivery, but despite the reason, do not ignore pain.
- Do not play a hero and hide your struggles; it is normal to go through mental instability after delivery because the experience is harrowing. On the other hand, the baby blues may hit beyond the normal percentage and send you into anxiety or stress. Do not die in silence; these experiences are normal, and you aren’t alone. Talk about it and seek help. Speaking saves you the stress of postpartum depression.
- One of the major childbirth myths is that you cannot get pregnant almost immediately after delivery or during breastfeeding. Sorry to burst your bubbles, but please do not forget to reinstate your birth control plan after your doctor confirms you are fit for intimacy because that information is true to some degree but not fully certified. There are many birth control options. Speak to your doctor and partner, then choose what best suits you, and while at it, consider not interfering with breastfeeding.
Motherhood is a beautiful and overwhelming journey. It requires care both ways; do not get lost in it and forget the main part, which is you.