Recovery and Care After Delivery

Recovery and care after delivery refer to the first six weeks after delivery. It is a time of joy, but it is also a time of adjustment and recovery for mothers. During these weeks, the mother communicates with her baby. Whether it is a normal delivery or a cesarean section, the mother should take care of herself in the first few weeks. Excessive rest, limiting visitors, and establishing a routine with the newborn are all part of this new phase in the mother’s life.

Postpartum body changes

Pregnancy causes many physical and emotional changes in the body. The mother should try to get enough rest in the few weeks after giving birth, as well as eat good food.

Vaginal soreness

If the mother has a vaginal tear during labor or a doctor makes an incision, the wound may be sore for several weeks. Wider ruptures may take longer to heal. To reduce discomfort during recovery:

• Sit on a pillow or padded ring
• Cool the area with an ice pack
• Use a squeeze bottle to pour hot water on the perineum when urinating
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever
• Talk to your doctor about using a stool softener or laxative to prevent constipation
• Tell your doctor if you experience severe, persistent, or increasing pain that could be a sign of infection.

Vaginal discharge

After delivery, the uterus sheds the superficial mucous membrane covering the uterus during pregnancy. The mother will have vaginal discharge consisting of membranes and blood for weeks. The discharge will be red and heavy in the first days. It becomes conical, increasingly watery, and changes from bluish-brown to yellowish-white. The mother should see a doctor if vaginal bleeding is severe, especially if accompanied by pelvic pain, fever, or allergies.

Contractions

The mother may experience occasional contractions in the first few days after delivery. These contractions, which often resemble menstrual cramps, help prevent excessive bleeding by compressing blood vessels in the uterus. Postpartum pain is common due to the secretion of the hormone oxytocin. Using over-the-counter painkillers can help reduce pain.

Incontinence

Pregnancy, labor, and a vaginal delivery can stretch or damage the pelvic floor muscles that support the uterus, bladder, and rectum. This can cause a few drops of urine to leak when a woman sneeze, laugh, or cough. These problems usually improve within a few weeks but may persist for a long time. Doing Kegel exercises can help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.

Hemorrhoids and bowel movements

If a person experiences pain during bowel movements and swelling near the anus, the veins in the anus or lower rectum may become swollen. To reduce discomfort when treating hemorrhoids:

• Apply an over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream or suppository
• Use pads containing witch hazel or a numbing agent
• Soak the anal area two to three times a day for 10 to 15 minutes in plain warm water

If a woman avoids bowel movements for fear of damaging the perineum or exacerbating the pain of hemorrhoids or an episiotomy wound, she should take steps to soften the stool. Fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can also help with adequate water intake.

Tender breasts

The breasts become full, firm, and tender a few days after birth. Frequent breastfeeding is recommended to prevent or minimize cramps. If the breasts are full, the baby may have difficulty latching. To help the baby lock-in, it may be necessary to express the milk by hand or use a breast pump to express a small amount of milk. To reduce breast discomfort, use warm washcloths or a warm shower before breastfeeding, making it easier to drain the milk. In the interval between breastfeeding, place a cold cloth over the breasts.

Hair loss and skin changes

An increase in hormone levels means hair grows faster than hair loss during pregnancy. After giving birth, you will experience hair loss for up to five months.

Mood changes

Childbirth creates a set of different emotions. Many mothers experience a period of depression or anxiety that is sometimes referred to as baby blues. Symptoms include mood swings, crying, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. Baby blues usually subside within two weeks.

If a mother experiences severe mood swings, loss of appetite, extreme tiredness, and unhappiness in life shortly after giving birth, she may be suffering from postpartum depression. In this case, the mother must see a doctor.

Weight loss

Most women lose 13 pounds (6 kg) at birth, including the baby’s weight, placenta, and amniotic fluid. In the postpartum days, more fluid will be lost from the remaining fluids. After that, a healthy diet and regular exercise can help the mother gradually regain her pre-pregnancy weight.

Home care after childbirth

After giving birth, mothers usually think they can return to a normal life. However, this is a time in a life full of adjustment to life with a newborn as well as a time of recovery. Mothers need to know that childbirth is something that the body needs to recover from overtime. Some of the physical points that mothers should remember during this period include:

• Resting: The first few weeks after delivery are important for the mother to rest. The mother should try to sleep while the baby is asleep. More rest helps speed up the healing process.
• Avoiding heavy lifting: During recovery, the mother should not lift objects heavier than the fetus.
• Limiting stair climbing: In the first week after delivery, the rate of climbing stairs should decrease.

Some social tips include:

• Limiting visitors
• Asking for help
• Not striving for perfection

When to See Doctor

The mother should usually see a doctor about six weeks after giving birth. They check the vagina, cervix, uterus, weight, and blood pressure. Before checking, if the mother notices the following, she should contact her doctor immediately:

• Vomiting
• Heart palpitations, chest pain, or problems breathing
• Strong-smelling vaginal discharge
• Pain or other problems when peeing
• Fainting or dizziness
• Vision changes or a bad headache that won’t go away
• A severe headache that doesn’t go away
• Leg pain, along with redness or swelling
• Chills or a fever higher than 100.4 F
• Bleeding from the vagina that soaks more than one pad per hour

How much bleeding is normal after giving birth?

The bleeding is relatively heavy and bright red in the first few days after delivery. This bleeding may be intermittent and in small or more uniform clots. With each passing day, bleeding decreases, and its color fades. Two to four days after delivery, the bleeding becomes watery and pink, and after ten days after delivery, only a small amount comes out white or yellowish-white. During this time, most of the bleeding involves white blood cells and cells inside the uterus. Bleeding gradually subsides and stops after two to four weeks, but few women have spotting for a few more weeks.

The bottom line

Recovery and Care After Delivery is one of the most important periods of life for every woman. Childbirth can change any woman’s family and lifestyle. Any emotional and physical changes that occur after birth will slowly improve. Postpartum care is important both physically and mentally.

Do not hesitate to talk to your doctor about any concerns, whether related to depression, your baby, or recovery. Dr. Arjang Naim, MD, creates a calm environment for mothers with complete care after pregnancy and answers mothers’ possible problems and questions.

Additional questions